What becomes a legend most?

Humility.

Screen icon Sidney Poitier, in town to accept a lifetime achievement award Saturday, exuded the dignity of his groundbreaking career as Hollywood's first black leading man.

"I thank you for the opportunity to speak with you face to face," the Academy Award winner ("Lilies of the Field") said during his Chicago International Film Festival tribute. "Now you know enough about me that you will be completely tired of me very shortly. But the fact remains, I shall never forget you."

Poitier ("The Defiant Ones," "In the Heat of the Night," "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner") could have added, "That goes double for fellow Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson."

The Chicago actress ("Dreamgirls") -- who collected an artistic award -- was visibly nervous in Poitier's presence. But she surprised the 81-year-old legend -- and the crowd at the Chase Auditorium -- with her own salute, singing, "Those schoolgirls days of telling tales and biting nails are gone ...."

It was a goose bump moment, the 27-year-old star serenading Poitier with "To Sir, With Love," the title track from his classic 1967 film.

The two stars were recognized at the Black Perspective Tribute during the 44th annual filmfest.

Breaking filmfest news

Hollywood hottie Viggo Mortensen ("Lord of the Rings") will close the festival Wednesday, picking up a career achievement award at the Harris Theater. Bill Kurtis hosts, and guests will include "Good" director Vincente Amorim ("The Middle of the World") and costar Jason Isaacs (the evil Lucius Malfoy in "Harry Potter"). The U.S. premiere of "Good" follows. Based on the drama by C.P. Taylor, Mortensen stars as a liberal German professor recruited by the Nazi war machine. The evening begins at 7 p.m., 312-332-FILM.

Hollywood hottie Viggo Mortensen ("Lord of the Rings") will close the festival Wednesday, picking up a career achievement award at the Harris Theater. Bill Kurtis hosts, and guests will include "Good" director Vincente Amorim ("The Middle of the World") and costar Jason Isaacs (the evil Lucius Malfoy in "Harry Potter"). The U.S. premiere of "Good" follows. Based on the drama by C.P. Taylor, Mortensen stars as a liberal German professor recruited by the Nazi war machine. The evening begins at 7 p.m., 312-332-FILM.

Chicago Scene met Mortensen a few years ago. She remains tongue-tied.

speaking of filmfest

Cinema cutie Colin Hanks (Tom's son) will attend tonight's screening of his comedy "The Great Buck Howard" (5:30 p.m. at AMC 600 N. Michigan 9, 600 N. Michigan). And fresh princess Jada Pinkett-Smith ("The Women") has finally RSVP'd for the world premiere of her sexy drama "The Human Contract" (7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the AMC River East 21, 322 E. Illinois St.).

Small comfort for fans

Chicago will auction off those Sox and Cubs street banners Nov. 22 at Harry Caray's. Admission is free.

We hear them rockin'

Thanks to word of mouth, a rockin' new musical has found a home in sweet home Chicago. "Million Dollar Quartet," inspired by a 1956 jam between Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley at Sun Records, begins previews Oct. 31 at the Apollo Theater, five days after its lease expires at the Goodman's Owen Theatre. This foot-stomping show-cum-concert documents the death of rockabilly, birth of rock 'n' roll, and the real-life ego clashes behind classic hits like "Blue Suede Shoes." Stay for the encore, when teen piano-pounder Lewis (actor Levi Kreis) pulls classic "Killer" stunts like kicking over his piano bench. Tickets for the Apollo venue are currently on sale through Jan. 4, 2009.

Grapevine

Spotted: Bears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye enjoying fried calamari potato-crusted tilapia and fresh-squeezed lemonade at Petterino's ... Singer Judy Collins discusses and inks copies of her tribute CD at 12:30 p.m. today at Borders on State Street. "Born to the Breed," off Collins' Wildflowers Records, features guests such as Chrissie Hynde, Dolly Parton and Leonard Cohen ... Ex-frontwoman Grace Slick didn't join Jefferson Starship at Sunday's acoustic show at Heartland Cafe. But she appears on a "hidden" track in the band's new album, "Jefferson's Tree of Liberty." Listen to "Surprise" by Bay songwriter Jack Traylor, band founder Paul Kanter hinted at the first of two Heartland shows this week.