MOVIES - March 5, 1996

Hepburn Ailing: Actress Katharine Hepburn, 88, was reported resting at her Connecticut home Monday after suffering a bout of pneumonia that a New York newspaper said “almost killed her.” New York’s Daily News said the four-time Oscar winner had been treated under an assumed name at New York’s Lenox Hill Hospital last week before being released to go to her country home in Fenwick, Conn. Hospital officials declined to confirm that Hepburn had been a patient. The Daily News said it learned from hospital sources that the actress had been very ill and her physicians at one point had not expected her to live. It was not clear what her present condition was. Hepburn’s high-spirited humor, high cheekbones and New England accent made her a film star since her debut in the 1930s. In addition to receiving four Academy Awards for best actress, she was nominated for another 12.

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Producers Honored: “Apollo 13” producers Brian Grazer and Todd Hallowell were honored as producers of the year Monday night as the Producers Guild of America passed out its annual awards at the Regent Beverly Wilshire. Television honors went to “Frasier” producers David Angell, Peter Casey, David Lee, Christopher Lloyd, Vic Rauseo, Linda Morris and Steve Levitan for episodic production and to “Truman” producers Paula Weinstein, Anthea Sylbert and Doro Bachrach for longform work. Nova newcomer awards went to Edward J. Burns and Dick Fisher for the motion picture “The Brothers McMullen” and to “Dr. Katz” producers Jonathan Katz, Tom Snyder, Tim Braine and Nancy Geller for television. Guild vice president Robert Radnitz was given a lifetime honorary membership award. Lifetime achievement awards went to Walter Mirisch for films and Ted Turner for television. Ralph Guggenheim and Bonnie Arnold received a special award for “Toy Story.”

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Funny Films Fest: As the second annual U.S. Comedy Arts Festival drew to a close Sunday in Aspen, Colo., movie mogul Jon Peters confided unannounced plans for a greatly expanded event that would incorporate comedic works from independent filmmakers. Peters, a festival host, said he hoped to emulate Robert Redford’s success at the Sundance Film Festival, but on a comedy level. “We still have to put all the elements together, but I promise you, in two to three years, it will be in full gear. It’ll be extremely hip and young [with] a dimension that Sundance doesn’t have.” This year’s festival--which was presented by HBO, the American Film Institute and Comedy Central and drew a record 800 attendees--was geared toward television and stage, with 40 new artists giving stand-up performances or alternative theater pieces. Among other festival highlights were a tribute to Steve Martin and a humorous talk by “Doonesbury” creator Garry Trudeau.