The scene: Premiere party for “Miss Firecracker,”...

The scene: Premiere party for “Miss Firecracker,” the new movie based on the Beth Henley play, “The Miss Firecracker Contest.” The first film from Frank Perry’s new Corsair Pictures was screened at Century City, with a fete following at the Stage Deli (“The play was on the stage, and now the party’s at the Stage--get it?” a party planner said).

Glitch: In one of the two screenings the film reel had been improperly put together, mixing up scenes and causing a 20-minute delay. Perry realized his worst nightmare and profusely apologized to the crowd, which then mingled in the lobby or grabbed a drink at the Stage. Good sports likened it to pausing the VCR to get something to eat in the kitchen.

The buzz: News of the mixed-up print was all over the party as soon as the second wave of guests filtered in. While some reacted in horror (“Oh my God! You’re kidding?! Poor Frank!”), others shrugged it off and congratulated Perry and the cast for a job well done. The underbuzz was the usual industry shoptalk about deals, deals and more deals.

Who was there: Perry, the film’s director Tommy Schlamme (his name rhymes) and wife Christine Lahti, and cast members Mary Steenburgen (who invited her former acting teacher), Tim Robbins (who invited his grandfather), Scott Glenn and screenwriter Beth Henley, Peter Strauss, Molly Ringwald, Julia Roberts, Shelley Duvall and swarms of agents with hawkish, hungry stares.

Dress lode: The Industry Men sported suits and power ties, the Women wore suits and power glasses; Julia Roberts opted for bicycle shorts and a tailored jacket; Tim Robbins wore a sharkskin suit; Beth Henley looked . . . Beth Henley-ish in a long, cotton floral dress and tweedy jacket, sandals and droopy socks.

The food: Deli meets Americana: Pastrami sandwiches, potato salad, coleslaw, fruit salad and fried chicken, corn on the cob, biscuits and great slabs of beef accompanied by big bowls of goo. Guests were excited to find desserts on the other side of the room, which included hot fudge sundaes, cheesecake and blueberry and peach cobblers with ice cream. The kitschy red, white and blue July 4th decorations were from the Vine American party store.

Entertainment: Provided by the Dixie Belles, a group of . . . older women in red and white striped jackets who played some mean Dixieland.

Quoted: Director Schlamme described the cast’s working relationship as “great” and added: “A lot of them had worked with each other before, and Beth’s words brought everyone together.” Schlamme grew up in Houston, but has since lost his Texas twang. “I still say ‘y’all’ though,” he admitted. “I don’t know how else to bring people together.”

Overheard: A screenwriter asked an agent’s assistant if she planned on being an agent herself. “Oh, no,” she replied. “I’d rather cut off my limbs.”