logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2021
17m 28s

Harry Potter and the phenomenally profit...

Bbc World Service
About this episode

It's 20 years since the first Harry Potter film was released and the movies and books have spawned a world of wizard-related retail opportunities. Elizabeth Hotson asks Chris Columbus, director of the first two Harry Potter films, how he dealt with the pressure of bringing the boy wizard to life. And we travel to Edinburgh for The Potter Trail tour which starts with a spell and ends in a graveyard. We step inside the magical Museum Context shop, and hear form owner, Andrew McRae. Plus, Scott Mendelson, a film critic and box office pundit at Forbes, tells us why he thinks the franchise has been so successful. And we end with a look at the most hallowed of magic artefacts, the philosopher's stone itself.

Presenter: Elizabeth Hotson Producers: Elizabeth Hotson and Sarah Treanor

(Picture of a boy dressed as Harry Potter, Picture by Stephen Chernin for Getty Images)

Up next
Jul 16
Looted: the risks of buying ancient history
It may be a key plot point in films and video games like Indiana Jones and Tomb Raider, but the real-life looting of ancient artefacts has reportedly reached unprecedented levels – and research suggests that even terror groups could be cashing in on stolen relics. What’s being do ... Show More
17m 28s
Jul 15
Home loans, different ways
Mortgages - or home loans - are commonly taken out in countries with high homeownership rates. In some parts of the world, the majority of people own their homes outright, but in the US, parts of western Europe and the UK, most buyers require a mortgage to get on the property lad ... Show More
17m 28s
Jul 14
Has crypto come of age?
The US has plans for a strategic Bitcoin reserve - effectively a massive stockpile of cryptocurrency. Countries hold reserves of all sorts of assets and commodities like gold, grain and medicine. As Bitcoin becomes the latest addition to the US reserves, what does this say about ... Show More
17m 29s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2022
Harry Potter: The Movie
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the first big-screen adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s best-selling book series, had its premiere in London's Leicester Square on November 4th, 2001. Among the glittering guest list were Sting, Cliff Richard, and the Duchess of York, but Baby ... Show More
12m 5s
Nov 2020
Can I Still Read Harry Potter?
Journalist and fan Aja Romano examines their decision to close the books on the boy wizard and hears different viewpoints toward Harry Potter and contemporary readership.Aja Romano has been a Harry Potter fan for many years, but after personally disagreeing with statements by the ... Show More
28m 52s
Mar 2021
505: Seven Harry Potter Fan Films That Expand The Story in Brilliant Ways
The MuggleCasters recently appeared on Evanna Lynch’s ChickPeeps podcast, where we nerded out on Harry Potter - check it out! We remember Harry Potter fandom icon Nigel Taylor (Vladimir Snape) Grab the popcorn, candy and soda and hide it inside Laura's huge purse, because this we ... Show More
1h 6m
Apr 2021
509: What We'd Change About The Harry Potter Books and Movies
Main Discussion: What Would We Change About The Harry Potter Books & Movies? A couple of Mary GrandPre's book covers should've taken a different direction! It's Philosopher's Stone, NOT Sorcerer's Stone! Get with it, America! What's Buggin' Micah returns as he Americanizes the ot ... Show More
1h 23m
Jun 2022
567: 'Philosopher's Stone' Illustrator Thomas Taylor Reveals the Secrets Behind the Cover
On this week's episode of MuggleCast, we're joined by a very special guest, Mr. Thomas Taylor, who originally illustrated Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 1996! He talks about what it was like to land the job and all that ensued! Join us as we celebrate the 25th annive ... Show More
55m 53s
Jan 2021
498: Harry Potter's 'Midnight Sun': The Companion Stories We Want Written
News: With a new appointment at Warner Brothers, could a Harry Potter television show be in our future? (Note: This episode was recorded before The Hollywood Reporter reported on January 25 that a live-action Harry Potter series is officially in development, but our news discussi ... Show More
59m 17s
Jul 2021
520: The Most Shocking Moments in Fandom History, Part 2: Encyclopedia Flip Flop, More Wizarding Schools, Fantastic Beasts
We continue our discussion on the most shocking moments in Harry Potter fandom history, with some stories you'll remember -- and others you probably forgot! In 2012, Micah discovered that JKR had announced she was actively working on a Harry Potter Encyclopedia, but it was quickl ... Show More
1h 11m
Mar 2021
504: The Achievements of Women in Harry Potter
Welcome Slug Club guest Olivia! The Hogwarts Legacy video game will reportedly allow for players to customize their character's gender identity. To celebrate International Womens Day 2021, the hosts discuss achievements by women in the Harry Potter series Not only did Lily Potter ... Show More
1h 17m
Aug 2021
Harry Potter
Some Christian voices have suggested that the Harry Potter stories about witchcraft, magic and mythical beasts provide a gateway into satanic practices. But JK Rowling completely disagrees and she was glad that readers were unaware of her Christian faith at the time the books wer ... Show More
27m 33s