Shirley Temple Black took an accidental spill in the bathroom of her home in Woodside, Calif. last week and fractured her right wrist and arm. She said she's in a cast from her fingers to the elbow.

I had phoned her to discuss a new book I'd just received, "Shirley Temple, A Pictorial History of the World's Greatest Child Star" (Applause) by Rita Dubas. The coffee-table-sized, 250-page book is an amazing, pictorial history of her childhood and her films -- to the age of 12.

Shirley said she had not received a copy -- adding that she had not even known about the book. However, she said she knows the author, Dubas as "my number one fan -- along with one in Amsterdam." And while Shirley has (and had) no participation in the book, she told me, "I'm glad she (Dubas) did it."

The Shirley Temple fans span the ages and generations with the DVD releases of her classics and the Shirley Temple doll collection which continues with other memorabilia collected by the ever-increasing, ageless ranks of fans.

Until her accident, Temple had been writing the second installment of her autobiography. The first was "Child Star," The current one is, as yet, untitled -- or, at least she did not want to reveal the title until it is finished and in the hands of the publisher (to be set).

It starts in Prague in 1968 where she had been our ambassador to the Czech Republic, having previously served in that capacity as well in Ghana, and previously a delegate to the 24th U.N. General Assembly. And earlier, chief of protocol at the White House.

This year, SAG awarded her its Lifetime Achievement award. The bungalow which was her dressing room/school on the 20th Century-Fox lot where she made her historic films, was dedicated as a child care center building in 2002. A life-sized bronze statue (by Nijel Binnis) of Shirley in the classic "Baby Take a Bow" pose was unveiled. It was Shirley's first starring role -- as the age of six. Rupert Murdoch officiated.

Everyone wants to sit at a conversation-creating table at industry bashes -- someone to bash during the long evening. 

So how about this table at Barbara Davis' Carousel of Hope honoring Quincy Jones and Clive Davis last Saturday night: Jackie Collins, Barbara Sinatra, Veronique Peck, Police Chief Bill Bratton and wife Rikki Kleiman and the Sumner Redstones. But, Sumner said he expected to be sitting with the Larry Kings and told Barbara Davis he was leaving. Barbara, unfazed, told him to go ahead and leave -- adding, "You are very rude."

Ah yes, the table then had plenty to talk about -- and so did the guests at Nikki Haskell's Sunday luncheon honoring Barbara Davis and Clive Davis (no relation). They included  restaurateurs Michael and Eva Chow, Wolfgang Puck and Gelila Assefa (expecting their second son in December), Brett Ratner, David Niven, Jr., the George Schlatters, Jacqueline Bissett, Linda Foster, Diane Warren and the Freddie Fields.

"Celebrity allows us to shed a light on those who need it," Quincy Jones modestly said when he was honored, along with Clive Davis, at the Carousel of Hope Ball, Saturday night. Barbara Davis once again transformed the Beverly Hilton Hotel into a glamorous venue to raise another $4 million for the Children's Diabetes Foundation. Over the years, Hope Ball has raised over $70 million. The event started at 6:30 p.m. with the silent auction spreading over the rooms adjoining the international ballroom. Tables ex-tended all the way to the entrance doors. They even boasted tablecloths and napkins designed and do-nated by Missoni, adding to the glamour of the night. Barbara Davis, who never gave a sign she is still recouping from an auto accident, emphasized the night's purpose -- to cure the disease through research, including stem cell. She received a heart-felt standing ovation after a dramatic introduction by Sidney Poitier.

Jay Leno, again the master emcee, made it all seem so easy. He is super-generous with his talents for charity. The night before, he had hosted an Autism benefit in Las Vegas and said he has already agreed to host Bill Austin's So the World May Hear gala, June 23 in St. Paul. Austin was on hand for Barbara, Saturday night. On Sunday, he and wife Tami flew to Turkey, Africa, Panama and other points to create hearing for 25,000 underprivileged children-- by March, 2007. Leno interspersed his comedy reper-toire with "Tonight Show" clips in which no one -- the President, of course -- and nothing was spared his razor-sharp observations, wit and wisdom. Whatta joy he is.

The show's participants included  Halle Berry, Jennifer Hudson, David Foster, a musical director who  brought on Baby Face, and Katharine McPhee, to name a few. Usher performed "Razzle-Dazzle" from "Chicago" and was backed with 10 equally-terrif dancers flown out from N.Y. Sharon Stone, in a glowing, pewter-colored décolletage gown, gave the Brass Ring Award intro to Quincy Jones, enumerating all that "Q" stands for. He said children worldwide are his raison d'etre. He's proven it in his global treks for them. 

