Daily Variety articles from July 2003

Daily Variety archives from July 2003

'T3' tees up tie-ins despite R rating.(Intermedia and C2 retain the licensing rights to 'Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" from Warner Brothers)
July 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Studios often shy away from launching major licensing programs for R-rated pics. But the producers of "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" are betting that the actioner will be a hit at the B.O. as well as for retailers. In an...

Sci Fi new telepic king.(the Sci Fi Channel is focusing on original movies)
July 1, 2003... "Snakehead Terror," "Ghost Monkey" and "Bugs" are three original TV movies that probably won't make the final cut when the Emmy committee announces its nominations for best telepic of 2002-03. But the Sci Fi Channel commissioned the three...

Lion's cash dash: $500 mil Cablevision deal buoys Viv U bid.(MGM is selling its stakes in three cable networks back to Cablevision)
July 1, 2003... MGM said Monday it's selling its stakes in three cable webs back to Cablevision for $500 million, a move industryites see as helping the Lion in the ongoing auction of Vivendi Universal Entertainment. MGM bolstered its dealmaking ability...

Urge to merge spreads as B'way unions team.(Actors Equity Association and the American Guild of Musical Artists announce a shared jurisdiction deal)
July 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- It looks like the urge to merge is contagious. Actors Equity Assn. and the American Guild of Musical Artists announced Monday an agreement on shared jurisdiction on crossover productions, such as "Movin' Out" and "La Boheme."...

'Loch' Lurks for helmer.(Werner Herzog will shoot 'The ENigma of Loch Ness' in the Scottish Highlands)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Two documentary crews will converge in the Scottish Highlands this month when German filmmaker Werner Herzog begins shooting his next feature, "The Enigma of Loch Ness." Herzog's doc will examine the mystery of Nessie, the sea...

Prexy hitches Wick's Wagon.(Bobby Cohen is named president of Red Wagon Entertainment)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Bobby Cohen has been named president of Red Wagon Entertainment, the Sony-based production partnership between Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher. He joins as the company gains traction on several projects with tentpole potential. They include...

Just for Variety.
July 1, 2003... GOOD MORNING: Anyone who ever met Katharine Hepburn -- no matter how briefly -- kept that memory a lifetime. I had several meetings with her and I do indeed cherish them, one in particular. It was on April 3, 1967 during the filming of "Guess...

Bounce. (Legit Review).(theater review)(Theater Review)
July 1, 2003... (Goodman Theater, Chicago, 856 seats, $60 top) A Goodman Theater presentation of a musical in two acts with book by John Weidman, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Directed by Harold Prince. Choreography, Michael Arnold. Sets, Eugene...

Execs shifting duties in CBS News shuffle.(CBS News' Lyne Pitts is named as senior broadcast producer on the network's evening newscast)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... CBS News exec Lyne Pitts, who helped fashion the new rendition of the "The Early Show," has been tapped to serve as senior broadcast producer on the Eye's evening newscast. Pitts will replace Wayne Nelson at "Evening News With Dan Rather,"...

'Charity' change-up: 'nine' star replaces Tomei as tuner's lead.(Jane Krakowski replaces Marisa Tomei in 'Sweet Charity')(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Jane Krakowski has replaced Marisa Tomei in the Broadway workshop of "Sweet Charity." Workshop went into rehearsals June 23 in Gotham and will continue through July 15. Tomei reportedly got the bad news over the weekend, and Krakowski...

Two dozen shows draw B'way best $14.8 mil.(Broadway box office results)
July 1, 2003... Two dozen shows brought in a record-setting cume of $14,758,690 last week -- an especially impressive feat considering that recent past seasons have seen 29 to 30 productions on the boards during the late-June session. The figure built on...

Banner move at ABC News.(Jon Banner will run "World News Tonight with Peter Jennings")
July 1, 2003... ABC "This Week" exec producer Jon Banner is leaving the troubled show to run "World News Tonight With Peter Jennings." Banner's promotion is the first strategic personnel move made since Rick Kaplan returned to the news net last month as...

