LIEBERMAN SCARY, SAYS ESZTERHAS WRITER OF 'BASIC INSTINCT' WANTS GIFTS TO GORE CAMPAIGN FROZEN.

Byline: Dana Bartholomew Staff Writer

Bad boy screenwriter Joe Eszterhas urged Hollywood on Tuesday to withhold contributions from the Democratic presidential campaign until its leaders clear up what he calls not-so-veiled threats of movie censorship.

The angry screed from the author of ``Basic Instinct'' was splashed across the back page of Daily Variety on Tuesday and urged moviemakers to withhold money from Vice President Al Gore and Sen. Joe Lieberman.

``Joe Lieberman frightens me,'' Eszterhas wrote of the senator who has campaigned for Hollywood to curtail graphic sex and violence.

``He makes not-so-veiled threats about censorship by government legislation if we don't censor ourselves. Not a penny more until he `clarifies' his positions.''

Eszterhas demanded the Connecticut senator speak with writers and directors of violent or sexually graphic films. Besides ``Basic Instinct,'' Eszterhaus wrote ``Showgirls'' and recently published ``American Rhapsody,'' which he claims reveals ``ultimate truths'' about the Clinton presidency.

``If you're going to hold the (political) right to a certain yardstick about creative expression and freedom of speech,'' Eszterhas told the Daily News, ``then let's hold that same yardstick to the politically correct left.''

Many in an industry famous for its Democratic Party support declined to comment Tuesday on Eszterhas' $5,600 ad.

``I wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot pole,'' said a well-known Hollywood agent who asked his name not be used.

``In this town, to come out against a Jew, the (entertainment) industry, the Democratic Party - you'd never work again, unless you're Joe Eszterhas. How many Republicans do you know working in this town?''

Tipper Gore, the would-be first lady, has called for ratings on compact disks containing references to sex and violence, and the issue of movie censorship has threatened to singe the Democratic ticket ever since Lieberman was chosen.

Neither the vice president nor Lieberman has advocated movie censorship, a campaign spokeswoman said.

``Rather, both have fought for voluntary guidelines from the industry and tools for the parents so parents can have more controls over what (children) watch, such as the V-chip,'' said Maria Meir, western field director for the Gore campaign.

``We understand that parents are struggling to pass on right values in a culture that seems sometimes chaotic and sometimes cruel. Democrats feel that parents need to have more control over the images their children are exposed to.''

The Parents Television Council, which has called for an industry curb on sex and violence, said Eszterhas' exhortation to Hollywood will never stop the million dollar checks.

``Earth to Joe Eszterhas: Wake up and realize that Joe Lieberman could be a (movie industry) ally,'' said Brent Bozell, the council's chairman in Alexandria, Va. ``He's not a grenade thrower, so why make him into one?''

Johnny Grant, 77, a Republican known as honorary mayor of Hollywood, said he doesn't like to knock anyone, even Eszterhas.

``Joe's in his own world,'' he said. ``I live in Hollywood, Joe's on another planet.''