Beatty keeps latest pic low-profile

GOOD MORNING: Warren Beatty's Fox movie is "very modestly priced." That's about all Warren will say about his film. But that's a lot for Warren to say; at least he is consistent about saying nothing. Only kidding, Warren. But, he does say a lot about wanting to say nothing. "I'm keeping a low profile on it -- as low as I can keep." The profile is so low Fox execs haven't seen any of the pic. They don't know the title he's chosen to follow the originally-listed "Tribulations"; they don't even know when it will be on the release sked. Meanwhile, Beatty says he is admittedly concerned about the fact "There are so many movies coming out." He is also concerned about the de rigueur interviews required of superstars, who rarely give 'em, but who suddenly flood print and TV when these films are about to come out. Don't look for Beatty to join this corps de ballyhoo. Long ago, Beatty -- in his strong, silent manner -- decided against talking about the things interviewers want to know. He says all we want to know about is salaries and schedules. However, without my asking, he volunteered that this new film cost "way less" than "Dick Tracy," which cost $34 million and did $200 millions in rentals (according to his figures). "Reds," he said, cost $30 million The low-key Beatty and wife Annette Bening are the adoring parents of three small children and today, she makes an appearance as she receives the Peter J. Owens Award from the San Francisco Intl. Film Festival for "extraordinary film performances each year."

THREE MORE OSCARS will hit the auction blocks. They will be part of the May 21 Sotheby entertainment memorabilia sale, which highlights items from the estates of Ella Fitzgerald and Dorothy Lamour. The Oscars are for Paul Groesse's color art direction on "The Yearling" (1946) and "Little Women" (1949) and for Daniel Mandell's film editing on "The Best Years of Our Lives" (1946). It wasn't until 1950 when the Academy required winners to sign an agreement not to sell or dispose of the award -- without first offering it back to the Academy for $1. Heirs and legatees can acquire 'em but must also abide by that agreement. And from the sublime to -- the auction will also include items such as the tattered loincloth worn by Charlton Heston in the slave galley ship in "Ben-Hur," Elvis Presley's black boots from "Double Trouble" and Gene Kelly's loafers from "An American In Paris". ... Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks complete editing their comedy album, "The Wit and Wisdom of the 2,000-Year-Old Man for the Year 2000" next week and send it out to diskeries for bidding. The album would tie in to their HarperCollins book, which will be in stores in October. ... Sam Denoff is writing two pilots for mid-season: "Hizzoner" for Bill Cosby's banner and CBS and "The A.K. Corral" for Universal. All "A.K.'s" know who they are! ... Peter Bonerz, who segued from co-star of "The Bob Newhart Show" to directing, is set to rein three segs of "Murphy Brown's" new season, six "Friends," and 12 "Home Improvements". ... Jack Lemmon, who segued from "Out to Sea" and "12 Angry Men" and before starting "Against the Wind," is at Paramount this week starring in "Puppies For Sale" -- a public service film for the Crippled Children's Society of Southern California, in which Jack plays the owner of a pet store.

MERV GRIFFIN PRODS.' NEW events operation created the glamorous staging -- in Merv Griffin's BevHilton -- for the launching of HRH Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia's line of fragrances and lotions "E" -- which is backed by Merv Griffin. Coincidentally, this Elizabeth was once linked with Richard Burton, who was married (twice) to Elizabeth You-Know-Who, who has her own successful fragrance division. Princess Elizabeth (of Yugoslavia, that is) launches "E" Tuesday with a portion of proceeds to her foundation, which offers assistance to the people of the former Yugoslavia. ... Bruce Boxleitner segues from the syndie'd "Babylon 5" series to star in two vidpic prequels of the series for TNT this summer. ... Mayor Dick Riordan and Nancy Daly caught the final performance of "By Jeeves" at the Geffen Playhouse. Producing director Gil Cates brought them, plus guests Steve Allen and Jayne Meadows, backstage to wish the cast well as they head to the Kennedy Center in D.C. ... Next at the Geffen: Robert Brustein's adaptation of the Isaac Bashevis "Shlemiel the First," bowing May 14. ... Chita Rivera played her nitery act at New Mexico's Santa Fe Stages . Later, she and her band headed to the Cowgirl Hall of Fame eatery, and ran into her "Sweet Charity" co-star Shirley MacLaine, who was dining there with another Santa Fe resident, Marsha Mason. ... Vic Damone had to cancel dates with the North Carolina Symph in Raleigh due to the death of his mother, Mamie Farinola (93), who was laid to rest Tuesday in Westbury, Long Island. Jack Jones red eye'd from Palm Springs to sub for pal Damone.