Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 9, 1991 TAG: 9103090310
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"I'm a little stiff but I am very gratified to be here," he said before Thursday night's ceremony in Los Angeles.
Douglas, 74, was injured Feb. 13 when a helicopter piloted by voice artist Noel Blanc, son of the late Mel Blanc, collided with a stunt plane. Blanc also was injured. Both men in the stunt plane died.
Douglas said the accident forced him to get his "priorities in order." He said the last few weeks have been ones of recuperation and contemplation.
Douglas, who has appeared in more than 70 movies, joked that he was not quite ready for the award.
"I think I'm much too young for this. The years go by so fast, and suddenly I have become a veteran," he said.
The star-studded crowd included former AFI winners Jack Lemmon, James Stewart and Gregory Peck.
\ Peggy Lee recalled the highlights of her career for a Los Angeles jury trying to decide whether the jazz singer deserves royalties from videocassette sales of "Lady and the Tramp."
In a darkened courtroom Thursday, jurors chuckled as they watched the 1955 animated classic about a high-class cocker spaniel who falls in love with a mutt. Lee wrote several songs and performed voices of four characters.
Lee sued Disney Co., saying she is entitled to some profits from the videocassette issued in 1987.
A judge already decided Disney violated its 1952 contract with her by not seeking permission for use of her voice and songs when the videocassette was released. The jury is to decide whether she deserves damages.
Her attorney is seeking $35 million. The movie has earned more than $140 million, including $90 million from videocassettes. Lee was paid $3,500 when the film was made and received unspecified royalties over the years.
Jurors also watched a video of Walt Disney's 1950s television show. Disney paid tribute to Lee, who appeared on the show, and her contribution to "Lady and the Tramp."
The 70-year-old singer came to court in a wheelchair. She suffers many ailments, including diabetes and a heart condition, but still sings. She was nominated for a Grammy this year.
\ Barbara Bush, who gets her own fan mail by the ton, boasted of getting a reply from someone she admires: the British military officer who briefed reporters during the Gulf War.
The first lady was in the Oval Office with President Bush to greet former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Bush told British Foreign Minister Douglas Hurd recently how much his wife enjoyed watching the British briefer, RAF Group Capt. Niall Irving, on television.
Bush mentioned Irving again to Thatcher and the first lady promptly boasted, "I got a letter from him today."
"You did?" Bush said with a laugh. He added, for the former prime minister's benefit, that Irving was a big hit with American television viewers.
"He got a mash note from someone in the states. I think somebody offered to marry him," said the president.
The first lady shot back, to loud laughter: "I did not offer to marry him."
by CNB