LOOK-ALIKES SEEK TO MAKE SHOW-BIZ MARK.

Byline: Melissa Schmitt Daily News Staff Writer

Thursday's casting call for ``And the Beat Goes On: The Sonny and Cher Story'' brought wannabes from as far away as British Columbia wearing black wigs and bell-bottoms, and carrying very big dreams chasing very little hope.

Dreaming was the idea, after all, said Larry Thompson. The producer of the upcoming ABC made-for-television movie, about the lives of the once-married television icons, had announced the nationwide call for unknowns to cast in the leading roles.

And so there was Anna Lashmet, 46, an interior designer from North Hills, a dead ringer for Cher who sang ``I Got You Babe'' with Tujunga resident Bret Davidson, a stuntman whom she met standing in the long line of hopefuls that formed at 6 a.m. outside the ABC Entertainment Center in Century City.

The newly formed pair were among the undisputed best, even getting to read a scene for Thompson and his team.

But really, they didn't stand much of a chance.

Lashmet admitted to Thompson that her singing career was limited.

``I do karaoke,'' she said, laughing. ``I do Cher, honey.''

Over in Hollywood, a similar story was playing out in front of a restaurant staging a promotional stunt.

The Planet Hollywood contest was looking to find the best Three Stooges schtick. The winners won't garner roles as Larry, Curly or Moe - just dinner and a special screening of an upcoming ``Three Stooges'' film during the restaurant's Stooges festival.

That's more than many of the tall, lanky women and goofy little guys walked away with auditioning for Thompson.

History and industry insiders say the chances of any of Thursday's auditioners actually landing lead roles in the show are slimmer than Cher's waist.

The roles of Sonny and Cher probably already have been filled by experienced performers - and Thursday's casting call was likely no more than a publicity stunt, show-biz insiders say.

Thompson insists he would prefer unknowns. ``With icons as big as Sonny and Cher, it's important not to cast celebrities and stars because it's hard for the audience to get past their faces,'' Thompson said.

While he spoke, impersonators, look-alikes and aspiring actresses belted out renditions of ``I Got You Babe'' with varying degrees of success.

But rarely do such casting calls yield more than a few great stories for the realists and some serious heartache for the dreamers.

Thompson did a similar casting call in the 1980s for ``Lucy and Desi: The Laughter Goes On.'' The actors who eventually played Lucy and Desi were not among those who answered the call.

It was the same for ``Selena,'' the movie about the slain Latino pop star. Those auditions drew thousands of young Latinas for a part that eventually went to Jennifer Lopez. Though the young Selena was portrayed by someone ``discovered'' at the auditions.

Thompson insisted Thursday he would like nothing better than to find unknowns to play the roles of Sonny and Cher.

``Hollywood is about dreams,'' Thompson said. ``If two unknowns can suddenly rise to fame and success, that's great. It can happen for two people out there looking to play Sonny and Cher.''

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2 Photos

PHOTO (1) Cassandra Costogue, left, Bret Davidson and Anna Lashmet sing ``I Got You Babe'' at a Thursday audition for a Sonny and Cher film.

David Sprague/Daily News

(2) Efrim Degen gets a pie in the face during a Three Stooges contest at Planet Hollywood in Beverly Hills.

Gus Ruelas/Daily News