KATIE'S BOX OFFICE BLUES

IDENTITY CRISIS: Misery loves company, and TOM CRUISE - who just suffered through the agony of his "Lions for Lambs" flop - offered a shoulder to cry on for wife KATIE HOLMES before the box-office numbers were known for her comeback flick "Mad Money."

Katie's pinned all her hopes on a big score that'll prove she's not just "Mrs. Tom Cruise" - but the movie didn't test well in advance screenings, which is why it's been released in January, the month studios dump potential bombs. In the days before her film opened, Katie's panic mounted, and not even Tom could guarantee a break-even $60-million take. Looks like only you folks can dry Mrs. Cruise's tears...and rescue her fading "Katie Holmes" identity!