The Jackie Robinson biopic “42″ took in $27.3 million to claim the weekend box-office championship domestically, according to the Associated Press.

Released by Warner Bros., “42″ easily beat the domestic start of an established franchise in “Scary Movie 5.” The Weinstein Co.

Ryan Merriman hits a home run with role in ‘42’ The Choctaw native plays Dixie Walker, one of Brooklyn Dodgers players who opposed Jackie Robinson joining the team, in the new film.

A version of this review appears in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. 3 of 4 stars. To read my interview with “42″ actor Ryan Merriman, click here.

Movie review: “42” It may not rewrite the rulebook, but the earnest biopic does right by groundbreaking baseball player Jackie Robinson, which makes it a solid win.

Happy birthday to Choctaw-born and bred actor Ryan Merriman, who is celebrating his 30th birthday today!

Merriman, who has been acting since he was 8 years old, also is marking the opening of what he told me last week is the biggest and most important film of his career.

Two country albums, a pop-rock album and an indie film – all with Oklahoma ties – are now available for fans to purchase.

Oklahoma country music star Blake Shelton dropped his new album “Based on a True Story …” today, not coincidentally the day after Season 4 of “The Voice,” the hit reality TV show on which he serves as a celebrity coach, premiered on NBC.

Check out today’s Google doodle, which honors pioneering professional baseball player Jackie Robinson on what would have been his 94th birthday. The first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era died in 1972 at the age of 53.

Robinson will again be honored this year with the opening of the biopic “42″ on April 12, just in time for baseball season.

Mark Castaldo, founder and CEO of Destiny Pictures, the film’s production company, recently announced the news on the movie’s official Facebook page.

Ryan Merriman’s portrait hanging inside Choctaw High School Column: The actor and Choctaw artist Kathryn Walker Richardson last week dedicated to his alma mater the near-life-size painting she created.

Choctaw-born and bred actor Ryan Merriman co-stars in legendary B-movie producer Roger Corman’s latest project, “Attack of the 50 Foot Cheerleader. A modern-day take on the Corman’s famed genre pictures – and the honorary Oscar winner’s first-ever 3-D film – the EPIX original movie premieres at 9 tonight on the cable channel.

Check out this clip featuring Choctaw-born and bred actor Ryan Merriman co-starring in legendary B-movie producer Roger Corman’s latest project, “Attack of the 50 Foot Cheerleader”

A modern-day take on the Corman’s famed genre pictures – and his first ever 3-D film – the EPIX original movie premieres at 9 p.m.