'Compass' leads pack

"The Golden Compass," a fantasy tale based on the novel by Philip Pullman, opened as the top film at US and Canadian theaters, taking in $26.1 million. The film, the only new movie in wide release, dethroned Walt Disney Co.'s "Enchanted," which dropped to second with $10.7 million after spending two weeks in first place. But "Compass," a costly fantasy starring Nicole Kidman (inset) and Daniel Craig, got off to a slow start at the North American box office and will likely fall short of opening-weekend expectations. "It's below expectations, but it's not an out-and-out debacle," Media By Numbers's Paul Dergarabedian told Reuters. The film represents another disappointment for Kidman, who had yet to headline a live-action $100 million movie. Her most recent successes were 2005's "The Interpreter" ($72 million) and 2003's "Cold Mountain" ($96 million). "This Christmas," starring Loretta Devine and Laz Alonso, remained in third place with $5 million, bringing its total to $42.8 million. "Beowulf," starring Angelina Jolie, dropped to fifth from second with $4.4 million in sales. (Bloomberg/Reuters)

Broadway stagehands yesterday approved a new contract with producers, nearly two weeks after the end of a strike that shut down more than two dozen Broadway shows for 19 days. "It was an overwhelming ratification," said Bruce Cohen, a spokesman for Local 1 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. He declined to give an exact tally of the vote. "We are pleased that Local 1 has ratified the contract," said Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of the League of American Theatres and Producers. (AP)

Scott Baio is 46. . . and married. The legendary bachelor finally tied the knot with longtime girlfriend Renee Sloan at a luxury high-rise Saturday in Los Angeles. The small religious ceremony was filmed for an episode for the second season of VH1's reality show "Scott Baio is 45. . . and Single," which premieres next month. Among the attendees: Sloan's 18-year-old daughter by a previous relationship, and, according to sources, Baio and Sloan's newborn daughter, whose name has not yet been released. (People.com)

One of Liza Minelli's crew members was detained by police in Stockholm late Saturday on suspicion of beating up a photographer who was filming the Oscar-winning singer's performance, police said. Minelli, 61, was performing in Sweden as part of the big gala event "A Classic Christmas Night." Police spokesman Gunnar Samuelsson told the Associated Press the man was a member of Minelli's crew, but that he did not know his position. (AP)

Madonna's record label has denied reports that her new album will be called "Licorice" and will come out in late April. Billboard.com reported that Sirius Satellite Radio host Larry Flick announced the title and release date on his "OutQ" show Thursday. "Sirius does not know what they are talking about," Warner Bros. spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg said in an e-mail. "Wrong title. Release date wrong etc." (Reuters)