Johnny's New Digs?

This is in the "maybe... maybe not" category, but TMZ.com is reporting Johnny Depp recently purchased a penthouse loft in the Eastern Columbia building in downtown L.A.

Land Ho! Captain Jack Sparrow is sailing into a swanky loft in glamorous downtown L.A., mateys!

Johnny Depp, the super suave A-Lister has been living in France for years, and now he's just plunked down about $2 million on a penthouse loft at the newly converted Eastern Columbia building. TMZ spies say the Francophile's new pied-a-terre at the turquoise Art Deco landmark, features private decks, sweeping views of downtown and the San Bernardino mountains.

Johnny's new downtown neighbors include "Grey's Anatomy" Star T.R. Knight and Oscar nominee Ryan Gosling.

A rep for Depp did not immediately return our request for comment.

Film Dates for 'Shantaram'

Times of India has a brief article about the pre-production of the upcoming film Shantaram. The filming schedule is reportedly set for January through May, 2008, with Johnny Depp tentatively arriving in India after Christmas:

Mira Nair’s cast for Shantaram is almost through -- it includes Big B and Hollywood star, Johnny Depp, while the music will be by Vishal Bharadwaj.

Will Vishal Bharadwaj make Johnny Depp do another Beedi jalaye le?

The buzz going around is that the director-composer has got the music assignment of Mira Nair’s Shantaram. The composer has been asked by Mira to compose four Sufi numbers, and a masala Bollywood item number for the film. “It’s learnt that the item number will be picturised on Depp,” a source said.

Apparently, Nitin Desai’s Studio in Mumbai is getting ready for the shoot. The art director’s team is busy recreating Dharavi, where Shantaram lived while in Mumbai.

“Most of the shooting is likely to take place in the studio and very little of it may happen at actual locations. Depp may arrive in India after Christmas for the shooting of the film. Mira Nair has asked Amitabh Bachchan who plays a pivotal role in the film to block his dates for the film at that time,” adds the source. Bachchan will be playing a kind-hearted gangster in the film. When contacted Amitabh Bachchan said, “Yes, they have asked me to block my dates from January to May 2008.”

Downey Jr. Follows Johnny's Lead

Bradenton.com offers an article about the recent Comic-Con convention, which includes a quote from Robert Downey Jr. on why he chose to don the "Iron Man" superhero costume for an upcoming film.

For Downey, the choice to take flight in hero-franchise came as a result of a bit of peer envy.

"I came up with Johnny Depp, right, we were right there and there was always respect, and I watched him and his choices, which have been wonderful. And then I see Johnny Depp do 'Pirates (of the Caribbean)' and then suddenly Depp is on a Slurpee cup. And the movies are good. And he's great in them. And I think: If Depp is on a Slurpee, I want to be on a Slurpee."

More Info on "Caliber"

Comic Book Resources offers a little more information on Radical Publishing's "Caliber", which is reportedly a new project in the works for Johnny Depp's production company, Infinitum Nihil.

"Caliber" slid by next, with the team saying it's a Johnny Depp project possibly in the works for an upcoming movie. Described as an 'Arthurian Western,' the series will be five issues with a #0 starting things off in May or June. The title is the main character's legendary weapon, but instead of Excaliber the sword, it's Caliber the gun.

Carol Burnett 'Crazy About' Johnny

In an interview with DeseretNews, legendary comedienne Carol Burnett discusses her appreciation of 'old' and 'new' Hollywood and offers nothing but praise for Johnny Depp:

"I'm crazy about Johnny Depp. I think he's so talented, and I love the fact that he does all kinds of different things. He's not going to let himself be pigeonholed."

"Rum Diary" Update

Entertainment Weekly offers a small piece about Johnny Depp's upcoming project, The Rum Diary:

Depp returns to Hunter Thompson

Johnny Depp will produce and star in Warner Independent's adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's autobiographical 1959 book The Rum Diaries. Depp will play Paul Kemp, a freelance newspaper journalist in 1950s Puerto Rico who is surrounded by a group of self-destructive lost souls.

