Starr-Crossed

Finally, New World Pictures is readying the release of “Brenda Starr” for this spring--the same “Brenda,” with Brooks Shields as the fearless reporter and Timothy Dalton as beau Basil St. John. But wasn’t it supposed to open nearly a year ago?

“We were held up over video right,” explained director Robert Ellis Miller. “When the Chicago Tribune sold film rights 15 years ago, video didn’t exist. It proved a terrible oversight.”

New World president Bob Rehme said that the $15 million independent production was acquired with the understanding that New World was getting worlwide rights in all areas. But when final contracts were drawn up, several notable omissions were discovered.

Added Rehme: “It took us this long just to reach a livable compromise.”