Fox Movie Channel axes 'Chan' festival.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Protests from Chinese-American groups have caused the Fox Movie Channel to cancel a planned summerlong festival of 22 "Charlie Chan" detective movies produced by 20th Century Fox. Plan was to schedule a double feature of "Chan" pics each...

Clear Channel goes live with music mag.(Clear Channel Communications Inc. will debut Music Guide Live!)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... This summer, Clear Channel Communications will give its ever-expanding radio and concert network another push with an adsponsored music magazine to be distributed at its radio events and concerts in more than 30 markets across the country. ...

Rosie unzips risque ads for 'Taboo'.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Adam Sandler did it to promote his 1999 bigscreen laffer "Big Daddy." Now, to advertise her upcoming tuner "Taboo," Rosie O'Donnell is also opening the floodgates of questionable taste in using the image of a man relieving himself. Over...

Court TV's Beahrs to retire.(chief operating officer Dick Beahrs )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Court TV prexy and chief operating officer Dick Beahrs will retire at the end of the year. Beahrs, who joined the channel in 1992 as chief operating officer, plans to spend more time on a variety of public service initiatives and personal...

Appeals court backs Aimster injunction. (Business).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... An appeals court Monday upheld a preliminary injunction levied against Aimster, dealing the hobbled file-swapper a hefty blow and potentially advancing the music industry's appeal of another recent copyright case that didn't go its way. ...

Lions gate perks up: losses shrink as video, DVD releases boost revs. (Business).(Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.)
July 1, 2003... TORONTO -- Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. spilled less red ink in fiscal 2003, as revenues surged with a strong video and DVD release slate. The Vancouver and Marina del Rey film and TV producer and distributor reported a loss of $2.5...

TV ad growth predicted. (Business).(by Zenith Optimedia)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... LONDON -- U.S. TV advertising revenue is predicted to grow by 2.9% this year, according to U.K. media planning and buying giant Zenith Optimedia, but the future looks bleak in Blighty. The outfit warned Stateside growth would not "propel...

BMG secures CD protection. (Business).(in contract with SunnComm Technologies)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Music major BMG has tapped digital-security firm SunnComm Technologies to provide anti-piracy protection for selected CD releases worldwide. Under terms of the multiyear licensing and revenue pact, BMG will be able to use SunnComm's...

Canal open to lagardere. (Business).(Canal Plus Group chairman-CEO Bertrand Meheut admits that the Gallic paybox could be sold to Lagardere)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... PARIS -- Canal Plus Group chairman-CEO Bertrand Meheut has publicly admitted that the troubled Gallic paybox could be sold to growing media group Lagardere, a prospect industryites have long considered likely. Company sources Monday...

Showbiz stocks.(entertainment industry stock prices)(Illustration)
July 1, 2003... Showbiz stocks Monday, June 30, 2003 Find stock prices and news about any company at Variety.com/stocks YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg %Chg AMC AEN --...

`Sexed up' conflict: Blair, BBC still wrangling over Iraq dossier. (World News).
July 1, 2003... LONDON -- The bitter and protracted wrangle between Tony Blair's government and the BBC over its report about a "sexed up" Iraq intelligence dossier shows no sign of subsiding. On Monday Alastair Campbell, Blair's director of...

Bradford 'Destiny' denied. (World News).(Barbara Taylor Bradford loses her copyright lawsuit in India against the producers of "Karishma -- A Miracle of Destiny")(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... NEW DELHI -- Bestselling British author Barbara Taylor Bradford lost her copyright lawsuit against the producers of a Hindilingo soap opera "Karishma -- A Miracle of Destiny" on Monday. An Indian court dismissed her lawsuit, filed in early...