Thompson wrote the novel when he was 22, before he developed his trademark ''gonzo'' style of writing. Though written in 1959, Rum Diaries was not published until 1998.

Depp is producing with Graham King, who acquired rights to the book for his GK Films and Depp's Infinitum Nihil. Bruce Robinson (Withnail and I) will write and direct the adaptation.

Depp previously starred in a movie adaptation of Thompson's 1972 novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. The actor just finished shooting Sweeney Todd and is expected to start work on Rum Diaries after he wraps Shantaram, Mira Nair's adaptation of the novel about an Australian drug addict who returns to a life of crime after escaping to India. Last week, it was announced that Depp's production company was working with King's GK Films on a movie adaptation of the 1960s supernatural soap opera Dark Shadows.

Winona's Marriage Ban

Monsters & Critics reports on the current Vogue magazine interview with Winona Ryder in which she and her father discuss his refusal to let her marry Johnny Depp in the early 90's.

In a joint interview with Vogue magazine, [Winona's father Michael] Horowitz recalled: "They were the hottest couple in the US at that time, like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are now. They were cool."

Ryder said: "But you stopped a wedding."

To which Horowitz replied: "We loved Johnny but you were 17."

The full interview is in the August 2007 issue of Vogue.

Depp Tackles "Dark Shadows"

Variety.com reports Johnny Depp has made a deal through his production company, Infinitum Nihil, to produce a feature film based on the 60's supernatural TV series, "Dark Shadows".

Let me be the first to say w00t! and direct you to a blog entry from 2005 on this very subject.

Depp lights up 'Dark Shadows'
Graham King to produce Warner feature

By MICHAEL FLEMING

Johnny Depp is getting in touch with his inner vampire.

Warner Bros. is teaming with Depp's Infinitum-Nihil and Graham King's GK Films to develop a feature based on the '60s daytime supernatural sudser "Dark Shadows."

Depp has said in interviews that he has always been obsessed with "Dark Shadows" and had, as a child, wanted to be Barnabas Collins, the vampire patriarch of the series. The role was originated by Jonathan Frid.

A rights deal just closed with the estate of Dan Curtis, the producer/director who created the soap that aired weekdays on ABC, from 1966 to 1971. Depp and King will produce with David Kennedy, who ran Dan Curtis Prods. until Curtis died last year of a brain tumor. Infinitum-Nihil's Christi Dembrowski served as the point person on the deal.

Over 1,225 episodes, "Dark Shadows" was a highly atmospheric, spooky soap that featured gothic horror staples like vampires, monsters, witches, werewolves, ghosts and zombies. The show has a continuing rabid fan base that populates Dark Shadows Festival conventions. Numerous TV revivals of the series and pic adaptations have been attempted over the years but none with as high-wattage a star as Depp.

Depp, who is coming off "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" and who just wrapped the Tim Burton-directed "Sweeney Todd," is next expected to star in "Shantaram," a Mira Nair-directed adaptation of the Gregory David Roberts novel that Depp, King and Plan B are producing for Warner Bros. Depp, King and WB are also mobilizing to make a film about the life of Alexander Litvinenko, with Depp poised to play the former KGB agent, who was fatally poisoned.

Sweeney Todd Up Close

Here's a better version of the photo used in the new Sweeney Todd poster. Thanks again to Guy for the image!

Official "Sweeney Todd" Poster

This is a photo of the official movie poster for the upcoming Tim Burton & Johnny Depp collaboration, Sweeney Todd. (Thanks to Guy for the image!)

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Johnny's No Diva

This Is London offers a report on Barbra Streisand's stay at The Dorchester hotel in London and the demands the singer makes while traveling. In it, they discuss the differences between her upcoming visit and Johnny Depp's recent stay.

"Johnny Depp was here a few weeks ago, but was very low key. He just sat with friends in the bar. He was drinking a £600 bottle of wine, but he did not expect any special treatment."

Sword Auctioned for Charity

ABC.net.au reports Johnny Depp's sword from the Pirates of the Caribbean films will be auctioned off during a charity event Saturday to benefit Royal Hobart Hospital and Ronald McDonald House in Tasmania.

