Daily Variety articles from November 2003

Daily Variety archives from November 2003

Bedtime for Bonzo amid rising rancor?(CBS mulls airing of television movie 'The Reagans')
November 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- CBS' controversial movie about the Gipper could soon be a goner. Eye chairman-CEO Leslie Moonves will decide within the next few days what to do with "The Reagans," the four-hour movie about Ronald and Nancy Reagan that--sight...

Helmer orders Italian.(Barry Levinson to direct 'My Italian Story')(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... Barry Levinson has committed to next direct "My Italian Story," a fact-based WWII tale of a Jewish refugee's quest to find a rabbi to perform his bar mitzvah. Accompanied by his soccer coach, the boy travels covertly through Nazi-occupied Italy...

'Scary' bears up: horror spoof holds off Disney's 'Brother'.('Scary Movie 3' stays at top of box office)(Illustration)(Industry Overview)
November 3, 2003... Miramax/Dimension's horror spoof "Scary Movie 3" repeated stop the box office this weekend, grossing an estimated $21.1 million despite a frightful 56% plunge from opening-frame grosses. Disney's traditionally animated family pic "Brother...

Moritz & Adelstein get high-five from Columbia.(Orginal Film to renew production contract with Columbia Pictures)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Original Film's Neal Moritz is expected to reup his production deal at Sony's Columbia Pictures this week. "The deal is almost complete. We're a couple points away," said Marry Adelstein, Moritz's partner in Original, the...

Queen takes a 'holiday'.(Queen Latifah to star in remake of 'Last Holiday' for Paramount Pictures)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... Paramount Pictures has fast-tracked a remake of the 1950 British comedy "Last Holiday" with Queen Latifah set to play the rote originated by Alec Guinness. That gender reconfiguration is being undertaken by scribes Peter Seaman and Jeffrey...

ABC home to 'House' miniseries.('Little House on the Prairie' to air as miniseries)
November 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- "Little House on the Prairie" is making a big return on ABC. Alphabet is teaming with producer Ed Friendly for a six-hour miniseries based on the classic autobiographical saga of Laura Ingalls Wilder, whose first book about...

The tale of Woody's misbegotten memoir: Allen ought to abandon his book proposal but spur others on.(The Back Lot)
November 3, 2003... Memo to: Woody Allen From: Peter Bart Re: Timely tell-alls NOT THAT YOU EVER ASKED ME, Woody, but no, you should not write a book. Publishers are still in a dither over your book proposal--a brief document that vaguely...

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.(Theater Review)
November 3, 2003... (Music Box Theater; 1,019 seats: $85 top) A Bill Kenwright presentation oft play by Tennessee Williams in three acts. Directed by Anthony Page. Sets, Maria Bjornson: costumes, Jane Greenwood; lighting, Howard Harrison; sound, Christopher...

'Wicked' a B.O. treat despite crix tricks.(new musical popular on Broadway despite bad reviews)
November 3, 2003... It was tricks and treats for "Wicked" over the weekend. After its Broadway preem Thursday, the new $14 million tuner woke up on Halloween to brickbats from the local critics but an impressive $500,000 in advance sales, including $60,000 in...

Corrections.(Correction Notice)
November 3, 2003... Rosie O'Donnell's lawyer is Lorna Schofield, of Debevoise and Plimpton. Her name was incorrect in Friday's paper. Backing for Ken Kamins and Bill Block's new company will be provided by Graham King, principal of Initial Entertainment Group,...

Primetime laffers set their own penile code.(Inside Moves)(raunchy humor dominates primetime television)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- When it comes to churning out plotlines, primetime is becoming a members-only business. A male member business, to be precise. Penis humor has been springing up all over the primetime in recent weeks, starting over the summer...

WB recruits 'Study' buddy.(Warner Bros. Pictures hires screenwriter Massy Tadjedin)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Warner Bros. Pictures has hired scribe Massy Tadjedin to write political ensemble thriller "The Case Study" for Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt's Warner Bros.-based Plan B production shingle. Pic, based on an original idea...

Leaders of the pack: NBC, CBS jump out ahead in Nov. sweeps.(Industry Overview)
November 3, 2003... Strong performances by its 10 o'clock dramas, including "Third Watch" on its new night, have gotten NBC off and running for the November sweep. The Peacock net, favored to win the month in adults 18-49, swept the first three nights in the...

