As a young girl, Oscar-winner Charlize Theron wanted to be a dancer, not an actor.

But at the Film Independent/Los Angeles Film Festival's "Spirit of Independence Award" dinner, she didn’t dance around why she ditched her ballet slippers for a Hollywood film career.

“I think I loved to dance because it was telling stories without speaking. I wasn’t the best dancer and I would never have made a good ballerina because I was too tall. But if you put me on a stage and told me I was a dying swan, I f-----ing died!”

Theron definitely didn’t die during her conversation with NPR’s Elvis Mitchell at the lavish poolside dinner at the W Hotel in Westwood Wednesday. But she was so funny, she should probably do more comedy.

After a montage of clips from her past films – “North Country,” “The Life and Death of Peter Sellers,”  “Aeon Flux,” “Monster” and “Cider House Rules,” the  chameleon-like actress marveled, “Wow. That was amazing! You tend to forget so much about your films. And boy, I went to the hairdresser a lot.”

Theron, wearing tousled hair, a very sexy slit-sleeved gown and a huge gold necklace, spoke of her admiration for Tom Hanks (“If he ever wants to do a remake of “Splash,” I’m in!”) and why she improvised cigarette-rolling in “Cider House Rules.”  “I was supposed to be this worldly, intimidating woman and rolling my own cigarette conveyed that.”

She also explained why “Monster” writer/director Patty Jensen forced her to do endless takes of a scene in which her character, convicted serial killer/prostitute Aileen Wuornos, shoots a man in the back.

“It was the longest day of shooting and we had one more scene to do. And it was the toughest. I told Patti when we first met, if I was gonna do this, she had to kick my ass. And she did. Instead of letting me go home and do that last scene the next morning, she made me do seven more takes and I’m so grateful for that.”

As well she should be. After all, the film won her an Oscar.

But the comedy continued.....

Photo Credits: Charlize Theron poses doggy-style with the Target pooch at the Spirit of Independence Awards at the W Hotel.
WireImage/Jim DeGuire

Get ready for the big "Blood Diamond " PR War between Team De Beers and Team Zwick.

Nelson Mandela will act as a spokesman for the international diamond cartel to  defuse any negative publicity caused by Ed Zwick's new film “The Blood Diamond,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly and Djimoun Hounsou, due out in December.

The film, a fictional tale, is set during the all-too-real ‘90s decade of African civil wars when rebel armies seized control of diamond mines, traded conflict diamonds for arms and murdered, raped and mutilated thousands of innocent people.

The film’s barely finished shooting but the World Diamond Council has already asked Zwick, the film’s producer/co-writer/director to add a disclaimer at the end that puts the nasty rough diamond trade in the past and the current industry in a better light.

Honest, those creepy rebels with nasty amputation habits are gone. Today's mining conditions are way improved and diamonds are now carefully documented thanks to the Kimberly Process, a voluntary industry agreement made in 2000, which tracks and certifies the movement of rough diamonds.

Human rights groups such as Amnesty International don’t buy it. But if you do, I’ve got some great New Orleans property near some lovely new levees you might also like. Zwick’s response? He gave it to E! Online yesterday.

A bitter battle is clearly brewing. But how will Team De Beers, headed by Mandela, do against Team Zwick? Let’s compare the players. Ready for their turn at bat are the “Blood” actors, all politically active and involved with a variety of humanitarian causes.

DiCaprio is outspoken about ecology and global warming issues. His website was redesigned and launched in 2004, the same year he joined the boards of NRDC and Global Green USA. Hounsou was born in Benin, near Niger. He participated in Amnesty International’s Live for Darfur concert series last fall. It's safe to say that he has strong opinions on the illicit diamond trade’s impact on Africa peoples. And Jennifer Connelly was just named Amnesty International USA's (AIUSA) Ambassador for Human Rights Education last winter.

But Zwick may also have a trump card, an actress who could give his team an unbeatable hand....

One of Oscar nominee Keira Knightley’s fave British designers - Jenny Packham - will have a special fashion show in Los Angeles in October, just in time for  2007 award season shopping. The show will be sponsored by BAFTA/LA.

Packham, who usually parades her wears on London and Paris runways, has been dubbed "the first lady of partywear" by British Vogue, who certainly should know.

No doubt a few of her fervent fans like Nicole Kidman, Mandy Moore, Kate Moss, Mena Suvari, Brittany Murphy, Heidi Klum and Scarlett Johansson, who just wrapped the new Woody Allen film "Scoop" in London, will show up for Packham's show.

Knightley and Packham just worked together on a photo to aid Fresh2o, a campaign to promote WaterAid, which provides African and Asian communities safe domestic water supplies. In this eerie underwater shot by aquatic photographer Candice, Knightly (gulp) manages to hold her breath beautifully in a frothy cream Packham gown.

Just so you know, Knightley, who walked the red carpet wearing white Chanel at Saturday's premiere of “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest" at Disneyland, flew back to jolly old England the very next day to keep filming Ian McEwan’s “Atonement,” which has, to say the least, an impressive female cast.

On the "Atonement" roster: Emily Watson, Brenda Blethyn, Vanessa Redgrave, Kristin Scott Thomas and... Betty White.

Yes, that Betty White, best known for playing sexually voracious Sue Ann Nivens on the '70s TV series “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and for her loveable ditzy Rose on the early ‘90s  hit series, “Golden Girls.” Who knew?

Photo Credits: Keira is a bathing beauty for charity in a Jenny Packham gown.
Courtesy of WaterAid.

How does Jamie Foxx do it?

First he's a big winner at the 2006 Black Entertainment Television Awards at the Shrine, grabbing two major  awards, one for Best Duet/Collaboration and one for Best Video of the Year.

Then he scoots across town and shows up right after the show looking totally chill at Charlize Theron's big Africa Outreach fundraiser at the hot new venue, Social Hollywood.

Foxx partied along with Eve, Nicole Richie, Serena Williams, Russell Simmons and Lindsay Lohan, who apparently needed an event/excuse to wear this wrinkled white satin skirt suit, shiny silver expensive bag and bright red gooey lips.

