George Lucas looked as excited as Luke Skywalker learning how to use the Force at the premiere after-party for “Jarhead,” starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jamie Foxx and Peter Sarsgaard, directed by Sam Mendes.

Lucas, a seldom-seen presence at Hollywood premieres, grabbed Mendes when the multiple award-winning (including the 2000 Directors Guild, Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globes) "American Beauty" director finally arrived at his table in the Hollywood Palladium.

The two helmers got on famously, gesticulating wildly and talking at length. And talking. And talking. And talking. None of the Universal Studios publicists, who were escorting a few journalists waiting to speak with Mendes, dared interrupt the powerhouse conversation. “I just wish I could I hear what they’re talking about,” whispered one reporter.

When the tête-à-tête finally broke up, with firm handshakes and back pats, Mendes trotted off to a quieter corner to chat with two patient reporters. But after croaking out a few Darth Vader-esque sentences, Mendes had to stop the interviews. He’d actually lost his voice. Great. Thanks, George. Jeepers, next time invite the guy to Skywalker Ranch when you want to chat, would ya?

George Lucas and Sam Mendes at the "Jarhead" premiere after-party.
(Michael Caulfield / WireImage)

"Jarhead" producer Doug Wick hopes the current U.S. political climate will translate into good box office for his film, which is based on Anthony Swofford's memoir, "Jarhead: A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles."

"From the beginning of time young men have had to measure their manhood through battle and going to war," explained Wick at the premiere after-party at the Palladium in Hollywood. "It's an age-old rite of passage that is universal." Wick, who knows a thing or two about manly films (he also produced "Gladiator"), was asked if women will women relate to an overflowing-with-testosterone epic about young Marines' tragicomic experiences during the 1991 Gulf War. "We tested the film and women responded equally well to it," Wick says, "in large part because the boys are so young and endearing."

If Wick and producing partner Lucy Fisher don't pull in the gals for "Jarhead," they'll likely make up for it with their other film, "Memoirs of a Geisha," which opens Dec. 9 and is also generating awards buzz.

Photo: Lucy Fisher, producer, Universal Pictures' Scott Stuber, and Doug Wick, producer, at the "Jarhead" premiere after-party.
(Michael Caulfield / Wireimage)

A-list actresses routinely hit the glam European runway shows to check out potential gowns for all those tiresome awards shows. But shopping for an Oscar outfit at the Mercedes-Benz Los Angeles Spring 2006 Fashion Shows? Mmm, maybe not.

Still, Oscar hopeful and "North Country" star Charlize Theron turned up for pal Pegah Anvarian's Oct. 17 show at Smashbox Studio. Dressed like the Spy Who Came in from the Rain — wearing the designer's tailored brown wool trench coat, beige turtleneck, jeans and a brown fedora — Theron even went backstage to congratulate the designer with a big hug.

Two nights later, the almost (or already?) Mrs. Tom Cruise was hanging at the late-night Rock & Republic denim show on the Sony lot. Wonder if Katie Holmes was shopping for a maternity gown? Well, she was intently focused on everything on the runway, and sitting next to her new pal, Victoria Beckham, a.k.a. Posh Spice.

Could Katie have been wearing a well-fitting pair of Posh's new maternity jeans, a line the ex-Spice-ette designed for hot sexy expectant mums? Our money says yes. And since you're wondering, no sign of Kate's (hey, that's what Tom calls her) excitable fiancé.

Photo: Katie Holmes and Victoria Beckham at the Spring 2006 Rock & Republic fashion show.
(Chris Weeks / WireImage)

Halle Berry, the stylish Oscar-winning actress, isn’t seriously shopping for her awards season wardrobe. At least not yet.

But she was spotted last week rifling through the racks of designer jackets, skirts and denim at the trendy Find Outlet in H. D. Buttercup in Culver City. What caught her roving eye on that overcast gray day?

Berry admired some Maya cashmere sweaters and bought a hot new fall item — a Tulle brown jacket — for the unbelievably low price of $23! Then she took off the price tag and wore it right out of the store, just like a real person might do. Isn’t it nice to know that even A-list stars love immediate shopping gratification?

And they also have embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions. At Monday night's 9th Annual Hollywood Film Festival Awards at the Beverly Hilton, presenter Berry told folks that her gown "broke" as she left home, explaining why she changed into a sexy tailored Gucci pinstripe pantsuit.

"It was an unfortunate zipper malfunction," confirmed her personal pub Karen Samfilippo of Image Management. So now you know.

Photo: Halle Berry arrives at the Hollywood Film Festival Awards.
(John Sciully / WireImage)