A look inside Hollywood and the movies. : RECESSION? WHAT RECESSION? : Lesbian Cop. Palm Springs Murder. Let the Gazillions Fly Over Mr. Basic Instinct

Not since those grand-opening IKEA signs went up two years ago provocatively proclaiming “Nov. 7!” has a date whipped up such a consumer frenzy.

“I’ve received 50 calls already from studios, producers and buyers of all sort--and the ‘Today’ show,” says International Creative Management co-chairman Guy McElwaine. “It’s gotten way out of hand.” He added, somewhat perturbed: “Where did the rumor about this date start anyway?”

The date that McElwaine refers to is Sept. 14. That day, according to the buzz around town--the origins of which are unclear--is when McElwaine’s client, screenwriter Joe Eszterhas, will reportedly put his long-awaited original script, “Layers of Skin,” on the auction block.

Interest in this thriller abounds for several reasons: Eszterhas’ “Basic Instinct” is approaching a $300-million international gross and, after the protests that film drew from gay activists, Eszterhas’ main character in “Layers of Skin” is a lesbian cop on the trail of a killer in Palm Springs.

Several sources claim they believe “Layers of Skin” will top the $3 million Carolco paid Eszterhas for “Basic Instinct,” the most money ever doled out for a script. “Because that movie was such a monster hit, and this script from what I hear is a similar sexual/psychological thriller, I see no reason why it couldn’t sell for $4 million, maybe five,” said one agent who has sold several million-dollar scripts.

“But,” he is quick to add with a laugh, “not recently. The past couple of months have been horrible, the market’s really slowed down. Only two studios--Disney and Paramount--are actively buying right now.”

All this industry speculation and interest, however, may be a waste of energy. According to McElwaine, “Layers of Skin” won’t be put on the marketplace on Sept. 14 for one good reason: He says Eszterhas hasn’t even finished writing it yet. “This date is completely erroneous,” he says. “Joe won’t have even finished the polish for ‘Sliver’ (his adaptation of the Ira Levin novel for producer Robert Evans that is to star Sharon Stone) until Oct. 7.”

Although McElwaine says he hasn’t “read a word” of “Layers of Skin,” he is confident that the script, which deals frankly with homosexuality, will not ignite protests from Queer Nation and other gay activist groups like “Basic Instinct” did.

“What Joe learned from the whole ‘Basic Instinct’ situation was that he was unknowledgeable about some of the problems that are out there. He has decided to do something about it . . . this script deals realistically and sensitively with homosexual relationships.”

As for all the record-breaking brouhaha that surrounds the script, McElwaine says he is not pleased. “When this article comes out I’m sure I’ll be getting calls from people saying, ‘Goddammit, I am not going to pay $5 million for a script I haven’t seen yet.’ ”

Meanwhile, the buzz at Paramount is that the script has already been secretly sold to Evans. Both McElwaine and a spokesperson for Evans’ production company deny this. “We’re working with Joe on other things,” said the spokesperson, “but we haven’t seen this script.”

A bidding war over “Layers of Skin” would kick-start the market, adds the agent who’s handled several million-dollar scripts. “If Joe’s script breaks a sales record, that would be good for everybody except the person who had to pay that much money for it. A hot spec sale will rev things up. Then maybe we’ll be able to sell some of those thrillers that have been piling up since ‘Basic Instinct’ became such a hit.”