MOVIES - May 6, 1991

Douglas’ Instinct: Actor Michael Douglas, now in San Francisco filming the movie “Basic Instinct,” which is under fire from gay and lesbian activists, has dropped out as master of ceremonies at a fund-raising auction for an AIDS charity. A spokesman for the San Francisco-based group said Douglas feared that continued protests would disrupt next Monday’s $400,000 auction held for Project Open Hand, which delivers meals and groceries to AIDS patients. The charity’s spokesman said the actor is making a $5,000 donation to the group and still plans to offer lunch for four on the movie set as an auction item.