The Italian film won three Oscars at Sunday night's ceremony, and distributor Miramax has announced plans to dub the film into English to capitalise on its success.

Benigni, who was named best actor, plays a father who uses humour to shield his young son from the horrors of Nazi death camps during World War II. He will voice his own character, and his wife Nicoletta Brasschi - who co-starred in the movie - will voice her character too.

The film has now become the first ever foreign-language film to be shown on over 1,000 screens across the US. It already holds the record for the highest box office gross for a foreign language film in the US - currently at $35m.

Paltrow lined up for gay part

Gwyneth Paltrow: Set for explicit film role

Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow's next film role is set to be her most explicit yet.

The actress, who won Best Actress for her role in Shakespeare In Love, will play a lesbian role in The Passion.

Miramax has snapped up the rights to Jeanette Winterson's book about Villanelle, a Venetian gondolier's daughter with webbed feet.

She falls for a woman while Henri, Napoleon's cook, is in love with her.

Spielberg's millennium plans

Steven Spielberg: Party plans with Quincy Jones

Steven Spielberg and Quincy Jones will be planning millennium celebrations in Washington DC at the invitation of US First Lady Hillary Clinton.

Record producer Jones said the pair are "very excited" about the invitation and that he is looking forward to working with the film director.

"It's an amazing time, to step across that magic millennium line," said Jones. "It's like walking through gates that are two miles wide into Oz."

Star memorabilia on show

Marilyn Monroe's dress, John Lennon's suit and Tony Hancock scripts have gone on show at London's Imperial War Museum - despite having nothing to do with war.

"From The Bomb To The Beatles" gathers memorabilia from VJ Day in 1945 to Sir Winston Churchill's death in 1965.

"The museum doesn't just cover wars, but 20th Century history and what life was like," said a museum spokesman.

Cliff Richard's guitar is among other exhibits featured.

Carson in hospital

American TV legend Johnny Carson has undergone heart bypass surgery.

Doctors expect him to make a full recovery from the quadruple bypass operation, said a hospital spokeswoman.

The 73-year-old, who presented NBC's Tonight Show for 30 years, had the surgery in California to treat coronary artery disease.

He is expected to be released from hospital in a few days.

Getting The Beat again

British ska band The Beat are set to reunite 17 years after breaking up.

Lead singer Dave Wakeling says members of the band are discussing plans for a tour, and possibly a new album.

There are also plans to reissue the band's original albums this year.