Sybil Jason dies at 83

Sybil Jason, a young child actress throughout the nineteen thirties who had been intended to be Warner Bros.' response to Shirley Temple, died August. 23 of chronic obstructive lung disease in Northridge, Calif. She was 83. Throughout the Depression, twentieth century Fox gained huge sums from Temple's pictures and in the purchase of merchandise together with her image, as well as an eager Jack Warner signed Jason having seen her in 1935's "Barnacle Bill," the brunette moppet's first bigscreen effort. The South African-born Jason starred in a number of Warner films -- including "Little Large Shot," "The Singing Kid" and, with Pat O'Brien and Humphrey Bogart, "The Truly Amazing O'Malley" (1937) -- which were similar to Temple's photos at Fox without ever equaling their success. Warner Bros. didn't renew her contract, but Fox signed her and cast her alongside Temple in "The Small Princess" and "Nowhere Bird." The second pic ended her career growing up actress in 1940 (an admirer club dedicated to her ongoing in to the twenty-first century). Though there is some tension, Jason and Temple grew to become buddies, that they continued to be until Jason's dying, Jason's daughter, Toni Drake-Rossi, told the brand new You are able to Occasions. Born Sybil Jacobson in Cape Town, the tyke began out dancing and doing impressions in performances together with her uncle's orchestra working in london. She endured World war 2 in Nigeria following the war she trained acting and behaved about the stage in California. Her husband Anthony Drake, who authored for radio, died in 2005. Additionally to her daughter, Jason is made it with a grand son. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

The Talk's Sara Gilbert, Partner Call it Quits

Sara Gilbert The Talk creator and co-host Sara Gilbert and her partner of 10 years have called it quits, People reports. "It's completely amicable," Gilbert's rep says of the split between the 36-year-old former Roseanne star and Allison Adler, 44, who began dating in 2001 and have two children together. Leah Remini, Holly Robinson Peete leaving The Talk Last summer, when The Talk's co-hosts were promoting the daytime talk show at CBS' fall TV previews, Gilbert was shy to include the name of her partner in the show's press release. "I've been acting all my life, and never discussed my personal life," she said. "I will do it here but a press release is so impersonal."

Guerra creates Nostromo Pictures

MADRID -- Spain's Adrian Guerra, producer of Rodrigo Cortes' Sundance hit "Buried," has created a new production label, the Barcelona-based Nostromo Pictures. Its first two completed productions will be Cortes' paranormal thriller "Red Lights," with Robert De Niro and Sigourney Weaver, and the Kinology-sold horror thriller "Emergo," helmed by Carles Torrens. Both are in post-production. Guerra's Madrid-based production-distribution shingle Versus Entertainment is now focusing just on distribution. Versus releases classic and art films on DVD. As a producer, however, I've been moving into far bigger films, such as 'Red Lights,' " Guerra told Variety. I wanted to distinguish the two activities more. It was hard to persuade sales agents that Versus was really a niche distributor when it was producing relatively big movies." Its Barcelona base also allows Nostromo to benefit from Catalan government subsidies channeled through its Icic institute, Guerra added. Nostromo is owned by Versus founders and shareholders Guerra, Jose Tito Martinez, Miguel Nadal and Alejandro Miranda. Guerra will continue to grow his production activities, he said. As part of this expansion, Nostromo has tapped Ferran Herranz, a former exec at Spanish distrib Wide Films, to oversee deals for Spanish distribution, as well as pacts with international sales agents. Red Lights" will be ready for delivery January 2012, Guerra said. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Hot New Hollywood Trend: Crazy Defamation Lawsuits (Analysis)

