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ent000826-074
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    University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Libraries

    Serving Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, No. Hollywood, Encino, Tarzana, Woodland Hills, Canoga Park Reseda 9miitf Lights Of Las Vegas 9| By PHIL SOLOMON Sheila Sparr Star Material LAS VEGAS?╟÷Some entertainers have it and some don't. The ones that have it make it big in show business and the ones that don't fall by the wayside. In order to make the grade it takes hard work, long hours and stamina. There is a featured singer in "Pzazz '70," one of the best production shows ever, who has it and the making of a star. Her name is Sheila Sparr, doing two shows a night, seven days a week at Desert Inn Hotel. A Betty Hutton type, the tall shapely blonde vocalist playing the Auntie Mame role of Lady Throckmorton P. Buffington Jones in the San Francisco scene, wandered into the entertainment capitol of the world hoping to interest someone in a musical group in Mexico City and instead received an audition herself. Coming from German-Hingarian parents, Miss Sparr was raised in Learborn, Michigan and graduated from Edsel Ford High School. She then went on to Alma College and later became an air-line stewardess. Then show business got into her blood. The blonde beauty was also a ship's soprano, entertaining cruise passengers on Holland-American Orient trips. Miss Sparr also sang with the Brazilian group, the Bossa Rio. Right after her stint with the group things began to happen for her. She did industrial shows in 18 cities, played Rosemary in "How To Succeed" with Rudy Vallee and was in the chorus of the Marilyn Maxwell version of "Kismet." Producer Frank Sennes and director Donn Arden saw what they liked in Miss Sparr and hired her as a featured singer. She can really dance up a storm on short notice and now it looks as though she will remain with "Pzazz '70" for the remainder of the run which should last at least another 16 months. She is faced with doing at least 500 more shows without a night off. "Pzazz '70" was made to order for her as she also is one of the Easy Street Hustlers in the Chicago scene of the roaring '20's and also on stage as one of the Heavenly Book Ends in the "Hollywood and all that Jazz" number. In her early 20's, Miss Sparr is certain to make it big in movies and television with the right exploitations. Some Hollywood producer would be wise in signing her now. This pillar talked to a few talent scouts and they admit that she has what it takes to become a star in the near future. RAMBLING AROUND?╟÷JOHNNY MEIER, exec, aide to HOWARD HUGHES received the medal of the Sovereign of St. Dennis of Zante for his contribution to humanity in Washington, D.C. . . . MEL TORME was signed by JACK ENTRATTER for a one week stand at Sands Hotel starting Oct. 22 . . . JOAN RIVERS will co-star with JOHN DAVIDSON for a four week outing at Riviera Hotel beginning Nov. 11 . ... Producers BRECK WALL and JOE PETERSON have picked up second option on THELMA PELISH, comedienne of "Botttoms Up" revue at Caesars Palace for 12 additional weeks . . . BILL HARRAH is planning a Nov. grand opening for his new Reno hotelj date not yet firmed. Frontier Hotel singing star ROBERT GOULET and comic BOB MELVIN were inked for an eight day run at Sahara-Tahoe beginning Dec. 27 . . . Will COLONEL TOM PARKER accept a return date for ELVIS PRESLEY at International Hotel of two shows a night in April? . . . As reported here "Star and Garter" is set to open Dec. ?√ß26 at Circus Circus. Producer HARRY BLOOMFIELD. is trying to sign GYPSY ROSE LEE for the lead . . . SAM BOYD and his associates received the green Ugh! for construction of 23 story-500 room hotel on the Union Pacific railroad station site to cost $17 million with completion by late summer in 1970 . . . DANNY THOMAS was slotted for a six day engagement at Harrah's, Reno beginning Nov. 7. JERRY PERENCHIO is packaging a revival of "The Boy Friend," with JUDY CARNE in mind just as soon as she completes her "Laugh-In" chores for a Strip hotel. . . It's rumored that the Hollywood company of "Hair" may open the legit theatre at International Hotel in late Dae. . . . STEVE ALLEN is preparing a nitery revue for a July opening at Flamingto Hotel . . . International Song Festival takes place here March 5-8 with first prize $10,000, second $5,000 and third prize $2500 . . . This could be NANCY WILSON'S last stand at Sands Hotel. She'll concentrate on TV and movies from now on. Tag Line- Frank T. Fox indicates that Howard Hughes is interested in the proposed high speed train from L.A. to Las Vegas to carry 80 passengers on an every 10 minute schedule at a nominal cost. Thanks to all who wrote in. The proposition was well received and very receptive. (Associated News Features) BLONDE BEAUTY Sheila Sparr, currently appearing in "Pzazz '70" at Desert Inn Hotel as a featured singer is definitely star material. See Phil Solomon's "Lights of Las Vegas" column for details.