by Allan Anderson
This year the Riviera Hotel and May 1, 1955 1956 Casino celebrates it’s 50th anniver- Riviera’s first acting assigned, Orson Welles makes his stage sary. The Riviera opened on April hosting a live telecast of Liberace appearance at the Riviera. 20th, 1955 and was built at a cost of directly on stage on the Colgate $8,500,000 by the Taylor Comedy Hour TV show. May 16, 1958 Construction Company. The hotel had Riviera gave Liberace special 9 floors, 350 rooms and suites on 25 May 12-16, 1955 birthday present, a new red Mercedes landscaped acres. The Chairman of Helldorado parade - Riviera won Benz. the Board was M. M. Mason and the the Grand Sweepstakes award with President was David Gensburg. The her entry “Red Shoes”. The base of August 4, 1958 opening day act was Liberace with the float was designed like the sole of Riviera had one of the busiest George Liberace and his Orchestra a shoe and perched high on nights since she opened when hun- featuring Joy Roberts, Sally Blythe, the top was Sharon dreds upon hundreds of anxious Mark Alden, Buck Young, Dickie Christian, queen of the fans tried to get in to see Red Lerner, Emmaline Henry and the ballet. Skelton, both for the first and Riviera Girls. second shows. Many stood and September 28, 1955 waited, even after the show had Following is a timeline of the Gus Greenbaum, Willie started, hoping the Riviera from opening day to 2005. Alderman, Dave Berman, Sid Maitre d’ would find Wyman, Elias Atoll and Joe some available April 20, 1955 Rosenbergand previous investors of space. Countless Riviera opens. Liberace is the the Flamingo, along with two uniden- had to be turned opening act. Joan Crawford is host- tified men, were granted a lease on away. ess. The Treniers open the lounge. the Riviera.
CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | Summer 2005 65 Chappell served as witnesses for the ceremonybefore District Judge John Mowbray. Margret had just signed a contract to headline at the resort for $40,000 a week.
1967 The Riviera added a 200-room wing, an elevator penthouse, a 9,000- square-foot lobby, and 10,000 square feet of office and meeting space.
October, 1968 Completion of the 220 room south wing, it now held 770 rooms, suites and convention facilities. The $5 mil- lion addition soared 12 stories into the horizon. Offices representing four major airlines occupied the ground level of the new building as well as the shops Las Vegas’ first high rise, 1955 and the Montmartre con- December 2, 1958 An Intimate Revue starring Patrice vention center. The Riviera big-wig, Gus Greenbaum, Munsel; Sammy Lewis Presents Ted property was flanked and his wife were killed in their Lewis/Sophie Tucker/Paul White/ by walls of glass, accented by tasteful home in Arizona. Elroy Peace/Ted Shapiro/Lee landscaping. Its massive stone Berger/June Taylor Dancers/Ray entrance is manned by December 5, 1958, Sinatra Orchestra; Dean Martin; Tony a staff of doormen garbed in uniforms All gaming at the Riviera was Martin; Mills Brothers; Jaye P. patterned after those worn by the closed from 9:00am to 6:00pm as Morgan; Patti Page; Paul Reed; French Foreign Legion. Dick simultaneous services Rowan & Martin; Riviera Dancers & Chappell was the Manager with assis- were held in Vegas Models; Connie Russell; Sarah tants Pat Egan, Bill Barry and Eimo and in Phoenix for Vaughan; Earl Wild; and World of Ellsworth. Mr. & Mrs. Suzie Wong. Greenbaum. 1969 August 1961 Bob Hope joined headliner Totie 1960 Kaye Stevens recorded her album Fields on New Year’s Eve and sur- Riviera changed the Clover Ruckus at the Riviera, now a cult prised audiences with a 15 minute ad Room’s name to the Versailles classic. lib performance. Theatre, showcasing the Andrew Sisters; Louis Armstrong; Tony November 25, 1963 1969 Bennett; George Bums; Red Buttons; The Riviera, as well as other Dean Martin became a 10 owner Sid Caesar; Cathcart Orchestra; Carol resorts in Vegas dimmed their lights with approximately 8,000 shares and Charming; Cyd Charisse; Vie and stopped all gambling from Dino’s Den was named after him. Damone; Dennis Day; Destry Rides 7:00am to 12:00am to honor the Again starring Gene Barry/Monique funeral of John F. Kennedy. 1969 Van Vooren/Warde Donovan; Riviera showcased Dean Martin Dorothy Dorben Dancers; Jack May of 1967 Presents Englebert Humperdinck Elliott; Totie Fields; Eddie Fisher; Ann-Margret and Roger Smith mar- marking Humperdinck’s debut in Las Joel Grey; Buddy Hackett; Johnnie ried at the resort. Hotel PR Director Vegas. Haymer; Sammy Lewis Presents In Tony Zoppi and Hotel Manager Dick
