Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation’s press.

TV & MOVIES

Douglas Up With ‘Sundowning’: Kirk Douglas is returning to work in Miramax Films’ “Sundowning,” a family drama co-starring Dan Aykroyd. The film, which begins production in October, tells of a grandfather, son and grandson who hit the road in search of “love, sex and 13 magic diamonds.” It will be Douglas’ first time at work since suffering a stroke in January 1996. “I feel like I’m starting all over again,” said Douglas, 81, “but I promise to quit when I’m 100.”

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Sex and Drugs and Millennium Humor: Filmmakers Norman Jewison (“Moonstruck”), Barry Levinson (“Wag the Dog”), Garry Marshall (“Pretty Woman”), Gregory Nava (“Selena”), Robert Townsend (“Hollywood Shuffle”) and Robert Zemeckis (“Forrest Gump”) will each direct and executive produce a feature-length documentary for cable’s Showtime as part of the network’s millennium project. The films will be shown throughout 1999, with each exploring an influence that has “shaped society over the past 100 years.” Jewison’s documentary will focus on humor, Levinson’s on “visions of the future,” Marshall’s on marriage, Nava’s on “the melting pot,” Townsend’s on sex, and Zemeckis’ on drugs and alcohol.

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Monica & Bill, the Movie: Director Clyde Ware (“Bad Jim,” “Pretty Boy Floyd”) plans to begin filming early next year on “The Washington Intern,” a movie for Raleigh Studios’ Delaware Pictures from Ware’s screenplay about a White House intern who has an affair with a “powerful political figure.” Unknown actress Kathryn Jenkins-Smith, a Monica Lewinsky look-alike, will play the intern, but there’s no word yet on who’ll play the politician.

QUICK TAKES

James Brolin, who kicks off the second season next month of his syndicated series, “Pensacola: Wings of Gold,” gets his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today during 11:30 a.m. ceremonies at 7018 Hollywood Blvd. . . . Though he has spent the summer recuperating, Billy Joel’s throat still isn’t 100%, the singer said in a statement issued Wednesday. Earlier this year, Joel’s throat problems forced him to cancel several dates with Elton John, including an HBO concert special. He said Wednesday that he won’t resume performances until at least November. . . . The Walt Disney Co. has canceled a series of shows that were scheduled to begin Saturday at a mall in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, citing security concerns following the U.S. missile strikes against Sudan and Afghanistan. Disney characters including Mickey and Minnie Mouse had been scheduled to perform. The U.S. Embassy in the United Arab Emirates has advised Americans there to exercise caution, but has not noted a specific threat.