Shirley Bassey
Welsh singer Shirley Bassey is best known for belting out iconic Bond classics like “Diamonds Are Forever” and “Goldfinger.” Here she is, hanging out with her sidekick Skunky in her dressing room at Pontypridd Town Hall on July 3, 1957. People often liken her to Eartha Kitt, Lena Horne, and Judy Garland. In 1957, she hit the charts with “The Banana Boat Song.”
But it was her powerhouse performance of “Goldfinger” in 1964 that shot her to global stardom. Her voice, already a sensation in the UK, found a whole new audience in America. And that was just the start – she later nailed other Bond classics like “Diamonds Are Forever” and “Moonraker,” turning her into a household name.
Debra Paget
Actor Debra Paget was famous for performances in films like Cecil B. DeMille's classic "The Ten Commandments", "Love Me Tender" and the risque snake dance in "The Indian Tomb." But her film career had begun way before when she was just 15. The moment that changed everything for Paget was when she landed a role alongside James Stewart in the 1950 western flick called “Broken Arrow.”
She caught the attention of 20th Century Fox who offered her a contract. Paget would become one of their biggest stars. At one point in her career, Paget was regarded as the woman who received more fan mail than Marylin Monroe. 1956 rolled around, and she shared the screen with Elvis Presley in “Love Me Tender” the musical. Presley himself called her "the most beautiful girl in the world." They almost dated but Paget's mother was having none of it.
Elizabeth Taylor and Eddie Fisher Get Married
Elizabeth Taylor and Eddie Fisher tied the knot at Temple Beth Shalom on May 12, 1959. This was Taylor's third marriage and Fisher's second. Fisher at one point had his own TV show and was a successful singer too. The affair and marriage to Taylor negatively impacted Fisher's career.
They called him an opportunistic philanderer and loser, among other colorful insults. The actor was also struggling with substance abuse which affected his life and work. His last movie was “Butterfield 8,” alongside Taylor in 1960. Decades later, Fisher would share in an interview that it had never been his intention to allow his romantic life to take over every other aspect. He was aware that his legacy would forever be remembered that way.
Judy Garland and Her Daughter
Audiences at this show were in for a treat. Judy Garland, the superstar, surprised everyone during a performance. She spotted her daughter in the audience and brought her up to sing 'Jingle Bells' together. Heartwarming! Garland's kids were regular fixtures at her shows. She had Liza Minnelli in 1946, Lorna Luft in 1952, and a son, Joey, in 1955.
The kids were always around, mixing with other celebrity kids. Rita Hayworth's kids often dropped by to hang out. Judy Garland was a true talent – an actress, singer, dancer, and vaudevillian. While she’s received acclaim for many roles in her career, she’s most well-known as the iconic Dorothy Gale in "The Wizard of Oz" (1939). That role made her unforgettable.
Defying the Odds
The 1950s were a pivotal decade in Las Vegas, and we have a lot to thank the early pioneers who laid the foundations for the tourist hub that Vegas is today. After the Second World War, the American economy was in flux. Las Vegas defied the odds and only grew. The city boomed with population growth.
Luxury hotels and casinos sprouted like wildflowers. Bugsy Siegel started the trend of setting up swanky spots on the Strip and others followed suit. This era attracted big names – movie stars, music legends, and celebs, each one drawn to Las Vegas for its endless potential. The Bank of Las Vegas joined the scene, making history by lending to casinos for the first time.