Quick Takes: A ‘Black Swan’ reversal

A censorship board has reversed a decision to forbid theaters in Barbados from showing “Black Swan” because of its sexual and violent content.

The Cinematograph Film Censorship Board reviewed its decision after a theater filed an appeal. The board announced Wednesday that the movie would be shown under an “R” rating, as it has been in the U.S.

Hundreds of people signed an online petition asking the Caribbean nation’s board to reverse its decision. Hundreds more joined a Facebook page titled “For Freedom of Thought and Expression in Barbados.”

—Associated Press

Le Carre’s letters head to Oxford

Spy novelist John le Carre was expected to announce Thursday that he is giving an archive of his books, personal papers and photographs to Oxford University’s renowned Bodleian Library.

The archive includes drafts and manuscripts of Le Carre’s best known novels, including “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” “The Tailor of Panama” and “The Constant Gardener.”

Le Carre — the pen name of David Cornwell — said he was delighted to hand over his works.

“Oxford was Smiley’s spiritual home, as it is mine,” he said, referring to the recurring character of master spy George Smiley. “And while I have the greatest respect for American universities, the Bodleian is where I shall most happily rest.”

—Associated Press

Banksy keeps painting L.A.

British graffiti street artist Banksy is continuing his assault on Los Angeles in advance of Sunday’s Academy Awards, where his film “Exit Through the Gift Shop” is up for best documentary. The latest art piece has been found on Washington Boulevard at Compton Avenue, just east of the 110 Freeway and south of the 10.

The piece is titled “Crayon Foreclosure.” It features flourishes similar to those in “Crayon Shooter,” which the British artist put up in Westwood last week.

According to Banksy’s website, it’s not his only new artwork in Los Angeles. He also seems to have tagged a giant water tank on Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica with the words, “It looks a bit like an elephant.”

—Nicole Sperling

Bieber rules the top 40 charts

Justin Bieber had the top-selling album on the U.S. pop charts Wednesday, and his other three albums ranged from No. 8 to No. 31. Billboard said it was the first time a single artist had registered four albums in the top 40 in the same week since Garth Brooks in 1993.

At No. 1 was Bieber’s “Never Say Never: The Remix,” with 161,000 copies sold during the week that ended Feb. 20, Billboard said. The trade publication said the teen singer’s sales had been helped by his movie and his performance on the Grammy Awards.

Other Grammy performers who enjoyed sales boosts included Mumford & Sons, Bruno Mars, Lady Antebellum and Arcade Fire.

—From a Times staff writer

Getty to display its Turner coup

The Getty Museum’s new pride and joy, J.M.W. Turner’s 1839 canvas, “Modern Rome — Campo Vaccino,” will go on display March 8, the museum said.

The Getty bid $44.9 million at auction for the work last year and got word earlier this month that British authorities would grant an export license after no matching bids emerged to keep it on British soil.

The painting long had resided on loan in the National Galleries of Scotland in Edinburgh before being transferred to Sotheby’s in London for the auction.

—Mike Boehm

Actors get into L.A. Phil spirit

The Los Angeles Philharmonic seems to know that in order to draw younger crowds to classical events, it often helps to bring out the celebrities. For its upcoming live broadcast to cinemas, the L.A. Phil has hired actor Orlando Bloom to perform selections from “Romeo and Juliet” in a concert series of Tchaikovsky’s Shakespeare-inspired music.

Also on board are Matthew Rhys of the TV series “Brothers and Sisters,” who will read from “Hamlet,” and Malcolm McDowell, who will recite from “The Tempest.”

Conductor Gustavo Dudamel will lead the March 10-13 concert series at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The March 13 show will be broadcast live to cinemas around the U.S. and Canada.

—David Ng

Finally

Renewed: Fox picked up Seth MacFarlane’s “American Dad” for a seventh season, which will carry the animated comedy through the 2012-13 season.