MOVIES - Feb. 14, 1989

The “Lawrence of Arabia” caravan made its way to Los Angeles Sunday night, after premieres in New York and Washington. In the capacity crowd at the 800-seat Cineplex Odeon Century City Theater applauding the newly restored 1962 epic were cast members Omar Sharif and Anthony Quinn (but not the film’s then-unknown star Peter O’Toole). Said David Lean, who directed the epic: “I wish my old sparring partner were here tonight--(producer) Sam Spiegel. He was the last of the great gamblers.” Lean encouraged industry members present to do a little movie-making gambling themselves--”It’s no good being safe in this business.” The picture starts its regular run Wednesday at the Cineplex Odeon.