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PACE 20 By Steve K. Walz TUBE FAT CAT -- MGM's lion is roaring these days as the studio's TV division cranks out one series pilot after another MGM-TV execs are particularly excited about a series pilot being developed for George Hamilton, who has decided to return to the tube after an absence of 12 years. Hamilton was featured in back-to-back 1970 series on ABC,"Paris 7000" and "The Survivors." CBS has expressed interest in this new project, a private-eye thriller. Leading men Gil Gerard, Robert Urich and Wil­ liam Devane also are involved in sleuth series develop­ ment projects. BEHIND THE SCENES -- Rachel Ward, who made ah outstanding impression on Hollywood executives with her performance opposite Burt Reynolds in "Sharkey's Machine," has been chosen to star in ABC's adaptation of Colleen McCullough's best-selling novel. "The Thorn Birds." Richard Chamberlain, who'll portray Father Ralph in the Australian-based epic, played a significant role in the casting of his female lead. Chamberlain auditioned doz­ ens of actresses for the part of Meggie Cleary, whose forbidden love for Father Ralph forms the basis of the story Chamberlain narrowed his choices to Olivia Newton-John, Jane Seymour and Miss Ward. The show will be beamed on ABC during the 1982-83 season. IN BETTE WE TRUST -- Bette Davis has been tabbed by NBC to star in the TV version of Barbara Goldsmith's best-seller "Little Gloria... Happy at Last." Miss Davis will portray Alice Gwynne Vanderbilt. Angela Lansbury will play Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, Miss Davis' character's daughter... The four-hour TV presen­ tation will be screened on the network next year. NBC is also developing Sidney Sheldon's "Rage of Angels" and Judith Krantz's "Princess Daisy" for the 1982-83 season In the can for a fall '82 premiere is "The Execu­ tioner's Song" starring Tommy Lee Jones as Gary Gilmore, the convicted killer who requested his own death by firing squad. @1982 Compulog INNER @1982 Compulog ffflouie Nostalgia By Marie landiorio Fannie Hurst's romantic drama, "Back Street tells of the lifelong love affair between a married man and another woman. "Back Street" was first filmed in 1932, with Irene Dunne starring as the heroine, Rae Smith. The remake was made in 1941 and starred Charles Boyer (pictured) as the married banker hopelessly in love with another woman, yet unable to leave his wife. The actress who starred opposite him (also pictured) was not the type that Hollywood directors usually cast as "the other woman. " But her portrayal of the tragic Rae Smith is one of her finest film perfor­ mances. Question: Can you name the actress pictured here who starred in the 1941 version of "Back Streets"? ueAei/ns ja-fP&iPfv :J9*suy ROCK ON By Ethlie Ann Vare REVIEWS Briefly touching upon a pile of new reieases. with apologies for giving them short shrift: Kim Wilde (EMI); Laura Branigan (Atlantic) -- What hath Pat Benatar wrought? First there was Quarterflash's Rindy Ross, and now come two more good-looking, strong-voiced ladies. Miss Wilde is by far the more origi­ nal and interesting, Miss Brani­ gan is slicker, more main­ stream Both are good, but is there more room in that slice of the market pie? XTC -- "English Settle­ ment" (Virgin-Epic) -- XTC is an intelligent band that has something to say as well as music to play But in the latest LP. they concentrate too much on the message and not enough on the medium. The first two albums, however, are highly recommended Michael Smotherman (Epic) -- Smotherman, a corn-fed Midwesterner, looks like a youthful Andy Warhol and sounds like any talented songwriter-with-a-guitar allowed the run of a sophisti­ cated sound studio. He writes some good tunes and has a great time playing with all those toys, but is not, as some would have you believe, the next James Taylor. Bill Champlin -- "Runaway" -- (Elektra) Champlin has been a success­ ful session singer since the demise of the horn-heavy Sons of Champlin, and in this solo debut he calls in a lot of mark­ ers from name performers. But this comes off as a typical ses­ sion album: smooth, easy to listen to, with nothing up front. Death Wish II -- "Original Soundtrack" (Swan Song) -- This sonic sludge has one thing to recommend it: Jimmy Page. His guitar licks, shining through what is only a movie score, are just enough to give Led Zeppe­ lin fans aching nostalgia. A must for diehard Page lovers, but not for the average listen­ er Jay Ferguson -- "White Noise" (Capitol) -- Ferguson sparkled with Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne, but can't seem to find his niche as a solist. The title cut would make an excellent FM radio tune, but so far FM radio hasn't been playing it @1982 Compulog