The Frosting on Van de Kamp’s Fund-Raising Cake

“You are family and will continue to be family--the core of everything we do.”

Atty. Gen. John Van de Kamp’s right-hand-person, Barbara Johnson, gave the best definition of the $1.1-plus million gathering in the Garden Room of Chasen’s Saturday night. There, Van de Kamp, frequently mentioned as a 1990 gubernatorial possibility, flexed his fund-raising muscle by turning out a couple dozen supporters who had pledged to give the million-dollar figure over the next three years.

The two-term attorney general was still coy about his gubernatorial aspirations--but said he was “looking at it and I will continue to look at it.”

Such early money raising, he said, was necessary. “It is a fairly long journey. More than 1,000 days. But this is what you have to do in California politics to be successful.”

The evening, he said, was a “giant step forward.”

Philanthropist and political heavy-hitter Ted Field hosted the fancy-dancy dinner (four choices of entrees, thank you, including Chasen’s signature Hobo Steak). Not showing up or just stopping by, but mentioned by attorney Greg Bautzer as other contributors (that’s at $60,000 a pop) to the $1-million total were Harvey Silbert, Bruce and Toni Corwin, Marvin Davis. Present were folks like attorney Charlie O’Reilly, entrepreneur Charles Knapp and his actress-newlywed wife Lois Hamilton, Sacramento businessman Martin Harmon, attorney Barbara Schlei.

Over dinner, the chat was not political.

Terry and Susan Christianson (he’s the new chairman of Tracinda Corp., Kirk Kerkorian’s outfit) were boosting the new MGM Grand Airlines, along with Coastal Commissioner Mark Nathanson, the vice chairman of the board and his new steady, actress Camilla Sparv. (The European-accented beauty said she wasn’t doing much film work these days--”There are just so many spy parts.”)

Sitting across the way was attorney Greg Bautzer with his wife, Niki--he’s a former law partner of Christianson. “But I am now the client,” Christianson said.

The new airline, which has its inaugural run between LAX and Newark in April, is only first-class. With tickets the same price as first-class on commercial airlines, the business traveler is removed from the problems of upgraded families--those with enough accumulated mileage to fly first-class once, and take the kids.

Across the table, Betty and John Stevens said that their grandson is indeed the kid in the Jonny Cat commercials. They own it--and, you might remember, were involved in litigation against Patrick W. Moriarty about 10 years ago. So, remembering that, the witty Betty Stevens said, she made sure that when the fireworks king showed up to serve his time at Lompoc federal prison that she wrote him a letter, welcoming him to Santa Barbara County.

RETURN OF WEDDING BELLS--Their friends are ecstatic. The red-headed beauty Jodie Evans and philanthropist Max Palevsky (who have made romance fashionable) make it official with nuptials in the next few weeks. Hurrah for love.

RETURN OF THE POLITICAL MacLAINE--Shirley comes down off the mountain long enough to host a deficit-reducing reception for her old friend, Bella Abzug. The unsuccessful congressional candidate gets hosted March 1 at the Dyansen Gallery in Beverly Hills--and the reception committee includes folks like Valerie Harper, Norman Lear, Pam Morton and Barbra Streisand.

RETURN OF THE DEMOCRATS--Think the Senate Democrats cleaned out the California coffers last year? Think again. This week, in addition to the ballyhooed event for New Jersey’s Sen. Bill Bradley, there will be money visits by Sen. Paul Simon (Illinois), Sen. Tom Harkin (Iowa) and a big-thank you party (no money, please) for newly elected Sen. Thomas Daschle (South Dakota) . . . The latest political action committee is the one headed by Interscope’s Bob Burkett, who’s also on the board of People for the American Way. His PAC’s name--Religion and Tolerance PAC. That’s RAT PAC.

DISNEYLAND--Or at least Disney Studios in Burbank on Sunday, where honchos (like studio head Michael Eisner) got together with stars (like Ed Asner, Hayley Mills, and Minnie and Mickey Mouse) to celebrate the first anniversary of the Disney Sunday Movie. Pass the Mousketeers, please.