Theft of photos mars documentary filmmaker’s visit to Vegas

By Jerry Fink (contact)

Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 | 2 a.m.

The Grinch didn’t steal a documentary filmmaker’s Christmas, just his camera equipment, some old photographs and a little goodwill.

Larry Cappetto, who lives in Grand Junction, Colo., is more concerned about the photographs than the $3,000 worth of equipment stolen from the back seat of his car while he was at a Las Vegas motel.

“I can replace the equipment,” he said, “but the pictures can’t be replaced.”

He’s hoping the spirit of Christmas will inspire someone to return the photos. (If you have any information, his e-mail address is larry@veteranshistory.org.)

Cappetto is best known for his series of documentaries featuring interviews with war veterans, primarily those of World War II. He was in Las Vegas this summer to show a video he made of local veterans.

While here he learned about the connection one had to Marilyn Monroe, and he returned last month to begin taping a documentary on the subject.

Cappetto was staying at the Marriott’s Residence Inn at 5875 Dean Martin Drive. After a full day of interviews he parked his rented car in the parking lot of the motel. He left a case full of his camera equipment and photographs in the back seat and went to his room, intending to bring his things in later.

When he returned, he says, the security guard told him his car had just been broken into.

“They must have been casing the place,” Cappetto said. “They broke out the rear window on the driver’s side, opened the door, grabbed the carrying case and jumped into a gold-colored car and fled. The whole thing must have taken 30 seconds. I followed the route they took, hoping they had thrown the pictures out the window.”

He feels bad about losing the pictures entrusted to him by former actress Barbara Knudson, daughter of local educator K.O. Knudson (who has a middle school named after him).

The only value to the photographs is sentimental. Three or four of them were head shots of Knudson, publicity photos taken of her when she was on contract with Paramount Studios. Cappetto was going to use the photographs to enhance his taped interview with her as part of the Monroe documentary.

“These things happen,” says Knudson, 81. “But they were the only originals I have. I never gave them to anybody.”

Country heads north

Stoney Gray, founder of Stoney’s Rockin’ Country mega-club on South Las Vegas Boulevard, is expanding his domain to cover the entire valley.

Stoney’s North Forty debuts inside Santa Fe Station on New Year’s Eve.

“When I was planning for Stoney’s North Forty I wanted to be able to incorporate much of what makes the original Stoney’s location so popular,” Gray says. “Stoney’s is known as a quality country and rock establishment that appeals to a wide range of people. With the new location, we’re able to further expand our brand and offer a rockin’ good time to Northwest residents.”

Stoney’s South is a 20,000-square-foot nightclub that opened in September 2007.

Stoney’s North is a 9,000-square foot venue that features two full-service bars, an elevated VIP area, huge dance floor, pool tables, video games, a retail area and the club’s signature attraction — a mechanical bull.

Details: Grand opening at 9 p.m. Wednesday; Stoney’s North Forty inside Santa Fe Station; $25 in advance, $35 at the door; 435-2855.

Around town

Here’s a holiday entertainment tour. Start your New Year’s Eve celebration early with a midday performance by “Shades of Sinatra,” featuring Lisa Smith, Carmine Mandia, Ryan Baker and Larry Liso. (Noon Wednesday; Suncoast; $19.95; 636-7111) ... The SRO Show Band, featuring new front man Michael Vidal, former lead singer for Tropical Splash (a popular dance band at the Gold Coast), will be rockin’ from 8 a.m. to

1 p.m. New Year’s Eve at Fiesta Rancho’s Cabo Lounge ... If you are still in the party mood in the new year, Harmonica Red will be at Boulder Station starting at 8 p.m. Thursday and at Texas Station at

9 p.m. Friday ... The “Legends of Motown Old School Tribute Show” comes to the Cannery this weekend. Fans will be entertained by the songs of The Supremes, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, The Ojays and others. (8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; the Cannery in North Las Vegas; $5; 856-5300) ... “Marriage Can be Murder,” the interactive dinner theater, has added a holiday theme to the show through Saturday, before taking a two-week break. (Doors open at 6 p.m. nightly; Canyon Club inside the Four Queens; $60.45-$76.95, specials for locals; 222-9777) ... George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic start the new year off funky with a concert at the House of Blues. The Wailers open. (7 p.m. Sunday; House of Blues at Mandalay Bay; $20-$30; 474-4000) ... Elvis tribute artist Johnny Fortuno brings “The King’s Life” to the Cannery. The show also features the Stamps Quartet and special guests Elvis bodyguard Sonny West, “Kissin’ Cousins” co-star Cynthia Pepper and “Blue Hawaii” co-star Darlene Tompkins. (8 p.m. Jan. 9 and 10; $10; 856-5300) ... The newest view spot is the One Six Sky Lounge on the 16th floor of the Eastside Cannery on Boulder Highway. The room features floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a 1,700 square foot, three-sided balcony to capture the sweeping panorama of the valley. The lounge is open Fridays and Saturdays with happy hour from 5 to 8 p.m.