Not for Those With a Fear of Flying

The Scene: Wednesday’s outdoor screening of the 1946 British classic “A Matter of Life and Death” on the Tarmac of Santa Monica Airport. The whole night, including an after-party catered by DC-3 inside the Museum of Flying, was a big hit. The event was to celebrate the publication of late director Michael Powell’s memoir “Million Dollar Movie.” It was hosted by Quentin Tarantino.

The Locale: The screen was set near a fog-draped runway where small planes took off during the screening. Guests were given chemical hand warmers, olive-colored blankets and designer shopping bags with cheese-flavored popcorn.

Noted: If you’re speaking to a crowd who is sitting outdoors in the cold wrapped in blankets, keep the introductory speeches short. Someone might have mentioned this to Random House Editor Helen Morris and Alfred Dunhill CEO David Salz, who underwrote the screening and party. However, one guest did say: “If he’s the guy paying for the blankets, he can talk as long as he wants.”

Who Was There: Among the well-known in the 300 were Kim Hunter, who starred in the film, Uma Thurman, Peter Bogdanovich, Rosanna Arquette, Lisa Zane, Shari Belafonte, Brenda Vaccaro, JoBeth Williams and Brian (Kato) Kaelin.

Quoted: Asked his favorite Powell film, Tarantino said, “It would be a slugfest between this one, ‘Thief of Baghdad’ and ‘Peeping Tom,’ ” the controversial thriller that ended the director’s career. “Peeping Tom” “is sort of like a Brian DePalma film made at the end of the ‘50s, with the same sordidness,” said Tarantino. “The reason they reacted so badly was, they found the film incredibly violent and just twisted and psychotic. It leaves a nasty taste in your mouth. Which is why I like it.”

Obligatory O.J. Trial Reference: Pauly Shore called personally from the “Jury Duty” premiere in Westwood to inquire when Kaelin would be arriving at his post-screening bash. It’s now official: No Kato, no party.