Her dark knight pops question before the show

Photo courtesy of ALAN GODWIN

Dan Miller, 23, of Bloomington had been dropping clues to girlfriend Johanna Paron, 26, for weeks before his proposal before the Thursday midnight showing of “The Dark Knight” at the Great Clips IMAX Theatre in Apple Valley.

Last update: July 18, 2008 - 9:50 PM

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BOX OFFICE SMASH

"The Dark Knight" lit up cash registers during its midnight debut, taking a record $18.5 million from 3,040 theaters, distributor Warner Bros. said Friday. That bested the 2005 performance of "Star Wars Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith," which took in $16.9 million during its midnight debut in 2,915 venues.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

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In a daring feat made for the big screen, Dan Miller, 23, of Bloomington popped the question to girlfriend Johanna Paron, 26, moments before the Thursday midnight showing of "The Dark Knight," at the Great Clips IMAX Theatre in Apple Valley.

She said yes, and the pair plan to marry next summer.

The proposal came after weeks of clue-dropping by Miller, including a countdown calendar that Paron assumed was merely tracking the film's release.

"I was completely surprised," she said. "I just thought Dan was excited for the movie."

Decked out in a purple Joker outfit (sans makeup), Miller proposed with a bouquet inspired by the prankster: purple flowers, toy guns, fake-money rubber duckies and the engagement ring inside a pop-up card.

The couple took in the film from a special loveseat.

"I don't think this could have gone any better," Miller said.

TONY GONZALEZ

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