LONDON — Shrieks of excitement and a blizzard of photo flashes greeted three astonished young stars at Sunday's premiere of the long-awaited film Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

        The American release will be titled Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

        Young fans, some dressed up as the boy wizard and his friends, gave a wild welcome to Daniel Radcliffe, the 12-year-old who plays Harry, and Rupert Grint, 13, and Emma Watson, 11, who play Harry's school pals Ron and Hermione.

        The British trio, getting their first taste of celebrity, seemed happy, stunned and nervous before the masses of cameras and microphones, and the voices shouting their names from every direction.

        “I knew it was going to be big, but I wasn't really expecting this,” Rupert said. “I am a bit blown away, to be honest.”

        Stars in attendance included Cher, Sting, Spice Girl Emma Bunton and a host of British television stars.

        The movie goes on general release Nov. 16 in British and American theaters.

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