'Shark Tale' tops box office, again
HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- "Shark Tale," distributed by DreamWorks, topped the U.S. box office and added $31.7 million to its receipts of $88 million, estimated boxofficemojo.com.
Universal's "Friday Night Lights" grossed $20.5 million its debut week.
"Ladder 49," distributed by Buena Vista, added $13 million to its box office of $41 million.
Fox's "Taxi" grossed $12 million its debut week.
"The Forgotten Son," distributed by Sony/Revolution, added $7.5 million to its box office of $49 million.
In its premier week, "Raise Your Voice," distributed by New Line, grossed $4.6 million.
Paramount's "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" added $2.3 million to its box office of $34 million.
"Shaun of the Dead," distributed by Focus, added $1.6 million to its box office of $9.3 million.
"The Motorcycle Diaries," distributed by Focus, added $1.4 million to its box office of $3 million.
Magnolia's "Woman, Thou Art Loosed" added $1.2 million to its box office of $4 million.
British poll ranks top movie gangsters
LONDON, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Marlon Brando's portrayal of Don Vito Corleone in the "Godfather" has been voted the top movie don of all time, a poll in Britain found.
A UCI Cinema survey of gangster greats found Robert De Niro's role as Vito Corleone in the follow-up "Godfather II" as the second most favorite, Sky News reported.
De Niro won three spots on the survey of classic crooks -- he was named for his performance as Al Capone facing up to Kevin Costner's Elliot Ness in "The Untouchables" and as Sam "Ace" Rothstein in "Casino."
Ray Liotta's portrayal of Irish mobster Henry Hill in "Goodfellas" was ranked as the third favorite.
Also ranked in the top 10 were James Cagney in "Angels With Dirty Faces," Al Pacino in "Scarface," Vinnie Jones in "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," Bob Hoskins in "The Long Good Friday" and Ben Kingsley in "Sexy Beast."
Ewan McGregor back from three-month trip
LONDON, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Scottish actor Ewan McGregor says he feels rejuvenated after spending the last three months traveling around the world on a motorbike.
McGregor became an ambassador for UNICEF U.K., while on his travels through 12 countries, the BBC reported Sunday.
The star of "Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith," along with fellow actor Charlie Boorman, visited UNICEF projects in Mongolia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.
"The UNICEF projects were the pinnacles of poignancy for us on the trip -- 95 percent of people we met were enthusiastic, generous, and supportive -- I was really struck by that, a really optimistic view of the world," he told he BBC.
"It was difficult to get back to London and hear some of the terrible things happening elsewhere in the world," he added.
Hollywood seeks British children's shows
HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- With the U.S. popularity of Britain's children's programs "Tweenies" and "Teletubbies," Hollywood wants to buy more British children's programs.
Twentieth Century Fox, Warner Brothers and Universal Pictures are among the U.S. studios seeking to acquire film rights to several British children's programs -- some 50 years old -- the Sunday Telegraph reported.
Among the programs being sought for the big screen are: "Postman Pat," "Tales of the River Bank," and "He Man and Masters of the Universe."
Hollywood producers are hoping if they purchase "Tales of the River Bank," which followed the exploits of characters such as Hammy Hamster, it could be the next "Finding Nemo."
"We believe that the new 'Tales of the River Bank' can be a multimillion dollar brand," said Michael Seres, head of marketing at Celador International. "You have got to have a good show, but ultimately the revenue is driven by the sale of ancillary rights and merchandising."
Bill Gaither begins news radio show
NASHVILLE, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Following his "Homecoming" concert series, singer Bill Gaither has created and is hosting his own weekly U.S. radio program.
The one-hour weekly program, on the Salem Radio Network, features performances recorded "live" by the "Homecoming" artists on stage at the concert venues. More Than 300 Radio stations are scheduled to carry the show.
"As a young lad growing up in Indiana, I was fascinated with gospel music from listening to it on the radio," singer-producer Gaither said in a statement.
"Radio has always been special to me and now this new show allows me, and our 'Homecoming' artists, to utilize this great medium for yet another outlet to reach millions with the best music in the world, gospel music."
In addition to Salem's independent satellite syndication, Salem's Solid Gospel Radio Network will also feature "Bill Gaither's Homecoming Radio" through its more than 100 market outlets.
