We were doing some maintenence on the BB and this topic was accidently deleted. So I am reposting it :

will800
Member posted August 25, 1999 12:46 PM
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Best Opening Acts In Las Vegas Entertainment
Some of the best acts I've seen in Las Vegas since the early 60's have been the opening acts for many of the top entertainers.

Please note that there is not a singer in this bunch. It is my personal feeling that singers should be heard and not seen. I like to listen but I hate to watch them.

But unique and entertaining acts are greatly appreciated. Here's a few of the best I've seen! Add yours if so inclined!

Who's the Dummy Here!? - This act dates back a while ago, but I think it was an opening act for one of Jack Benny's Las Vegs appearances. The curtain opens and a man is sitting with a dummy on his lap and he and the dummy proceed to present a very funny 10 minute comedy routine. When the act is finished, the dummy gets up, takes a bow and walks off the stage with the man underneath his arm.

Just Stand There - This one was the opening act when Melinda, the First Lady of Magic was performing at that tall and round hotel/casino they imploaded many years ago. A couple of guys roll a mannequin out and set it up at stage center. The audiance watches with casual interest and then continues with their preshow conversations. "Must be part of a magic trick!" The mannequinn remains absolutely motionless for the next 15 to 20 minutes as mannequinns are meant to do. Then a solo musical introduction and the mannequinn comes mysteriously to life to the thrill of everyone. It dances and juggles and departs the stage to thunderous applause!

Big Bird Before Big Bird! - This one was with or before the Don Rickles show when Don Rickes was considerably younger. Even before he was a personal buddy of Frank and Dean and Sammy's. The stage would be completely dark and soon relit with flourescent lights. Giant, feathered birds would appear and do giant-feathered-bird-dances. These birds were over 20 feet tall and performed dancing moves that could compete with Michael Jackson. It was a lively, colorful, magical trick that stunned the eye and kept everyone enthralled. At the end of the act the house lights would come on so the entire audiance could see how it was done. That's the part I feel they should have kept a secret.

The Borden Twins - I don't know if they ever were an opening act but they did appear in some of the lounges. The were two heafty ladies with great personalities who sang well and performed one heck of a great show. I like them so much that I invited them to my Senior Prom.

And I have to admit, I love almost all the acts with animals in them. Especailly the chimps and that dog that would just lay there and do absolutely nothing.

Well, that's show biz!!!

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will800

gailsacco
Administrator posted August 27, 1999 04:11 PM
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The first show I saw in Vegas was (I think) at the Frontier with Juliet Prause (is that her name?) and the opening act was that guy that acted drunk and burped all the time. Then and now, I can't imagine how anyone would pay to hear someone burp. He had gray hair and a beard. What was his name?

John
Charter Member posted August 27, 1999 05:48 PM
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Gail, that could have been either of 2 people. It could have been Foster Brooks or JMT<G>
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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com


will800
Member posted August 27, 1999 08:06 PM
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Definitely sounds like Foster Brooks. I think he later did some work with Frank SInatra and Dean Martin and the boys at the Sands.

The last time I saw good old Foster, they stuffed him and painted him up a bit and sat him at a piano in some MGM Lounge where he came to life every hour or so and told some pretty old jokes.

Last time I was in the MGM Grand, he was gone. Now they are catering to the kids with a lion habitat on the casino floor.

I have nothing against at all about kids but it appears to me that the Nevada Gameing Commission is pretty lax when it comes to passing and enforcing laws about kids in any part of any casino.

I really support the efforts of Steve Wynn to keep children out of the Bellagio unless they are staying in the hotel with their parents. I watched a security lady handle such a situation most commendably while a mother with toddlers argued that she wanted to take her children inside.

When it was all over, I walked up to the Security Lady and commended her for performing so courtiously under such an adverse condition.

She smiled and then asked for my I.D.!

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will800



[This message has been edited by Mark (edited September 02, 1999).]

gailsacco
Administrator posted August 27, 1999 09:27 PM
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That's him, Foster Brooks! I wonder if he's still around? Wasn't he also on some television entertainment show once in awhile?
I wonder if Juliet Prowse is still around?

