American Experience: Las Vegas - An Unconventional History - PBS
Episode One: Sin City
Episode Two: American Mecca
Film Description
This story's too good to stay in Vegas.
Well-heeled mobsters, glamorous
showgirls, fantastical mega-casinos, dazzling neon displays -- it's
the world's most famous monument to reckless abandon and unbridled excess. From
a dusty railroad town in the middle of nowhere, Las Vegas has grown into one of
the world's premier tourist destinations. Once shunned as "Sin City"
and considered beyond the pale of respectable society, it is now the epicenter
of mainstream leisure, attracting more visitors than the holy city of Mecca.
American Experience steps into the world of bright lights and back-room deals to
illuminate what makes Las Vegas perhaps the most American city in the country.
From filmmaker Stephen Ives (Seabiscuit, Reporting
America at War) and Emmy Award-winning writer Michelle Ferrari (Seabiscuit), Las
Vegas: An Unconventional History has been named the official
documentary of the city's year-long centennial celebration. A companion book of
the same title is being published in November by Bulfinch Press.
Although glitz and glamour define the Las Vegas
that more than 37 million tourists flock to each year, the city sprawls well
beyond the Strip and draws new residents at a head-spinning pace. Ives and his
team document how this once remote and exotic desert outpost transformed itself
into the fastest-growing city in the United States -- a place where tens of
thousands of jobs are created each year, sixty new streets are named each
month, and an average of more than a thousand prospective residents arrive each
week. Among its many monikers, Las Vegas can add City of Opportunity for its
unmatched job prospects and booming real estate market.
While there is life beyond the Strip, Las Vegas
will always be best known as a place of escape. From its incarnation as the
favorite nightspot for the men who built the Hoover
Dam, to its most recent re-invention as
a post-modern desert fantasyland, the city has made its living by anticipating
the desires of its visitors and then catering to them. "Las Vegas is a
city that understands better than any other what Americans want most when they
run away from home," says director Ives.
Peopled with unlikely heroes and villains, Las
Vegas: An Unconventional History looks at the figures who shaped the
Las Vegas we know today, from icons like Bugsy
Siegel and the
Rat Pack to less well-known characters drawn to this desert
fantasyland in search of the American dream. The film also explores the forces
that have always kept the city a few paces ahead of mainstream America: Las
Vegas was the first city to legalize
gambling; one of the first cities to dissolve the color
line; the first and only city to make atomic
testing a tourist attraction; and perhaps the only city whose
dazzling main street can be seen from outer space.
The documentary features interviews with resort
entrepreneurs Steve and Elaine Wynn, media mogul Brian Greenspun, local
columnist John L. Smith, and writers Marc Cooper and Nick Pileggi. It also
includes profiles of ten modern-day Las Vegans, who together provide a complex
look at life in the nation's fastest-growing city.
"There's something about Las Vegas that has
captured the imagination of the world," says American Experience executive
producer Mark Samels. "Gambling towns have been around for ages. But Las
Vegas stands alone in its grandeur, its magnetism, its garishness. It's a city,
and an experience, that -- for better or for worse -- could exist only in
America."
Las Vegas: An Unconventional History documents the often surprising, endlessly entertaining
history of America's most outrageous playground.
