Tattle: Arnold puts films on hold

IT WAS ONE THING for Arnold Schwarzenegger to mess around with the maid, but now he's messing with a Philadelphian.

The former serial groper/California governor has decided to put his return to acting on hold now that he's been caught acting like an ass.

"At the request of Arnold Schwarzenegger, we asked Creative Artists Agency to inform all his motion-picture projects currently under way or being negotiated to stop planning until further notice," said Patrick Knapp, Arnold's entertainment counsel. "Gov. Schwarzenegger is focusing on personal matters and is not willing to commit to any production schedules or timelines. This includes 'Cry Macho,' the 'Terminator' franchise and other projects under consideration. We will resume discussions when Gov. Schwarzenegger decides."

What that means is that the next film project for area-born director Brad Furman ("The Lincoln Lawyer," "The Take") has been postponed because Arnold had to pump while housekeeper Mildred Patty Baena ironed.

In "Cry Macho," Arnold was to play a horse breeder who wins the Kentucky Derby but descends into alcoholism and depression after his family is killed.

As Gary Thompson mentioned on his philly.com blog, "Keep it Reel," the film's romantic subplot has Arnold's character falling for a Mexican woman.

Awkward.

"Macho" is being produced by Oscar winner Albert Ruddy, whose wife, Wanda, small world, went to college in Missouri with Tattle's boss.

Just Tuesday, Ruddy told the Los Angeles Times that "Macho" was "A-OK" and scheduled to start shooting Aug. 24.

Arnold was to make a reported $12.5 million for the role and take home 25 percent of its profits. That kind of money buys a man a maid to sleep with and a maid to clean.

* One of the ways Arnold kept secret his "Millie Diddle" (a term coined by avid Tattle readers at the Shanachie Irish Pub, in Ambler) was by throwing around cash - and doing it openly.

Back in 2001, according to TMZ.com, Arnold financed a posh birthday party for his babymama's niece.

It seems Millie's sister Mirian also worked as a housekeeper for the Schwarzeneggers, and when her daughter turned 15, Arnold paid the full tab for her quinceanera.

The Sperminator pulled out all the stops - limo service, food, entertainment, decorations, etc.

Arnold, wife Maria Shriver and their kids even attended the party, and he told the crowd he wanted to "take care" of the family because they had all been close for many years.

So close that Arnold's love child played with his other kids.

So close, in fact, that Millie actually tested the family box springs.

TMZ tracked down one of the partygoers who said people thought it was weird that Arnold paid for the party, but that's the only part of this story that doesn't seem weird.

If you're incredibly wealthy and had house staff for a decade, what would be the big deal about paying for a party? That seems like something a nice boss would do whether he was diddling Aunt Millie or not.

Rittenhouse street fest tomorrow

 Hope for sunny weather tomorrow so you can enjoy the annual Rittenhouse Row Street Festival from noon to 5 p.m. on Walnut Street from Broad to 19th.

There will be food from many of the city's top eateries, a fashion show, music, kid stuff and more.

Like last year, Starr Restaurants (on the 1800 block) will partner with Philabundance and ask festival-goers to donate canned goods for a chance to win two grand prizes. Bring a can of food and get a raffle ticket. Bring lots of cans, get lots of tickets.

One winner will receive dinner for two at each of Starr's 16 Philadelphia restaurants, and the other will receive a dinner for four at their residence, fully catered by Starr Events.

Tattbits

 * Principal photography began this week on "The Dark Knight Rises," the conclusion to Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy.

The film will be shot in India, England, Scotland, New York, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh.

"The Dark Knight Rises" is slated for release on July 20, 2012.

* Elton John has dedicated an AIDS benefit dinner at the Cannes Film Festival to the late Elizabeth Taylor, an early pioneer in the fight against the disease.

John called Taylor a "force of nature" and pledged she'll remain the star-studded charity event's "guiding star."

* The Canne Film Festival has declared director Lars Von Trier persona non grata, effective immediately.

Sacre bleu! No more depressing Danish art films!

* The celebrity memoirs du jour include Sarah Ferguson's reality-TV tie-in Finding Sarah: A Duchess's Journey to Find Herself, due out June 28, and Greg Allman's currently untitled life story due next spring.

How is that book not going to be called "Ramblin' Man"?

* "Titanic" is coming back to theaters next April in 3-D.

The re-release will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Titanic setting sail on April 10.

Director James Cameron says the film was "painstakingly" converted to 3-D and promises "an epic experience."

For its next re-release, the theater will actually fill with water.

Daily News wire services contributed to this report.

Email: gensleh@phillynews. com.