Daily Variety articles from September 2003

Daily Variety archives from September 2003

Vivendi U hot wires GE offer.
September 2, 2003... PARIS -- Denouement may be nearing for Vivendi Universal Entertainment as parent company Viv U prepares to announce its engagement to NBC. The conglom's board could as early as today eliminate a consortium led by Edgar Bronfman Jr., the...

Pricey tiks pump pix: 'Creepers 2' tops holiday.
September 2, 2003... United Artists horror sequel "Jeepers Creepers 2" peeped out from atop the box office heap with the best Labor Day weekend bow ever--an estimated $18.5 million over four days. Disney's leggy family laffer "Freaky Friday" was No. 2 with...

The summer's hottest performers.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... Disney's 1-2 punch of "Finding Nemo," the top grossing toon ever, and surprise hit "Pirates of the Caribbean" enabled the Mouse House to claim 22% of summer's box office market share. SUMMER MARKETSHARE (for period of May 2-Sept. 1) ...

Pricey tiks pump pix: summer B.O. rises despite drop in auds.(box office, audiences)
September 2, 2003... The Mouse House grabbed the most box office cheese this summer in a season marked by higher industrywide grosses despite fewer ticket sales. Summer B.O.--counting from the first weekend in May through Labor Day I climbed 2% to $3.76...

Rare air at Telluride Fest.(Telluride Film Festival )
September 2, 2003... TELLURIDE, Colo. -- In an admittedly undernourished year for high-quality international cinema, the 30th edition of the Telluride Film Festival stimulated its audiences with a creative mixture of unexpected personalities, a star-making double...

Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star.(Movie Review)
September 2, 2003... A Paramount release of a Happy Madison production of a Sam Weisman film. Produced by Adam Sandler, Jack Giarraputo. Executive producer, Fred Wolf. Co-producer, Blair Breard. Directed by Sam Weisman. Screenplay, Fred Wolf, David Spade....

Lost in Translation.(Movie Review)
September 2, 2003... A Focus Features release of a Focus Features presentation ill association with Tohokushinsha of an American Zoetrope/Elemental Films production. Produced by Ross Katz, Sofia Coppola. Executive producers, Francis Ford Coppola, Fred Roos....

WB Pix puts Shestack in the producers' mix.(producer Jon Shestack)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Warner Bros. Pictures has inked a two-year first-look deal with producer Jon Shestack. He will be based on the Warners lot. Shestack was president of production at Artisan Entertainment until 2001. Since leaving Artisan two...

Emmett/Furla, Kilmer pact.(Emmett Furla Films, Val Kilmer)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Emmett Furla Films has signed a development deal with Val Kilmer to produce a Kilmer-toplined project in the next year. Emmett/ Furla is in post on "Blind Horizon," which stars Kilmer and will be distributed by Lions Gate...

'Silver' digs Bello for gig.('Silver City', Maria Bello)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Maria Bello has signed on to star opposite Chris Cooper and Daryl Hannah in John Sayles' "Silver City." Production begins Sept. 23 in Denver. The murder mystery concerns gubernatorial campaign and disgraced investigative...

Lido ringing in new: 'Translation,' 'Universe' top cutting-edge fare.(Venice International Film Festival, Italy, 'Lost in Translation', 'Last Life in the Universe')
September 2, 2003... VENICE -- If the lineup so far at midpoint of the 60th Venice Intl. Film Festival is any indication, the world's heavy-hitting auteurs are running on empty, making way for a generation of bolder, fresher voices. Repeatedly, during the...

YES says no to cabler with lawsuit over fee.(YES Network, Time Warner Cable)
September 2, 2003... The New York Yankees-owned YES network has slapped a breach-of-contract lawsuit on Time Warner Cable for sticking a $1-a-month pricetag on the channel. In its 40-page complaint, YES said TW Cable of New York City and Chuck Dolan's...

Grooming guru has 'eye' on Endeavor.(Kyan Douglas)(Tenpercenteries)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... Endeavor has signed "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" grooming guru Kyan Douglas for representation in all areas; tenpercentery also packaged the Scout production for Bravo. Before nabbing a spot in the Fab Five circle, Douglas, who...

Spanish thesp, songwriter and composer Najwa Nimri has inked with CAA for representation.(Tenpercenteries)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... Spanish thesp, songwriter and composer Najwa Nimri has inked with CAA for representation. Nimri's film credits include the Spanish-lingo lilies "Utopia," "Piedras," "Sex and Lucia" and "Lovers of the Arctic Circle." Her latest CD, "Mayday,"...

