As this June 20, 1955, cover of LIFE magazine attests, reports of Las Vegas’ demise have been greatly exaggerated.
Honk if you've heard "Is Las Vegas overbuilt?"
Jack Wishna, who makes a living making Las Vegas megadeals, has the perfect comeback for the naysayers: The June 20, 1955, cover of LIFE magazine.
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Wishna, who forged the deal that lured Donald Trump to Las Vegas Boulevard, said Sheldon Adelson, owner of The Venetian, brought the cover story to his attention.
On the LIFE cover, which features cancan dancers at the Moulin Rouge, the headline asks: "Las Vegas -- Is Boom Overextended?"
Inside, the eight-page spread is titled "Gambling Boom Town Las Vegas Pushes Its Luck."
Adelson has earned the right to chuckle at the doubting Thomasinas. When he's done with his decidedly long-term bullish view of Las Vegas' future, his 3,000-room, $1.6 billion Palazzo expansion will boost The Venetian/Palazzo to more than 7,000 rooms, largest in the world.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Published reports in Germany say Steffi Graf has flown her mother, Heidi, who has had recent health issues, to Las Vegas to care for her. ...
Who squealed? There's buzz that Steve Wynn is eyeing RC Farms, home to a 5,000-head pig operation in North Las Vegas, as a site for a new golf course. That would allow him to use the old Desert Inn course to build high-rises. ...
Metro Pizza ranks No. 10 among pizzerias in a new book titled "Everybody Loves Pizza" (Emmis Books), and four other Las Vegas pie joints are listed among the 546 mentioned. The authors loved the Modesto, a marriage of roasted mushrooms, Roma tomatoes and garlic. Also listed: Giovanni's, Montesano's, New York Pizza & Pasta and Rocco's, along with Blue Moon Gourmet Pizza in Reno. ...
TV producer Stephen J. Cannell, whose shows include "The A-Team" with Mr. T, "21 Jump Street," "Hunter" and "Baretta," flew in on his private jet on Friday with his writing team and met with "Crazy Girl" and "La Cage" producer Norbert Aleman. Cannell is exploring "Crazy Girls Undercover," Aleman's longtime pet project. ...
John Lennon's 1956 Austin Princess, featured in the "Imagine" documentary, sold for $150,000 at Saturday's rock 'n' roll memorabilia auction at the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood.
SIGHTINGS
"La Cage" headliner Frank Marino, with Greg and Sunny Thompson at Friday's opening of "Erocktica" at the Rio. Greg Thompson is the producer of "Erocktica" and "Skintight," the topless revue at Harrah's. "I'm still there," chirped Marino, referring to my Monday item that he might have been taking his last bows that night at the Riviera show because of his feud with Aleman. ... At Tangerine's Halloween party on Monday: boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., model Summer Altice, Frank Menechino of the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees teammates Jason Giambi and Tanyon Sturtze. ... Guns n' Roses drummer Steven Adler, playing a two-hour set late Monday at the Rainbow Bar & Grill with his new band, Adler's Appetite, before they headed out on tour. ... Siegfried Fischbacher, in the audience to catch Curtis Adams' magic show at the Plaza over the weekend.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Geraldo is getting a new fall TV show. No word yet on the name of the show since 'The Biggest Loser' is already taken." -- Conan O'Brien
