New York, December 17, 2006 – Some lucky kids’ dreams – or nightmares – came true on Sunday, when they got to sleep overnight amongst the dinosaur skeletons at the American Museum of Natural History. The world’s first sleepover movie premiere was for Night at the Museum, and it was not only original, but lots of fun. Kids and their guardians brought sleeping bags and pajamas, watched the movie, and went on late-night flashlight tours of the museum. Ben Stiller, the star, said that he’d be leading a tour, but wouldn’t spend the night, “It’s a little spooky”, he added.

Ricky Gervais also declined to sleep on the cots; “I’ve got a nice hotel room”, the British funny man said, while ogling the cavemen, ancient Egyptians and aborigines stalking the red carpet under the dinosaur bones.

One person who did spend the night was Adrian Grenier, and apparently there wasn’t much sleeping – when we ran into him the following night, he told us he’d been so tired that he had to take a nap during the day.

86-year-old Mickey Rooney was lively, introducing everyone to his wife, Jan. He’s been making movies since he was a kid – and he’s got three more in the pipeline! Rooney joined cast mates Paul Rudd, Kim Raver and Stiller’s mom, Anne Meara at the museum.

Photos: Joy E. Scheller/LFI