The FBI investigated whether Anna Nicole Smith plotted to kill her tycoon husband's son as they battled for his father's fortune, newly released files show, but the former Playboy Playmate who died in 2007 was never prosecuted.

Cue theme music from "Dallas."

Smith's FBI records, obtained by The Associated Press, say the agency investigated Smith in 2000 and 2001 in a murder-for-hire plot targeting E. Pierce Marshall, who was at the center of a long legal fight to keep the starlet from collecting his father's oil wealth, valued in the hundreds of millions. The younger Marshall died three years ago of natural causes.

Or DID he?

The documents depict an investigation as the fight raged over J. Howard Marshall II's estate. Vast sections of the 100 pages of released materials — a fraction of Smith's full FBI file — are whited out, and no evidence of her involvement in such a plot is detailed. There is no indication how authorities became aware of any alleged scheme, but agents interviewed Smith on July 3, 2000. Told why she was being questioned, "Smith began crying and denied ever making such plans," a report said.

That's right. The FBI had hundreds of pages on someone who couldn't spell "FBI."

Smith said killing Pierce Marshall would not have made sense because her ex-husband's money would still be tied up in a trust, and she believed the court battle was nearly over, the report states. She blamed the

Ron Râle, the executor of Smith's estate, said the allegations were absolutely false. A spokesman for the family, David Margulies, said the family was aware of the FBI investigation but didn't wish to comment further. An attorney for the Marshall estate said he couldn't comment.

Or COULD he?

Smith was 26 when she fell in love (pause for effect) and wed the 89-year-old Marshall, owner of Great Northern Oil Co., whose wealth was estimated by Forbes to be $550 million in 1992. They met while she was a stripper. He died of natural causes in 1995.

Or DID he?

His son died in 2006 at age 67 of an infection and Smith died of a drug overdose a year later at age 39 after collapsing in her South Florida hotel room. The FBI files show a .357-caliber Smith and Wesson revolver was confiscated from Smith's home, along with a 3½-inch stainless steel knife and, for reasons that were not explained, a black-and-orange hat described as "Dr. Seuss." All three objects were returned to her about seven months later. And honestly, we haven't made any part of this story up.

WOMAN DOESN'T LIKE CHRIS ROCK: A filmmaker is suing Chris Rock for at least $5 million and trying to block the release of his upcoming documentary "Good Hair."

Regina Kimbell sued Rock and several film companies in federal court in Los Angeles on Monday, claiming Rock's project is a copycat of her film, "My Nappy Roots." Kimbell states she screened her film for the comedian in 2007. The lawsuit states "My Nappy Roots" traces the business and cultural history of black hair care and has otherwise only been shown at colleges and film festivals since its completion in 2006.

Her lawsuit claims several of elements of her film have been copied.

Or HAVE they?

Rock's publicist declined to comment. "Good Hair" will be released in certain cities on Friday and nationwide on Oct. 23.

GOSSELIN TRIAL DELAYED: The judge in the Gosselin divorce case has delayed the trial a week, after his wife died of cancer.

Judge Arthur Tilson was supposed to decide Wednesday whether Jon Gosselin would be ordered to return the $230,000 his estranged wife Kate says he took from their account.

In other words, if you're a stripper, this would be a good week run into Jon Gosselin.

Kate's lawyers could go to another court, but the likelihood is another judge would not get in the middle of this mess. One source connected with the case says if Jon spends the money, Kate would likely dock Jon $230,000 when the assets of their marriage are finally divided up.