Will "Cadillac Records" be the film that finally buries the so-called international color line — wherein films in urban American settings with black stars often perform poorly abroad? Jeffrey Wright is adamant: "There is no reason in the world that this film can't find a global audience and obviate this nonsense that films with black characters can't sell overseas."

While industry observers have noted improvements in recent years in the situation — with African American superstars and certain films that are equally as successful at home and away from these shores — there has remained an undeniable ghettoization for others. A key question has become whether releasing companies deserve blame for undermarketing movies with primarily black talent, playing down to low expectations.

In the wake of Barack Obama's election and the international excitement it's generated, the timing would seem ripe for "Cadillac Records," opening Friday (12/5). This dramatic, sexy, musically irresistible saga of 1950s-'60s Chicago-based Chess Records stars Muddy Waters (Wright), Etta James (Beyoncé Knowles), Chuck Berry (Mos Def), Little Walter (Columbus Short), etc., and its impresario, Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody).

Wright — a long-time campaigner for the president-elect — points out, "If you go to any corner of the world today, you will hear black American music screaming through the radio. This music, even prior to the election, found a global audience, so with it we have a great opportunity to put to rest that nonsense." The esteemed actor, who also has "W." (as Colin Powell) and "Quantum of Solace" in theaters, adds, "I fully expect that we will find an international audience. It only requires the effort and intelligent marketing."

A NEW WAY: Songstress Lisa Lavie says she "had no idea what to expect when I started uploading videos on YouTube" about a year ago. But has it ever turned out well for the rising young talent — with some 11 million YouTube viewings and 10,000 download sales of her "Angel" single on iTunes, and with a CD to be released in the spring, produced by Ben Margulies, who co-wrote and co-produced much of Mariah Carey's debut album. Margulies found her, of course, on the Internet.

"After I decided to post one of my original songs, I started getting comments and views, and then started climbing the charts in YouTube land. I thought, 'This is incredible!' The amazing thing is that artists finally get a chance to put their work out to the world and let people decide for themselves instead of record companies deciding who, and how, they're going to push someone down people's throats."

Lavie, who says her rise has been "strictly world of mouth," has been courted by record companies, but she is chary. "It's a very tricky position to be in. If you go with a major label, any time you could be shelved if the president or A&R person who signed you leaves. And a lot of record executives were trying to change my style. 'We want you to be more radio-friendly.' 'We want you to be more "ghetto."' But I'm not 'ghetto,'" she notes. That's why she and Margulies are planning on going the indie route.

THE VIDELOAND VIEW: David DeLuise reports his "Wizards of Waverly Place" troupe has just finished filming an episode that is "an homage to silent movies. We got to do all the silent movie gags — the sandwich that never ends, the slapstick … " It was series son David Henrie that really impressed him, he says. "He's a very, very inventive and creative guy. You know, kids today don't see silent films — but he went and he saw them and he studied and ended up bringing a great energy to it. He got the Chaplin waddle. He ran around a corner and caught the light post with his cane. It was really impressive." The episode will be on in '09.

ONE-TWO, CHA-CHA-CHA: One of "Dancing with the Stars" most popular professional dancers, Tony Dovolani, tells us he can't go anywhere now without people hitting him up for dance lessons and celebrities are no exception. "I have to tell you, every Hollywood party that we've been to, that is a constant conversation. Everybody loves our show. They either want to be on the show or they want lessons," says Dovolani, who admits he'd rather spend his spare time visiting fans. "In the off season I insist on going to all of the dance studios to meet as many of the regular people as I can. They are the people who truly appreciate our art form."

With reports by Stephanie DuBois and Emily Feimster.

To find out more about Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith and read their past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 MARILYN BECK AND STACY JENEL SMITH

DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.