Las Vegas Weekly

June 2, 2009 · 2:19 PM

Strip Scribbles: New vampire film might shoot here and in nearby desert

By Robin Leach

Sam Elliott.

Photo: Courtesy

The details are preliminary, but it looks as if the deal is now fully set in place. When actor Sam Elliott wraps his location filming in New Mexico with Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Grant, he’ll move here to star in a new vampire movie. Advance word is that the bloodthirsty tale will be shot both here and in the surrounding desert area.

Sam, who is married to actress Katharine Ross, made his movie debut in the 1969 hit Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid as a card player in a bit part. Not only is he the voice of Smokey the Bear, who coincidentally shares the same birth date as him (Aug. 9,1944), but he’s the rich and gravely voiceover for the Coors commercials featured at the Palms.

*The $1.89 million purse is the World Series of Poker’s largest non-Main Event prize ever in a special $40,000 buy-in, no-limit, hold ’em tournament at The Rio. It took four days of card playing by 201 contestants to whittle down the winners. Congratulations to Vtaly Lunkin on his top prize, with Las Vegas player Isaac Haxton earning $1.16 million in second place and Greg Raymer, who was the 2004 WSOP winner, in third place with $775,000.

Photo: TVT

Criss Angel and his wax figure at Madame Tussauds.

*Mindfreak magician and Believe illusionist Criss Angel will open a new store at Circus Circus on Saturday. It’s his third in our desert kingdom. He will make a personal appearance for the opening ceremony and host an autograph session from 1 to 3 p.m. The two others are separate Mindfreak and Believe stores at the Luxor. The Mindfreak Superstore will be located on the second level promenade across from the entrance to The Adventuredome and will be home to a variety of official Criss Angel merchandise and memorabilia.

*There’s a little more updated information about the Tony Curtis salute June 13. Not only will his 1953 movie Houdini be screened, but after the Q&A session with our Las Vegas resident icon, his 1956 comedy Some Like It Hot also will be shown. Escape artist Curtis Lovell will be shackled before being flung into the 75-gallon water torture tank. As I reported yesterday, this is all to celebrate the Los Angeles Historic Theater Foundation’s presentation of the Jules Verne Legendaire Award to Tony.

Photo: TVT

Bill Maher peruses Vegas magazine at Pure.

*Comedian Bill Maher did such great business in his run of shows at The Orleans this past weekend that he has been promptly booked to return for the Independence Day holiday weekend. The Politically Incorrect comedian and political commentator will return for a three-peat July 3-5.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Asher Roth at E's Daily 10 Smashtime Saturdays at Body English.

Star surveillance

While on a quick visit here for a friend’s birthday, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen had Italian taste treats in a private dining room at Lavo in the Palazzo. After dinner, they headed to a VIP dance floor table where they tripped the light fantastic until 3 a.m. The next day after dining at Dos Caminos in the Palazzo, they went next door to The Venetian’s Tao Beach and later Tao nightclub. … Mel B and Kelly Monaco’s Peepshow at Planet Hollywood continues to attract celebrities. Singer Deborah Gibson is the latest to watch the sexy revue. … Singer Asher Roth performed a 30-minute set in a poolside concert at Wet Republic in MGM Grand. A bevy of bronzed beauties rushed the stage when he sang his smash hit “I Love College.” … Dexter Holland of the Offspring was spotted at Carey Hart’s Wasted Space inside the Hard Rock Hotel.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Chester Bennington models a Vecel T-shirt sold at Club Tattoo.

Tonight’s tips

Comedienne Maryellen Hooper, who won Best Female Stand-Up at the 12th annual American Comedy Awards, begins a six-night run at the Improv at Harrah’s. Maryellen, who had her own Lounge Lizards special on Comedy Central and is celebrating her live comedy CD Dignity Under Duress, will be joined by comics Marc Price and Kenny Kane. … Please note the summer poker party planned for Annie Duke of Celebrity Apprentice this evening at Lavo has been moved to June 30. … In celebration of National Tattoo Day, Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington’s Club Tattoo is giving a 10 percent discount on everything, while the South Point celebrates with Tattoo Days at the pool.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Vanessa Minnillo.

Tomorrow’s teases

Our exclusive one-on-one chat with Marie Osmond as she tells all about her new fall daily TV series to be based in Las Vegas and how she learned to smile even when her home burned down to the ground, destroying 30 years of her memories. … Celebrity chef Mario Batali brings the first-ever farmers market to a Strip casino hotel. … Kelly Monaco celebrates her birthday, and Dancing With the Stars hunk Gilles Marini drops in to party. … And our photos with gorgeous Vanessa Minnillo at the Palazzo.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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