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Ella S^^^Dpening Tonight Wp|| By BILL WILLARD ' The superlative Sands. Crowning all the sovereign palaces of grandeur devoted to pastimes of skill and chance is Jake Freedman's incomparable hotel ?╟÷ lucky seven of the ne plus ultra Strip establishments. Universial opinions Expressed by more than 10,000 people who Viewed the new hospice yesterday afternoon from 4 > o'clock until 7 were all voiced in highest degree of praise. The Sands is over- Whelming in its architectural de sign, distinctly different in overall conception, yet warm and inviting ?╟÷ destined to become the most talked about hotel in the Western Hemisphere. Greeting the thousands of well- wishers, principal owner "Jake JAKE FREEDMAN, spearhead behind the beautiful Sands Hotel, is shown making last minute telephone checkup on final details preparatory for opening of the newest Strip establishment. The name and slogan "A Place in the Sun," was conceived by owners Freed- I tnan, of Houston, Texas, and Jack Entratter, of New York City. Freedman heard over and over again the word "breathtaking." Commented the former Texan, dressed comfortably in sport short, slacks and a five-gallon hat: "I talked to so many people I lost my voice. I didn't know so many people knew me. They all had good things to say about the Sands. I'm happy, and will try and do my best for everyone." Jack Entratter, the big six-foot- plus general manager and producer of the upcoming extravaganzas-in the gorgeous Copa Room, was tired from the big push to have things ready for today's grand opening. "This is the biggest thing I've ever done," he said with deep voice rumbling. "Tremendous. Most of all. I like Las Vegas. I want to bring in new productions, top names, new talent and surround the .shows with the best supporting acts ?╟÷ and of course, the most beautiful girls in the world. Many of the shows planned for next year will play for more than two weeksTjsome of them for six. We'll create our own packages here, equally as good or better than New York." A meander through the crowded casino, lobby, Garden Room, Copa Room brought forth some views of artistic innovations. The use of copper lighting fixtures becomes a neat color touch blending with the earth and nature tones of carpets, walls and ceilings. The bar mural, achieved in bas relief ceramic figures over panoramic Nevada scenes was created by Allan Stewart of Claremont College, California. And for the most unique treatment of materials forming two dimensional wall murals in the Copa Room, and Garden Room, Tony Duquette depicted plastic, forms in masks, musical instruments, and Carnival in Rio scenes. Decidedly unusual is the way in which architect Wayne McAllister" designed the imposing front with imported Italian marble, and took his treatment into the lobby and casino. Instead- of high polish, the grained marble is finished in rough-texture. Wide use of natural and stained cork is noted throughout, making for contemporary smartness in design and to quiet sounds in the various rooms. The tour turned up some famil- SECRETARY ?╟÷ The boss' ex- ecutive at Sand Hotel is Averell Knigge, shown above. iar faces, and some new friends. Just inside the front door, chief of security Bev Perkins kept traffic flowing easily. At various points throughout the building, ran into Hi Powell, assistant chief of security, Al Barnes, Tony Mos- kos, Roy Humphreys and Doc Martin. And, over at the front desk, met the resident manager Doug Richard anifhead bellman Vane Weidenkoff. Mrs. Lee Bradley made the introductions of Judson Hughes, Betty Biehn, and Raymond Love. Larry Carro popped his he"$d out from reservation cubby-hole of the Cow Room, and while we were gabbing, maitre de Joaquin Norriega, recently of the Mocambo, came by to check on tonight's listings. ^IUs 'assistant Joseph Benson w^IooMng over table arrangements with captains Andre Penard aiSp Glenn Lock- wood. Eddie Levinson eased through the multitude in the casino to shake hands, and while we were trading adjectives about the new spot, Karl and Betty Maier yelled a hello. Al Freeman, publicity chief came pushing along with Desert Sea News bureau's Jack Pepper and Dave Lees. Saw Virginia Hobbs of Life mag jotting down some ideas for her photog to cover when he sets up operations ior tomorrow's clicks. Eleanor Roth, secretary to Jack Entratter, threaded her way through the mob looking for her boss. Working my way past the casino and Copa Room through the arcade and to the Terrace Room, ran into an old school chum from Pasadena, Romaine Hixon, one of the Barker Bros.' carpet men who put down miles of deep pile coverings. Said he, "I've been on many jobs and have laid plenty of carpet In the finest hotels, but this one tops 'em all. This guy Freedman went first class all the way." A quick handshake with Sy Devore, who will operate the men's shop, and howdy to Steve Perlow, former musician with Elliott Lawrence, now with Devore's Sands haberdashery. Eileen Tege- ler rushed through the arcade flashing a greeting and invite to stop by Shikey Toushin's Jewel Box where she's dqing some selling behind the counter. Nothing but excitement all over the place as Las Vegans turned out en masse to see the superlative Sands. InJafl,of their comments and expressions, I seldom have heard sucft: panegyrics. And if Mr. Greenspun cannot find that one in his dictionary, here is the definition: "Speech or writing which bestows high praise upon some person, thing, act, or achievement." Monday, December 15,1952 LAS VEGAS SUN 131 "A PLACE IN THE SUN" ?╟÷ Theme for Sands Hotel is motto, "A Place in the Sun," (affixed di-1 rectly beneath the hotel's outdoor sign?╟÷entrance to the latest addition in the booming expansion of I Las Vegas' resort Strip showplaces. 46 fcAS VEGA& SUN Monday, December 115, 1952 Danny Thomas Opens Sands Tonight the first of a brilliant list of entertainers who will be featured at Sands. X ZZ7~ZZA'%rzn, ?╟÷ x^Zy VTioe iraraes a lovely face Jfph a il??e buoy while relaxing between rehearsals at The Sands, Las Vegas' newest resort hotel which opens Dec. 15 with a big show starring Danny Thomas. Trudy is one of the "Copa Girls of The Sands," who, along with Connie Russell, Lou Wills, Jr., and Ray Sinatra's orchestra, appear with the star comedian. Starting off a brilliant list of ltertainers who will be featured i the dramatically designed Cop? \ oora of the new $5,500,000 Sand j lotel, will be the country's fore j nost cafe entertainer, Dann>| Thomas, who opens for a three- \ week engagement tonight. Thomas has just completed || film on the life of Al Jolson, the "Jazz Singers' and returns to Hollywood immediately .after hisj Sands appearance for another pic-! ture. || Backing uf^the great talent will be Connie Russell, who zoomed to stardom. froin-h6r featured spot on the DavehGarroway TV show An.Chicago,^Ust last year. Her Sfirst big date was with Joe E. JjiejjfWs at "thee Cbpacabana in New l|||j|^der -the eye of Jack En- ^j^i^pw general manager of pB^fenfihere,! who has been re- ^^^^l^^r much of her success. ?╟≤^SBISfes> Jr"* Broadv?ay dfel^^^^rounds out the first ilit^r j^ra^ion of the Sands, ^ni^^eaWresthe "most beautiful^^ iathe West," the Copa Gia^a^Jinuslc by Ray Sinatra and Wis ollehestra. Productions are staged by Bob Gilbert, New York choreographer, with costumes by Madame Berthe, and jewelry by Coro. And in the lounge ??f the Silver Queen Bar, delightful music by the Rist Brothers Trio and the Ernie Stewart Trio, and Bob Ek- ton at the piano keep the night lively. Showtimes are set for 8:30 and -t-i.ori t> m Hiin'ncr the: week, and =j&'SSffiSSE' danc"* "???╟≤ ??'h?? " ?╜wn73r|