Unlike the typical Hollywood bash, where movie stars in donated frocks front up for a free meal, the biannual Carousel of Hope Ball is all about digging deep. "Nobody is leaving here without a big dent in their pocket," announced Mark Wahl-berg, who was among the 1,300 guests (including Elizabeth Taylor, Brooke Shields and Sylvester Stallone) who raised $6 million for the Children's Diabetes Foundation in a silent auction at the Oct. 25 event. "No cheapskates!"

But there were plenty of fashion plates—whether they'd bought their own gowns or not. "I feel like Cinderella," announced Tori Spelling, in sleeveless Christian Lacroix. Jane Seymour looked elegant in a dress by Escada, and Goldie Hawn glowed in Versace. Even The Green Mile's Michael Clarke Duncan went that extra yard. "I'm a jeans and gym-shoes guy," said Duncan, who wore a custom-made tux, "so for me this is something else." Guests at the gala—hosted by billionaire oilman Marvin Davis and his wife, Barbara, at the Beverly Hilton—moved from the auction (Montel Williams took home a guitar signed by Sting for $2,000; Wahlberg paid $1,700 for a Labrador pup) to a filet mignon meal. Later Charlotte Church, Toni Braxton and Ricky Martin entertained the crowd. Such was the turnout that even stars were starstruck. "I met Morgan Freeman," said an elated American Beauty's Thora Birch. "He was so sweet. I just started drooling."