'Empire' inspires Newman to hunt for projects

GOOD MORNING: Ars Gratia Artis is the slogan on MGM's seal -- but these days maybe it should be added to the HBO letterhead. Last week I viewed HBO's "Angels in America" and talked with many of its all-star cast and its director-producer Mike Nichols. On Wednesday, I spoke with HBO's "Empire Falls" star and exec producer Paul Newman and director Fred Schepisi. Newman said the pic's "pretty much on budget and on schedule." He's completed his role, wife Joanne Woodward winds in a coupla days. Following this experience with HBO he said he'll hunt for more "stuff" -- to produce or direct -- but not to act. "Trust me," he said, reminding that he's been doing it since he was 12 -- in the Cleveland Playhouse's "Saint George and the Dragon." But we've heard about his quitting acting before. And he went on to star in "Our Town," for which he received a Tony and an Emmy nomination. "My Broadway days are over," he insisted. But he'll continue his racing career for which wife Joanne remains "tolerant -- and supportive." His other "full-time" careers remain the continued openings for the Hole In the Wall Gangs -- next is the Painted Turtle in Southern California. And, of course, the constantly growing Newman's Own products, which have earned more than $150 million for charities. You can read about the amazing story of Newman's Own in "Shameless Exploitation -- In Pursuit of the Common Good" the tongue-in-cheek story of the Newman's Own biz by Newman and A.E. Hotchner.

"EVERYONE WORKED for favored nations," Schepisi said of his "Empire Falls" cast: Ed Harris, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Helen Hunt, Robin Wright Penn, Aidan Quinn, Woodward and Newman. "They all wanted to do this film. It's the best group I've ever had to deal with. And they worked for less money -- and they all pitched in -- and with no entourages, believe me," he said from the Waterville, Maine, location. The script was written by Richard Russo, who won the Pulitzer for his novel "Empire Falls." "While it was difficult to get a project of this magnitude and intelligence on screen (in a three-hour movie), we did it with a modest, but adequate budget. And we were faithful to the novel. Russo understood what had to be put on film. When he watched the monitor off stage, he was in tears of joy, saying it was richer than he had ever envisioned." The film airs in September. Schepisi edits at home in Melbourne where he's also trying to raise the money to film "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," which he has adapted and plans to direct.

FEINSTEIN'S IN L.A. at the Hollywood Roosevelt was the "out-of-town" bow for Carole Bayer Sager, who christened her nitery act before a house packed with friends and admirers. Husband Bob Daly had invited the group, which included Marvin Hamlisch who had helped Carole put the show together. Also on hand: Annette Bening and Warren Beatty, David Geffen, Dustin and Lisa Hoffman, Alan and Cindy Horn, Barry and Wendy Meyer, Ron and Kelly Meyer, Ani and Jerry Moss, Mo and Evelyn Ostin, Jerry and Margie Perenchio, Joe Roth, Maxine and Gary Smith, Stacey and Henry Winkler, James Woods and Cynthia and Bud Yorkin. Carole had a five-piece band and four back-up singers, who join her in N.Y. when she bows at Feinstein's at the Regency Tuesday through Nov. 22. And she'll be back at the L.A. Feinstein's next year. Her act includes a tribute to Peter Allen -- with whom she'd written a dozen songs, which are in "The Boy From Oz." Act features songs she has written with Burt Bacharach, Melissa Manchester, Hamlisch and others. When guests left, they were also gifted with a CD, "It's Still OK to Dream" (Atlantic Records). It's an all-star album to benefit Save the Children and includes songs by Barbra Streisand, Babyface, Eric Clapton, Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli, Don Henley, Barry Manilow, Carly Simon, Paul Simon, Sting and James Taylor. Celebs who received the CD were also given a form to make a contribution to Save the Children ... Dixie Carter makes her musical debut at Feinstein's in L.A., Tuesday through Nov. 22.

JAY LENO HAD PLANNED to perform for the troops in Iraq in two weeks, but he told me it's been called off by the military in charge. "Too dangerous," he was told. "But I'll go over whenever they think it's safe. (My trip) was canceled after that last hotel was blown up (by suicide bombers)." Leno told me the news between segs of his m.c. stint at the Museum of TV and Radio gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel Crystal Room (see story on the V Page). Jay makes it seem so easy. Hardly a night goes by when he isn't appearing at/for an industry or charity event. This week was no different. On Monday, it was the TV/Radio Museum, Tuesday he m.c'd the Hot Wheels Hall Of Fame Awards at the Petersen Museum. Last weekend he was in Vegas, this weekend at Tahoe. When does he take a vacation? "I haven't taken a vacation in 12 years -- why should I start now?" He laughed ... Tony Danza's also busy on the charity beat -- tonight, he and Mindy Serling hie to Miami to raise funds for the U. of Miami/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. On Monday, Danza, Tom Wopat, Cy Coleman, Rupert Holmes, Mary Rodgers and Kathie Lee Gifford salute Marilyn and Alan Bergman at the Johnny Mercer Foundation Award Gala at the Four Seasons. On Nov. 23, Danza and Debbie Reynolds team at the Wilshire Ebell for director/choreographer Walter Painter's show benefiting the Salvation Army Nancy Painter Home ... The Creative Coalition's Spotlight Awards will be held Tuesday at NYC's Sotheby's. John Paul DeJoria and Phil Donahue will receive First Amendment Awards from Christopher Reeve ... Sean Penn rushed from the preem of his "21 Grams" (at the Academy) to the Century Plaza to present a Lifetime Achievement award to Ernie Borgnine at the "Starkey: So the World May Hear" awards gala. Penn directed Borgnine in his seg of the doc, "9/11." ... Pixar is writing a script that it is hoped will be a part of Billy Crystal's show opener at the Oscars ... Michiko and Michael Speier welcomed son Matthew on Wednesday. Speier is managing editor of Daily Variety specials ... Martin Scorsese's winding principal photography of "The Aviator" this week in L.A. - next the heavy (lengthy?) digital film magic ... The Marvin Davis family heads to Houston this weekend for the Bas Mitzvah of granddaughter Whitney, daughter of Elena and Gregg Davis (he runs the Davis oil company in Houston) ... Genevieve Bujold receives the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Queens Film Fest Sunday when her new film, "Downtown" is presented by the United Nations at an out-of-competition special screening.