WOMEN IN FILM HONOR SPACEK; DAVIS A NO-SHOW

Women in Film’s well-attended film festival over the weekend was highlighted by a Saturday afternoon with Sissy Spacek and marred by the no-show Friday night of Bette Davis.

Spacek was honored at the Cineplex Odeon theater complex in Universal City.

The program featured clips from such Spacek films as “The Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “Carrie,” “Missing,” “Heart Beat,” “The River,” “ ‘night, Mother” and “Crimes of the Heart.”

The ponytailed actress, dressed simply in a white blouse and black pants, fielded questions and commented on her various roles during an on-stage interview with Darrah Meeley, the tribute’s producer.

Her favorite: playing Loretta Lynn in 1980’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” which earned her an Oscar.

“I felt a little silly,” Spacek later said of her tribute, likening the experience to “a whole bunch of people singing happy birthday to you. It’s wonderful, but I’m kind of shy.”

At a reception in the Registry Hotel, Women in Film President Fern Field presented Spacek with a plaque. Spacek told those gathered, “Girls, let’s stick together.”

Spacek, who was joined by her husband, director Jack Fisk, added that “things have kind of opened up for women in film. I think women have made great strides. All we need to do is get our foot in the door, that’s all.”

Friday, the heavily attended West Coast premiere of “The Whales of August,” starring Davis and Lillian Gish, was followed by a dinner dance on the Universal Studios lot.

Guests were bused to Sound Stage 28 where food, dance and drink--but no Davis--awaited. Davis was scheduled to appear to receive the association’s newly established Lillian Gish award. No reason was given for Davis’ absence.