Calling All Bridget Joneses!

Entertainment/General News Editors

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--APRIL 12, 2001

A few years ago, having the name Bridget Jones was no big deal. Bridget Joneses around the country used their credit cards, left phone messages, got new driver's licenses and were introduced at parties. Their name raised nary an eyebrow.

And then came THE BOOK! Suddenly, the enormous success of the book, Bridget Jones's Diary, by Helen Fielding had Bridget Joneses all over the world answering dozens of strangers' questions each week:

"Bridget Jones? You mean, like the book?" "Yes, like the book."

"Did you read the book?" "Yes."

"Did you like it?" "Yes, I loved it."

"Do you keep a diary?" "No, I don't. When will my dry-cleaning be ready?"

And now, just when the furor has died down, the movie version of the novel opens on Friday April 13 -- and a whole new batch of questions awaits. Bridget Joneses everywhere are practicing new answers:

"Yes, just like the movie."

"Yes, I saw it."

"Yes, I loved the movie too."

"Yes, that was a funny part."

"Yes, I thought Renee Zellweger was great too. Could I get paper instead of plastic?"

In honor of all of the women named Bridget Jones, General Cinema is offering free admission to the movie this coming weekend, Friday April 13 through Sunday April 15 to any woman whose name truly IS Bridget Jones. All they need to do is present a valid driver's license or passport with their name on it to receive a free ticket to the self-monickered movie.

"Every year, thousands of people who live very happy and quiet lives until someone with their identical name becomes famous - either in real life or in fiction, for good reasons or bad," says Page Thompson, senior vice president of marketing for General Cinema.

"There are probably Sharon Stones who are dentists, Jim Bakers who aren't tele-evangelists OR treasury secretaries, Cindy Crawfords who aren't models, Alan Greenspans who know nothing about economics, Bill Gateses with only $20 in their wallets, and Julia Robertses who can't act their way out of a paper bag," continues Thompson.

"Offering free admission to Bridget Jones's Diary this weekend at our theatres seemed like a nice thing to do as a thank you to all of the Bridget Joneses out there," explains Thompson. "There aren't too many people in real life whose names are Erin Brockovich, Austin Powers or Ace Ventura, but there are probably quite a few Jerry Maguires, Joe Blacks, Jackie Browns and Ned Devines who have suddenly had to adapt to having `famous names.'"

It's anyone's guess how many actual Bridget Joneses are out there. Many married couples have their phone numbers listed under the husband's name. The Boston phone book has no listings for "Bridget Jones" but it does have 14 "B. Joneses." Could one of them be a Bridget in hiding? There are also probably quite a few children and teens whose names would come in under the radar as well.

"We think people will really enjoy this movie and wanted the Bridget Joneses of the world to feel especially welcome on this big weekend," says General Cinema's Thompson. "The movie is rated R however, so if a Bridget Jones is under 17 she'll have to come along with her parents - or wait until she's old enough to see it on her own."

To qualify for free admission, a person whose first and last names are actually Bridget and Jones (middle names and maiden names don't qualify) must present a current driver's license or passport at the box office on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, April 13, 14 or 15 at any General Cinema location nationwide. As long as their desired showtime is not sold-out, they will receive one free ticket to the Miramax film, Bridget Jones's Diary. This offer is valid at General Cinema theatres only and not applicable to other films or dates. Only one free admission per Bridget Jones please.

General Cinema stresses this offer is good only for patrons named Bridget Jones. Any Dr. Dolittles, Harry Potters and Luke Skywalkers out there will just have to wait their turn.