Bacon film to be opener

Bacon film to be opener
NEW YORK -- Kevin Bacon is getting some film festival love. "Loverboy," the second movie directed by Bacon, will open the 10th annual Gen Art Film Festival, to be held April 6-12. The film premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival. Based on the book by Victoria Redel, "Loverboy" stars Bacon and his wife, Kyra Sedgwick, who plays a dangerously overprotective mom. Bacon also directed "Losing Chase," a 1996 TV movie starring Sedgwick and Helen Mirren.
Trump is in talks to buyMiss America pageant
NEW YORK -- Donald Trump is about to save us all from ourselves. Again. The University of Pennsylvania alum is negotiating to buy the struggling Miss America Pageant, the New York Post says. And struggling it is: The Atlantic City institution drew a paltry 9.8 million viewers last September, compared with the 16 million who tuned in to see Donald's rival pageant, Miss USA. And this year, none of the TV networks has signed to televise the contest. Dire straits, yes? Cut to ... The Donald and his money. The Post says the Donald doesn't want to deal with the pageant's lip service to feminism: If he gets his hands on it, he'll excise the talent contest and make it all about physique.
Newman ready to retire
LOS ANGELES -- Paul Newman is finally ready to retire. "I think both are winding down," the 80-year-old said of his two passions -- acting and racing cars. But not before he gives them both a parting shot. "I'll probably race for another year," he tells the Associated Press. When it comes to acting, the "Cool Hand Luke" star raises a tantalizing possibility: A long-rumored big-screen reunion with his "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" partner, Robert Redford. "I hate to talk about anything until the papers are drawn up, but we've been looking for something for 20 years, and now we're looking harder," Newman said. "I hope something will come of it."
Fall lands Diaz in hospital
LOS ANGELES -- Cameron Diaz was rushed to the hospital after falling from a chest of drawers, reports Ananova.com. The "Charlie's Angels" star was reaching above a wardrobe when she tumbled at her home in Hollywood Hills. Her boyfriend Justin Timberlake heard the crash and found her unconscious on their bedroom floor, bleeding badly from a head wound. Diaz was rushed to the hospital, where she received 19 stitches and was treated for back strain. "Justin was frantic with worry," said a friend of the couple.
Notable deaths
LONDON -- Irish comedian Dave Allen, who delivered his routines sitting on a stool with a cigarette and drink in hand, has died, his agent said. He was 68. Allen died in his sleep Thursday at his home in west London, Allen's agent, Vivienne Clore, said. The cause of death was not given. Born David Tynan O'Mahoney in 1936, Allen grew up in Dublin and moved to Britain at the age of 21. He made his British television debut on Independent Television's "New Faces" program in 1959.
LOS ANGELES -- Actress Nicole DeHuff, who memorably took a volleyball in the face from Ben Stiller in the 2000 hit movie "Meet the Parents," died of complications from pneumonia. She was 30. DeHuff had twice visited a hospital shortly before her death Feb. 16 but was sent home both times, the E! Network's E! Online Web site reported Friday. "Meet the Parents" was DeHuff's first film.
Today's birthdays
Country singer Jan Howard is 75. Songwriter Mike Stoller is 72. Singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka is 66. Actor William H. Macy is 55. Actress Deborah Raffin is 52. Comedian Robin Duke is 51. Actress Dana Delany is 49. Rock musician Adam Clayton (U2) is 45. Jazz musician Terence Blanchard is 43. Actor Christopher Collet is 37. Actress Annabeth Gish is 34. Actress Tracy Wells is 34. Rapper Khujo (Goodie Mob, The Lumberjacks) is 33. Singer Glenn Lewis is 30. Actor Danny Masterson is 29. Actor Emile Hirsch is 20. Singers Natalie and Nicole Albino are 19.