Bono to get honorary U.K. knighthood
LONDON, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- The British Embassy in Dublin has awarded U2's Bono an honorary British knighthood for his humanitarian work.
Ambassador David Reddaway will bestow the honor in a ceremony in the Irish capital after the first of the year. However no title, such as "Sir" will come with the honorary award, CNN said.
An embassy release Saturday said, "The British Embassy in Dublin takes great pleasure in announcing that Her Majesty The Queen has appointed Bono to be an honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in recognition of his services to the music industry and for his humanitarian work."
Bono has frequently lobbied world leaders for stepped-up assistance to Africa and other humanitarian causes.
Prime Minister Tony Blair called the award "well deserved" for Bono's "remarkable humanitarian work.
Henson Co. says Gore cause for celebration
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Former U.S. vice president Al Gore was named winner of the "Celebration Honor" this week by Hollywood's Jim Henson Company.
While Gore and celebration might not often be linked in the minds of most people, the Henson firm said in a release that the 2000 Democratic presidential nominee was chosen as the person who in 2006 "makes the world a better place by inspiring people to celebrate life."
Gore was cited specifically for his tireless campaigning on behalf of slowing global warming.
The entertainment-tech firm also handed out the Community Award to musician Wynton Marsalis; the Technology Award to Google Earth, and the Creativity Award to animation director Hayao Miyazaki.
The late Jim Henson was the creator of the Muppets. His company creates special effects, animation and, of course, puppets for the film industry.
Key 'Wonderful Life' scene was salvaged
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- A key scene in the classic Christmas film "It's a Wonderful Life" nearly didn't make the final cut after star Jimmy Stewart refused to shoot another take.
Author Stephen Cox wrote in Saturday's Los Angeles Times that the powerful barroom scene in which Stewart's hero George Bailey tearfully prays for divine intervention was originally shot at too distant an angle.
The scene was emotionally draining for Stewart, who refused when director Frank Capra asked him to do it again.
In order to salvage the drama, Capra and his editing crew had to manually zoom the scene in frame by frame in order to catch the tears that had erupted from Stewart spontaneously.
The result was a tear-jerking chestnut that prompted "It's a Wonderful Life" to be rushed into release ahead of schedule in order to qualify for the 1946 Academy Awards where it received five nominations, including best actor and best picture.
Director Van Sant pinched in Portland
PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Hollywood movie director Gus Van Sant was pulled over for drunken driving this week in Portland, Ore.
Police told The Oregonian that Van Sant was stopped after allegedly speeding away from a stoplight in his Porsche Cayenne without his headlights on.
The Portland-based filmmaker who directed "Good Will Hunting" and "Drug Store Cowboy," blew a .19 on his breath test, well over Oregon's limit of .08. He also failed the field sobriety test and was placed under arrest.
Van Sant was scheduled to appear in court next month and will likely pay a $500 fine before he can get his vehicle back.