It was then Barry Manilow's turn to introduce, in song, his lifelong friend Clive Davis, another recipient f the Brass Ring Award. Davis interrupted his acceptance remarks to announce the presence of Whitney Houston, whom he called, "The best singer in the world today." She received an ovation. Davis told of the reunion with Manilow on the (Arista) album, "The Greatest Songs of the Sixties," in stores on Oct.31. Barry proceeded to sing some of them to everyone's delight. Everyone agreed, "What the World Needs Now Is Love."

The pleasure-packed show was produced by George Schlatter. He'd returned from producing a 10th anni show for the Mohegan Sun. It included a 40th anniversary of "Laugh-In" with the original cast on hand. The show's announcer, Gary Owens, was at our Carousel Ball table and regaled us with some of the memories. Also added joy to our table was: Joan Van Ark and husband John Marshll, Marilu Henner and hubby, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Vanna White and her fiancé. 

Mercedes-Benz was a sponsor-of the evening, and donated a $195,000 item in the live auction portion of the generous night.         

Sharon Stone cold soberly brought the audience up to a dramatic silence. She had just rocked the SRO Beverly Wilshire ballroom lunch bunch Thursday noon with jokes about their "vampire"-like antics. The 650 ladies (plus a very few of us men, there with our wives) had been scavenging over 400 celeb-donated purses in the silent auction benefiting the Lupus Research Institute. The event was the fourth "Hollywood Bag Ladies."

Sharon was about to start her role as glamour auctioneer -- "It's my 16th or 18th time," she noted, having done ditto duties funding-raising for AIDS, Cancer etc. She cut the comedy and, after catching her breath (and a tear?) revealed that her sister, Kelly has Lupus. She returned to the business at hand -- auctioneering. Dressed in a form-hugging black-sleeved dress with wide-buckled belt, she sashayed back and forth across the stage asking bidders, "Do I hear -- more --" as she raised the take on each item.

Nicky Hilton joined in the spirit of the event, removed her own necklace and handed it to Stone who added two more thousands to the take. The SRO event honored the well-loved Carrie Brillstein for her tireless efforts over the years for Lupus research. Husband Bernie Brillstein made the presentation to her following a touching video-bio screening. The event rose over $400,000.

Among the celebrities who contributed their bags (purses) which overflowed in the hotel ballroom's reception area for the silent auction: Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Julianna Margulies, Laura Linney, Tina Fey, Elizabeth Taylor and Sharon herself who donated 70 of her own prized purses.

Stone described the frantic pawing for purses as "like Saturday night as the bar is closing." She thought the event was "for old bags -- and I'm not even in menopause yet! Although I sleep in flannel pajamas because I'm single."

Steve Edwards was the generous m.c./host.

Pianist Roger Williams, will set a new piano marathon by performing for 14 hours -- 8 a.m.- 10 p.m. Nov.17 at Fashion Show in Las Vegas.

Williams, 82, will be playing in the common area near the lower level entrances to Neiman Marcus and Macy's.  He says his marathon "is to grab the public's attention to the lack of funding for the arts, especially music education. We've expelled music from the classroom and I'm on a crusade to get it reinstated. I'll have no program planned. I'm just going to take requests from people who stop by -- and we'll have a lot of fun," he adds.

I'd suggest these tunes -- "As Time Goes By." "Time on My Hands" and as a finale, "It's Time to Say Goodbye." Any other timely suggestions? For the record -- he has 18 gold and platinum albums, and is the only artist to have been given the Steinway Lifetime Achievement Award.

"Horton Hears a Who" will be hearing Carol Burnett. She is joining Jim Carrey and Steve Carell in a new CG feature from 20th Century Fox Animation.

In the film version of Ted Geisel's, "Dr. Seuss'" book, Carol will voice the role of Kangaroo. Carrey, who previously played the title role in the film version of Dr. Seuss' "The Grinch" ("How the Grinch Stole Christmas"), is now the voice of the immortal Horton, the elephant. Carell voices the Mayor of Who-ville.

Carol's previous outing as a film voice in an animated film was in "The Trumpet of the Swan" in 2001. She costarred with Jason Alexander, Mary Steenburgen and Reese Witherspoon. Lately, Carol has been on a Q&A tour raising funds for the Carrie Hamilton (her late daughter) Theater at the Pasadena Playhouse.

You ain't seen nothing yet. It was recently announced that Angela Lansbury would return to Broadway, May 6, 2007, to costar with Marian Seldes in "Deuce." But that's only part of her return to N.Y.

She's bought an apartment in the city while also keeping her home in Brentwood -- where her family also resides. She'll appear Nov.5 for The Acting Company at the Schoenfeld Theater in the works of Dorothy Parker, with Harriet Harris and Lisa Baines. And on Nov.13, she sings in "Gershwin Night" at Jazz at The Lincoln Center .The song she's chosen is "A Foggy Day in London Town," on which she auditioned for the show, "Anyone Can Whistle."

