Also: Listen to "Celebrity Watch" from CNN Radio's Ken Pauli Windows Media: 28k Real Audio: 28k

Showbuzz

August 4, 1999

Web posted at: 4:11 p.m. EDT (2011 GMT)

Today's buzz stories:

"The Blair Witch Project"

ORLANDO, Florida (CNN) -- The makers of the "The Blair Witch Project" are fighting a lawsuit filed by an Orlando filmmaker, who says he was cheated out of credit for the movie and deserves some of the profit.

Sam Barber says his company paid for much of the movie's preproduction costs and that he should have been listed as a producer or executive producer. He accuses director Dan Myrick and girlfriend Kristal Jordan of breaking into his office and taking documents, a master copy of the film and other tapes. Producer Greg Hale also is listed in the complaint.

The attorney for the three defendants, denies the theft allegation and called the lawsuit an attempt at harassment.

Barber filed his lawsuit in June 1998, well before "Blair Witch" became one of this summer's hottest box-office draws.

The film -- about three college-age filmmakers who disappear in the Maryland woods while trying to make a documentary on the legendary Blair Witch -- cost roughly $60,000 to make. So far, it's made more than $36 million. Barber's seeking a percentage of the movie's gross, which he estimates could be worth some $10 million.

The defendants have countersued Barber. They allege he tried to interfere with their agreement with Artisan Entertainment, the film's distributor, by seeking an injunction in California to stop the movie's release. The injunction was denied.

Lewis

SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- Comedian Jerry Lewis will soon be returning home from a canceled Australian tour after being diagnosed with viral meningitis, his agent said Wednesday.

His agent added that he was resting comfortably, getting better and asking for mashed potatoes.

"We're hoping that he'll be out of hospital in the next couple of days," his spokeswoman said. "He's on the mend, but obviously you'd not want to push something like this, because he's a gentleman of the age of 73."

White

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (CNN) -- Another performer laid low: Booming baritone Barry White has canceled several performances with Earth, Wind &Fire for health reasons. Promoter Jeff Sharp says White is in the hospital for a blood pressure problem. Sharp has offered no other details.

The Nashville Arena, in which White was to perform August 14, released a statement Tuesday saying White is suffering from exhaustion. The Nashville show was canceled, as were concerts in New Orleans, Dallas and Detroit.

White, who's made cameo appearances on "Ally McBeal," had hits including "Shining Star" and "Let's Groove" with Earth, Wind & Fire in the 1970s.

Sheen

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- Actor Charlie Sheen is being sued, the allegation being that his bodyguard assaulted two female visitors at the actor's Malibu home, according to court papers

Actresses Erin Sieman and Christina Stramaglia filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday, alleging that they were attacked when they tried to visit the 33-year old star of "Wall Street" and "Platoon" in July.

No comment has been reported from Sheen's spokesman.

Sieman, who says she's an intimate friend of Sheen, says his bodyguard named Zippy opened the door of the actor's home and punched her, breaking her nose and cheekbone.

When Stramaglia ran to her friend's aid, Zippy lifted her off the ground by her hair, threw her down and kicked her, the court complaint alleges. The women allege Sheen was at home at the time of the assault, but they don't accuse him of taking part in the violence. Sieman contends that Zippy called her, on Sheen's instructions, and told her that if she said anything about the attack he'd kill her.

Sheen is on probation until June 2000, following a battery conviction against his former girlfriend.

'Dundee' Ansell dies in shootout

SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- An Australian bushman who inspired the hit 1986 movie "Crocodile Dundee" has been killed in a shootout with police.

Police say 44-year-old Rodney Ansell shot and killed a policeman by a roadblock south of Darwin on Tuesday. The officer's partner returned fire, killing Ansell. Assistant Commissioner John Daulby tells reporters Ansell easily could have evaded the roadblock, but instead shot at a policeman from behind some bushes.

"I am at a loss to say anything about the motive at this point of time," Daulby says.

Ansell made headlines in the late 1970s when he survived for two months alone in the outback. Ken Shadie, who wrote "Crocodile Dundee" with actor Paul Hogan and John Cornell, says they'd seen a television interview with Ansell and decided to base the film on him.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

I want more. Show me the Buzz that was