TOUGH TEST

Tongues have been wagging over that test screening the other night of “Illegally Yours.” Reportedly half the audience walked out--including its director, Peter Bogdanovich.

Now the romantic comedy-mystery, which stars heartthrob Rob Lowe as a young man trying to clear the name of a high school heartthrob accused of murder, has been pulled from its July 31 opening and re-scheduled for January.

Bogdanovich is “cutting his little heart out”--i.e., editing--and unavailable for comment, said associate producer Peggy Robertson, adding: “We went in knowing the film wasn’t ready. Peter knew what was missing and had accommodated for it, but the audience didn’t.”

De Laurentiis Entertainment wanted “Illegally” for July release, according to Robertson: “Peter tried but it boiled down to, ‘Do you want it quick or do you want it good?’ We just finished filming in April, so I don’t think anyone was surprised when it didn’t work out.”

A DEG spokesman was philosophic: “It told us a movie was there and the audience we were aiming for (women between 18 and 25) was responding. That’s the reason we’re taking our time now. It’s not just another programmer.”