MGM

Mar 23 2011

Congestive heart failure

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Elizabeth Taylor—who went from child star to Hollywood doyenne, and whose marriages, many illnesses and humanitarian efforts made headlines for decades—died this morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center of congestive heart failure.

She was 79.

Taylor's children—Michael and Christopher Wilding; Liza Todd and Maria Burton—were with her at the hospital when she died, according to her publicist, Sally Morrison.

Mar 21 2011

Film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic

BURBANK, Calif.—Production is under way in Wellington, New Zealand, on "The Hobbit,'' filmmaker Peter Jackson's two-film adaptation of the J.R.R. Tolkien classic, it was announced today.

"The Hobbit'' is set in Middle-earth 60 years before Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings,'' which Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the trilogy that culminated with the Oscar-winning "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.''

Stanley O. Williford  |   OW Editor
Mar 3 2011

Money raised doubles the estimate

Adoring fans paid more than $315,000 recently to pluck up portions of Lena Horne’s life. That was OK since the singer-actress-activist had vacated her earthly premises eight months before, leaving only the trappings of the great and courageous life she had led.

After about three hours, some 150 fans who had packed the small Manhattan auction house—Doyle, New York—went their way, owners of books, art, gowns and others items that had once been some of  Horne’s favorite things.

Gail Choice  |   OW Contributor
Feb 19 2009

Celebrate Black History year round

 Hollywood, CA -- Black History Month for 2009 is coming to a close but, thankfully just released DVDs will help keep the spirit alive for as long as we choose. From historical figures and events to the humor and drama that keep us entertained, the variety of DVDs offer pure entertainment.

Twentieth Century Fox and MGM Home Entertainment honors Black History Month with a collection of 77 titles including comedies, thrillers, dramas, documentaries and television favorites. And a portion of the proceeds will benefit the NAACP on its 100th Anniversary.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
 

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.