Daily Variety articles from September 2006

Daily Variety archives from September 2006

WWII actioner has U 'Dam' excited.(Universal Pictures)(Dambusters)
September 1, 2006... Universal and StudioCanal have launched development of "Dambusters," a WWII actioner produced by Peter Jackson, Jan Blenkin and Carolynne Cunningham through Jackson's WingNut Films shingle. Longtime Jackson associate Christian Rivers will...

Genre battle looms at B.0.(box office)
September 1, 2006... As summer comes to a close, two new genre pies will be gunning for the No. 1 spot. "The Wicker Man," which Warner Bros. is distributing for Alcon Entertainment, seems to have the edge based on pre-release tracking. Neil LaBute-helmed...

In a bio rhythm: biz treks to Telluride fest.(Telluride Film Festival)
September 1, 2006... The unlikely quartet of Idi Amin, Diane Arbus, Truman Capote and John Lennon are in the spotlight at the Telluride Film Festival, opening today. Their biopics, as well as works from Todd Field, Pedro Almodovar and Alejandro Gonzalez...

YouTube sex vexes ABC.(American Broadcasting Companies Inc.)
September 1, 2006... A rough cut of a steamy sex scene from "Desperate Housewives" has found its way onto YouTube--a month before the episode is slated to air. It's not unusual for complete episodes of shows to pop up on the viral video site, and this summer,...

Canal's TPS buy gets OK.(Canal Plus S.A.)
September 1, 2006... French competition authorities have greenlit Canal Plus' $1 billion takeover of rival pay TV operator TPS and attached a major condition that will affect the Gallic group's dealings with Hollywood. The Competition Council ruled that output...

Quartet wooed by epic.(Chow Yun-Fat, Ken Watanabe, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai and Lin Chi-Ling cast in The Battle of Red Cliff)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... John Woo has cast Chow Yun-Fat, Ken Watanabe, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai and Taiwanese supermodel Lin Chi-Ling in his Chinese costumer "The Battle of Red Cliff," a co-production with the China Film Group. Based on the classic Chinese novel...

Andy Warhol: A Documentary Film.(Movie review)
September 1, 2006... (Docu) A Steeplechase Films, Daniel Wolf, High Line Prods., Thirteen/WNET New York production. Produced by Daniel Rosenfeld, Daniel Wolf, Ric Burns. Executive producers, Peter Brant, Larry Gagosian, Diane von Furstenberg. Co-producers,...

A Few Days in September.(Movie review)
September 1, 2006... (QUELQUES JOURS EN SEPTEMBRE) (France-Italy) A Gemini Films release of a Paulo Branco presentation of a Gemini Films, Les Films du Rat, France 2 Cinema (France)/Production Group (Italy) co-production with participation of CNC, Canal...

Standoff.(Television program review)
September 1, 2006... (Series; Fox, Tue., Sept. 5, 9 p.m.) Filmed in Los Angeles by 20th Century Fox Television. Executive producers, Craig Silverstein, Tim Story, Glen Mazzara; co-executive producer, Juan Carlos Coto, Linda Gase, Jonathan Glassner; producer,...

Likeable Ford took to oaters, romance: Glenn Ford: 1916-2006.(Obituary)
September 1, 2006... Glenn Ford, the durable actor who parlayed his likeable "average Joe" persona into a lengthy film and TV career, died Wednesday at his home in Beverly Hills. He was 90. Failing health forced him to skip a May 1 90th birthday tribute at the...

Bravo goes 'Under' Oct. 2.(Bravo Cable Network )(Six Feet Under)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... "Six Feet Under" will make its off-HBO debut Oct. 2 on Bravo. The NBC Universal-owned cable network spent more than $15 million for exclusive four-year syndication rights to all five seasons, or 63 episodes, of the mortuary drama (Daily...