As for television -- where Angela starred for 12 years in "Murder She Wrote, she observes, "Television is a thing of the (my) past." As for the stage, she says, "You've got to go back to your roots."

The sweet scent of an Oscar nomination mingled with that of the lavish hors d'oeuvres at Morton's Tuesday night when Paramount pulled out all the stops to toast Oliver Stone.

On Monday night, Stone won the Hollywood Film Fest's Best Director Award for "World Trade Center." A very relaxed Stone arrived at the restaurant with his wife Chong and warmly mingled, receiving congrats from the roomful of guests.

Par's Brad Grey proudly introduced Stone and noted that the film was the first of his new regime. He recalled when Oliver first arrived in his office, said he wanted to do the film -- it was greenlighted pronto and has now passed the $150 million mark. Stone thanked his filmmaking team and Scott Strauss, N.Y. Emergency Special Unit who rescued Will Jimeno.

A classy touch to the cocktail'er was the piano performance by Craig Armstrong, "World Trade Center" composer who played the piano and cello themes from the film.

Nicolas Cage, who just returned from filming "Bangkok Dangerous," huddled with Stone, costar Michael Pena and James Woods who starred for Stone in "El Salvador."

I talked with Stone on the lingering memories of the World Trade Center and the recent horrible news that additional remains from 9/11 had been unearthed. As for Stone's future film, he said of "Jawbreaker," also at Paramount, "I'm still "working on it."

Politics and the world's condition were also topics of talk at this party. Among the parleying participants, Gore Vidal, Bill Maher and Stanley Sheinbaum. Vidal, onetime Congressional candidate, said he'd been touring the state campaigning and heads out to Texas to continue on the national scene. His new book is "Point to Point Navigation" -- he knows the political waters -- as well as those in the Atlantic where he served aboard an Army transport in WWII. Bill Maher said he's not writing another book-until after the next elections. "I'll let it (the book) lie farrow for a while," he smiled.

Dominick Dunne is taking a leave of absence from his column in Vanity Fair for three months. He says he needs to devote the time exclusively to completing his novel, "A Solo Act" for Crown. "I'm gung ho and going great on the book," he said enthusiastically, "and I need to devote the time to it alone." The setting of "Solo" is 15 years after his last book, "People Like Us."

Dunne, who will be 81 on Oct.29, was birthday partied with 16 friends in the wine cellar of "21" on Monday night by host John Coleman.

"They're expecting big things," Art Buchwald enthusiastically reports of Random House, publisher of his "Too Soon to Say Goodbye." The book is out Nov.7. It contains eulogies to Buchwald from his closest friends, Ben Bradlee, Tom Brokaw, George Stevens, Jr. and Mike Wallace. The publisher insisted on having them in the book, said Buchwald.

He plans to be a part of the big book sale push with "lots" of interviews on radio plus TV including one with Tom Brokaw and "Sunday Morning" on CBS.

The interviews will be done at the Washington, D.C. home of Buchwald's son and daughter-in-law Joel and Jennifer B. where he is living. He never returned to live in the hospice following surgery and the finale of his dialysis treatments. "I'm doing just fine," he said. As for the prognosis, he laughed, "There is no prognosis." Buchwald was 81, Oct.20.

Sherry Lansing is donating the six-figure check she'll receive from Crown's Harmony Books for her autobiography "to cancer research. I'm not taking a dime," she told me on the phone from Munich.

She is there with husband William Friedkin who is directing "Salome" which opens the Munich opera season, Friday. Before arriving in Munich, Lansing looked in at Auschwitz "to personally see the horror." She also visited Amsterdam before spending a month in Munich as Friedkin readied "Salome." She says the book deal awaits a writer. "I have to have a writer and the book will be 'as told to --'."

Lansing promises that her book will be "deeply honest and thought-provoking." Will it be revealing? "I hope so," she laughed. I recalled her life had been colorful pre-executive titles at 20th Century-Fox and Paramount Pictures where, from 1992-2005, she was the Chair of the Motion Picture Group. But she noted that husband Billy Friedkin will be "a major portion ... I hope the book will also be thought-provoking."

Sherry Lansing left Paramount two years before the major changes erupted with the arrival of Brad Grey. Recently, Paramount made more headlines in the industry when Sumner Redstone fired Tom Cruise and Tom Freston. While this turmoil was going on at her alma mater, Paramount, Lansing was happily busy with her civic activities, heading the Sherry Lansing Foundation -- and maintaining a warm relationship with Redstone. "We have dinner with him regularly," she said. "We're on good terms."

In addition to her activities with several cancer research committees, she worked tirelessly on the Independent Citizen's Oversight Committee of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine which won $3 billion in funding for embryonic stem cell research. She is also on the American Red Cross Board of Governors and a Regent of the University of California whose meeting she attended just before heading to Munich.