New Syndicate forming as Splendid duo depart.(Syndicate Films International formed by David Glasser, Lisa Wilson)
November 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Splendid Pictures CEO David Glasser and distribution prexy Lisa Wilson are ankling the company to launch Syndicate Films Intl., a foreign sales and financing shingle backed by Wall Street investors James B. Robb and Patrick F....

Revolution in 'slammer'.(Revolution Studios to produce black comedy 'Slammer')
November 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Revolution Studios wants to go to jail, tapping Broadway director Jack O'Brien ("Hairspray") to helm "Slammer" with Sara Goodman to pen the script. The dark comedy centers on an imprisoned female publicist who attempts to spin...

'Kathy & Mo' fly back to N.Y. as Canon closes.(Kathy Najimy and Mo Gaffney stage Canon Theater's final concert)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... LA.'S Canon Theater will close in early March with a final farewell concert. The theater's last production will be a February engagement of "'Kathy & Mo," which reteams Kathy Najimy and Mo Gaffney, who have not performed together for nearly a...

Spyglass taps prod'n VP.(Erin Stam named vice president of production for Spyglass Entertainment)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Erin Stam has been appointed VP of production for Spyglass Entertainment and will report to prexy Jonathan Glickman. Stam previously handled development for Betty Thomas and Jenno Topping's Tall Trees Prods. While at the...

Thesp Birch hops from ICM to Gersh.(Tenpercenteries)(Gersh Agency signs actress Thora Birch)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... Thora Birch has hired the Gersh Agency for representation. Birch, whose credits include "Ghost World" and "American Beauty," was nominated for an Emmy for her performance in Lifetime's "Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story." She...

CAA has signed "ER" thesp Laura Innes.(Tenpercenteries)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... CAA has signed "ER" thesp Laura Innes. In addition to starring on the NBC series, Innes has directed multiple episodes of the medical drama. She also ventured behind the camera to helm "The West Wing," for which she nabbed an Emmy nom.

Damien Fahey, writer-host of MTV's "Total Request Live," has signed with William Morris.(Tenpercenteries)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... Damien Fahey, writer-host of MTV'S "Total Request Live," has signed with William Morris Agency in all areas. Fahey is also the host or "TRL Weekend Countdown," a radio show produced by MTV Radio Networks and syndicated to more than 135...

A 'bear' necesssity: toon team reunites for Mouse House feature.(Walt Disney Feature Animation hires Aaron Blaise, Robert Walker)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- On the heels of their recent pairing on Disney's animated "Brother Bear," pie's directing duo Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker and producer Chuck Williams have signed an exclusive deal to make their next feature for Walt Disney...

DisneyToon sketches new responsibilities for trio.(DisneyToon Studios announces promotions)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... DisneyToon Studios has upped Ellen Gurney to senior VP of creative affairs and announced a series of other appointments. DisneyToon shingle is one of the entities created after the reorganization of the Walt Disney Television Animation into...

Pompeo bound for 'glory'.(Ellen Pompeo joins cast of 'Glory Days')(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Ellen Pompeo will star opposite Eion Bailey in "Glory Days," a pic produced by Mark Gordon and Brian Reilly. Barra Grant wrote and will direct the film, which begins production Monday. It's the story of an intervention that...

Sony turns to Croce for reality help.(Sony Pictures TV to develop series around motivational speaker Pat Croce)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... Sony Pictures TV is teaming with film producer Barry Josephson to pitch a syndicated half-hour that will assign motivational speaker Pal Croce to visit people's homes, helping them to solve their problems while a camera crew tapes the...

The Matrix Revolutions.(Movie Review)
November 3, 2003... A Warner Bros. release presented in association with Village Roadshow Pictures and NPV Entertainment of a Silver Pictures production. Produced by Joel Silver. Executive producers, Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski, Grant Hill, Andrew Mason, Bruce...

Bounce.(Theater Review)
November 3, 2003... (Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater; 1,100 seats; $90 top) A Kennedy Center presentation of the Goodman Theater production of a musical in two acts with book by John Weidman, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Directed by Harold Prince....

More Latin CDS spun: sales up 1.7%, offering biz a place in the sun.(Business)(Industry Overview)
November 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- One of the lone bright spots for the music industry in 2003 appears to be an increase in shipments of Latin music CDs, which have risen 1.7% in the first six months of the year, the Recording Industry Assn. of America reported...

Marvel strikes back vs. 'Mutant X' case.(Business)(Marvel Enterprises vs. Tribune Entertainment)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... Marvel Enterprises has denied the charges contained in a lawsuit filed Thursday in which Tribune Entertainment claims Marvel cost it millions of dollars in lost profits over the syndicated series "Mutant X." Insisting that the Tribune suit...

