Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation’s press.

THEME PARKS

Decking Disney’s Halls: Disneyland has shut down It’s a Small World to transform the 31-year-old ride into a holiday wonderland from Nov. 25 to Jan. 4. Instead of the usual song, the ride’s 300 dolls will sing “Jingle Bells” and “Deck the Halls,” and yuletide decorations and costumes from each country will be showcased. The attraction, which has never before been temporarily altered, will also be lit up outside with thousands of colored lights, and the topiary animals will don Santa hats. . . . Meanwhile, the park has officially sent its new Light Magic parade “on hiatus” for two years for retooling.

LITERARY

Elton’s Tome: Elton John has announced plans to write his memoirs, to be published next fall. John said his 50th birthday, 30-year partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin and “other milestones, professional and personal” influenced his decision. He will collaborate with Ingrid Sischy, editor of Interview magazine.

Brothers to Tell All: Miramax Films co-founders Bob and Harvey Weinstein are writing “The Art of Miramax: The Inside Story,” addressing both the rise of American independent films and the success of their own Disney-owned company. All proceeds from the book, to be released in hard and soft cover in the spring or early summer, will be donated to various charities.

QUICK TAKES

KTLA-TV Channel 5 is axing its year-old 11 a.m. newscast--anchored by Jennifer York and Roland Galvan--starting Monday, replacing it with reruns of “Little House on the Prairie.” KTLA General Manager John Reardon said the station wants to focus its resources on the morning and evening newscasts. . . . ABC’s “Ellen,” which aired last week with a parental advisory that prompted public anger from star Ellen DeGeneres, was scheduled to run with no such warning attached on Wednesday. ABC maintained that advisories for the show--which has a lesbian title character--are determined on a case-by-case basis; this week’s episode features Ellen hiring a handyman from the “gay yellow pages.” . . . John Denver died without getting his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, although it was approved and paid for 15 years ago. “We were waiting for him to schedule a date,” a Hollywood Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman said. It wasn’t known if the singer’s family or fans would now schedule a posthumous dedication ceremony. . . . An adoring audience called Paul McCartney back on stage six times after Tuesday’s world premiere of his 75-minute orchestral work “Standing Stone,” at London’s Royal Albert Hall.