Film Credits
Las Vegas: An Unconventional History
Episode One: Sin City
Produced by
Amanda Pollak & Stephen Ives
Edited by
Michael Levine & Sari Gilman
Written by
Michelle Ferrari
Directed by
Stephen Ives
Episode Two: American Mecca
Produced by
Amanda Pollak & Stephen Ives
Edited by
Sari Gilman & Michael Levine
Written by
Michelle Ferrari
Directed by
Stephen Ives
Episodes One and Two
Narrated by
Michael Murphy
Music by
Joel Goodman
Coordinating Producer
Cornelia Calder
Associate Producer
Ben Ostrower
Field Producer
Jeff Dupre
Cinematography
Buddy Squires
Andrew Young
Consulting Producer
Eve Morgenstern
Associate Editor
Niharika Desai
Assistant Editor
Judd Blaise
Production Associate
Lindsey Megrue
Researcher
Martha Corcoran
Additional Research
Jenny Carchman
Lindsey Megrue
Production Controller
Andrew Hall
Sound Recording
John Zecca
Additional Sound Recording
John Haptas
Assistant Camera
Mike Caruzzi
Paul Marbury
Grip/Electric
John Dwyer
Jim Wise
Magic Hour Lighting & Grip
Additional Assistant Editing
Andrew Jenter
Ben Ostrower
Sound by 701 Sound
Ira Speigel
Marlena Grzaslewicz
Mariusz Glabinski
Chad Birmingham
Helicopter Aerials
Tom Schaus
Sundance Helicopters
Re-Recording Engineer
Peter Waggoner
Sound One
Animation Stand Photographer
Frank Ferrigno
Frame:Runner
Online Editors
Judd Blaise
Niharika Desai
Online Mastering
Jay Tilin
R!Ot Manhattan
Color Correction
John J. Dowdell III
Company 3
Music Recorded at
Sound on Sound, Castle Oaks & Hi-Fi Productions
Music Mixed at
Hi-Fi Productions
Music Engineer
Joe Arlotta
Tristan Larel
Jason T. Newman
Music Copyist
David Bramfitt
Music Recording
Joe Bonadio, James Englund (Drums)
David Bramfitt (Keyboards)
Joel Goodman (Bass, Keyboards, Guitar)
Leo Huppert (Bass)
Ira Nepus, Randy Aldcroft (Trombone)
Dan Rosengard (Piano)
Larry Saltzman, James Harrah, Greg Herzenach (Guitar)
Brian Scanlon, David Mann (Woodwinds)
Chris Tedesco (Musician Contractor/Trumpet)
Narration Recording
Lou Verrico
Full House Productions
Production Assistants
Michelle Basterrechea
Alisia Brijlall
Ryan Cheresnick
Stephanie Friede
Liz Gilbert
Jaime Iglehart
Dahlia Kozlowsky
Cecilia Lima
Dore Murphy
Elizabeth Parks
Priya Radjev
Anton Sherin
Merritt Symes
Senior Creative Consultants
Marc Cooper
Michael Green
Eugene Moehring
Hal Rothman
Geoffrey C. Ward
Archival Footage
ABCNEWS VideoSource
Archive Films by Getty Images
John E. Allen, Inc.
Becky Binion Behnen
BBC Motion Gallery
Corbis Motion, LLC.
Fox Movietonews, Inc.
Historic Films Archive, LLC.
Imagebank Films by Getty Images
Industrial Photographics, Inc.
KLAS-TV
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
Luxor Las Vegas
Massachusetts State Lottery
MGM/Mirage
NBC News Archive
NNSA/NSO Nuclear Testing Archive
Sabucat Productions
Siegfried & Roy
Michael P. Selinsky
Streamline Films, Inc.
Third Millenium Films, Inc.
UCLA Film and Television Archive
UNLV Special Collections
U.S. National Archives and Records Admin.
WPA Film Library
Photographs
AP/Wide World Photos
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
Becky Binion Behnen
Bettmann/Corbis
BMI Collection, Henderson District Public Libraries
Boulder City Museum and Historical Association
Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum
Frashers Fotos, Pomona Public Library, Pomona, CA
Getty Images
Knepp Productions
Herald Examiner Collection, Los Angeles Public Library
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Las Vegas Sun
Library of Congress
Marie McMillan
Montana Historical Society Archives
Nevada Historical Society
Nevada State Library and Archives
Newsday
The New York Times
Stanley Paher
Photofest
Michael P. Selinsky
Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center
Curt Teich Postcard Archives, Lake County Discovery Museum
Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
Dept. of Special Collections, UCLA Library
UNLV Special Collections
Specialized Libraries and Archival Collection, USC
Union Pacific Historical Collection
Vegas4Visitors
Vintage Vegas/Patrick Weaver
Wilkerson Archives
Legal Services
James Kendrick
Brown, Raysman, Millstein, Felder and Steiner
Production Accounting
Ed Weisel
Silver, Laski and Weisel
Music
"Ain't That A Kick in the Head"
Written by James Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn
Performed by Dean Martin
Published by Marraville Music Corp.