'End' run wins Moscow prizes. (World News).(Miguel Hermoso's "The End of a Mystery" wins honors at Moscow's 25th International Film Festival)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... MOSCOW -- Spanish helmer Miguel Hermoso's "The End of a Mystery" won film and audience honors at Moscow's 25th Intl. Film Festival, which wrapped Sunday. Director honors went to Korea's Jang Jun-Hwan for "Save the Green Planet' which was...

New Zealand dangles prod'n cash rebate. (World News).(New Zealand is trying to attract film production)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... AUCKLAND -- New Zealand, which recently axed tax breaks to foreign filmmakers, is dangling a big cash-back carrot to lure production. Economic Development Minister Jim Anderton on Monday announced that filmmakers will get back one-eighth of...

Sogecine, TriPictures pact. (World News).(Sogecine signs a film co-production deal with TriPictures)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... MADRID -- Spanish production powerhouse Sogecine has struck a film co-production pact with top Spanish indie distrib TriPictures. Though not formally signed, deal looks set to kick off with "XXL," a comedy about working-class friends who...

Pol immunity law frees Berlusconi. (World News: Italy).(Silvio Berlusconi avoids a bribery trial due to a new immunity law)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Italo prime minister and media mogul Silvio Berlusconi is at the center of a fresh scandal as he takes up the rotating presidency of the European Union today. A Milan court suspended a bribery trial against Berlusconi on Monday after a new...

No cops stox 'Sex'. (World News: Canada).(a play in Vancouver features a live oral sex scene)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... A play featuring a live oral sex scene, a first for Canuck theater, was staged in Vancouver over the weekend without police interference. The police, who had threatened to prevent "Public Sex, Art and Democracy" from going ahead, said they...

U nets raise Scholz. (World News: Germany).(Universal Studios Networks Deutschland promotes Corinna Scholz to director of programming)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Corinna Scholz has been upped to director of programming at Universal Studios Networks Deutschland. Scholz will be responsible for programming, acquisitions and scheduling at both of U's digital channels in Germany, 13th Street and Studio...

Cabler taps Thoma. (World News: Germany).(Ish names Helmut Thomas chairman of its advisory board)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Regional cabler Ish has named former RTL topper Helmut Thoma chairman of its advisory board. Company also appointed former Deutsche Telekom manager Franz Arnold to the board. Arnold spearheaded the sale of Telekom's nationwide cable assets...

Wilco; Sonic Youth. (Concert Review).(Concert Review)
July 1, 2003... (Central Park Summerstage; 7,000 capacity; $30) Presented by New York City Parks Commission and Heineken. Bands: (W) Jeff Tweedy, Leroy Bach, John Stirratt, Glenn Kotche; (SY) Thurston Moore, Lee Ranaldo, Jim O'Rourke, Kim Gordon, Steve...

Broadway top 10.(a ranking of the top Broadway shows by net receipts for the week of 6/23/03 through 6/29/03)(Illustration)
July 1, 2003... BROADWAY TOP 10: June 23-29, 2003 Show (Theater) Week's Net Receipts Prev Week's (Prod. Category)(Seats) Potential Net Receipts Net Receipts The Lion King $1,116,842 $1,108,569...

CBS says bye-bye to 'Baby Bob,' 'Charlie'.(CBS pulls 'Baby Bob' and 'Charlie Lawrence' from its schedule)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- It was a bloody weekend for CBS' two bum-off laffers, as Eye execs plugged a pacifier in "Baby Bob" and launched impeachment proceedings against "Charlie Lawrence." The network yanked both shows off its schedule this weekend at...

Rio Film Festival. (Short Takes).(the Rio Film Festival and the Brazilian Film Festival of Miami join with MOMA to launch the Brazilian film series Premier Brazil)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The Rio Film Festival and the Brazilian Film Festival of Miami have joined forces with Gotham's MOMA to kick off Brazilian film series Premier Brazil. Set for July 23-28 series will unspool eight films, none of which has had a commercial...