Grace stays in past with ''70s' pact.(Topher Grace)
September 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Topher Grace will be hangin' out on Fox's "That '70s Show" for a while longer. Grace, who plays good guy Eric Forman, has inked a rich deal that is expected to keep him with the Carsey-Werner-Mandabach produced laffer through...

Daly gets third call; NBC latenighter earns new set, contract.(Carson Daly)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... Carson Daly's latenight show begins its third season this evening on the Peacock, with exec producer David Friedman having just re-upped his two-year contract. "Last Call with Carson Daly" has continued to make solid rating gains in its...

CNN ready to unveil Cooper, Zahn shows.(Anderson Cooper, Paul Zahn)
September 2, 2003... Ending weeks of hush-hush planning, CNN on Monday will debut the two weeknight news programs built specifically for Anderson Cooper and Paula Zahn. "Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees" will be a fast-paced, hourlong show with a lean toward...

VMA ratings strong but down.(Video Music Awards)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Thursday's telecast of the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, which generated more news for its Madonna-Christina Aguilera liplock than anything else, was down in the ratings vs. last year but was still the night's top draw in key demos....

'Jailhouse' tuner rocks this spring.(the Elvis Presley film: "Jailhouse Rock")
September 2, 2003... LONDON -- "Jailhouse Rock," the 1957 Elvis Presley film tuner, is set to roll its way to the West End in the spring as the latest in a long line of movies to materialize onstage. Alan Janes, co-author and lead producer of the venture, told...

Bigscreen tough guy found fame after 40.(Charles Bronson)(Obituary)
September 2, 2003... CHARLES BRONSON: 1921-2003 Screen tough guy Charles Bronson, who circumvented Hollywood to become a leading man in Europe, died Saturday of pneumonia at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. He was 81 and reportedly suffered from...

Chan pix return to cabler.(Charlie Chan movies)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... Vintage Charlie Chan movies-driven from the Fox Movie Channel this summer by protests from Chinese-American pressure groups--are coming back to the network this month. But this time the Asian Coalition won't be kicking up a fuss, as FMC...

WGA's board room: guild to pump profile with ad campaign.(Business)(Writers Guild of America West)
September 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- In a move at odds with its usual low-key image, the Writers Guild of America West is placing its most famous faces on the billboards usually graced by rock stars and vodka ads. The first will debut today next to Tower Records...

Kidvidder Mar Vista formed.(Business)(Mar Vista Entertainment)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... Five veteran TV execs have banded together to form Mar Vista Entertainment, a company that will produce and distribute mostly family and children's programming. Led by Mar Vista prexy-CEO Joseph Szew and managing director Fernando Szew,...

Liquid 8, Sidran plan to jazz up Nardis label.(Business)(Nardis Music)(Liquid 8 Records and Entertainment)(Sidran, Ben)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Liquid 8 Records has partnered with pianist-singer Ben Sidran to create Nardis Music, a new jazz and groove music label. The first release will be a new CD by former James Brown drummer Clyde Stubblefield. At least 10 discs...

XM plans Canada expansion.(Business)(XM Satellite Radio Holdings)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... XM Satellite Radio Holdings' move to expand to Canada could boost the number of people who subscribe to its service but could also prove a burden to the debt-laden company, analysts said. The No. 1 U.S. satellite radio company said in a...

RIAA blames piracy for sales tuneout.(Business)(Recording Industry Association of America)
September 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- The RIAA has sounded the music piracy alarm again, blaming illegal CD copying and Internet file-sharing networks for a nearly 16% decline in total U.S. music shipments in the first six months of the year. Total music format...

Showbiz stocks.(Business)
September 2, 2003... SHOWBIZ STOCKS Friday, August 29, 2003 Find stock prices and news about any company at Variety.com/stocks YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg %Chg AMC AEN...

Gettin' Square.(Movie Review)
September 2, 2003... A Hoyts Distribution release (in Australia) of a Nine Films & Television, Universal Pictures, Macquarie Nine Films & Television Investment Fund, Working Title Films presentation of a Mushroom Pictures. Working Title Films, Freshwater Pictures...

Miramax says adios: distrib deal ends with Spain's shakey Lauren.(World News)(Lauren Films)(Miramax Film Corp)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... MADRID -- Miramax is ending its distribution deal in Spain after nearly 10 years with cash-strapped Lauren Films. Fighting a large debt load, Lauren has just appointed a new chief exec and tapped a 5 million [euro] ($5.7 million) credit...

