FEARING that the Writer’s Guild strike would also cripple the Oscar night festivities, Hollywood’s glamorous and gorgeous denizens turned on the flash and glitter at the red carpet of their very own Screen Actors Guild awards night, traditionally a laid-back and casual affair that was, however, given a free pass by the striking writers. The event was a far cry from the lackluster Golden Globes “press conference” that didn’t attract any stars dim or bright.

According to the New York Times, stars navigated 16,476 square feet of red carpet, which is about 10 yards longer than in the past years. “This is the 75th anniversary of the Screen Actors Guild, and so we really have been focused all year on doing a special show,” Kathy Connell, the producer of the 14th annual broadcast, said.

As in any fashion spectacle, the men took a back seat to the women, though I was delighted that Best Supporting Actor winner Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men), in Prada, hardly looked like his murderous film persona made more terrifying by his page-boy haircut. The utterly virile Viggo Mortensen of Eastern Promises, who had a minutes-long fight scene (in the nude!) in the movie, was also a standout in a red vest and a black ensemble.

For the women, who are always so glamorous to look at when unwittingly competing for attention from photographers, flaunted plenty of lovely bones as many of the actresses showed off their clavicles in strapless silhouettes, flowing tube gowns and floor-sweeping bustiers.

Showing skin is a strong trend for spring, and among those who brandished their high-maintenance complexion were Kate Beckinsale (in Luisa Beccaria in a striking canary yellow, the top color of the season), Kyra Sedgwick (L’Wren Scott), Glenn Close (Versace), Teri Hatcher (Badgley Mischka), Kate Hudson (Balmain), Tina Fey (Alberta Ferretti) and Marion Cotillard (Nina Ricci).

The luminous Cate Blanchett, glowingly pregnant, opted for a draped navy taffeta Balenciaga gown by Nicolas Ghésquière. The is-she-or-isn’t-she pregnant Angelina Jolie glided in the arms of Tom Ford-clad Brad Pitt in a Hermes scarf-inspired shapeless ombre tent by Juliana Cairone. Another standout was fashion rebel Julie Christie, a darling again for winning Best Actress for Away From Her. The British actress was in a Roberto Cavalli pantsuit, a somber ensemble she wore in solidarity with the writers on strike.

The ongoing crisis was starkly reflected, but in an elegant way, on the gorgeous gowns worn by Grey’s Anatomy’s Ellen Pompeo in a gray strapless shadowy-printed Nina Ricci, Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton) in a gray silk blazer and skirt by Haider Ackermann with matching flaming red hair, and Ugly Betty’s America Ferrera in a charcoal Chantilly lace gown by the country’s pride, Monique Luillier.

Debra Messing (The Starter Wife) provided the metallic sheen of the show in an Oscar de la Renta halter gown. Also glitzy were Eva Longoria (Desperate Housewives) in a Naeem Khan cowl gown, and Christina Applegate (Samantha Who?) in a sequined Elie Saab.

But amid all the frenzy over all those borrowed finery, there stood the eternally beautiful Michelle Pfeiffer (Hairspray). In a cocktail dress. In Versace. This is the Hollywood.

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FEARING that the Writer’s Guild strike would also cripple the Oscar night festivities, Hollywood’s glamorous and gorgeous denizens turned on the flash and glitter at the red carpet of their very own Screen Actors Guild awards night, traditionally a laid-back and casual affair that was, however, given a free pass by the striking writers.

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