all day: Movies

Holland-born Jan De Bont worked as a cinematographer for more than 30 years in Europe and the U.S. for such directors as Paul Verhoeven, Ridley Scott, Joel Schumacher and Richard Donner before making his own directorial debut in 1994 with the action thriller “Speed.” His 1996 follow-up to that blockbuster, “Twister,” became an even bigger hit. His third movie, “The Haunting,” one of the summer’s most anticipated films, finally hits theaters Friday. It’s based on Shirley Jackson’s novel “The Haunting of Hill House,” which was filmed once before in 1963 by director Robert Wise. In this version, Liam Neeson plays a researcher who lures three unsuspecting subjects (Catherine Zeta-Jones, Owen Wilson and Lili Taylor) to a haunted New England mansion--Hill House--on the pretense that they are taking part in a sleep disorder study. Well, let’s just say that no one gets much sleep once the residence’s menacing spirits are disturbed. Expect lots of hair-raising special effects.

* “The Haunting,” rated PG-13 for intense horror sequences, opens Friday in general release.

8 pm: Dance

Remember those scenes in “A Chorus Line” in which dancers spoke about why they started to dance, how their lives changed and why they cared so much? Here comes a kind of sequel: “From the Horse’s Mouth,” a self-styled “living documentary” about dancing conceived and directed by Tina Croll and James Cunningham. Originally staged in New York City, it receives its West Coast premiere as part of a typically varied Dance Kaleidoscope program at the Japan America Theatre. Expect 25 local dancers, choreographers, teachers, even a critic or two to be up on stage, horsing around and mouthing off, in tribute to the art of dance and what they did for love.

* Dance Kaleidoscope, Japan America Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro St., Little Tokyo, downtown Los Angeles. 8 p.m. Other programs in other venues on Thursday and Saturday. $18. $12 for students/seniors. (323) 343-MOVE.

11 am: Auction

Out Auction ’99 is the perfect event for all income levels. On Friday and Saturday there is free viewing of all the artwork--including pieces by such well-known artists as David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg and Andy Warhol. The auction itself includes items priced for opening bids from $100 to $20,000. Proceeds benefit the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center.

* Out Auction ’99 at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. Preview on Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., free. Reception, 7-10 p.m., $75. Saturday viewing, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., free. Auction 6-10 p.m., $30. (310) 996-1188.

all day: Festival

Chefs from Los Angeles restaurants such as Cyrano and Lavande converge at the fourth annual Best of LA Festival. Gourmet cuisine and elegant wines will be offered along with live music by artists such as John Doe, Gene Loves Jezebel and Otis Day and the Knights. Also scheduled: lectures, demonstrations, interactive exhibits and children’s entertainment.

* Best of LA Festival, outdoors at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1685 Main St., Santa Monica. Friday, 6-11 p.m.; Saturday, noon-11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. $10; seniors, $5; under age 12, $2. (888) 237-8635.

all day: Movies

Matthew Broderick stars as the title character in Disney’s live-action version of the popular cartoon “Inspector Gadget.” Broderick plays John Brown, a security guard with big dreams of becoming the world’s greatest police officer. With the help of a beautiful scientist (Joely Fisher), Brown is transformed into a gadget-wielding, accessory-laden government agent who must save the world from the suave and devilishly handsome but villainous Sanford Scolex, a.k.a. Claw (Rupert Everett).

* “Inspector Gadget,” rated PG for wacky violence/action, language and innuendo, opens Friday in general release.

8:30 pm: Music

Music by John Williams, including the recent “Phantom Menace,” as well as film scores going back to “The Reivers” and “Sound the Bells!” are highlights of “A Night at the Movies” at the Hollywood Bowl. The Oscar-winning composer will conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and actor Ossie Davis will narrate the Suite from “The Reivers.”

* “A Night at the Movies” at the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave. 8:30 p.m. $1-$83. Also Saturday, 8:30 p.m. (323) 850-2000.

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FREEBIES: Local mystery writers celebrate Raymond Chandler’s birthday with a reading and discussion at Bookstar, 100 N. La Cienega Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. (310) 289-1734.

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The 15-piece dance band Cubanismo!, led by trumpeter Jesus Alemany, appears on the Watercourt at California Plaza, 300 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. (213) 687-2190.