Primetime Emmy Awards. (Short Takes).(Louis J. Horvitz will serve as director of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' Primetime Emmy Awards)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Louis J. Horvitz is set to return for his 10th year as director of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' Primetime Emmy Awards. Kudos will air Sept. 21 on Fox. In addition to the Emmys, Horvitz has directed seven Oscar-casts, 12...

West Bank Brooklyn. (Short Takes).(Cavu Pictures gains global rights to Ghazi Albuliwi's 'West Bank Brooklyn')(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Gotham-based indie production and distribution company Cavu Pictures has acquired worldwide rights to helmer Ghazi Albuliwi's debut feature "West Bank Brooklyn." Pic explores the identity crises of young Arab-Americans growing up in America....

TNN sees ratings spike with bows.(TNN reports strong ratings for its new prime-time animation block)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Spike shmike. TNN's court battle with Spike Lee to secure the right to change its name to Spike hasn't damaged the network's highly touted late-primetime animation block, which premiered June 26 to solid Nielsens. The big winner was...

Viv U ordered to pay Messier $23.7 mil.(Vivendi Universal Entertainment )
July 1, 2003... As the auction of Vivendi Universal Entertainment enters its second stage today at a Paris board meeting to review offers, Jean-Rene Fourtou's company will also have some unpleasant business to tidy up. A New York arbitration tribunal on...

Global Divas IV. (Concert Review).(Concert Review)
July 1, 2003... (Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles: 17,360 seats: $73 top) Presented by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Assn. and KCRW. Performers: Cesaria Evora, Morcheeba. Reviewed June 29, 2003. One diva short from its initial lineup--Natacha Atlas was a...

EM.TV joins DSF purchase.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... BERLIN -- german license trader EM.TV on Monday joined retail giant KarstadtQuelle and Swiss entrepreneur Hans-Dieter Cleven in the acquisition of sports channel DSF and Internet platform Sport 1 from bankrupt Kirch Media. KarstadtQuelle...

Film box office wrap.(weekend of June 27, 2003)(Illustration)
July 1, 2003... FILM BOX OFFICE WRAP FO THE WEEKEND OF JUNE 27-29 Ranking Reported This Last Weekend Week Week Title (Distributor) ...

The Threepenny Opera. (Legit Review).(Theater Review)
July 1, 2003... (Adams Memorial Theater, Williams/own, Mass.: 520 seats; $53 top) A Williamstown Theater Festival presentation of a musical with book and lyrics by Bertolt Brecht, music by Kurt Weill!, English adaptation by Marc Blitzstein. Directed by...

Douglas exits William Morris. (Tenpercenteries).(actor Michael Douglas leaves agency)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Michael Douglas is departing the William Morris Agency, which represented him the past three years. He had previously been with CAA, where Ron Meyer had been his rep for 25 years before Meyer's departure for Universal. Douglas' wife,...

Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group. (Tenpercenteries).(Sean P. Diddy Combs signs with Endeavor talent agency)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Looking to become more active in feature films, hip-hop impresario Sean "P. Diddy" Combs has signed with Endeavor. The agency will work with his longtime Brillstein-Grey manager Peter Safran to create movie opportunities. Combs' feature...

JC Group. (Tenpercenteries).(Jackie Chan signs with William Morris Agency)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Jackie Chan has signed with the William Morris Agency. This is the first time Chan has taken agency representation. Stateside, Brian Gersh managed him previously. Chan's management is limited to the Hong Kong-based JC Group, where he...

NYPD Blue. (Tenpercenteries).(director Paris Barclay signs with UTA)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... TV director Paris Barclay has signed with UTA for representation. Barclay has been honored as one of the top helmers in small-screen drama, having won back-to-back Emmys for his work on "NYPD Blue." His work on "Blue" also earned him...

Games get new ratings. (Cyber Biz).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The Entertainment Software Ratings Board, the trade group that applies ratings to videogames, has added four new content descriptions for specific types of violence. "Cartoon violence' "fantasy violence," "intense violence," and "sexual...