A swag of celebrity memorabilia is about to be sold in Tasmania to help seriously ill children at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Almost 2,500 families have stayed at Ronald McDonald House since it opened nine years ago, with more than 90 per cent of them from northern Tasmania.

The group will auction items including a tennis racquet owned by Roger Federer, one of David Beckham's football boots and Johnny Depp's sword from the movie, "Pirates of the Caribbean", at its fundraising ball on Saturday.

The chairman, Craig Brakey, hopes to raise about $90,000, as demand for the service keeps growing.

"We've got obviously a lot of contacts that've built up over the years, and through different places throughout the country, that we're able to source some of this stuff," Mr Brakey said.

"And there's obviously plenty of sick children, particular the North-West Coast and the West Coast areas - Launceston areas as well - so the house occupancy rates are very good, and it's a pretty busy place most of the time."

Sweeney 'Unlikely' at Comic-Con

Rumors have been circulating that Tim Burton might present clips of the upcoming Sweeney Todd film at Comic-Con in San Diego this weekend. But according to Playbill, it is still too early for clips to be released.

Despite reports that the film would reveal clips or a poster at the California event (July 26-29), the sneak peek of the anticipated movie musical may have to wait, according to a rep.

"The latest is that there will likely not be anything at Comic-Con," DreamWorks Studios spokesperson Marvin Levy told Playbill.com. "It's too early. If a poster had been ready, that would have been the time to reveal it."

Noting the expected release, he added, "It's still a long way to December."

Gallery Update

I've added some new photos to the Recent Additions album on the site, including a set of paparazzi photos of Johnny and Vanessa sailing on their yacht "Vajoliroja" near Elba. The name of the yacht is a combination of the family's first names (VAnessaJOhnnyLIlyROseJAck).

New Project for Infinitum Nihil

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Johnny Depp's production company, Infinitum Nihil, has added a new project based on a comic book to its list of upcoming films in a deal with Radical Publishing.

Radical's slate also includes Sam Sarkar's comic creation "Caliber", which is being produced with Infinitum Nihil, Terrance Chang and John Woo for Lionrock Prods., with Woo attached to direct.

Radical Publishing and its president, Barry Levine, are also involved with the previously announced "Rex Mundi" project with Infinitum Nihil.

Sam Sarkar is Infinitum Nihil's Director of Development.

A Depp-Spielberg Collaboration?

The Tri-City Herald offers an article about Mahdi Obeidi, an Iraqi nuclear scientist under Saddam Hussein and author of "A Bomb in My Garden" which was purchased for movie rights by Johnny Depp's production company.

In the article, Obeidi confirms the purchase of film rights and suggests a possible collaboration with director Steven Spielberg.

Obeidi said Johnny Depp has purchased the book rights for a film. And, recently Obeidi saw Steven Spielberg about the possibility of directing the film, he said.

More information on the book can be found on Depp Impact's Infinitum Nihil page.

Depp Interviewed for Ginsberg DVD

Johnny Depp is a featured interview on the special two-disc DVD documentary called "The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg" which goes on sale Tuesday, July 17.

Information on the documentary is available on the official web site, which also features a brief video clip of Johnny's interview. According to a press release, Johnny speaks for about 15 minutes on the second disc of the set.

The DVD is available Tuesday, and can be purchased through the official site or this Amazon.com link.

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ALLEN GINSBERG (Deluxe 2-Disc Set)

PRODUCT DETAILS --

Actors: Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, William Burroughs, Ken Kesey, Joan Baez, Timothy Leary, Norman Mailer and others.
Director: Jerry Aronson
Format: Black & White, Color, DVD-Video
Region: 1
Language: English
Sound: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Number of discs: 2
Rating: NR
Studio: New Yorker Video
DVD Release Date: July 17, 2007
Run Time: 84 minute (feature) + 6 hours of extras

DISC ONE:
Feature: The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg—84 minutes

Extras:
- William Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg in Boulder, CO-1984.
- Neal Cassady and Allen Ginsberg at City Lights Bookstore-San Francisco-1965.
- The Making of The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg.
- Bob Dylan and Allen Ginsberg at Jack Kerouac's Grave.
- Original theatrical trailer.
- Excerpts from Scenes from Allen's Last Three Days on Earth as a Spirit, by Jonas Mekas.
- The making of the music video A Ballad of the Skeletons.
- Stan Brakhage and Allen Ginsberg in Boulder Colorado-1996
- Ginsberg reading selected poems.
- Ginsberg guides us through an exhibition of his photographs.
- Memorial for Allen Ginsberg in New York City, 1998.
- Ginsberg's photo gallery.