We want the number for Foxx's limo service. Either they know the best El Lay backroads  or he's being beamed across town "Star Trek" style.
Jessica Alba, Leonardo DiCaprio and that wild “Lost” child, Michelle Rodriguez recently hit a big sale at the DKNY boutique in Las Vegas.

But according to WWD, only Leo rated the store’s “special star treatment.”

Some day, Jessica, you may receive such treatment. But you'll have to do more than wear a bikini in "Into the Blue," shimmy in "Sin City 2" or kill villains in the upcoming "Fantastic Four 2," to reach Leo's status.

We're talking two Oscar acting noms, three Golden Globe noms and one Globe win here. Hey, maybe it's not that far out of reach. As for Michelle, well, she's got her plate full just staying out of jail. Day at a time, darling. 

Here's a fashion news flash: from now on, Paris Hilton will not wear fur. Seriously. She will, however, continue to carry it. Sorry, Tinker Bell.

Photo Credits: Bet Jamie Foxx left his two  BET awards in the limo when he hit Charlize Theron's Africa Outreach fundraiser after the show.
WireImage/Steve Granitz

Photo Credits: Lindsay shows off her shiny new Manhattan hooker look at the Social Hollywood Africa Outreach bash.   
WireImage/Eric Charbonneau

Photo Credits: Forget wearing dead mink. Terrified Tinks wants Paris to stop carrying fur! Somebody please call PETA.
WireImage/Seth Browarnik

What they’re talking about...
Why didn’t the Lord our Father who art in heaven smite Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman - divorced from Tom Cruise - for getting rehitched in a Catholic Church?

Hint: she got off on a technicality.

Note to Britney and Paris: dying your hair black – or wearing a black wig – is not an effective disguise, okay?

Next thing you know these girls will be trying to outsmart the pesky paparazzi by using Superman's fool-proof ploy: Clark Kentish black nerd glasses.

Now, listen up...

To this astonishing comparison of Madonna’s “Holiday” and Jessica Simpson’s brand new single, “Public Affair.” Then you decide.

Photo Credits: Nicole flees the scene of the crime after her church wedding to Keith Urban in Darling Point, Australia.
WireImage/Don Arnold

Photo Credits: Talk about a Sister Act. Paris is the mirror image of pal Caroline d'Amour at the 02 Wireless festival in Hyde Park, London. But forget the black wig. It's the matching tongue action that's really creepy.
WireImage/Don Arnold

Disney Studio's publicity department had a very full Monday morning, fielding questions about Saturday’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” PR nightmare at Disneyland.

Disney's head of publicity Dennis Rice was busy making amends to disenchanted print, internet, radio and TV press who’d waited for five hours on the premiere red carpet and never got to interview the film's main star, Johnny Depp.

“I had a big fallout with the press and I’m prepared to deal with it today,” Rice confirmed.

What Disney was simply not prepared for was the overwhelming number of fans who bought tickets to the park to see their favorite stars arrive for Saturday's premiere.

“We knew Johnny Depp had a huge fan base but we were simply not prepared for the number of fans who showed up,” Rice admitted. "And for Johnny, it’s all about the fans."
According to Disneyland sources, five thousand fans camped out Friday night outside the park in order to get in at 6:30 a.m. to stake out spots on the carpet so they could see – and possible shake hands with - the “Pirates” star.

“Unlike some stars, Johnny Depp is very appreciative of and loyal to his fans and he always makes time for them at his public appearances,” says a Depp source. “They all know this and that's why they show up in droves. He started signing autographs for fans in the front of the park around 6:45 and spent two hours doing it. He didn’t even do his first interview with ET until 8:45.” 

Unfortunately, his two hours of devotion to his fans up front left scant time for the countless others lining the carpet further inside the park. Or the patiently waiting reporters further down the line who were not told until after 9 p.m. that Depp would not have time to talk.

But the tremendous turn-out is proof that Depp’s popularity with fans of all ages and both genders has now hit superstar status. And he didn’t even have to jump on Oprah’s couch to get up there.

And it turns out that Depp had an even fuller plate on Saturday than most people knew. He arrived at the park at noon with his family to do press photos on the updated Pirates of the Caribbean ride.

Then, according to inside sources, he spent several hours more on a “personal obligation” that Disney has refused to confirm or comment on in order to respect the actor’s privacy.

But a Hollywood Bytes investigation has uncovered that Depp’s time-consuming “obligation” was actually an unpublicized lengthy lunch/meeting with several children with life-threatening illnesses whose dream was to meet the actor. Depp's publicist Robin Baum's office confirmed the  report. Depp has worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation since his days on the late 80's TV series "21 Jump Street."

Well, this totally defuses any annoyance about Depp's subsequent truncated time on the red carpet. Choosing to make seriously ill kids happy over inane pointless press interviews? Hard to argue with that.

Photo Credits: Nice guy Johnny Depp arrives a little late to the Pirates premiere. But when you find out why, you'll understand why so many people love this guy.
WireImage/Eric Charbonneau

Whew. Some highlights from the Los Angeles Film Fest’s first weekend:

Jason Alexander, Donald (You’re Fired!) Trump, and Perry Reeves, who plays Ari Gold’s wife on HBO’s “Entourage,”  hung out at the “Ira and Abby” Los Angeles Film Festival’s premiere after-party at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica Friday night.

The man himself, Leonard Cohen, looking trim and healthy, showed up for the premiere of “Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man” on Saturday June 24,  at the John Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood. Also on hand, Robin Tunney, Lian Lunson, the film’s tall statuesque blonde director and Kevin Beggs, president of Lionsgate Television.

Fest honorary co-chair Allison Janney, Catherine Bell, Amy Smart, Peter Horton, Kelly Rutherford, Lisa and Dean Devlin, Frances Fisher and Summer Glau, best known for her role on the cult hit series, “Firefly,” kicked off LAFF’s June 24th Green Day festivities at the screening of “Who Killed the Electric Car” along with the entire cast and crew.

Former Vice President Al Gore and former Second Lady Tipper Gore, Dawn Hudson and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa attended the Los Angeles Film Festival’s biggest event yet, a special Green Day outdoor screening of “An Inconvenient Truth” Saturday at the California Plaza.

Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora rocked out, and Truth’s director Davis Guggenheim spoke to the crowd of several thousand about the importance of taking environmental protection action. Like now.

Photo Credits: "Ira and Abby” screenwriter Jennifer Westfeldt with Jason Alexander from the film at the Viceroy Hotel.
WireImage/Arun Nevader

Photo Credits: Singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen with director Lian Lunson at the LAFF screening of “Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man.”
WireImage/John Sciulli

Photo Credits: Film Independent’s Dawn Hudson with Al and Tipper Gore at the screening of “An Inconvenient Truth” at the California Plaza.
WireImage/Amy Tierney

The most popular ride at Disneyland Saturday was the red carpet for the world premiere of “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.”

And the longest. The red carpet was over 1,000 ft. long, rolling down Main Street, snaking by Fantasyland and ending at Adventureland. But for hundreds of international TV, radio, internet and print reporters and thousands of fans who'd come to see “Pirates” stars Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom, the carpet ride became pretty disappointing by the end of the night.

Fans staked out coveted spots along the carpet when the park opened at 6:30 a.m. The press arrived at 3 p.m. to prepare for celebrity arrivals from 5-6. But by 6:30, only a few non-famous guests came wandering in.

Since the premiere invite stressed ‘pirate garb,' there were more eye patches, head bandanas, gold earrings, skull 'n crossbones, puffy shirts, and pirate hats - not to mention dark sooty Jack Sparrow eyeliner - than you could shake a saber at.

Early on, the throng of fans – most wearing Disney's pirate mouse ears (gold hoop earring in one ear) – were hopeful and enthusiastic, shouting, screaming, holding up banners and photos of Depp and Bloom and ‘We Love You Johnny!’ posters. They were only too happy to jump and scream to create B-roll color for the camera crews and applaud the professional Disneyland pirates who were singing, playing accordions, juggling balls and knives and walking on stilts up and down the carpet.

There was a pre-party with grog and grub at the Blue Bayou and Café Orleans for  the premiere guests. They could also ride the new Pirates ride that features characters from the film (Jack Sparrow, his nemesis Captain Barbossa and the squid-faced Davy Jones) and then fill three huge red, yellow and green bleachers to view the film scheduled to be shown on an outdoor screen at around 9 p.m.

But by 7:30, the fans out on the carpet were getting hungry and hoarse, children began whimpering and even the seasoned press was turning surly.

“We’ve been standing here 5 hours and we’ve not seen a single lead actor from the film,” groused a KTLA reporter. “This is insane. Why would they make us stand out here this long?” Even a befuddled German reporter asked, “Is this normal?”

“Is Johnny here?” reporters pestered the nervous Disney publicists. “Where’s Keira?” "Has anyone seen Orlando?” "Will they talk to us?”

“They’re here,” one publicist promised. “Johnny’s doing the new Pirates of the Caribbean ride and they’re taking photographs. But he’ll be here. Just be patient.”

So reporters relaxed and chatted up non-Pirate people to kill time. “Entourage” star Kevin Dillon told press that his fans scream “Drama!” and “Viking Quest!” wherever he goes. Director James Cameron, who has a cameo on “Entourage,” plugged his new film “Avatar,” a sci-fi flick set on another planet that will be released next year in 3-D HD.  But he admitted he’d probably do better with a real “Aquaman” since it’s gotten built-in buzz from the show.

Jon Voight stammered when a reporter asked if he’d seen his new grandchild. The answer was “No” but he’s, um, “very proud of Angie and all the work she's doing.” And he hasn’t sent a baby gift. And he’d really rather not talk about it, if you don’t mind.

Holly Robinson Peete was very popular with press because she actually knows Depp from his “21 Jump Street Days.”  “Who would you like to have a pirate adventure with?” queried a TV reporter. “Well, not Johnny. He’s a friend. Unlike every other woman in the world, I just don’t feel that way about him,” Robinson-Peete explained.

Marilyn Manson – dressed not like a pirate but like Marilyn Manson – was also a hot interview once word spread on the line that he actually knows Depp, who may star in a movie he’s making about Lewis Carroll.  “I’m just here to see Johnny. He’s my friend. He’s a real pirate. I’ve got absinthe in my boots and I’m a pirate, too.”

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed autographs, talked to a few TV reporters and tried to ignore the smattering of loud “boos” from the crowd. Inexplicably, his wife Maria Shriver wore a Dolce & Gabbana T-shirt emblazoned with Michelangelo’s David wearing a sequin fig leaf.

Finally, around 8 p.m., a few actors who actually appear in “Pirates” made their way down the press line. Bill Nighy, who plays the octo-pussed Davy Jones, said it was  surreal having to play piano with his face tentacles. Vanessa Branch, who plays the wench Giselle, revealed how much fun she had slapping Depp in all three films.

All three? ...

Photo Credit: Keira Knightley faces what Disney called the longest red carpet in the world.
WireImage/Lester Cohen

Photo Credit:
Johnny Depp signs autographs for fans at the Disneyland premiere of "Pirates."
WireImage/Lester Cohen

Photo Credit: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver walk the  "Pirates" plank.
Wire/Image/Gregg DeGuire

The big question at Thursday night’s LA premiere of "The Devil Wears Prada” was “Where’s Meryl Streep?"

Turns out the Oscar-winning actress - who plays the film’s formidable fashion editor - was at home celebrating her 57th birthday.

That made her "Devil" co-stars Anne Hathaway and Stanley Tucci the biggest celebs at the 12th annual Los Angeles Film Festival’s opening night in Westwood.

Except for Adrian Grenier, who plays Hathaway’s boyfriend in the film. If you’ve been keeping up with the ratings for HBO's "Entourage," Grenier may be the hottest actor in Hollywood. This week.

And there was also a brief but thrilling Nicole Richie moment. Wearing a demure white lace high-necked mini dress, Richie posed for the photographers but then turned and ran down the red carpet to avoid nosy reporters who wanted to ask who designed her dress. She trotted so fast on her peep toe black Jimmy Choos that she dropped her T-Mobile Sidekick in the process. No worries, her faithful assistant picked it up for her.

