The Scene: Premiere party for “Great Balls...

The Scene: Premiere party for “Great Balls of Fire,” the new Jerry Lee Lewis biopic with Dennis Quaid as The Killer. After a screening at the Directors Guild (overbooking forced a spillover crowd into another screening room) the party got under way at the Hard Rock. Although one suspects that fewer and fewer people are willing to brave the decibel overload and crowds for a party at the HR, this one seemed worth it since Jerry Lee himself performed, accompanied by Quaid. It even made stepping on broken beer bottles and enduring several hours of a lingering hum in your ears worth it. The line to get into the party extended around the block as strict security guards allowed people in verrry slowly.

The Buzz: While Jerry Lee’s live performance was the main draw, some guests wondered if a better time was being had at the nearby private club Tramp, where photographer Greg Gorman was having his 40th birthday party. Paparazzi noted that there might be a better celeb contingent there, and anywhere else had to be quieter.

Who Was There: Jerry Lee Lewis, Dennis Quaid with Meg Ryan, the film’s director Jim McBride and wife Tracy Tynan (she was the film’s costume designer), the film’s stars John Doe, Mojo Nixon and Alec Baldwin; Baldwin’s brothers Billy and Steven; Orion chief Mike Medavoy; models Iman and Kathy Ireland; actors James Caan, Michael Biehn, Kevin Dillon, Julia Roberts, Sam Neill; singers Richard Marx and Bonnie Raitt, fun couple Susanna Hoffs and Donovan Leitch. Unable to make it were Myra Lewis, Jerry Lee’s former child bride (the film is based on her biography) and actress Winona Ryder, who played Myra in the film.

Dress Mode: Rockabilly fans proudly displayed their sideburns and cowboy boots; Sam Neill wore tennies with his blazer and khakis; there was the usual contingent of girls in Ace bandage dresses as well as some in baggy jeans and even baggier sweaters. Jerry Lee Lewis donned his leather Hard Rock Cafe vest and wore a huge piano-shaped ring with enough diamonds to equal the national debt.

The Food: Two-bite hamburgers, chicken winglets, vegetables and fruit. After a two-hour screening most people will settle for anything.

Entertainment: The piece de resistance was Jerry Lee Lewis, who performed a long set, accompanied by his band members. Quaid played electric piano and sang with Lewis. Lewis, ever the gentleman, kept hurling compliments Quaid’s way: “Son, you say you’ve only been playing for a year, but it sounds like it’s been 20.” Quaid responded in kind, and between numbers it was a mutual admiration society meeting. While Quaid held his own (and looked as if he was having the time of his life), some whispered that he shouldn’t give up his day job just yet.

Quoted: “The film was a lot of fun to make,” said John Doe, who played Jerry Lee’s cousin J. W. Brown and finger-synced the guitar. “Sometimes too much fun. Too much fun is when you can’t get up in the morning but you have to.”

Overhead: “You know, I’ve paid $7 for too many movies these days,” one man said. “Think about it,” his friend replied, “you could own a home by now.”