Celebrity Scene Pete Allman

The Cine Festival with the good graces of the Entertainment Development Corporation had an exciting opening gala last Saturday. The gala, which was held at the Palms Hotel had many young filmmakers and with a special appearance by film star, Mickey Rourke. Not long ago I spoke with Leslie Nielsen about filmmaking in Las Vegas. “Vegas is a wonderful playground. I don’t think it’s going to replace Hollywood in terms of filmmaking. However, as a location spot, I think more producers will use Las Vegas in that realm.” I also spoke with Director, Bob Weimer, who relocated to Las Vegas a few years ago, and has won a couple of Peabody Awards, not to mention his work with Big Blue Marlin, which received 13 Emmys -- spoke to me about the changing technology in theaters. According to Weimer, “Some theaters have switched over from the 35m films to DVD. This is very cost effective, even though, it can’t compare to the quality of film. Most people that I’ve spoken to really couldn’t tell the difference.” We’ll talk more about filmmaking in my next column.  Phyllis Diller, the legendary comedienne will be receiving the Steve Allen Pioneer achievement Award for comedy at the Las Vegas Comedy Festival in September, which will be held from the 4th through the 8th at the Stardust Hotel’s main showroom. In the meantime, Phyllis isn’t planning any live stage performances; she says there will only be television and motion picture appearances.

Pete Allman, Phyllis Diller, and Steve Caito ( The founder of the Las Vegas Comedy Featival )

From Left to Right

L’Auberge Resort and Spa

Tucked away upon the bluffs at Del Mar, California is the old European charm of the L’Auberge Resort and Spa. Just mentioning its name is stimulating to the

mind. Really, I’m not exaggerating. Whether it’s relaxing on one of the private patios in one’s suite, listening to the ocean, or taking a bath with the finest sea salt bath crystals, L’Auberge Resort and Spa surrounds its patrons in the finest of amenities. The resort has 100 newly decorated hotel rooms and eight suites,

which are calming to the senses when retiring for the evening. This is especially relaxing when resting on goose-down pillows and comforters. In reflecting on an era of times gone by, with the gracious style and elegance, L’Auberge has retained the aura of the past.

The Jimmy Durante Pub is to this day a gathering place for many celebrities, in fact, Sonny King, who worked with Jimmy Durante, is still singing in Las Vegas. Names such as Pat O’Brien, Bing Crosby, Danny Thomas, Red Skelton, Gloria Swanson, George Raft, Ava Gardner. These were the type of celebrities that would go to the Del Mar Turf Club to watch the horse races. Inevitably they would stop by at the Jimmy Durante Pub and many stayed at the resort. Dick Van Patten and Burt Bacharach, two gentlemen I’ve interviewed over the years, both have fond memories of L’Auberge Resort and Spa.

Jimmy Durante

Other projects that have come to fruition are, Legends of Comedy with tributes to Roseanne Barr, Robin Williams, both of which are playing Valley Forge, and Legends of Diva's which is being created as we write. With all the success, Stuart has yet to stop and take a break. On Stage Entertainment, the company he heads up as CEO just bought out the rights for the live production of the Blues Brothers. According to Stuart, he made an agreement with Victor Pisano and his wife Judy Belushi to bring about the show in the manner that would best highlight the late Belushi. There is also a Legends in Concert in Hawaii at the Aloha Showroom and two theaters in Orlando, Florida scheduled to open in a year and a half. The Osmond Brothers are also headlining in Branson, Missouri as well as Roy Clark and Doug Gabriel in the Legends Concert Theater. "I just don't know how this man does it all." said one concert promoter, who chooses to remain anonymous.

Stuart, who has the Legends Ranch in the southern part of Las Vegas, has just created the Legends Ranch Estates, a group of 30 customized homes for families that want to have horses and stables on their property. According to Johnny, there will be a mile and a half of riding trails for the estate development. In conclusion, John Stuart’s outlook upon life is relatively simple. "Everything on Earth was created by GOD. Most importantly he created man and woman to be the greatest entertainers for all mankind." Stuart, who is also active in the Mormon Church, is a teacher of the Gospel doctrine, teaching with the King James Version of the Bible and the Latter Day Saints doctrine to the adults. His wife Alex is the Camp Director for young women. It's no wonder that a man such as John Stuart was the only current show producer in the list of 300 persons nominated for the selection as the People That Had The Most Impact on Las Vegas' first 100 years. Congratulations to a guy that grew up in a family of nine brothers and sisters that made a difference.

For the first time in the history of Las Vegas, there's going to be a Las Vegas Comedy Festival, which will make its debut in the Wayne Newton Theater at the Stardust September the 4 – 8th. Steve Caito and Mark Allen, the creators of the festival, said this will give anyone who has ever dreamed of being a comedian a chance to develop their talents as well as professionals. The contest starts with Laugh Across America, in a ten-city tour where the top comedians will be selected from each city and invited to come to Las Vegas and compete.  

During the 5 day festival there will be workshops offered which will include industry insiders, comedic actors, inprovisationalists and today’s biggest stars. Wayne Newton, Pete Barbutti, along with Norm Crosby, Steve Lawrence and magician, Steve Wyrick where at the press conference and have endorsed the festival. The big hit at the press conference was Adam Dayro, an eight-year-old comic that Wayne Newton congratulated personally. Newton who is known as Mr. Las Vegas, when asked what a comic meant to him said, "The guy who asked me to be here at 11 o’clock in the morning."

Square Ring Promotions and Roy Jones in association with HBO and the Stratosphere put on a fairly interesting fight card last week. The card billed as Knocked down, Dragged out, featured heavyweight Michael Grant, (32-2-25KO's) the former IBF heavyweight champ knocking out Anthony Willis, (19-11-1-13KO's) in 2:55 of the second round. Grant is trained by Teddy Atlas and is great shape. The co-featured event had Michael Bennett (9-2-8Ko's) knock out Chris Hairston (4-5-0KO's) in 35 seconds of the third round. Out of the six bouts the first lady's Cruiserweight fight took place. Kathy Reeves (12-2-4KO's) beat out Marsha Valley (10-6-4KO's). Valley had a point taken away in the 5th round for holding; a very interesting bout especially at the Cruiserweight level. If you have a story for television, we'll be taping on Flag Day, June 14th at KYRK-35.

Call my office if you'd like to appear on the show, at 702-893-1718. Until then Keep your vision positive and focused on your goals.

Until next week we invite you to log onto our site www.celebrityscene.com or email me at peter@celebrityscene.com.