Movie-Goers Venture To See 'Dark Knight'

Germaine Moore was mannng the Pickwick Theater concession booth Friday night, and said he hadn't known how many people would show up after the tragic shooting at an Aurora, Colo. screening.

"We weren't expecting anybody to come see the movie (The Dark Knight Rises), but there were a lot of people," he said. 

The Park Ridge theater heightened security measures by having more staff on hand. They circulated through the front lobby, then made rounds of the theater before and during the show, he said.

"I'm pretty sure we'll keep doing it," he added.

Moore shuddered when he gave his reaction upon first hearing that a gunman had killed 12 people, and wounded dozens, during a midnight screening of the movie in Colorado.

"I was shocked when I heard about it," he said. "It was pretty discomfiting."

After the movie ended at 10:50 p.m., at least a couple hundred movie-goers streamed out.

"it's very sad what happened, but you can't lead a sheltered life," said a woman who would give her name only as Jackie. "You have to go on."

Other viewers didn't let the news color their decision to attend.

"I didn't really think about it at all," said Billy Kennedy of Niles. "I just wanted to see the movie."

Other members of his family acknowledged more concern.

"It wasn't the movie makers' fault this tragedy happened," said Ashley Kennedy, standing next to him.

"There's always an element of worry nowadays," said Annette Kennedy. "But it was tragic."

The Pickwick is selling limited-edition t-shirts on the occasion of the movie's release. They feature a drawing of the historic theater with the Batman symbol in a spotlight (see photos).

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