Cross-Dressing Scores Once Again

America continued its love affair with flamboyance over the weekend as the cross-dressing comedy “The Birdcage” jumped to the head of the box-office line.

Starring Robin Williams and Broadway star Nathan Lane, “The Birdcage” - a variation on the 1978 French comedy “La Cage aux Folles” - earned $18.3 million to grab the No. 1 spot among the nation’s top movies, according to figures compiled by Exhibitor Relations Co.

“The Birdcage” grossed more than double the amount earned by runner-up “Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco.” That Disney-produced sequel tallied just $8.6 million, despite playing at 2,119 locations - some 169 more than “The Birdcage.”

“Hellraiser: Bloodline,” the fourth installment of the Clive Barker-inspired series, ended up in fifth spot with a $4.5 million gross, while the week’s fourth opener, “If Lucy Fell,” did exactly that. Starring Sarah Jessica Parker and writer-director Eric Schaeffer, the New York-based romantic comedy earned just $1.3 million to finish No. 12.

The latest Coen brothers film, “Fargo,” is doing extremely well in limited release. Playing in just 36 locations, although not in Spokane, the No. 17-ranked mystery earned $718,000 - which amounts to a $19,935 take per location.

And if you’re into numerology, check this: No. 9 “Mr. Holland’s Opus” earned $66.6 million.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo