Merrymaking in the Grand Cinematic Style

The Scene: The premiere of Morgan Creek and Warner Bros.’ “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” Monday for 2,300 guests at the Mann Village and Bruin Theaters in Westwood. The screenings were followed by a party for 800 a few blocks away in the Westwood Marquis Hotel’s garden. This was probably the biggest premiere in Westwood since 1989’s “Batman.” Weyburn Avenue was blocked off from Westwood to Gayley, a thousand fans jostled behind barricades, and 30 police officers plus private security guards defended the Hollywood nobility.

Who Was There: The film’s stars, Kevin Costner, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Alan Rickman, Micheal McShane and Christian Slater; producers Pen Densham, John Watson and Richard B. Lewis, executive producer Jim Robinson, and Warner Bros. chairman Bob Daly; guests included Gregory Peck, Sylvester Stallone, Patrick Swayze, Kenny Rogers, Albert Brooks, Emilio Estevez, Chevy Chase, Lou Diamond Phillips, Kate Capshaw, Pierce Brosnan, James Woods, Harry Hamlin, Marvin and Barbara Davis, Al Ruddy, Irving (Swifty) Lazar, and Patricia and Mike Medavoy. It was quite the band of merry famous people.

The Buzz: Alan Rickman steals the film with his humorously evil sheriff of Nottingham. “Everybody enjoys being naughty in their fantasies,” Rickman said. “That’s what people go to the movies for. I’m just a channel for that. You can be naughty through me.”

The Locale: Guests were greeted by two dozen waiters with flutes of champagne and hearty ale. Bands played madrigals, colorful banners fluttered and exasperated waiters squeezed through the packed-in crowd. It was kind of like the Renaissance Faire--but with agents and better catering.

Dress Mode: This was a wonderful opportunity to have the studio execs wear tights, deerskin vests and little green caps with feathers. Alas, they wore Armani.

Chow: It was heavy on meat--leg of lamb, prime rib, and, at one food station, a pig was roasting on a spit. One woman remarked that she thought it was “a little on the carnivorous side.” Her friend turned and said, “The food or the crowd?”