Tech vet logs out of Terra.(Business)(Bob Davis steps down)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... MADRID -- Bob Davis, founder and president of dot-corn Lycos, has stepped down from Spanish Internet operator Terra to dedicate more time to his new investment venture, Highland Capital Partners. Davis will specialize in digital media and...

Exec deck shuffling at WB Intl. TV.(Business)(Warner Bros. International Television Distribution reorganizes)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Warner Bros. Intl. Television Distribution is restructuring some of its European, African and Middle East sales operations. Mickie Steinmann, who is sales director for Scandinavia, Benelux, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus, is being...

Kodak posts pact for Laser-Pacific.(Business)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Eastman Kodak Friday completed its $30.5 million acquisition of Hollywood post-production house Laser-Pacific Media. First announced in August, the merger substantially expands the range of feature film services and TV work...

Showbiz stocks.(Business)(October 31, 2003)(Illustration)
November 3, 2003... Friday, October 31, 2003 Find stock prices and news about any company at Variety.com/stocks Name Tkr PE Last Chg YTD %Chg AMC...

Euro Film kudos visit Barcelona.(World News)(European Film Awards to be held in Spain)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... MADRID -- Barcelona has been chosen to host the 2004 European Film Awards. Organized by the European Film Academy, the kudos' 17th edition will take place in the Catalan capital Dec. 4, 2004, EFA prexy Nik Powell announced Thursday. ...

Pensioners' play: BSkyB investor group won't nix Murdoch scion.(World News)(James Murdoch unopposed as new chief executive)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... LONDON -- In a surprise move, BSkyB investor the National Assn. of Pension Funds won't oppose James Murdoch as the new chief executive of the U.K. satcaster. The declaration comes a week after the Assn. of British Insurers, another BSkyB...

Teutons balk at Cup price tag.(World News)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... BERLIN -- Germany's TV of the 2006 World Cup appears to be in danger as Swiss sports rights group Infront and the country's pubcasters continue to haggle over the price of rights to the soccer championships. Pubcasters ARD and ZDF are...

Japan, China star in Tokyo.(World News)(Tokyo International Film Festival)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... TOKYO -- Heavyweight Hollywood reps were missing when the 16th Tokyo Intl. Film Festival opened Saturday. Instead, one major film each from Japan and China took center stage. "Like Asura," is a Toho-produced remake of a 1979 family drama...

'Japanese Story' nets Oz crix nods.(Australia)(wins top award from Australian Film Critics Circle)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... SYDNEY -- Outback road movie "Japanese Story" was named best film and garnered four other trophies Friday at the 2003 Australian Film Critics Circle Awards. One of the few local B.O. successes this year, pic garnered nods for director Sue...

Suitors blast 'Miriam'.(U.K.)(reality show contestants try to prevent Sky One from airing program)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... LONDON -- Six male Brit contestants are trying to ban entertainment web Sky One from broadcasting a new reality show in which they are seen competing for the affections of a woman who turns out to be a male-to-female transsexual. In...

Fox nabs 'Wizards'.(Mexico)(Twentieth Century Fox Films gets rights to 'Wizards and Giants')(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... MEXICO CITY -- Twentieth Century Fox Films has acquired Latin American rights to Mexican toon "Magos y Gigantes" (Wizards and Giants), out of Anima Estudios. "Magos" does not yet have U.S. distribution.

New 'Bunny' a honey at Vienna fest.(World News)('The Brown Bunny' wins prize at Vienna International Film Festival)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... VIENNA -- Pared down to 90 minutes, Vincent Gallo's revised "The Brown Bunny" won the Fipresci Intl. Critics Prize at the 41st Vienna Intl. Film Festival. In a field of 16 pics, the new cut impressed scribes who had seen the much-derided...

'21 Grams' weighs in early in Mexico.(World News)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... MEXICO CITY -- In a rare scheduling change, United Intl. Pictures has moved up the Mexican bow of much-anticipated "21 Grams" at behest of helmer Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. Pic, originally set to bow at same time as in U.S., will hit...

Martin and Orloff.(Movie Review)
November 3, 2003... A Spit and Glue Distribution release of a Tashmoo production in association with Cineblast. Produced by Lawrence Blume, Linda Moran, Rene Bastian, Gill Holland. Directed by Lawrence Blume. Screenplay, Ian Roberts, Katie Roberts, Matt...

