Thursday, January 17, 2008

Don't be a square...see ya there!

                                                            

Seeing a picture of a Frank Sinatra album cover on fellow blogger Jimmy's journal was all it took to get my imagination fired up and running. I've mentioned my curiosity about different times and different places--one that I'm especially fascinated by is fifties and sixties Las Vegas. The heyday of the Rat Pack, baby, when the rollers were high--in many ways--and glamour was not only desired, but expected.

While Vegas is certainly more accessible to average joes, it's lost something special while gaining that accessibility. I love seeing images of the crowds in the casinos then. The women wore fabulous evening gowns or cocktail dresses, and sometimes furs, and the men wore suits or tuxedos.

The furniture and architecture was pastel and googie. Everyone flocked to The Sands to see Frank, Dean, and Sammy, along with Joey and Peter.

                                                 

After enjoying that show, the party would continue at the Sahara lounge, where Louis Prima and Keely Smith popularized the Vegas lounge act. The guys might show up there, too, because that was the place to be after the shows on the Strip.

Along the way, you'd play some more Blackjack or Craps, and might encounter Frank or Dean or Sammy standing beside you rolling the dice. (I wonder if Dean would've blown on my dice?)

                                                

The craziness wouldn't end until the sun came up, and after getting some sleep, you'd do it all over again that evening.

Everyone wanted to be glamorous...and everyone was. I can't help but feel a little sad that we've lost that time and place where there was a bit of glitz. Everyone should have a chance to sparkle once in a while.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Vegas Baby.  We are due for another trip in the next 12-18 months. :o)

Anonymous said...

Ready when you are, Ace. :)

Beth

Anonymous said...

That was too cute seeing that exchange between the two of you. I've always been intrigued by the Victorian Age. All those layers of clothes and people being so well spoken......(Hugs) Indigo

PS Send a postcard from Vegas baby! (winks) Indy

Anonymous said...

What a great entry ! I love those pictures and that was a great era.

Jimmy
http://journals.aol.com/jimsulliv3/jimmys-journal/

Anonymous said...

Indigo, have you ever read Time and Again by Jack Finney? I suspect you'd like it a lot.

Thanks for the comment, Jimmy! I found those on the UNLV website--they have some amazing pictures of old Vegas. I loved the one I put up here, with Dean onstage at the Sands. In the larger picture, you can see Jack Benny in the front row. Cool!

Beth

Anonymous said...

I agree I said I was born way to late in life

I received your link thru magic smoke and wanted to invite you to visit my journey .
hugs
Sherry

Anonymous said...

Thanks for stopping by, Sherry, and for the comment!

Beth

Anonymous said...

I've always wished that I had born during a different era. I think morals and values you were higher back then. I like your journal :) -Missy