There are folks who are not too bright, and then there`s Tony Fieldman. Tony is currently cooling his heels in an Illinois state prison, serving an 8- year sentence after being convicted of armed robbery for taking $60 from a cabdriver. Mr. Fieldman`s mother recently died (our condolences) and left him- no kidding-$2.5 million. But he won`t have to wait until he`s out of the pokey to start spending his inheritance. State prison chief Michael Lane has some plans for Mr. Fieldman: Lane is going to court to try and force him to pay room and board for the duration of his stay in the pen.
MONEY MATTERS . . .
– Pay as you vote: Not that it`s a new concept in these parts, but some Democrats are grumbling that state Democratic Party chairman Vince Demuzio is- for the first time-charging delegates a $30 fee to attend the May 7 state convention. The money will cover three meals for delegates, and while it`s not a princely sum, there`s some sentiment that one shouldn`t have to pay to attend one`s own party convention-unless, of course, one is Republican. Some are wondering if the fee will discourage party members from showing up to cast their votes for the presidential delegates at large.
– The 56 new Soldier Field skyboxes that`ll be available for the Chicago Bears` season will cost an average of $50,000 a season and while they haven`t even been built yet, 44 already have been sold.
– Golden mouths: Gov. Jim Thompson`s part-time career as a lecturer is getting a boost in this month`s Public Relations Journal. The Leigh Bureau, the booking service Big Jim signed with last fall, is running an ad identifying Big Jim as one of ”The Nation`s Top Speakers.” He`s getting $3,000 to $6,000 for each appearance. Meanwhile, an INC. source passed on a list of speaking fees currently commanded by some leading sports figures represented by the National Speakers` Bureau, and they`re doing a little better than the guv on their fees. Bears coach Mike Ditka is getting $15,000 and Gary Fencik gets $4,000. Bart Starr, Roger Staubach, and Ara Parseghian all get $7,500; and Al McGuire will say a few words for $6,500.
AS TIME GOES BY . . .
Richard Kiley of NBC-TV`s ”A Year in the Life” spent a day of his life Wednesday with Rosary College`s Sister Ramon Langdon, who had been his 3d grade teacher at St. Thomas the Apostle School in Hyde Park. . . . At a weekend anniversary celebration in Los Angeles for a group of National Gay Rights Advocates, Shirley MacLaine told the folks assembled at L.A.`s Stock Exchange club that they were the most interesting group of people she`d seen in 5,000 years.
NO BIZ LIKE SHOW BIZ . . .
As she flew from Los Angeles to New York last week to help cousin Mike campaign, Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis was spotted reading a treatment for a sequel to ”Moonstruck.” . . . There should be some fairly spirited political discussions on the British set of Turner Broadcasting`s ”A Man for All Seasons,” now in production. Charlton Heston, Mr. Conservative, is directing and costarring with Vanessa Redgrave, who has never been accused of a conservative stance, lean, or thought on anything. Watching the fun will be John Gielgud. . . . The fans at Michael Jackson`s Tuesday show at the Rosemont Horizon were almost outnumbered by a slew of New York and Los Angeles record company and industry execs who all wound up at the show.
FILM-FLAM . . .
Bronson Pinchot can`t seem to get away from the director of his ”Perfect Strangers” series, even when the show`s on hiatus. ”Strangers” director Joel Zwick also is directing ”Second Sight,” which Pinchot is now filming with Bess Armstrong and John Larroquette of ”Night Court.” Oh, yes, the movie will mark the feature film debut of socialite and would-be actress (hey, she kept a straight face all the time she was dating Sylvester Stallone, didn`t she?) Cornelia Guest, who has a minor role as a woman who gets picked up in a bar. . . . ”Crocodile Dundee II” is scheduled for a May release, but INC. hears a new ending was just re-filmed in Los Angeles.
INC.LINGS . . .
Tickets go on sale Thursday for Robert Plant`s May 29 Poplar Creek show. . . . Thursday birthdays: Tony Danza, 38; Iggy Pop, 41; Elaine May, 56; Wilt Chamberlain, 52; Anthony Quinn, 73; Queen Elizabeth II, 62; Dolton mayor Mike Peck, 39. . . . There`s still no deal to change the management team at the Chicago Theatre. INC. hears the big holdup is the new managers` complete lack of interest in assuming the liability for the entertainment tax still owed to the city by Chicago Theatre Productions. . . . A few tickets still are left for Nora Dunn`s ”Thursday Night Live” show at Park West. . . . Chicago comic Dale Irvin will be Jay Leno`s opening act Saturday at Holiday Star Theatre.
