COMEDIES BIG AT THE BOX OFFICE

Comedy movies are the most successful at the box office, according to a new survey in Britain and Ireland.

The study, by the UK FILM COUNCIL, found funny films account for more than 25 per cent of cinema takings.

Dramas accounted for more than half of films released in Britain and Ireland last year (02) but they collected just nine per cent of total box office takings. Romance flicks fared worse - managing just .6 per cent of all takings.