The Gala Was All About Fun
Michael Caine didn’t even wince. In fact, he got a kick out of being asked the obvious question.
So, what is it all about Alfie? “It’s about having fun ,” said Caine, who played Alfie in the 1966 movie by the same name. “If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right.”
The legendary actor and about 500 others did it right on Friday night at the Westin South Coast Plaza during “A Royal Gala Tribute to Michael Caine,” attended by Princess Alexandra--first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II.
They tipped tulips of bubbly. They dined on filet of salmon and beef. They heard Dudley Moore play the piano (exquisitely). They heard songbird Patti Austin sing a silky version of “Alfie.” And they watched Alexandra--regally attired in diamonds and brocade--present Caine with the Los Angeles chapter of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts’ (BAFTA/LA) Britannia Award. The black-tie gala formally launched the Festival of Britain, a countywide celebration that continues through Oct. 28.
“Now I know who my Beverly Hills friends really are,” Caine teased, peering down from a flower-filled dais at actors Roger Moore--event emcee--and Jack Haley Jr., author Jackie Collins, mega-mogul Marvin Davis and film producer Leonard Goldberg.
“And I know where Orange County is. It’s just past Long Beach on the way to San Diego.
“And I know what people from Orange County look like. I already knew two people from Orange County--Steve Martin and Michelle Pfeiffer--but, I knew they couldn’t all look like that.”
Festivities began with a VIP reception staged at Alfredo’s restaurant by Tiffany & Co. Reception guests--who included Segerstrom family matriarch Ruth Segerstrom and her son, Henry--mingled with Alexandra, who made her entrance after an abrupt warning from Peter Beale, chairman of BAFTA/LA.
Sweeping into the pre-gala party, Beale stood before the crowd and clapped his hands--sharply--three times. Then, three more times.
A you-could-hear-a-diamond-pin-drop hush fell over the crowd. “In 10 minutes, her royal highness will be escorted into the room by the British Consul,” Beale announced. “Introduce yourself so that we don’t have any faux or pas !”
After rubbing elbows with the affable princess and her husband, Sir Angus Ogilvy, guests filed into the ballroom for dinner and the program, which included film clips from Caine’s Academy Award-winning (for “Hannah and Her Sisters”) career.
Also among guests: Caine’s Guyana-born wife, Shakira Baksh (“I’m just married to a normal, regular guy who happens to be an actor,” she said); British Consul-General Reg Holloway; Sir John Mills with his wife, Mary Hayley Bell; Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom (lovely in black and gold shot with rhinestones); Renee Segerstrom, (in black and gold by Yves Saint Laurent); Richard Moriarty (who escorted his grandmum, Ruth Segerstrom); Tiffany & Co. Vice President Jo Ellen Qualls (beautiful in floor-length, fire-engine red); Matt and Tina Schafnitz (stunning in a figure-hugger by Bob Mackie); and Patty and James Edwards III of Edwards Cinemas, co-sponsor of the gala tribute with BAFTA/LA.
Bring on the Barclay!: Across town in Irvine on Friday night, the trustees of the new Irvine Barclay Theatre enjoyed a gala supper after watching “On Such A Night As This,” a musical revue starring Gene Barry, Richard Kiley, Judy Kaye, Donna McKechnie and Michael Maguire. Guests plucked Kir Royale’s from silver trays before entering a huge, windowed tent to dine on “typical post-theater fare a la Sardi’s,” said gala chairwoman Donna Brownell.
When the crowd wasn’t digging into food dished up at elegant buffet stations, they were dancing to the Scandal orchestra. On the guest list: honorary gala chairmen Marilyn and Tom Nielsen (who is also chairman of Barclay’s board of trustees); Marjorie and Richard Barclay; Anne and Richard Sim (chairman of the Barclay board of directors); and Suzanne and Jack Peltason, chancellor of UC Irvine.
Wowing ‘em at the Rex: In Newport Beach on Friday night, restaurateur Rex Chandler presided over the gala opening of his new black-granite clad eatery-cum-nightclub at Fashion Island. The beneficiary of Friday night’s black-tie affair was the Laguna Art Museum. The following night, the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross benefited from an appetizer and champagne reception (Moet & Chandon, no less) and dinner that showcased the kind of food Chandler is famous for: saffron linguine with wild mushrooms and veal medallion with wild rice risotto and sun-dried tomatoes with port wine sauce. Up for sipping were some of the Kendall-Jackson’s most heavenly wines--a Vintner’s Reserve 1989 Sauvignon Blanc and a 1989 Chardonnay. Dessert was to die for: passion fruit charlotte with fresh berries presented with a 1986 Chateau St. Jean Gewurztraminer.
And while the art deco restaurant with its black lacquer, shining brass and neon-lit etched glass received a million raves, the black granite dance floor with its own bar was the hot spot.
“Now this-- this is uptown!” piped Mary Ann Miller. Chandler said: “I say there’s room in Orange County for a No. 1 restaurant. This is Orange County’s restaurant for the ‘90s.” We’ll be watching.
Alexandra, again: Talk about being a jolly good sport. No sooner does Princess Alexandra appear at one event, than she pops up at another. On Saturday night the princess made three appearances on behalf of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra: first, at the Center Club for a pre-concert reception, then at the Orange County Performing Arts Center for a concert conducted by Carl St. Clair, and then at the Westin South Coast Plaza hotel for an elegant post-concert supper. Marcy Mulville chaired the event. Renee Segerstrom--elegant in firebird-red--and Janice Johnson--regal in black--were co-chairwomen. St. Clair and John Williams were honorary chairmen.