Since “Devil” is the story of an intern at a fash rag working for a spot-on facsimile of real-life “Vogue" editor Anna “Nuclear” Winter, the flap was mostly about, duh, fashion.

Grenier wore a dark Gucci suit, explaining, “I’m in pre-school when it comes to having fashion sense. I can’t even pronounce designer’s names.” Repeat after me, Goo-Chee.

Tucci was in his fave designer - Hugo Boss - and credited “Devil’ costumer Patricia Fields for helping him “find” his magazine art director character through the clothes she put him in. As you might imagine, it would be very hard to act like a fashion fop if you aren’t dressed like one.

The very sweet Hathaway – who plays the very sweet intern – was hard to miss in a taxi cab yellow Prada bubble dress, talking about how the film “increased my appreciation for fashion as a business.”  Oh dear. Someone needs to go to Sound Bite 101.

Even Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa looked pretty slick in a dark suit with a shiny peach tie. I tried to find out who designed it, but Mr. V said he had “no idea." Yeah, right. Frankly, I think he did know but didn't want to seem too, you know, metro.

The fest’s honorary co-chair Allison Janney wore a short sparkly black Heike Jarick dress that she bought five years ago at Jennifer Nicholson’s shop on Montana. And I was very  impressed that Janney’s publicist, Karen Samfilippo, was wearing cool Prada shoes and even carrying a Prada purse. She fessed up, “The bag was a gift and the shoes were on sale.” Well, I'm still impressed.

“Desperate Housewives”  Andrea Bowen admitted that while she enjoys getting designers clothes to wear for big events, “You don’t have to spend a lot of money to look good.” She really loves Urban Outfitters. Me too. No, really. I bought my 2006 Oscar dress there. Scoff if you will, but it was on sale for $129 and no one laughed at me. Or if they did, I didn’t hear them.

Oh, before I forget, Film Independent's exec director Dawn Hudson looked pretty hot in a black halter top and slacks.

But all Hudson wanted to talk about was the popularity and growth of the darn festival. And she was all hopped up about Saturday’s big Green Day activities starting with a 12:45 p.m. screening of “Who Killed the Electric Car” at the Landmark Regent and ending with a free screening of of “An Inconvenient Truth,” former Vice President Al Gore’s environmental film, at 8 p.m. at the California Plaza downtown. And of course, Al will be there.

Jeez, like the environment is more important than fashion.
   
Photo Credits: Anne Hathaway celebrates with her "Devil" boyfriend, Adrian Grenier at the LAFF opening night.
WireImage/Lester Cohen

Photo Credits. Nicole Richie, doing what she does best, posing at the LAFF opening night premiere of "The Devil Wears Prada."

Two-time Oscar nominee Leslie Caron, most famous for “American in Paris" and “Gigi,” is following in Elton John’s footsteps and cleaning out her closet.

Paris-based Caron, 74, will auction off a portion of her couture collection at Sotheby’s in London on June 26. For more information, go to www.kerrytaylorauctions.com.

Over 60 pieces from Givenchy, Dior, Saint Laurent and other top designers from the ’50s-‘80s will go on the block. Estimated prices:  $570-$5700.

Some - like the tangerine silk Saint Laurent gown she wore to the Cannes Film Festival with Kirk Douglas and the Dior frock she wore to present Steve McQueen with a Henrietta Award (World Film Favorite Actor) at the Golden Globes - also come with photos of Caron in the gowns.

“My sale starts at 4 p.m.,” Caron, said from her Left Bank abode that she shares with her dog, Prunella. “Before me, they’re selling valuable antique textiles. And after me, there are some very special items being auctioned – a dance costume that was worn by ballerina Margot Fonteyn, a pinstriped suit and nightshirt that belonged to Sir Winston Churchill and one of Princess Diana’s cocktail gowns! Isn’t that wonderful? I’m sure that will interest your readers,” Caron added, with unabated "Gigi" spirit.

Caron was a young dancer in Paris when Gene Kelly discovered her. She's had a long career and though she's been off the celeb radar, she still acts occasionally.

She almost got the role of the murdered nun in "The Da Vinci Code.” “They told me I looked too worldly.” And she recently shot an upcoming episode of  “Law and Order – Special Victims Unit,” playing a woman much like Teri Hatcher, who testifies against a man who raped her when she hears he has more victims.

And she’s already met Hollywood’s hottest couple. In March, Caron dined at the Hotel de Crillon with LA painter Don Bacardi and his friends, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. They had invited Bacardi, a friend of Angelina’s mother, to come to France and paint a portrait of the pregnant actress/activist.

“I like them very much,” Caron said. “They’re bright, interested in what’s going on, open to everything, ready to grab everything they can out of life. They’re not wasting a lot of time being movie stars. They’re taking advantage of it to see, listen and learn. Their love affair is obviously not for the benefit of the press; they seem extremely happy and comfortable together.”

There was only one awkward moment, when Leslie innocently asked where the baby would be born.

“They were perfectly mute,” she says. “I wasn’t thinking! They were being stalked everywhere by the paparazzi.”

More on Caron's clothes calls...

Photo Credits: Leslie Caron in Dior by Marc Bohan at the Golden Globes, presenting a Henrietta award to Steve McQueen.
Courtesy of Leslie Caron

Spirits were sky high - literally - at last night's world premiere of “Superman Returns.” 

At the after-party, the cast - Kate Bosworth (Lois Lane), Kevin Spacey, (Lex Luthor) Parker Posey, Frank Langella, James Marsden and that hot new Man of Steel Brandon Routh - were all ecstatic about the raves for the iconic super hero's return to the big screen.

The top secret party location - according to the clever ’Daily Planet’ party pass - was due to concerns that the evil Luthor might crash Sup's party. But the bash turned out to be in an open air venue on the Veteran’s Administration grounds - just a quick limo hop from the nearby Mann Village and  Mann National theatres in Westwood.

