"I always keep a supply of stimulant handy in case I see a snake -- which I also keep handy," said W.C. Fields of his drinking. I don't think Christopher Kennedy Lawford is going to take quite this jovial approach to his coming memoir. This wayward, but now reformed son of the late actor Peter Lawford and JFK's vivacious and popular sister, Patricia, has become a well-known public speaker on recovery and addiction. Like his British-born father, who was a matinee idol during MGM's heyday, Christopher is also an actor.
William Morrow just nailed down Christopher's coming book without even letting the manuscript go to auction. They found him "candid, smart and an amazing writer." His editor, Maureen O'Brien, says we can expect the book in fall 2005. She is enthusiastic about it.
I want to congratulate Christopher Lawford on his choice of editor. O'Brien also edited my own "Natural Blonde."
I SEE THAT David Gest has told Stone Phillips for some future NBC "Dateline" that I used to say he was "the most wonderful, incredible person ... the great producer, everything." Now, he says, I have turned on him, citing my friendship to Liza Minnelli and my great age as a cause.
Hmmm. Well, I still think David Gest is an effective producer. I saw him bring forth many miracles in the brief time of his marriage to Liza. If he had simply behaved himself, he could have had an amicable divorce and even continued working with Liza. But his so-called domestic behavior went pretty much beyond the pale, and his assertions that she beat him up made him a worldwide laughingstock. I didn't have a thing to do with that.
And I don't quite understand what my age has to do with it. It didn't seem to bother him when he was whipping up his four-page, single-spaced raves of publicity for himself, which even Liza advised me not to believe as he faxed them my way. I never concealed either my age or my friendship with Liza. I think David Gest was a fool for over-controlling her, pushing her around and then, at the last, making himself look like a total wimp. There is a way to end things graciously, and he didn't choose to do that.
BETTER NEWS for Liza in 2004 will be the publication of Scott Schechter's "The Liza Minnelli Scrapbook" from Citadel, a lavish tome, packed with rare photos, concentrating solely on her fabulous (ITALICS) career (END ITALICS).
ON GOLDEN GLOBES NIGHT, the Beverly Hilton Hotel will be transformed into a giant party, with major studios and indie producers hosting their separate galas after the actual awards. For the first time ever, the Globes will offer its own party after the dinner and broadcast. It takes place Sunday in the Stardust Room, hosted by NBC, "Access Hollywood" and Target. There will be live performances by the "Newlyweds" pop sensations, Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson. Cameron Douglas (son of Michael, grandson of Kirk) will spin records as the DJ!
SUNDAY NIGHT will kick off five weeks of parties and other awards -- the Globes will be followed by the Grammy Awards Feb. 8, the Screen Actors Guild Awards Feb. 22, agent Ed Limato's much-coveted, big, private party at his home Feb. 27 and, at last, the Academy Awards Feb. 29.
This year, people involved are cinching their belts. Many who don't live in L.A. don't hanker paying top hotel prices for a five-week stay of marathon happenings. They're renting efficiency apartments and stocking their kitchens.
IT'S ALWAYS FUN to talk to the beauteous Uma Thurman, who is definitely one of my Oscar nomination picks. Who else could do what she did in "Kill Bill: Vol. 1"¿ Uma called to tell me about Room to Grow, the New York-based nonprofit support group for babies born into poverty.
Uma, Princess Alexandra of Greece, guitarist John Sykes and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton are all involved in the auction, Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Christie's. Uma is 100 percent behind this charity, having met its creator, Julie Brown, long ago. "It's a perfect mix for me," Uma said, "babies and all."
One of the fabulous packages available will be a night with the great jazz musician Wynton Marsalis. He and his band will do an exclusive concert for the winner and 15 guests at a Sugar Hill Bistro banquet of Harlem's best food. Even more of Wynton will be available to the winner. Call 212-573-6933.
As for Uma, of course, I asked what was going on in her private life? She laughed, "My life is status quo. Nothing subtracted, nothing added!"
ALSO MONDAY, at the Virginia Theatre, there will be a benefit reading of the fabled Wendy Wasserstein play "The Sisters Rosensweig" for the Evelyn Lauder Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Blair Brown, Linda Lavin, Robert Klein, Amy Irving, Michael Higgins, Michelle Williams and Kieran Campion are reading in memory of Madeline Kahn and Wendy's sister, Sandra Meyer. Call 646-497-2606.
