EDDIE MURPHY - MURPHY BACK AT THE TOP OF THE US BOX OFFICE WITH NORBIT

Oscar nominee EDDIE MURPHY is back at the top of the US box office after taking his new comedy NORBIT to number one with a $33.7 million (GBP17.3 million) opening-weekend take. The DREAMGIRLS plays a number of characters, including the hapless title character and his larger-than-life wife, in the blockbuster comedy. Norbit beat SILENCE OF THE LAMBS prequel HANNIBAL RISING to the top of the weekend movie charts. The thriller, which stars French actor GASPARD ULLIEL as movie cannibal HANNIBAL LECTER, came in a distant second with $13.35 million (GBP6.8 million). Last week's (04FEB07) box office number one, THE MESSENGERS, slipped to number four, while BEN STILLER's hit comedy NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM added another $5.7 million (GBP2.9 million) to its $225 million (GBP115 million) tally - to remain in the top five, at number five.