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Transcript of interview with Fluff LeCoque by Joyce Marshall, May 5, 1997

Date

1997-05-05

Description

This interview is compiled in the bound book version for OH-02270. Born Ffolliott Chorlton in Butte, Montana in 1923, Fluff Le Coque embarked on a career during World War II that would span fifty-five years. Le Coque’s experience as an entertainer started at the age of seven when she began dance lessons during the Great Depression. She expanded her interest in show business at the University of Washington. Attending on a drama scholarship, she performed in theatrical productions and supplemented the scholarship by teaching coordination to university athletes through dance. Le Coque toured as a dancer in a road company during World War II. After the war she came to Las Vegas for the first time. Although she did not consider herself a singer, she performed as a vocalist with the Chuck Gould Orchestra at the Last Frontier. After a brief excursion to Hollywood, she returned to Las Vegas to work at the Thunderbird Hotel as a dancer. It was at the Thunderbird that she became part of the glamour publicity that would help shape the image of Las Vegas. Crowned “Miss Thunderbird,” Le Coque took part in publicity photo shoots designed to attract vacationing customers to the Las Vegas resort casino. While performing at the Thunderbird, Le Coque learned of an opportunity to showcase her talents in a wider arena. She joined a touring company that was preparing to take the production of Hollywood Extravangza to Europe. In Paris, Le Coque took on additional responsibilities in the production end of the business. She served the Hollywood Extravaganza as principal dancer, choreographer, and ballet mistress. On her return to New York, she firmed up her career-long relationship with producers Donn Arden and Ron Fletcher. Le Coque’s association with Arden-Fletcher Productions proved beneficial for an already successful career. She performed as principal dancer for Arden and Fletcher beginning with a six-month engagement at the Lookout House in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the late 1950s Arden wanted her to return to Las Vegas and she accepted immediately. The Las Vegas Desert Inn opened a newly remodeled showroom with Fluff Le Coque as a featured principal dancer. Arden-Fletcher Productions kept a number of performers busy throughout the United States from California to New York. Le Coque, now a valued talent, appeared in the Arden-Fletcher production at the Moulin Rouge in Hollywood. She worked there as company captain and principal dancer for ten years. Following her extended engagement at the Moulin Rouge, she toured the United States and Europe before returning to Las Vegas for good in the late 1960s. Arden again asked her to open a renovated showroom at the Desert Inn and again she agreed. This time Le Coque made Las Vegas her permanent home. She danced until she was forty-five years old and during the later years worked both sides of the stage, as company manager and dancer. Fluff Le Coque retired from dancing in 1970 to enjoy leisure activities and volunteer work. She learned to paint and served as publicity director of the Las Vegas Art Museum. She was wooed out of retirement by Donn Arden, to become company manager of the production show at the new MGM Grand Hotel [later reopened as Bally’s]. At the time of the interview, Le Coque continued to serve as company manager for Jubilee at Bally’s Hotel & Casino. Le Coque’s narrative provides a vivid account of the history of the Las Vegas entertainment industry. In addition to the organization of club circuits during the post-war years, the narrative provides clues about white-black relations during the era. It also informs a wider historical context. Post-war American society underwent significant changes economically, politically, and socially. Expanded work opportunities for women were among those changes. Le Coque’s choice to complete a college education during the 1940s was atypical. Her successful dancing career and later move into production management provides an example of career achievement decades ealier than the majority of American women. By extending her career as a dancer into her forty-fifth year, she resisted the evolving publicity hype that only an ingenue could be a dancer. Her narrative provides a compelling description of both the glamour and physical demands associated with the Las Vegas entertainment industry.

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Meeting minutes for Consolidated Student Senate University of Nevada, Las Vegas, May 3, 1990

Date

1990-05-03

Description

Includes meeting agenda and minutes. CSUN Session 20 Meeting Minutes and Agendas.

Text

Meeting minutes for Consolidated Student Senate, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, October 04, 2004

Date

2004-10-04

Description

Includes meeting minutes and agenda. CSUN Session 34 Meeting Minutes and Agendas.

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Meeting minutes for Consolidated Student Senate, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, September 29, 2003

Date

2003-09-29

Description

Includes meeting agenda, along with additional information about operating policies, bylaws, and contracts.

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Meeting minutes for Consolidated Student Senate, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, September 06, 1983

Date

1983-09-06

Description

Includes meeting agenda and minutes along with additional information about the contract.

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Meeting minutes for Consolidated Student Senate, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, October 11, 1983

Date

1983-10-11

Description

Includes meeting agenda and minutes along with additional information about the budget.

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Film strip of individuals or Hoover Dam construction, image 007: photographic print

Date

1930 (year approximate) to 1939 (year approximate)

Description

This photograph has four images. The first one (0272_0052) with the upside-down picture, has a handwritten inscription that reads, "View of hi-line and carriages on a double cable. First used on buckets. Was a little slow. These hi-lines stretching across the dam on a huge cable. Consist of several small cables in center, weaved together. In the center, outside, the carriages ride on smooth surface of one inch wide steel strips wrapped around the cables for a tight and smooth surface." The second image (0272_0053) reads, "'Pipe fitters' raising air and water pipe to a higher elevation for easier access." The third one (0272_0054) reads "'The water bag', a very popular item on Dam. Warning signs placed around, 'Do not drink water from taps on dam'. Arsenic in the water and in the mts. Once you get an open cut, you must avoid getting water from the dam in it. You have a good chance of arsenic poisoning. A boy in my dormitory got it. He broke out in sores at some spot. After long treatments it would heal, but two or three weeks break in another spot. Once in the blood, too bad." The fourth image (0272_0055) reads "Another good view. Stiffleg making a pour on dam nearest and #7 working in a lower pour - pours are numbered - from face to upstream face. 1-2-3 etc. across from wall to wall by alphabet, the slot (center) is between J & K."

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Arcade Hotel menu, November 16, 1884

Date

1884-11-16

Archival Collection

Description

Restaurant: Arcade Hotel (Springfield, Ohio) Location: Springfield, Ohio, United States

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Christmas menu, 1884, The Northern

Date

1884-12-25

Archival Collection

Description

Note: The Northern Hotel is commonly known as "The Northern." Restaurant: The Northern Location: Big Rapids, Michigan, United States

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Dunlap House menu, Monday, February 12, 1883

Date

1883-02-12

Archival Collection

Description

Restaurant: Dunlap House Location: Jacksonville, Illinois, United States

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