Top 10 films in Manhattan.(weekend of June 27, 2003)(Illustration)
July 1, 2003... TOP 10 FILMS IN MANHATTAN FOR THE WEEKEND OF JUNE 27-29 % change vs. last Week Rank Wknd. B.O. Film (distributor) ...

Exclusives report.(movies showing in New York, Los Angeles)(Illustration)(Industry Overview)
July 1, 2003... NEW YORK NEW THIS WEEK Film (distributor) Circuit Theater, city Local Engmnts.: 3 Wknd. total for N.Y. area: $25,617 Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon REG Commerce 18, N. Brunswick, N.J. (Rajshri) ...

The strip's strummin'.
July 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Saturday night's U.S. Air Guitar Championship brought would-be ax gods out of the bedroom to the fabled Roxy on the Sunset Strip, where guys and gals in their best rocker ensembles strutted their stuff before judges including...

Party plugs 'On_Line' bow.
July 1, 2003... Cyber themes carried through Indican's Friday-night opening party for "On_Line" at the Coral Room. While guests shied away from the room with the Webcams, everyone stopped to watch and admire the bathing beauty splashing around the tank -- the...

Reef bash trolls donors.
July 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- The industry met the sea at Universal City Walk Wednesday night as thesps, filmmakers, surfers, and activists alike gathered at a fundraiser for UCLA'S environmental org Reef Check. Wendie Malick hosted the evening, which featured...

Kiss front man gets lippy.(Rock singer Gene Simmons promotes book 'Sex Money Kiss')(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Kiss front man Gene Simmons held court at Cindy Adams' exquisite Park Avenue penthouse during a Thursday-night party to promote his new philosophical tract, "Sex Money Kiss." "There's no substitute for hard work, and women are on crack and...

Edwards bags mystery nod.(Blake Edwards honored by Friars Club)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Julie Andrews presented her husband, Blake Edwards, with the Marlowe Award for more than five decades of writing during a Sunday luncheon at the Friars Club in BevHills. The SoCal chapter of the Mystery Writers Assn....

French culture on hold.(government will cut actors' unemployment benefit)
July 2, 2003... PARIS -- France is facing a culture-free summer this year as actors and showbiz workers go on strike over government plans to cut their unemployment benefit. Protestors are due to demonstrate on the streets of Paris today, and industrial...

Viv stokes U bidding: board takes u music off block and demands bigger bids.(Vivendi Universal to sell U.S. assets )
July 2, 2003... Vivendi Universal is doing its best to incite a multi-billion dollar bidding war for its entertainment properties. Following Tuesday's two-hour board meeting in Paris, Viv U took Univeral Music Group off the table and told some suitors they...

Fox Searchlight focuses high beam on hot helmers.(Woody Allen's new film "I Love Huckabee's")(Brief Article)
July 2, 2003... Director Alexander Payne will make his next film, "Sideways," at Fox Searchlight. Ensemble comedy will begin shooting around the wineries of Santa Ynez, Calif., in mid-September. Landing Payne is another coup for Peter Rice's division,...

Emmy eyes si change with 'Gigante' steps.(Univision's variety series "Sabado Gigante")
July 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Este ano "Sabado Gigante" de Univision podria marcar su lugar en la historia de los premios Emmy cuando se anuncien las nominaciones este mes. Not-so-literal translation? Univision's long-running variety series "Sabado...

'Visit' gets company.(Frank Langella stars in new play)(Brief Article)
July 2, 2003... Frank Langella looks ready to tangle with a vengeful woman at the Public Theater this winter. He will star opposite Chita Rivera in the long-awaited Gotham preem of "The Visit," a new musical by Terrence McNally, John Kander and Fred Ebb....

Left-wing publishers finding their niche: conservative houses whip up public sentiment better than their liberal counterparts. (The Write Stuff).(liberal publishing house lacking in industry)
July 2, 2003... AL GORE IS TALKING about creating a liberal cable network. Venture capitalists Sheldon and Anita Drobny are trying to put together a national network of liberal talk-radio stations. So why isn't there a liberal publishing house? ...