Strand lands 'Friends'.(Poison Friends)(Strand Releasing Home Video)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Strand Releasing has picked up U.S. distrib rights to Emmanuel Bourdieu's "Poison Friends" ("Les Amities Malefiques"), which has won a slot at the upcoming New York Film Festival. Strand, which is eying a Spring release, struck the deal...

Fox jury's still out: 'Justice' is net's latest OK debut.(Fox Broadcasting Co.)
September 1, 2006... Fox's "Justice" opened to respectable numbers Wednesday night despite not much help from its "Bones" lead-in. The net hasn't exactly lit things up with its early-fall premieres in August, and the Jerry Bruckheimer legal skein is the third...

H'wood perils accent Venice pics.(Venice International Film Festival )
September 1, 2006... The peril of the pursuit of Hollywood celebrity was the dominant theme on day two at the Venice Film Festival as Miramax and Focus Features' noir "Hollywoodland" unspooled in competition Thursday with stars Ben Affleck, Adrien Brody, Diane Lane...

Panic!, Blunt top vid nods.(Panic! at the Disco)(James Blunt and Kelly Clarkson win awards)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Panic! at the Disco, James Blunt and Kelly Clarkson were the big winners at the 23rd annual MTV Video Music Awards, held Thursday night at Gotham's Radio City Music Hall. Panic! took homevideo of the year for "I Write Sins Not Tragedies,"...

APA.(Tenpercenteries)(Steve Schirripa)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Steve Schirripa ("The Sopranos") has signed with APA. Thesp's credits include "Must Love Dogs" and NBC's "Joey." He's also penned two books, "A Goomba's Guide to Life" and "The Goomba Diet: Living Large and Loving It." He'll next be seen...

ICM.(Tenpercenteries)(Trevor Fehrman joins International Creative Management Inc.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Trevor Fehrman ("Clerks II")has signed with ICM. Thesp started in New Line's "Cheats" and Jeff Anderson's "Now You Know." He is managed by Untitled Entertainment.

WMA.(Tenpercenteries)(Chuck Tatham)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Writer-producer Chuck Tatham ("Arrested Development") has signed with WMA. Tatham is a co-exec producer for NBC's "Andy Barker, P.I." He's managed by Handprint Entertainment and was previously repped by CAA.

Infamous.(Movie review)
September 1, 2006... A Warner Independent Pictures release of a Killer Films, John Wells production. Produced by Christine Vachon, Jocelyn Hayes, Ann Walker-McBay. Executive producer, Wells. Directed, written by Douglas McGrath, based on the book "Truman...

Crossover.(Movie review)
September 1, 2006... A Sony Pictures Entertainment release of a TriStar Pictures and 360 Pictures presentation of a Preston Picture. Produced by Frank Mancuso Jr. Executive producers, Tom Gores, Johnny O. Lopez. Co-producer, Lorenzo O'Brien, Aaron Mazzolini. ...

Showbiz stocks: Thursday, August 31, 2006.(Entertainment industry)(Statistical table)
September 1, 2006... Showbiz Stocks Thursday, August 31, 2006 YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg % Chg AccessIT AIXD ... 9.04 +0.09 -12.9 AcmeCm ...

From the Army Archerd archive: Feb. 6, 1957.(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Good morning: Metro paged Lauren Bacall for a pic ready to start, but she turned it down. However, she'll return to work in a month. "I'm not going to be in a closet," says Bacall, "but I need a little time to get things straightened up. The...

Filming in the future.(Film Production Chart)
September 1, 2006... PRODUCTION CHART KEY Abbreviations: EXP, Executive producer; PROD-Producer; COP-Co-producer; DIR-Director; AD-First assistant director; 2DIR-Second-unit director; SCR-Screenwriter; DP-Cinematographer; ED-Editor; PD-Production designer;...

