Aykroyd's House of Mirth

By Stephen M. Silverman

06/25/1998 at 12:00 AM EDT

The early 20th century in New York came back to life in Manhattan last night at the premiere of the movie version of novelist Edith Wharton's "The House of Mirth," starring Gillian Anderson as wealthy socialite Lily Bart (who, despite her station and fortune, can't find a husband). The movie's costars Dan Aykroyd, Laura Linney and Eric Stoltz showed up for the premiere, as did Julianna Margulies. Aykroyd, whose movie career seems to have taken a backseat of late to his involvement in the House of Blues chain (he's a part owner), told PEOPLE that he's once again stepping up his acting career. "I just finished filming with Woody Allen," said the "Saturday Night Live" founding cast member, 48. "It's called 'The Curse of the Jade Scorpion,' with Helen Hunt (and) Charlize Theron. And I did 'Pearl Harbor' with ("Armageddon" director) Michael Bay. It is going to be bigger than 'Titanic' . . . the biggest movie in the history of the film industry."