converting columns in an INSERT (was "SQL Query")

I'm trying to create an Insert query and I'm having difficulty in 2 areas:

First, I would like to CAST/CONVERT a single column of the several columns in the tables below. Is it possible to retain the asterisk identifying all columns and single out a particular column to be converted as opposed to writing out each individual column in both the INSERT and SELECT statements? I would like to CONVERT the column "MILL_COST" from VARCHAR(50) to Money.

INSERT INTO ITEM_MASTER
SELECT *
FROM ITEM_MASTER_TEMP

Second, I've tried the following"conversions" in the SELECT statement, to no avail:

CONVERT(Money, MILL_COST) As MILL_COST
CONVERT(Money, CONVERT(Varchar(50), MILL_COST)
CAST(MILL_COST AS Money)

Any pointers much appreciated...First of all, I'd strongly suggest that you list out the columns. That solves all kinds of problems before they get a chance to happen to you. If you are determined to do things the hard way, you don't have to enumerate the columns yourself, but I'd still recommend it.

You ought to be able to use any of those conversions if you like, but as long as the contents of the column can be converted to MONEY, the SQL Server engine ought to handle the conversion for you.

-PatP|||"SELECT *" is shorthand for "I'm a lazy programmer". I would never leave it in any finished code. Bad. Bad. Bad bad code.