The Gang’s All Here From Fox’s ‘29th Street’

The Scene: The industry screening of 20th Century Fox’s “29th Street” at the Cineplex Odeon in Century City. A party followed at Bar One on the Sunset-Strip. The film’s theme--an Italian-Americna on the fringe of the mob wins the lottery--has been called Capra-esque. “It’s like if John Gotti made ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ ” said one guest.

Who Was There: The film’s stars, Danny Aiello, Lainie Kazan and Frank Pesce; director George Gallo and producer David Permut; plus 1,100 guests including Christian Slater, Jon Lovitz, Brooke Shields, Garry Shandling, Scott Bakula, Rodney Dangerfield and Ken Wahl. “It’s a famous-looking crowd,” noted an observer. Although that comment sounded odd, it somehow made sense.

Most Interesting Non-Hollywood Guests: Mollie Wilmot, who, besides being the Kennedy’s Palm Beach next-door neighbor, was once the focus of a media blitz when a Venezuelan oil tanker washed up in her back yard. “That little strip of beach,” Wilmot said, “is getting far too much publicity.”

The Locale: Bar One holds 375 and all 1,100 screening guests were invited to the party. To say it was crowded would be understatement. It was like being flung into the Black Hole of Hollywood. “Coffins have higher ceilings than this,” said one guest.

Chow: Pasta was served from a buffet set on a pool table. It evaporated. There was some question as to whether the pasta was al dente because the caterers wanted it that way or because they were in a hurry to refill the trays.

The Downside of Fame: There was a small, roped-off VIP section. Though it had slightly more breathing room, there was no food. Presumably the VIPs could live on celebrity alone.

A Producer’s Prayer: “If this movie will only gross what my last one cost,” said Permut (who’s last film was “The Marrying Man”).

Ars Longa. . .: Said Aiello: “Any time you stand there, put your feet together, tell the truth and keep an audience’s interest without gunshots and car chases, then you’re doing something that can be called art.”

Overheard: The film had the effect of making people who grew up in the Valley talk as if they were born in New York. There seemed to be an abnormally high ratio of pseudo-Brooklynese--”Eh, whuddayouwannado?” “Ahdunno, whuddayouwannado?”