The final film in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy opens early tomorrow (Wednesday) morning and hundreds of fans will pack in to watch it on Iowa’s largest movie screen. The special showing of “The Return of the King” at the Merle Hay Mall Cinema in Des Moines begins at one-past-midnight and is expected to draw wizards and warriors from all over central Iowa. Theater owner Chuck Caligiuri says the 30-by-60-foot screen and T-H-X digital sound system are big lures for movie lovers.They’ll open the doors at eight tonight for the pre-premiere party that includes a costume contest, a trivia challenge, improv and a magician. Caligiuri says he’s been getting calls from all over the area, including towns as far away as Ottumwa and Sheffield. Caligiuri expects a big crowd but he’s unsure if he’ll sell all 800 seats, since the movie runs three hours and 20 minutes. Most folks who attend the midnight show won’t get home until 3:30 or 4 AM. Caligiuri jokes there’ll likely be a lot of people calling in sick tomorrow with the “Frodo flu.”
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