Shuttle buses delivered quests and celebrities up the winding driveway and past the “Beware of Animals” and “Bunnies at Play” signs to the mansion. The palatial back yard was turned into party central. Bartenders donned disguises – obviously so no one could blame them the next day for pouring too many drinks and enticing party attendees to join a few of the “birthday suit only” pool participants.
And what about that pool? Like a snake in the jungle, the beauty winds and curves around the huge yard, jetting through waterfalls and hugging rock inlets. Strutting their feathered heads or NBC colored tails were secretary birds and peacocks roaming the grounds.
And what would a Playboy Mansion party be without strutting of the human kind? With a takeoff on “Kill Bill’s” nurse Elle Driver (played by Daryl Hannah), Playboy Bunnies dawned the sexiest nurse’s outfits I’ve ever seen, and Bunny Nurse Lisa Ligon spared no hip-hops to deliver hors d'oeuvres and Jell-O Shooters.
Strutting down the red carpet were cool cats, sexy babes, and stars of the film. Sharon Osbourne, looking lovely in a solid white top with a big flower, admits she’s a huge Quentin Tarantino fan. But is she into the martial arts thing? “I love it,” she says.
Ms. Hired Sword and lead of “Kill Bill,” Uma Thurman (The Bride/Black Mamba) was a no show due to filming elsewhere, but plenty of Hollywood’s elite turned out to salute Quentin Tarantino and his directing talents.
A recipient of that directing talent was David Carradine as Black Mamba’s corrupt boss and ex-lover Bill. Carradine strolled into the party with the ease of drawing a sword but remained cuddly only with girlfriend Annie Bierman.
So how did David like working with Quentin? “He’s a lot of fun and a great director,” said David, who has expressed his pleasure at being given the opportunity to play the lead role in the film. And although he may have been quite fit 30 or more years ago in his “Kung Fu” TV days, David did have to work out for his lead role in the new film “Kill Bill Vol 2.” He didn’t mind that, or that his career is on top once again. “Yeah, I’m still riding the wave,” he says with his genuine grin.
Genuinely having a good time was Paul Rodriguez, who admits this was not his first time at Hugh’s less than modest home. “No, actually Hugh has been very kind to me. I met him years ago at the Improv, and out of the blue he asked me to be in his 50th anniversary special. In my next life I want to be him or one of his girls.” Okay Paul, maybe a little too much info there.
“I think ‘Kill Bill’ is great,” he continued, “and my dream has been to work with two people in my life. One is dead and the other is Quentin – who has not shown up yet. You know you’re too big when they throw a party and you’re not there.”
A trip to the mansion would not be complete without a visit from the man himself and Hugh was only too happy to take a stole down the red carpet arm in arm with a few of his favorite girls. A quick turn, nod, and he was off to enjoy the night “his” way.
Some of the other guests enjoying the sights like the cages of exotic birds and monkeys or the rotating graphics spotlighted on the trees, were: Lauralee Bell, Seth Green, Gerald McRaney, Antonio Sabato Jr., Vivica A Fox, Wesley Scantlin, Malinda Williams, Julie Dreyfus, Pauly Shore, Jamie Elman, Leelee Sobieski, Vanessa Marcil and Taraji P. Henson.
PAGE 2: Quotes from Quentin and Thoughts on What's Next
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
"Kill Bill Vol. 1" Photo Gallery
"Kill Bill Vol. 2" Photo Gallery
"Kill Bill Vol. 2" Credits, Trailer, and Movie News