Italy alters film funding.(World News)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... VENICE -- The Italian government is trying to end an era of self-indulgent subsidized filmmaking by cutting funds for each project and making marketability a key criteria for obtaining that coin. Producers will be able to apply for...

Par OKs out-of-court debt deal with Kirch.(World News)(Kirch Media)(Paramount Pictures Corp.)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... COLOGNE -- Paramount has accepted $192 million against the $1 billion debt owed to it by bankrupt former Teutonic TV giant Kirch Media. According to a Kirch Media spokesman, the out-of-court settlement reached over the weekend covers...

Watson, Wilkinson in 'Woods' for pic.(United Kingdom)(Emily Watson)(Tom Wilkinson)("A Way Through the Woods")(Celador Films)(Complete Communications)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... Emily Watson, Tom Wilkinson and Rupert Everett have been cast in scribe Julian Fellowes' self-penned directorial debut, "A Way Through the Woods." In the pic, a couple's seemingly idyllic marriage is complicated by the introduction of a...

321 Studios a target.(United Kingdom)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... The Motion Picture Assn. is seeking a ban on the U.K. sale and distribution of software from U.S. company 321 Studios that enables users to circumvent the anti-copying protection on DVDs. Warner Home Video, acting on behalf of the MPA, has...

Canal Plus inks trio of output deals.(World News)(Canal Plus signs output desals with Spyglass, New Line, and Intermedia)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... PARIS -- Canal Plus Group has inked multi-year output deals with Spyglass, New Line and Intermedia to revitalize its flagship French premium channel. Previous pacts were made film by film, explained acquisitions topper Evi Fullenbach, adding,...

BBC claims surprised Kelly.(World News)(discussions about the BBC's story of the U.K.'s report on Iraq)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... LONDON -- The BBC received another blow Monday when the Hutton inquiry was told that the Ministry of Defense weapons expert David Kelly was surprised by the "forceful claims" in defense of correspondent Andrew Gilligan's "Today" program report...

Pol's in pic pickle.(India)(Indian politician Sadhu Yadav seeks to block the film 'Gangaajal')(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... An angry politician in India's eastern state of Bihar on Friday sought a court order to halt the screening of a movie he claims belittles him as his supporters began raiding cinemas showing the film. Villain of the movie bears the same name...

Girl With a Pearl Earring.(movie review)(Movie Review)
September 2, 2003... (U.K.-Luxembourg) A Lions Gate Films (in U.S.) release of a Pathe Pictures and Lions Gate presentation in association with the U.K. Film Council of an Archer Street/Delux production produced with Inside Track with the support of Film Fund...

The Dreamers.(movie review)(Movie Review)
September 2, 2003... (France-Italy-U.K.) A Fox Searchlight release (U.S.) of a HanWay presentation in association with Fox Searchlight, Medusa Film, of a Recorded Picture Co./Peninsular Films/Fiction production. (International sales: Hanway Film Intl.,...

Goodbye, Dragon Inn.(movie review)(Movie Review)
September 2, 2003... (BU SAN) (Taiwan) A HomeGreen Films production, (International sales: HomeGreen Films, Taipei.) Produced by Liang Hung-chih. Executive producer, Tsai Ming-liang. Directed, written by Tsai Ming-liang. Camera (color), Liao...

SPC barges in to take 'Young Adam' rights.(Sony Pictures Classics acquires North American rights to 'Young Adam')(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... TELLURIDE, Colo. -- Sony Pictures Classics has acquired North American fights to "Young Adam" the Ewan McGregor/Tilda Swinton starter directed by David Mackenzie and produced by Jeremy Thomas. Michael Barker and Tom Bernard, co-prexys of...

IFC pic pickup fills 'Void'.(IFC Films acquires North American rights to 'Touching the Void')(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- IFC Films has acquired all North American rights to "Touching the Void," based on the bestselling book of the same title by mountain climber Joe Simpson. Acquisition was announced Friday by Jonathan Sehring, prexy of IFC...

Moguls, artists talk shop at Telluride.(a discussion of the attendees at the Telluride Film Festival)
September 2, 2003... TELLURIDE, Colo. -- Though there are bashes and private dinners during the Telluride Film Festival, the main party is the ongoing march of relaxed, oxygen-deprived humanity that meanders at 8,745 feet above sea level along Main Street. Ted...

