QUICK TAKES

'Potter' opens big

Distributor Warner Bros. said Thursday that "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" took in $22.2 million domestically just from midnight screenings. That tally breaks the $18.5 million from midnight shows "The Dark Knight" earned last summer. It also topped "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," which netted $16 million from midnight screenings. The sixth installment of the film earned $10 million more than the previous one, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." The film has earned some of the best reviews in the franchise's history and played in 3,003 theaters for its debut. Later Wednesday, that count climbed to 4,275, and 50 more will be added Friday.

Spears cancels Warsaw

Britney Spears was supposed to roll her "Circus" tour into Warsaw on July 24, but that show has been canceled after a dispute between international and Polish organizers. According to a statement released by her publicist, the concert was canceled because of a contractual dispute that couldn't be solved. Kinga Bocianowicz, the manager of Agencja Akwarium, the Polish company that has been selling tickets, said the show was canceled because AEG Live, the chief organizer of the international tour, presented a contract that was "unacceptable under Polish law and hence by us." The singer's European tour wraps up in Berlin on July 26.

Big gig lined up

A spokeswoman for Brad Paisley said Wednesday the country singer and Alison Krauss will play next week at the White House. The pair, who had a hit with the duet "Whiskey Lullaby," will participate in the White House Music Series. On Tuesday, Krauss and Paisley will help with a workshop for middle and high school students and in the evening will play in the East Room for President Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, White House staff and members of Congress.

Compiled from wire reports by Melissa Sullivan