"I have never been happier," she told me. "I am enjoying life. For the last five years people have been coming after me to write the book. I was impressed by John Glusman, editor at Harmony. He was responsible." And Lynn Nebitt made the deal. And cancer research will benefit. Hopefully, so will the readers.

Suzanne Pleshette may have lost all her hair -- but she hasn't lost her sense of humor. I received this card from her:

"Suzanne Pleshette & Tom Poston Medical Update:

Bad news: I lost all of my  hair. -- Good News: I'm saving a fortune on Bikini Waxes

I look like sh*t -- Tom has lost all peripheral vision so he doesn't know.                     

Tom has a catheter in his dickie -- At his age we're just glad he has a lump in his pants.

We have round the clock nurses, a walker and a wheel chair --

WE'RE MADLY IN LOVE AND WE FEEL LUCKY. AIN'T LIFE GRAND!!!!!!"

I phoned Suzanne. She sounded -- like Suzanne -- loud, laughing and full of life.

"We're doing so well --" she started. "It's all going according to plan. I've finished the chemo and I'll have the surgery in a week." She indicated the prognosis for the surgery was excellent. "And," she added, "I hope your cold is better."

'The Devil Wears Prada' but no one wears it as smartly as Anna Wintour.

Wintour, Editor-in-chief of Vogue and Editorial Director of Men's Vogue hosted a screening of Touchstone's "The Prestige" at the Disney Screening room on Park Ave. followed by an elegant dinner party at Philippe's. The evening toasted the film's star Hugh Jackman who is on the cover of the Nov./Dec. issue of Men's Vogue. Jay Fielden, Editor-in-Chief of Men's Vogue introduced the affable Jackman at the screening.

The issue sports Jackman in wardrobes including Prada (hmm, "The Devil Wears Prada"), Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Dunhill, Dolce & Gabbana, etc.) and the article by Gaby Wood notes of Jackman's closet-full of film projects: "There are times when reading the front pages of Variety Jackman comes across as the  man of a thousand business deals." It seemed like some of the deals were on hand at the soiree: Rupert Murdoch, Harvey Weinstein, Ron Perelman, Les Moonves, Bonnie Timmerman, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Iman and Lance Armstrong.

The fashion world was also hand and each glad-handing one another in the gracious company of Anna Wintour: Vera Wang, Donna Karan, Angella Missoni, (en route to L.A. to houseguest with Quincy Jones and to attend Barbara Davis' Carousel Ball where Quincy will be honored), Narcisco Rodrigues, Jean Batista, Gianbattista Vialli, Ungaro Paris.

The Vogue staff made the evening particularly warm. Among the Vogue staff, Sarah Moonves, there with her father Les. She's an NYU student and interning at Vogue.

Bonnie Timmerman had just returned from the Rome Film Festival screening of her "Fur" and has elected to be casting director on Jackman's next fim, "The Tourist," before setting out on her next series of films in China. It was a remarkably warm evening merging movie and fashion worlds thanks to honoree Jackman and hostess Anna Wintour.

Wintour told me Kiefer Sutherland will cover the next issue of Men's Vogue.

A funny thing happened on the way to the Booth Theatre on West 45th Street to see Nathan Lane in "Butley". No sooner had we gotten out of our hotel, the new London NYK on 54th Street, when we spotted lines of specialty trucks that spell only one thing -- a movie company. It was --"American Gangster" starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe and directed by Ridley Scott. They are in their final month of filming. They had shot all around town including the Statue of Liberty and a chase in Queens and city co-operation was terrific.

It was on to the 8 o'clock curtain of Simon Gray's "Butley" starring Nathan Lane." And what a spectacular performance it was. The final curtain brought the audience to a prolonged standing ovation for Lane. He is truly one of the most versatile actors of our time.

A block away at the St. James Theater, Mel Brooks' "The Producers" continues to run -- it was Lane and Matthew Broderick whose classic comedic performances sent this play on is way to B'way history. Now Lane was setting a new standard for the Simon Gray play in which Alan Bates had launched the complex Ben Butley character some thirty years ago. We met with Lane backstage minutes after his bows. He was amazingly joyous and relaxed after the hours of emotional self-destruction...said I understood why he would only play the role in a "limited engagement." He laughed and said the "limited run" will be decided by the audience...

Meanwhile the producers had decided to take it to B'way after Lane's run in Boston. It officially opens on Oct.23rd, and we agreed the reviews will tell the tale. Meanwhile, take it from me, this is a rare theatrical experience and not to be missed.

Lane has made no plans to follow "Butley." The theater is already booked with Vanessa Redgrave to follow after his "Limited Run." But, of course, anything can happen in showbiz, right?

