Security for Prince Tom; Tears From Ryder

The security at the post-premiere party for New Line Cinema’s “Magnolia” on Wednesday evening was so tight, you would’ve thought President Clinton, Queen Elizabeth or some other dignitary was attending the soiree at the Center West building in Westwood. But, exiting the elevator on the 23rd floor where the party was being held, all I encountered were four tough guy bouncers who quickly escorted me back to the elevator (headed down) because I didn’t have the right color ticket. Gee, this is how invited guests are treated?

When the snafu was cleared up, I discovered the reason for the Fort Knox-like precautions at the airy penthouse: the presence of Hollywood crown prince Tom Cruise, who co-stars in the film.

Other luminaries included writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson (with girlfriend Fiona Apple), and actors Julianne Moore, William H. Macy, and the Philips--Baker Hall and Seymour Hoffman--all veterans from Anderson’s second film, “Boogie Nights,” who are also in “Magnolia.” Also on hand were Brooke Shields, Heather Graham with beau Ed Burns, Mark Wahlberg and Chris Penn.

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Across town at the swank new Hollywood club the Sunset Room, a more rollicking party--for Columbia Pictures’ “Girl, Interrupted”--was in full swing.

Director James Mangold and star Winona Ryder both gave emotional speeches prior to the screening at the Cinerama Dome. Ryder teared up as she described her connection with Susanna Kaysen’s autobiographical novel on which the film is based. “It catapulted me back to the first time I read ‘Catcher in the Rye’ and I discovered I was not the only person who knew what it was like to be lonely and alienated.”

One woman described the film as a “ ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ for girls.” Guests including Angelina Jolie, Brittany Murphy and Clea Duvall, who play Ryder’s fellow hospital inmates, and musicians Lenny Kravitz and Robbie Robertson, danced and partied until well after midnight.

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Despite the unexpected arrival of Leonardo DiCaprio at Tuesday night’s premiere of director Lasse Hallstrom’s “The Cider House Rules” at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the “It-boy” of the evening was versatile and prolific actor Michael Caine, who plays the loving and nonconformist doctor who runs an orphanage in rural Maine during the 1940s.

While DiCaprio hung out with a small group of B-boys, the crowds flocked to meet and shake hands with the veteran actor.

Cast members Tobey Maguire, Paul Rudd and Delroy Lindo mingled with author John Irving, who adapted the screenplay from his own novel. Guests ate mini-chicken pot pies and sticky candied apples (half of the film is set on an apple orchard).

* “Magnolia” opens Dec. 17; “Girl, Interrupted” opens Dec. 21; “The Cider House Rules” opens today.