GONE, NOT FORGOTTEN--Pam Grier fans who went...

GONE, NOT FORGOTTEN--Pam Grier fans who went to “On the Edge” at the Seattle Film Festival the other day were in for a rude shock. They may have been lured by her name, second-billed to Bruce Dern, but there was no Grier anywhere, only thudding, sweating, straining runners in this film that re-creates the annual tortuous Dipsea race (called Ciello Sea in the movie) over the mountains to the sea in Mill Valley, Calif.

Grier’s role as an aerobics instructor who has a steamy affair with runner Dern was excised in its entirety--at Grier’s request, she said. “I loved my role of a strong young woman who became a kind of truth serum for Bruce. He learned about himself from her. But, in the end, I thought she detracted from his story.”

Gallantry seemed to be the order of the day. Grier said: “I want (director) Rob (Nilsson) to make the best film possible. For the festival that meant cutting me out completely.” Said Nilsson: “Nothing’s definite yet. We’re still experimenting with different versions. Pam may be back on the screen.”