DISC TWO:
Memorial for Allen Ginsberg, May 19, 1998 -- New York City.

Exclusive Interviews: Joan Baez, Beck, Bono, Stan Brakhage, William Burroughs, Johnny Depp, Philip Glass, Abbie Hoffman, Jack Johnson, Ken Kesey, Timothy Leary, Paul McCartney, Jonas Mekas, Sonic Youth (Thurston Moore, Lee Ranaldo), Yoko Ono, Ed Sanders, Patti Smith, Hunter S. Thompson, Anne Waldman, Andy Warhol and many more!

Photo by Wyatt Jones, Los Angeles, CA, June 24, 2003

AWE Takes 5th Worldwide

According to BoxOfficeMojo, two of the three Pirates films now grace the top five in the list of worldwide top-grossing films of all time. Dead Man's Chest ranks #3, and At World's End has just moved into the #5 slot. (Thanks to KTFaye for the link!) The top five now reads:

1. Titanic: $1,845,000
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King: $1,118,900
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest: $1,066.200
4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: $976,500
5. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End: $928,000

Sondheim Talks "Sweeney Todd"

The Australian has a brief interview with Stephen Sondheim, Broadway composer and creator of Sweeney Todd, in which he discusses the film and the differences between it and the stage version of the story.

Plenty of blood after barber cuts
REEL TIME
Sandy George
July 11, 2007

"It has got a lot of blood in it and that's fine by me," says Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim of director Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd. The film version of Sondheim's musical about the demon barber of Fleet Street finished filming in Britain a couple of weeks ago.

A self-confessed movie buff, Sondheim says writer John Logan asked him for his opinion on the screenplay. He understood that filming the whole musical would make the film too long: some of the cuts were judicious and some not. "There are songs that have been cut, and cuts within some of the songs, but generally it is pretty much the score," he says. He was speaking at Sydney's Theatre Royal last Friday. "The plot is very little changed ... It is pretty faithful."

Johnny Depp sings his way through the title role: the actor played in a rock band before becoming a star of television, then film. The cast includes Helena Bonham Carter (as Mrs Lovett), Alan Rickman (Judge Turpin), Timothy Spall (Beadle Bamford) and Sacha Baron Cohen (Signor Adolfo Pirelli).

Sondheim says he has never been tempted to write for film: "Film is a director's medium and I would not have the patience to direct even if I had the talent for it."

Mischa's Hollywood Crush

Inside Entertainment offers a snippet of an interview with Hollywood party girl Mischa Barton ("The O.C.") in which she reveals her crush on Johnny Depp:

"I really like Johnny Depp," Barton was quoted as saying on LondonNet.co.uk. "I honestly can't think of anyone hotter. I loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I was so excited to see it. I love that the movie was so dark and sinister, and you really feel like the kids are doomed. Parents were literally taking their kids and leaving the theatre during the movie."

Um... did everyone see the same Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Because the one I saw wasn't "dark and sinister" -- it was just fun.

Dunst Names Depp a 'Modern Great'

Times Online offers an article about the history of cinema, the difference between classic movies, and a discussion of modern greats. In it, Kirsten Dunst names Johnny Depp in Edward Scissorhands her cinematic hero:

Dunst’s modern cinematic hero is Johnny Depp in Edward Scissorhands (1990). “How can you not love Johnny Depp?” she argues, as if the whole matter of the modern matinee idol was now done and dusted.

Johnny's Magical Friends

This is from today's Kentish Gazette. Thanks to Patricia for the text and photo!

