"I'D RATHER go to Fat Burger!" was Michael Jackson's response when his onetime producer, Gary Pudney, told him that they were going to visit the Prince's Palace of Monaco.
When they arrived at the main room, Michael spotted Prince Rainier's throne. "Can I sit on that?" he begged Mr. Pudney. "No, you cannot sit on the throne of a Serene Highness," came the answer.
Well, if you take a look at the amazing Architectural Digest for November, you'll see that Michael got his own throne to sit on. Photos inside are rare and taken some years ago at Neverland by the photographer of photographers, Harry Benson.
SPEAKING OF kings, queens and princes, Henry VIII must be rolling in his grave. It is reported that the Queen of England and her consort, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, have grown increasingly sympathetic to the Roman Catholic Church and are eagerly awaiting the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Great Britain. He will stay in Buckingham Palace.
Mandrake in the Telegraph reports that the Queen's husband has opened a new wing of the famous Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, the first time any English Royal has done such a thing in more than 400 years.
The Duchess of Kent shocked the Royal family by converting to Catholicism in 1994 but the rest remained steadfast in the traditions of the Reformation. They say, however, that now the Windsors are "appalled" at certain developments in the Church of England.
HARVEY WEINSTEIN, quoted in the November issue of Vogue says, "I've made more than 100 movies, but I've never ever made a movie like this!"
He's talking about the coming movie musical of "Nine." Vogue sent Plum Sykes to be on the set along with Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Kate Hudson, Judi Dench, Fergie and Sophia Loren. Marion Cotillard was not working that day at the Shepperton Studios in Surrey.
Kidman, Cotillard, Cruz and Hudson appear on the cover of Vogue, photographed by Annie Leibovitz. (Who can say what happened to the other famous ladies -- Madames Dench and Loren. Are they too mature for the cover of Vogue?)
Oh, well, it's Miss Loren, an icon-plus-deluxe, who gives the best quote. It is a money-quote, so to speak. She says of "Nine," directed by Rob Marshall:
"It's the best movie I've ever done!" This from a woman made a legend by the late Vittorio De Sica.
MADONNA IS off to London to do more international PR for her greatest hits set, "Celebration." The CD is number one all over Europe, a smash. It's selling briskly in the United States, too. (Despite Madonna having done little to promote the album in America -- wasted appearances on "Letterman" and "SNL.")
"Celebration" includes a new song titled "Revolver" with lyrics like "My love's a revolver/my sex is a killer/do you want to die happy?"
Madonna is capable of penning serious, lush, poignant ballads. And perhaps she will again. But with Jesus in her life right now, she ain't feeling poignant. You go, girl. Line 'em up and shoot 'em down.
TICKETS ARE now on sale for the highly anticipated revival of Stephen Sondheim's classic "A Little Night Music." This is the lush and witty re-vamp of Ingmar Bergman's famous movie of romantic intrigues, "Smiles of a Summer Night."
The gorgeous movie queen Catherine Zeta-Jones will play actress Desiree Armfeldt, whose stagnant emotions are rejuvenated by a chance encounter with an old lover, now married. And five-time Tony-winning Broadway legend Angela Lansbury appears as Desiree's mother, Madame Armfeldt, who does not approve of her daughter's career or love life. Do I see a sixth Tony for Angela?!
Previews at the Walter Kerr Theater begin Nov. 24. "Night Music" opens on Dec. 13, and then we can send in the clowns, hopefully, with good reviews. Go to www.NightMusicOnBroadway.com for ticket info.
ENDQUOTE: The unique star Hilary Swank is on the cover of Marie Claire magazine. The two-time Oscar winner will be seen on big screens any second in a role it seems she was born to play -- legendary aviatrix Amelia Earhart. (Then again, could you imagine any other actress in "Boys Don't Cry" or "Million Dollar Baby?)
In this article Swank reveals that she was a vegetarian for many years but had to go back to eating meat for health reasons. What was it like for her to become a carnivore again? "Very emotional. I sat over my plate and cried -- I really had to work through it. It still makes me emotional. I love animals. I don't know if you have ever looked into a cow's eye, but it is so soulful. So I don't like it -- but it's something I have to do."
(E-mail Liz Smith at MES3838@aol.com, or write to her c/o Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207.)
