WILDER TO BE HONORED BY ACADEMY.

Byline: Valerie Kuklenski Staff Writer

Director Billy Wilder is scheduled to take part in a tribute Thursday at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that launches a three-week retrospective of his films.

The participants for the sold-out event include Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis, who co-starred in ``Some Like It Hot,'' and Shirley MacLaine, who starred in Wilder's ``The Apartment'' and ``Irma La Douce'' with Lemmon.

Wilder, now 93, has accrued 21 Academy Award nominations, winning best picture, screenplay and directing Oscars for ``The Apartment''; writing and directing honors for ``The Lost Weekend''; and another writing Oscar for ``Sunset Blvd.'' In 1987, he received the academy's Irving G. Thalberg Award for his body of work as a producer.

The academy says the tribute has been sold out for weeks, but those interested in stand-by admission should call [phone] or see www.oscars.org on the Web.

The retrospective runs Jan. 14-Feb. 2 and was put together by American Cinematheque and UCLA Film and Television Archive. The 27 films on the program include each of his Oscar-nominated titles.

Organizers say the schedule was planned so that only one venue is showing Wilder films at a time, allowing fans the possibility of seeing every movie offered. Many of the screenings will feature guests related to that night's production.

For information about the Wilder films screening at UCLA's James Bridges Theater in Westwood, call [phone] or visit www.cinema.ucla.edu on the Web. For American Cinematheque's program at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, call [phone] or go to www.egyptiantheatre.com.

BERGMAN'S `CONFESSIONS'

Ingmar Bergman is airing his family's dirty laundry in ``Private Confessions,'' a new film written by Bergman and directed by Liv Ullman.

``Private Confessions,'' opening Saturday at Laemmle's Sunset 5 theaters in Hollywood, is based on true events early in his parents' marriage, with his mother, Anna, as the central character.

As a young woman, Anna marries Henrik, a theology student, but they are not well-suited to each other. She realizes her mistake when she meets Tomas, a younger man, and they begin an affair that awakens her passion.

As happy as she is, she also is tormented by the double life she is leading. She seeks counsel from Jacob, a priest and longtime friend she trusts. His recommendation has dramatic consequences.

``Private Confessions'' is the opening movie in Laemmle's World Cinema 2000, a series of six outstanding films from around the world.

The Sunset 5 is located at 8000 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood. On Jan. 15 the film moves to Laemmle's Monica 4-Plex in Santa Monica. Tickets are $8.50 for general admission or $5.50 for seniors 62 and older. Call [phone] or [phone] for screening times.

DOUGLAS RETROSPECTIVE

With Kirk Douglas making a post-stroke screen comeback in ``Diamonds'' at age 83, the American Film Institute decided the time is right to look back at his six-decade career.

The series, ``Kirk Douglas: An American Classic,'' opens today and continues through Thursday at the Laemmle Music Hall in Beverly Hills.

The lineup includes ``Paths of Glory,'' ``Champion,'' ``The Strange Love of Martha Ivers,'' ``20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,'' ``Gunfight at the OK Corral,'' and of course, ``Spartacus.''

The Music Hall is located at 9036 Wilshire Blvd. For showtimes and ticket information, call [phone] or go to www.laemmle.com on the Web.

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Photo: A three-week retrospective of the films of Billy Wilder (shown here with actress Gloria Swanson) runs Jan. 14-Feb. 2.