SHORT TAKES : ‘Magnolias’ Bloom for Charity

Cast members of the movie “Steel Magnolias” showed off their Southern accents and helped raise money for a charity in the region where the story is based.

Actresses Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Julia Roberts and Olympia Dukakis attended a gala champagne reception, screening and buffet Monday to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Hundreds turned out, paying $100 to $150 each. Cast members attended a benefit premiere Sunday in New York. They also are scheduled to appear Thursday in Los Angeles and Friday in Natchitoches, La., where the movie was filmed.