De Laurentiis urges more film coin.(Dino De Laurentiis wins a Golden Lion award at the Venice International Film Festival)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... VENICE -- Dino De Laurentiis disembarked on the Lido on Monday to receive a career Golden Lion, the first time that the Venice Intl. Film Festival has lionized a producer. The 84-year-old native Neapolitan who has shepherded pictures...

ABC banking on 'Millionaire' strip.(five ABC stations pick up 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire')(Brief Article)
September 2, 2003... Five ABC stations have picked up syndic strip "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." ABC O&Os in New York (WABC), Philadelphia (WPVI), San Francisco (KGO), and Raleigh, N.C. (WTVD), plus the network's Boston affiliate (Hearst Argyle-owned WCVB),...

'Pirates' cashes in: pic bows with bang o'seas; Oz finds 'Nemo'.(overseas box office results)
September 2, 2003... The generally soft summer season abroad ended with a fusillade of cannon fire as "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" blasted off in eight territories and retained the crown with potent holdover biz in at least another 10...

Peacock: Parlez-vous U: high stakes for combined TV operations.(NBC and Vivendi Universal merge entertaimnent units)
September 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- The marriage of NBC and Vivendi Universal's entertaimnent properties will give execs at the newly created conglom a chance to prove that bigger is better when it comes to the small screen. Being part of Disney hasn't helped...

Peacock: Parlez-vous U: NBC, Vivendi will create $42 bil media behemoth.(NBC Universal, new media company)
September 3, 2003... It's called NBC Universal, for the time being, at least. It's a new media company about the size of News Corp., valued at some $42 billion. And it's going to be run by NBC topper Bob Wright. That's the upshot of the deal between Vivendi...

The Peacock feathers its nest.(new films)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... NBC Universal, the media giant lorged by NBC parent General Electric and Vivendi, will have assets worth $42 billion. A snapshot of the holdings: FILM Universal Pictures, home of summer hits Bruce Almighty," "The Hulk" and "2 Fast 2...

Janet toots Horne for ABC, Storyline.(2-hour musical about Lena Horne)
September 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Stormy weather and the small screen are in the forecast for pop diva Janet Jackson. Storyline Entertainment's Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, along with ABC and Sony Pictures Television, have signed the Grammy-winning croonerthesp...

Howard eyes Sevareid bio.(Revolution Studios buys pitch)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Revolution Studios has acquired a pitch based on the life of reporter and news analyst Eric Sevareid, with Ron Howard attached to direct and Imagine Entertainment to produce. Stephen Falick and Jeff Howard pitched and will...

Helmer goes to war south of the border.(Helmer Luis Mandoki will direct "Cardboard Houses")(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... Helmer Luis Mandoki has comnnitted to direct "Cardboard Houses" (Casa de Carton), a drama based on the true story of a 12-year-old who is about to be forced into military duty during the civil war in 1980s El Salvador. Oscar Torres wrote...

Matchstick Men.(film directed by Ridley Scott)(Movie Review)
September 3, 2003... A Warner Bros. release of an Imagemovers/Scott Free production in association with Rickshaw Prods. and Liveplanet. Produced by Jack Rapke, Ridley Scott, Steve Starkey, Sean Bailey, Ted Griffin. Executive producer, Robert Zemeckis. Co-producers,...

The Human Stain.(Anthony Hopkins stars)(Movie Review)
September 3, 2003... The Human Stain A Miramax (in U.S.) release of a Lakeshore Entertainment and Miramax Films presentation of a Lakeshore Entertainment/Stone Village production, in association with Cinerenta-Cineepsilon. Produced by Tom Rosenberg, Gary...

B'way isn't laboring as holiday B.O. slows.(Broadway's Labor Day weekend)
September 3, 2003... Broadway greeted the Labor Day weekend with a big yawn. Twenty-three shows brought in $13,800.381, up only $129,947 or 095% over the previous non-holiday session. Box office was a little more robust a year ago, when receipts came to $14.1...

Stars dress Elizabethan quartet for Classic run.(Elizabethan dramas)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... Classic Stage Company kick off its season Oct. 1 with the inaugural First Look Festival. Readings of several Elizabethan dramas will be presented through Oct. 12, including "The Jew of Malta" with Ron Liebman, "Arden of Faversham" with...

Politics on the Lido: print, helmer stuck in Iran.(film festival)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... VENICE -- What would a festival be without some sort of scandale? So far, the relatively tranquil, smoothrunning Venice fest hasn't turned up much in the way of sensationalism, though at least one government has stopped a filmmaker from...

