American Cinematheque Honors Robin Williams : Hollywood’s Movers and Shakers and Fellow Comedians Roast Film Star at 3rd Annual Moving Picture Ball

Robin Williams may have exited this year’s Academy Awards Oscar-less, but he was hailed like a conquering hero Friday night at the American Cinematheque’s third annual Moving Picture Ball.

Williams, 34, received the film society’s achievement award, several standing ovations and a sound roasting from Johnny Carson, Billy Crystal, Chevy Chase, Martin Mull and others during the festivities at the Century Plaza Hotel.

“You don’t see plastic like this anymore,” the guest of honor quipped as he was handed his award--a crystal popcorn box. “I’ll remember this for, oh, five or 10 minutes.”

The audience was packed with Hollywood movers, shakers, lookers--and strikers. Among them: Rob Reiner, Jami Gertz, Sydney Pollack, the Improv’s Budd Friedman, the Comedy Store’s Mitzi Shore, Linda Evans, producer Larry Gordon and Bob Goldthwait.

Screenwriter Harley Peyton (“Less Than Zero”) joked that he was “on scab patrol” as he cocked an ear toward a conversation between Crystal and Mull about Crystal’s next project. “I finished the script before the writer’s strike,” said Crystal. Peyton, satisfied, proceeded to talk with Crystal about some real business at hand--whether or not the comedian would play second base on the writer’s softball team.

A large percentage of agents from Creative Artists Agency, where Williams recently moved from International Creative Management, were also spotted, presumably on hand in case a deal was in the offing. That Williams hadn’t yet decided where to make his next movie was best evidenced by the wide representation of producers, directors and studio executives from various studios.

Williams appeared to find their presence quite amusing during an interview before the ball: “I love it! Let’s make a deal--the seating charts here were done by the same man who did the Reagan-Gorbachev summit.” Williams, switching characters with his characteristic schizophrenic speed, then intoned deeply in Russian-laden English, “I will not sit next to CAA. . . .”

He was also laughing about the $1-million check sent to him by Jeffrey Katzenberg, Walt Disney Co. vice-chairman, the same day Williams joked on ABC-TV’s “Good Morning, America” that he wouldn’t be getting a share of the profits from “Good Morning, Vietnam,” the Disney/Touchstone film, which has grossed $100 million to date. “My manager (Jack Rollins) said, ‘It’s his way of having fun with you,’ ” Williams recalled, laughing maniacally. “Six zeros of fun. . . .”

Rollins was asked why, in light of the check, he hadn’t made another movie deal with Disney. His riposte: “Maybe when he sends another million. . . .”

Deals aside, Disney appeared to be firmly in control of the evening, with company chairman and chief executive officer Michael Eisner the honorary chairman of the ball, as well as affably presiding as master of ceremonies during the second half of the evening.

Eisner shared the dais with Williams, Carson, Mull, Chase, “Mork and Mindy” producer Garry Marshall and co-star Pam Dawber, Roger Moore (standing in for Williams former teacher, John Houseman, said to be ailing), “Moscow on the Hudson” co-star Maria Conchito Alonso, “Popeye” co-star Shelley Duvall and Oscar co-presenter this year, Marlee Matlin.

The Disney chieftain remained smiling--albeit weakly at times--through the various lampoons launched his way about his other job as host of the Disney Sunday Night Movie and even when a member of the audience finally called out a correction to Eisner’s continued use of “cinema- teek “ (instead of cinema- tech ).

Carson, whom Williams later referred to as “the great gray warrior,” sat beside the guest of honor on the dais. During his remarks, which the “Tonight Show” host emphasized he wrote himself, Carson asked: “What can you say about Robin Williams that hasn’t already been said about E. G. Marshall?”

Martin Mull praised Williams’ mother for naming him “after a bird” and suggested that “literally hundreds of people have seen your work.”

But it was Crystal who brought the house down. Wearing what--for propriety’s sake--can only be described as a very, very funny hat, Crystal impersonated Williams’ stock character, Mr. Happy.

Other high points of the evening:

--Clips of Williams’ cinematic career from as far back as “Laugh-In,” courtesy of event producer and show’s creator George Schlatter, through each of his movies.

--Garry Marshall’s compilation of outtakes from “Mork and Mindy.”

--A surprise appearance at the podium by Richard Pryor, who described himself as “one of the few black people who know Robin.”

--Williams’ antics during dinner, which involved serving as wine steward for several tables.

Low point of the evening: Getting the much-ballyhooed “announcement” about the latest location for the American Cinematheque’s cultural center, which has shifted more in the last few years than a tectonic plate. Peter Dekom, an attorney, told those gathered that a location had been found, but could not be revealed because of continuing negotiations.

Said Dekom: “I can assure you our plans are spectacular for this cultural landmark. When it’s finalized, we’ll have an announcement and then come back and ask you for more money.”