Courtesy of Capitol Records under license from EMI Film & Television Music
"Alright Okay You Win"
Written by Mayme Watts and Sidney J. Wyche
Performed by Peggy Lee
Published by Melody Lane Publications
Courtesy of Capitol Records Under License From EMI Film & Television Music
"Change Partners"
Written by Irving Berlin
Performed by Sammy Davis Jr.
Published by Williamson Music
Courtesy of MCA Records under license from Universal Music Enterprises
"Closing Theme (Live -- Sahara Casino)"
Performed by Louis Prima and Keely Smith
Courtesy of Capitol Records Under License From EMI Film & Television Music
"The Good Life"
Written by Sacha Distel and Jack Reardon
Performed by Tony Bennett
Published by Warner Chappell Music
Courtesy of Sony BMG Music Entertainment
"Happy Birthday to You"
Written by Mildred J. Hill and Patty S. Hill
Published by Warner Chappell Music
"Love Me or Leave Me"
Written by Gus Kahn and Walter Donaldson
Performed by Lena Horne
Published by Gilbert Keyes Music, Donaldson Publishing Co. LLC (ASCAP), WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)
We are grateful for the co-operation of The Kruger Organisation, Inc.
Permission Secured. All Rights Reserved.
"Misty"
Composed by Erroll Garner
Performed by Liberace
Published by Octave Music Publishing Corp.
Courtesy of Geffen Records under license from Universal Music Enterprises
"Puttin' on the Ritz"
Written by Irving Berlin
Performed by Liz Antony With The Jerry Conrad Orchestra
Published by Irving Berlin Music Company
Courtesy of Stork Music Productions
"Rags to Riches"
Written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross
Performed by Tony Bennett
Published by Lakshmi Puja Music and J&J Ross Music
Courtesy of Sony BMG Music Entertainment
Permission Secured. All Rights Reserved.
"Top of the World"
Written by John Bettis and Richard Carpenter
Performed by Ray Conniff
Published by Almo Music Corp. on behalf of itself and Hammer and Nails Music
Courtesy of Columbia Records by arrangement with Song BMG Music Entertainment
Other Music Provided by:
APM Music Library
Insignia Films Directors
John T. Sughrue
Robert A. Wilson
Las Vegas Residents
Michael Averna (Sara Lee Chef)
Bette "Cookie" Citro (Stripclub House Mom)
Colette Diamond & Family (Real Estate Agent)
Mildred "Yvette" Dixon (Bellagio Maid)
Joe Frehner (Wedding Minister)
Josh Kennedy (Dealer)
Anita "Kelly" Pettyjohn & Family (Las Vegas Emigrants)
Natalie Rodriguez (Culinary Training Academy Instructor)
Mary Ann Ward & Darla Richards (Principal & Teacher)
Steve Werk (Cowboy)
Jodi Wetzel (Jubilee Dancer)
Randy (Construction Worker)
Special Thanks
Commission for the Las Vegas Centennial
Honorable Mayor Oscar Goodman
Brian Greenspun
Dr. Carol Harter
Gary Loveman
Wendie Mosca
Rossi Ralenkoter
Don Snyder
Elaine Wynn
Steve Wynn
Gordon Absher
Gordon Adams
Brian Albertson
Alexis Park Resort
Stacy Allsbrook
Arthur Anderson
Kurt Anderson
Tom Axtell
Bagelmania
Anna Bailey
Bally's Las Vegas
Becky Binion Behnen
Bellagio Hotel and Casino
Bo Bernhard Ph.D.
