New Hope child actress captivates in 'Unbreakable'

New Hope's Julia Yorks is getting her big break in "Unbreakable," which opened nationwide Nov. 22.

By LAURA NACHMAN
Courier Times

New Hope's Julia Yorks is getting her big break in "Unbreakable," which opened nationwide Nov. 22. The 12-year-old sixth-grader at Grey Nun Academy in Yardley appears as "Hostage Girl" in the new Bruce Willis/Samuel L. Jackson movie from director M. Night Shaylaman.

Yorks' other credits include "You've Got Mail," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," "As The World Turns," and an Emmy Award-winning PBS public service announcement. More than 125 friends and family attended the opening night of "Unbreakable" at Neshaminy Mall on Thanksgiving Eve. Yorks said Willis was "a real professional and a lot of fun," and director and fellow Delaware Valley native Shaylaman was "really nice." Yorks next can be seen at the Phillips Mill Theatre in "The Snow Queen" in New Hope, Dec. 9-10.

PAPA AGAIN

WPVI sports director Gary Papa is a papa for the second time, as his wife Kathleen recently gave birth to their second son, who weighed in at 7-pounds, 6 ounces. At press time, papa and mama Papa hadn't decided on a name for the latest addition to the family who joins big brother Nathaniel.

FUCHSIA SHOCK

Doylestown Township's Pink is featured in the current issue of "Teen People" magazine. The 21-year-old pop star's debut CD "Can't Take Me Home" has gone platinum (sold over a million copies) and includes two hit songs - "There You Go" and "Most Girls."

WE GOTTA SEE THE GAME FILMS

Could Central Bucks West coaching legend Mike Pettine become the next Rudy from "Survivor?" Pettine and the 1999 Central Bucks West team are the "stars" of the upcoming documentary "The Sport of War," directed by University of Pennsylvania alumni Timothy Murray and Patrick Weinress. The movie is scheduled to debut Dec. 15 at the County Theatre in Doylestown. Major studios are interested in distributing the film including Miramax, USA Films, and Artisan. For more information, go to www.sportofwar.com. Murray is the nephew of former Philadelphia Eagles General Manager, Jim Murray.

STATION BREAKS

Comcast Sportsnet and UPN-57 are feeling great about the Philadelphia Sixers' fast start.

The better the record generally means the better the ratings. . . WB-17 is searching for a new weekend weatherperson to replace Dawn Brown, whose last day on the air is Sunday. According to News Director Rich Scott, "California girl" Brown wanted to return to the West Coast. Scott added that WB-17 is hoping to fill the vacancy as soon as possible ... WHYY-TV (Channel 12) is into the holiday spirit with "Holy Philadelphia," which debuted last weekend. Over 16 sacred and holy sites are profiled, including the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, the Arch Street Friends Meeting House and Beth Sholom Synagogue in Jenkintown, one of the only buildings in the area designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It airs again tonight at 9:30.

Laura Nachman can be reached at her web site "Brady Residence," at www.geocities.com/bradylady or by e-mail at bradyresident@aol.com.