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Transcript of interview with Diana Saunders by Barbara Tabach, April 17, 2017

Date

2017-04-17

Description

Diana Saunders was born Diana Salshutz in the Bronx, the northern most borough of New York City. She was raised in a Jewish neighborhood and recalls how her maternal grandparents pickled pickles, tomatoes and other traditional Jewish delicacies for Wolfie?s Deli. By the time she was twelve years old, Diana was bustling through the city to pursue her dream of becoming a professional dancer. Encouraged by her mother Rose?her father Sidney was not as eager for this pursuit?Diana was accepted into High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan. In addition, she was accepted at the School of American Ballet where she studied classical ballet during the leadership of renowned choreographer George Balanchine. Her first professional performance was in the Nutcracker for American Ballet. At the age of seventeen, Diana was on her own, confident in her dancing potential, and eager to study jazz dancing. This led her to Matt Mattox and to her important mentor, Luigi (Eugene Louis Faccuito). In time she was a featured dancer for Steven Lawrence and Eydie Gorm?s show Golden Rainbow. This was soon followed by a position on Sammy Davis Jr.?s television show in the 1960s. Diana also studied musical acting and showed talent for comedic performance. In the 1970s, Diana crossed paths with Las Vegas venues. She relocated to Las Vegas in 1974 when Donn Arden offered her a dancer position in Hallelujah Hollywood at the MGM. She met and married musical theater actor/singer Joe Bellomo, whose career spanned four decades. He passed away of complications of early onset Alzheimer?s in 1996. Always true to her personal mantra?Wake up; Dress up. Show up?Diana maintains a busy schedule. At the time of this of this interview, she is currently a manger of gondoliers at the Venetian. She brings to life that career and also talks about being a part of the former Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton. Diana shares stories of long career as a dancer, from substituting in the black dancer line to continued study of dancing with Anglo Moio. She also talks about the AIDS fundraising event Golden Rainbow, having dinner at Rabbi Shea Harlig?s home and observations of local theater.

Text

Unidentified child and woman in western town: photographic print

Date

1880 to 1979

Description

Bell Family Scrapbook scanning, Set 4, proofed 11.04.2010 Unidentified and woman in an unidentified location (tourist attraction?)

Image

Probably Clara Bow (and Rex?) outside a mine shaft: photographic print

Date

1880 to 1979

Description

Bell Family Scrapbook scanning, Set 4, proofed 11.04.2010 Clara Bow and unidentified man at mining site

Possibly Rex Bell 

Image

Two unidentified women: photographic print

Date

1880 to 1979

Description

Bell Family Scrapbook scanning, Set 4, proofed 11.04.2010 Two unidentified women at unknown location

Image

Clara Bow Bell and another woman: photographic print

Date

1880 to 1979

Description

Bell Family Scrapbook scanning, Set 4, proofed 11.04.2010 Clara Bow and unknown woman in Searchlight, Nevada

Image

Three photos of a lake: photographic print

Date

1880 to 1979

Description

Bell Family Scrapbook scanning, Set 4, proofed 11.04.2010 Three photos of an unknown location, presumably from a boat looking towards shore

Image

Unidentified cowboy stooped down, eating: photographic print

Date

1880 to 1979

Description

Bell Family Scrapbook scanning, Set 4, proofed 11.04.2010 Unidentified cowboy stooped down, eating. Location Mojave desert

Image

Rex Bell at Walking Box Ranch, Nevada: photographic print

Date

1880 to 1979

Description

Bell Family Scrapbook scanning, Set 4, proofed 11.04.2010 Rex Bell (George Francis Beldam) at the Walking Box Ranch

Image

Unidentified child with dog at the ranch: photographic print

Date

1880 to 1979

Description

Bell Family Scrapbook scanning, Set 4, proofed 11.04.2010 Unidentified with a dog at Walking Box Ranch

Image

Clara Bow Bell in driver's seat of car-unidentified child: photographic print

Date

1880 to 1979

Description

Bell Family Scrapbook scanning, Set 4, proofed 11.04.2010 Clara Bow sitting in a car with a seated behind her. Location Mojave desert

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