Spotted in the family-style crowd: a blonde Roseanne Barr with her son Buck, former small screen Superman Dean Cain, Eva Longoria and her arm candy Tony Parker, Josh Jackson, Shaq O’Neal, Virginia Madsen, SNL stars Chris Kattan, Rachel Dratch and Amy Poehler, “Star Wars’” Mark Hamill, Michelle Trachtenberg, Paul Stanley of Kiss, Anna Paquin and Cuba Gooding, Jr. Everyone, even cast members, brought families, including Routh (pronounced like south), whose real-life mom carefully smoothed her 6’3” inch son’s hair before photogs snapped him arriving at the bash.

But guests had more to do than mingle. Some lined up to be snapped for a souvenir Daily Planet front page. Others snarfed down-home vittles in a cornfield/picnic tables Smallville setting. Many hung out nibbling sushi and cocktails in Luther's disco-like lair lit by laser lights.

A few guests even tried to fly.

That sporadic deafening roar heard through the night came from a 747 engine-sized fan that simulated sky diving for those brave/stupid enough to climb into flight suits and slap on helmets. “Imagine throwing yourself into a tornado,” explained the machine's operator. Um, thanks but no thanks. A far more popular exercise was the strap-in Gyroscope. But most parents only dared let young children leap on trampolines with bungee harnesses around their middles for a fleeting feeling of flight.

Bosworth sought relief from fans and press in a well-guarded celeb section with her on-again beau, Orlando Bloom, who has his own even bigger premiere – “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” premieres on Saturday at Disneyland.

The blonde actress affectionately rubbed Bloom’s back and kissed him languorously. Bloom kept close watch when his girl was pulled away to pose cheek-to-chest with her super onscreen love interest. He even barked a cautionary “Hey!” when Routh squeezed Kate a little closer. No worries, Orlando. Routh’s girlfriend Courtney Ford was watching, too. 

So where’s Superman/Clark Kent been? Seems he flitted off to Krypton to find his family, leaving behind a really annoyed Lois and a worried Mom.

In reality, he was trapped in Hollywood Development Hell for a decade until 2004, when “X-Men” director Bryan Singer signed on and made his vision: a more human – and sexually active – superhero who returns to earth to find that his true love has a five-year-old son and is involved with another man. Oh, and that his nemesis Luthor is out of jail and taking over the world again. Man, that guy just never gives up.

Routh handled it all - the long press line and the onslaught of congrats and photo requests at the party - like a pro. But he’s gotta feel like he’s landed on another planet. The unknown actor explained that he's gone from wearing Superman pajamas as a kid and dressing up like Superman for Halloween in 2004 to landing this lead role a year later.

But his onscreen mom – Eva Marie Saint – wasn’t worried about Routh getting warped by overnight fame. “Brandon will be just fine. He’s very grounded and disciplined,” said Saint. “He’s a good Midwestern boy – born in Iowa - and he has a firm foundation and values.”

But she did have one beef with the actor. No flight lessons.

“I didn’t get to fly once,” Saint complained. “I’ve told the producers that I’m not doing the next movie unless I get to fly. Superman should take his mom flying at least once!”

Photo Credits: Kate Bosworth cuddles close with her Pirate beau Orlando Bloom at the "Superman Returns" post party.
WireImage/Eric Charbonneau

Photo Credits: Brandon Routh gets cozy  with Kate, who plays his on-screen love, Lois Lane.  Better watch out, Orlando. After all, the dude is Superman.
WireImage/Eric Charbonneau

Here's  the latest info on the Cirque du Soleil Beatles 'Love' premiere next Friday in Las Vegas.

We already got Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, his wife Barbara, Yoko Ono, Olivia Harrison, Dhani Harrison, Sean and Julian Lennon inked in. And no, Heather Mills-McCartney is most definitely not on the list. She's really busy filing suits against publications who printed stories about her early modeling career work in a very helpful German sex instruction manual. 

But more interesting Beatle fan's names have just been added to the list: former Beatle producer Sir George Martin, John Lennon's first wife, Cynthia Lennon, Siegfried and Roy, Megan Mullally, Eddie Murphy, Virginia Madsen, Elisha Cuthbert, Brian Wilson, Roberta Flack, Kevin Nealon, Wayne Brady, David LaChapelle, Paul Reiser, Eric Idle, Sheila E,  "Soprano's" star and E Street Band member Steven Van Zandt, Edgar Winter, Dave Stewart, David Foster, Jason Patric and... Corey Feldman!

C'mon, "The Goonies" in '85? "The Lost Boys" in 87? How could you forget Corey Feldman?!?! Man, this is gonna be some amazing night. Corey Feldman. Wow. Somebody pinch me.

Photo Credits: '80s child star Corey Feldman is on the list to Meet the Beatles in Vegas next week. But here he is posing with an even bigger... formerly famous star Sally Kirkland at the 4th annual Indie Producers Awards afterparty in May 2005.
WireImage/Michael Bezjian

New mom Brooke Shields recently showed up - with her husband Chris Henchy - at the Georg Jensen bash at the Chateau Marmont.

And she looked surprisingly trim in a snug leopard print frock, espcially considering it's only been two months since she gave birth to her second daughter.

Ironically, she popped the very same day (April 18) as Katie Holmes, who's been kinda been hiding under a rock of late. And I'm not gonna touch the 'Where's Suri' controversy again.

Hey, maybe Brook can give Katie some post-partum diet n' fitness tips. I'm sure Tom Cruise wouldn't mind. Ya think?

Jensen - a Scandinavian luxury company best known for heritage silverware - has opened a store on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Hence the bash, where some of Jensen’s sleek new jewelry and watch designs ($300-$350,000) were on prominent display in a poolside bungalow.

The event, which benefitted P.S. Arts, which supports arts eduction in schools, drew a pretty decent crowd including Aaron Sorkin's wife Julia Sorkin, Joely Fisher, Tatiana Von Furstenberg, Dita Von Teese, Rebecca De Mornay, LA designer Madga Berliner and her photog hubby Alec Berliner, Donovan Leitch, his model wife Kirsty Hume and Italian designer Margherita Missoni.

Even super stylist Rachel Zoe showed up in her finest vintage Halston. ”I love what P.S. Arts is doing,” Zoe explained. "They do amazing work so anytime they ask me to do anything, I’m happy to help. I work in such a superficial world that it’s nice to something that really matters.”

