MARIAH CAREY & other

Tuesday 2 September 2008

'Fifty Dead Men' still a go for Toronto

Biopic's chief subject has threatened legal action

TORONTO -- Despite a legal threat from the spy drama's main subject, the world premiere of Kari Skogland's "Fifty Dead Men Walking" at the Toronto International Film Festival will go ahead as planned, the film's British co-producers aforesaid Tuesday.

"In response to reports in The Hollywood Reporter, the film's partners have confirmed that any queries relating to the legitimacy of the film are idle and that due process has been followed throughout the product," London-based Future Films and HandMade Films International aforementioned in a joint statement.

The festival all-clear follows the biopic's main topic, former IRA infiltrator Martin McGartland, heavy legal action last workweek in a bid to stop the Toronto fete bow on the grounds that his rights ar being infringed.

Skogland adapted McGartland's 1998 book of the same name, which portrays an IRA mole named Marty who provides information to Britain's Special Branch before his insure is blown.

The films' producers said that, while they optioned McGartland's autobiography and "Dead Men" is based on his life account, it "is not a representation of Mr. McGartland's life."

Skogland and her cast, which includes Ben Kingsley, Jim Sturgess and Kevin Zegers, will be on hand for the Sept. 10 Toronto festival bow at Roy Thomson Hall.

McGartland, who remains in hiding because of fears of IRA retribution, was unavailable for scuttlebutt at press time.

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Saturday 23 August 2008

Ll Cool J Denies Denies Marriage Trouble

Rapper LL Cool J has denied reports his marriage is in difficulty.

The star recently historied his 13-year wedding day of remembrance with Simone Johnson and insists their marriage is still strong.

He tells U.S

Wednesday 13 August 2008

Burger King employee bathes on the job

That sinking feeling feeling

Burger guy's bath

A video posted on Myspace.com shows an employee of a Burger King in Xenia, Ohio, pickings a bath in a kitchen sink as other employees front on or continue working. "It's my birthday and I'm pickings a bath in the sink at Burger King," the riant, tattooed worker tells the camera. "Somebody bring me a beer!" Greene County Health Commissioner Mark McDonnell is not amused. "It's a sophomoric, childish stunt," McDonnell said Tuesday. Burger King spokeswoman Denise Wilson said, "All employees associated with the video no longer work with the company."

Worth a try

A closer look

A isle of Man suspected of posing as a constabulary detective in Longmont, Colo., and apprisal an adult novelty stag to give him relinquish X-rated videos so he could match for underage performers was arrested Tuesday, authorities said.

Update

Hayes had stroke

Soul singer Isaac Hayes, 65, apparently died of a stroke, officials with the Memphis, Tenn., Sheriff's Department said Tuesday. No autopsy was performed, but paperwork filed by Hayes' fellowship physician, Dr. David Kraus, lists the cause of death as a stroke, a sheriff's spokesman aforementioned. Kraus said he had been treating Hayes for high blood pressure.

Passages

Lee Young, 94, brother of notable tenor saxophonist Lester Young and a jazz drummer who served as Nat King Cole's musical theater director for well-nigh a tenner and skint barriers as one of the first black musicians hired for a staff position with a Hollywood studio orchestra, died July 31 at his home in Los Angeles.

Today in History

1521: Spanish conqueror Hernando Cortez captured Tenochtitlan, present-day Mexico City, from the Aztecs.

1846: The American flag was elevated for the first time in Los Angeles.

1889: William Gray of Hartford, Conn., received a patent for a coin-operated telephone.

1960: The showtime two-way phone conversation by satellite took place with the help of Echo 1.

1961: Berlin was divided as East Germany sealed off the border between the city's eastern and western sectors and began building a wall in holy Order to stop the flight of refugees.

Today's Birthdays

Former Cuban President Fidel Castro, 82. Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, 75. Opera singer Kathleen Battle, 60. Actor Danny Bonaduce, 49. Actress Dawnn Lewis, 47. Actor John Slattery, 46.

Seattle Times news services

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