Party-Goers Catch ‘Boomerang’

The Scene: The premiere of Paramount’s “Boomerang” Sunday at Mann’s Chinese on Hollywood Boulevard. Afterward, most guests drove (an intrepid few walked) the eight scenic blocks to the Palace for the party that had 1,000 guests, a dozen buffets and an 11-piece rhythm-and-blues band with four back-up singers. Director Reginald Hudlin said, “When I made ‘House Party,’ the premiere was at my house. This is a new level.”

Who Was There: The film’s stars, Eddie Murphy, Eartha Kitt and David Alan Grier; director Hudlin and his brother, co-producer Warrington Hudlin; Paramount Pictures chairman Brandon Tartikoff, plus guests including Faye Dunaway, Richard Pryor, Dennis Miller, Charles Dutton, Wesley Snipes, Cuba Gooding Jr., Heavy D, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Ice Cube, Sam Jackson, Matty Rich, Brenda Ritchie, Sean Daniels, Keenan Wayans, Rosie Perez, Norm Nixon, Debbie Allen and Tim Leary.

The Buzz: Earthquake. And the fact that Murphy’s been absent from the screen for two years. If “Boomerang” soars with a big opening weekend, it may put to rest doubts over whether the ‘80s box-office champ will be a ‘90s star.

Dress Mode: The invite called for “summer chic.” A Paramount exec translated this as “dress fly, babe.”

Fashion Statement: Co-star Grace Jones went beyond a statement--it was more a design manifesto. The actress/model wore an Issey Miyake creation she described as “a work of art.” It appeared to be a backless, gold lame, rubber latex, front-zippered (mostly open) vest/bustier/sleeveless wet-suit jacket that was worn with a white gauze, accordion-pleated, fringed skirt. It was accompanied by a gold-threaded shawl. “It’s really very simple,” said Jones, who was also wearing a platinum wig.

Chow: A wide-spectrum menu that included Southern fried chicken, peach glazed ribs, pasta, Jamaican jerked chicken, tamales and creme brulee tarts.

Quoted: “I think this film is an incredible step forward for Eddie,” Tartikoff said. “It shows facets of him that haven’t been seen before. It’s a leading man role. It’s not just a silly comedy where they put a gun in his hand.”

Not Quoted: Murphy was incommunicado. He had a party of his own, complete with four-piece band, in the club’s uppermost room.

Observed: At the door, the studio posted a poster-size, 18-point list of excuses that would not get the uninvited into the party. They included: “Would you ask Brandon to come to the door?”; “I just need to use the bathroom. I’ll come right out.”; “I’m writing Eddie’s next movie.”; and that enduring Hollywood favorite, “Don’t you recognize me?”