Schaeffer plays in 'Snow'.(Eric Schaeffer to direct musical 'Disney's Snow White - An Enchanting Musical')(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... Eric Schaeffer, artistic director of D.C.'s Signature Theater, will helm new tuner "Disney's Snow White--An Enchanting Musical," set to bow Feb. 22 at Disneyland's Fantasyland Theater. The 28-minute adaptation of the animated film is being...

Battle Royale II: Requiem.(Movie Review)
November 3, 2003... (BATORU ROWAIARU II: CHINKONKA) (Japan) A Toei Co. release of a Fukasaku-Gumi presentation of a TV Asahi, Wowow, Gaga, Nippan, Tokyo FM, Sega, Toei Video, Toei Agency production. (International sales: Toei, Tokyo.) Produced by Kimio...

Russian helmer Klimov dead at 71.(movie director Elem Klimov)(Obituary)
November 3, 2003... MOSCOW -- Russian director Elem Klimov, who earned international acclaim with his last film, the savage war drama "Come and See" (1985), died Oct. 26 in Moscow. He was 71. A key figure of the perestroika era, Klimov was elected head of the...

The screening room.(movie screening schedule for Motion Picture Association of America members)(Calendar)
November 3, 2003... Screenings are open to Academy and guild members only. To RSVP for a screening, call the appropriate numbers below. List runs on Mondays and Thursdays. Submit screening schedules five days prior to screening date to jfeiwell@reedbusiness.com....

Hot Oct. at B.O. ends with Miramax on top.(Miramax leads movie box office for October)
November 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Miramax made a killing at the B.O. in October. Not only did the mini-major top all distribs for the span of Sept. 29-Oct. 30 with $121 million, Miramax grabbed its first monthly win since April 2001, when "Spy Kids" ruled. ...

Eye's high on Jackson for sweeps special.(CBS plans special featuring Michael Jackson)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Jacko could be back-o. Just when you thought it was safe to turn on the TV during a sweeps month, it turns out CBS is in active discussions with Michael Jackson about a primetime special. Spec, which likely would air Nov....

'Coupling' separation; 'Stones' stops rolling.(NBC, CBS cancel shows)
November 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- It's coitus interruptus for NBC's "Coupling," while CBS midseason laffer "The Stones" is being cut short. In addition, as the tumultuous fall 2003 season continues to unfold, Fox has decided "The Bernie Mac Show" will be...

'Matrix' muscle: Warners pic going global on grand scale.('The Matrix: Revolutions' to open simultaneously in 80 countries)
November 4, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Warner Bros. will bend the rules of time and space for Wednesday's worldwide release of its mind-bending tentpole "The Matrix: Revolutions." The trilogy-capping action saga will be launched in a synchronized...

Miramax TV, Bravo will fashion 'Runway' reality.('Project Runway)(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Miramax TV and Bravo will sashay into the world of fashion for the competition reality skein "'Project Runway," from "Project Greenlight" exec producers Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz. Cabler has ordered 10 episodes of the...

Endeavor taps new partner.(Paul Haas)(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Endeavor TV packaging chief Paul Haas has been made a partner at the tenpercentery. Haas, who's been at Endeavor since 2000, reps a slew of top-name TV scribes, including "'CST" chief Carol Mendelsohn and "CSI: Miami"...

Helmer feeds his 'Need'.(Marcus Nispel to direct 'Need' for Escape Artists)(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Fresh from helming "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" redo, Marcus Nispel has agreed to direct "Need" for Sony-based Escape Artists. Diane Lane will topline the thriller, set up at Paramount Pictures. Project, based on Lawrence...

Platinum's mettle attracts Dimension.(Dimension Films offers Platinum Dunes three year development contract)
November 4, 2003... Days after Dimension Films announced its intention to square off against "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" maker Platinum Dunes on a remake of "The Amityville Horror," the studio has staked the company to a three-year first-look deal. Headed...

Classic Media gets Big Idea.(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Gotham-based rights licensor Classic Media is set to pay $19.3 million for Big Idea, producer of family toons including the well-known "VeggieTales" video series. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois has...

Just for Variety.
November 4, 2003... GOOD MORNING--after from N.Y., via Savannah, Ga. "CBS at 75" was like no TV special I've ever attended--and I've been to, well, almost 75 of 'em. Sure, it was designed to be a TV show, but you had to be there Sunday night in Hammerstein Hall,...

