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Kiddie actors knock horror sequel back

LOS ANGELES - The band of grownup kiddie actors in Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star beat back the bloodthirsty bat-creature of Jeepers Creepers 2 at the weekend box office.

Dickie Roberts, a comedy starring David Spade as a down-on-his-luck former child star, debuted at No. 1 with $7-million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The film appealed to family audiences, according to distributor Paramount Pictures, because it lacked gross-out gags and had an uplifting story about reclaiming the former star's lost childhood.

Still, it earned less in its opening weekend than Spade's trailer-trash comedy Joe Dirt, which debuted in April 2001 with $8-million.

"He was more successful (co-starring) with the late Chris Farley," said Brandon Gray, proprietor of movie tracker BoxOfficeMojo.com. "I mean $7-million in this day and age is a pretty mediocre opening at best, but they can brag about being No. 1 and it could have been a lot worse."

Last week's top film, Jeepers Creepers 2, about a flying beast that feeds on a group of stranded teenagers, was nudged into second place, earning $6.7-million for the weekend.

NEW YORK - A rap performer affiliated with the Murder Inc. music label was shot dead on a street corner in South Jamaica, Queens, late Thursday, authorities said on Friday.

The victim, Gerard Fields, 26, performed as D.O. Cannon as a backup rapper for the label's more established artists, including Cadillac Tah and the pop star Ashanti.

Fields had two robbery arrests on his record, the police said. Murder Inc. itself is the subject of an federal investigation exploring, among other things, suspected ties to drug traffickers.

"Gerard Fields, professionally known as D.O., was part of the Murder Inc. family and in negotiations to sign a contract, but the deal had never been finalized," said Ronald E. Sweeney, a lawyer for the label. "Murder Inc. is saddened by Gerard's death."