Ex-Sahara bellhop recalls celebrities
As a busboy and bellhop at the Sahara in the 1970s, Mike Henle got a first-hand view of the biggest celebrities of that era.
Henle had his share of revealing moments while schlepping celebrity bags and catering to the needs of VIP guests.
As the Sahara heads into its final weekend before closing Monday, Henle fondly recalled his four years at the iconic property.
He can attest to Johnny Carson's reclusive reputation, Jack Benny's penny pinching, Sonny and Cher's snits and Buddy Hackett's temper.
His bellhopping days were anything but dull.
One day he found himself in the presence of Benny, the entertainment legend, and his wife, Mary, who wasn't happy with the extra starch in her husband's robe.
Henle got an earful before Benny intervened.
"Now, Mary," said Benny, "this isn't the young man's fault. He's just doing his job."
And with that, Benny, true to his TV persona as a lovable cheapskate, handed the young bellman a 35-cent tip and an autograph.
Then there was the time that Sonny and Cher made a quick exit with daughter Chastity, canceling the rest of their engagement.
"Their suite was found strewn with broken wine glasses," apparently from a marital dispute, Henle wrote in his blog this week. The former Review-Journal sportswriter has been a freelance writer for years.
Hackett, a legendary headliner, and Notre Dame Heisman Trophy winner Paul Hornung could be a handful, said Henle.
One night, a particularly grumpy Hackett criticized the waiters and waitresses during his show. They were so angry over Hackett's rants, said Henle, that the staff threatened to drop their trays in unison during a future show.
While delivering shaving cream to Hornung's room one night, Henle found that the "Golden Boy" was in a dark mood.
"Who in the hell is the little pencil neck on the front desk?" said Hornung, in a rage that his comp privileges were in jeopardy.
Henle told him the man was the assistant manager, a man who "wasn't afraid to let people know who ran the desk."
A short time later, Henle heard the news. Hornung had marched down to the front desk and a classic fracas ensued.
The assistant manager, Curtis Thompson, told Henle, "I learned the value of a clip-on tie."
THE SCENE AND HEARD
About a year ago, when hotel developer Steve Wynn complained about the "degradation" on the Strip, he aimed his sharpest criticism at the unfinished state of the Fontainebleau. Change may be coming. There are rumblings owner Carl Icahn has considered tearing it down and selling the scrap metal to China.
SIGHTINGS
Recording artist "Babyface" Kenneth Edmonds, lunching Friday at Society Cafe (Encore). ...
Ty Pennington of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," helping renovate the home of a veteran with six children. ... David Axelrod, senior adviser to President Barack Obama, dining on the La Cave patio at Wynn on Thursday. ... Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees, opening a six-week engagement as a special guest and emcee with the Chippendales (Rio).
THE PUNCH LINE
"Oreo is planning to unveil a three-cookie Double Stuf Oreo with an extra layer of cream called the "Triple Double." The other name they considered was 'Rocket Ship to Planet Diabetes.' " -- Conan O'Brien
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.