Filming in the U.S.(Film Prod'n Chart)
September 1, 2006... * THE ACQUISITION Joshua Crabtree, Tashiana Capel, Sarah Crabtree, George Bunzendahl, Drew Carlsen, Jacob Crabtree EXP, Robert von Dassanowsky: PROD. George Bunzendahl; DIR, Joshua Crabtree; SCR, Crabtree, Jeffrey Bunzendahl; DP-ED, J....

Datebook.(Calendar)
September 1, 2006... 1 "Sholay" Bollywood blockbuster inspired by "The Magnificent Seven," with songs, dance, oft-quoted dialogue and action, features an all-star cast including Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Jaya Bhaduri and Hema Malini. Through...

Filming outside the U.S.(Film Prod'n Chart)
September 1, 2006... BLADES OF GLORY Will Ferrell, Jon Heder, Will Arnett, Amy Poehler, Jenna Fischer, William Fichtner, Craig T. Nelson, Romany Malco, Nick Swardson EXP-UPM, Marty Ewing; PROD, Ben Stiller, Stuart Cornfeld, John Jacobs; DIR, Josh Gordon,...

Filming in Gotham.(Film Prod'n Chart)(New York)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... * THE ALPHABET KILLER EXP, Greg Polisseni; PROD, Tom Malloy, Aimee Schoof, Isen Robbins, Russ Terlecki; DIR, Rob Schmidt; SCR, Tom Malloy; CAST, Kelly Wagner, Nancy Nayor. Paranoid Films (666 West End Ave., #17E, New York, NY 10025,...

Scribes seek hearings over news issues.(Writers Guild of America )(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... The Writers Guild of America has asked the FCC to schedule hearings on issues of news quality that have arisen from stalled contract negotiations between CBS and the guild. The request came as part of a 90-minute meeting in Los Angeles on...

Innovative.(Tenpercenteries)
September 1, 2006... Emily Rios (Quinceanera) has signed with Innovative. Thesp stars in indie "Vicious Circle," now lensing in Los Angeles.

Holder Management.(Tenpercenteries)(Andrzej Bartkowiak)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Andrzej Bartkowiak has inked with Holder Management. Cinematographer-turned-helmer directed "Doom" "Romeo Must Die" and "Exit Wounds." He is set to direct "Black and Blue" for Emmett Furla Films as well as "Escobar" for Hannibal Pictures....

Metropolitan Talent Agency.(Tenpercenteries)(Azura Skye)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Azura Skye ("28 Days") has signed with Metropolitan Talent Agency. Thesp is lensing "One Missed Call" with Edward Bums. Her credits include "Red Dragon" "CSI: Miami" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Skye is managed by John Carrabino...

Mortimer is 'Real Girl'.(Emily Mortimer to star in Lars and the Real Girl)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Emily Mortimer has signed on to star opposite Ryan Gosling in Sidney Kimmel Entertainment's offbeat indie "Lars and the Real Girl." Craig Gillespie is directing from a script by Nancy Oliver. Story concerns a lonely, delusional young man...

Ramsey updates boost syndie newsmag rates.(JonBenet Ramsey case)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Coverage of breaking news, including an arrest in the JonBenet Ramsey case, increased ratings for the top four syndicated newsmagazine shows in the week ended Aug. 20. "The Insider," which devoted an entire broadcast to the story and...

Hitched.(Sallie Olmsted and Kenneth MacKinnon tie the knot)(Carrie Ross and Lee Farber get married)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Sallie Olmsted and Kenneth MacKinnon, May 27, Beverly Hills. Bride is exec VR convergence, at Rogers & Cowan; groom is a contributor to Radio Na Gael, the BBC's Gaelic-language radio service, and other BBC Radio programs. Carrie Ross and...

Weekend box office preview.(movie industry)(Statistical table)
September 1, 2006... RELEASE DATES AND CHANGES As of Aug. 31 Pic New date Old date FOX * Reno 911: Miami Feb. 23 IDP DISTRIBUTION Sleeping Dogs Lie Oct. 20 Sept. 29 * Blind Dating March 16 MGM ...

