'This Is It' A Thriller For Michael Jackson Fans

By BRIAN McCOLLUM
Free Press Pop Music Writer

For Linda Hollis, this documentary was sure to be a thriller.

The 49-year-old Detroiter was among hundreds who eagerly queued up at the AMC Star Southfield cinema Tuesday evening — some for several hours — to catch the premiere screening of Michael Jackson’s final performance film, “This Is It.”

“I grew up with Michael,” said Hollis, sporting a bright “King of Pop” T-shirt. “I had to be here.”

With Jackson hits playing overhead, theater officials described it as one of the hottest screening scenes in recent memory, with a line of nearly 1,000 snaking out the lobby doors and down the block. The film officially opens today in theaters worldwide, including 19 in metro Detroit.

The film, rushed into production after Jackson’s death in June, chronicles the star’s rehearsals for a planned comeback stint. Hollywood analysts say “This Is It” could become one of history’s top-grossing music movies, and Detroit is expected to be one of its top U.S. markets, according to the film’s local publicist.

Area fans were certainly hungry for a last blast of Jackson sizzle: Hollis was among about 500 who descended onto the Motown Historical Museum early Tuesday for a WJBK-TV (Fox 2 Detroit) ticket giveaway.

“I was amazed,” said museum spokeswoman Chrystal Johnson. “People came out in droves, just passionate about the movie.”

By late afternoon they were packing the lobby of the Star Southfield for the 9:30 p.m. showing. More than 200 were turned away when the 700-seat theater reached capacity.

Rosemary Bartley of West Bloomfield held pole position in the multiracial, multigenerational line.

“This should be a nice farewell,” said Bartley, who attended the Jackson 5’s fabled Michigan State Fair show in 1970. “I still just can’t believe he’s gone.”

Freep / Thanks Joy C!