Jill
Jackson’s Hollywood

Daniel Radcliffe as "Harry Potter."

©2001 King Features Synd., Inc.

I’m a conscientious columnist. I take your questions seriously. So, when a letter came asking "Why is it ‘Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone’ in England and ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ in America?" I set out to find the proper answer from the so-called "horse’s mouth." In this case being Warner Bros. Studios ... For over an hour I pressed buttons, always getting recordings saying — "We are unable to take your call now, but leave a message and we’ll get back to you." I’m sure all of you have been through this, but perhaps for not as long ... After I’d had enough, I called the operator again and asked to speak to the president of the company. (Bold of me, eh whut?) On reaching this office and stating my case, I was told I would be connected with someone who could help me ... And so I was. On asking the question, this person’s answer was — "Well, you see, in England and America the expressions are different. For instance, when you say "Goodbye," over there it’s "Ta." ... And so, dear readers, if any of you care for further information, the telephone number for Warners is (818) 954-6000. Good luck!

Speaking of letters. Mea culpa. Somehow one got misplaced. I remember the question, but didn’t get the name of the sender. To whomever asked (and if you’ll re-send your name we’ll print it) Jane Wyman is OK. Nancy Reagan spoke officially for her husband, Ronald Reagan, when Maureen Reagan died. Jane and Nancy communicate, and Nancy was very close to Maureen.

Often when there is a cast of big names a brouhaha ensues as to which name gets top billing. The "Ocean’s Eleven" producers solved that problem by listing the superstars in alphabetical order — George Clooney, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts. I can’t tell you which was the highest paid, but I’ll bet it was Miss Julia. She gets $20 million per pic. And let’s not forget a couple of fine actors whose names are below the title: Carl Reiner and Elliot Gould.

GIFT-GIVING: "King of the World" by David Remnick (Vintage), the story of Muhammad Ali. The book on which the movie starring Will Smith as Ali is based. And to reiterate, Will’s wife, Jada, plays Ali’s wife in the picture ... And for fans of the Rolling Stones it’s a big tome titled "Old Guys Almost Dead: The Forty Year Odyssey of the Rolling Stones" (Broadway Books). Pictures, pictures, pictures and more than 600 pages of copy about this extraordinary group ... And further on the subject of gift-giving — Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox spotted on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills carrying tote bags chock-full of goodies. Gifts for David and Brad?

BITS ‘N’ PIECES: Richard Harris is definitely NOT a Tom Cruise fan. Richard doesn’t believe in all that movie-star bodyguard bit, and that isn’t all he said ... Forget the cost of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Jewelers Van Cleef and Arpels have one decorated with real diamonds valued at $5 million in the lobby of the St. Regis Hotel in Century City. You can imagine the security. Almost as much as for the President of the United States ... ’Tis rumored round that Catherine Z and Michael may have another wee one in the oven ... Aside to Hubert H. of Pascagoula, Miss: Maggie Smith (Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter) has TWO, not one, Academy Awards. One in ’69 for "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" and one for the "California Suite" in 1977. She, incidentally, is DAME Maggie Smith.