GOOD MORNING: Al Gore didn’t choose to make a return to the White House, but daughter Kristin (27) will take us back there. She tells me Miramax has asked her to write a sequel to her first novel, “Sammy’s Hill”( Hyperion Books-Miramax). Meanwhile, “Sammy’s” feature will be from Columbia and Doug Wick-Lucy Fisher’s Red Wagon. “While it was a wonderful association (with Miramax), it’s exciting to have a different group (Columbia) validating you,” she says. Kristin will write the screenplay and she promises it will be pretty faithful to the book which, while an accurate picture of life and times on Capitol Hill, does not duplicate any specific real person. “My father was elected to Congress just a couple of months before I was born. I observed all of that world so it flowed very naturally” in the book. And she admits she had these Washington characters “pent up waiting to be liberated.” She’s a comedy writer — credits include “Saturday Night Live” following graduation from Harvard and work on its Lampoon. Kristin’s friends in Hollywood include WB’s Alan Horn and wife Cindy who will toast her book launch at their home, Monday … Further on Kristin’s agenda is her wedding — in April to Paul Cusack in the Gores’ hometown of Nashville. Cusack is no stranger to politics, he is district director in Boston to Congressman Marty Meehan. And, yes, she says her father will continue to work for the Kerry-Edwards campaign … Linda Bloodworth-Thomason was signing copies of her “Liberating Paris” Wednesday at the Margaret Mitchell House in Atlanta. She and Harry T. will also feature film this novel after they team (she directs) on “Southern Comfort.”
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THE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY Celebration, Tuesday at the BevHilton, raised $800,000 for the People for the American Way. Honorees were Edward Norton (Champion of the American Way award), George Lopez (Defender of Democracy award), and Kimberly and John Emerson. Norman Lear introduced keynote speaker Bill Moyers who brought the audience to its feet. Among those on hand, Brad Pitt, Cheech Marin (who presented to Lopez), Matt Peterson, Heather Thomas and Donna Mills. Performers included Ozomatli and the Declare Yourself Poets. On behalf of Declare Yourself, Norman Lear is in Chicago today to tape an appearance on Oprah Winfrey. To date 540,000 have registered to vote via the Declare Yourself campaign … Upcoming celeb appearances for Kerry/Edwards include this group going out to Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio: Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Alfre Woodard, Alyssa Milano, Natalie Portman and Peter Boyle. Hal Linden, who spoke in Florida, next heads to New Hampshire and Mass. And he’s also taping radio spots for the Demos. Heading out on college campus speaking dates are: “The O.C.’s” Ben McKenzie and Adam Brody, Shane West of “ER” and Gabrielle Union (“Bad Boys 2)” … Chris Sauter, who played a prominent role on behalf of Al Gore in the 2000 Florida presidential recount, takes a break from election duties here Oct. 1 with his docu, “So Glad I Made It: The Saga of Roger Salloom, America’s best unknown songwriter,”at the N.Y. Intl. Film and Video Fest’s opening night presentation for the L.A. screenings.
“A PRIVATE MAN,” the biography of Warren Beatty is being completed by Suzanne Finstad for Random House Crown, publishing in April. Finstad, Author of another reclusive subject, Howard Hughes for her book “The Heir Not Apparent,” allows she’s not — yet — been able to interview Warren (surprise!) or sister Shirley MacLaine, but has spoken to “hundreds of others” … Bernie Brillstein’s book “The Little Stuff Matters Most: 50 Rules From 50 Years of Trying to Make a Living ” (with David Rensin) is a must read for those starting out in the biz — and for those, like Bernie, thinking about retiring — but probably never will. He allows “I can’t buy suits off the rack, I’m too big. I never thought about it much until my luggage didn’t arrive on a trip to Rome.” P.S. Bernie’s booksigning party will be held at Ermenegildo Zegna on Rodeo Drive Sept.30 … Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis. Jr.’s book, “How We Found Love, Faith and Lasting Marriage in the Entertainment World” (Northfield) written with Mike Yorkey, will contain a CD with ’em singing “I Believe In You & Me” and “Because You Loved Me.” They’re celebrating their 35th wedding anni … Steve March Torme is in concert Saturday at Pepperdine’s Smothers Theater. He previews his national concert tour tribute to his father Mel, launching Jan. 7 at the McCallum Theater in Palm Desert … Ed McMahon thrilled the “at risk” students at the Kayne Eras Center in Culver City, when he visited ’em in their classrooms Wednesday. Ed and director James Cameron will be toasted Oct. 29 at the fourth annual Tom Arnold Celebrity Roast at the Beverly Hills Hotel benefiting the Kayne Eras Center … Harry Winston provides each of the (1,200) guests at the USC School of Cinema-TV’s 75th Diamond Jubilee gala Sunday with a special key — one of which will unlock a single jewel box at Winston’s Rodeo Drive salon. Inside: the $28,000 diamond and garnet bracelet worn by Halle Berry when she won her best actress Oscar in 2003 … Tiffany celebrates its 40th anni on Rodeo Drive Oct. 6 with a jazz cocktailer … Director David Winkler, son of Margo and Irwin Winkler, marries clinical psychologist Elizabeth Dungress May 28 at the Winklers’ home with Rabbi David Baron of the Temple Shalom for the Arts performing the ceremony … “Walking on the Chinese Wall,” the song written by Roxanne Seeman and Billie Hughes, will be the finale song for Saturday night’s Wall of Hope all-star concert benefit at the Great Wall of China northern gate outside Beijing. Philip Bailey’s music video of the tune will also play during the show. Bailey recorded the song in 1985 … Dolores Hart, who departed Hollywood for the church — she is now Mother Dolores, Prioress of the Abbey of Regina Laudis — will be guest of honor at the first Neuropathy Assn. benefit at Le Cirque Oct. 18. She will also be celebrating her 66th birthday. Brad Dillman, her costar in “Francis of Assisi,” will attend — their first meeting since making the film in 1961. Maria Cooper Janis is coordinating the event whose attendees will included Byron Janis, Lainie Kazam and Bobby Short.
