FIRST OFF . . .

From the “Hell hath no fury like a producer scorned” file: Megaproducer Ray Stark--never shy about confronting movie critics when he disagrees with their reviews--has placed Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert on his blackest of blacklists for their treatment of “Biloxi Blues.” Contrary to the generally favorable reviews the movie (directed by Mike Nichols and produced by Stark’s Rastar Productions) received from other critics, the TV reviewers blasted it on their syndicated “Siskel & Ebert & The Movies” TV show. Ebert on Nichols: “He’s just another one of the hacks brought in to direct another Neil Simon screenplay.” Siskel: “I think the word hack is right. I was very shocked at how dull the film was.” In a letter to Siskel, Stark--who referred to Ebert as “your gelatinous partner”--mentioned other reviewers’ positive comments on the film, then added that he didn’t care “to support this critical version of Laurel and Hardy” any longer and planned to suggest to his chums (read: any Major Hollywood Powerbroker) that if Siskbert wants to preview films for review in the future, they can do so at a movie theater and not at early, invitation-only screenings. Stark’s parting shot: “Your thumb system is a clever bit of show business; I suggest you sit on them.” Copies of the letter were sent to top executives at most major studios. Neither Siskel nor Ebert returned several calls from The Times for comment.