I asked Nathan about reports he and Matthew Broderick might again reprise their roles in "The Producers," but he said  nope -- the legit outings plus the movie were enough and Matthew is readying his own B'way return. Lane does, however, keep in touch with Mel Brooks -- who is readying his musicalized "Bride of Frankenstein." "I think it was good for him to be working on it -- during the sad period after Ann Bancroft's death.

So Lane has no projects on tap -- either comedy or drama, stage or film. But whichever he chooses I know it will be something I would want to see.

I was back on 45th Street and passing the site of what was the Criterion Theater on Broadway where I was an usher while going to Townsend Harris High School Now I was going to the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre where Martin Short was starring in "Fame, Becomes Me."

As I passed my former Broadway stamping grounds, I remembered a New Year's Eve when I stepped outside the theater to deliver a message to the box office. The crowd swept me toward the big Bond clothing store windows. The doorman -- they had to be 6'6" -- pulled me back into the theater. Now, years later, I was back inside the Jacobs Theater --waiting to see Martin Short. A stage assistant put an "X' at my seat and said someone would come to take me on stage!

Yes I had agreed some weeks ago to be one of "Jiminy Glick's" interview guests. But now I was here and about to go on a Broadway stage. I was to follow celebs who'd been Martin Short's foils -- names like Steve Martin, a tough act to follow, a little daunting.

An hour into the show, Martin segued into makeup and wardrobe and became Jiminy. I was brought on and "interviewed" by him. Jiminy was generous, humorous and revealed a lot about me to the theater audience. They seemed to love learning about someone who had been telling them about people like…Martin Short

When we left the theater, audience members asked for my autograph and took photos with me. I had made a hit on B'way. At least that's what my wife said. That's a joke folks. Afterwards, backstage, we met up with Martin and some of his family members. We talked about the show -- that it might go to DVD and/or an HBO special. I said I'd buy it -- I'd watch it. No, I wasn't going to be in it. It was a night to put alongside my Townsend Harris High School memories.

During the National Italian American Foundation Lifetime achievement Awards Oct.21 at the D.C. Hilton Washington & Towers Anne Bancroft -- her real name is Anne Marie Louise Italiano -- will be inducted posthumously into the NIAF Italian American Hall of Fame.

Husband Mel Brooks will accept the award on her behalf and Alan Alda will make the presentation.

Frankie Valli will receive the org's Lifetime Achievement Awards as he enjoys another career thanks to "Jersey Boys."

On Dec.5, at the Museum of Television and Radio in Beverly Hills, 50 new honorees will be added to the list of "She Made It: Women Creating Television and Radio." They include: Carol Burnett, Roseanne Barr, Jane Pauley, Betty White and Dr. Joyce Brothers.

Jamie Lee Curtis and Nintendo dedicate the 5,000th Fun Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Thursday, April 12. It is Starlight Starbright's 5000th Fun Center. The centers are designed to combat the anxiety faced by hospitalized children.

Jamie Lee knows about the Starlight Starbright Fun Centers -- when her five year-old son was hospitalized with a ruptured spleen, the Fun Center helped ease his pain and pass the time.

Reese Witherspoon and Patti LaBelle added their artistic talents to the Munchkin's Project Pink Awareness campaign. Their decorated pink bath ducks go on eBay's October auction site for Breast Cancer awareness and proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

"We Care About Kids" benefits from the auction of twelve 3x4 foot George Hurrell signed/numbered super-star photos. They will be auctioned Oct.25 at Bonham's & Butterfields. The photos include Hedy Lamarr, Gary Cooper, Joan Crawford, Johnny Weismuller, Jane Russell and Tyrone Power. Proceeds go to the making of the org's eighth short, "In The Room," an animated short film about child abuse.

Tuesday night's premiere of TriStar's multi-starring "Running with Scissors" at the Academy was a benefit for The Screen Actors Guild Foundation Catastrophic Fun.

Before the film and its makers were introduced by the irrepressible producer-director-writer Ryan Murphy, SAG's Foundation President Marcia Smith read a letter from a SAG member suffering with AIDS -- for 22 years. He (she?) told how the Guild's Foundation kept the insurance alive even though the earnings requirement was not (could not) be met. This morning she'd received word from a member who had undergone amputation of both legs. Smith told me some of the members have been on the program 10 years. Of the 120,000 SAG members, 90% do not earn enough to qualify for benefits! Most of the press space is given to that small percentage of actors (stars) who are in the tens of million$ category.

The Foundation would like them to endow a planned SAG Actors' Center at 5454 Wilshire Blvd.   

"Running With Scissors" cast and crew members were enthusiastically introduced by Ryan Murphy and the hefty response for each from the audience was genuine -- and even more so as the final credits identified them generously in/out of character. They included Augusten Burroughs whose best-seller and life are the raison d'etre of "Running with Scissors."

