Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation’s press.

MOVIES

Stranger Than Fiction: Mia Farrow, Woody Allen’s former lover, is now his mother-in-law. The 62-year-old Allen has married Soon-Yi Previn-- Farrow’s 27-year-old adopted daughter. The small, secret wedding took place Tuesday in Venice, Italy, and was officiated by the city’s mayor. “I married them at 5 p.m. yesterday,” Massimo Cacciari told Reuters on Wednesday. “It had been planned a while ago and we were able to keep it a secret.” The couple were spotted Wednesday strolling near the onion-domed St. Mark’s Cathedral before embarking on a gondola for a ride through Venice’s canals. Asked by reporters about his wedding, the twice-married Allen said, “I have nothing to say. I am happy to be in Venice.” The couple later flew to Paris aboard a private jet. Previn smiled but the diminutive Allen ducked his head away from cameras as he was hustled into the famous and luxurious Ritz Hotel under the protective arm of a bodyguard. Previn was about 8 years old when she was adopted by Farrow and husband conductor Andre Previn during a trip to Korea. Farrow dated Allen for more than a decade and starred in many of his films. After discovering nude pictures of Soon-Yi in his apartment, she filed for custody of the couple’s natural son, Satchel, and adopted daughter Dylan, whom she accused Allen of molesting. The Oscar-winning director was cleared of all charges but was barred from visiting the children without a monitor. Allen’s spokeswoman Leslee Dart refused to confirm the report but issued a statement: “Six years ago, Woody and Soon-Yi decided that one day they would come back to Venice and get married. That city is very meaningful to them. . . . They have weathered a lot together and are very much in love.” Dart told the New York Daily News that Previn is not pregnant. The marriage is Previn’s first and Allen’s third.

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End of the Road: Producer Lester Persky, engaged in a legal battle with actress Faye Dunaway over the film rights to Terrence McNally’s “Master Class,” has settled that suit for an undisclosed sum. Dunaway, who toured in the Tony Award-winning play--including a stop in L.A.--maintained that she had been granted those rights as part of her agreement to star in the road production. Under the settlement, reported in Variety, Dunaway will own the film rights to the project--a story revolving around opera diva Maria Callas--in which she plans to star. She and Persky will serve as executive producers. A search for filmmakers is now underway.

TELEVISION

Rough Going: The growing number of viewer choices as well as ABC’s overall slippage have taken their toll on the network’s “NFL Monday Night Football,” which finished the season with the lowest average rating in its 28-year history. The 17 games averaged a 15.0 household rating and 26 share, according to Nielsen Media Research, down 7% from last year when the programs recorded their previous low. (A ratings point equals 980,000 households, while a share is the percentage of homes watching that tune in). Still, the program continues to be second, behind “Seinfeld,” among men 18 to 54.

HOLIDAY NEWS

Free Lunch: Universal Studios, “Babe” star James Cromwell and Farm Sanctuary--a rescue operation for abused animals--are among those hosting the second annual “Compassionate Christmas” in downtown Los Angeles today. Vegetarian food will be served to the homeless at Main and 3rd Street at noon. “We’re carrying on Babe’s theme of compassion to animals as well as humans,” says Cliff Rothman, a volunteer organizer of the effort. “Anyone who needs a meal is welcome.” Trader Joe’s, Gardenburger and the Gap are among the sponsors. At least 500 people are expected to attend.