Tarantino finds first 'Pussycat'

Miley sets sights on Madonna; Midler in focus

By LIZ SMITH

Tarantino

Midler

READY! RUSS MEYER'S 1966 cult trash movie classic, "Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!" was about three powerful, murderous, bike-riding strippers, played memorably by Tura Satana, Lori Williams and Haji. I told you a while back that Quentin Tarantino is eager to remake "Pussycat." And now he thinks he may have found at least one of his leading ladies in the form of Tera Patrick, who is the No. 1 "erotic performer" in the world. Montana-born Miss Patrick received a degree in biology from the U. of Boise and worked as an emergency tech nurse. Still, she had a higher calling. Modeling led to work in the adult film field, and now she's rolling in it. Money, that is. But, though still a hot ticket -- and remarkably sophisticated and grounded, considering the milieu she rules, Tera says, "I am the first to admit I can't do this forever! I'd love to cross over and do more "regular movies." Tarantino, who has admired her past performances, thinks his "Pussycat" remake may be the mainstream jumpstart Tera needs. In the meantime, while she awaits the official red carpet, Tera and her husband, musician Evan Seinfeld, continue to build on their joint endeavor, Teravision, which produces her films for distribution. This is a uniquely American success story, even if it is not quite what Horatio Alger had in mind!

MILEY CYRUS, age 15, created a bit of news over the Fourth of July weekend, saying she wants to be "the next Madonna." Good luck on that! (As soon as you say you want to be the "next" or "new" somebody, chances dwindle.) The "Hannah Montana" star has already made her Disney employers nervous with provocative website photos and that infamous Vanity Fair layout. Miley seems determined to grow up fast. Her new best friend is one of her back-up dancers, Mandy Jiroux, age 21. In case you're interested Mandy has posted some racy pics of herself on her own MySpace site.

BETTE MIDLER is the subject of Vanity Fair's Proust Questionnaire for August. Asked for her life motto, Bette unhesitatingly answers with her classic, "F**k 'em if they can't take a joke." This is still the best all-round response to public criticism.