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Transcript of interview with Harvey Allen by Claytee D. White, December 5, 2006

Date
2006-12-05
Description
Harvey Allen grew up poor in Philadelphia. After taking singing lessons at the Artie Singer Vocal School, he got jobs singing in night clubs up and down the east coast. He also took acting classes in New York and performed at the Copa Club. In the 1950s, he moved to Las Vegas and auditioned for Jack Entratter at the Sands Hotel and Casino where he performed with numerous entertainers including Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong, Tallulah Bankhead and Robert Merrill. Allen's accomplishments include attending and obtaining a degree in telecommunications and film from San Diego State and a Master's degree from UNLV. He worked for the American Society of Composer, Authors and Publishers. Harvey recalls working on a segregated strip and the opening of the first integrated casino in Las Vegas, The Moulin Rouge. Twice he moved from Las Vegas but always returned. He implemented National Reading Week for the State Department of Education and was the emcee for Sunrise Hospital Cancer Survivors Week. In addition to hosting a popular talk show on KDON radio, he hosted the "All-Nighters Club Convention", taught classes at UNLV tor 31 years and wrote a column in Maturity Today. Now Harvey is at a different stage of his life. He and his wife are active in running their public relations agency, enjoying their garden, taking great photographs and spending time together in their fabulous home in Anthem.

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Carmon Meswarb interview, April 15, 1976: transcript

Date
1976-04-15
Description

On April 15, 1976, Judy Hammer interviewed Carmon Meswarb (b. February 9, 1932 in Cedar Falls, Iowa) about his life as a musician in Las Vegas, Nevada. Meswarb discusses how he ended up in Las Vegas, the musicians union and his time playing in a relief band. Meswarb also delves into the different entertainment acts of the 1950s and 1960s, the big-name performers, the city’s showgirls and racial segregation in entertainment. Moreover, Matson talks about the changing landscape of the city, residential areas and the changed attitude of the Strip. The interview ends with Meswarb discussing the short stint of Broadway shows on the Las Vegas Strip.

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Transcript of interview with Rene De Haven by Nancy Hardy, August 2, 2003

Date
2003-08-02
Description
Rene De Haven was born on May 8, 1922 on a farm in Oklahoma. All his life he wanted to become a dancer and dreamed of one day dancing with the likes of Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire. Later on in life his dream actually turned into reality when he danced in the show Les Girls. Rene came to Las Vegas in 1959 to open at the Riviera. He discussed what the scene in Las Vegas was like in 1950s, describing the life of a dancer and revealing how different the lifestyle was from that of most people. In California, Rene spent some time in Los Angeles working at the Moulin Rouge and at Marineland. He also found time to start a film career while dancing at night. Some of his more notable film appearances were with Jerry Lewis and later with Elvis in Jailhouse Rock. In 1961, after dancing for many years, Rene suffered a heart attack and stroke while in Tahoe. He recovered and then went to the Sahara where he performed in his last big show. With all his experience in dance and shows he then began the transition from dancer to choreographer. He received an opportunity to go to Portland and choreograph shows there, although he would always come to Las Vegas when he needed a lead dancer for one of his productions. Rene De Haven currently works for Hollywood Props and Design Group where he has spent the last five years.

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Rudiak, George, 1915-1995

George Rudiak (1915 – 1995) was born in Moscow, Russia. At the age of five, George emigrated with his Jewish parents to the United States in 1920. He was raised in Los Angeles, California and received his law degree from the University of California at Berkeley in 1942.

1942 was the same year the draft into armed services dogged him. Rather than be drafted, he chose to enlist in the US Army Corps. The same year he married the energetic Gertrude (née Rightman) Rudiak.

Person

Transcript of interview with Ivory Blue II by John Grygo, February 22, 2013

Date
2013-02-22
Description

Ivory H. Blue II was born and raised Las Vegas, specifically in the Westside neighborhood projects during the 1980s and 1990s. He describes his early childhood and what he remembers as a strong sense of community. Though grade school had its challenges, Ivory excelled in sciences and came under the watchful mentoring of Dr. Eugene McGaugh, a professor at UNLV. Ivory graduated with a master’s degree and has a long career already with NV Energy. Theresa Harris, Ivory’s mother, was from Hawthorne, Nevada and his father, Ivory Blue I, was originally from Edwards, Mississippi.

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Transcript of interview with Sally L. Jackson by Krista Jenkins, March 2, 1980

Date
1980-03-02
Description

On March 2, 1980, collector Krista Jenkins interviewed assistant manager, Sally L. Jackson, (born March 28th, 1932 in Culver City, California) in her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. The interview covers the social and environmental changes that have occurred in Las Vegas. Sally also discusses the hospitality industry and offers details on the local hotels, casinos, and nightclubs in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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