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Martin Short goofed off with Pamela Anderson (and James Franco arrived fashionably late) at the AMBI Gala

By Toronto Life| Photography by George Pimentel
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Martin Short goofed off with Pamela Anderson (and James Franco arrived fashionably late) at the AMBI Gala

The TIFF Bell Lightbox may have hosted the festival’s official opening bash, but the Ritz-Carlton was the glitziest place to be last night. AMBI, a production company with two films at TIFF, pulled in an eclectic grab bag of stars for its $2,500-a-ticket charity gala (proceeds went to the Children’s Aid Foundation and UforChange). Here, a look at what happened and who showed up (and who showed up very, very late).

The Stars

Master of ceremonies Martin Short proposing a toast:

Martin Short goofed off with Pamela Anderson (and James Franco arrived fashionably late) at the AMBI Gala

Lethal Weapon main man Danny Glover fulfilling the event’s white-tie dress code:

Martin Short goofed off with Pamela Anderson (and James Franco arrived fashionably late) at the AMBI Gala

Mike Tyson thinking about maybe smiling:

Martin Short goofed off with Pamela Anderson (and James Franco arrived fashionably late) at the AMBI Gala

Pamela Anderson evoking Marilyn Monroe:

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Martin Short goofed off with Pamela Anderson (and James Franco arrived fashionably late) at the AMBI Gala

Event chair Sylvia Mantella, the indestructible Hazel McCallion and model Coco Rocha (you’ll never guess which two are wearing Christian Siriano):

Martin Short goofed off with Pamela Anderson (and James Franco arrived fashionably late) at the AMBI Gala

Suzanne Rogers in an attention-grabbing gown of her own:

Martin Short goofed off with Pamela Anderson (and James Franco arrived fashionably late) at the AMBI Gala

Cineplex top dog Salah Bachir in a velvety number that only he could pull off:

Martin Short goofed off with Pamela Anderson (and James Franco arrived fashionably late) at the AMBI Gala

6 parents Charlotte and Norm Kelly:

Martin Short goofed off with Pamela Anderson (and James Franco arrived fashionably late) at the AMBI Gala

Erstwhile Dragons Arlene Dickinson and Robert Herjavec with dancer extraordinaire Kym Johnson:

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Martin Short goofed off with Pamela Anderson (and James Franco arrived fashionably late) at the AMBI Gala

AMBI co-founders Andrea Iervolino and Lady Monika Barcardi:

Martin Short goofed off with Pamela Anderson (and James Franco arrived fashionably late) at the AMBI Gala

Flatliner (among other things) William Baldwin:

Martin Short goofed off with Pamela Anderson (and James Franco arrived fashionably late) at the AMBI Gala

 

The Scene

Guests arrived to elaborate décor and a glossy red carpet that led to an even more ornate dining hall.

Martin Short goofed off with Pamela Anderson (and James Franco arrived fashionably late) at the AMBI Gala

Each place was marked with a mock Oscar for Best Guest. Grey Goose served custom cocktails with faux-French names like Le Fizz; anyone who preferred a simpler drink with their three-course dinner had to brave an obstacle course of three-foot dress trains to get to the bar.

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Martin Short goofed off with Pamela Anderson (and James Franco arrived fashionably late) at the AMBI Gala
The Gossip

Short reprised his role as Jiminy Glick for an interview with Pamela Anderson that, despite her cheery grin, was more awkward than it was funny.

Martin Short goofed off with Pamela Anderson (and James Franco arrived fashionably late) at the AMBI Gala

After dinner, attendees bid on movie-themed prizes—TIFF premiere tickets, walk-on roles in upcoming films—in an auction hosted by William Baldwin. During Earth, Wind and Fire’s lively performance, Danny Glover and Thelma Houston rocked out together in the front row.

Martin Short goofed off with Pamela Anderson (and James Franco arrived fashionably late) at the AMBI Gala

Then, after missing the dinner and the entertainment, event co-chair James Franco strolled into the Ritz, posed for a few photos and took himself and his dirty moustache off to bed.

Martin Short goofed off with Pamela Anderson (and James Franco arrived fashionably late) at the AMBI Gala

With files from Kat Shermack.

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