Ohio advocates blast ’Tropic Thunder’ movie

Ohio advocates blast ’Tropic Thunder’ movie

CLEVELAND — Some Ohioans are joining the nationwide outcry over the movie “Tropic Thunder” and its liberal use of what advocates call “the R word.” Director Janet Gorra of the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati complains that “retard” and its variations are spoken more than a dozen times.

Cindy Norwood calls that “hate speech.” She heads The Arc of Greater Cleveland, which helps people with mental disabilities, and she says retardation should be referred to only in describing a medical diagnosis.

Norwood was one of about 20 people who picketed a theater in the Cleveland suburb of Brooklyn Wednesday evening and encouraged others to boycott “Tropic Thunder.”

Batman star Bale will not face charges

LONDON — Batman star Christian Bale will not face charges relating to an alleged assault on his mother and sister at the Dorchester Hotel on July 20, British prosecutors said Thursday.

The country’s Crown Prosecution Service said in a statement that there was insufficient evidence to afford a “realistic prospect of conviction” and ordered the police not to take any further action in the case.

British media had reported that Bale’s mother and sister told police he assaulted them at the hotel a day before attending the European premiere of his film “The Dark Knight.” Bale has denied the accusation.

The Sun tabloid reported that police waited a day to question Bale to allow the actor time to attend the premiere of the film in London’s Leicester Square. Bale was questioned for several hours at a police station before being released on bail.

Today’s birthdays

Actress Rose-Marie (“The Dick Van Dyke Show”) is 85. Actor Mike Connors is 83. Journalist Linda Ellerbee is 64. Actor Rondell Sheridan (“That’s So Raven,” “Cory in the House”) is 50. Actress Debi Mazar (“Entourage,” “L.A. Law”) is 44. Actor Peter Hermann (“Law and Order: Special Victims Unit”) is 41. Actress Debra Messing (“Will and Grace”) is 40. Actor Ben Affleck is 36. Singer Joe Jonas is 19.