Fuller depute min in at us.(American Media's new chief, Bonnie Fuller )
July 2, 2003... Less than a week after former editor-in-chief Bonnie Fuller abruptly stepped down from Us Weekly to work for the American Media tabloid empire, Us is expected to name Fuller's No. 2, Janice Min, the new topper. As of Tuesday afternoon, no...

Snow dumps CNN, falls for ABC.(ABC News signs Kate Snow)(Brief Article)
July 2, 2003... ABC News is sealing a deal with veteran CNN correspondent Kate Snow to cover the White House beat for "Good Morning America." An agreement with Snow, CNN'S congressional reporter, is expected to be made official next week. In addition...

Columbia dominates DGA East student pic awards.(Columbia School of the Arts wins awards)(Brief Article)
July 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Students from Columbia U. have copped three of the DGA East's four awards for 2003, with each receiving a $2,500 prize. "The DGA East Coast Student Film Awards provide the guild with the opportunity to honor, encour age and...

'Punisher' painless in Sony, Marvel deal.(Artisan Entertainment's new film)(Brief Article)
July 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Sony and Marvel may be pounding each other in a series of punishing lawsuits, but the legal wrangling did a" stop Sony from buying most international rights for "The Punisher," the Artisan Entertainment movie based on Marvel's...

Zeitgeist's Journey: distrib hopes 'James' apes 'Africa' success.(Zeitgeist Films gets rights to "James' Journey to Jerusalem")(Brief Article)
July 2, 2003... Marking the Gotham-based art-house boutique's first acquisition since scoring a major breakout success with "Nowhere in Africa," Zeitgeist Films has picked up U.S. rights to Israeli director Ra'anan Alexandrowicz's contempo fable "James'...

Peacock mix prevails in primetime.(TV ratings report)
July 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- NBC used a balanced lineup of dramas, comedies, newsmags and unscripted programming to win another primetime week in key demo categories, making the net five-for-five this summer. The Peacock was a picture of stability last...

Northern Arts nabs fest fave.(Northern Arts Entertainment gets rights tol comedy "Filantropica")(Brief Article)
July 2, 2003... Northern Arts Entertainment has acquired all U.S. rights to Romanian satirical comedy "Filantropica" (Philanthropy), one of the foreign-language hits of the Chicago and Palm Springs film festivals. Directed by Nae Caranfil, the film was...

NBA TV seeks summer sizzle with top rookies.(National Basketball Association's summer season)
July 2, 2003... LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and other top NBA draft picks may be ready to challenge the two sports that usually monopolize the attention of male TV viewers during long stretches of the dog days of summer: Major League Baseball and NASCAR. ...

Buddy Hackett was true blue improv artist.(nightclub comedian dies at 78)
July 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Buddy Hackett, the raunchy nightclub comedian also known for his roles on TV and in films, was found dead Monday at his Malibu home. He was 78. Hackett was notable for his sharp wit and frequent improvisation, and, with his...

Fox, NBC get news traction.(Fox News Channel gets strong ratings)(Brief Article)
July 2, 2003... Fox News Channel continued its smash run through the spring, commanding essentially half of the cable news aud on average and posting growth across its lineup. On the broadcast side, NBC "Nightly News with Tom Brokaw" also continued to...

Beam us our bucks: activision sues Viacom for Star Trek neglect. (Business).(Viacom's consumer products division sued)
July 2, 2003... Vidgame publisher Activision has ventured where few licensees have gone before, suing Viacom's consumer products division for "millions of dollars in damages" because it says the media giant hasn't done enough to keep the "Star Trek" franchise...

Random house HQ sold. (Business).(Random House's NYC office sold for $297 mn)(Brief Article)
July 2, 2003... COLOGNE -- Bertelsmann has sold the New York offices of its subsidiary Random House for $297 million to U.S. real estate fund group Jamestown. Bertelsmann will lease back the office space for 15 years, with an option to extend by another...

