Columnist Kate Maddox: Movies, television keep Vegas busy

Kate Maddox

Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2000 | 10:18 a.m.

There is little doubt that Las Vegas will continue its meteoric rise as Hollywood's second home when it comes to film locations. The L.A. movie industry has willingly accepted the valley as a reputable and professional arena in which to conduct some very lucrative business.

After all the hype over the big-money productions passing through town, folks might be wondering what the impact is on Las Vegas and on Nevada as a whole, and that's where the Nevada Film Office steps in. The NFO already has films and TV shows booked through 2000, with such major stars as Will Smith, George Clooney, Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz scheduled to make appearances here.

The film office is also handling an upcoming Sean Penn/Jack Nicholson feature, a Miramax film with Patrick Swayze, Natasha Richardson, Billy Bob Thornton and Charlize Theron and four television series that plan to shoot pilots or bring entire episodes here.

Much of the credit for Las Vegas' popularity with the entertainment industry belongs to Nevada Film Office Director Charles Geocrais. Geocaris has been at the helm since May 1998 when he moved here from Chicago -- where he was heading up that city's film office. Since his arrival in Las Vegas, Geocaris, through his years of established relationships with key producers, directors and film studios, has facilitated a revenue increase of more than 50 percent for the film office over the past year.

A handful of celebrities and local brass were on hand Monday night to watch Mr. Las Vegas, Wayne Newton, kick off his new show at the Stardust. Lance Burton, Ernest Borgnine, Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt and country singer Jim Stafford were just some of those in the packed opening night audience.

Another world-famous restaurant has landed in Las Vegas. Lutece, a New York dining institution since 1961, has opened its only other location in the Venetian. Chef Eberhard Muller is one of the ever-growing list of top-ranked chefs bringing their wares to Vegas.

Last week Robert and Vera Goulet, along with Dr. Ruth Westheimer, were hosted by Robert Mondavi at Lutece. And TV weatherman Al Roker brought his producer and crew in for a late-night meal at the new eatery on Friday -- the group was the last to leave. Roker was in town to cover the changing face of fine dining in Las Vegas for a series on the Food Network.

Dame Shirley Bassey -- she was honored as a dame by the Queen of England this year along with Elizabeth Taylor and Julie Andrews -- will mark a triumphant return to the Strip after a 10-year absence. Bassey will be at the MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre Feb. 3-9.

Her legions of fans are thrilled to have her back and there will be a special, super-V.I.P. party held in her honor after her opening night performance. The long list of celebrities scheduled to party with the diva of Bond themes includes: Siegfried and Roy, Sheena Easton, Robert and Vera Goulet, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Patti LaBelle, Nancy Wilson, Phyllis McGuire, Jerry Lewis, Paul Anka and Rene Angelil and Celine Dion. Look for it to be quite a big and extravagant bash.

Bassey doesn't want her appearance here to go by unnoticed and casinos should pay attention. Sources tell me Bassey is looking to return to the Strip on a more permanent basis and is shopping for a long-term deal. She's told friends that Vegas needs a big-name female star -- someone who can hold her own with the boys club of headliners including Newton, Danny Gans and David Cassidy. Bassey might be just the diva to do it.