Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

November 12, 2012

U.S. debut of 'Skyfall' proves a thriller

LOS ANGELES - James Bond's "Skyfall" has extended its worldwide box-office rule to North America, hauling in a franchise-record $87.8 million in its first weekend at U.S. theaters.

Adding in $2.2 million from Thursday night previews at IMAX and other large-format theaters, "Skyfall," starring Daniel Craig as the British super-spy, has taken in $90 million domestically, according to studio estimates Sunday.

That lifts the worldwide total for "Skyfall" to $518.6 million since it began rolling out overseas in late October. The franchise's previous best opening was the $67.5 million U.S. debut of "Quantum of Solace."

'Oz' pinafore goes for $480,000

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - The now-faded blue gingham dress Judy Garland wore in "The Wizard of Oz" has sold for $480,000.

Auction house Julien's Auctions says the pinafore fetched the highest price of any item during a two-day auction of Hollywood memorabilia that attracted bids from around the world. The auction ended Saturday in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Steve McQueen's racing jacket sold for $50,000, as did a purple skirt worn by Marilyn Monroe while filming "River of No Return" in Canada. Julie Andrews' "Sound of Music dress" brought $38,400.

Sunglasses worn by Jean Reno in "Leon" went for $8,320, while Johnny Depp's shades fetched $3,250.

Bidders also snapped up pieces of royal wedding cakes. Prince William and Kate Middleton's cake sold for $7,500 while Prince Charles and Princess Diana's cake sold for $1,375.

Probe targets boyfriend of 'Modern Family' actress

LOS ANGELES - Authorities are investigating an allegation by the mother of "Modern Family" star Ariel Winter that her daughter's 18-year-old boyfriend had unlawful sex with the 14-year-old actress, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff"s Department's Special Victims Unit also is separately examining whether Winter's mother, Chrisoula Workman, physically abused the teenage actress.

So far, detectives have not gathered any specific evidence to substantiate the allegations in either investigation involving Winter, otherwise known to millions as Alex, the brainy member of "Modern Family's" Dunphy family.

The investigations began last month after a judge awarded temporary guardianship of Winter to her adult sister. Winter, through her sister's attorney, alleged in a court filing that she was subject to ongoing physical and mental abuse by her mother. 

-- From news service reports

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