Clooney stoops and Zeta conquers

George Clooney looks to be auditioning for a new role as he and Catherine Zeta-Jones arrive at the Venice Film Festival to promote their latest film, a romantic comedy.

With his leading lady in a stunning baby-blue dress, Clooney played the fashion assistant as he stooped to make sure it was looking its best.

Zeta-Jones, 33, spent more than 20 minutes greeting cheering and screaming onlookers while Clooney - who has been a familiar presence at parties during the festival - asked photographers last night: "Should I have worn a tie?"

In the film, Intolerable Cruelty, Clooney, 42, plays a divorce lawyer who falls for serial divorcèe Zeta-Jones. The Coen brothers film harkens back to the era of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn.