Travolta at work on military murder mystery

GOOD MORNING: John Travolta's movie musical days are not over -- not by a long shot. The setting was far from musical when I caught up with Travolta Wednesday a.m. on Stage 15 at Par, where he is starring in "The General's Daughter." Travolta, handsome in a beribboned Army officer's uniform as a member of the CID (Criminal Investigation Division), had just completed the most dramatic scene of the pic. It was the revelation of the murderer of Leslie Stefanson, who plays the daughter of James Cromwell, the would-be Vice Presidential candidate Gen. Joe Campbell. While the film takes place in Army environs, producer Mace Neufeld did not get Dept. of Defense cooperation. "I didn't ask for it," he said, knowing the Army-sited murder mystery could never get their blessing. "They read the script and liked it -- but," smiled Neufeld, who had no trouble coming up with doubles for Army bases, gear, etc. ... Travolta, Cromwell and Clarence Williams III unveiled the murderer as the scene unravels in nine script pages (plus flashbacks), noted producer Neufeld and director Simon West. Travolta unspooled careful, complicated and cool dialog, winding up in a rage. Neufeld said, "This is the best movie I've ever produced" -- which is saying a lot, looking at his record. He credits the cast, director and script by William Goldman, based on the book by Nelson DeMille. While this is the first of DeMille's five books to reach the screen, Neufeld said they talked screen rights to his next book, the sequel to "Plum Island." But first Neufeld is developing "Pathfinder" (about the CIA) and "Bless the Child," which he described as a sorta "reverse 'Omen.' " "General's Daughter," at $60 million, is skedded for release next June by Par. Bad weather on the Savannah location put 'em slightly behind sked and they have to wind with Cromwell Friday, as he returns to "The Green Mile" -- in which he plays the prison warden, a distinct change from his "General's" role. Further evidence of Cromwell's versatility is in the "Babe" sequel, bowing Nov. 25. While his role is small in this one, he says he'll "absolutely" return for "Babe III": "George Miller (director) promised my part would be as big as in the first." He'll return because of his love for the pig -- excuse it, the pic.

AS FOR JOHN TRAVOLTA and a movie musical -- he relaxed between "General's" scenes in his trailer and revealed that he and wife Kelly Preston have become good friends with Barbra Streisand; they attended her wedding to Jim Brolin and have dined together several times since. As for possibly making a musical with Streisand, Travolta said, "It would be my dream." Helping make that dream a possibility is the fact he is also talking a musical story with Quincy Jones and Babyface. The actor has also recently become friendly with Marlon Brando: in his private plane, Travolta piloted Brando up from a Mexico location and the two have been dinner partners of late -- and talking music. This friendship began when Brando caught Travolta's imitation of him on "Saturday Night Live" ... While a movie musical is a longer-range future project, Travolta said "Shipping News" is delayed, getting a rewrite. And "Battlefield Earth" probably will not start until next summer ... The versatile Travolta plays Admiral Barr in the Christmas-released "The Thin Red Line," after having been a Presidential candidate in "Primary Colors." The actor says he is on the best of terms with President Clinton, has been at the White House several times, also invited by Clinton to attend a London function ... While "General's Daughter" is a nail-biting mystery, there is also humor -- and sex, between Travolta and Madeleine Stowe. How much sex? "We haven't yet decided whether or not they will consummate it," West smiled.

SHOWBIZ CERTAINLY CAN take a bow for helping the Demos win in Calif. and N.Y. Senate races, and in the California gubernatorial race as well. Celeb supporters are also still hopeful for a win for Rob Reiner's hard-fought battle against the tobacco interests on Calif. Proposition 10, with the count so far too close to call ... There was joy at Barbra Streisand's home following her personal, vocal, live and Internet appearances for the Demo candidates. And Bob Daly, who had hosted the last Hollywood dinner starring President Clinton on behalf of incumbent senator Barbara Boxer, was invited to the SanFran victory party Tuesday night; while he was unable to attend, he took phone calls from the celebrants. Daly also supported then-candidate Gray Davis at his houseparty ... Bill Ballance, recuperating at a Southern Calif. hospital after a fall, said he has 200 more of "those" pictures of Dr. Laura Schlesinger taken in 1975. Ballance claims he did not give the first set of pix to the Internet Entertainment Group for the money ($50,000). "I'm very well off," he claims. "I'm fiscally solvent." Then why? "It's a type of vengeance," he said. He may have already taken "vengeance" in his vivid description of his two-year relationship with Dr. Schlesinger, as quoted in the September issue of Vanity Fair ... On the more pleasant side of the news: Hugh O'Brian, Marine Corps vet of WWII, will be honored by the L.A. Chapter of the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents' celebration of the 223rd Marine Corps birthday, Saturday at the Hollywood Roosevelt.