Bill Murray's Darjeeling Evening

CINDERELLA STORY Murray(Photo: Getty Images)

He may only appear as the opening joke in Wes Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited, but Bill Murray played a vital role in the roll-out of the auteur's new project Friday night—and into Saturday morning.

At the 45th Annual New York Film Festival at Lincoln Center in Manhattan, Anderson made a requisite nod to the conspicuous absence of his film's star, Owen Wilson, who's said to be recovering from a suicide attempt—"I would like to mention someone who should've been here, Owen ... We wish he was here ... I just thought I would mention him," he said. Then Anderson's band of quirky characters—Murray, Adrien Brody, Angelica Houston, Jason Schwartzman, and more—hiked up their evening gowns, tucked in their tails, and trekked over to the Tavern on the Green for the Festival party. Murray, with a little roll of his eyes, described the experience this way: "there was blood in my urine."

Then it was off to the 21 Club for the after-after party, which didn't start until 1:30 a.m. With trays of steak tartar, oyster shooters, mini burgers, and spring rolls circulating, and Muzak versions of Neil Diamond tunes playing softly in the background, bash bellwether Murray seemed more in his element. By 4:00 a.m., he stood alone in the center of the nearly empty room, with his hands in his pockets, then began unevenly smearing eye shadow across his eyebrows and moustache.

Clearly, the night was a success.