Romance by the Numbers

Korbel Champagne Cellars has issued its latest survey, entitled “The State of Romance in the Nation: Part II.” (We seemed to have missed Part I.) Included in the list of the Top 10 romantic activities in America is “wearing sexy underwear and lingerie.” This rates No. 6, topped by receiving and sending flowers; being wined and dined (natch); a walk on the beach; watching a sunset; being complimented by someone you find attractive. Woody Allen and Rhett Butler tied as national heroes who best typify the romantic personalities of the men surveyed, and Scarlett O’Hara was voted No. 1 by the women.

Party of the Week

“You don’t need to spend big money on caterers and clothes. With just imagination, you can really come up with great, original ideas,” says artist/songwriter Allee Willis, who tossed a Night of the Living Negligee/All Girl, All Pajama party last weekend. Among the 100 guests who wore what Willis calls “their real pajamas, the stuff they wear to sleep in” were Carrie Fisher, Lesley Ann Warren, Karen Black, Annie Flanders, Sandra Bernhard, Elvira (Cassandra Peterson), Julie Brown, Katie Sagal and Maxene Andrews (of Andrews Sisters fame). Guest Cindi Lauper opted for the negligee look, turning up at Willis’ North Hollywood manse in a 1950s polka-dot satin gown, robe and slippers.

The Grammy award-winning hostess (she wrote the sound track for “Beverly Hills Cop”) also creates motorized paintings and rock videos and collects ‘50s furniture and clothes. Willis sees party-giving “as a way to fuse all these different aspects of my life and career. I always give guests some little thing I’ve made for them to wear as soon as they walk in. That seems to equalize everyone, ‘cause I make it all by hand from common objects of the kind you might get at a children’s birthday party. In that environment, guests seem to leave their attitude at the door,” she says.

This time Willis made pink tissue-paper corsages with fake diamond engagement rings hidden inside and “semiprecious princess pendants” made of pink sponge hair rollers, plastic baby dolls and diamond rings all glued to nail buffers hanging from chains of red yarn. Willis played a ‘50s video of a Kathryn and Arthur Murray Dance Show, in which Tab Hunter competed with Paulette Goddard doing the jitterbug. Willis says: “Just as Hunter won the contest on-screen, my doorbell rang. It was the real life Tab Hunter, as I’d pre-arranged. He wore the same tux he wore on the video and all the women went crazy, as if the Beatles had just arrived.” Eighty people elected to sleep over at Willis’ place, because they were dressed for bed anyway. And now you know why People magazine named her L.A.’s party giver of the year.

Phantom of New Year’s Eve

What are you wearing New Year’s Eve? If you’re dining at Trumps, it will probably be a black cape and half-mask (for men) and a turn-of-the-century ball gown for women. The starkly modern restaurant will itself be dressed to the gills that night, transformed from its usual stark modernity into an opulent, belle epoque opera house with huge crystal chandeliers, exquisite tapestries and heaven knows what else, says interior designer Ron Meyers, who’s in charge of the one-night decor. What goes on here? we asked Trumps owner Michael Roberts. “It’s a ‘Phantom of the Opera’ party on New Year’s Eve,” said Roberts, who believes costume parties will be in style for ’89. “I read somewhere that Halloween is the second most important night out for America’s adults, ranking right after New Year’s Eve. I thought about that and realized people must love costume parties again, and decided to do something wonderful.” Even the waiters will be in phantom costume, Roberts said.

Gown Strikes Pay Dirt

We hear that actress Cathy Podewell, who plays J. R. Ewing’s new love interest on “Dallas,” will knock ‘em all dead in an episode that airs in January. And, no, we’re not implying J.R. will be shot again. But Podewell will leave some tongues wagging after she arrives at the Oil Barons’ Ball in a replica of Rita Hayworth’s “Gilda” gown. The strapless black satin number--with an impressive slit up the front--was designed by Jean Louis for Hayworth to wear when she performed “Put the Blame on Mame” in the 1946 movie. A source close to Podewell ( not J.R.) tells us the gown was recreated by wardrober Nanrose Buchman, who studied the original via a video version of the movie and old photographs.