Skip to main content

Search the Special Collections and Archives Portal

Search Results

Display    Results Per Page
Displaying results 71 - 80 of 94

Jean McColl oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01238

Abstract

Oral history interview with Jean McColl conducted by Sam C. Melchiome Jr. on March 01, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, McColl discusses her childhood and family in Searchlight, Nevada and her eventual move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1944. McColl also discusses her education, Boulder (Hoover) Dam, Mount Charleston, Lee Canyon, atomic testing, Las Vegas entertainment, and juvenile delinquency.

Archival Collection

Therese Thomas oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00893

Abstract

Oral history interview with Therese Thomas conducted by Dennis McBride on March 13, 1995 for the Boulder City Library Oral History Project. In the interview, Thomas discusses her early life in Thistle, Utah before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in approximately 1931, where her father worked on the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) construction. Thomas then talks about her early schooling in Boulder City, Nevada, her experiences as a swing and dance band musician, Block 16 in the Clark Las Vegas Townsite, and her memories of Las Vegas hotels and casinos. Other subjects Thomas covers include Las Vegas entertainers, entertainment venues, and women in the music industry during the 1930s.

Archival Collection

"Holiday in Japan" dancers joint oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00954

Abstract

Oral history joint interview with the "Holiday in Japan" dancers conducted by Claytee D. White on May 26, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. The dancers present for the interview were Sachiko O. Thompson, Minoru Saito, Kazu Hamada, Kyoko Nakamura, Nobuko Suda, and Katsuko Tomoko Billman. The dancers begin by discussing their lives in Japan before coming to the United States in 1960 to perform their "Holiday in Japan" stage show. They describe their reactions to coming to the United States and compare it to life in Japan, as well as their reactions to coming to Las Vegas, Nevada specifically. They discuss performing their show at the New Frontier Hotel and Casino, Desert Inn Hotel and Casino, and Dunes Hotel and Casino. They describe their show, which presented Japanese culture to Western audiences, and the work that went into it. They end the interview by detailing their lives and careers after performances of the show concluded in 1961.

Archival Collection

Esther Lynn oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01168

Abstract

Oral history interview with Esther Lynn conducted by Dennis McBride on August 24, 2000 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. Lynn moved to Las Vegas, Nevada from Los Angeles, California in 1976. She is a writer and editor, focusing on the Las Vegas entertainment scene, with by-lines in many local and national publications.

Archival Collection

Carolyn Freeman oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01229

Abstract

Oral history interview with Carolyn Freeman conducted on January 30, 2006 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Freeman begins by discussing her upbringing, her father, who was the president of the Japanese American Citizens League, and her early interest in dancing. She also details her experiences as a Japanese American during World War II and being relocated by the federal government. Freeman then describes how she began her career as a dancer after getting a role in a Broadway play in New York City, New York, and her later experiences dancing in productions in Reno, Nevada and San Francisco, California during the 1950s and 1960s. Lastly, Freeman discusses the differences between living in Las Vegas, Nevada compared to California and being offered the chance to dance in a Frank Sinatra show by himself and Sammy Davis Jr.

Archival Collection

Dick Franco oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03789

Abstract

Oral history interview with Dick Franco conducted by Su Kim Chung on July 14, 2021 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Richard Francis or Dick Franco, his stage name by which he is more commonly known, has been juggling for over 50 years, having learned the art while he was still in high school. Taught by prominent juggling legends in Vaudeville and Las Vegas, Franco would go on to perform all over the world. He began as an opening act with the Harlem Globetrotters in the US, but he then traveled Europe and was featured in variety and production shows in Blackpool, London, Monte Carlo, and Berlin among others.

Franco won specialty awards in Monte Carlo and Paris for his juggling prowess. In the US, Franco performed extensively in Las Vegas at the shows Hallelujah Hollywood, Lido de Paris, Folies Bergere and Jubilee. He then performed many shows in Branson, MO before becoming an entertainment agent and producer in Las Vegas. His wife and daughter traveled all over the world with him and both would perform in his acts.

Archival Collection

David London oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01141

Abstract

Oral history interviews with David London conducted by Joyce Moore on March 10, 1998, March 18, 1998, and March 24, 1998 for the Arnold Shaw Oral History Project in Las Vegas Entertainers. In these interviews, London discusses his early life and career as a singer. He remembers working at the Riviera Hotel, singing on a cruise line, and deciding to change his last name. Later, London talks about entertainment in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1960s.

Archival Collection

Lido de Paris Costume Designs

Identifier

MS-01088

Abstract

The Lido de Paris Costume Designs contain 29 full color costume designs likely created for the Lido de Paris show in Paris, France which ran during the 1950s and 1960s. The designs are unsigned, but likely created by costume designer Louis Folco. Some designs match costumes worn in the 1956 "C'est Magnifique" show.

Archival Collection

Matt Gregory oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00737

Abstract

Oral history interview with Matt Gregory conducted by Joyce Marshall on May 07, 1996 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Gregory discusses his early life and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1953. He remembers working in public relations for the Showboat Hotel and Casino and becoming a personal manager, agent and producer. Gregory talks about representing lounge acts, recruiting young artists, and producing large shows in smaller venues. Lastly, Gregory discusses producing a fashion show for the Lion's Club Convention held in Las Vegas and producing the network television game show, Las Vegas Gambit.

Archival Collection