Berlin fest chief visits Venice to tout program.(Berlin Film Fest head Dieter Kosslick)
September 3, 2003... VENICE -- Berlin Film Fest topper Dieter Kosslick dropped in Tuesday on the Lido to talk up his latest initiative, the so-called talent Campus. Idea is to transport 500 budding filmmakers to Berlin at the time of the fest (Feb. 5-15) so...

Knopf captures Lynch tale for $1 mil.(Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch's story)
September 3, 2003... Now that Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch, America's favorite--and most controversial--heroine from the war in Iraq, has been honorably discharged, her story is being rushed out to hit bookstores in November. The $1 million deal for "I Am a Soldier,...

24 Hour plays goes uptown.(American Airlines Theater)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... In its third year, the 24 Hour Plays is moving uptown to Roundabout's American Airlines Theater. Format leads six scribes, six helmers and 24 actors in a squashed-down production process where the writing, directing and performance all...

English twist for Latin shows.(reality romance show "La Cenicienta")(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... MIAMI -- Spanish-lingo broadcaster Telemundo will, for the first time, supply English-lingo captioning for two new U.S.-produced shows premiering Monday. The reality romance show "La Cenicienta" (Cinderella), from Galan Entertainment, bows...

Classic gets big idea: family group acquires 'Veggie Tales' maker.(Business)(Classic Media acquires Big Idea Productions)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Family entertainment group Classic Media has acquired Big Idea Prods., producer of the "Veggie Tales" homevid series, officials said Monday. Terms of the agreement, reached in connection with Big Idea's Chapter 11 bankruptcy...

Intertainment sees sales slide; TV-Loonland in black.(Business)(Intertainment sues Franchise for $100 mn for allegedly inflating film budgets)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... BERLIN -- German distributor Intertainment posted an 82% drop half-year sales to (euro)2 million ($2.18 million) and saw losses grow 17% to $5.24 million as its legal battle against Franchise Pictures continues to take a financial toll. ...

News Corp. Japan sells shares in Sky Perfect.(Business)(8.1% stake in Sky Perfect Communications may be sold)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... TOKYO -- After denials of reports a week ago and some wild guessing in Japan's media, News Corp. Japan Holdings, a subsid of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., will sell its 8.1% stake in satcaster Sky Perfect Communications, which it helped launch...

U, D'Works log on to T-Online.(Business)(new video-on-demand service)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... BERLIN -- Universal and Dream Works have inked with Deutsche Telekom's Internet provider T-Online for its new video-on-demand service. The studios' films and TV series will be available on www.t-online.de as well as on its upcoming...

EMI preps takeover bid for Warner Music.(Business)(AOL and Bertelsmann in exclusive negotiations)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... LONDON -- U.K. music group EMI is to launch a cash-and-shares takeover bid this week to acquire Warner Music from AOL Time Warner. AOL and Germany's Bertelsmann have been in exclusive negotiations over a possible merger of their recording...

Showbiz stocks.(Business)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... YTD Name Tkr HE Last Chg %Chg AMC AEN ... 12.14 +.49 +37.2 AOL TW AOL ... 16.52 +.16 ...

Twentieth Century.(Signature Theater presentation)(Theater Review)
September 3, 2003... Signature Theater: Arlington, Va.; 230 seats; 36 top A Signature Theater presentation of a play in two acts by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur. adapted by Ken Ludwig. Directed by Eric Schaeffer. Sets, James Kronzer. costumes. Anne Kennedy...

Valley of Tears.(epic struggle in Texas of Texas Farm Workers Union )(Movie Review)
September 3, 2003... Docu A Seventh Art Releasing release of a David Sandoval & ferry Films presentation. Produced by Hart Perry. Executive producer, David Sandoval. Co-producer, Richard Lowe. Directed by Hart Perry. Screenplay, Juan Gonzalez. Camera...

Julia, All in Me.(Paradiso Films presentation)(Movie Review)
September 3, 2003... Docu - Puerto Rico A Paradiso Films presentation. Produced by Ileana Ciena. Executive producers, Santos Rivera, Ivonne Belen. Directed by Ivonne Belen. Screenplay, Belen, Angel Dario Carrero, based on the unpublished letters of Julia...

