THE CROWD:

While young Hollywood is in rehab — or worse, serving time in the L.A. County Jail — old Hollywood is still busy putting on a show.

Sunday night in Beverly Hills the Thalians gathered at the Beverly Hilton Hotel for the 52nd Anniversary Ball and a show that dazzled young, old and in-between. The glamorous evening fronted by the indomitable Debbie Reynolds and the irrepressible Ruta Lee raised $500,000 in support of mental health services provided by the Thalians’ Mental Health Center at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles.

Patrons from O.C. joined the L.A. crowd and guests from across the country honoring Sir Roger Moore, “007 for 007.” Moore, 82 and as debonair as ever, was reunited with co-stars of his James Bond films including a celebrity lineup of Bond girls. Appearing on stage with Moore were Maud Adams, Stephanie Powers and Lois Chiles among a contingent of some of Hollywood’s iconic female movie characters.

In an eloquent speech, Moore’s son Christian told the crowd of 1,000 guests in black tie and glittering gowns how proud he was to be the son of the actor but more importantly the son of a man who has demonstrated his concern for humanity.

Joining UNICEF in 1991 as a worldwide ambassador for children, Moore and his family have traveled the globe promoting the causes of world health and the eradication of world hunger. Accepting his 007 honors as the Thalians’ “Mr. Wonderful” Moore shared, “There is absolutely no excuse in the world today that any child should go hungry.” Debbie Reynolds presented Moore with the Thalians’ 52nd Anniversary Trophy, designed originally by Walt Disney, and awarded annually to the most prominent names in the entertainment world.

Founded in 1955, the Thalians were a group of very young, talented and rising actors coming up the ranks post-WWII. For the past half-century, the Thalians have made a world-altering difference, especially with their first focus: mental health.

“With all of the progress, it’s still not enough,” offered Dr. Mark Rapaport, chairman of the Thalians’ Mental Health Center at Cedars Sinai. Rapaport delivered a very personal address about the state of mental health in America and specifically concerning the work of the Thalians Mental Health Center. The crowd went silent, there were no tinkling glasses, movement stopped, and cocktail conversation ceased.

Rapaport talked about everything from autism to Alzheimer’s, informing the audience that mental health-related diseases have become prominent disabilities on the list of the nation’s top 10 catastrophic illnesses.

The purpose and the passion of the work that goes on all year is a living tribute to Reynolds and Lee who have given tirelessly and enthusiastically to this cause without questioning the enormous commitment and responsibility. To their credit, Reynolds and Lee have enlisted young Hollywood in an attempt to pass the torch. The concept is to introduce the important cause of mental health philanthropy to young Hollywood while still attracting support from the traditional crowd.

Ironically, however, the need for the support of young Hollywood is certainly as evident and as important as ever. Substance abuse is a significant contributing factor to the decline of mental health. The strongest message Reynolds and Lee can send is to simply get involved and help make a difference.

Comedian Howie Mandel, star of “Deal or No Deal,” brought four of his sexy, young assistants from the show wearing short, sequined aquamarine-colored cocktail dresses. Mandel delivered a roaring ad lib comedy monologue disguised as a live auction selling four travel packages and raising significant dollars for the Thalians.

He was followed by a full stage performance by Neil Sedaka who had the crowd dancing in the aisles to his classic doo-wop ballads and rock ’n’ roll. Sedaka, whose voice and appearance belie his age, performed among other favorites his sentimental No. 1 hit, “I Miss the Hungry Years,” “Laughter In The Rain” and the Connie Francis classic “Where The Boys Are.”

In addition to the incredible dedication of the ball chairwomen Nandi and Mara Chenik, the evening was made possible by the extreme underwriting generosity of Eileen O’Neill and Margie Petersen, honoring the memory of the late Nancy Reddin. Others deserving credit for the stunning success of the party were John Holly, Blake Lindquist, Rudy Tronto, Billy Barnes, Barbara Luna, Lila Niles, Sterling Tallman, Ida Myers, Bob Bernard and chairwomen of the massive silent auction, Barbara Cohen-Wolfe and Stephanie Hibler.

Also spotted in the star-studded crowd were Norm Crosby, Jack Carter, Jack LaLanne, Rene Taylor and Joe Bologna, generous donors David and Laura McKenzie, Mark and Marilyn Tenser, talk host Larry Elder, fashion designers Nolan Miller and Mr. Blackwell, Nancy Sinatra, Armande Assante, Dolph Lundgren, Hugh O’Brien, Carol Connors, Elke Sommer and Mitzi Gaynor.

In from Newport Beach for the evening were Jack and Karen Hardin-Swickard, Olivia and Howard Abel, and June and Mike Winkler.

In years past Newport’s late John Crean and his wife Donna were major supporters of the Thalians along with prominent former Newport residents Buzz and Lois Aldrin and many others. Also in the crowd were Rick and Kathy Hilton, Ann Rutherford, Frank Stallone and the beautiful Julie Newmar.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.