The cast and filmmakers on hand included Annette Bening, Kristin Chenoweth, Jill Clayburgh, Brian Cox, Joseph Cross (who plays Augusten), Joseph Fiennes, Jack Kaeding, Gabrielle Union, Evan Rachel Wood, producer Brad Grey and Dede Gardner. Also Nicolette Sheridan, Gretchen Mol, Cheryl Hines, Marilyn Manson, Warren Beatty. And from Ryan Murphy's "Nip/Tuck" Jacqueline Bisset and Melissa Gilbert.

Ryan Murphy also announced that the film was made for $12 million. How?

Sister Vanessa Redgrave was there for previews, as were Lynn's nieces Joely Richardson ("Nip/Tuck") and Natasha Richardson (Mrs. Liam Neeson). Because they couldn't make it for Sunday's (Oct.15) Mark Taper Theater official opening of Lynn Redgrave in "Nightingale."

It's Lynn's one-woman show about another relative, the Redgraves' maternal grandmother Beatrice Kempson.

"It's sort of about my grandmother -- it's fictional," Lynn tells me. "I didn't know her -- I knew what my mother told me about her. She died in the '60s and was buried in England but information on her gravestone had been eradicated by the elements."

This is Lynn's 44th year on the stage and she tells me, "This is the best experience I've ever had with a director." He is Joseph Hardy, who first directed Lynn -- and Brian Dennehy -- in TV's "The Seduction of Miss Leona" in 1979.

Performances of "Nightingale" continue through Nov.19 after which she hopes to take it to B'way in the spring. If that happens Lynn and Vanessa will both be on B'way at the same time -- Vanessa in a Joan Didion solo piece "The Year of Magical Thinking." And if both are nominated for a Tony, it would be a repeat of what happened in Hollywood when both were nominated for Oscars -- Vanessa for "Morgan!" and Lynn for "Georgy Girl." But Elizabeth Taylor won for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

Word of mouth, you should pardon the expression, is building on a one-of-a-kind show -- or rather two of a kind. It's "Jay Johnson: The Two and Only" starring Johnson and Bob, plus a few other "friends." There's now talk of a DVD starring Jay's cast of characters. 

We were talking his 30-year career recalling his -- and Bob's -- appearance with Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy in 1979 on "The Ventriloquist Event." "I was the new kid in the biz," Johnson fondly recalls. The veteran Bergen complimented him with, "You have such a nice falsetto --" then paused to find the words and blurted out -- "well, dammit, it's a young voice!"

"I was only in my 20s," Johnson recalls. He reminds us "Bob never ages -- I think he had some of that Beverly Hills work done."

The Thalians, headed by Debbie Reynolds and Ruta Lee, raised another $400,000 at their 51st Anniversary Ball, last Saturday night at the Century Plaza Hotel thus bringing a total of over $30 million to build and maintain the Thalians Mental Health Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

The event was a tribute to June Haver, who died July 4, 2005. Her daughter Lori Gerber and Bill Ahmanson (son of Bob Ahmanson) came on stage to accept a star to be placed in the walk in front of the Thaliana' Clinic in her honor. Bob Ahmanson underwrote the entire event.

Honorees Marc Cherry as "Mr. Wonderful," and Connie Stevens, daughters Joely Fisher and Tricia Leigh Fisher were "Ms. Wonderful." The non-stop evening's entertainment included performances by the honorees plus Jay Mohr, Ace Young and Ray Anthony's band. Shelley and Gary Hann chaired. Amy Shomer produced and directed.

"Superman II -- The Richard Donner Cut" will be released by Warner Home Video on Nov. 28 and Donner tells me the fans are responsible for it.

He stopped directing the first "Superman" in 1978 in order to complete getting more footage from Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman together -- while he had them -- for "Superman II." He then returned to complete the film. He says, "I banned the Salkinds (producers-financiers) from the set (of "Superman II') and they fired me. I had 75% of the movie taken away from me as they then hired Richard Lester to direct it. He didn't like any of my footage so it laid in a vault all these years. But the fans knew about it (the footage) and they started such a clamor, so Warners (Home Video) decided that I could re-constitute my film. Michael Thau edited and shot some new opticals. I never thought it could happen. Tens of thousands of feet of my film were found around Europe. We even used a screen test I had made with Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder before the film started. The time lapse in their looks is obvious, but that's O.K."

Donner says he receives nothing for redoing his film. "But that's O.K. All we care about is making good films and having a good time." However he'll protect himself in any future films. He'll talk about this at the Nov. 2 DGA screening and Q&A with Pete Hammond and costars Margot Kidder and Gene Hackman. Donner has two projects perking with writers Richard Wenk and Channing Gibson. And he and his "Lethal Weapon" filmmaking pal of over 20 years, Mel Gibson, are teamed again for "Sam & George."

