BOWLED OVER

The Hollywood production of the new year may be the half-time show at Super Bowl XXI in the Rose Bowl Jan. 25. Disney and the NFL will salute Hollywood’s 100th birthday (“The Land of Make-Believe”) in . . . 12 minutes!

Here’s what to expect: 12,000 star-shaped balloons; 40 Shirley Temple look-alikes; 700 toy soldiers; 250 USC Marching Band members; 500 make-believe “contemporary cowboys” (with “Art Deco sawhorses”); 40 mature, MGM-style “Golden Girls” (singing “Ride ‘em Cowboy”); snippets from 11 movie themes; 2,000 high school and college volunteer performers and . . . Mickey Mouse.

In the pregame show, the Beach Boys will salute California, with students in cowboy outfits who will strip down to . . . swimwear!

It’s the third Disney-produced Super Bowl half time, according to producer Dennis Despie, veep for Disneyland/Walt Disney World, who told us: “Each time it gets more insane. We tried to think of the fun things Hollywood represents like glamour, adventure and make-believe.

“The show starts approximately at dusk and goes on even if it rains. The audience will participate by holding up cards during the show and singing along with our fast-paced medley.

“The toughest part will be getting all the performers and equipment through the two tunnels, which are only eight feet long by eight feet wide.”

At half time, two Rose Bowl tunnels will be jammed with two teams (2 1/2 if William Perry and the Bears get there), a gaggle of photogs and several referees coming off the field--while 2,000 volunteers surge on. Will it work?

“I challenge any football team to tackle 2,000 kids trying to get on television,” joked Despie. “This will be the longest 12 minutes of some people’s lives!”

SI Craig Modderno