Courier-Post from Camden, New Jersey • Page 50

2D COURIER-POST, Thursday, Novmbw7, 1991 1 New card and dice games Zsa Zsa reigns in ultimate film Queen of Outer Space' good for laughs Casinos Mm Lionel Richie and Diana Roet at the same time (one profile is that of Richie; the other is Ross). Show times are: 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Wednesday and Sunday, and 8 and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Admission is $15. One for the books The Amazing Kreskin will host a 'Coffee with Kreskin" autograph party today from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Atrium Lounge at Harrah's. The mentalist who appears through Nov. 18 in the casino's Bay Cabaret Lounge, will sign copies of his new book, "Secret of the Amazing Kreskin." The book will be available at the signing session or in the Harrah's gift shop for $14.95.

Those who attend today's event qualify to win door prizes (Kreskin books and show tickets). Casino box office phones Bally'i Grand, 340-7161; Bally's Park Place, 340-2709; Caesars, 343-2520; Claridge, 340-3700; Harrah's, 441-5165; Merv Griffin's Resorts, 340-6830; Sands, 441-4137; Showboat, 343-4003; TropWorld, 340-4020; Trump Castle, 800-284-8786; Trump Plaza, 800-759-8786; Trump Taj Mahal, 449-5150. By CHUCK DARROW Courier-Post Staff This is the month Atlantic City's gambling scene will see some of the most dramatic changes in its 13-year history. By Thanksgiving weekend, a new table game and several significant blackjack variations will give players expanded gaming options. The new table game is sic bo, one of three approved earlier this year.

The first Red Dog (a variation of acey-deucey), has been offered since the summer. The other, pai gow, has yet to be introduced. Sic bo is played with three dice. Players bet on which combination of numbers will appear after the cubes are rolled. Payoffs are made based on the odds of various numerical combinations appearing: For instance, if all three numbers are the same, the payoff is $150 for every dollar wagered.

The new blackjack rules are designed to make Atlantic City's casinos more competitive with new gaming jurisdictions like Connecticut' Indian reservation gambling, which goes into effect next spring, and Mississippi riverboats, which have been offering small-stakes games since the spring. Local casinos now can offer "double exposure" blackjack, which gives players the opportunity of seeing the dealer's first two cards (aa opposed to one). The She has the perfect name: Zsa Zsa. One Zsa wouldn't be enough. But two, it's perfect It sounds a little silly and a little pretentious at the same time.

For almost 50 years, we've been reading about her. If she isn't slap-ping a cop in Beverly Hills, she's answering a lawsuit or sparring with journalists over her age. She is Zsa Zsa Gabor, "Celebrity," the woman society hostess Elsa Maxwell described in 1952 as "famous for being famous." As difficult as it may be to believe, Zsa Zsa was once a movie star. In fact, her performance in the 1952 drama "Moulin Rouge" was much-praised at the time. With the long-awaited video release recently of her campiest performance, as a rebel space girl in the 1958 sci-fi film "Queen of Outer Space," it's a good time to examine her career.

She didn't make her film debut until 1952 in the MGM musical "Lovely to Look At" (not on video). For the next decade, she actually had a film career. She was in the 1952 soap opera "We're Not Married" (not on video) before hitting the big time in director John Huston's "Moulin Rouge." She played Jane Avril, painter Henri Toulouse-Lautrec's favorite model She followed that by playing circus magician Jean-Pierre Aumont's wife in the popular musical "Lili" (MGM-UA, Before the decade was half over, she had appeared in a fourth acclaimed movie, director Vincents Minnelli's 1953 romance, "The Story of Three Loves" (not on video). (But instead of moving on to more meaty dramatic roles, she moved on to another circus picture, the Martin-and-Lewis comedy "Three Ring Circus" (not on video). It was symptomatic of the choices Zsa Zsa would make the Hit of the decade.

