‘COP II’S’ EDDIE MURPHY GRANTS A MASS AUDIENCE

Half an hour had passed since the end of the Lincoln Center premiere of “Beverly Hills Cop II” and the scheduled beginning of the evening’s Really Important Event--an Eddie Murphy press conference.

A single bright-orange vinyl chair sat in the middle of the stage as reporters and film critics filed back in from the adjacent art gallery where they had been primed with wine and cheese and photos of Burmese dancers.

Despite the long distances that many of them had traveled at Paramount Pictures’ expense (excluding The Times), the media reps could not be sure Murphy would appear. “He may or may not show up--depends on how he feels,” is what they were told by studio publicists last weekend.

Translated, that meant it depended on how Murphy felt the screening went. And it did go well, even though some reporters in the overbooked theater found themselves watching from the aisle floor while recruited Murphy fans chortled and hollered from their seats in the front rows.

After some final furniture moving--the orange chair was replaced by a podium and a bar stool--Murphy walked in from stage left, to warm applause. It was what they call in the theater district a few blocks down Broadway “an entrance.”

Murphy was wearing black from hat to toe, except for his cowboy boots, which were stark black and white--almost checkered--lizard skin. Later, when asked about his boots, he expressed surprise that anyone had noticed.

For the next hour, Murphy intelligently and self-confidently charmed and entertained an audience that included nine camera crews and reporters from as far away as Japan and Norway.

What a cordial affair it was! Murphy politely declined to discuss the details of his recent out-of-court settlement with a former manager, dismissing it with “that was like something stupid” and the subject was dropped.

He understandably laughed off requests to model his boots or to do his Buckwheat impression, but otherwise, anything went.

Yes, he is in favor of an A (for adult) rating, which would have allowed his upcoming concert film to be released as it was performed. “We got a triple X (from the MPAA censors),” he joked. “We did edit it and got an R, but it’s not very funny now.”

Yes, there will be more “Beverly Hills Cop” sequels. “We’ll do them until people don’t want to see them anymore.”

No, he is not happy with the way “The Golden Child” turned out, but it is not close to being his worst movie, either. That honor goes to “Best Defense.” His favorite? “48 HRS.”

Yes, he does want to direct and may do so soon, with a picture that he will not perform in. His next film performance will be in “Fountain of Youth,” with Joe Piscopo, based on characters they created on NBC-TV’s “Saturday Night Live.”

No, the Sylvester Stallone references in “Beverly Hills Cop II” were not his idea, and no, they don’t have anything to do with the fact that Mrs. Stallone, Brigitte Nielsen, is one of his co-stars. On the other hand, the Stallones are close friends, he said, and “I would like to work with Sly.”

As for the absence of love scenes in his movies, Murphy says the prospect of doing anything that doesn’t end with a laugh scares him. If he were to make love on screen, however, he said he would like to do it with Whoopi Goldberg.

No, he has no intention of doing a dramatic role, saying that he is aware of his limitations. But if he were to do a dramatic movie, he said, a remake of “Raisin in the Sun” has its appeal.

No, he has no preferred candidate for the next presidential election. “I am not a political person, I have never voted in my life.”

Yes, he feels an obligation to help other blacks, both in front of and behind the camera. “The more successful I get, the more blacks you will see,” he said.

Apartheid? “I have basic black views on South Africa,” he said. “I think they (blacks) should just go nuts (and take over).”

At times, the press conference got downright chummy with one reporter telling Murphy about a Broadway play he had just seen that included a role that would be perfect for Murphy. Another reporter reminded him of things he had said during a one-on-one interview back in the days when Murphy did that sort of thing.

In turn, Murphy pointed to critic Gene Siskel in the audience and admitted that when Siskel and Roger Ebert turn thumbs down on a movie on their syndicated TV show, he doesn’t go to see that movie.

Murphy was obviously having a good time. When a Paramount executive went on stage at the 45-minute mark to end the session, Murphy shooed him away, saying “I’m not through talking yet.”

When he was through talking, he just said, “Goodby,” stood up, gave the peace sign and walked off . . . to another round of applause.

“I refuse to become a prisoner of my fame,” Murphy had said earlier in the evening. Now, with an entourage of friends and bodyguards, he walked out of the Lincoln Center into the Manhattan night.

Free as a bird.