Old, New Stars Come Out for Night at Shrine

Like golden demigods outside a pagan temple, six 24-foot statues of Oscar--one presumably for each decade of these 60th annual Academy Awards ceremonies--stood at the entrance of the Shrine Auditorium on Monday night, awaiting their supplicants.

And what a parade of celebrities came up the red-carpeted aisles, despite traffic jams that delayed Cher and a back entrance reportedly used by some of the stars, including Jack Nicholson.

Besides the usual crop of nominees, one performer from each of the 59 former “Best Pictures” were invited. Many of them came too, beginning with Buddy Rogers, a star of “Wings” (1927-28), the very first Oscar-winning movie. “I’m still here,” the white-haired actor exulted before the TV cameras.

Ascending Daily Variety columnist Army Archerd’s podium, Rogers added: “Hollywood and I want to say hello to everybody around the world. . . . We send our love.”

This was a night of old-timers and of newcomers, and sometimes there was a bit of each in both.

“After 25 years of acting, to be finally on this stage . . . “ said the usually-articulate Sally Kirkland, nominated for best actress for “Anna” and unable to complete her thought.

“This is my first time!” noted singer Little Richard, easily spotted by the crowd with his iridescent tan tuxedo. “I’m going to be singing the anti-drug song ‘Shakedown’ from ‘Beverly Hills Cop II’ ” he announced. “I’m going to knock ‘em down and pick them up and pull ‘em out.”

“Did you see the moon last night” asked Norman Jewison, director of “Moonstruck” which drew six nominations, including best director and best picture. “ Bella Luna ,” he said, hopefully.

“Moonstruck” won Archerd’s “fans in the stand” screech poll. So did Cher for best actress and Olympia Dukakis for best supporting actress (both of “Moonstruck”).

Among the fans, Robin Williams, star of “Good Morning, Vietnam,” narrowly beat out Michael Douglas (“Wall Street,” not to mention “Fatal Attraction”) for best actor, and Sean Connery (“Untouchables”) was a clear favorite for best supporting actor.

While 1 billion people from the United States and 88 other countries watch the main events, these pregame ceremonies have a life of their own. These are The Arrivals--the last moment that all contenders can claim an equal share in the sun. Because of the heat, favored costume accessories late yesterday afternoon included sunglasses and parasols.

This was the first time in 40 years that the event was held at the Shrine, an advantage certainly for those who wanted to be part of the audience.

But outside was something else. There were about 750 fans, or half as many as usually show up at the Music Center. The stars walked just about 60 feet to the front entrance, rather than the 200 feet they traverse on Bunker Hill.

With a large contingent of police, plainclothes security and red-jacketed valet parking attendants, a celebrity-gazer could hardly see the color of the incoming limousines. Gone was the grand entrance on Hope Street with its backdrop of silvery fountains from the Dept. of Water and Power.

Instead of the natural elegance surrounding the Music Center, there was the look of a make-do movie set outside the Shrine. Black and red sheeting only partially covered wooden bungalows opposite the entrance.

Indeed, the red banners on top of the fan’s stands on the north side of the main entrance and the mainly-media stands on the south side looked like a scene from a May Day parade in Moscow’s Red Square.

This was also the occasion for promotion of future films and future hopes. Tom Selleck said he cut his hair in hopes of a new role. And when Ernest Borgnine, who won a best actor Oscar for his role in “Marty” in 1955, came to Archerd’s podium, Archerd plugged Tova Borgnine’s beauty products.

Director John Boorman, whose boyhood in wartime England became the basis for his best-picture nominee “Hope and Glory” took a long time walking up the aisle. “I’m have some hopes,” he said, “but I’m just happy to be here.”