James Murdoch set as BSkyB.(named CEO)(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... LONDON -- Rupert Murdoch-backed BSkyB confirmed late Monday that James Murdoch has been appointed chief executive of Britain's largest pay TV company, risking a confrontation with shareholders. The media mogul's 30-year-old son will start...

Eisner touts '03 progress.(Michael Eisner, Walt Disney Co. CEO)
November 4, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- The good news at Disney is an absence of bad news, head Mouseketeer Michael Eisner said Monday. One of several entertainment and media execs speaking at Harris Nesbitt Gerard's Playtime 2003 investors conference in Gotham,...

Pop diva dives into 'Prince'.(Mariah Carey to star in play 'The Sleeping Prince')(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... Mariah Carey does Marilyn Monroe. On stage. The pop diva goes into rehearsals this January for a London stage production of the vintage comedy "The Sleeping Prince." Movie buffs know the Terrence Rattigan play for its 1957 screen...

'Kid' gains attention, including State Dept.'s.(Comedy Central's animated series 'Kid Notorious')
November 4, 2003... Though the Comedy Central animated series "Kid Notorious" has a Hollywood bent. Robert Evans said the series is gaining a D.C. following. The State Dept. has even begun providing script notes. Evans said he and the show's other exec...

Tax-break wrangle: Gov's veto of film-lure bill draws solon's ire.(New York governor George Pataki vetoes incentives for film industry)
November 4, 2003... New York State Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle has slammed Gov. George Pataki's veto of legislation designed to attract film and television work to the state, calling the decision a major setback. Drafted by Morelle and blocked by Pataki on...

Fox's 'Simpsons,' Eye's party top Sunday.(television ratings)(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... There's no slowing down Fox's "The Simpsons," which kicked off its 15th season with winning numbers Sunday. Net didn't do as well, though, with its new laffer "Arrested Development." Also, CBS drew its largest Sunday audience of the season...

ESPN, Rhino band together to rock X Games and bands.
November 4, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Proving the union of music and sports has moved a considerable distance from slow-motion NFL highlights and "What Shall We Do With a Drunken Sailor," ESPN and Warner Music's Rhino imprint have partnered to bring together the X...

Roddick charging the nets.(tennis star Andy Roddick to star in reality program 'The Tour')
November 4, 2003... He's hosting "Saturday Night Live" in four days, he's dating the pop star Mandy Moore, and from May to September next year a nonstop camera crew will follow him all over Europe and the U.S. as he competes to become the No. 1 tennis player in...

Broadway B.O. falls back like clockwork.(dalight savings time hurts Broadway box office)(Industry Overview)
November 4, 2003... Like clockwork, the switch from daylight-saving time made for mischief at the box office last week. Receipts fell $488,317, or 3.32%, for a total tally of $14,230,516. Recent years have seen a 10%-12% drop when the autumn time-change takes...

Palm gets hands on 'Butterfly,' 'Wolf'.(Palm Pictures to distribute 'Purple Butterfly', 'Time of the Wolf')(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... Further illustrating its yen for esoteric foreign-language fare, specialty distrib Palm Pictures has acquired rights to two titles that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, Chinese director Lou Ye's "Purple Butterfly" and...

Warners toon arm taps man of action.(Roland Poindexter named senior vice president of action-adventure properties)(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... Warner Bros. Animation has tapped Roland Poindexter senior VP of action-adventure properties. Poindexter will oversee all aspects of shingle's creative development of action-adventure titles in broadcast, cable and made-for-video formats....

Showbiz stocks.(Business)(Illustration)
November 4, 2003... SHOWBIZ STOCKS Monday, November 3, 2003 Find stock prices and news about any company at Variety.com/stocks YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg %Chg AMC ...

Atari coasts on 'Matrix' success.(Business)(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... No. 2 vidgame developer Atari took it easy in the third quarter, coasting on the continued success of its "Enter the Matrix" title as it prepares for the competitive holiday season. New York-based subsid of French firm Infogrames released...

Charter off course: cable op's quarter disappoints amid gains.(Business)(Charter Communications)
November 4, 2003... Fourth-ranked U.S. cable operator Charter Communications seems to be skating on financial thin ice again, after announcing third quarter earnings and revenues below investors' expectations. Disappointing numbers came despite gains in basic and...

Cooke stirring at O'Melveny.(Business)(George Cooke named counsel at O'Melveny & Myers)(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- HBO vet George Cooke has joined the Gotham law firm of O'Melveny & Myers as counsel in its entertainment and media practice. Most recently, Cooke was senior VP and chief counsel at HBO, where he spent the past 20 years in...

