$1.5-Million Party for Diabetes

If you want to raise $1.5 million in one evening, you plan, plan, plan. And, start early. Financial whiz Marvin Davis and his wife, Barbara (who knows every nuance of charity fund raising), always seem to be ahead of the pack. Already they have a colossal corps of celebrities amassed and just about every detail polished for “Carousel of Hope” Oct. 26 at the Beverly Hilton. It’s a happening to benefit the Children’s Diabetes Foundation in Denver (and provide $200,000 for local efforts--the Los Angeles chapters of the American Diabetes Assn. and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation).

The Davises have Lionel Richie to lead “We Are the World,” conducted by Quincy Jones, with more entertainment by Harry Belafonte, Liza Minnelli and Placido Domingo.

Furthermore, they have two past Presidents--Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford, as well as Nancy Reagan and Betty Ford, to serve as honorary co-chairs. And, a batch of incomparable hosts: Gregory Peck, Kirk Douglas, Michael Douglas, Clint Eastwood, Michael Caine, Roger Moore, Quincy Jones, Robert Wagner, Sidney Poitier, Sean Connery, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Louis Jourdan.

Leaders of entertainment, music, politics, literature, arts, sports and business are standing in line.

The foundation supports treatment and research programs at the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, where close to 1,500 children receive care.

AT THE TOP: If you want a wild party, do what Joe and Dorie Pinola did for the Diadames gourmet Jewels Awards Dinner on the 60th floor of First Interstate. Invite fun people, toss names into a hat--names such as Zsa Zsa Gabor, Donald Trump, Marla Maples, Margaret Thatcher, Jane Fonda, Tommy Lasorda, Dr. Ruth, Imelda Marcos, Dolly Parton, Geraldo Rivera. Then, as guests arrive, they pick a name from the hat, and that’s the moniker they wear for the evening.

To be safe, we won’t repeat the conversations overheard. One mild one, Midge Clark giggled when she drew Dolly Parton: “Would you believe, I’m in a minimizer tonight.”

Typically bankish, the Pinolas themed the party “High Finance High Atop Los Angeles.” Big green money trees (play money) decorated tables. Programs were voided stock certificates. Invitations came in burgundy plastic wallets stuffed with Peruvian diez intis bills and advising “bankers attire.” Because Pinola is retiring as chairman of First Interstate, and the bank headquarters are moving to a new tower, the night was labeled the last big party in the inner sanctum of current First Interstate boardrooms.

First Interstate’s executive chef Steve Geving and maitre’d hotel Peter Scannell relished the assignment. They concocted huge ice sculptures of dollar bills and a treasure chest. The Chilean sea bass and swordfish steak were followed with individual chocolate treasure chests filled with white chocolate mousse and fresh raspberries.

Marilyn McDaniel (who drew Joanna Carson for the evening) took the mike and sang “I’m Sitting on Top of the World” and “Pennies From Heaven.” Art Linkletter interviewed “celebs.” The Mirman School Library for gifted children reaped proceeds.

Jewels Donors to Mirman were a happy lot: John and Marion Anderson, Robert and Diane Anderson, Stuart and Mary (Diadames president) Davis, Dwight and Dona Kendall, Ralph and Chase Mishkin, Roy and Pauline Naftzger, Fred and Mildred O’Green, Ruth Tullis, Adrienne Underwood. More in the crowd: Pat Moller, Mary Lou Hicks, Joni and Clark Smith, Mary and Charles Skouras, Mary Swaebe, Maude Chasen and Frank and Coco Viault.

FOR SIGHT: Barry Manilow and Alan King will perform. Steve Edwards will be emcee and Jack Wishart, vice president, Procter & Gamble Productions Inc., gets honored at “Night for Sight,” the Center for the Partially Sighted dinner Saturday at the Beverly Hilton. Pat Mitchell and Herman Rush are dinner co-chairs; Gary Smith produces.

KUDOS: For Peter B. Caloyeras, Bruce M. Ramer and Richard J. Riordan, honored June 13 by the National Conference of Christians and Jews at the Brotherhood Ball . . . .

For Mehli Mehta, getting the Magnum Opus Award from the USC Friends of Music Thursday . . . .

For Children’s Service League and Catherine Passerelli, presenting $20,000 to Orthopaedic Hospital . . . .

For Constance Towers Gavin, headlining St. Vincent Medical Center Auxiliary’s luncheon Wednesday . . . .

For Sherry Lansing, Woman of Valor award from American Associates, Ben-Gurion University Womens Guild at the Estevez luncheon June 13 . . . .

For Holly Davis, new president San Marino League and Loretta Lindholm, new president National Charity League, Los Angeles chapter . . . .

For Carl Terzian, new chair, Los Angeles Business Council . . . .

For Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Maria Shriver, speaking at the Best Buddies (pairing college students with developmentally disabled) convention at Pepperdine University . . . .

For Joan Fontaine, receiving the first Animal Friendship Award from Del Monte Kennel Club at Pebble Beach . . . .

For Variety Children’s Charities Tent 25, hosting 1,000 children at a rally at ABC Entertainment Complex with Monty Hall presenting 14 specially equipped vehicles to charities . . . .

For Judith Vodrey and Jan Atchity, co-chairing the Bagpiper’s Ball and a procession of 15 pipers/drummers for Campbell Hall Parent-Teachers’ Council.

PAST PERFECT: Jane Messler, heading the Pacific Clinics Affiliates Pacific Aloha party in Pasadena, luau attire signaling summer for a crowd including Hugh and Melba MacNeil . . . .

The reception at Pasadena Historical Society to envision the Willis Stork Lecture Hall to be built there. It will be the centerpiece of the Pasadena History Center. (The late Mr. Stork was headmaster at Polytechnic School.)