NEWS LITE : CHANGES MADE IN `EYES' TO RETAIN FILM'S R RATING.

Americans won't see the same version of the late Stanley Kubrick's ``Eyes Wide Shut'' that the rest of the world will.

In order to preserve the film's R rating, 65 seconds of sexual stuff has undergone ``digital adjustment,'' according to ``Eyes'' executive producer Jan Harlan. The Motion Picture Association of America demanded the alterations, said Harlan - Kubrick's brother-in-law - in order to bestow its R. Otherwise, the movie would've been scarlet-lettered with the box office-killing NC-17.

The scene in question shows Tom Cruise's caped and masked character walking from room to room in a huge mansion observing couples in various modes of copulation, though no privates are shown.

In the U.S. version, digitally created human figures have been inserted in the frame to block the offending action. One observer described it as like having tall men in hats standing in front of you as you try to catch a glimpse of what's on screen.

Roger Ebert referred to it as ``this Austin Powers version,'' adding: ``Doesn't this demonstrate the hypocrisy of the ratings system?''

In March, when the film's ultimate rating was still in doubt, Cruise set himself up as Kubrick's advocate, warning that those who would meddle with the film would ``have to get through me.'' No late word from him on the subject, though.

The movie will open Friday.

Betty White steals show from big croc

You know that nice, older actress/comedian Betty White?

Well, she plays a foul-mouthed battle ax in ``Lake Placid,'' a spoofy scare flick featuring a vastly oversize crocodile with matching appetite.

Producer David E. Kelly told White, ``I'm not sure the crocodile stuff will work, but to hear that language come out of Betty White just cracked me up,'' she said.

Arkansas joins in Leach lawsuit

Arkansas has signed on, along with seven other states, in suing Robin Leach over allegations that he and travel companies he promoted deceived customers into believing they had won free vacations.

What consumers actually ``won'' was the opportunity to pay up to $1,000 for a seven-day Florida vacation and a day-trip ferry ride with ``Las Vegas-style'' bingo, Attorney General Mark Pryor said Tuesday in Little Rock.

``There is nothing free or fabulous about these bogus offers,'' Pryor said. ``These `discount vacation packages' often cost consumers more than air fare, hotel and fees would cost them separately.''

Gerald Greenspoon, an attorney for National Travel Services Inc. and Plaza Resorts Inc., denied the allegations and said settlement talks with all eight states are under way. He said Leach is no longer associated with the companies.

Leach, the host of ``Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,'' has a home in Greenwich, Conn., but a number couldn't be located.

Filmmaker marries actress Rosie Perez

Rosie Perez (``White Men Can't Jump,'' ``Do the Right Thing'') last weekend wed writer and filmmaker Seth Zvi Rosenfeld in the Big Apple.

At Brooklyn's Montauk Club, the bride wore an Amsale floor-length gown with train and beaded waist.

Witnesses included Wesley Snipes, John Leguizamo, Marisa Tomei, Debi Mazar, Steve Buscemi, Annabella Sciorra, Aidan Quinn and Karen Duffy.

The newlyweds, engaged two years, met when he directed her in his first feature, ``A Brother's Kiss.'' He just finished his second feature, ``King of the Jungle,'' starring his wife and Leguizamo.

Landau loses case against investors

A jury ruled against Martin Landau and his partners in a lawsuit over a $30 million deal they thought they had with investors for film projects.

The actor and his partners in Silver Street Pictures Inc. claimed Centre Reinsurance Co. of New York made an oral agreement in 1996 to back movies. The federal jury ruled Monday that there wasn't enough evidence that a deal had been made.

``Our position was we were still negotiating,'' said William Price, the attorney for the insurance company. ``We're delighted that the jury was able to decipher the evidence and find in our favor.''

Gregory Dovel, the attorney for Silver Street, said Landau hasn't decided whether to appeal.

Landau appeared in the old TV series ``Mission: Impossible'' and such movies as ``Crimes and Misdemeanors,'' ``Ed Wood'' and ``North by Northwest.''

Dad resentful, Lennon heir says

Julian Lennon says dad John Lennon would have resented his musical career if he had lived long enough to see it.

``Knowing his insecurities, I think he might not have liked me doing well,'' Lennon, 36, says in this week's Hello! magazine. ``That was one of his problems.''

Julian's mother, Cynthia, agrees.

``It's very sad he isn't here,'' she said of the former Beatle, who left her when Julian was 5 and was gunned down in 1980. ``On the other hand, if he had still been here, it may be - and this is a terrible thing to say - that John would have ended up overshadowing Julian.''

Julian recently relaunched his career after a break of several years with the single ``I Don't Wanna Know.''

News Lite is compiled by Karen Duffy from Daily News staff and wire reports.

CAPTION(S):

4 Photos

Photo: (1) Meet the beetles

Mikako Takei, chief sales person of an insect store in downtown Tokyo, watches the store's most expensive merchandise, a $41,660 stag beetle pair. The 3-inch male and 2-inch female were caught in the wilderness in Southern Japan.

Associated Press

(2) Lennon

(3) Landau

(4) Perez