Guess who was waiting for the moon to rise over Beverly Hills on Sunday night? Apollo XI's moon-lander Buzz Aldrin. He and the Peninsula Hotel's general manager Ali Kasikci hosted a Full Moon Party poolside on the hotel's rooftop. Last year's ditto bash was moonless when clouds covered the sky, and it looked like the moon would be covered again this year, but it made a brief appearance before clouds again KO'd the celestial body.

It was no reason to curtail conversation with Aldrin about the memorable July 20, 1969, moonwalk by Aldrin and Neil Armstrong when they left this plaque on the moon: "We came in peace for all mankind."  And only last week, the conversation was aired again about Armstrong's landing statement: "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Was the letter "a" missing? Aldrin, who exited the module 30 minutes after Armstrong, told me the transmission time "and fidelity" from the moon to the earth could have hidden the "a." Meanwhile, Aldrin laughs, "It must have been a slow day for the media."

He's planning a reunion next May on a cruise for 18 of the surviving 24 moonwalkers. Aldrin, who is constantly circling the globe on space travel subjects, tells me he is launching a new education program in addition to his space programs, books, lectures, etc.

Mel Brooks was singing the verses of her song as Frau Blucher in his upcoming B'way musical of their 1974 classic "Young Frankenstein."

"And all the lines of the movie came back to me in the middle of the night," Cloris Leachman laughed.

She was being toasted Thursday night at the Fogo de Chao by 350 friends, past coworkers and family (children, grandchildren) to celebrate her 60th year in showbiz. (She was born April 30 1926)

"We already started rehearsing," Cloris laughed after Brooks previewed the show's song. She heads to N.Y. Nov.1 for a "table read" of the musical which Brooks told me will bow on B'way in May, 2007.

The star list at the party for Cloris included host committee member Mary Tyler Moore who, with husband Dr. Robert Levine, had flown out from N.Y. and joined with Cloris' fellow "Mary Tyler Moore Show" costars Ed Asner, Gavin MacLeod and Valerie Harper.

Senior guest, Charlotte Rae told me she'd gone to Northwestern U. with Cloris and roomed with her in N.Y. "Only a brief time," she laughed indicating it was a "very interesting experience." Cloris had originally sought the theater in college, went on to be "Miss Chicago" and a "Miss America" contestant-"in the days when you did your own makeup and dress!"

Others on hand :James L. Brooks, one of the host committee as well as Dick Van Dyke -- who recalled working with Cloris in a play in Canada, Also toasting Cloris: Jon Voight, Mickey Rooney, Doris Roberts, Deidrich Bader, Elliott Gould, Eva LaRue, Jay Sandrich, Dick Van Patten, Illeana Douglas, Christian Clemenson, Judge Reinhold, Eric Roberts, Nancy McKeon, Stefanie Powers, Jasmine, Guy, Grant Show, William Atherton,  Erik Per Sullivan, Justin Berfield, Billy Dee Williams, Leslie David Baker, Shawn Pyfrom, Maria Gibbs, Alexis Cruz, Jayne Meadows, Dominique Swain, Kathy Joosten, MacKenzie Astin, Marisa Ramirez and Reno Wilson.

The Fogo de Chao was filled with love -- and with food as the armada of waiters kept their signature personalized menu choices moving non-stop -- along with Cloris who stopped to shmooz with all her friends, old and new -- never sitting down to eat until after 10. Lexus picked up the party tab and Disney, Fox and WB, the memory-book. The Cover: "Six Decades -- An Artist -- An Illusionist -- A Ham". The back cover: "You Ain't Seen Nothin Yet." B'way, here she comes -- again.

The dream of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Hollywood Museum moved a step closer this week. The Acad's Sid Ganis, Bruce Davis, Bob Rehme and committee members met for six hours with Patrick Gallagher, who heads a consultant company. The discussion: planning the initial interior and contents, exhibits and programs, and building from the inside-out.  It is now anticipated that ground-breaking will take place in 2008 with the museum's opening hoped for in 2010. Museum Committee chairman Rehme reminded me the Academy is still in the process of buying land in Hollywood for the museum which will be bordered by De Longpre and Fountain Avenues on the north and south, and Vine St. and Cahuenga Blvd. on the east and west -- a total of eight-and-a-half acres. The Academy had turned down land offers from the center of Los Angeles, preferring to stay in Hollywood -- the name synonymous with movies. And the name for the museum? Any ideas? 

Tribute to New Orleans

"Deja Vu," the Denzel Washington starrer directed by Tony Scott is positively buzzing, not only for the movie, but for the New Orleans location where it was filmed as the city recovered gallantly after Katrina. It is shown liberally through out the action. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer tells me New Orleans will "definitely" receive a bow at the film's finale. It opens Nov. 22 and the premiere plans are perking.  Bruckheimer is now also completing "National Treasure II" for next year and "Pirates of the Caribbean III" for Memorial Day. "Dead Man's Chest" got a sendoff at Disneyland in the newly-enlivened "Pirates of the Caribbean" attraction. Now it's rumored Disneyland's Tom Sawyer Island would get a face lift – and more --- to celebrate "Pirates." It was news to Bruckheimer, who said he'd ask Disney's president and CEO Bob Iger about it at tonight's tribute dinner. Stay tuned.

