'Grey' brings in $81 million 'Shades' of green

IT'S TAKEN Hollywood 29 years to come up with a new "9 1/2 Weeks," but the big-screen adaptation of "Fifty Shades of Grey" whipped bean counters into an orgasmic frenzy (audiences, not so much), earning an estimated $81.7 million at the weekend box office.

In addition to destroying Valentine's and Presidents Day weekend records, "Fifty Shades of Grey" has also become the second-highest February debut ever, behind the $83.9 million "Passion of the Christ" opening in 2004.

How's that for a double feature?

Hey, both feature a Christian.

"Our fondest wishes were realized," said Universal's president of domestic distribution, Nick Carpou. "This is one of those moments where I can speak for the entire studio and say we're celebrating."

Please don't tell us how.

Carpou was especially pleased that audiences in large, midsize and small markets turned out to see the film despite weather challenges in the Northeast.

"We had a tremendous amount of interest from small-town exhibitors," said Carpou, noting strong outings in the South.

Sure, but they were appalled by every hot, horny, sinful second of it.

Internationally, Sam Taylor-Johnson's adaptation of E L James' book earned an estimated $158 million from 58 territories. That's the second-biggest international opening for Universal, right behind the $160.3 million debut from "Fast & Furious 6," and the highest international opening for an R-rated film ever.

"Kingsman: The Secret Service" also exceeded expectations, landing in second place with an estimated $35.6 million from 3,204 locations, according to Rentrak.

Those are very good February numbers for a film in which no one gets spanked.

Still-going-strong "American Sniper" (fourth place, $16.4 million), now in its fifth weekend of wide release, passed the $300 million mark in domestic box office.

* In related news, a Pennsylvania school-district superintendent says five middle-school students were mistakenly handed word-search puzzles based on "Fifty Shades of Grey" with such terms as "leather cuffs" and "spanking."

The Valley Independent reported that Monessen Schools Superintendent Leanne Spazak issued a statement last week apologizing and saying that the puzzles were "mistakenly and unknowingly" put in a stack of worksheets given to five students.

A staff member collected the sheets from the five students once they began snickering at words like "bondage," "submissive" and even more explicit terms.

One student kept a copy, however, and posted it on social media, which prompted parent complaints and media inquiries.

But on the plus side, the kids found all the words.

* Bruce Jenner has asked his chatty daughters and step-daughters to please keep quiet about his transitioning period.

It's unfortunate, but one of the problems with being a product of social media is you're a product of social media.

* It was one thing for baby North West to start bawling during daddy Kanye's Adidas fashion show - heck, the girl has eyes - but she also sobbed during the Alexander Wang Valentine's Day show at New York Fashion Week.

Seriously, who brings a baby to a fashion show?

* TMZ.com reports that this year's Academy Awards swag bag contains all sorts of goodies for people who can mostly afford them.

There's a train ride through the Rockies, a year's worth of All-Audi A4 rentals and a mind-reading session valued at $20,000.

EnigmaLife.com founder Olessia Kantor will not only analyze the celebrity's dreams and horoscopes, she claims she can also teach them how to read minds.

How about first teaching them how to read scripts.

- Daily News wire services

contributed to this report.

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