Hole's graphic lyrics make the difference trade-off here is that a natural "21" (an ace and 10-point value card) pays even money as opposed to the traditional 3-2. On the other hand, the law now allows casinos to offer 2-1 payoffs (in games where only one of the dealer's cards is exposed) for a "21" with an ace and designated face card. Also available are a 2-1 payoff for a three-card 21 comprised of any six-seven-eight combination, and a 3-2 payoff for a triple-seven 21. The Atlantic City gaming industry's sights now are set on sports betting, which casino executives believe can play a large role in improving the bottom lines. Familiar faces If "An Evening at La Cage" at Bally's Park Place and the two recent "Legends in Concert" shows at Harrah's haven't slaked your thirst for celebrity impersonation revues, then Caesars is where you want to be.

Last night, the midtown casino unveiled "Greg Thompson's Superstars," which runs through Dec. 8. It features a cast of performers imitating the likes of Whitney Houston, Liza Minnelli and Madonna, An added attraction is Dan Hanklns, who impersonates If you're going Hole will appear Saturday with Blue and Action Swingers starting at 10 p.m. at Khyber Pass. 56 S.

Second St, Philadelphia. Tickets are $5 at the door. For information, call 215-440-9683. detail Hollywood's filthy underbelly. Tales of teen-age prostitution, violence and superficilaity are dramatically and graphically rendered.

Some are so vivid a few writers assumed Love was writing from personal experience. However, she says the narratives are all fictional. Love, 23, has been writing songs for a decade. Her career began at 16 when she convinced Faith No More that she should be its vocalist "My goal in life at least it used to be is to write 10 brilliant pop songs before I die. At this point I'd really be happy with one." Love is aware of frequent comparisons with Madonna "Such as, 'she's the Madonna of the People see me as some kind of underground careerist Hey, I'm into being pushy to get what I want but the reasons I want them are different from Madonna's.

"I don't think 111 ever be as big as Madonna. I'd be too embarrassed to be that big. I don't think you can intellectually justify being as big as Madonna if you have a brain in your head. Madonna has a brain in her head and she wants a lot of power. "I just want to be big enough to get the point across, you know? I want to effect some kind of change." RTZ has its roots in Video Watch But the nadir of her '50s films has to be this new release, "Queen of Outer Space." She runs around in a split skirt trying to save Earth-ling Eric Fleming and his pals from the evil Venusian queen.

It's hilarious, and not always intentionally so. Since then, Zsa Zsa's film career has been in eclipse. Here is woman who was in three of the best films of the '60s and would never again be in a movie worth seeing. There are a handful of her post-'50s films on video: "Picture Mommy Dead" Nelson, $59.98 An addle-brained 1966 melodrama in the "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" genre. "Every Girl Should Have One" Intorglobal, $59.95 1978 geriatric heist comedy with Robert Alda and Alice Faye.

"Frankenstein's Great Aunt Tillie" Video City, $59.95 A decidedly unfunny 1984 horror spoof with Donald Pleasance, Aldo Ray and June Wilkinson. "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors" Media, $19.95 Zsa Zsa has a cameo in the 1987 entry in the Freddy Krueger series. "Shindig! Frat Party" Rhino, $14.95 She also shows up on this most unlikely tape, a collection of musical numbers from the mid-'60s TV dance party. Sandwiched between the Isley Brothers performing "Shout!" and Roy Head singing "Treat Her Right" is Zsa Zsa doing "High Heel Sneak-era. Favorites The top five selling videotapes on the national market according to Billboard magazine: 1.

"Home Alone." 2. "The Rescuers Down Under." 3. "Ghost" 4. "The Jungle Book." 5. "The Terminator." Pop Rock SHELLEY DUVALL releases children's albums by Stephen Bishop, who joins Duvall for a duet The others were co-written by lyricist Nat Kipner, a children's music veteran.

"Merry Christmas" is a collection of 10 original carols written by Kipner and collaborators. Delayed The release of "Phil Specton Back to Mono (1958-1969)," the boxed retrospective set reported in last week's column, has been postponed a week. The collection of tunes written and produced by Spector was sup Associated Press "Nick Nora," the only Broadway musical scheduled to open before the new year, has postponed its opening again. The $4.3 million musical now will open Dec. 8, spokesman Jeffrey Richards said Tuesday.