Nine, Macquarie prime $13 mil for 2 pix, series. (Business).(Macquarie Film Corp. gets film funding)(Brief Article)
July 2, 2003... SYDNEY -- Despite a jittery stock market and slowing Oz economy, the Nine Network and its partner Macquarie Film Corp. have secured funding from private investors for two features, and a third season of top-rated drama "McLeod's Daughters." ...

Exec shuffles as MTV, Comedy Central mesh. (Business).(Alex Ferrari, new chief operating officer)(Brief Article)
July 2, 2003... The integration of MTV Networks and Comedy Central continues with a pair of exec shuffles. Chief financial officer Alex Ferrari will become chief operating officer of MTV Networks Intl. He will be replaced by John Cucci, chief operating...

Emmis earnings drag radio stocks down. (Business).(Emmis Communications reports poor earnings)(Brief Article)
July 2, 2003... Disappointing quarterly earnings results from radio broadcaster Emmis Communications dragged down stock prices across the entire sector on Tuesday, as ongoing concerns over the health of the radio business flared up yet again. Emmis posted...

Showbiz stocks.(Brief Article)
July 2, 2003... SHOWBIZ STOCKS Tuesday, July 1, 2003 Find stock prices and news about any company at Variety.com/stocks YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg % Chg AMC AEN --...

Legally Blonde 2: Red White & Blonde. (Film Review).(Reese Witherspoon's new film)(Movie Review)
July 2, 2003... An MGM release of a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures presentation of a Marc Platt production in association with Type A Films. Produced by Marc Platt, David Nicksay. Executive producer, Reese Witherspoon. Co-producers, Jennifer Simpson, Steve...

The Good German. (Legit Review).(David Wiltse's new play)(Theater Review)
July 2, 2003... (Westport Country Playhouse, Westport, Conn.; 707 seats: $55 top) A Westport Country Playhouse presentation of a play in two acts by David Wiltse. Directed by James Naughton. Set, Hugh Landwehr; costumes, David Murin; lighting, Clifton...

Exhibs in 'Hulk' sulk: UIP price hike spurs Cinemaxx boycott of pic. (World News).(new film on Cinemaxx's 356 screens in 49 theaters)(Brief Article)
July 2, 2003... BERLIN -- "The Hulk's" performance in Germany is set to suffer after Cinemaxx, the territory's second largest exhib, vowed to boycott the blockbuster in the continuing battle over rental prices between UIP and local exhibs. The pic opens...

B' casters tune A3 plans. (World News).(RTL may increase stake in A3)(Brief Article)
July 2, 2003... BERLIN -- Pan-European broadcaster RTL Group and Spain's Planeta Group hammered out the future structure of Spanish web Antena 3 on Tuesday. Move follows Planeta's $400 million acquisition of a controlling 25.1% interest in A3 from Spanish...

Lords likely to reject five ownership review. (World News).(amendment to UK Communications Bill)(Brief Article)
July 2, 2003... LONDON -- The U.K.'s Labor government is facing defeat in the House of Lords, Parliament's upper chamber, over a proposal to introduce a public-interest test for any large newspaper group that wants to buy commercial web Five. The bill...

Cinecitta eyes growth via N.Y., London. (World News).(Rome's Cinecitta Studios, marketing plan)(Brief Article)
July 2, 2003... ROME -- After a string of U.S. productions, Rome's Cinecitta Studios intends to pursue more foreign helmers by opening offices in New York and London. Cinecitta's international marketing director, Carole Andre-Smith, said the London base...

Mumbai FM trouble. (World News).(high license fees, low revenues force closure)(Brief Article)
July 2, 2003... Following Mumbai's only indie FM station switchoff May 27, another station, Go 92.5, backed by the Mid-Day media house, has served notice on the government that it may close in 2004. This is attributed to both the high license fees and low...