66 CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | Summer 2005 September 20, 1970 Riviera hosted the Friars’ Club 550 a plate roast of comedian Joe E. Lewis, bringing together some of the greatest stars in show business for a total of 1,300 honoring him. The host was Dean Martin, the co-host was Frank Sinatra but he failed to appear, and the emcee was George Jessel. Those appearing at this roast were Marty Allen, Jack Benny, George Burns, Vikki Carr, Jimmy Durante, Buddy Hackett, Jack E. Leonard, Tony Martin, “Swifty” Morgan (Damon Runyon’s famous Lemon Drop Kid), Jan Murray, Harry Richman, Toots Shor, Phil Silvers, Ed Sullivan, Louis Armstrong, Pearl Baily, Telly Savalas, and John Conte. Other atten- Liberace cutting the ribbon, 1955 dees included Nevada Governor Paul Laxalt, Sands Hotel’s Jack Entratter, audience at the Roger Miller & Jack Carlo tower at a cost of $20 million. Nate Jacobson, and Caesars/Circus E. Leonard shows at the Riviera. It consisted of 300 rooms, 60 suites, Circus creator, Jay Sarno. The guest During one of these shows Hope and an elaborate penthouse, giving list amounted to 1,000 people. SUN hopped on stage and joined the head- the resort a total of 1,000 guest columnist Ralph Pearl suggested the liner. He stated “I am available as rooms. tribute and Zoppi helped organize the bellhop, cocktail waiter, short order event. chef or casino dealer. In my tax 1977 bracket, I’ll do anything to make an The Riviera’s San Remo tower 1970 extra buck.” added 200 rooms to the south side of During a strike occurring at vari- the resort, as well as the elegant ous resorts. Bob Hope was in the 1972 Ristorante Italiano, a 100-seat gour- Four championship tennis courts met Italian restaurant. were added near the pool. They were the site of the Dewar’s Celebrity-Pro 1981 Tennis Tournament, which drew top Paul Anka made his Riviera debut. professional athletes from around the During one of Paul Anka’s perform- world. ances, more than a dozen ringsiders February/March 1973 climbed onstage Meshulam Riklis, the majority for the finale. stockholder of American International Anka decided to Travel Services of Boston (AITS) create an bought the Riviera for $56 million. impromptu chorus line with the zealous fans. June 15-17, 1973 Riviera hosted the Celeb 1983 Invitational Tennis Tournament with Meshulam Riklis made the Forbes Gary Crosby, Edgar Bergen, Johnny 400 with his 60 of Rapid American Carson, Paul Anka, and Dinah Shore. Corporation worth $133 million. Riklis was an exchange student 1975 (Turkey, through Israel), who became Bob Hope and Jack E. Leonard Riviera added its 17-story Monte a securities analyst. He took over
CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | Summer 2005 67 May 4, 1986 ple in certain select seats. A totally The Riviera intro- new production, for which the show- duced the comedy room had been revamped to look and Club that opened as feel like an actual submarine (much An Evening At The of it actually salvaged from scuttled Improv. subs at a shipyard), there were just a few reminders of the original Splash, September 21, 1987 such as a huge water tank on stage The Riviera set a which held 20,000 gallons of water. precedent on the Las Vegas Strip 1995 when the Cray Riviera celebrated the 10th Girls - Fantasie de anniversary of An Evening At La Paris opened on this Cage. night. 