The show, which features characters based on the hus-band-and-wife detective team created by Dashiell Hammett originally was to have opened Nov. 10. Last week, the opening was changed to Dec. 2. The musical began preview performances on Oct 8 at the Marquis Theatre.

Word-of-mouth about the show, which canceled an out-of-town engagement in Baltimore as an i i A Zsa Zsa Gabor was a bona-flde movie star in the '50s and '60s (bottom). The top five selling videotapes on the local market courtesy of West Coast Video of Mount Holly, 200 Route 38, Armory Plaza: 1. "Fantasia." 2. "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves." 3. "Home Alone." 4.

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze." 5. "Ghost." VMM Watch, compiled by Lorraine Agntw, appears Thursdays and Sundays. Gannett News Service contributed to this report Boston posed to be out two days ago. But, according to ABKCO Records President Allen Klein, the overwhelming number of advanced orders has taxed the label's distribution system. The package is expected to be in stores by Tuesday.

Cowsills redux The Cowsills, the family of popsters which was the inspiration for TV's "The Partridge Family," is the latest entry in the '60s has-beens comeback sweepstakes. According to the current edition of the Cherry Hill-based radio tip sheet, the Friday Morning Quarterback, the band currently is mapping out its strategies. The group, whose hits included a sanitized version of "Hair" and The Rain, the Park St Other Things," describes its current sound as "Fleetwood Mac meets the Beatles hanging out with Tom Petty." Reviews from L.A.-area performances have been positive and the family now is shopping for a record deal. On the Jersey side Friday night Bonnie's Ron in Atco hosts the Kiss Army, a New York-based Kiss tribute band that performs in full Kiss drag. Expected to attend the show is original Kiss guitarist Ace Freh-ley, a semi-regular at Bonnie's.

Also on the bill are Sioux City and Wrong Side. Saturday night, Prophet, which records for Atlantic Records, checks into the club. Also appearing are Rebel Heart, Treasure House and Skin Rita. guessing economy move, has not been good. Grosses have been averaging about $450,000 a week, out of a potential gross of more than $645,000.

The musical has a large advance, estimated at $3 million, including commissions from theater parties. The show stars Barry Bos-twick as Nick Charles and Joanna Gleason as his wisecracking wife, Nora. "Nick Nora" has a book and direction by Arthur Laurents, who directed the recent revival of "Gypsy" starring Tyne Daly. The music is by Charles Strouse, the lyrics by Richard MaltbyJr. The creators have been working on the show, cutting and reshaping it as well as adding two new songs, Richards said.

7-' By ED CONDRAN For the Courier-Post It's hard to believe Courtney Love was ever unpopular. "I think I took that word to a quantum place," says the singer-songwriter of the Los Angeles band Hole. "As a child, I stuttered and was fat" Love has metamorphosed into a potential pin-up, a perfect spokesperson for the band which is appearing at the Khyber Pass, at 56 S. Second St in Philadelphia Saturday night, along with Blue and Action Swingers. On the phone, she ia anxious to plug the group's first album, "Pretty on the Inside." Aptly titled, It features waves of guitar distortion.

However, the abrasive edge is tempered with pop sensibility at its core. Hole sounds like Sonic Youth without the extended guitar runs. That should come as no surprise since Sonic Youth has always been an influence. In fact, Love pursued the group's Kim Gordon to produce the release. "I wrote her a note," Love says.

"I sent her a tape. I tried to make the note as sincere as I could. I know for a fact that at first she 6aid no. I don't think she wanted to be exploited for her name. "Sonic Youth always has been about patronage, you know, helping other bands.

I think she thought, 'Well, I should help this band because this band is worth Lyrics differentiate the group Love, bassist Jill Emery, drummer Caroline Rue and guitarist Eric Erlandson, the lone male from its post-punk contemporaries. The songs are allegories which DEC. 23 'm 1 HAPPY BIRTHDAY GORDON You're a terrific kid and we're proud of you. Love from Mom, Dad, Melissa and Michael. By CHUCK DARROW Courier-Post Staff of Boston, the defunct reck band whose 1976 debut album was one of the biggest sellers in history, will want to visit Philadelphia's Chestnut Cabaret Tuesday night as RTZ makes its local debut The quintet whose debut LP, "Return to Zero," recently was released on the Giant label, is spearheaded by singer Brad Dclp and guitarist Barry Goudreau, two founding members of Boston.