ETIENNE Pradier and his business partner Anne-Cecile dell’Aquila have created Jumpingfrogs Entertainment, based in Canterbury. They offer a wide range of magic services and personally vetted artistes for business shows, product launches, corporate functions, TV programmes and private events.

Its client list includes BT, Cartier, Microsoft and Pfizer and Jumpingfrogs artistes
have performed for many celebrities and the royal family. Jumpingfrogs supplies magicians, mind readers, pickpockets and a lot of other performers, such as lookalikes, jugglers, singers, caricaturists, jazz bands and cover bands.

For the fifth consecutive year has been invited to the Hollywood Magic Castle and he has also performed a private show for Johnny Depp and his wife Vanessa Paradis.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Change in Upcoming Film Order

wodkaplus on the message board noticed today that Imdb.com has changed the order in which Johnny Depp's upcoming films are supposed to be released. They formerly had Shantaram listed before The Rum Diary, but now they show The Rum Diary scheduled first.

• Sweeney Todd (post-production) 2007
• The Rum Diary (pre-production) 2008
• Shantaram (pre-production) 2008

They also have Sin City 2 and 3 listed on his schedule, but these are still marked as "rumored", and I haven't heard anything official about him joining the cast yet.

Johnny's Specs Appeal

Times Online reports Johnny Depp made the list of celebrities whom kids say make it "cool" to wear eyeglasses. The poll, commissioned by the College of Optometrists, reflects the opinions of kids aged 7 to 16. Harry Potter took the top spot on the list, followed by Johnny Depp, Ugly Betty, Elton John, Gandhi and Einstein.

Teen Choice Awards 2007

The list of nominees for the 2007 Teen Choice Awards has been released, with Johnny Depp and the Pirates crew again leading the pack. Nominations include:

• Choice Movie: Action Adventure - Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
• Choice Movie Actor: Action Adventure - Johnny Depp
• Choice Movie Actor: Action Adventure - Orlando Bloom
• Choice Movie Actress: Action Adventure - Keira Knightley
• Choice Movie Villain - Bill Nighy (Davy Jones)
• Choice Movie Liplock - Orlando Bloom & Keira Knightley, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
• Choice Movie Rumble - Orlando Bloom (Will Turner) vs. the Crew of the Flying Dutchman, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
• Choice Male Hottie - Orlando Bloom

Teens age 13-19 can vote online for their favorites at the official Teen Choice Awards site. The ceremony will be televised live at 8 p.m. Eastern August 26, 2007, on FOX.

'More the Merrier' for Sweeney Todd

Reuters offers an article about the London stage revival of the musical Sweeney Todd, discussing the various stage productions as well as the impact of the upcoming Johnny Depp film with theatre-goers:

Later this year, the vengeful barber and the lovey-dovey Mrs. Lovett, who has the novel notion of popping priests and other victims of Todd's razor into meat pies, go Hollywood.

Tim Burton, who appropriately made his name with "Edward Scissorhands," directs, and Johnny Depp, who tottered across the Caribbean as Captain Jack Sparrow, plays Todd.

Will success spoil Todd (Sweeney)? No one thinks so.

"The more the merrier," David Freeman, director of the London revival, told Reuters. "It's a terrific piece, Johnny Depp is a fantastic actor and if they can make a film out of it as well, that's great.

"I don't think that takes away from peoples' desire to have the impact of live theatre," he added.

Depp has been quoted as saying his singing is "not unlike the mating call of a rutting stag", but Sondheim is pleased.

"Sometimes a story or stage production has to wait a long time until the right people come together to turn it into a motion picture," he says in a press release from Dreamworks, which is producing the film for late 2007 release by Paramount in the U.S. and Warner Brothers internationally.

"That's what has happened with Sweeney and I'm excited as well as confident that it will be a first-rate and startling movie."

"It's kind of like doing 'The Sound of Music' but with lots of blood," Burton adds.

Joking Around with Johnny

FutureMovies offers a Q&A interview with Michael Gambon, Harry Potter's current Professor Dumbledore and one of Johnny Depp's co-stars in Sleepy Hollow. In it, he discusses joking around with Johnny:

Your Sleepy Hollow co-star Johnny Depp told us you are a bit of a joker…

Well, he can shout.

