People talk 3/31/03

Hollywood and drug abuse: surprising candor

LOS ANGELES -- A documentary filmmaker was surprised by the candor of the movie stars he interviewed for a film about how Hollywood deals with the subject of drug abuse.

Bruce Sinofsky, whose AMC documentary "Hollywood High" was scheduled to air Monday, said director Oliver Stone admitted trying the hallucinogen peyote to get inspiration for "The Doors," the story of rocker Jim Morrison.

Sinofsky said Willem Dafoe told him the star and his friends used to get high to watch Disney's animated "Fantasia" when they were young.

"What I didn't expect was the honesty, the truthful interviews I was doing. I didn't expect them to be talking about their own drug experiences that openly," Sinofsky said.

Sinofsky's film traces the evolution of drug films, from the 1938 cautionary tale "Reefer Madness" and the 1970s marijuana comedies of Cheech and Chong to recent films like "Requiem for a Dream" and "Traffic" about the destructive effects of cocaine and heroin.

Jazzman Fountain bows out of nightclub business

NEW ORLEANS -- After 43 years, jazz clarinetist Pete Fountain is bowing out of the New Orleans nightclub business.

Fountain opened his first New Orleans club on Bourbon Street in 1960, but has been playing the last 26 years at the Hilton Riverside club, where he held his finale Friday before 400 mostly invited family and friends.

Fountain, 72, said the time was right to move on, noting the tourist business has been down since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

"I needed a change," Fountain said. "I didn't want it, but I needed it. It's one of those things. Since 9-11, we've seen a lot of people that used to come don't come any more. The club was still making it, but we could see the handwriting on the wall.

"It's been a real good ride, and we've still got a lot of riding to do," he said. "I might get off the motorcycle and ride a little scooter now, but it's still a ride."

New Jersey hometown honors Zora Andrich

LAMBERTVILLE, N.J. -- Joe Millionaire's girlfriend Zora Andrich got a royal welcome when she returned to her former hometown.

About 300 fans turned out Saturday to celebrate "Zora Day," honoring the local girl who made good on Fox's reality television series "Joe Millionaire."

The guest of honor rode a horse-drawn carriage along Main Street and then signed autographs at a restaurant for two hours.

Andrich beat out 20 other women to win the affections of Evan Marriott, a construction worker who the contestants believed was a millionaire.

"Zora Day" evolved by accident, according to Mayor David Del Vecchio, who said he agreed to the event when a radio personality asked on air what Lambertville would do if Andrich won.

After losses, Ringo Starr enjoying the simple life

LOS ANGELES -- Ringo Starr has just released his latest album, "Ringo Rama," but the former Beatle says his first love will always be playing for audiences.

"Sometimes it's the most spiritual plane that you ever get to," Starr said. "On certain nights there is nothing better. So I'm blessed as long as I can hold the sticks."

The new album, which includes a tribute to former Beatle bandmate George Harrison, comes after a period of loss for the drummer. His first wife, Maureen, died in 1995. Three years later, longtime friend Linda McCartney died, and close confidant Harrison died in 2001.

But Starr, says he has learned to appreciate the simpler joys in life.

He continues to tour with his All-Starr Band, but he also dedicates time to writing, painting, gardening and shopping for flowers with his wife, actress Barbara Bach.

"I just don't let things get on top of me as much," Starr said. "I try not to rule the world. I think just getting up in the morning is a great achievement."

-- From wire reports