Film long and prosper

Director J.J. Abrams, known for slam-bang action in his TV series "Alias" and in "Mission: Impossible III," promises his next film "won't feel like any other 'Star Trek' you've ever seen." The new "Star Trek" is essentially a reboot of the original 1960 TV series. It stars Chris Pine as Captain Kirk and Zachary Quinto as Mr. Spock. Leonard Nimoy, who originated the role of Spock, will be seen as well in the movie as an older Spock. The film had originally been targeted for Christmas, but Paramount moved it to May 2009 because it thought it could make more money in the summer.

Bond car gets dunked

The car being used in the latest James Bond film plunged into a lake in northern Italy while being driven to the set. Producers say the driver of the Aston Martin was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. They say James Bond's iconic car was being delivered to the filming unit in heavy rain Saturday morning when it went off the road and plunged into Lake Garda. Italian state TV showed footage of the smashed, black car being hoisted out of the water. "Quantum of Solace" is the new film in the 007 series. It stars Daniel Craig and is due for release later this year.

Passages

Rosalie Ritz, 84, a premier courtroom artist who for four decades chronicled dozens of high-drama trials, including those of Charles Manson, Patty Hearst and O.J. Simpson, died of lung cancer Friday in Northern California.

Today in History

1509: Henry VIII became king of England following the death of his father, Henry the VII.

1864: Congress authorized the use of the phrase "In God We Trust" on coins.

1889: The Oklahoma Land Rush began at noon as thousands of homesteaders staked claims.

1954: The publicly televised sessions of the Senate Army-McCarthy hearings began.

1970: Millions of Americans concerned about the environment observed the first "Earth Day."

1994: Richard M. Nixon, the 37th president of the United States, died at a New York hospital four days after suffering a stroke; he was 81.

2000: In a dramatic pre-dawn raid, armed immigration agents seized Elián Gonzalez from his relatives' home in Miami; Elián was reunited with his father at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington.

Today's Birthdays

Actress Charlotte Rae, 82. Singer Glen Campbell, 72. Actor Jack Nicholson, 71. Singer Peter Frampton, 58. Comedian Byron Allen, 47. Actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan, 42. Actress Sheryl Lee, 41. Actress-talk show host Sherri Shepherd, 41. Actor Eric Mabius, 37. Actor Ingo Rademacher, 37. Actress Michelle Ryan, 24. Actress Amber Heard, 22.

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