Getty ImagesLindsay Lohan and Pitbull Is it just us or are defamation lawsuits getting more insane by the month? Celebrities have long sued tabloids over things written that nobody believes anyway, but these days, lawsuits stretch from the outrageous to the plain ridiculous. The idea that public figures will have a tough time proving the required "actual malice" and therefore shouldn't bring defamation lawsuits almost seems like an antiquated notion now. Just this past week, defamation suits were filed involving Lindsay Lohan vs. a rapper, insurance executives vs. Eliot Spitzer, a record executive vs. former New Edition singer Johnny Gill, and last but not least, Oasis singer Liam Gallagher vs. brother Noel Gallagher. Is there some sort of thread that connects these wild lawsuits? Gallagher v. Gallagher involves comments made to the press about why Oasis was forced to cancel a 2009 concert. It had us scrambling to put together a list of the best all-time defamation lawsuits. Where to begin? Even if we restricted ourselves to claims filed just in the past few months, we'd be sorting through these doozies: Lindsay Lohan is suing rapper Pitbull over a rap lyric,"locked up like Lindsay Lohan." According to the lawsuit: "By virtue of [the song's] wide appeal, condemnation, excoriation, disparaging or defamatory statements by the defendants about [Lohan] are destined to do irreparable harm." A woman is suing A&E Television Networks for supposedly using tricky editing to imply she smuggled drugs in her vagina for her incarcerated husband. "Dr. Luke" Gottwald, one of the most successful contemporary pop music producers, is suing the Bellamy Brothers for defaming him by suggesting his song for Britney Spears, "Hold It Against Me," was plagiarized. Apparently, allegations of copyright theft can rise to libelous statements now. So too are allegations of song leaking.Notifi RecordsCEOIra DeWittis suing former New Edition singerJohnny Gillfor making such a suggestion on Twitter. Speaking of Twitter, let's not forget those lawyers suing Courtney Love over comments made on the social platform -- the second time the singer has been sued for alleged tweet defamation. Broadway singer Marty Thomas brought a defamation action against an anonymous person in order to compel Twitter to reveal the identity of the person who accused him of contracting an STD. A newspaper lost a defamation lawsuit, wrote an editorial about what happened, and then got sued for defamation (again) by the judge in the case. These are just some examples of the moreout-there cases. There are also the ones that make news because of huge dollar figures, as well as big personalities, includingthe $10 million defamation claim against Gawker Media over itsArnold Schwarzeneggerlove child post, the $50 million defamation lawsuit against MSNBC and host Rachel Maddow over comments made on-air about heavy-metal rocker turned radio host and conservative preacherBradlee Dean, the $50 million lawsuit against Star Magazine over claims made about an allegedKatie Holmes drug addiction, and now, the $60 million lawsuit against Elliot Spitzer for writing about allegedly corrupt insurance execs in a Slate column. We don't mean to suggest that these lawsuits have no merit -- some might -- merely that there seems to be more big and bold libel lawsuits than ever before. The traditional technical obstacles presented to "public figures" no longer seem like impediments to a court filing. This raises a question: Do these plaintiffs get anything for their trouble besides a hefty legal bill and bad headlines? According to a report last year put out by the Media Law Research Center, the percentage of plaintiff wins is down significantly. In the 1980s, plaintiffs were winning nearly 63% of the time. These days, it's under 48%. Then, there's this: According to the MLRC, punitive damages have dramatically dropped while compensatory awards have risen significantly. This could explain why plaintiffs seem to pull their damage estimates from thin air. There's nothing more nebulous than recompensating someone for emotional suffering. Put everything together, and we see a digital environment where people have a microphone to shout whatever they'd like. Comments travel further and seemingly hang around nearly forever. And now, sensitive folks rush to courts with defamation claims. The lawsuits may not be winning, but perhaps a settlement can be extracted. Is there a better way? Some folks are looking for solutions. For example, David Ardia ofUniversity of North Carolina School of Law and the Berkman Center for Internet & Society, suggested in a recent paper for the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Reviewthat the law be reformed so as to deemphasize monetary remedies for defamation. Instead, he suggested alternative approaches such as ways to encourage the correcting of inaccurate information, opportunities for contextualization, and harnessing the power of online communities to deter and mitigate reputational harm. Ardia's ideas may sound somewhat utopian, but clearly there needs to be more thought about revising defamation constructs in the digital age. Until then, enjoy the crazy headlines. E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner Lindsay Lohan Arnold Schwarzenegger Courtney Love Rachel Maddow