What's that television entertainment show "and where are they now?"

Geesh, I can't remember anything tonight. Time to go out, I think <g>.

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gail@talkvegas.com
Moderator, TalkVegas After Hours
Administrator, TalkVegas BB


54Carol
Member posted August 28, 1999 09:12 AM
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While I'm not particularly a fan of children in the casinos either, (let them learn this stuff at a later age...like I did), but also realize that some people have to do "family stuff", I was really upset last May at the Flamingo. We were waiting for our flight back home, and stopped to eat at Bugsy's Deli, when a family (looked like mom, dad, uncle, and 2 girls about 7 & 10) came into video poker area. They weren't there more than 3 minutes before security came over and told the parents that the girls could not be in that area. The parents then told the girls to sit in the Deli area while they continued to play. The uncle would give the girls some quarters as he would win. After about 10 minutes of this, the girls would run over, give the parents/uncle some quarters to "bet" for them, and run back to the deli area. This went on for about 1/2 hr (while we were there). They were still there when we left....and security never returned.
Again, I have nothing against families being here, but find it deplorable the way the PARENTS behave.


Veronica
Charter Member posted August 28, 1999 03:03 PM
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Carol: I have to agree that it is not the kids' fault--it's their stupid parents!
We've had many discussions about the Las Vegas and children controversy over the years. This subject never dies.


Snookie
Member posted August 28, 1999 05:47 PM
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Keep the little rug rats at home. I am tired of almost being run down by stollers out in Vegas and kids running wild.I didnt pay a lot of money to hear screaming kids. If I want that I will stay at home or go to Disneyland.!!

Lee-PA
Charter Member posted August 29, 1999 07:21 AM
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Gail,
Foster Brooks, I think that show was the old Hollywood Squares?
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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
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KIZZY
Member posted August 29, 1999 10:10 AM
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Foster Brooks started out on a kiddie show in Louisville ky in the late 40s or early 50 s he was in trouble all the time (drunk). I tended bar at shawnee taveren on Cicil street and he caused a lot of problems. He later reformed but could always play a drunk so good because he has so much experance.

gailsacco
Administrator posted August 29, 1999 11:32 AM
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This subject certainly has gotten off on a tangent. One of my favorite subjects- drinking <lol>.
What about the other "drunk" (Fontaine?) that used to be on the Jackie Gleason show? What was his name and where is he now? Did he ever play or act anywhere else?

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gail@talkvegas.com
Moderator, TalkVegas After Hours
Administrator, TalkVegas BB

John
Charter Member posted August 29, 1999 12:15 PM
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Gail, Frank Fontaine was his name but I forget the character he played. I don't remember ever seeing him anywhere but on the Gleason show.
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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

gailsacco
Administrator posted August 29, 1999 08:05 PM
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John, Thanks for the full name. Maybe we should stop showing our age <bg>. Jeff's e-mail (old as dirt) was really good but depressing. Think we should post it for fun?
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gail@talkvegas.com
Moderator, TalkVegas After Hours
Administrator, TalkVegas BB


Michael
Charter Member posted August 29, 1999 09:49 PM
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Gail and John,
Frank Fontaine's character was Crazy Goughanheim. Not sure of the spelling.
Michael


John
Charter Member posted August 30, 1999 04:20 PM
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Gail, yes, I think you should post Jeff's e-mail!
Michael, way to go. At least someone here has a memory<G> You are right about Crazy whatever the spelling is.

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com


will800
Member posted August 30, 1999 05:18 PM
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OK, then! Let's ask this and make it relate to the subject at hand.
Did Jackie Gleason ever appear in Las Vegas? If so, when and where and did Frank Fontaine appear with him?

Don't ask me, cause I dont't know!

How about Joe E. Brown!? Who was he and what did he ever do!?

And a real stumper! "Who was Thor, God of Thunder!?"

Test, test, this is a test!

Where are these acts appearing now?

Motorcycles racing inside a big round globe!