Can you tell us about one of your practical jokes?

On my first Potter film, the director and I shoved a fart machine in Harry Potter’s sleeping bag. He had his eye on one of the extra girls and asked, “Can she be in the next sleeping bag to me in this scene?” She was a beautiful girl playing a non-speaking part so we agreed. I had the controller, and as soon as he wakes up in the Great Hall, I pressed the button. It destroyed his credibility with her.

Did you get the idea to use a fart machine from Johnny Depp? He’s used them on sets before, hasn’t he?

Johnny’s constantly using fart machines – but this one wasn’t one of his. I bought this one.

Have you played any gags on Depp?

My best joke on Johnny Depp was when we were filming inside this stately home in England. It’s the only place where the Queen can ride her horse from Windsor without going on public roads.

What happened?

Well, the Queen came past one day – and everyone was gobsmacked. She obviously had her entourage, but next to her was a friend of mine called Henry Herbert. He was the 17th Earl Of Pembroke, and he’s also a film director. As they went past, I’m standing there with all the actors and Henry shouts, “Hello Mike.” So I reply: “Hello Henry, how are you mate?” The Queen waves like she was talking to me and on they went, but Johnny was speechless. He asked: “Do you know her?” And I said: “Yeah, she’s a mate of mine.”

And he believed that?

Well, he did because it was such serendipity. You couldn’t want for a better fake. I said to him, “I’m always nipping in her house for a cup of tea.”

Johnny 'Driven to Be Famous'?

The Irish Post offers an interview with Victoria Mary Clarke, Shane McGowan's bride-to-be and author of the book "Angels In Disguise?". In it, she makes an interesting comment:

Johnny Depp admitted the same thing to her - he was teased for being fat as a kid and he was driven to become famous to show people how brilliant he could be.

Frankly, folks, this one is news to me. LOL

Real-Life Abberline Remembered

The Epoch Times reports Frederick Abberline, the real Jack-the-Ripper detective portrayed by Johnny Depp in From Hell, has finally received a headstone on his grave thanks to the work of historians and former Metropolitan Police officers.

LONDON-The grave of a Victorian detective who led the hunt for one of Britain's most notorious killers, Jack the Ripper, is finally to be marked with a headstone, 78 years after his death.

Despite being a key figure in the investigation into a string of gruesome murders in London's East End in the late 19th century, Detective Inspector Frederick Abberline was buried in an unmarked grave.

Now, through the work of a group of former Metropolitan Police officers and keen Ripper historians, a headstone has been placed at his grave in Wimborne Road cemetery, Bournemouth.

Father Robin Harger, vicar of the nearby church, St Stephen's and St Augustin's, will give a blessing on Friday attended by current and former Scotland Yard detectives.

"It's extraordinary that no headstone has been there to commemorate Abberline, considering his role in the Jack the Ripper case," said former Met officer Arthur Stanners, who has helped in the campaign.

Abberline was sent from Scotland Yard to lead a team of detectives investigating the murder and horrific mutilation of the bodies of prostitutes found in Whitechapel between 1888 and 1891. The ripper could have killed up to 11 women, though it is believed the number was more likely five, between August and November 1888.

London was fascinated and appalled by the murders at the time and because the killer was never caught, the true identity of the Ripper has been a subject of avid speculation ever since.

Theories include suggestions the Ripper was an artist, an author, a midwife or even a member of the royal family.

The Metropolitan Police Web site suggests he could have been a poor Polish Jew who lived in the area, a barrister who later committed suicide, a Russian-born thief and confidence trickster or an American doctor who fled the country after being arrested for a different offense.

Abberline left the inquiry in early 1889 and later retired to Bournemouth on the south coast in his native Dorset where he lived until his death in 1929.

Local historians believe a headstone was never placed on his grave because his wife died shortly after he did, and the couple did not have any children.

Stonemason Matt Williams of Williams Monumental Company, who donated the black granite memorial, told Reuters: "I read about the campaign to raise money for a headstone, and have always been interested in the story of Jack the Ripper, so thought I could help."

