'Captain America' No. 1 at U.S. box office
LOS ANGELES, July 24 (UPI) -- "Captain America: The First Avenger," starring Chris Evans and Stanley Tucci, was No. 1 at the U.S. weekend box office with a muscular $65.82 million.
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2," starring Daniel Radcliffe and the gang, slipped 70 percent from its record opening weekend last week to No. 2 with $48.1 million this weekend.
Studio estimates of gross U.S. weekend receipts are via Box Office Mojo.
"Friends with Benefits" was third with $18.5 million; "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" fourth with $12 million; "Horrible Bosses" fifth with $11.72 million; "Zookeeper" sixth with $8.7 million; "Cars 2" seventh with more than $5.72 million; "Winnie the Pooh" eighth with more than $5.14 million; and "Bad Teacher" ninth with $2.6 million.
"Midnight in Paris" was 10th with more than $1.89 million.
Winehouse sales surge on iTunes
LOS ANGELES, July 24 (UPI) -- A surge in sales of Amy Winehouse music was reported by iTunes in the wake of the 27-year-old soul singer's death in London.
Winehouse's 2007 album "Back in Black" jumped to the top of the iTunes sales charts and the video for her hit single "Rehab" moved into the top 10.
The Hollywood Reporter said Sunday that "Back in Black" was a double-platinum smash for Winehouse, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard charts. It was edged out by Herbie Hancock for Best Album at the Grammys, although it won in five other categories.
While "Back in Black" was a breakthrough for Winehouse, her off-stage antics and substance-abuse issues prevented her from becoming a consistent superstar.
Winehouse died Saturday in London. The cause of death has not been officially determined; however drugs and alcohol are suspected of being a factor, the report said.
'Simpsons' lines up guests; Antarctica trip
SAN DIEGO, July 24 (UPI) -- A bevy of guest stars including Joan Rivers and Kiefer Sutherland is lined up for the new season of "The Simpsons," the creators said at Comic-Con in San Diego.
Gordon Ramsey and Michael Cera are also on the guest list for the Fox animated series, which will include one episode that takes the family to the South Pole.
The Hollywood Reporter said Sunday the plans also include a look at a Simpson's Christmas 30 years in the future, but don't look for a crossover episode with sister series "Futurama." Matt Groening, who created both series, told the Comic-Con crowd: "'Futurama' is real. 'The Simpsons' is just a cartoon."
In the real world, a new Simpsons-themed ride has opened at Universal Studios. Groening assured the audience "your minds will be blown within the first three seconds."
Donna Douglas sues over 'Elly May' Barbie
BATON ROUGE, La., July 24 (UPI) -- Actress Donna Douglas filed a lawsuit claiming Mattel improperly used her character from the classic U.S. sitcom "The Beverly Hillbillies" for a Barbie doll.
Douglas, who played Elly May Clampett, says Mattel failed to secure her permission when they created a series of Barbies that resemble characters from series including "I Dream of Jeannie," "Bewitched" and "Dynasty."
Douglas, 78, lives in Louisiana and still makes public appearances, the (New Orleans) Times-Picayune said Sunday.
Mattel says it obtained the necessary permissions to release the Elly May doll.
A hearing on the case will take place Sept. 8 in federal court in Baton Rouge.
