MOVIESColorization Dispute Resolved: Trimark Pictures has announced...

MOVIES

Colorization Dispute Resolved: Trimark Pictures has announced a “resolution” to its dispute with director Michael Corrente over colorizing his black-and-white film, “Federal Hill,” which opens Friday in Los Angeles. Last week, the studio said it planned to release a colorized version of the movie, about five youths in a tough Rhode Island community, in an attempt to “broaden the audience.” But Corrente subsequently said he had not agreed to the colorization and was seeking legal action to halt the process. In a news release Tuesday, Trimark called the dispute “a genuine misunderstanding,” and said that the film will play in theaters in black-and-white only. However, it will be released in both formats on home video, with the colorized version “created under Mr. Corrente’s supervision.” For all other media, such as television, the film will be released in black-and-white, but will be “made available” in color “upon the director’s approval.”

JAZZ

Playboy Fest Lineup: Veterans Herbie Hancock, Herbie Mann, Benny Carter, Grover Washington Jr. and Al Jarreau top the eclectic lineup announced Tuesday for the 17th Playboy Jazz Festival, set for June 17-18 at the Hollywood Bowl. In continuing their something-for-everyone policy, the event’s producers have also included such disparate acts as up-and-coming pianist Geri Allen, the Asian pop-jazz band Hiroshima and rock group Los Lobos. Actor-comedian Bill Cosby, who will front an all-star band called “The Cos of Good Music,” will once again serve as emcee. Tickets are available by mail until April 1, when they go on sale through Ticketmaster.

TELEVISION

NBC Schedule: Four new comedies and the Patty Duke drama “Amazing Grace” were announced Tuesday for NBC’s upcoming slate of mid-season changes. Duke’s show, in which she plays a single mother and minister, premieres April 1 in the Saturday 8-9 p.m. slot, replacing “Empty Nest” and “The Mommies.” Other new shows include “Hope & Gloria,” about two Pittsburgh neighbors, premiering March 9 in the Thursday 8:30 p.m. time slot previously occupied by “Friends” (which this week moves to Thursdays at 9:30 p.m.); “NewsRadio,” starring Dave Foley (“Kids in the Hall”) and Phil Hartman (“Saturday Night Live”), debuting March 21 in the Tuesday 8:30 p.m. spot, displacing “Something Wilder”; “Pride & Joy,” about two new parents struggling to balance careers and family life, starting March 21 in “The John Larroquette Show’s” Tuesday 9:30 p.m. slot, and “In the House,” starring Debbie Allen and rapper LL Cool J, premiering April 3 in “Blossom’s” Monday 8:30 p.m. space. The new shows will get six-week tryouts; “Larroquette” and “Wilder” will both return to the schedule in May, while “Blossom” and “Empty Nest” will also return briefly in May to conclude their network runs. “The Mommies” has finished its scheduled season.

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KCOP Boss: Stephen Cohen, a founder of cable’s Court TV, has been named news director of KCOP Channel 13. Cohen replaces Jeff Wald, who announced his resignation in December. Cohen has previously served as news director at TV stations including Los Angeles’ KNXT (now KCBS Channel 2).

POP/ROCK

Critics’ Choice: Hole’s “Live Through This” was the runaway winner in the Village Voice’s annual poll of nearly 300 U.S. pop critics to determine the best recordings of 1994. Hole, featuring singer-songwriter Courtney Love, received 1,552 points in the Voice’s scoring system, nearly twice the total of the runner-up, Pavement’s “Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain” album. They were trailed by R.E.M.’s “Monster,” Nirvana’s “MTV Unplugged in New York,” Neil Young & Crazy Horse’s “Sleeps With Angels” and Liz Phair’s “Whip-Smart.” Beck’s “Loser” was named 1994’s best single in the balloting, followed by Veruca Salt’s “Seether” and Coolio’s “Fantastic Voyage.”

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London Honors: The British music industry Monday night honored veteran musician Elton John with an award for longevity. “There is a lot of life left in the old girl yet,” John said as he received the Brit award for his outstanding contributions to the music industry from fellow veteran Sting. But the night belonged to the young London band Blur, which won four of the evening’s 14 awards, including best British band, album, single and video (for “Parklife”).

QUICK TAKES

New Line Television will hold an open casting call at 9 a.m. today at La Cienega Boulevard’s Ed Debevic’s restaurant for lead roles in its upcoming syndicated TV versions of the classic teen detective stories “Nancy Drew” and “The Hardy Boys.” Producers are seeking three unknowns, ages 17 to 26. No previous acting experience is required. . . . Actor-director-producer Ron Howard will be honored March 5 for his career in television and movies with a special tribute at the 21st annual People’s Choice Awards, airing on CBS.