‘Haunting’ Premiere Scares Up Hoots, Howls

Usually at a movie premiere, members of the audience will respond politely, if not enthusiastically, to the film out of deference to those involved in the making of the film who happen to be sitting all around them.

But such was not the case at Tuesday evening’s premiere of DreamWorks’ “The Haunting” at the Mann Village Westwood. The film, a supernatural thriller about a haunted New England castle, drew more hoots and howls than gasps and screams despite the presence in the theater of director Jan De Bont; stars Liam Neeson, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Lili Taylor; and DreamWorks honcho Jeffrey Katzenberg. Overheard afterward: Two men debating which was the worst movie of the year. “If only ‘Wild Wild West’ had as many laughs as ‘The Haunting,’ ” said one.

The post-screening party at Campanile on La Brea, however, was a complete success. The restaurant broke tradition and served its famous breakfast in the evening (scrambled eggs, meat and potato hash, thick cuts of bacon). Comfort foods such as macaroni and cheese, BLTs and Southern-fried chicken were also served.

De Bont, Neeson and Katzenberg greeted guests in the gothic-like foyer of the restaurant. On the patio, Taylor entertained her parents, who flew in from Chicago, and Zeta-Jones, who wore a black one-shouldered gown and her hair in a sleek chignon, dazzled even the most jaded Hollywood types.

Producers Susan Arnold and Donna Arkoff Roth brought their husbands, Tom Jacobson and Joe Roth, respectively. We hear those guys have something to do with the picture business too.

The closing-night party of Outfest ‘99: The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival at Circus Arena on Santa Monica Boulevard on Monday evening was, well, like a big gay prom--disco balls, go-go boys and drag queens in general, Miss Coco Peru in particular.

Upstairs in the VIP room, the stars of the closing film, “trick”--Tori Spelling, Christian Campbell (Neve’s brother) and J.P. Pitoc--watched as Erin Hamilton (daughter of Carol Burnett) performed a funky cover of “Dream Weaver,” which is on the movie’s soundtrack. Parents Aaron and Candy and brother Randy Spelling came out to support Tori, as did “90210” pals Jennie Garth and Luke Perry. Also on hand were Keri Russell (from TV’s “Felicity”), Olympic medalist Greg Louganis and festival director Morgan Rumpf.