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Cage takes 'Bangkok Dangerous' to No. 1

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- "Tropic Thunder," like all storms has weakened, having fallen behind the new crime thriller "Bangkok Dangerous" in U.S. theaters, Box Office Mojo said Sunday.

"Bangkok," starring Nicolas Cage, debuted at No. 1 with just $7.8 million in estimated weekend ticket sales. "Tropic" tallied $7.5 million in sales in its fourth week in U.S. theaters.

"The House Bunny" swapped spots with "The Dark Knight, moving up from No. 4 to No. 3 at $5.9 million, compared with the Batman flick's $5.72 million. "Traitor" held on at No. 5 with $4.66 million in estimated gross gate receipts.

Rounding out the Top 10 were "Babylon A.D.," $4 million; :Death Race," $3.6 million; "Disaster Movie," $3.3 million; "Mamma Mia!," $2.71 million; and "Pineapple Express," $2.4 million.

Gone from the pack leaders after 10 weeks was "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."

Spears's mother alleges managerial threat

NEW YORK, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Lynne Spears, mother of U.S. pop singer Britney Spears, alleges in a new book that the star's former manager once threatened her daughter's life.

The elder Spears alleges in "Through the Storm: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World" that the singer's former manager, Sam Lufti, threatened her daughter several days after the "Toxic" star's visit to a psychiatric ward in January, the New York Post reported Sunday.

"If you try to get rid of me, she'll be dead and I'll (expletive) on her grave," Spears quotes Lufti as saying.

"Tabloid World" also includes allegations that Lufti would keep Spears drugged by slipping sleeping pills into the pop star's food and drink prior to the January stay.

The elder Spears said before her family obtained a restraining order against Lufti, he allegedly had complete control over her daughter's life and would prevent them from meeting, the Post reported.

"Within a month of meeting, Sam was in complete control of (Britney's) life. He appointed himself as her gatekeeper, and there was no one he wanted to keep the gate closed to more than Britney's family," Lynne Spears alleged.

Bon Jovi raises $3M at Democratic benefit

TRENTON, N.J., Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Rocker Jon Bon Jovi showed he is a stalwart supporter of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama by raising $3 million for him at a New Jersey benefit.

The New York Post said Sunday that the "Destination Anywhere" singer held a private fundraiser at his own home in Middletown, N.J., in order to raise funds for the Illinois senator's presidential run.

With nearly 100 people paying more than $30,000 to attend the exclusive event, Obama made an appearance to offer some inspiration words to his assembled supporters.

"We're not going to be bullied, we're not going to be smeared," the presidential hopeful said at Friday's event.

Bon Jovi is the second notable musical name involved in the electoral race during recent days as the band Heart blasted Republican presidential candidate John McCain regarding his campaign's use of the band's hit song "Barracuda."

The Post said the popular Heart song was used, allegedly without permission, by campaign officials during this week's Republican National Convention to help introduce Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin, McCain's vice-presidential running mate.

Swayze shows up at cancer fundraiser

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Actor Patrick Swayze made an unexpected yet very welcome appearance at a Los Angeles fundraiser to fight cancer, attendees say.

Former NBA player Charles Barkley said the "Dirty Dancing" star, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January, looked very good during his appearance at the Entertainment Industry Foundation's "Stand Up to Cancer" event, People magazine reported Saturday.

"He looks amazing," the basketball star said following Friday's show. "For me, seeing Patrick Swayze, someone who is actually fighting this disease, was the best part of the show. Seeing him in person was amazing."

Show co-producer Noreen Fraser, who also is a cancer survivor, told People Swayze's involvement was invaluable to the fight against the deadly disease.

"I just had to thank him for his appearance. His appearance put this event over the top," Fraser said. "He told me, 'There was no way I was going to say no to this.'"