ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT REPORTS FROM THE TIMES, NEWS SERVICES AND THE NATION’S PRESS.

TV & FILM

‘Bully’ Pulled From Method Fest

The film “Bully,” a disturbing look at youth culture from director Larry Clark (“Kids”), was pulled from the Method Fest in Pasadena, where it had been scheduled to be the festival’s opening-night headliner tonight. Last week, Lions Gate, the film’s distributor, notified festival director Don Franken that “Bully” would not be available for screening. On Wednesday, Franken sought an injunction in Pasadena Superior Court that would have forced the studio to deliver a print to Method Fest producers. The judge denied the request after hearing Lions Gate’s explanation: Producers had not yet delivered a final print with musical clearances and completed credits. The film stars Brad Renfro as a Florida teenager who helps murder the neighborhood bully. At press time, Method Fest organizers had not yet decided on a replacement.

Humanitas Finalists Announced

“Traffic,” “Billy Elliot” and episodes of “Once and Again” and “Malcolm in the Middle” were among the nominees announced this week for Humanitas Prizes, given to writers of movies and TV shows that “communicate human values.” Thirty-four writers were named finalists in eight categories, vying for cash awards totaling $130,000. Among the nominees, chosen from more than 400 submissions: “Billy Elliot,” “Traffic” and “You Can Count on Me” for feature film script (a $25,000 prize); episodes of “Frasier,” “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “Malcolm in the Middle” in the 30-minute TV category ($10,000); episodes of “ER,” “Gideon’s Crossing,” “Once and Again” and “Third Watch” in the 60-minute TV category ($15,000). The winners will be announced June 28.

Fall Programming Notes

CBS has purchased the rights to “American Terrorist: Timothy McVeigh and the Oklahoma City Bombing,” according to Thursday’s Daily Variety. The miniseries will be based on the best-selling book by reporters Lou Michel and Dan Herbeck, who conducted extensive prison interviews with McVeigh. . . . Rose McGowan (“Scream”) will join the WB’s witch series “Charmed” this fall as another of the sisters. She replaces Shannen Doherty, who left the series at the end of last season. . . . Episodes of “thirtysomething” will begin running on Bravo July 16. Author Candace Bushnell (“Sex and the City”) will host the presentation, the first in Bravo’s “Art of Television” series. Bravo taped a reunion last week with the cast and creators of the series at the Museum of Radio and Television in Beverly Hills for a special, “Inside thirtysomething,” also set to air July 16.

POP / ROCK

Roll Over, Chuck Berry

A St. Louis federal judge has ruled that pianist Johnnie Johnson can proceed with his lawsuit against rock legend Chuck Berry. Johnson sued Berry in November, seeking millions of dollars in past royalties for songs Johnson claims he co-wrote with Berry, including “Roll Over Beethoven” and “Sweet Little Sixteen.” Berry’s attorneys were seeking a dismissal of the case and cited a three-year statute of limitations on copyright claims. Judge Donald J. Stohr ruled Monday that Johnson may attempt to show why the statute of limitations should not apply. Stohr also ordered Berry to turn over all of his financial records showing the royalties he has received. Johnson alleges he often composed the music on piano, then Berry converted it to guitar and wrote the lyrics. Berry wrote the classic “Johnny B. Goode” as a tribute to Johnson. In March, Johnson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “sideman” category.

THE ARTS

Exiting the Bolshoi

The Bolshoi Theatre’s artistic director has handed in his resignation, only nine months after being brought in to revamp the declining company. Gennady Rozhdestvensky announced he was leaving after critics mauled the Bolshoi’s production of Sergei Prokofiev’s opera “The Player.” The veteran conductor, 70, was appointed artistic director to help resurrect the Bolshoi’s reputation after President Putin fired his predecessor and brought the theater under the control of the Ministry of Culture. Previously, Rozhdestvensky directed the Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra and the BBC Symphony.

QUICK TAKES

Lea Salonga, best known for her Tony Award-winning performance as Kim in “Miss Saigon,” has been cast in the leading role of Mei Li in the revival of “Flower Drum Song,” opening Oct. 14 at the Mark Taper Forum. . . . Valerie Harper is replacing Linda Lavin as Marjori Taub in the Tony Award-nominated comedy “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife” beginning July 31 at the Barrymore Theatre. Lavin’s final performance is going to be July 27. . . . Walt Disney Pictures’ new animated film “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” will debut in digital format in 13 specially equipped venues across the country today.. The film’s local digital engagements include the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, AMC Burbank Media Center North and Edwards Irvine Spectrum.