NEWSMAKERS | Betty Garrett, 91, dies at hospital

NEWSMAKERS

Betty Garrett, 91, dies at hospital

LOS ANGELES

Betty Garrett, the vivacious Broadway star who played Frank Sinatra’s sweetheart in two MGM musicals before her career was hampered by the Hollywood blacklist, has died in Los Angeles, her son said Sunday. She was 91.

Garrett died Saturday at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, most likely from an aortic aneurysm, said her son, Garrett Parks. Garrett had been in good health and taught her usual musical comedy class at Theater West, the nonprofit organization she helped found, on Wednesday night, but Friday checked into the hospital with heart trouble and died with her family at her side the next morning.

Garrett was best known as the flirtatious girl in love with the shy Sinatra in “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” and “On the Town,” both in 1949, and later in life she became well-known to TV audiences with recurring roles in the 1970s sitcoms “All in the Family” and “Laverne and Shirley.”

She garnered an Emmy nomination in 2003 for guest actress in a comedy series for an appearance on the Ted Danson sitcom “Becker.”

‘Go For It’ barely beats Bieber at box office

LOS ANGELES

Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston are America’s box-office sweethearts, but Justin Bieber is the valentine for teens.

The Valentine’s Day weekend was a close one as Sandler and Aniston’s romantic comedy, “Just Go With It,” debuted with $31 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

That was just ahead of the concert documentary “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never,” which opened a close second with $30.3 million.

Sony’s “Just Go With It” and Paramount’s “Never Say Never” were close enough that the rankings could change when studios release final numbers today.

Another love story, Disney’s animated adventure “Gnomeo & Juliet,” opened solidly at No. 3 with $25.5 million. The movie features the voices of Emily Blunt and James McAvoy in a twist on “Romeo and Juliet” told with garden gnomes.

The weekend’s other new wide release, Focus Features’ ancient Roman saga “The Eagle,” was No. 4 with $8.6 million. The film stars Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell on a quest into the wilds of 2nd century Scotland.

Coming in at No. 5 was “The Roommate” with $8.4 million.

First lady: Laughter is key to togetherness

WASHINGTON

Here’s Michelle Obama’s advice for couples this Valentine’s Day: Laugh with your partner.

She says it’s what she and President Barack Obama do, and it seems to be working. Their marriage, although tested throughout the years by his political ambitions — for the Illinois Senate, the U.S. Senate and later president — is going on 19 years.

“I think a lot of laughing,” the first lady said last week at a White House luncheon with reporters who asked about the Obamas’ union. “I think in our house, we don’t take ourselves too seriously, and laughter is the best form of unity, I think, in a marriage.

“So we still find ways to have fun together, and a lot of it is private and personal. But we keep each other smiling and that’s good,” she added.

It also helps that Obama is “very romantic.”

“He remembers dates, birthdays,” Mrs. Obama said last week on “Live! With Regis and Kelly. ”He doesn’t forget a thing.”

As for Valentine’s Day, the first lady said her husband would do right by giving her jewelry.

“You can’t go wrong,” she said.

Associated Press