But Jensen execs wanted guests to check out their fabulously superficial jewelry. Larry Barkley of Jensen explained, “We wanted to bring Georg Jensen to the attention of hip Hollywood.”

With a champagne-flooded Chateau Marmont pool party? Hey, mission accomplished. And here's an inside tip: watch for Jensen's jewelry on the carpets next awards season. Some of those necklaces would look ab fab with a vintage Halston or Yves Saint Laurent gown, right Rachel?

Photo Credits: Hey, Katie, check it out. Brooke Shields is already back to fine form. Go ahead, give her a call and get some post-partum diet tips. Don't tell Tom.
WireImage/Donato Sardella

Well, now we know.

Here's why Eva Longoria, from the award-winning show "Desperate Housewives," was in such a mad rush to get her hair done Tuesday evening at Jordan's Enchanted Cottage in West Hollywood.

She was headed straight to the T-Mobile Sidekick 3 party held later that night at the Hollywood Palladium.

The place was packed with the usual celeb suspects such as the Backstreet Boys, LA club empresario Brent Bolthouse, Donovan Leitch, Serena Williams, Jaime King, Rachel Bilson, "Crash" director Paul Haggis, Taryn Manning, Amanda Bynes, Haylie and Hilary Duff, Jessica Simpson, Mischa Barton with beau Cisco Adler, whew, and those still  battling ex-BFs Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton.   

And in case you were wondering, yes, all the attending celebs got a free Sidekick 3 for their time and trouble. 

Richie was spotted inside flailing her pipe cleaner arms while dancing with Mario Lopez. With her new long blonde hair extensions, she really does look like a Paris Hilton clone. But she's getting so darn emaciated that we're gonna start calling her Auschwitz Hilton.

Meanwhile, Paris has cleverly figured out a way to really stand out at parties. Bring brunette friends! She spent most of the night posing and partying with her new bookend brunette sidekicks, Caroline D'Amore and Kim Kardashian.

Photo Credits: Jessica Simpson and Eva Longoria put their perfectly coiffed heads together to figure out the new T-Mobile Sidekick 3. Good luck, girls.
WireImage/Gregg DeGuire

Photo Credits: Whoa, watch where you wave those buggy whips, little lady. You could poke someone's eye out! Nicole Richie shows off her moves with Mario Lopez at the T-Mobile Sidekick 3 bash.
WireImage/Chris Weeks
 

Listen! It's the screech of brakes and the sound of metal colliding on Robertson Blvd, that super-chic West Hollywood shopping street.

That must mean Lindsay Lohan or Paris Hilton is behind the wheel and in the hood again.

But no. This time it was Eva Longoria's assistant who, according to eye witnesses, had a minor fender bender around 6:30 outside Jordan's Enchanted Cottage.

The hair salon is a cozy, low-key spot frequented by the Simpson sisters and that snooty style sniper Steven Cojocaru, for whatever that's worth.

The assistant reportedly took off after the bumper car routine but Eva ran inside so as not to be late for her scheduled haircut/blowout/color/whatever.

Instantly, the blinds were discreetly dropped to ensure the Desperate Housewife's privacy from the dozens of paparazzi outside, busy snapping anything that moved.

We can't wait to see Longoria's new do! And to read the police report.

Photo Credits: Eva Longoria - seen here at the Cannes Film Fest's closing ceremony - had a crashing good time Tuesday evening on the way to her hair appointment at Jordan's Enchanted Cottage in West Hollywood. 
WireImage/Tony Barson

Get ready to meet the Beatles. In Vegas!

We're hearing that Richard Starkey, aka Ringo Starr, his wife Barbara Bach-Starkey, John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono, their kids Julian and Sean Lennon, George Harrison's widow Olivia Harrison and his son Dhani Harrison will attend the big blow-out premiere of Love, the new Cirque du Soleil's Beatles tribute next Friday in Las Vegas.

And oh yeah, Paul McCartney will also be there to catch the early show and hit the afterparty. But he's definitely NOT bringing you-know-who.

Photo Credits: Ringo and Barbara - seen here at the Concert for Bangladesh Revisited gala - will be doing Vegas next weekend.
WireImage/Lester Cohen

It’s been two months or so since the birth of Suri, the first child for the still-unmarried Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.

But no one has seen her photo. Not a single sneaky long-lens paparazzi shot, not a blurry cell phone snap, not even a pencil sketch. Nothing.

Cruise's camp insists the parents don’t want to exploit the child.

Right. And that's why non-exploitative Tom dragged Katie to every possible photo-op during their brief, whirlwind public courtship.

There were some pretty wild theories  floating around when Holmes' immaculate conception, sorry, pregnancy, was first announced. The turkey baster with the frozen sperm of L. Ron Hubbard was one of my personal faves. But thanks to this ongoing baby photo embargo – highly unusual in Hollywood circles - there are now rampant rumors that there might not be a baby at all.

Oh, sure, you’re thinking. What about all that tonnage Katie packed on? You've got a point. In that last month, she looked more like an over-inflated Thanksgiving Day Parade float than a pregnant gal.

Well, don't be surprised to hear that there are some who suspect that poor brain-scrubbed Katie wasn't pregnant at all. She used a pillow in the early months and then was hog-tied and force fed, like one of those poor fois gras geese with a funnel stuck down their throat.

Some even say that the reason why the baby  has not been seen is that Cruise's Camp is still working out a deal to buy the perfect child - dark hair, light eyes - that will closely resemble the purchasing parents.

I prefer to think that Suri is real. And real camera-shy. And that's okay. But you better suck it up, kid. Brad and Angelina’s first genetic spawn is already posing for magazine covers and making millions for international children’s charities. Pretty soon Daddy Dearest’s church is going to expect you to start contributing to their coffers.

So start saying cheese crackers!

Photo Credits: Tom Cruise at the May 4th "Mission: Impossible 3" fan screening with Katie Holmes, just days after she gave birth. Or did she? Maybe she's not at home dropping all that baby weight. Maybe she's secretly undergoing sessions of liposuction with Tom's home machine. That big shiny one right next to the ultrasound machine.
WireImage/Steve Granitz

Breaking News: Brittany Murphy got a job!

