The Film Was Noir; the Palace, Pink

The Scene: Friday’s benefit premiere of TriStar’s “Devil in a Blue Dress” at the Motion Picture Academy. The film noir detective tale is based on Walter Mosley’s mystery set in post-World War II African American Los Angeles. “I felt they were interesting times to discover,” said Denzel Washington, on why he took the lead role. “In 1948 we weren’t allowed to come north of Wilshire Boulevard. And here we are tonight on the north side of the street.”

Who Was There: Washington, who still had difficulty getting to Wilshire Boulevard--a Laurel Canyon traffic jam made him 45 minutes late. In what might be a Hollywood first, a premiere started without the star. Also there were co-stars Tom Sizemore and Don Cheadle; director Carl Franklin; plus 1,000 guests, including Jodie Foster, Will Smith, Alfre Woodard, Mykelti Williamson, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Mark Johnson, and studio execs Mark Canton, Alan Levine, Marc Platt, Stacey Snider and Sid Ganis.

The After-Party: The Beverly Hills Hotel turns out to be a fantastic setting for a premiere gala. Still radiantly fresh from its $100-million restoration/face lift, the Pink Palace’s baroquely plush ambience (one guest dubbed its salmon and rose colors “Malibu Barbie”) is the singularity of Hollywood expressed in architecture.

Observed: Professional autograph seekers, who on any occasion surf the crest of creepy weirdness, usually carry large glossy photos. This night, one was holding large boxes of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes. The hope was that figure skater/cereal endorser Kristi Yamaguchi would sign one.

Quoted: “Somehow, as part of an entertainment process, we’re able to discuss things like racism, corruption, hypocrisy and courage,” said director Franklin. “People are able to sit back and enjoy a movie, but they also get involved in the issues.

“Without the entertainment elements, even with a documentary, I don’t think it would have the same resonance.”

Money Matters: Tickets were $250 each. More than $200,000 was raised for the Arthur Ashe Foundation, which funds inner-city tennis programs, and Forum Community Service, better known as the Laker Wives, an education charity.