just back from F.O.A. Schwartz

[Rosmerta]

can't help ranting: WB (that *is* who's doing the movie, right? I try 
not to follow it too closely) is doing the full-court-press in 
advance of the movie, which is a shorthand way of saying we saw way 
more stuff in the city than has made it into our small-town toy 
stores. The most jaw-dropping: ugly ugly sculpture things (IMHO of 
course) that depict Harry winning the cup for Gryffindor and other 
events that are labelled as "limited edition, only 5,000 made" and 
sell for $98. 

The Hagrid and Fluffy stuffed toys, on the other hand, were really 
appealing and totally on-the-money authenticity-wise, but 
unfortunately, the money is $48 for 16 inches of fun. Zow. Can't help 
thinking how many kids Unicef could (and does) feed, clothe and 
vaccinate with that cash....Must they price-gouge to get their point 
across (whatever that point may be)?