Debut Poster and Three New Photos from Lars von Trier's 'Melancholia'

Between his permanent prohibit in the Cannes Film Festival to his becoming an unintended inspiration for that Norwegian Killer, it has been a tough couple of several weeks for author/director Lars von Trier. Granted, he introduced the prohibit upon themself, but a minimum of they have the discharge of his award-winning 'Melancholia' to embellish some misconception. And because of the crew at Vulture, we've our first consider the official poster and three new stills to create the wait much simpler. 'Melancholia' is all about a bride (Kirsten Dunst) whose big day becomes a fiasco when her strained relationship together with her sister (Charlotte now Gainsbourg) involves a mind. Even while, the bride finds out a little planet that's on the collision course with Earth to finish existence as you may know it. Co-starring Kiefer Sutherland, Alexander Skarsgard, and John Hurt, amongst others written and directed by Lars von Trier. Click through to look into the poster, images and official trailer for von Trier's latest which makes one fantastic situation for eloping. Around we are searching toward its theatrical release on November 11 (premiering When Needed on October 7), it sure continues to be hard getting behing Lars von Trier nowadays. You do too think 'Melancholia' will repair von Trier's damaged image? [via Vulture]

Former NOTW Journalist Who Followed Prince William, Kate Middleton in L.A. Arrested in Phone-Hacking Inquiry

Getty Images Christine O'Donnell tried to make light of her decision to walk off Piers Morgan Tonight on Wednesday. "Piers, thanks for the invite. Schedule is already packed, maybe another night. No hard feelings, you cheeky bugger," she posted on Twitter. "I only agreed to go on the Piers Morgan Show because he promised not to hack my cell phone," she added. Morgan has denied he knew of any phone hacking while he was editor at News of the World, despite bloggers' claims otherwise. Morgan seemed to relish the controversial interview -- which ended when Morgan asked the Tea Party candidate about her views on gay marriage as outlined in her book. He re-Tweeted several fan replies, including one that called for him to run for president. "Someone in #agt audience just shouted 'Piers for President!' I believe the correct response is: 'I am very happy with my current job,'" re-Tweeted Morgan. Another Re-Tweet included: "Christine O'Donnell is the first author in the history of publishing to walk out of a TV interview because the host apparently read her book." He also re-posted Wanda Sykes: "Watching @piersmorgan interview Christine O'Donnell. She leaves after a ? on gay marriage. Waiting to see her grab her broom and fly off." Morgan defended his interview to Anderson Cooper, calling it "cheeky, maybe, but not rude." RELATED: Piers Morgan Reveals List of Celebrities Banned From CNN Show Christine O'Donnell Walks Out of 'Piers Morgan Tonight' Interview (Video) Piers Morgan Unreceptive to Calls to Address Hacking Claims Piers Morgan Not Suspended From CNN, Net Confirms Piers Morgan

Sean Kingston Walks First Red-colored Carpet Since Accident

La, Calif. -- Sean Kingston was all smiles because he walked his first red-colored carpet since his harrowing May watercraft accident. Personally i think good, I seem like nothing ever happened, Sean told Access Hollywood, mentioning towards the accident in Miami that arrived him within the ICU. Its a blessing to become back, the gorgeous Women singer ongoing. Focusing on my music. Im working with many different new producers so, its likely to be amazing guy. Im excited, I cant wait! Sean told Access he was excited to exhibit up and support uncle and collaborator Attacking Young Boys, who is a huge support to him in recent several weeks. Thats my lil bro thats an excellent friend. Hes a loyal friend, the singer stated. Hes had the experience beside me since i have arrived on the scene a healthcare facility. As formerly reported on AccessHollywood.com, Sean was launched from the Miami hospital in June, almost per month after crashes his watercraft right into a bridge. Upon his release, he Tweeted, Feeling alot better! GOD Is Excellent! Thanks for the hopes and support! Adore you ALL! Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved.These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.