'Mask' Appeal

Even without his metal guise, Leonardo DiCaprio proved elusive at MGM's The Man in the Iron Mask party, held March 2 at New York City's Public Library. Avoiding the throngs who roared for him beneath the library's stone-faced lions, DiCaprio snuck in through a side entrance, briefly dined with his mom, Irmelin, and granny, Helena, then disappeared into a private den on the library's third floor. As he held court with Romeo & Juliet costar Claire Danes and her boyfriend, Aussie rocker Ben Lee, Mira Sorvino, and Mask costar Gabriel Byrne, partygoers -- including Greg Kinnear, Natalie Portman, Elle Macpherson, and even Monica Lewinsky's lawyer William Ginsburg -- discussed how Mask could make Leo king of the box office. ''Two Leos in one movie? I mean, please!'' said Elizabeth Berkley, who lost a heel strolling up the red carpet. It could have been worse: Susan Sarandon misplaced a daughter. ''Where did she go?'' asked Sarandon of teenage Eva, who'd set out on a hunt of America's top 'throb. Hakuna matata, indeed.