AMPAS to fete 'Graffiti' anni

Lucas to join cast, crew at screening, discussion

By BEN FRITZ

Director George Lucas will be among the cast and crew members of "American Graffiti" present on July 17 at a 25th anniversary celebration of the film hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.

AMPAS will screen the classic coming-of-age pic and present a post-screening discussion as part of their ongoing "Academy Standards" series.

Lucas, who received his first Oscar nominations for helming and co-writing "Graffiti," takes a break from his work on the "Star Wars" prequels to reunite with co-writers Gloria Katz and Willard Huyck and cast members Candy Clark, Mackenzie Phillips, Bo Hopkins, Paul Le Mat, Charles Martin Smith and Kathleen Quinlan on the discussion panel. Film critic Leonard Maltin will be the moderator.

Pic, which chronicles one last night of adolescent freedom for a group of small-town teenagers, was recently honored as one of the American Film Institute's top 100 American films.

The program begins at 8 p.m. Tickets for each event are $5 for the public and $3 for Academy members. They may be purchased in advance at the Academy or by mail. If tickets are still available that night, they will go on sale at 7 p.m. Information: [phone].