By BOB THOMPSON --

Faye Dunaway's appetite for eating directors alive was apparently sated during the filming of Albino Alligator.

And for that, first-time director Kevin Spacey can be extremely grateful.

Truth is the Oscar-winning Dunaway was in a co-operative mood because of the friendly atmosphere.

"I like Kevin," says the 55-year-old daughter of an Army officer. "I liked his talent, and I think he's smart."

She's not always that kind. Ask Chinatown's director Roman Polanksi, who recounts the fiery feuding just as Dunaway did in her autobiography.

Anway, the new Faye Dunaway doesn't smoke, drink, eat sugar or get stressed at directors' shortcomings.

Mind you, it helps that Dunaway, who portrays a feisty barmaid caught up in a hostage taking drama, likes her Albino Alligator performance.

Although the film also boasts the acting talents of Matt Dillon, Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna, Dunaway gets her share of the spotlight.

"Originally, the movie seemed like a chance to be in a tight ensemble piece," she says. "That was attractive.

"But I did want to talk to Kevin at first, because he had never directed before, and I had never seen any of his acting work."

Meeting Spacey helped calm Dunaway's worries, but she was still pleasantly surprised by the director's talent.

"He ended up having a vocabulary of shots that was really quite impressive. None of the shots were tacked on to show off. They really contributed to the action."

Although, Dunaway admits she couldn't resist sharing her years of experience. "I feel my responsibility is to bring every ounce of creativity to the set."

So, yes, she offered her considered opinions during the filming of Albino Alligator and in The Chamber.

Perhaps more diplomatically? Perhaps. But then, she says she always was diplomatic.

She's also rejecting the traditional notion that she only embraces "sophisticated roles."

"I don't always like to play that urban woman who has all the answers," notes Dunaway. "That was the person in Network. And no, I don't think like that. A lot of people confuse us."

That would be a mistake. It would also be wrong to compare her acting ability then and now.

"As I live more, I feel I'm getting better, more real, more connected," she says.

"I think that's true of this performance. I really do feel that Albino Alligator, as far as representing a part of my body of work, is another beginning for me."

Certainly, Dunaway finds that parts she wants are coming her way. "I feel like it has been better recently," says the actor. "But for the most part, you have to do this for yourself. You have to find them. They don't always find you."

Luckily, Dunaway is particular.

"I really don't want to do something like those Terminator movies," she says, "and frankly, nobody's going to ask me."

Then she laughs: "I don't know why that is, either. I work out as much as Linda Hamilton does."

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