MAY 1991

In between music videos and late night movies, the troops come home. In between stories of a civil war in Iraq and police brutality here at home, another family is reunited. I had a feeling there would be a lot of celebration, but I never felt it would be so overblown. It’s gotten out of hand. I mean how many times can we see this before we go completely numb. Meanwhile there are several hundred thousand men and women still over there. I’m afraid that experiencing this media loop leaves me as detached as seeing violent crimes rerun morning, noon and night. The home video of LA Police beating Rodney King was initially horrifying until it was played over and over. There should be a quota on how often certain stories can be replayed so they don’t lose their impact. If media is the power of this age than programming is everything.

During this month, Johnny Spain, former Black Panther and his wife, photographer Elisabeth Sunday, came by to visit me. They are an incredible couple. An inspired team. I remember talking about soul mates with Elisabeth several years ago and she telling me that she knew hers existed but the present had not caught up with the future. She met Johnny a few weeks later. Known as one of the so-called “San Quentin Six,” Johnny had just been released from prison after 22 years. I suppose some soul mates are sometimes former cellmates. Johnny read some of h is writings from solitary confinement at our Tuesday night Poetry In Motion series. A totally transformed man, Johnny Spain’s story is a healing. Oliver Stone is going to direct a film about Johnny’s life.

What is Glenn Close up to? I saw her twice last week having power lunches at the Daily Grill. First with Laura Dern and James Brooks, then with Woody Harrelson and various agency suites. Matthew Broderick and Helen Hunt were chowing down with Bruno Kirby. The staff says Bruno comes in two to three times a week. One Sunday night Terri Garr, Susan Dey, James Wood, Gena Rowlands were in, but not together. Bette Midler, Spohie and Martin eat there a lot, together. Forget Spago’s for spotting stars.

I went to the 1,000 episode of The Bold and the Beautiful party out in Malibu. Great food and a great view. The executive producers Bill and Lee Bell created this soap opera and the very successful, The Young and the Restless. Their daughter, Laurlee (a perfect soap opera name) acts in the show and their sons, Bill Jr. heads business affairs and Bradley writes for the show. It feels real Mid-West even though they live like Beverly Hills royalty. Sorta like the life you see on a soap opera.

There was a big bash for Stanley Kramer at Roxbury, which also held an Oscar party. Kramer who has had 85 nominations and won 16 Academy Awards was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Foundation for The Performing Arts. Some of his great films include: The Wild Ones, It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, On the Beach, Ship of Fools, Inherit the Wind, Champion, High Noon. Get the picture. This guy’s one of Hollywood’s great filmmakers. President and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford presented the award and Marine Guards played. Milton Berle kept everyone entertained for hours.

Oscar night was a blast. I usually watch with friends at home and we just cut up the competition. But this year I dressed up and hit Sunset Boulevard with its lines of limousines and crowds of fans. There were four parties. No way I could get in to Swifty’s party at Spago’s, but I did go back to Roxbury, where Eli Samaha looked real proud of this first Oscar Party. Sitting by the “Boys” room I met a man who knew Sylvester Stallones’ mother and had lots of pictures of him and her. I was seated up on the main dance floor for dinner and viewing where I rubbed shoulders with: Mario Van Peeples, Richard Grieco, Sally Kirkland, Raul Julia, Edward James Olmos, Patrick Dempsey, Beau and Lloyd Bridges, Drew Barrymore, Gregory Peck, Maximillian Schell, Cyd Charise, Ester Williams, Charles Durning, Bea Arthur, Estelle Getty, Tyne Daly, Lynn Redgrave, Delta Burke and Gerald McRaney. Joni Mitchell hung out in the jazz club downstairs while upstairs Stephen Stills, Mickey Dolenz and Krystine Haje chattered by the bar. In front of the big screen Jayne Meadows, Steve Allen, Milton Berle, Fred Travalena, and Martin Landau watched the proceedings while U.S. Marines, invited as special guests mingled in formal dress. Also on hand: Herbie Hancock, Connie Francis, Gene Simmons, Lorna Luft, Stephen Bishop, Buddy Ebsen, David Hasselhoff, Beverly Johnson; and finally Connie Stevens, Shadow Stevens and Stella Stevens.

The Academy Awards is also an important anniversary for me. I stopped smoking 6 years ago on this night, and promised myself that I wouldn’t smoke again until I win an Oscar and then only one smoke, a big cigar. Or if I had a baby boy. Well I didn’t win, yet, but I did have a cigar! Next month I may take Benjamin Ethan Brandstein out about town with me. Till then I’m grateful for the rain, the end of the war, that Dances With Wolves won best picture and the miracle of life.