And it's not waiting tables!

Miss Murphy is in New York today doing publicity for her new gig, being the voice of the fierce fairy Tinker Bell in the new Walt Disney made-for-DVD animated children's movie.

So what? No, you don't understand. This is historic. It's the first time in film history that Tink has ever had a voice!

It's also historic for Brittany. Frankly, we were really getting worried about the squeaky-voiced young actress.

After losing her agent, manager and publicist in one fell swoop last year - and if you want to go back further, her "Just Married" co-star beau Ashton Kutcher to the ancient evil kabbalah-ist Demi Moore - Murphy just vanished.

Then poof, like magic, Miss Britt, 28,  began popping up at award season parties looking over-made up and under-dressed in that sad, desperate "please photograph me so producers will think I'm still a box office draw"" kinda way.

But it turns out Murphy is very well qualified to speak for Tink. She also does the voice of Luanne Platter in Fox's "King of the Hill," and even won an Annie Award for it.

Whatever that is.

Photo Credits: Wow. It's obvious from Brittany Murphy's skin-tight pink satin dress and seductive pout that our beloved pixie has um, grown up. We do believe in fairies! We do, we do, we do!
WireImage/Jemal Countess

Okay, so "Deadwood" is on life support and even if the show wins a dozen awards at the Emmys on Aug 27, the 2007 truncated fourth season (two two-hour episodes) will be the show's death rattle.

But for loyal "Deadwood" fans already experiencing the four stages of grief - denial, anger, cancelling HBO subscriptions, acceptance - is there any hope for a "Deadwood" feature film?

HBO Films pres Colin Callender was his usual raised-eyebrow-sly-smile self on that topic. But he did leak a clue about "Deadwood" creator/writer David Milch's new HBO pilot project, "John from Cincinnati."

"Soon you'll have alien surfers," Callender consoled.

Wait, aliens? "Cincinnati" has previously been described as a 'drama set in Southern California's surfing community,' a 'surf noir' tale, and by Milch himself as being 'pretty strange.' Now there are aliens? And will any of them curse with the proclivity of Al Swearengen? Your guess is as bad as mine.

So... has the earlier Emmy date affected HBO?

"Yes, it affected my vacation," Callender joked. But he was serious. He'd just changed his flight to Hawaii to leave a day later.

Wise move. Under Callender's command, HBO has earned 39 Emmy Awards so it's good odds there will be more this year. And despite the aliens in HBO's future, Callender will receive the Kieser Award for his humanizing HBO projects at the annual Humanitas luncheon on June 28.

Photo Credits: HBO Films pres Colin Callender celebrates with "The Life and Death of Peters Sellers" Emmy nominee Charlize Theron at the HBO 2005 Emmy after-party. 
WireImage/Eric Charbonneau

Welcome to the first installment of Creepy Hollywood Close-Ups: a behind-the-scenes peek at some of Hollyweird's' scariest celebrities.

Be afraid, be very afraid....

Okay, is it just us or does Jeff (yes, Laura Dern left me for Billy Bob Thornton) Goldblum not look like he's about to suck the juicy marrow out of Alicia Silverstone's bones and fondle the "Clueless" cutie's still-beating heart with his long tapered fingers?

Run, Alicia, run!

And doesn't Bobby Darin, er, Kevin (hey, kid, wanna see both my Oscars?) Spacey look like he'd like to invite "Sixth Sense" child prodigy Haley Joel (I see dead acting careers) Osment over for a private screening?

Photo Credits: Jeff "The Fly" Goldblum lures Alicia Silverstone into his sticky web at the Triggerstreet.com party.
WireImage/Jesse Grant

Photo Credits: Kevin Spacey hugs it out with former child star Haley Joel Osment - now all growed up and h.o.t. - at the Triggerstreet.com bash.
WireImage/Jesse Grant

You’re probably wondering how “Lost’ hottie Evangeline Lilly became the new face of Michelle K footwear.

No? Well, even if you aren’t, you’re gonna find out if you keep reading this blather….

“One day, I was walking down the street and I tripped and fell on the sidewalk and when I looked up there were these cool shoes in front of me,” Lilly explained at a cocktail party at Kitson in West Hollywood. “Michelle (Kelchak) was wearing them! So I said, ‘Those shoes are amazing and she introduced herself and told me that she designed them. And that’s how it all started.”

Wow. Seriously? “No, it’s a lie,” Lilly said, flashing one of those adorable shit-eatin’ Kate grins she usually reserves for Sawyer, I mean, Josh Holloway.

Anyway, the “Lost” lassie finally ‘fessed up that becoming the Michelle K footwear girl was all very business-like. Their people called her people, etc. But she really does dig Michelle’s sporty sneakers, sandals and wedges. “I like shoes and clothes that have a bit of boy to them. Michelle’s designs are like that. Very sexy but with a guy edge.”

Kitson - known as Ground Zero for El-Lay Star Shopping Frenzies - was splattered with huge posters of Lilly’s shoe ads that will break in September in glossies like Vogue, Elle, In Style, People and Us Weeky. Lilly's "Lost" co-star Harold Perrineau even stopped by the footwear fete to give his pal some arch support.

Both seemed to be enjoying the all-too brief hiatus from the Emmy-, SAG- and Globe-winning series. “I’ve been in LA for a while doing Michelle’s ads and some press," Lilly said. "Next I’m going to visit family and hopefully fit in a real vacation. But I have to be back in Oahu Aug. 5 for the new season, so there‘s not much time.”

Any particular private get-away in mind?

“I don’t know,” she commiserated. “I mean, where can I go? The show is everywhere now! I was in South Africa last summer and got recognized in a mall! Maybe I’ll try Mongolia. Or Timbuktu. That might do it.”

Not if they’ve got satellite TV and TiVo.

