Hasselhoff wants a bit of ‘old Vegas’

David Hasselhoff is in talks to bring a Rat Pack-style, cabaret-style show to Las Vegas.

During his red carpet appearance on the opening night of "The Beauty of Magic" at Planet Hollywood Resort, Hasselhoff said his stint with "The Producers" was such a hit that he has approached several properties, including Planet Hollywood, about doing a "Vegas cool" show.

"I think there's a niche to bring back the old Vegas,'' Hasselhoff told me. "I've seen the rooms, I've talked to Robert (Earl, owner of Planet Hollywood) about opening a theater in November, and I like it here. But I am coming back, and whether it's here or another hotel, we'll see."

CURTIS: 'THE COMEBACK KID'

Even Marilyn Monroe showed up for her breathy version of "Happy Birthday."

A Marilyn impersonator was the evening's biggest surprise at Tony Curtis' 82nd birthday bash in a Luxor ballroom Saturday.

More than 100 friends gathered to salute the Academy Award nominee, who moved to Las Vegas from Los Angeles more than seven years ago.

During a break in the evening, the film legend revealed for the first time the seriousness of his recent health issues.

"I was unconscious for four days," Curtis told me as he sat in a wheelchair. "I was hospitalized for seven weeks and lost all motor skills. I couldn't walk, and my hands were numbs. But I'm healthy now, and I'm predicting I'll walk in 10 days."

When Gene Kilroy, Curtis' longtime pal, presented him with an oversized golden boxing glove and a satin boxing robe with "The Comeback Kid" emblazoned on the back, it was clear the evening was all about honoring a man who had survived his toughest fight.

In the crowd: Las Vegas icons Phyllis McGuire, Burton Cohen, and Howard Hughes' top aide, Bob Maheu. Also there: Terry Lanni, chairman of the board and CEO of MGM Mirage, who was at a table with Luxor President Felix Rappaport and Kilroy, the event organizers.

Lanni got the biggest laugh of the night. Rappaport told the audience that during the program, which included numerous kissing scenes among video highlights of Curtis' films, Lanni turned to Curtis and said, "Did you ever wear a shirt?"

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Steve Schirripa, Las Vegas' connection to "The Sopranos," had his character killed off in Sunday's episode. Bobby "Bacala" Baccalieri was whacked in a model train store in the second-to-last episode of the HBO hit show. The cast members gather in Hollywood, Fla., on Sunday at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel, where Anna Nicole Smith died, for the finale after a 10-year run. ...

The curtain crashed during the "Springtime for Hitler" number in "The Producers" (Paris Las Vegas) on Saturday. "One of the performers yelled, 'Ach du lieber!' ('Oh, heavens!'), and they all exited the stage," a witness said. Co-stars Brad Oscar (Max Bialystock) and Larry Raben (Leo Bloom) came on stage and kibitzed with the crowd.

SIGHTINGS

Burlesque star Dita Von Teese and British singing sensation Amy Winehouse Fielder-Civil, in the after-party crowd at the Planet Hollywood Resort pool Saturday after the premiere of Hans Klok's "The Beauty of Magic" show, with assistant Pamela Anderson. Von Teese told me she's planning to return to the Crazy Horse show at MGM Grand late this year. ... Wayne Brady, being presented with a birthday cake for No. 35 at Tao (Venetian) on Saturday.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Slappey & Sadd, Attorneys at Law" -- From Jay Leno's headline collection

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.