Digital drive at Warners.
September 5, 2006... In a first for a Hollywood major, Warner Bros. TV is setting up a digital production venture, dubbed Studio 2.0, to create original live-action and animated shortform programming for broadband and wireless devices. Warner has tapped...

B.O.'s summer split: U.S. loves the middle.
September 5, 2006... This summer, the magic was in the middle. Though only six films in 2006 passed $150 million vs. last summer's nine, the season was still 6% ahead of 2005. The '05 biggies racked up more than $1.9 billion; this summer's quintet grossed...

B.O.'s summer split: ... as o'seas thinks big.(WORLD WATCH)
September 5, 2006... Soccer fever may have taken over this summer, but "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" has the foreign box office on pace to break the 2004 overseas mark of $8.5 billion. In a few days, pic should join "Titanic" and "The Lord of...

Of skunks and cinema.(33rd Telluride Film Festival)
September 5, 2006... The challenges facing Westerners who would grapple with combustible Third World conditions, the legacy of political and cultural figures of the recent past and a skunk making its presence known underfoot in a dark cinema were all part of the...

BMG strikes chord with bids.
September 5, 2006... Bidding for BMG Music Publishing is heating up as Viacom, Warner Music and Universal Music Group are said to have offered in the neighborhood of 1.5 billion [euro] (about $1.9 billion) for the biz, which German parent Bertelsmann has put up for...

ABC maps ad-free 'Path.'.(The Path to 9/11)
September 5, 2006... ABC has decided the best sponsor for its upcoming Sept. 11 mini is no sponsor at all. After originally announcing its intention to air "The Path to 9/11" with limited commercial interruption, the network now will air both parts of the $30...

Flying two flags: Clint's in mint condition.(Clint Eastwood's two movies with same story, Flags of Our Fathers and Letters From Iwo Jima, a Japanese language movie)
September 5, 2006... Now that the inventory of summer popcorn movies has finally been exhausted, the stage is set for the more "serious" fall fare. That means it's Clint Eastwood time. Clint has two movies coming out before year's end. That is, two separate...

AFI sings tuner's praises.(American Film Institute)(Brief article)
September 5, 2006... "Singin' in the Rain" has been named the most memorable movie musical of all time by the American Film Institute. The AFI revealed its list of the top 25 movie musicals of all time in Sunday's The Big Picture--AFI's Greatest Movie Musicals,...

IFP slates 186 projects for feature mart.(Independent Feature Project)
September 5, 2006... The Independent Feature Project unveiled the lineup for its 28th annual market, unspooling Sept. 17-21 in Gotham. Some 186 projects were selected out of 1,235 submitted for this year's market categories including Emerging Narrative, No...

Livedoor's Horie pleads not guilty as trial starts.(Takafumi Horie)
September 5, 2006... Takafumi Horie, former prexy of Internet startup Livedoor, pleaded not guilty to security law violations on Monday at the start of his trial in Tokyo district court. Horie is accused of falsifying 2004 earnings figures to boost Livedoor's share...

The Queen.(Movie review)
September 5, 2006... (U.K.-France-Italy) A Pathe (in U.K.)/Miramax (in U.S.) release of a Pathe Prods., Granada presentation, in association with Pathe Renn Prod., BIM Distribuzione, France 3 Cinema and Canal Plus, of a Granada production. (International...

Children of Men.(Movie review)
September 5, 2006... A Universal Pictures presentation of a Strike Entertainment production, in association with Hit & Run Prods., Ingenious Media Partners, Toho-Towa Co. Produced by Marc Abraham, Eric Newman, Hilary Shot, Tony Smith, Iain Smith. Executive...

A sour note for MTV: viewership off 32% for VMA kudocast.(Video Music Awards)
September 5, 2006... MTV's "Video Music Awards" went off with a whisper Thursday. Three-hour kudocast drew 5.76 million overall viewers and dropped 32% from previous-year results in the cabler's target 12-34 demo. Sister network BET for the first time...

