Mr. Kamen’s Magnum Opus

You may remember Michael Kamen’s film music for “Mr. Holland’s Opus,� “101 Dalmatians� or the “Die Hard� and “Lethal Weapon� trilogies. He has received multiple Grammys and now the USC School of Music’s Magnum Opus Award for lifetime achievement, presented to him at the annual Charles Dickens Dinner at the Regal Biltmore on Dec. 12. That’s him, above left, with actor Eric Idle. Also at the dinner, Phyllis and Michael Hennigan received the Dickens Medals of Honor for contributions to the arts. Tickets started at $300, with proceeds going to scholarships. Among previous honorees are Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Feinstein and the late Leonard Bernstein.

Christmas Stars Shine at a Storytelling Benefit

It was story time on Dec. 7 at the Coronet Theatre in Los Angeles, where Morgan Freeman, above, Holly Hunter, Kate Capshaw and other celebrities read to children. Participants brought Christmas and Hanukkah presents to be distributed by the Kids Cafe in Venice, which serves meals to disadvantaged youngsters.

Creatures Were Stirring, Especially a Mouse

Exterminators’ uniforms and Jenny the Mouse running up your shoulder were de rigueur at the premiere of DreamWorks’ “Mouse Hunt� on Tuesday at the GCC Avco in Westwood. Jenny, wearing a tiny top hat, arrived in her own limo to join co-stars Nathan Lane, below, and Vicki Lewis.

A Heaping Bushel of Shiny Apples

The Hollywood Women’s Press Club gave Golden Apple Awards to Sylvester Stallone and Jenny McCarthy and its Discovery Star of the Year honors to Bai Ling, right with Stallone, at a luncheon Dec. 14 at the Beverly Hilton. This year’s Sour Apples went to Marv Albert and Pamela Lee.

Gala Benefits L.A. Free Clinic

The Los Angeles Free Clinic netted more than $1.1 million at its 30th anniversary gala Dec. 8 at the Beverly Hilton. Underwriting by Fox Entertainment Group, Candy and Aaron Spelling and Spelling Entertainment Group allowed 100% of the evening’s proceeds to go to the clinic’s medical care and social services for people in need. First Lady Hillary Clinton was honorary chairwoman and addressed the guests via videotape.