A puzzling story in the NYT on Hollywood’s record summer. If I understand the premise of the story aright, the movie industry just had a record, $4 billion box office for the summer season, which concluded Labor Day weekend. “But the movie studios are not quite popping the Champagne — at least publicly,” writes Brooks Barnes:

Studio executives were quick to point out that the blockbuster hit “Spider-Man 3” was among the most expensive films ever made.

Indeed, to hear many studio executives talk, the movie business is closer to the edge of a cliff than ever. The 18-week summer season ending today looks great on paper, with 16 movies selling at least $100 million in tickets. But executives quickly point out that $4 billion is not a record when ticket sales are adjusted for inflation. Attendance was also lighter than in years past.

In other words: A fake record was set. Why aren’t the studios celebrating the fake record? Paging Nikki Finke.