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Not even the waddling, nuzzling, web-footed stars of the unexpected documentary hit March of the Penguins can escape the shadow of the summer's ubiquitous Hollywood drama:

Around Hollywood, they're calling it the "Penguin Movie." And although it doesn't offer any challenges to Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise in the leading man department, the film nabbed at least one box-office bragging right this weekend: On a per-screen basis, ticket sales for "March of the Penguins" were far more than for any other movie, $26,269, compared with $19,719 for the overall box-office champ, "War of the Worlds."

And no penguin had to jump on a couch or propose to a starlet to help the movie get there.

Sure, the penguins seem adorable and untainted by the business now, but just wait until Chilly Willy fires Pat Kingsley and tries to peck out Matt Lauer's eyes following a philosophic disagreement over the "myth" of melting polar ice caps.