Angelenos Attend British Gala

Dozens of Angelenos attended the British Academy of Film & Television Arts awards gala at the Grosvenor House in London Sunday night. It may have been the third-ranking British affair--after the elections and the Fergie/Andy furor, which captured newspaper headlines all week.

Heading the academy’s premier oval table for 38 was its president, Princess Anne (now called the Princess Royal), seated next to academy chairman Richard Price. The academy saluted actress Audrey Hepburn (also at that table), who slipped into the earlier cocktail party through a side door. She was wearing a black satin Givenchy gown, and was escorted by Rob Wolders.

Michael J. Fox, a presenter, also was at the table. British actor Sam Wanamaker, frequently in Los Angeles raising funds for the Old Globe Theatre reconstruction in London, escorted his daughter, Zoe, who outshone her father inasmuch as she was nominated for best television actress. More in the crowd: actress Sharon Gless (former Las Madrinas debutante) and her producer-husband, Barney Rosenzweig.

STANDING OVATION: The Junior League of Pasadena, headed this year by president Diane Scott, works selflessly to finance projects such as recycling, a parent resource center and advocacy for seniors.

Members could give themselves a standing ovation for their three-part “Center Stage” fashion show and evening gala, luncheon and brunch last weekend at the Ritz-Carlton, Huntington Hotel. Indeed, benefit chairwoman Pamela Hillings Tegtmeyer had dubbed this year’s trio of galas “Standing Ovation.”

Seventy-five models walked the runway. Later, at the dinner, the young crowd jammed the fashion ramp, dancing to the lively West Coast Music band. In nine years, the benefit has generated $900,000 for league projects. Deserving credit this year are Amy Colton, Peggy Mills Ireland, Dina Morgan, Rita Bristol, Jane Auerbach, Mary Beth Steinkamp, Susie Rhodes, Nancy McGowan and Laurie Jutzi.

BAILE DE COLORES: Flounces, ruffles, lace and lots of red, black and orange and sequins set a glamorous glow for Baile de Colores, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s Latin-beat party, Tuesday evening. Mexican guitarists, Chilean wines and a columned portico transformed the ballroom at the Regent Beverly Wilshire into a Spanish hacienda, with the help of Jay Krauses’ stage decor and Dan Klemuk’s flowers.

John Gavin read the special presentation for Los Angeles businessman and philanthropist Daniel Villanueva. When Villanueva accepted, he talked of his Mexican roots, of how his family moved to the United States, determined to make a better life for him and his 10 brothers and sisters, and of how music was always with them. They had a piano wherever they went, he said.

The orchestra’s chairman emeritus, Ron Rosen, made another presentation, to the Ambassador Foundation for its longtime arts support. David L. Hulme, foundation vice president, accepted. In the crowd, dancing to Rudy Macias’ Latin music and listening to South American harpist Alfredo Rolando Ortiz, were David L. Gersh, orchestra president, and Jennifer Diener and Toni Thomas Luskin, the party co-chairs.

NEW LOOK: The Southwest Museum broke tradition this year and moved its annual Mountain Spirit Gala benefit from the museum to the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

However, it kept Southwestern cuisine, the salsa beat of the Latin Connection and the live auction of American Indian artifacts.

For newness, co-chairs Colleen Kieley Lee and Tom McKernan, chief executive officer of the Automobile Club of Southern California, topped the night with a salute to actor Graham Greene, presenting him the first Southwest Museum Lifetime Achievement Award.

Greene, an Oneida born on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, Canada, was nominated last year for an Academy Award as best supporting actor for his role as Kicking Bird in “Dances With Wolves.” Consul General of Canada Reg H. Dorrett bestowed the honor as Greene’s wife, Hillary Blackmore, looked on.

WE HEAR: Some 800 House Ear Institute benefit-goers, we’re told, were enraptured by veteran dance man Donald O’Connor last week at the Beverly Hilton.

Bob Hope, Nanette Fabray and Kathy Buckley--who have all dealt with hearing impairments--also teamed up to entertain, along with Robert Guillaume and cabaret artist Sue Rainey.

“O’Connor was absolutely wonderful,” said Maggie Edwards, who leaves today with a coterie of Junior Leaguers, including Carol Inman and Mary Alice Tudor, to visit homes and gardens in Charleston, S.C., and Savannah, Ga.

Prominent in the crowd: Nina and James O’Hern, Drs. Howard and James House, Lynn Hirsch, Bill and Teran Davis, Pat and Finn Moller, Helene and Richard Irvin, Frances Hilton, Bonnie Sue Baker, and Peggy Edwards. Stepping up to the stage as the institute’s humanitarians of the year were Leslie and Susan Gonda and Betty Hutton Williams. Marlee Matlin received the Media Award for her role in “Reasonable Doubts.”

THE BEST: For exemplifying the best of “community spirit,” Angela Lansbury accepted the Salvation Army’s Sally Award at the Regent Beverly Wilshire, following in the footsteps of the late Cecil B. DeMille, first recipient in 1957. Other honorees have been the late Phillip Chandler and Bob Hope. Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie received the William Booth Award. Lew Wasserman, Caroline Ahmanson and Richard J. Riordan were on the honorary committee.