Photo Credits: "Lost" stars Evangeline Lilly and Harold Perrineau and designer Michelle Kelchek step out to celebrate Lilly's lucrative footwear contract with Michelle K.
WireImage/John Sciulli

This just in:

The release date for Warner Bros.' controversial new movie, "The Blood Diamond" - the film that has the international diamond corporation De Beers so nervous they've already enlisted Nelson Mandela to defend their industry - has been changed from Jan 2007 to December 15,  2006.

Coincidentally, just in time for that big diamond Christmas shopping season!

Merciful St. Laurent! The Emmy Awards may not be so stylish this year.

Hollywood’s top tastemaker Rachel Zoe – who styles practically every fashion-forward young actress  – may not be available to dress her girls for the 2006 Emmy awards.   

“I just heard the Emmys are in late August this year and that's gonna conflict with the Venice Film Festival,” the super chic stylist told me at the Helio launch party at the Madison boutique in WeHo Thursday. "When are the nominations announced? "

I wasn't sure so I checked. Nominations are released July 6. And the Emmy show is aired live on Aug 27. The 63rd annual Venice International Film Fest is Aug 30-Sept 9. And this year the fest will host the premiere of Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,”  in case you care.

But Zoe's right, the Emmy/Venice timing will be very, very tight.

So which one of her gorgeous girls is going? That's still a secret. The Venice Fest's official lineup won't be announced for a few weeks.  But how about a guessing game: Could it be Zoe's super-hot girl Mischa Barton? The former "O.C." starlet is anxious to carve out a film career. She even mixed and mingled at Thursday's bash for Kevin Spacey's Triggerstreet.com launch.

And her first big film “Angels and Virgins” with Anakin, sorry, Hayden Christensen, was shot in the Florentine hills so its got a distinct Eye-talian flavor. But it isn’t skedded to open until Jan 2007.

More likely it will be Zoe's other big clothing consumer, Lindsay Lohan.

Lohan's new film “Bobby,” about the assassination of Bobby Kennedy, will release in November 2006. Or there’s her other controversial assassination film, “Chapter 27,” about Mark David Chapman, John Lennon's killer, tentatively skedded for release in 2007.

BTW, "27" is best known for starring Cameron Diaz's ex, Jared Leto, who also dated Lohan for a while. Still with us? Leto porked up about 70 lbs to play Chapman. But he’s reportedly slimming down.

Wonder if his workout program includes strenuous rounds of tonsil-hockey, tongue-wrestling and making-the beast-with-two backs with Jessica Simpson. Leto's been spotted with the newly single Simpson at three different clubs in New York and LA this month.

Hey, in Hollywood, that’s how people date. They meet up at clubs, flirt and make out, then leave separately. Naturally, Simpson’s rep staunchly denies they’re an item because, well, that’s what reps are paid to do.

Photo Credits: Hey, isn't Haley Joel Osment a little young for Mischa Barton, who was pressing the flesh at Kevin Spacey's Triggerstreet.com party in Hollywood on June 16.
WireImage/Jesse Grant

Photo Credits: Venice, anyone? Lindsay Lohan makes an Italian connection with Armani Exchange prez Harlan Bratcher in New York on June 16
WireImage/Jemal Countess

Long lines of fans who had flown and/or driven from all over the US waited outside the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences Thursday in hopes of getting last minute tickets to the sold-out tribute to legendary actress Olivia de Havilland.

A security guard marveled, “It's wild. Some of these people have been here waiting since 7 this morning." 

Academy film historian/author Robert Osbourne and Samuel Goldwyn Jr. took part in the evening of clips and conversation honoring de Havilland's contributions to Hollywood history in films such as “Captain Blood” with Errol Flynn, “The Snake Pit,” “The Heiress,” and of course, “Gone With the Wind.”

The Oscar-winning actress, who lives in Paris, is the only surviving member of the four GWTW leads that included Clark Gable, Vivienne Leigh and Leslie Howard.

de Havilland, who turns 90 in July, looked elegant in a white satin suit with pearls. Prior to the reception, she sat for a few TV interviews and chatted with Variety’s Bill Higgins.

Higgins asked what it was like working with luminary authors F. Scott Fitzgerald and William Faulkner, who were screenwriters in her heyday. de Havilland caused his jaw to drop when she recalled the time she asked Fitzgerald to change a scene he’d written and saw Faulkner waiting in a line to pick up a paycheck along with assorted grips, cameramen and stage hands.

Gentleman Higgins extended his hand to help de Havilland up from her chair at the interview’s end. The actress graciously accepted his hand and rose, thanking him. But she added, “You know, I really don’t need help getting up,” and promptly sat back down, then rose to her feet in a flash, demonstrating remarkable agility.

You go, old girl!

Photo Credits: David Ladd and Samuel Goldwyn Jr. escort Olivia de Havilland at the AMPAS sold out tribute to the beloved "Gone with the Wind" actress. Hey, she'll always be Melanie to us.
WireImage/Maury Phillips

My name is Robert Downey Jr. and I’m a germophobic.

According to an observer in the first class cabin on a recent American Airlines flight from Miami to LAX, the Downster may have kicked his drug/booze addiction, but he’s now powerless over germs and his life has become unsanitary.

Downey - who will play manic depressive poet/author Edgar Allen Poe in the upcoming "Poe," kept a big bottle of hand sanitizer on his tray table during the whole flight. And he used it after anyone came up to him to tell him how much they admired him, shake his hand, get an autograph signed or take a photo with him.

Kinda gives a whole new twist to the phrase "clean and sober," don't it?

"Poe," by the way, will be directed by Sylvester Stallone. And yes, I'm serious.

The Oscar nominated actor ("Chaplin") also kept his jacket draped over his seat so that his skin never touched the fabric of the plane seat, which had been previously sat on by oh, lord knows how many unclean passengers. Brrr, we simply shudder to think.

Downey, who said he had been “looking at property” in Miami, snuck into the flight attendants hold during the flight to eat a sandwich.

What, he doesn’t want to be watched while he eats? Germs are one thing. But that’s just weird.

Photo Credits: Dapper neat-freak Robert Downey Jr. with another well-adjusted actor, Keanu Reeves, at the Cannes premiere of their film, "A Scanner Darkly," a paranoid futuristic thriller.
WireImage/Daniele Venturelli