FILM SNEEK PEEK BEEN CRAVEN A 'NIGHTMARE' FIX? NOW'S THE TIME.

Byline: - Valerie Kuklenski

The man who introduced Freddy Krueger into many a nightmare is set to attend the first major retrospective of his work, when American Cinematheque tonight kicks off ``Merchant of Dreams: A Tribute to Wes Craven.''

The review opens at 7 tonight with ``A Nightmare on Elm Street,'' the 1984 hit that launched a franchise and made both Craven and star Robert Englund famous. Craven will discuss the film after the screening.

At 9:30 p.m., ``The Last House on the Left,'' his 1972 debut feature, is paired in a double feature with his second film, ``The Hills Have Eyes.''

Bring your own ear plugs on Saturday for ``Scream'' at 5 p.m. (Craven will talk after it) and a double feature of ``Scream 2'' and ``Scream 3.''

Upcoming titles in the series, running through Wednesday, include ``Wes Craven's New Nightmare,'' ``The Serpent and the Rainbow'' and his unusually mild character drama ``Music of the Heart,'' starring Meryl Streep.

Screenings are at the Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd. Tickets are $8 for general admission, $6 for American Cinematheque members and $7 for students and seniors. Information: [phone] or www.egyptiantheatre.com on the Web.

'UPRISING' GROWS: ``Uprising,'' the one big miniseries event of November sweeps, probably did not get its full potential audience on NBC because it competed on Nov. 4 with the Primetime Emmy Awards and the seventh game of the World Series.

Now the three-hour (without commercials) project about rebellious Warsaw Jews who fought scrappily against their Nazi oppressors gets an unusual turn at the big screen, with a one-week run beginning tonight at Laemmle's Fairfax Three Theater, 7907 Beverly Blvd. in Los Angeles.

The film stars Hank Azaria, Leelee Sobieski, David Schwimmer, Jon Voight, Donald Sutherland and Cary Elwes and was co-written and directed by Jon Avnet.

``Uprising'' is due for release on video and DVD on Dec. 18. For Laemmle's show times and other information, call [phone].

SEASON'S SCREENINGS: Bing Crosby's popular, sentimental ``White Christmas'' is back on the big screen at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro.

The 1954 sequel to ``Holiday Inn'' co-stars Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen.

On Dec. 16, the theater will show a 3 p.m. matinee of ``It's a Wonderful Life.''

The Warner Grand, a restored movie palace, is at 478 W. Sixth St. For more information, including a list of nearby restaurants, call [phone] or look up www.warnergrand.org on the Internet.

OH, YOU KIDS: The Silent Movie Theatre turns up the volume this weekend for showings of Hal Roach's ``Little Rascals'' talkie comedy shorts.

Spanky, Alfalfa, Buckwheat and the rest of the gang are appearing at 8 tonight, Saturday and Sunday, and at 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday. The theater is at 611 N. Fairfax Ave. Call [phone] for information.