FCC raises competition queries on DirecTV deal.(Business)
November 4, 2003... WASHINGTON -- The Federal Communications Commission wants a few more answers before it hands News Corp. control of the nation's largest satcaster. The FCC is expected to approve News Corp.'s $6.6 billion acquisition of DirecTV by the end...

Oz guilds up in arms: accuse U.S. of hypocrisy in free-trade talks.(World News)(Australian movie industry)
November 4, 2003... SYDNEY -- Australia's film industry guilds have accused the U.S. of hypocrisy for cutting taxes to stem the flow of runaway production while trying to limit the Oz government's ability to support its cultural industries in the U.S.-Australia...

'Square' pegs Oz AFI noms.(World News)(Australian Film Institute announces nominations)(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... SYDNEY -- Crime caper "Gettin' Square" nabbed 14 noms for the Australian Film Institute's 2003 AFI awards Friday, equaling the record set in 1978 by director Phillip Noyce's "Newsfront." Also in strong contention are outback road movie...

Spanish pix sputter at fest.(World News)(Spanish films shut out of awards at Valladolid International Film Festival)(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... VALLADOLID, Spain -- The Valladolid Intl. Film Festival Golden Spike pic plaudit was shared by Afghanistan's Siddiq Barmak for "Osama," about a girl posing as a boy under the Taliban regime, and Iran's "Crimson Gold," directed by Jafar Panahi....

'Nugget' tops Oz pic music kudos.(Australia)(Australian Screen Music Awards)(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... Nigel Westlake's score of "The Nugget" took the feature music honors at the Australian Screen Music Awards Monday night. Soundtrack award went to Cezary Skubiszewski for the mini "After the Deluge." Awards are presented jointly by the...

Rede buys sports pack.(Brazil)(Rede TV buys sporting event rights in partnership with TopSports)(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... Broadcaster Rede TV has bought exclusive terrestrial TV rights in Brazil to NBA games, European soccer and other sport events as part of an agreement with local sports marketing company TopSports. It will broadcast one live NBA match every...

Dreyfuss takes 'Road' to romantic thriller.(World News)(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... NEW DELHI -- Thesp Richard Dreyfuss and his producing partner Judith James have pacted with British-based Indian writer-director Ashvin Kumar to turn his short film "Road to Ladakh" into a full-length feature. Film, stage and TV producer...

PMP ups original prod'n.(World News)(Premium Movie Partnership names Peter Rose chief executive)(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... SYDNEY -- Elevated Monday to chief exec of the Premium Movie Partnership, Australia's leading pay TV movie channels, Peter Rose has flagged a move into original production a la HBO. Strategy reflects a desire to drive subs by offering more...

Lolafilms taps 2 int'l sales directors.(World News)(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... MADRID -- Tania Pinto da Cunha and Eva Sklar have been named joint directors of international sales at Andres Vicente Gomez's Spanish production company, Lolafilms. Sklar previously headed Lolafilms' press department, while Pinto da Cunha...

Butley.(Theater Review)
November 4, 2003... (Huntington Theater Co., Boston; 890 seats; $64 top) A Huntington Theater Co. presentation of a play in two acts by Simon Gray. Directed by Nicholas Martin Set, Alexander Dodge; costumes. Michael Krass; lighting, David Weiner: sound, Kurt...

Fran's Bed.(Theater Review)
November 4, 2003... (Long Wharf Theater; New Haven, Conn.; 200 seats; $55 top) A Long Wharf Theater presentation of a play in one act. written and directed by James Lapine. Set. Douglas Stein; costumes, Susan Hilferty; lighting. David Lander; sound, Fitz...

Bell Globemedia adds up CTV gains.(announces profits)(Brief Article)
November 4, 2003... MONTREAL -- Bell Globemedia reported strong financial results thanks to boffo ratings and strong advertising revenue at its CTV network. Revenue at Bell Globemedia grew 8% to C$296 million ($226 million) in the third quarter, up from $208...

Betty Buckley--Journey.(Concert Review)
November 4, 2003... (Feinstein's at the Regency; 150 capacity; $60) Presented inhouse, Musicians: Kenny Werner, Billy Drewes, Todd Reynolds, Ray Marchica, Tony Marino. Opened Oct. 28, 2003. Reviewed Oct. 31. Runs through Nov. 8. The journey Betty Buckleys...