Lear pushes to oust impeachment leaders

GOOD MORNING: Anyone in Hollywood can expect to hear from Norman Lear momentarily. Lear is chairman of the People For the American Way, which is launching a $5 million campaign specifically aimed at ousting the 13 Republican Congressional Managers who led the impeachment effort against President Clinton. Thursday, People For prez Carole Shields appeared on national TV shows and reported to Lear that "the phones were ringing off the hook" with contributions. They already have a 30-second spot on the air and more will come aimed to recall/oust the impeachment leaders and regain Demo leadership in both houses. People For the American Way is now in its 18th year; following the Congressional hearings -- in the House and Senate -- they feel the public "is now convinced of the threats of the religious right in all social issues." Clinton is expected to make appearances in SanFran and L.A. this month or early in March. Lear is, of course, still very much in showbiz and his banner hopes to start filming "What Happened in Bob's Garage" this year. It's a drama-with-comedy written by C.J. Cox and produced by Lear ... "The Thin Red Line" producers Bobby Geisler and John Roberdeau will follow their next, "The White Hotel," directed by Emir Kusturica, with a Hollywood-set feature, "Flicker" scripted by Dan O'Bannon ("Alien," "Total Recall"), from the book by Theodore Roszak. "Flicker" characters include Shirley Temple, Orson Welles, John Huston and the Three Stooges ... Continuing the tradition wherein a past recipient presents to the current honoree, Jack Nicholson will give the 27th AFI Life Achievement Award to Dustin Hoffman, Feb. 18 at the BevHilton.

THEY'RE ALL BIG -- but this is "major" says Robert Halmi of his next, 10-hour NBC series, "The 10th Kingdom" to start filming next month in N.Y., London, Germany, Austria and Norway. The contemporary stories will combine live action with fairy tales, among 'em "Snow White", "Cinderella," "Sleeping Beauty," etc. So far cast: Kimberly Williams, John Larroquette, Scott Cohen, Dianne Wiest, Ed O'Neill, Rutger Hauer. What's the cost for the 10-hour shows? "Well, if the four-hour 'Cleopatra' and 'Arabian Nights' cost $28 million, you can figure out how much this one will cost," said Halmi. $70 million? Next up, Feb. 28, is his three-hour "Alice in Wonderland" for NBC, which he modestly says is "The best thing I've done up to this point -- until the next one" ... Steve Guttenberg is putting his money where his allegiance is: launching his 10th Ave. production banner on "Love and Fear" along with Anthony Esposito's A List Pictures, Guttenberg switched the filming from Halifax to L.A. And to accomplish the cost reductions here, Guttenberg tossed in his deferment and some of his salary too in order to film in Hollywood. He made the change after reading about much local production shifting to Canada. Steve says he has many friends (from 22 years working here) in the crews and crafts, "And I'd hate to see L.A. just become an office building for film production." He also plans to contribute part of his deferments/salary to the Gutenhaus for the United Friends of the Children Bridges and the Entertainment Industry Foundation. Robbie Fox debut-directs "Love and Fear" -- and his father, Charles Fox, will music. Joining the cast is Pauly Shore as Guttenberg's cousin ... Writer-director costar Myles Berkowitz previewed his Fox Searchlight "20 Dates" at Hugh Hefner's Playboy mansion where Hef also celebrated the publication of his "Inside the Playboy Mansion." More than 20 Playmates were on hand for the book and the pic in which Berkowitz shows his search to find the "right girl." He did, with date Number 9, Elisabeth Wagner, and they are engaged.

ARTHUR HILLER WAS ASKED to step out into the hallway at DGA's h.q. during the national board meeting . When he was asked back in the meet, they told him he's the recipient of the guild's Robert B. Aldrich Award for guild service. Hiller was so moved, he began to cry! ... Noah Wyle took title of the ranch and home formerly owned by Bo Derek and her late husband John Derek. The 46-acre site sold for $2.5 million and Wyle said it will be a wonderful place to raise children. He currently dates Tracy Warban. Bo D., now filming in London and Frankfurt, told friends she would be willing to tackle another series despite the short-lived "Wind on Water" ... Valentine's Day note: Couples are lining up to exchange wedding vows on the bridge of the USS Enterprise at "Star Trek: The Experience" attraction at the Las Vegas Hilton. The "Wedding Package" starts at $2,000 and on Sunday it will include serenading by Tim Ross who plays Tuvok on "Star Trek: Voyager," backed by Neil Norman and his Cosmic orch ... Former RCA VP Mort Fleischmann is at Encino-Tarzana Medical Center undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma cancer ... Johnny Francis, director of entertainment for the BevHills Friars, is toasted (roasted) tonight on his 75th birthday. Norm Crosby emcees ... The cast of "Death of a Salesman," led by Brian Dennehy, and playwright Arthur Miller were cheered at the post-preem party at the Tavern on the Green. First-niters included Veronique and Gregory Peck, Lauren Bacall, Pat Kennedy Lawford, Richard Widmark, etc. Later, cast members continued on to Elaine's where Woody Allen congratted 'em.