Douglas to build theater in Jerusalem

GOOD MORNING: An uplifting note in these days of death and destruction: Kirk Douglas is building a theater across from the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. "It will be for Jews, Christians, Muslims," says Douglas. "We all pray to the same God -- we only take different paths." He's also developing a film to be shown in the theater. It will tell the story of the wall, the sole remainder of the Temple built by Herod. "When people now see the wall," Douglas said, "it is anti-climactic. I want this film to make it more meaningful." The theater is under construction and it will be ready next year. It would show other films as well. Douglas is talking to Steven Spielberg, Norman Lear and others for input on the film ... As noted here earlier, Douglas is also working on an animated series based on his upcoming book, "Kid Heroes of the Bible" -- the series is, he says, an alternative to the fare kids get on the air today. Kirk and wife Anne are continuing their program that funds children's playgrounds. "When you look at the faces of kids who today are undergoing such traumatic experiences, it is important to try and give them a starting place with happiness" ... And now theater of a different kind and in a different place -- Las Vegas and the Mirage. As also reported here earlier, Sandy Gallin, CEO of Mirage Entertainment and Sports is searching for projects to debut on new theaters of the hotel. And Thursday in N.Y., Gallin talked with Bill Haber about a legit project -- plus f/x -- by Robert Halmi and Jim Henson's banner on a Mirage Stage. (Haber is also on Henson's board of directors). Checking out the legit scene possibilities for the hotel, Gallin also caught a readthrough Thursday in N.Y. of Allan Carr's planned B'way musical "Tom Sawyer." Gallin's also talked to major talents such as Mike Nichols, Terrence McNally, Carol Hall, Cy Coleman and others about Mirage stage possibilities. And last night Gallin caught the Pierre Cossette-produced "Civil War."

PHYLLIS DILLER ADMITS, "I died three times and then -- I was totally paralyzed." After spending two months in bed, Diller is again sounding her funny, feisty self and is able to walk. She says she will be able to work -- in the fall. "I'd better," she laughed, "my manager Milt Suchin has me booked. I'm now working on my act in my mind." About "dying" Diller says it was caused by reaction to medication given her when hospitalized for a heart condition. She reminds us, "Dying is easy -- comedy is hard!" ... How will Ann Landers and Abigail Van Buren (twin sisters nee Esther and Pauline Friedman) react to Lifetime's "Take My Advice: The Ann and Abby Story?" Ann Landers ("Eppie" Lederer) allowed she is looking forward to it. But neither she nor sister Abby/Pauline (Mrs. Morton Phillips) have been approached by the film's makers, admits exec producer Freyda Rothstein from the Portland, Ore., locations. However, Ann's daughter, Margo, did call her to inquire -- she had previously written a book about her mother, Eppie. Rothstein says the successful twin sisters, who are close again ("We fax each other every day") after their longtime split, are portrayed as "smart, funny, edgy," etc. Rothstein says their script is based on "public records -- and we are not out to hurt them." I spoke to Wendie Malick who is playing both twins. She says "their whole feud is depicted and their big fights -- but they were the best competition for each other." Her feelings about playing twins? "I felt closer to Ann. I have an affinity for her: She was so anti-Joe McCarthy and put herself on the line. But Abby also is so strong -- she reinvented herself. She's more fun to play!" How does Malick play opposite herself for the cameras? "I have a wonderful actress-body double, Patty Brockman -- and of course there is process filming." But she admits, it's a rare acting opportunity to play twins. Alan Metzger directs them-her. The show airs July 19.

SHANGHAI'D AND SHOOTING: Ron Shelton and Stephen Chin's initial Shanghai Films production, "Play it to the Bone" is the beginning of a program of pix the duo plan to make -- "like the studios used to make 10 years ago" -- for a price: no star entourages, no private jets, etc. Antonio Banderas and Woody Harrelson star as off-the-beaten-path middleweight prizefighters. Following this fight pic, Shelton and Chin are readying a Kung Fu'er, "Shaolin Mastah" hopefully for Jet Li, and "Paradise Park," about the underworld of horse racing. They will shoot "Bone's" fight scenes at Vegas' Mandalay Bay hotel's arena during the Oscar de la Hoya/Oba Carr fight. Bob Wagner plays a villainous Vegas hotel owner in the pic, Jack Carter is the Vegas lawyer, Lolita Davidovich is the love interest -- of both Banderas and Harrelson. Stay tuned for the final round ... A new kind of metal music: Metallica performed, backed by the 100-piece SanFran Symphony under the baton of Michael Kamen, at the sold-out Berkeley Community Theater this week. And Kamen hopes to repeat with the quartet with similar backing. He says the symphony orch played "full out and as hard as they (Metallica) did throughout the entire time. They were incredible!" The show was recorded and filmed by Elektra (Metallica's label) and they plan to develop another album together. Now, Oscar-winner Kamen's working on a millennium concert, "The New Moon in the Old Moon's Arms" to debut in January at the Kennedy Center with Leonard Slatkin conducting, and recorded by Decca.