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<< Previous   of   Next >> Associated Press  (click to enlarge) Michael Jackson fans gather for the screening of the movie “This Is It” in Paris on Wednesday.   ADVERTISEMENT   Dead celebrities According to Forbes magazine, the richest dead celebrity isn’t Michael Jackson. The top-earning dead celebrity is French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. Forbes released its ninth annual poll on Wednesday. According to the magazine, Laurent earned $350 million in the past year. Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein rank second with combined earnings of $235 million, followed by Jackson with $90 million, Elvis Presley with $55 million and J.R.R. Tolkien with $50 million. Charles Schulz, John Lennon, Theodor Geisel, Albert Einstein and Michael Crichton round out the top 10 list.   Related Stories • Michael Jackson documentary opens today 10/28/09 • Michael Jackson items to go on display in London 10/26/09 • New Michael Jackson single debuts online 10/12/09   CONTACT THE HERALD Do you have a news tip? newstips@heraldnet.com | 425.339.3400   Published: Thursday, October 29, 2009 Jackson’s ‘This Is It,’ delivers, early fans of movie say Associated Press LOS ANGELES — “Michael Jackson’s This Is It” premiered to high praise from fans who applauded at each number as though they were at a concert and marveled as the singer stepped nimbly through his moonwalk and other signature moves. Jackson, 50 when he died last June, kept pace with backup dancers half his age during rehearsals for such hits as “Thriller,” “Billie Jean,” “Beat It” and “Human Nature.” The film was shot as Jackson prepared for a marathon concert stand in London that never happened. “He looked better than he did when he was 30,” said Jessica Childs, a 21-year-old aspiring dancer who caught the Los Angeles premiere. “His voice stood out.” Four of Jackson’s brothers — Jermaine, Marlon, Tito and Jackie — attended, saying afterward that seeing their brother on film filled them with love and pride. “It’s amazing to see him up there doing his thing,” Jackie Jackson said. “To see him up there doing his performance like that has brought a lot of tears to my eyes, sitting there watching him. Because I love him so much. That’s why I keep this with me at all times in my pocket. It’s a little token of him,” he said, pulling out a white-glove key-ring fashioned after one of his brother’s best-known accessories. Performances in the film included a medley of Jackson 5 hits the singer originally performed with his siblings. Most of the material was intended for Jackson’s private use, but it now serves as the last bow of a performer who ruled the pop charts in the 1980s and later retired to a reclusive life amid allegations of child molestation. The mood at simultaneous premieres around the world Tuesday and Wednesday was tearful yet celebratory. At the Los Angeles premiere near the arena where much of the rehearsal footage was shot, “This Is It” director and longtime Jackson collaborator Kenny Ortega introduced the film to the audience, calling it the “last sacred documentation of our leader and our friend.” “It was touching. Well done. It was beautiful,” said Casey Gosh, 24, who was invited to the premiere by a friend. “It told his story. You really felt like you knew him. It was his final performance.” READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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