Columnist Kate Maddox: Russell’s concept falls from grace

Kate Maddox

Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2000 | 9:51 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column appears Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at kmaddox@lasvegassun.com.

In the yet-to-be-released Vegas heist flick, "3,000 Miles to Graceland," Kevin Costner and Kurt Russell play dueling Elvis impersonators on screen, yet in a strange post-production twist, the two actors also went head-to-head behind the scenes.

Inside.com recently reported that the flick, which was apparently in a state of mass disarray following filming, was turned over to Costner and Russell, who were each asked to re-cut the thing and make their own versions. The actors accomplished the task (which added thousands of dollars to the movie's budget) and the two takes were viewed by test audiences.

So who came out on top?

Costner's vision, a violent, action-packed caper "laced with humor," apparently beat out Russell's kinder, gentler attempt. Goldie Hawn's Significant Other cut the movie with greater focus on the characters and their relationships.

"3,000 Miles," which was primarily filmed on location at the Riviera back in March, also stars Christian Slater, Kevin Pollak, Courteney Cox Arquette and David Arquette. This ragtag group of Elvi, led by bad-guy Costner, organize a casino heist during an impersonators' convention.

According to Inside.com, the original director didn't have a problem turning over creative control to the actors, and neither did the producer, Elie Samaha -- who paid for the re-cuts out of his own pocket. Maybe Samaha learned a lesson from his most recent box-office misses: "Get Carter," "Battlefield Earth," and "The Art of War." Ouch. Costner's "3,000 Miles to Graceland" is slated to hit theaters in February.

Before George Carlin tackles the big stage at the MGM Grand, he'll give his routine a run-through across the street. Carlin will reportedly be at New York-New York for one night only on Dec. 2 in the hotel's Broadway Theater. The comedian, who recently left his 11-year contract with Bally's, is slated to move to the MGM on Jan. 18.

Danny Gans is getting into the holiday spirit. The Mirage headliner has joined forces with the Christian City Church in an effort to help out the Las Vegas community. Gans has agreed to fund a new call-in program for the church, where those families with special needs this Christmas can phone in their requests for assistance. Those wishing to get in touch with Christian City to participate in this holiday program are asked to call 260-9791.

A new show, a new hairdo. Anyone who received an invitation to the opening of Bill Acosta's new topless revue at the Flamingo had to notice a significant, uh, change in his look. Acosta has apparently said "buh-bye" to his gray locks and stuffy tux. The impressionist is now sporting dark hair and a sexy, red, fitted T-shirt in his ads and on the invite.

Sunday Dec. 3 marks the start of E! Entertainment network's Las Vegas week on the popular "E! True Hollywood Story" series. A spankin' new two-hour special on Wayne Newton kicks things off at 9 p.m. Those touting the Wayner's impressive rise to fame will include Donald Trump, Barbara Sinatra, Andrew Dice Clay, Wink Martindale, Mayor Oscar Goodman, Newton's wife Kathleen and his daughter, Erin. Oh, and of course, Newton himself.

But there's really no need for the celebrity peanut gallery, because the singer essentially provides his own highlights on subjects such as: a nasty battle with diet pills, girlfriend-swapping with the King, threatening jokester Johnny Carson, being a sex symbol, coping with massive financial loss and avoiding the Mob. Whew.