Tony Curtis even charmed Rat Pack

There is no doubt in Corinne Entratter Sidney's mind. The star power of Tony Curtis wasn't the only reason the Rat Pack considered him a member of their exclusive club.

Now 73, Entratter Sidney often had one of the best seats in the house when the Rat Pack made Las Vegas the coolest place on earth.

Curtis, who died Wednesday in Henderson at age 85, was more than just an "honorary member" of Frank Sinatra's inner circle, she said. "Tony was as much a part of the Rat Pack as they were."

Her husband, Jack Entratter, was the legendary general manager at the Sands, where the Rat Pack packed 'em in.

"The Rat Pack really made Las Vegas," she said. Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin and company were such draws, "people would park on both sides of the street and sleep in their cars."

"Tony could do no wrong with them," she said. "They loved him. He knew his show business, he was a huge movie star and they were inspired by him. They all wanted to be movie stars, too."

It wasn't just Curtis' matinee idol charm that endeared him to the Rat Pack. "He was fast, very fast on the repartee," said Entratter Sidney.

We agreed: Curtis, a Vegas fixture who moved here about 10 years ago, deserves to be honored with his name on the marquees and a lights-dimming acknowledgment.

"He should be given the credit due him," she said.

When Curtis was asked by The National Enquirer two years ago how he'd like to end up, he said, "I may have them take my ashes and have them spread all over Las Vegas."

LIGHTMAN DECLARES WAR

Producer Chip Lightman has declared war on Donny and Marie Osmond with a fury rarely seen in a community where celebrity disputes usually remain secret.

Lightman, informed recently by the Flamingo headliners that they were ending their relationship with two years left on his contract, mounted a media attack Friday that included a lawsuit and threat to write a tell-all book.

Lightman threatened his lawsuit against the Osmonds on his Twitter site about 9 a.m. Friday, then contacted Vegas Confidential more than seven hours later, saying he had an exclusive that wouldn't go public until Monday.

He already had posted it, tweeting about 4 p.m.: "Donny & Marie lawsuit with Chip Lightman Entertainment, LLC. just filed."

During the telephone interview with Vegas Confidential, Lightman said the Osmonds engaged in "contractual interference and deceitful dealings."

It was the second time in less than a week that Lightman agreed to an "exclusive" with Vegas Confidential then went to other media within minutes.

"Unless Osmond honors his commitment," he tweeted at 8:51 a.m. Friday, "Lightman will be forced to file a lawsuit. Lightman has already been approached for a 'TELL ALL' BOOK."

It wasn't the first time this year he aired his legal battles on Twitter. On May 22, he tweeted "legal trouble brewing with Bucky Buchanons (sic) arrogant son Jack."

James "Bucky" Buchanan, who died last November, was a partner with Lightman at the time in the Coachman Restaurant.

"I hope the gaming control board will step in and show young punk Jack Buchanon (sic) that he must obey the law."

Back in March, Lightman tweeted, "Donny & Marie are a class act."

SIGHTINGS

Boxing icon Joe Frazier, getting a standing ovation from patrons at N9NE Steakhouse (Palms) on Friday. He was at the Palms for a VIP party on the 35th anniversary of his epic "Thrilla in Manila" fight with Muhammad Ali. Frazier chatted with Eva Futch, widow of Eddie Futch, Frazier's longtime boxing trainer. ... That radiating bright object spotted at Lake Las Vegas on Friday was not a UFO. It came from a boat rented by bling-laden rapper Flavor Flav.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Change his name to Bajustin OBieber." From David Letterman's "Top Ten Ways Barack Obama Can Boost His Popularity With Younger Voters"

Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.