Venevision bows U.S. pic channel.(launch of spanich movie channel VeneMovies)(Brief article)
September 5, 2006... Venevision Intl., the Miami-based subsid of Venezuelan media conglom Cisneros Group, launches a 24-hour Spanish-language movie channel, VeneMovies, today. Cable giant Comcast and Midwest cabler Insight have agreed to carry the channel as talks...

'Birch' nailed by Truly Indie.(51 Birch Street, Copacetic Productions, HBO Documentary Films, Priddy Brothers Entertainment)(Brief article)
September 5, 2006... Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner's Truly Indie label has picked up U.S. distrib rights to Doug Block's dock "51 Birch Street," produced by Copacetic Prods. in association with HBO Documentary Films and Priddy Brothers Entertainment. Truly Indie...

'Hysteria' erupts at IFC.(Alfonso Cuaron's movie Love in the Time of Hysteria will be released in United States)(Brief article)
September 5, 2006... Alfonso Cuaron's 1991 debut pic, "Solo con tu pareja" (Love in the Time of Hysteria), will finally hit U.S. screens, courtesy of IFC Films, which plans a limited release starting Sept. 20. Criterion Collection will put out a special-edition DVD...

Gem biz polishing its act ahead of 'Diamond'.(Brief article)
September 5, 2006... Warner Bros. won't release Ed Zwick's Leonardo DiCaprio starrer "Blood Diamond" until Dec. 15, but the diamond industry is already going on the offensive. On Wednesday, the industry will take out full-page ads in major U.S. and...

Show time for Showtime.(Showtime networks ordered three series from Darren Star, Linda Wallem and Tom Kapinos)(Brief article)
September 5, 2006... Showtime has ordered up its next round of development, greenlighting a trio of series pilots, including an adaptation of the BBC skein "Manchild" from Darren Star. Star will exec produce "Manchild," which moves forward with scribes Rob and...

NBC pumps up pigskin site.(NBC bought Allstar Stats)(Brief article)
September 5, 2006... NBC Sports has bought fantasy-sport game company Allstar Stats and its Rotoworld Internet destination, putting them together for a relaunched Web site that will complement NBC's carriage of "Sunday Night Football." The relaunching will...

'Crocodile Hunter' killed filming docu.(Steve Irwin died in a freak accident)
September 5, 2006... Danger-loving TV naturalist Steve Irwin died Monday in what experts describe as a freak accident while diving in Queensland, Australia. The 44-year-old reptile wrangler known as the "Crocodile Hunter" was stung through the heart by a...

Regal Lido weekend: big pix take their bow at Venice fest.(Venice International Film Festival)
September 5, 2006... "The Queen" reigned over the weekend on the Lido, where Stephen Frears' depiction of friction between Tony Blair and Britain's monarch following the death of Princess Diana earned ovations. Pic goes out through Miramax Stateside, and the crowd...

Reelz has change for Dollar.(ReelzChannel hires Lee Dollar)(Brief article)
September 5, 2006... ReelzChannel, the upcoming 24/7 cable net offering information about movies, has hired Lee Dollar as VP programming for studio and content development. Net kicks off Sept. 27 in 28 million homes. "Lee is an important hire because he...

Fox sees more 'Vanished'.(FOx orders three additional scripts of Vanished)(Brief article)
September 5, 2006... Fox is giving "Vanished" an early vote of confidence, ordering three additional scripts of the new missing-person drama. While no guarantee of a full-season pickup, move is a sign that net execs are encouraged by the show's early ratings....

Telluride's Pence pair pack it in.(Bill Pence is stepping down as co- director of Telluride Film Festival)(Brief article)
September 5, 2006... In a move that startled fest regulars assembled here for the 33rd edition of Telluride Film Festival, Bill Pence has announced that he is stepping down as co-director of the event he co-founded in 1974. Leaving with him before the end of the...

