A Picture ‘Postcard’ Evening

The Scene: Monday night at the Twenty/20 Club in Century City, at the party after the industry screening of “Post-cards From the Edge.” The film from Columbia Pictures opens today. What’s the difference between an industry screening and a premiere, you ask? An industry screening is a premiere on a smaller scale; no dancing elephants or theme rides, but a decent buffet and a chance for people who fax each other every day to meet in person.

The Buzz: Most of the “Postcards” stars in attendance brought family members. Carrie Fisher, who wrote the screenplay based on her novel of the same name, was there with mother Debbie Reynolds and brother Todd. Dennis Quaid came with wife Meg Ryan and beat a hasty exit 10 minutes into the party, but Shirley MacLaine and her daughter Sachi stuck around for endless photos and cheek kissing. Meryl Streep was there, too, but she wasn’t in an interview mood.

Who Else Was There: Stephen Bishop, Albert Brooks, Pierce Brosnan, Timothy Busfield, Tony Danza, Estelle Getty, Buck Henry, directors Randall Kleiser and Paul Mazursky, Penny Marshall (who was spotted talking on a cellular phone in the middle of the party), Kim McGuire, Maria Shriver and James Woods.

Dress Code: Everyone looked as if they had come straight from the office, except for the few who had had time to go home and do up a big scary pile of hair.

Fashion Statement: Todd Fisher wore a pair of cuff links that belonged to his father with his father’s name, Eddie, on them.

Overheard: “Oh, it’s dark in here,” said one woman. Part of the trouble might have been that she was wearing a pair of cat-eye sunglasses. At night. Indoors.

Quoted: Since “Postcards” is a story about a Hollywood grande dame and her actress daughter, there’s been plenty of speculation that the story is based on Fisher’s own life. “It’s not autobiographical, it’s prophetic,” Fisher explained. “My mother loved it so much that now we’re looking around for a staircase to fight on, just like in the movie.” Fisher’s new novel, “Surrender the Pink,” was released this month, and she’s at work on two new screenplays. “I’m a workaholic, I guess,” she said.

Glitches: Photographic panic ensued as Streep, Fisher and Quaid walked up to the party together. Cameramen and women were falling all over themselves, knocking over barricades and screaming the stars’ names, as publicists and security forces dashed into the fray. The stars made it into the party unscathed; the photographers didn’t seem to get their shots.

* MOVIE REVIEW

Sheila Benson visits “Postcards From the Edge.” F1