Kilmer, Brando talk publicity

GOOD MORNING: Val Kilmer and I were talking on the phone -- when Marlon Brando called him on another line. Kilmer had just wound the day's shooting on "The Saint" at Pinewood. Val apologized to Brando, his "Island of Dr. Moreau" co-star, told him he was talking to me, said he'd call him back. "Marlon is so funny," Kilmer reported to me. "He has an idea for the two of us to be joined by Nelson De La Rosa to do a global satellite interview -- to promote the movie ("Moreau")." De La Rosa is the 26-inch-tall thesp who plays Brando's piano-playing son in the movie. Brando had bragged about De La Rosa to me in an earlier (column'd) conversation. As for working with Brando, Kilmer said, "This is a dear man. I was going through my divorce (from Joanne Whalley) -- and, despite his problems, he was so supportive to me. He is amazing." Whether the Brando-Kilmer-De La Rosa trio's scintillating satellited sell for the movie comes about is iffy -- Kilmer's stay in England on "The Saint" goes on into August, beyond the anticipated July finale. But producer David Brown explained, "This is a hugely logistical monster of a movie." (They did accomplish Moscow scenes ahead of sked). None of Kilmer's recent movies has been exactly easy. Director John Frankenheimer reminds me that "Moreau" "was very difficult to make. They didn't call me in to replace (director) Richard Stanley because things were going so well. We changed elements, script, players, etc. It was a tough go. New Line was very supportive. I did it because I wanted to work with Marlon Brando." As for Kilmer, Frankenheimer says, "He is wonderful in the movie. He is a very talented actor." Frankenheimer said stories about Kilmer's (mis)behavior are absolutely not true. Val denied them to me as well.

AS IF PLAYING AS MANY AS 11 CHARACTERS doesn't keep Kilmer busy enough on "The Saint," he told me Jeffrey Katzenberg winged over there last week and Kilmer recorded the voice of (a young) "Moses" for DreamWorks' upcoming animated Bible feature, "The Prince of Egypt." Other voices, said Kilmer, include Helen Mirren, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Mel Brooks, Michelle Pfeiffer, Ralph Fiennes and Sandra Bullock. "I did half of it (the movie) in my one day off. It was a wonderful experience." Talking about days off, Kilmer said he's not had many in two years -- from "Batman Forever" to "Heat" to "Moreau" and the South African-filmed "The Ghost and the Darkness," with Michael Douglas. He plans an Africa return to film "Africa," an adventure story about Adrian Boshier that he's been working on for five years. "I love working hard," he admitted. As for WB and his pullout from "Batman and Robin," Kilmer claims, "They were very gracious." He attended Friday night's London WB dinner for Billy Gerber and Lorenzo Di Bonaventura. Kilmer expects to do "The Killer Inside Me" for WB distribution. While he balked at the "Batman" sequel, Kilmer said he's signed for two more "Saint" options ... He also hopes for a stage return in "Hamlet" and he's been talking to Trevor Nunn ... Kilmer is particularly cheered these days because he's been joined in England by daughter Mercedes (4) and son Jack ( 1).

WHATTA GREAT WAY TO SEE A MOVIE! "The Nutty Professor" preem at the U Amphi on a 27-by-50-foot screen brought back childhood memories of seeing a movie on the screen of Radio City Music Hall -- or Loew's Paradise in the Bronx! There were 3,000 at the U Amphi showing and 2,500 at the spectacular party following, atop the hill at U's CityWalk. The Amphi has never been used publicly for a movie and there are no plans to do so -- mebbe for "Jurassic Park II"? ... Adding to the happy night, $140,000 was raised for L.A.'s BEST After School Enrichment Program and the Juan Cabrillo Special Education Program. Eddie Murphy could barely get through the congratulatory crowd after the showing of his incredible multiple performances -- Murphy's best movie. We all needed a good laugh this summer! Murphy and beautiful wife Nicole took a break after the screening to put their three children to bed and returned to the party. Producer Brian Grazer complimented Murphy on the many mirthful ad-libs and Grazer marveled at the accomplishment of director Tom Shadyac and makeup magician Rick Baker. Wearing big smiles for an anticipated big hit were MCA's Frank Biondi, Ron Meyer, Howard Weitzman, Sandy Climan, Hal Liberman, Nikki Rocco -- also Sid Sheinberg (Bubble Factory) under whose "watch" at Universal "Professor" matriculated ... At Friday's screening of "Independence Day" for 20th employees at Century City's multiplex, Bill Mechanic intro'd Peter Chernin on "remote tape" atop a crane alongside the giant sign, long in construction outside the studio main gate. Chernin was about to unveil the 3-D sign with a champagne-bottle christening blow -- but when it hit the mammoth sign, it (the sign) crumbled! It was a gag -- and the Foxies roared! Roland Mesa shot the gag (computerized) tape.