Body English at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Boyd Gaming
Ryan Brooks
Caesars Entertainment
Caesars Palace
Hattie Canty
Casino Gaming School
Deke Castleman
Su Kim Chung
Cirque de Soleil
City of Las Vegas
Clark Country School District
Clark County
Staci Columbo
Marc Cooper
Allison Copening
Maureen Crampton
Culinary Training Academy
Pastor Willie Davis
Dean Petersen Elementary
David Demontmollin
Thalia Dondero
Drai's Restaurant
Annie Duke
Pam Egan
Excalibur Las Vegas Resort Hotel and Casino
Vincent Falcone
Flamingo Las Vegas
Forum Shops at Ceasars
Melissa Fox
John Gallagher
Jim Gans
Leland Gantt
Maria Gatti
Charles Geocaris
Rebekah German
Melissa Germano
Hillary Gray
Michael Green
Green Valley Ranch
Danny Greenspun
Greenspun Media Group
Donna Gutkin
Andrea Hackett
Joyce Haldeman
Nancy Hancock
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas
Joe Hasson
Kate Hausbeck
Terrible Herbst
Bruce Hiatt
Robert Hunter Ph.D.
Michael Hyams
Ice Nightclub
Interfaith Hospitality Network
Sasha Jackowich
Marc Jay
Terry Jicinsky
John C. Fremont Elementary School
Lisa Johnson
Bally's Jubilee
Nick Kallos
Peter Kaufman
Lisa Keim
Alissa Kelly
Sean Klimek
KLVX
Krave Nightclub
Las Vegas Monorail
Las Vegas News Bureau
Las Vegas Wedding Chapel
Gina Lateef
Fluff Lecoque
Davis and Marilyn Leonard
Terry Lindemann
Gary Lite
Steve Lombard
Lotus
Terry Lovern
Luxor Las Vegas Resort Hotel and Casino
Alicia Malone
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Tracy Marquart
Phyllis McGuire
Peter Michel
Kurt Mische
MGM Grand Hotel and Casino
MGM Mirage
Tom Mikovits
Eugene Moehring
Ben Montoya
Fafie Moore
Patti Moyer
Debbie Munch
John Neeland
Pat Nelson
Nevada Film Office
New York-New York Hotel and Casino
Don Niam
OPM Nightclub
Palms Hotel and Casino
Paris Las Vegas
Gustav Peebles
Jeff Peisch
Diana Pettit
Earnest Phillips II
PM Lounge
Rob Powers
The Problem Gaming Center
Pulte Homes
Ted & Eve Quillin
Maria Ramirez
Denise Randazzo
Schyler Richards
Don Rickles
Riviera Hotel and Casino
Dan Roberts
Monti Rock III
Tina Rogo
Hal Rothman
Kimberly Ryan
Elaine Sanchez
Lisa Sanders
Glenn Schaeffer
Joe Schoenmann
Jeff Schoor
David G. Schwartz
Pastor Jesse Scott
Jim Seagrave
Second Baptist Church
Karen Silveroli
John L. Smith
Tricia Smith
Stacey Solovey
Special Memory Wedding Chapel
Stardust Resort and Casino
Dan Stark
Station Casinos
Striptease Gentleman's Club
Sun City Anthem Community Center
Sunset Station Casino
Anne Cleves Symmes
E. Parry Thomas
Roger Thomas
Treasure Island Hotel and Casino
Tropicana Resort and Casino
UNLV
UNLV Special Collections
Vegas Voice
The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino
Scott Voeller
Todd Walker
Tom Warden
Jes Weinberger
Whiskey Bar
Claytee D. White
Claudine Williams
Margaret Williams
Jim Wise
Wayne Wright
Wynn Resorts
An Insignia Films production for American Experience
© 2005
WGBH Educational Foundation and Goodhue Pictures, Inc.
All rights reserved.
American Experience: Las Vegas - An Unconventional History - PBS
Reviewed by Unknown
on
00:01
Rating:
Reviewed by Unknown
on
00:01
Rating:
No comments: