Hollywood Digest

RODNEY DANGERFIELD HOSPITALIZED

Just a day after Jay Leno had devoted his "Tonight Show" to a tribute to comedian Rodney Dangerfield, the funnyman suffered a mild heart attack. It happened on his 80th birthday.

What a lousy birthday present for a guy who "never gets any respect."

Leno's tribute included taped clips with wishes from many of the comedian's friends. He remains hospitalized in Los Angeles. His wife Joan has told reporters that she thinks Dangerfield will be released in a few days.

PRE-OSCAR SCREENINGS IN FLUX

Because of concerns over security, many of the major Hollywood studios are dropping the traditional on-lot screening of films during the work-up to the Academy Awards. Just days after Sept. 11, both Paramount and Warners said they would no longer hold the screenings behind studio walls. Now, according to the Hollywood Reporter, an increasing number of production houses have been quietly following suit.

But, as Oscar time approaches and studios want their films to have all the visibility they can, many are re-thinking their embargoes. Paramount, for example, says it is conducting some "off-lot" screenings.

Many small, independent companies with screening rooms are benefiting from the actions taken by the majors. Some large studios have sent their films there; this allows people to view the movies on real screens without going inside the studios that made them.

One company says it's doing as many as 10 screenings a day.

'POTTER' CONTINUES TO PACK THEM IN

"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" continues to be a big moneymaker at the box office. The film has now grossed -- in the States -- more than $188 million. During the Thanksgiving five-day period it grossed more than $83 million.

For many critics, it's a "near perfect movie" and arrived just in time, not only for the holidays but for a country that needed a shot in the arm.

By the way, 'Potter' now holds the record for across-Thanksgiving receipts. It could even become the film that attains the $200 million mark in the fewest number of days.

It may have been a great Thanksgiving week for the Potter film, but the American box office, taken as a whole, raked in only $202 million (counting the top dozen films). That's big bucks but down nearly 13 percent from last year.

NEW LINE BUYS COOKING COMEDY

The folks at New Line Cinema say they have purchased a comedy called "Good Cook, Likes Music" from neophyte writer Coleen Ventimilia. Preliminary reports show that Adam Sandler and Zhang Ziyi have been tapped for the leading roles.

Ziyi would play a "mail order bride" who arrives in Sandler's country with extraordinary musical talents.

Published reports indicate that the movie quickly gelled when several execs were instantly turned on to the new writer's concepts.

Sandler is under contract with New Line in a two-film deal, but this project might become a third for the comedic actor-producer.

CHARACTER ACTOR MICHAEL ST. CLAIR DIES

Michael St. Clair, the Australian-born character actor with the rubbery face, has died in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Times remembers him as having won numerous supporting roles in films and TV series throughout the 1960s and '70s. In recent years his career had waned.

He was orphaned and eventually raised by aborigines. He moved to England and then to the States.

He was stricken with a brain aneurysm while driving from his home in North Hollywood to an audition. He died last Wednesday, but police had a tough time informing relatives because St. Clair's driver license had incorrect information.

He is best remembered for his roles in "My Fair Lady," "Von Ryan's Express," and "The Three Stooges Go Around the World in a Daze." On TV he appeared in "The Rockford Files," "Mission: Impossible," and "Get Smart." St. Clair was 79.