Russian film-maker Klimov dies

Elem Klimov, a Soviet-era film-maker known for his films about the ravages of war, has died at the age of 70.

Klimov died in a Moscow hospital on Sunday after lying ill for several days, the Russian Itar-Tass news agency said.

Klimov began his career in the 1960s, satirising Communist rule. He gained international acclaim for his 1985 war drama Come and See, which chronicled the destruction of villages and slaughter of Belarusians by Nazis.

Born in 1933 in Stalingrad, Klimov studied at the Moscow Aviation Institute and went on to graduate from the State Institute of Cinematography in 1964.

---

Tribute show for singer Smith

A memorial concert featuring artists such as Beck and Beth Orton is being staged for US singer-songwriter Elliott Smith, it is reported.

Grandaddy, Bright Eyes, Rilo Kiley, Radar Bros and Future Pigeon will also play at the show at the Henry Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles on 3 November, according to NME.com.

They will pay tribute to Smith, who was found dead in his LA apartment on 21 October.

Proceeds will go to the Elliott Smith Foundation For Abused Children.

---

Polanski set for London hearing

Film director Roman Polanski has been told he cannot give evidence by video link in a forthcoming libel action.

The 69-year-old Oscar-winner is seeking damages from Conde Nast Publications Ltd over a July 2002 story in Vanity Fair.

The defended action is due to start at London's High Court on Monday.

Lord Justice Simon Brown, sitting in the Court of Appeal with Lord Justice Jonathan Parker and Lord Justice Thomas, overturned an earlier decision that Polanski could give evidence from France where he now lives with his actress wife, Emmanuelle Seigner.

---

Street killer heads soap survey

Coronation Street killer Richard Hillman's deadly plunge into a canal has been voted the top soap moment of all time in a survey.

Around 17,000 readers of What's On TV? magazine took part in the poll, which saw seven moments from EastEnders voted into the top 10.

Little Mo's fight back against violent husband Trevor and the deaths of Jamie and Tiffany were among those that made the list.

Moments from Brookside and Emmerdale were also voted into the top 20.

---

Cowell's '£30m US Idol deal'

TV personality Simon Cowell has signed up for three more series of American Idol, according to reports.

Tuesday's Sun newspaper said that Cowell, 44, would receive £30m for the contract - but has refused to commit to further series of Pop Idol in the UK.

"In the States the final has the feeling of a huge Hollywood event and the talent over there is so strong," Cowell told the paper.

Cowell became an instant hit in the US during the first series of American Idol, which saw viewing figures of 52 million.

---

Elvis still top late earner

For the third year in a row rock and roll legend Elvis Presley has topped the Forbes.com income list for deceased celebrities.

Also making the top five are former Beatles John Lennon and George Harrison.

Elvis made £25m in the year ending September 2003.

Second on the list was Peanuts cartoon creator Charles Schulz, with £20m, then Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien, with nearly £14m.

---

Soldiers head for US remake

British television hit Soldier Soldier is to be remade for the US, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Production company Carlton is teaming up with American producers to reformat the series for the US market, continues the report.

Television producer John Sacret Young, who worked on The West Wing, will head the project.

Soldier Soldier, which ran on ITV from 1991-97, starred chart-topping musical duo Robson Green and Jerome Flynn.