"He looked good. I can't believe it," Blavat told us Tuesday night, when we called to tell him the terrible news, that Martino, who turned 82 on Oct. 7, had died that afternoon in his home in Springfield, Delaware County.

The singer known for hits such as "Here in My Heart," and "Spanish Eyes," and for playing singer Johnny Fontane in "The Godfather," continued to work dozens of dates worldwide each year.

We had the pleasure of dining with Al a couple of times, laughing at his jokes and also seeing him in concert a few times. Even into his 80s, he still had a wonderful voice. Al, you will be missed.

Movie matters

Rydal-raised Jillian Apfelbaum is among producers of "Black Dynamite," a laugh- and action-packed parody/homage of 1970s blaxploitation films in which a pimp named Black Dynamite must scour the underworld to avenge the death of his brother, who was killed by none other than The Man. The film opens tomorrow. Apfelbaum says that an animated series based on the film is in the works and that there could even be a sequel if the film, which stars Michael Jai White ("Spawn") in the title role, is a success.

Comedians Tommy Davidson and Arsenio Hall also appear. Apfelbaum, an Abington Friends High and Barnard College graduate, has her fingers crossed for the film, which was a big hit at Sundance.

* Speaking of "Black Dynamite," the

film's director, Scott Sanders, is a big fan of Philly DJs Diplo and Sega. Sega attended a preview screening of the film last week at the United Artists Riverview, and Sanders and film star Michael Jai White later hung out with Sega and Diplo at an after-party at P.Y.T at the Piazza at Schmidts.

* Northeast native Brooke Lewis is a producer and star of "iMurders," which is just out on DVD through Anchor Bay. The George Washington High and Temple graduate left the area for New York, where she worked for a few years in "Tony and Tina's Wedding," then took off for Los Angeles eight years ago, where she has been working ever since. Lewis says she's back in the city "at least three times a year just for cousins' weddings."

Lewis' Philly Chick Pictures produced "iMurders," written and directed by Robbie Bryan, in which she plays a detective. Billy Dee Williams, Charles Durning, William Forsythe and Gabrielle Anwar co-star in the thriller about a social-

networking site whose members keep getting killed.

Local bride-to-be on Tyra

Roxborough's Jessica Hannan, the events-and-projects manager at Chestnut Hill College, will be on the Tyra Banks Show on Oct. 20 (4 p.m., CW Philly 57). She's one of the top five finalists in Modern Bride magazine's "Modern Bride of the Year" contest. Tyra will reveal the winner and also who will be on the cover of the magazine. Hannan was chosen for her community service. She and fiance Tom Giarratano, who works for Forest Pharmaceuticals, are a Big Brothers/Big Sisters "Big Couple" who mentor a 10-year-old boy from the Northeast. Hannan also volunteers for military groups. Her brother Shawn is a soldier in Iraq.

Mag helps Jerrick furnish pad

Philadelphia Style magazine accompanied Fox 29's Mike Jerrick as the "Good Day" host shopped for furnishings for his new apartment. It's covered in the newest issue, with comedian and E! host Chelsea Handler on the cover. The issue also features Levittown native "Ugly Betty" actor Mark Indelicato talking about his favorite restaurant, his uncle Robert Angellacio's Annabella (119 Rad-cliffe) in Bristol.

Free pint for Phillies fans

Tir Na Nog (1600 Arch) will offer a free pint of Guinness, Harp or Smithwick's at 4:15 p.m. tomorrow to be used in an Irish toast following a massive singalong to "High Hopes," in honor of legendary Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas. Mike Missanelli, of 950 ESPN/the Fanatic 97.5-FM, will broadcast live from Tir Na Nog starting at 2 p.m. The Phillies/Dodgers series airs on both radio stations.

Visit PhillyGossip.com for Dan's latest updates or follow PhillyGossip on Twitter. Have a tip? Call 215-854-5963, or e-mail grossd@phillynews.com. For recent columns, visit go.philly.com/dangross.