Deauville finds magic.(Deauville Festival of American Film)
September 5, 2006... Prestidigitation and global warming, 9/11 survivors and steamy sex were all on tap during the opening weekend of the 32nd Deauville Festival of American Film. Scripter-helmer Neil Burger's "The Illusionist," starring attendee Edward Norton...

Montreal makes it to 30.(30th Montreal World Film Festival)
September 5, 2006... The 30th Montreal World Film Festival wrapped Monday night with Japanese thesp-turned-helmer Eiji Okuda's "A Long Walk" and veteran Brazilian helmer Carlos Diegues' "The Greatest Love of All" sharing the Grand Prix of the Americas, the besieged...

Desire.(Fashion House)(Television program review)
September 5, 2006... (Series; MyNetworkTV, Tues. Sept. 5, 8 p.m.) Filmed in San Diego by a subsidiary of Twentieth Television. Executive producer, Stu Segall; director, Alex Wright: writer, David Loggeshall; camera, Tom Jewitt; production design, Gershon...

The Wicker Man.(Movie review)
September 5, 2006... A Warner Bros. release of an Alcon Entertainment and Millennium Films presentation of a Saturn Film and Emmett/ Furla Films production for Equity Pictures Medienfonds, KGIII and Nu Image Entertainment. Produced by Nicolas Cage, Norm Golightly....

Idiocracy.(Movie review)
September 5, 2006... A 20th Century Fox release of a Ternion production. Produced by Mike Judge, Elysa Koplovitz. Executive producer, Michael Nelson. Directed by Mike Judge. Screenplay, Judge, Etan Cohen; story, Judge. Camera (Deluxe color and prints), Tim...

Black Book: (Zwartboek).(Movie review)
September 5, 2006... (Netherlands-Germany-U.K.-Belgium) An A-Film Distribution release (in the Netherlands) of a Fu Works presentation, in association with Egoli Tossell Film, Clockwork Pictures, Studio Babelsberg, Motion Picture Investment Group, Motel Films,...

Crank.(Movie review)
September 5, 2006... A Lionsgate release of a Lionsgate and Lakeshore Entertainment presentation of a Lakeshore Entertainment/Lionsgate production in association with Radical Media. Produced by Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi, Richard Wright, Skip Williamson, Michael...

'Invincible' holds tough at B.O.(Box Office earnings)(Statistical data)
September 5, 2006... "Invincible" can't be beat. Disney's sports drama declined a modest 30% and held onto the No. 1 spot for the second weekend in a row as wide openers "Crank" and "The Wicker Man" both failed to outperform modest expectations. Two...

'Canoes' tipped for Oz's Oscar push.(Australian movie Ten Canoes' entry in the foreign language category for 79th Ocsar awards)(Brief article)
September 5, 2006... SYDNEY -- "Ten Canoes" has been tapped as Australia's official entry in the foreign-language pic category for the 79th Oscars. Pic was co-directed by Rolf de Heer and Peter Djigirr from a script penned by de Heer in collaboration with the...

New toppers know the art of the deal.(Philippe Dauman, Thomas Dooley)
September 6, 2006... As competitors and insiders alike speculated Tuesday about the newest Viacom drama, one of the core questions was: Who are Philippe Dauman and Thomas Dooley, and what will they bring to a conglom in extreme transition? The two are former...

UMG bid hits right note.(Universal Music Group)
September 6, 2006... To Bertelsmann's ears, Universal Music Group's money sang loudest. The German publishing and music powerhouse has accepted UMG's bid of 1.6 billion [euro] ($2.05 billion) for BMG Music Publishing and will sign over the unit this morning in...

Different--but the same.(CBS Evening News with Katie Couric)
September 6, 2006... Katie's on our team now," gushed Harry Smith, team player extraordinaire, on CBS' "The Early Show" on Tuesday morning, teasing his interview with the Eye's anchor-elect by saying, "She's clearly up to it." Smith's review was TV review not only...