Archer shoots an arrow to a target which releases another arrow, hitting another target, releasing another arrow hitting another target, etc. Last arrow splits an apple on the top of the archer's head!

Man with puppet on a string makes puppet appear to be alive!

Samson destroys a temple.

Man swallows pack of cigarettes, fully lit.

Largest escargot in the world!

Horses race across the stage.

Magician makes audiance disappear.

Good luck!

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will800

John
Charter Member posted August 30, 1999 05:29 PM
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Will, I don't remember Jackie ever appearing in Las Vegas. I think he was headquartered in Miami and stayed there most of the time.
As for your other questions, I have no idea<G>
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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

JMT
Member posted August 30, 1999 10:09 PM
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Will, the motorcycles are in Splash, and that's the only one I know of for sure.

will800
Member posted August 30, 1999 11:31 PM
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JMT, If my math is anywhere near correct, you got one out of 8 which equals 12.25%, I think! Good try, but no cigar!
Yes, the mororcycle act was in Splash at the Riviera. If you saw that show, you should know one more!

Thanks for guessing!

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will800

JMT
Member posted August 31, 1999 08:34 AM
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I saw Splash II, and at the time, I was on a mission to drink all the Bud in the building. I know I saw the motorcycles and was quite impressed. But if you like my guesses.
The archer thing sounds like something that would be in Jubilee.

A magician that makes an audiance disappear sounds like David Copperfield.

Horse race across the stage at the King Arthur show at Excalibur.

Largest escargot at Mystere

Man with puppet sounds like Lance Burton

Samson destroying a Temple sounds like something you find at Luxor.

Man swallowing lit cigarettes sounds like comedy/magic. I guess I'll have to give it to Splash, since my brain is idle. I really wanted to give Splash the Samson/Temple thing, but your test is too hard.<g>


I know I got at least two right, and I'm hoping for more. I hope that gives me a respectable failing grade.

I'm afraid that I am gonna have to give you failing grade on your math, unless you are taking out a 2% vig.

Thanks for the entertainment!


will800
Member posted August 31, 1999 10:54 PM
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Yes, the motorcycle act was in Splash Everyone down front got asphixiated.
I think I got most of those Byds before you arrived. I usually do! It's awfully thirsty in the desert!

Yep! The archery act was in fact in Jubilee and absolutely amazing according to me!

Yes, the largest Escargot was in Mystere, but not the first night. They couldn't get him inflated that nite or something!

Those are the only three you got right!

Not bad! But no cigar!! I thought that these wopuld be real easy!!

Anyone else want to take a stab at guessing?

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will800

JMT
Member posted September 01, 1999 07:14 PM
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Will, I'm gonna have to insist on at least partial credit on one of those others. Horses do race across the stage at King Arthur thingy at Excalibur. It might not be the example that you had in mind, but my answer is correct based on your question.
<g>


JMT
Member posted September 01, 1999 10:03 PM
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I'm not asking for a cigar, but I would at least like partial credit for the horses racing across the stage. Can you deny my answer by saying that horses do NOT race across the stage at the King Arthur tournament at Excalibur? I know it may not be the answer the you were looking for, and the only other horses that I remember, also played at the Excalibur last time I saw advertisements for them. But maybe you aren't talking live horses.
And ya know what? I forgot all about EFX, a show that I have never seen, but might have some of the items you described. Is that the one where Samson destroys something?

JMT, Sorry to be acting like a Pit Boss here, but I cannot accept your "Horses/Stage = Excalibur answer because the Excalibur horses run across an "arena" and never even appear on a stage in that production - standing or otherwise.

There was nothing spectacular about a horse or horses running around an arena as far as I was concerned (unless I'm at a rodeo).

Even the Horses of Liliputz (I forgot the correct name or how to spell it) bored me to death.

But there really was a real live horse stampedeing across a honest to goodness stage in a past casino show. That's the one you have to name.

Nope! Samson did not appear in EFX as far as I know unless he was in the audiance with Daliah.

Thanks for guessing though!

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will800