A First for Jane and Carol

The remarkable roster of talent at the Actors' Fund Tribute to Jule Styne, "Everything's Coming up Roses," boasts a first onstage teaming.  Jane Russell will recreate her role of Dorothy Shaw from "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" by performing "Bye Bye Baby."  On the same stage, from the same show, Carol Channing will perform both "Girl from Little Rock" and "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend.  The show: Nov.11 at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex, 5151 State University Drive.

Personal Notes:

Annette Funicello and Jack Gilardi joined grandparent's ranks for the first time.  Their son Jack Jr. and wife Diane welcomed son Jack Leo Gilardi III, at Cedars-Sinai on Sept. 27…The Max Fleischer and Richard Fleischer Wall will be dedicated Oct. 22 at the Motion Picture & Television Fund Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills. Mickey Fleischer, widow of director Richard (Dick) Fleischer, is a resident at the MPTVF facility...Dodger Stadium takes on another look Oct. 22. That's when Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF) holds its Walk to Cure Diabetes. Another "Walk" will be held Oct. 8 at Oxnard State Beach Park. Hollywood is well-repped in this charity as with so many others.

The west side of L.A. was gridlocked during the commute hour Tuesday p.m. as George W. Bush made his way to the Bel Air home of hefty GOP contributor Elliott Broidy, where an estimated $1.3 million was raised.

Meanwhile, those invited to a book party for Arianna Huffington were forewarned of the traffic before leaving for the site, the BevHills home of Lynda and Stewart Resnick, where you could bet the group was mostly Democrats. The book is Huffington's "On Becoming Fearless" and the guests were entertained by a rendition of the song "Fearless" as sung by the Sugar Tits, the trio of Jill Sobule, Kay Hanley and Michelle Lewis. They had also sung at the N.Y. and SanFran book bashes.

Guests were gifted with a CD of the band's tune. Among those writing their thoughts on fearlessness in the book are showbiz reps Diane Keaton, Marcy Carsey and Sherry Lansing. But it is Huffington that makes the book, well, fearless. Among those applauding her on Tuesday night were Rita Wilson, Pat and Michael York, L.A.'s Police Chief William Bratton and wife, Rikki Klieman.

Huffington winged out for Vegas to appear in Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit. "I'm going around the country to talk about fearlessness," she said. "The theme is: 'Fearlessness is contagious'."

"The unexpurgated version" -- that's what author Robert Hofler calls the just-published edition of his book, "The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson" (Carroll & Graf).

When the hardcover was published, Hofler says, "The publisher's lawyer made me cut several sections regarding the lesbianism of Phyllis Gates (Hudson's wife) and her blackmail attempts against Rock Hudson. Since she died in January of this year, those passages have now been reinstated on the following pages, 279, 281, 328 and 348 through 350."

Re-reading Hofler's book pointed up its subtitle: "The Pretty Boys and the Dirty Deals of Henry Willson." It was a part of Hollywood in the '50s and '60s.

I'm pleased to report that Jack Nicholson came through the surgery with flying colors. It corrected a problem which orginated when he was 17 years old.

Nicholson assured Rob Reiner he'll be OKAY to start his comedy, "The Bucket List," skedded to roll on Nov. 6 and co-starring Morgan Freeman.

Actress Frances Bergen died at Cedars-Sinai on Oct.2 following a lengthy illness. She was 84 years old. She was the widow of world-famous ventriloquist Edgar Bergen. She is survived by her daughter Candice Bergen (60), son Kris Bergen and granddaughter Chloe Malle (20).

Frances Bergen was a strikingly beautiful Powers model who became "The Chesterfield Girl," as well as "The Ipana Girl" and was featured in countless campaigns in magazines and billboards. She later appeared in movies including the original 1953 "Titanic," "Made in America," "Eating," "The Morning After," "The Muppets Take Manhattan," "The Sting II," ""Rich and Famous," "American Gigolo" and an episode of daughter Candice's "Murphy Brown" series.

Frances as born Frances Westerman, Sept.14, 1922 in Birmingham, Alabama. Following the death of her father, she and her mother moved to Los Angeles where she attended Los Angeles high school and was a pom-pom girl. She caught the eye of Edgar Bergen when she was in the audience of his famous radio show "Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy." Frances and Edgar were married a year later in Mexico. He was 20 years her senior. Edgar Bergen died in 1978.

Burial for Frances Bergen will be private and a memorial service is pending. The family asks that donations in her name be made to either the American Heart Association or the Arthritis Foundation.