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Margo Mansergh Papers

Identifier

MS-01048

Abstract

The Margo Mansergh Papers (approximately 1920-2010) document the life of former showgirl and dancer Margaret "Margo" Mansergh Tomaszewski. Materials include photographs of Margo modeling, backstage at various shows, portraits, and personal family photographs as well as programs from her international career performing in the Lido de Paris and Pigalle Nightclub in London, as well as a number of shows in Las Vegas, Nevada, such as Vive Les Girls, Casino de Paris, Minsky's Burlesque, and Lido de Paris at the Stardust. The collection contains materials from Mansergh's modeling career, including photographs, book covers, and images of her as an extra in films. Digital images from the closing Stardust performance and an event for Miss Bluebell are also found in the collection.

Archival Collection

Betty Bunch oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00137

Abstract

Oral history interview with Betty Bunch conducted by Joyce (Marshall) Moore on January 09, 1996 and February 07, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. In this interview, Bunch discusses the origins of her dance career and the places her pursuit of this career took her. Bunch discusses the various shows she performed in both in the United States and Europe, and describes the differences between a dancer and a showgirl. Bunch describes the responsibilities and rights of dancers, their contracts, and their leisure activities. Finally, Bunch also discusses her personal life including two of her marriages.

Archival Collection

Heather Victorson oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01877

Abstract

Oral history interview with Heather Victorson conducted by Nancy Hardy on June 26, 2003 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Victorson discusses her early life in Nairobi, Kenya and London, England. She remembers being enrolled into the Royal Ballet School, and her experience dancing in show productions for the Royal Ballet Company. Victorson talks about winning a dancing audition that required her to move to Las Vegas, Nevada, dancing in the Lido de Paris show at the Stardust, and wearing showgirl costumes. Victorson describes lounge shows, working topless for the first time, and dancing in Vive les Girls. Lastly, Victorson discusses the future of Las Vegas dance shows.

Archival Collection

Carol Baker oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00062

Abstract

Oral history interview with Carol Baker conducted by Nancy Hardy on May 29, 2003 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Baker talks about her life as an entertainer on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip, including backstage life, parties, and relationships amongst other dancers.

Archival Collection

Shirley Allen oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03305

Abstract

Oral history interview with Shirley Allen conducted by Nancy Hardy on June 21, 2003 for the Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Allen discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with her family and starting dancing professionally while attending university. Her first job was at the Riviera in 1964, working as a showgirl. She explains that the work was not difficult and they were not asked to do anything inappropriate, but they did have to pay for their own cocktail dresses and accessories. She also explains that she was a "covered dancer" in the beginning but by the late 1960s she had to "uncover" (work topless) to be employed. She then talks about working in Pzazz! '68 at the Stardust Resort Hotel and Casino, after auditioning for Fluff LeCoque, Donn Arden's company captain. She also talks about her impression of Miss Bluebell and Donn Arden. She spends some time talking about what life was like backstage, relations between the girls, and meeting celebrities, her first experience with topless dancing in Lido de Paris, and how the backstage dressing areas were assigned and the difficulty of fast changes between sets. Later, she talks about things that can go wrong, from forgeting choreography to the more serious issue of the HIV/AIDS epidemic that swept through the shows in the 1980s.

Archival Collection

Diana Saunders oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03167

Abstract

Oral history interview with professional dancer Diana Saunders conducted by Barabra Tabach on April 17, 2017 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Oral History Project. 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, observations of local theater, being a part of the former Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton, Hallelujah Hollywood, and a dancer for Siegfried and Roy.

Archival Collection

Horden-Graglia Family Photographs

Identifier

PH-00090

Abstract

The Horden-Graglia Family Photographs depict the Horden-Graglia Family in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1910 to 1941. The photographs primarily depict Joseph and Frances Graglia and their children John and Anne. The photographs also depict historical buildings, including the Hotel National, the Pair o’ Dice Nite Club, the Union Hotel, and the Las Vegas School. The photographs also include Elinor Horden, who performed as a showgirl in Las Vegas in the 1950s.

Archival Collection

Larry Billman Papers

Identifier

MS-00577

Abstract

The Larry Billman Papers (1961-1975) primarily reflect his work in the entertainment industry of Las Vegas, Nevada as a dancer, choreographer, and director. Materials include scripts, photographs, music scores, contracts, ephemera, and magazine and newspaper clippings. The collection also includes two scrapbooks and photographs of Tomoko (Katsuko) Billman performing in shows like "Holiday in Japan" at the New Frontier Hotel and Casino and "Rome Swings" at Caesars Palace in the late 1950s into the mid-1960s as well as photographs of Tomoko and other "Holiday in Japan" performers at various reunions.

Archival Collection

Vassili Sulich Papers

Identifier

MS-00469

Abstract

The Vassili Sulich Papers (1951-2005) document the life of Vassili Sulich: ballet dancer, choreographer, and co-founder of the Nevada Dance Theatre, the first professional dance company in Nevada. Included are correspondence, newspaper clippings, newsletters, photographs, posters, and scrapbooks.

Archival Collection

Terry Ritter Collection

Identifier

MS-00773

Abstract

The Terry Ritter Collection, dating from approximately 1995-2012, contains six color prints of Ritter's artwork depicting Las Vegas, Nevada showgirls. There is also one convention flier advertising her artwork.

Archival Collection