Sumner makes clean sweep: familiar faces replacing Freston.(Sumner Redstone of Viacom fired Tom Freston)
September 6, 2006... Sumner Redstone has wielded the ax yet again. Two weeks after sending Tom Cruise to the showers, the Viacom honcho has fired Tom Freston over disagreements on Internet strategy and disappointment over the price of Viacom shares. ...

Amazon, Apple click pix.(Amazon.com, Apple iTunes to launch movie download service)
September 6, 2006... The digital movie business is about to get a shot in the arm from the Internet's two biggest media retailers. Amazon.com will launch its movie download service later this week, numerous sources confirmed, while Apple will start selling...

... As Sprint phones it in.(Sprint, MSpot to launch movie service on mobiles)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Movies have now reached the smallest screen of them all. In a development that would have seemed like the punchline of a joke not too long ago, Sprint on Tuesday launched a service offering movies on a pay-per-view basis for viewing on cell...

Big media vs. wackos equals bad news.(public discussion on the perils of media )
September 6, 2006... They were angry and agitated and half of them didn't make a lick of sense. Yet sitting through a public discussion on the perils of media consolidation Thursday, one could dismiss the messengers but still see foundation in the message. ...

P.M. floats Venice's boat.(Prime Minister Romano Prodi at Venice International Film Festival)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi speedboated to the Lido to pledge government hacking for the Venice lest and its quest for a new Palazzo del Cinema on Tuesday, just as Gianni Amelio's "The Missing Star," the first of two Italo pics in...

CenterStaging taps COO.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Paul Schmidman has been named chief operating officer of CenterStaging Corp., where he will manage the company's online portal, rehearsals.com. Schmidman will lead and manage the development and management of CenterStaging and...

Variety Online raises sales threesome.(Variety Online Group )(Financial report)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... The Variety Online Group has promoted Dea Lawrence to VP of sales for all of its online properties. She was previously managing director of sales and marketing. "Dea is a key player in the entertainment industry's online community and is...

Bobby.(Movie review)
September 6, 2006... A Weinstein Co. release (in the U.S.) of a Weinstein Co. and Bold Films presentation of a Michel Litvak production. (International sales: The Weinstein Co., Arclight Films, New York.) Produced by Litvak, Edward Bass, Holly Wiersma. Co-produced...

'Til Death.(Television program review)
September 6, 2006... (Series; Fox. Thurs. Sept. 7. 8 p.m) Filmed in Los Angeles by Goldsmith-Yuspa in association with Sony Pictures Television. Executive producers, Josh Goldsmith, Cathy Yuspa; producers, Brad Garrett, Glenn Robbins, Doug Wald, Annette...

Happy Hour.(Television program review)
September 6, 2006... (Series; Fox, Thurs. Sept. 7, 8:30 p.m.) Filmed in Los Angeles by Double Double Bonus Entertainment and Werner Gold Miller in association with Warner Bros. Television. Executive producers, Jackie Filgo, Jeff Filgo, Tom Werner, Eric Gold,...

AMC reels in a G.M.(American Movie Classics Company L.L.C.)(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... AMC has tapped veteran cable sales exec Charley Collier as its first general manager since June 2003. Collier, who resigned as Court TV exec VP-general manager of ad sales earlier this summer when Turner Broadcasting took over the net,...

Labor Day lifts Broadway B.O.(Brief article)
September 6, 2006... Broadway rode Labor Day tourism to a strong summer finish, with 23 shows on the boards pulling in $16,316,333 for the week ending Sunday. That's not quite as high as early-summer totals, but it's still a $900,000 improvement over the prior...

Scribes press eye on contract: Guild pickets Couric debut.(Writers Guild of America members protest for better compensations)
September 6, 2006... Members of the Writers Guild of America welcomed Katie Couric to CBS with picket signs on both coasts. Their point: CBS broke the bank to the tune of $15 million per year to bring Couric to the "Evening News," while writers and news...