Sound editors org taps prexy.(Motion Picture Sound Editors hires David Bondelvitch)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... The Motion Picture Sound Editors has tapped David Bondelvitch as prexy, representing the first music editor to be elected president of the org. Bondelevitch is also a lecturer at the USC School of Cinema-Television and a member of the...

Reverse reversal: Wenders shingle buys helmer's old company.(World News)(new production company)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... BERLIN -- Wim Wenders' new production company Reverse Angle has taken over Road Movies Factory from insolvent parent Das Werk. Wenders merged his original Berlin-based Road Movies with post-production and visual effects group Das Werk in...

U taps Mmarks to run Brit net arm.(U.K.)(Universal Studios Networks' new execs)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... Dan Marks has been upped to prexy of Universal Studios Networks U.K., replacing Janet Goldsmith, who quit last month. Marks, previously senior VP of business development at Universal Studios Networks Worldwide, will be responsible for the...

Geo maps changes.(U.K.)(National Geographic Channels' new v-p)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... National Geographic Channels Intl. has bolstered its programming and production team, promoting Mark Green to senior VP of programming and appointing Germaine Deagan-Sweet director of program syndication. Green, previously VP of program...

Veronica brand back in biz with SBS' V8 under hood.(World News)(SBS Holland will launch channel V8)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... AMSTERDAM -- Pan-European channel launcher SBS Broadcasting's Dutch subsidiary has bought the rights to former pubcaster Veronica, the biggest brand name in Dutch media history. SBS Holland intends to relaunch its channel V8 on Sept. 20 as...

Russia to pursue Gusinsky extradition.(World News)(Vladimir Gusinsky sought for fraud)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... MOSCOW -- Russian authorities have vowed to extradite former media magnate Vladimir Gusinsky from Greece, where he has been held since Aug. 21 on suspicion of $250 million fraud. Gusinsky was released on bail from a Greek jail Friday after...

Dutch fest's platform lifts diverse pix.(World News)(Dutch Film Festival)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... UTRECHT, the Netherlands -- The Dutch Film Festival's selection for its Netherlands Production Platform mingles vet lensers, tyros and international talent looking for Dutch locations, cast and cash. Filmer Jos Stelling's "Duska," veteran...

Latinos sidebar raises San Sebastian profile.(World News)(51st San Sebastian's new Horizontes Latinos)
September 3, 2003... MADRID -- Santiago Loza's "Extrano" (Strange). Damian Szifron's "El fondo de mar" (The Bottom of the Sea) and Jose Henrique Fonseca's "O Homem do Ano" (Man of the Year) figure in the 51st San Sebastian's new Horizontes Latinos section, the...

Film box office wrap.(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... Nielsen EDI WEEKEND STATS Domestic Box Office $133.7 million Aug. 29-Sept. 1 vs. last year* +15% Daily Breakdown (in millions of $) vs. last year's comparable weekend* ...

Broadway top 10: August 25-31, 2003.(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... Show Week's Net Receipts Prev Week's $Change (Theater)(Prod. Potential Net Net Receipts Avg. Tick Category)(Seats) Receipts The Lion King $1,133,809 $1,133,745 ...

Top 10 films in Manhattan: for the weekend of Aug. 29-Sept. 1.(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... % change vs. last Film (distributor) Rank Wknd. B.O. wknd.* Jeepers Creepers 2 (MGM) 1 ...

Exclusives report for the weekend of Aug. 29-Sept. 1.(Brief Article)
September 3, 2003... NEW YORK NEW THIS WEEK Film (distributor) Circuit Theater, city Local Engmnts.: 2 Once Upon a Time in the Midlands CTY Angelika...

Jinx Falkenburg & Tex McCrary.(Obituaries)(Obituary)
September 3, 2003... The couple who created the talkshow format and helped persuade Dwight Eisenhower to run for president have died within a month of each other. John Reagan "Tex" McCrary, died July 29 in New York at 92. His widow and former co-host Jinx...

Martin Green.(Obituaries)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
September 3, 2003... Memorial services will be held Monday for multihyphenate showbizzer Martin Green, who died in Gotham July 29. He was 89. Beginning in his late teens, Green worked vaudeville and theater, serving as one of the few white members of Katherine...

Jane New Dorsey.(Obituaries)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
September 3, 2003... Jane New Dorsey, dancer, warbler and the widow of bandleader Tommy Dorsey, died of natural causes Aug. 24 in Bay Harbor, Fla. She was 79. Born Jane New in Dublin, Ga., she graduated from high school in her hometown before moving to New York...