D'oh-Nuts, Duff beer at Springfield, Vt., debut of The Simpsons Movie
The Simpsons Movie, the first feature film aboutthe dysfunctional cartoon family, got a warm welcome at the family's "hometown" of Springfield, Vt., where the movie premiered.
Creator Matt Groening and producerswere in the town of 9,300on Saturday night for theevent.
The town earned hosting duties after receiving the most votes in an online USA Today poll. It beat out 13 Springfields in many other states, including Illinois, Colorado, Ohio, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan and Missouri.
"As Homer would say, 'Woo hoo!'" said Groening at a ceremony shortly before the first of three screenings to a total audience of 600.
Tickets were given away free, with preference given to Springfield residents.
Those lucky enough to catch a screening gave good reviews.
"It was fantastic," said Mike Iglinski. "It's a big culmination of all the years of the Simpsons."
Mary Helen Hawthorne thought it was "very cute.
"Very clever. Lots of little allusions."
On Saturday, store windows were festooned with cutouts of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie as actors dressed like the characters mingled with fans.
Some 2,000 people showed up for the festivities, which included "Duff & D'oh-Nuts" ice cream, custom made by Ben & Jerry's, and a version of "Duff" beer made by a Vermont company — doughnuts and Duff beer being Homer's favourite foods.
Bart bigger than Beatles?
"I think it's quite clearly bigger than Elvis and the Beatles put together," said Brock Rutter of the Vermont Film Commission, surveying the international media that had descended on the town.
The town had to lobby to be included in the contest, winning over the film's producers on the strength of a video in which Homer, played by a local radio talk-show host, runs through Springfield chasing a giant pink rolling doughnut.
Groening has said he chose to set his long-running animated series in Springfield because he discovered the name was one of the most common among U.S. towns. The show has never divulged exactly where the town is located.
The film will be released worldwide on Friday, 18 years after it premiered on television.