TIMES are bad and people are tightening their belts.

But, surprise, some folk in the entertainment industry are laughing their way to the bank.

Disney, for a start, is thriving on feel-good films like High School Musical 3. Released last week, it has reaped a staggering US$82 million (S$123 million) worldwide. Disney's last movie, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, released in the United States early this month, is another global big hit, making US$90 million.

'People really seem to want to get out and have some fun that is relatively affordable,' said Mr Mark Zoradi, president of Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group, in a New York Times report.

In comparison, heavier stuff like political-action flick Body Of Lies and Oliver Stone's satirical film W. are not drawing huge audiences.

The former made US$37 million worldwide, and the latter, only US$18 million.

Times of strife can help sell escapist fare. After the Sept 11 attacks, American box-office revenue rose 8.6 per cent, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Other media also enjoy a boom. Australia's hard-rock band AC/DC shot to No. 1 in Britain over the weekend with its latest album, Black Ice - its first time in 28 years. They were last at the top in the 1980s when Britain was facing recession.

As The Guardian explained: 'People crave something uncomplicated and dependable in a time of uncertainty, and rock music has never produced a band as uncomplicated and dependable as AC/DC.'

Last week, Borders and Amazon also revealed their largest book sales - behind tomes on finance - are fictional thrillers.

'We're really looking at that as the place that people are escaping to,' Borders told Reuters.

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