The band's approach is similar to Boston's like its predecessor, RTZ favors a melodic brand of rock 'n' roll. "We wanted to make a rock 'n' roll record," says Goudreau, who, with Delp, co-wrote the bulk of the LP's material. "There are a lot of dance and pop things on the radio now; that isn't what we do. We don't follow trends. We don't wimp out We just make the kind of music we want and hope the audience hears it the same way we do." Kids' stuff The latest person to cash in on the increasingly profitable children's music industry is actress Shelley Duvall, who has released the first two of four albums in the "Hello, I'm Shelley Duvall" series.

The tapes and CDs, issued by the Ode 2 Kids label (owned by pop music tycoon Lou Adler), are "Sweet Dreams" and "Merry Christmas." "Sweet Dreams" features Duvall singing 10 original lullabys, one of which, "Tiny Pillow," was penned Who to see at casinos Associated Press Hera are this week's main attractions at Atlantic City's hotel casinos. Prices do not include tips or drink min-imums. Natalie Cole: Saturday and Sunday, 8 p.m., $35. Trump Taj Mahal. Hall and Oaten Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday 9p.m. and midnight and Sunday 6 p.m., $40. Sands. Jerry Vale: Monday through Saturday. Monday through Thursday 7:30 p.m.; Friday 9 p.m.; Saturday 6 and 1 1 p.m., $15.

Trump Plaza. Jeff McBride: Monday through Saturday, 6 and 10:30 p.m., $10. Showboat. The Amazing Kreskin: Wednesday through Monday. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 8 and 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 8:30 and 11 p.m., $10.

Harrah's. Cabaret: Saturday through Thursday. Sunday through Thursday, 6 and 9 p.m.; Saturday 8 and 11 p.m., $15.50. Claridge. Hollywood to Broadway: Friday through Wednesday.

Sunday through Wednesday 7 and 9 p.m.; Friday through Saturday 8 and 11 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and Friday $14.50 and Saturday $16.50. Trump Castle. Spellbound: Tuesday through Sunday. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 7 and 10:30 p.m.

and Friday and Saturday 8 and 11:30 p.m., $15. Harrah's. Starstruck: Friday through Wednesday. Monday through Wednesday 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 7:30 and 10 p.m.; Sunday 5 and 7:30 p.m., $20. Resorts.

That's Comedy: Saturday through Thursday, 7:30 and 10:30 p.m., $12.50. Trump Taj Mahal. i An Evening at La Cage: Wednesday through Monday. Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and Monday, 8 arid 10 p.m.; Friday, 9 and 11 p.m.; Saturday, 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 p.m. Sunday through Friday, $16; Saturday, $19.

Bally's Park Place. Greg Thompson's Superstars: 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Wednesday and Sunday and 8 and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $15.

Caesars. $20 ad QSlOAd With Pictuie Without Picture Mm Know someone wifha December Birthday? Wish them your best with a mm Couner-Post "Happy Birthday" ad! $20.00 (With Picture) (ACTUAL SIZES SHOWN HERE) 'Nick Nora' keeps us DEC. 9 Un the first day of each month the Courier-Post will publish birthday messages. It's a great way to say Happy Birtnday to Mom, Dad, Son, Daughter, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, boyfriends, girlfriends or anyone special in your life! Send us a current even a photo from long with your birthday message. (Pictures are non-returnable.) Let everyone know who got a birthdav coming up! Ads will not be accepted over the pnone.

Mail or stop in today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY AAARTHAI We all loin George in wishing you the very best for years to come. From all your co-workers. Name. $10.00 (Without Picture) Clip and mail this form with your check or charge card number to: Happy Birthday Classifieds Courier-Post, P.O. Box 5300, Cherry HilLNJ 08034 Address Town State.

If VISA MasterCard fJAmEx Acd.No.. Expiration Date Your Signature MESSAGE: ICoupjer-Post Date of Birth: BARRY BOSTWICK plays Nick Charles.