Columnist Kate Maddox: Stars mug as Elvis at Riviera

Kate Maddox

Friday, March 24, 2000 | 9:39 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column appears Fridays, Sundays and Tuesdays, only in the Las Vegas Sun. Reach her at kmaddox@vegas.com.

The cast of "3,000 Miles to Graceland" is shooting nights at the Riviera hotel-casino this week. The movie's stars -- Kurt Russell, Kevin Costner, Christian Slater and David Arquette -- are suited up as Elvi and, according to sources on the set, some of the guys look better than others.

Costner, who has grown some substantial sideburns to play a look-alike, apparently has a pretty slim resemblance to the King. Onlookers report that the good-looking and amiable Costner, who plays a bad guy in the movie, has a ways to go in the impersonator department.

Russell, on the other hand, has impressed the extras on the set with his uncanny Elvis takeoff. That says a lot, considering the rest of the cast in the scene consists of about 100 Presley impersonators -- the kind of guys you'd find at a real Elvis convention, which is where this movie supposedly takes place.

As for Slater and Arquette, these two guys are apparently just enjoying the thrill of running around in kitschy rhinestone-studded Elvis jumpers. Slater has been talking up the extras and signing autographs for fans. The same is being reported for Costner, who warned one of his more elderly female supporters that this movie might be one for her to skip. The actor warned the woman that in this one his character isn't all that lovable and he does some not-so-nice things -- "3,000 Miles" is said to contain a fair amount of violent scenes.

A few more details have leaked out concerning Bruce Willis' private surprise birthday bash at one of the MGM Mansions earlier this week.

Carrot Top, aka Scott Thompson, made an appearance at the intimate fete and he performed a little bit of his stand-up routine. Also on hand to provide entertainment were a few members of the well-known flamenco-style band, the Gipsy Kings.

The performance came at the request of Willis' girlfriend, Maria Bravo, who apparently organized the bash. Bravo, a black-haired Spanish beauty who has more than a passing resemblance to Willis' estranged wife, Demi Moore, has been dating the actor since late last summer.

Highlights from the party included Willis surprising guests when he jumped up to jam with the Gipsy Kings on a few songs and a "happy birthday" serenade from Willis and Moore's oldest daughter, Rumer, to her dad.

The latest gossip going around the rumor mill concerning Las Vegas mogul Steve Wynn has him about to purchase one of the most esteemed auction houses in the world.

The New York Post's Neal Travis reported on Thursday that Wynn is looking to buy Sotheby's -- which is one of the places the rich and famous go to buy and sell their family treasures and finest works of art.

Look for Michael Douglas and Bill Murray to round out the cast of the upcoming Rat Pack remake "Oceans 11." The movie already boasts one of the coolest collections of actors to make a film in recent years: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Don Cheadle and Don Rickles, whose role is said to have been written especially for him.

Douglas will reportedly play a casino owner and the love interest of Julia Roberts, who is the ex of the Danny Ocean character, Clooney. Murray is expected to sign on for the role of the gang's "identities" expert -- a master of disguise.

The Las Vegas Motor Speedway has been hoping to turn its arena into a musical venue and on April 22 will kick off the first of what is expected to be a series of concerts. Alterna-pop group Smashmouth, whose lead singer recently bought a place here in Vegas, will be the first big-name group to perform at the Speedway. The $40 ticket includes the cost of the Vegas Indy 300 Racing Northern Lights series, the concert and the LVMS.com 150 NASCAR Winston West Race.