Thriller author Trevanian dead at 74
NEW YORK, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Author Rodney "Trevanian" Whitaker, whose "The Eiger Sanction" became a hit 1972 Clint Eastwood film, has died in England at age 74.
The author used at least five different writing names but was best known as Trevanian, The New York Times said. He died Wednesday of chronic heart disease, his agent told Saturday's newspaper.
In addition to the "Eiger Sanction," Trevanian's international best sellers included 1979's "Shibumi" and "The Loo Sanction" in 1973. His 10 known published books sold more than 5 million copies and were translated into at least 14 languages.
Whitaker wrote "The Language of Film" in 1970 under his real name and used Nicholas Seare for "1339 ... or So: Being an Apology for a Peddler" and "Rude Tales and Glorious: The Account of Diverse Feats of Brawn and Bawd Performed by King Arthur and His Knights of the Table Round."
He told the Times back in 1979 that he decided to write under five names -- a different one for each subject -- to keep his readership separate.
Whitaker is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.
Sculpture feared stolen for scrap
LONDON, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- British authorities Saturday sought a $5.3 million bronze Henry Moore sculpture stolen from a Hertfordshire museum.
The 11-foot long, 2 ton statue was taken from the courtyard of the Henry Moore Foundation in Perry Green, Much Hadham in Hertfordshire, Thursday night, the BBC reported.
Closed circuit TV showed three men loading the reclining figure into the back of a truck with a crane. They may have stolen it for its scrap value, police said.
"This is a very valuable statue and we are working closely with the Henry Moore Foundation to ensure its safe return," a police spokesman said.
The BBC said the foundation has offered a substantial reward for information leading to the recovery of the piece.
Bachchan discharged from Bombay hospital
BOMBAY, India, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan was discharged from Lilavati Hospital in Bombay Saturday, nearly three weeks after undergoing colon surgery.
TV camera crews captured images of the smiling star waving to hordes of fans outside the hospital and greeting fans gathered outside his home, the BBC reported.
Doctors have reportedly advised Bachchan to rest a month to recover from surgery brought on by diverticular disease, a condition caused by inflammation of the colon.
The star Indian TV and film, Bachchan was once dubbed the "most famous actor of the millennium" by a BBC News Web site readers' poll.
He became the first Indian movie actor to be displayed at Madame Tussaud's wax museum in London in 2000.
Brosnan wants to bring 'Steele' to film
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Irish Golden Globe-nominee Pierce Brosnan says he believes there is still an audience for his smooth-talking TV private eye "Remington Steele."
Brosnan, 53, told hellomagazine.com he's negotiating for a film adaptation of the popular 1980s TV show.
"I think there's an audience, there's a sentimental memory for it," the former James Bond said.
First, however, Brosnan is portraying a brutal villain in "Butterfly on a Wheel," then has a sequel lined up to "The Thomas Crown Affair," the magazine's Web site said.
Brosnan is nominated for a Golden Globe award for "The Matador," in which he plays a washed up bisexual hitman.