Members of Abberline's family were tracked down, and permission given for the headstone.

Michael Stead, technical assistant conservation, at Bournemouth Council, said: "Abberline's role has been played on film by Johnny Depp and Michael Caine so we thought 'yes' something should be done."

BBC News also offers an article about the project, with some additional details of the effort and the case:

A Scotland Yard detective who led the police hunt for Jack the Ripper is to have his grave marked with a headstone 78 years after his death.

Det Insp Frederick Abberline, who was born in Blandford Forum, retired to Bournemouth, Dorset and was buried in an unmarked grave there in 1929.

A local stonemason has now donated a headstone after a campaign by former officers and Ripper enthusiasts.

Mr Abberline had no close local family to pay for his headstone at the time.

Prayers for victims

Matt Williams, of Williams Monumental Company in St Leonards, said: "I had been interested in the Ripper stories over the years and I heard they have been trying for years to get a headstone.

"I was happy I could have something to do with it and was in a position to help."

Det Insp Abberline was buried alongside his wife.

It is thought at around the time of their deaths, the Abberlines had no close family living locally who were willing to pay for a headstone to be erected.

Campaigners have since set about finding Mr Abberline's living relatives, confirming details of his life and getting the necessary permission from Bournemouth Borough Council.

The headstone was put in place about three weeks ago and a ceremony is due to be held on Friday.

Senior officers from the Metropolitan Police and so-called "Ripperologists" are expected to attend.

Father Robin Harger, vicar of St Stephen's and St Augustin's churches, will officiate and offer prayers for victims of violent crime.

Female Ripper

The Ripper crimes were never solved and the case remains one of the biggest murder mysteries of all time.

Five prostitutes were killed in the alleyways of Whitechapel in London's East End between August and November 1888.

The chief suspects were all men, including a member of the Royal Family, a famous author, a doctor and an artist, but Mr Abberline always believed the Ripper could have been female.

DNA profiling techniques used last year on letters sent by the killer backed up his belief.

Insp Abberline was played by Johnny Depp in the film about the case, From Hell.

Vanessa Attends Chanel Show

Vanessa Paradis attended the Chanel fashion show in Paris today (July 3) for Haute Couture (Paris Fashion Week) fall/winter 2008. No sign of Johnny, though, who was likely pulling Daddy Duty while Mommy was at work.

More photos can be found at http://www.vanessaparadis.info/. Thanks to Patricia for the info!

Depp, Manson & the Apocalypse

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Marilyn Manson reveals how he spent the final moments of the 20th century:

I spent that New Year's Eve drinking absinthe with Johnny Depp in the south of France. We were ready for the apocalypse, and when it didn't come, we were disappointed, so we drank more absinthe and set off fireworks. Since then, I don't drink booze, I drink absinthe.

Hoffman Wanted Wonka Role

In an interview with USAToday, Dustin Hoffman admits he wanted to play Willy Wonka in the Tim Burton version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but it seems he didn't get much farther than expressing an interest: "I was told it was Johnny and Tim's and that's that," he said.

Now, I like Dustin Hoffman, but I'm thinking that would have been a much different film. LOL

Johnny Named 'Top Pin-Up'

Metro.co.uk reports Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie were voted sexiest pin-ups in a survey of London office workers by Maris Interiors.

"We asked London's office workers to name the celebs that they have or would like to have on their office walls and it seems that Londoners love a bit of sexy American glamour to brighten up their working day."

In the male category, Johnny was followed by Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Jose Mourinho.

UNCUT Interview (UK)

Johnny Depp and Keith Richards are featured in another interview, this time in UNCUT magazine's 10th anniversary issue which goes on sale today in the UK.

Alongside the usual Uncut features, you'll find an intimate chat with Keith Richards and Johnny Depp.

"I was afraid to meet him for a long time," says Depp, "Because there is always a fear that your heroes are going to be shitheads."

"At first it was like, 'Not another one of my fucking son's friends'," continues Richards, "Johnny started kind of like that and then he worked his way up with me."