THE PINK PANTHER - PANTHER BEATS VENDETTA TO TOP SPOT

Classic kids crime caper THE PINK PANTHER has been a surprise hit at the UK box office despite receiving scathing reviews. The remake, this time boasting STEVE MARTIN as bumbling INSPECTOR CLOUSEAU, went straight to number one in the chart, taking nearly $3.4 million (GBP2 million) in ticket sales over the weekend (18-19MAR06). It beat off stiff competition from futuristic terrorist thriller V FOR VENDETTA, starring a short-haired NATALIE PORTMAN, which only made $2 million (GBP1.2 million). Last week's number one, THE HILLS HAVE EYES, drops to third place while Disney animation CHICKEN LITTLE retains fourth place. South African township drama TSOTSI is a new entry at number 10 in the charts, building on its success at this month's (05MAR06) Oscars, where it clinched Best Foreign Film.