1996 Dean Martin, 1970 Crazy Girls came under fire by undervalued companies to finance 1988 city officials for their slightly risque others; “calls leverage the effective The Riviera added the 24-story billboards. The case was tried in the non-use of cash.” Monaco Tower costing $28 million media and ended on a note of “Crazy and nearly doubling the resorts size to Girls beat City Hall.” But in case the June 21, 1985 2,100 rooms. Butts case was a lost cause, then Plan Riviera took at bold step toward B included the famous life-cast providing a new type of showroom 1990 bronze statue in front of the resort. entertainment, unveiling “Splash”, The Riviera expanded its casino to starring Frank Gorshin in the 70,000 square feet for a total of near- June 1996 Versailles Theater, an all-new produc- ly 125,000 square feet out to the side- It was formally announced that the tion so unique that it walk, making it one of the largest Riviera was listed on the American captivated audi- casinos in the world offering Stock Exchange (RIV). Net income ences and gar- reel slots and video games, table was increased by 30, to $2.47 million. nered an games, poker, keno, bingo, and a Earnings per share improved from 40 unprecedented complete race and sports book. to 49 cents compared to the first three number of months of 1995. awards for best 1990 production show in Frank Sinatra performed twice at Las Vegas. The “aquacade of music the resort in 1990, including New and dance” took place in and around Year’s Eve when he played to more a 20,000-gallon aquarium while fea- than 2,000 people in the Superstar turing numerous performers and spe- Theatre. Room 2902 of the ciality acts. hotel’s Monte Carlo Tower was redesigned to Sinatra’s specifications September 18, 1985 so he could enjoy his stay. Riviera introduced Norbert Aleman’s “An Evening at La Cage,” June 17, 1995 in the Mardi Gras Showroom, a Jeff Kutash’s Splash II opened at Parisian-style revue of female the resort including Wally impersonator’s and cabaret Eastwood, and The Dragon dancers. The star of the Masters. This version of show was a 20-year-old Splash cost $5 million ($1 Frank Marino. million in showroom renova- tions alone). This particular version offered raincoats to peo- Frank Sinatra, 1991
68 CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | Summer 2005 1998 Portions of the movie Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas were filmed at the Riviera.
1998 Crazy Girls bronze statue won the best for public art and the best photo opportunity in the RJ Best and Worst Contest.
1998 The Riviera had guest shot on the 1997 Chicago Hope TV show. On hand for Portions of the movies Austin filming was Mark Harmon, Adam Powers: International Man of Arkin, Rocky Carroll, and Hector Mystery, Sexual Roulette, Girls’ Alizondo. Night Out, and Vegas Vacation were Liberace and Elvis Presley, 1956 filmed at the resort. The Riviera then May 15 1998 are all gone, that’s it. They are only starred as the Tangiers Hotel in the Frank Sinatra died. Riviera was the available at the Riviera’s movie Casino. site of Sinatra’s last permanent Millennium Countdown machines.” - engagement in Vegas. The resort Art Olita, Osbom Coinage coin May 10, 1997 decided to honor the Chairman of the expert Riviera revealed the largest lifecast Board. The Riviera dedicated the suite bronze statue in the world of Crazy Sinatra used when he performed at November 1999 Girls to celebrate the 10th the resort. The dedication of the suite Producer/director and former child Anniversary of the show. The sculp- included an engraved plaque on the star Peter Billingsley (The Christmas ture is six feet high, 11 feet long, and door and a 16x20 inch framed Story) brought his “The X Show” to weighs 1,540 pounds. This sculpture photograph of Sinatra inside the two- the Riviera. The X Show was prima- was created by Michael Conine. bedroom penthouse. It is Room 2902 rily a “man’s point of view” program in the Monte Carlo Tower. giving people a chance to sound off December, 1997 about anything. Nickel Town opens. 1998 Riviera was the first Strip resort to 1999 have a fast-food restaurant on its Riviera completed their premises with the opening of Burger “Skyboxes”. The boxes are 12 rooms King. located above the Royale Pavilion. 1999 Riviera presented a rare opportuni- ty to win special hand-painted $10 tokens created and issued by Osbom Coinage, minted exclusively for the resort at their Millennium Countdown machines. These machines were locat- ed adjacent to the Splash Showroom. Every time a person won a payout of 60 coins or higher with maximum coins played, they got to choose one of the four specially designed collec- tor’s items. “No Nevada casino has ever issued a hand-painted token. This Louis Armstrong and Marlene Dietrich series is truly unique and once they
CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | Summer 2005 69 Billiard Congress of America Association of Professional Piercers Valley National Eight Ball $5 Year: 2005 Mintage: 600 $5 Year: 2005 Mintage: 750 $5 Year: 2005 Mintage: 750
Toy Train Operating Society Toy Train Operating Society American Poolplayer Asociation NTC $5 Year: August 2005 Mintage: 1,750 $5 Year: August 2005 Mintage: 1,750 $5 Year: August 2005 Mintage: 850
National Dart Association Riviera Fabulous at 50 Riviera Celebrates Its 50th $5 Year: 2005 Mintage: 500 $100 Year: 2005 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2005 Mintage: 750
Riviera Full Speed head at 50 American Poolplayer Asociation NSC Christmas $5 Year: 2005 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2005 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2004 Mintage: 600
Single Action Shooting Society Halloween Exotic Hypnoticsl $5 Year: 2004 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2004 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2004 Mintage: 500
American Poolplayer Asociation NTC Medalist Dart 12th Annual CC>CC Convention $5 Year: 2004 Mintage: 850 $5 Year: 2004 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2004 Mintage: 1,000
70 CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | Summer 2005 Valley National Eight Ball Association Billiard Congress of America American Poolplayers Association NSC $5 Year: 2004 Mintage: 750 $5 Year: 2004 Mintage: 600 $5 Year: 2004 Mintage: 500
A Goomba’s Guide to Love Leap Year 2004 Wedding 2004 $5 Year: 2004 Mintage: 1,000 $5 Year: 2004 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2004 Mintage: 750
Frantic Santa Christmas 2003 Single Action Shooting Society Thanksgiving 2003 $5 Year: 2003 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2003 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2003 Mintage: 500
Frank Marino Halloween 2003 The Fight is on for 2004 $5 Year: 2003 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2003 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2003 Mintage: 500
Where Vegas Meets the Rockies American Poolplayer Association NTC Medalist Dart $5 Year: 2003 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2003 Mintage: 750 $5 Year: 2003 Mintage: 600
Valley National Eight Ball Association A Goomba’s Guide to Life National Dart Association Team Dart $5 Year: 2003 Mintage: 800 $5 Year: 2003 Mintage: 1,000 $5 Year: 2003 Mintage: 350
CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | Summer 2005 71 American Poolplayers Association NSC Easter 2003 Valley International Foosball Association $5 Year: 2003 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2003 Mintage: 750 $5 Year: 2003 Mintage: 350
St. Patrick’s Day 2003 Divorce 2003 World Archery Festival and Vegas Shoot $5 Year: 2003 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2003 Mintage: 1,000 $5 Year: 2003 Mintage: 750
Wedding 2003 Halloween 2002 Halloween 2002 $5 Year: 2003 Mintage: 1,000 $100 Year: 2002 Mintage: 31 $25 Year: 2002 Mintage: 75
Halloween 2002 American Poolplayers Association NTC Once a Collector/Always a Collector $5 Year: 2002 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2002 Mintage: 500 $25 Year: 2002 Mintage: 100
Once a Collector/Always a Collector 10th Annual CC>CC Convention Medalist Dart $5 Year: 2002 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2002 Mintage: 1,000 $5 Year: 2002 Mintage: 1,300
Valley National Eight Ball Association Billiards Congress of America Billiards Congress of America $5 Year: 2002 Mintage: 1,000 $25 Year: 2002 Mintage: 100 $5 Year: 2002 Mintage: 500
72 CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | Summer 2005 American Poolplayers Association NSC National Dart Association Divorce 2002 $5 Year: 2002 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2002 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2002 Mintage: 1,000
Valley International Foosball Association Christopher Titus World Archery Festival and Vegas Shoot $5 Year: 2002 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2002 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2002 Mintage: 1,000
Wedding 2002 New Year’s 2001 - 2002 Frankie Valli $5 Year: 2002 Mintage: 1,000 $5 Year: 2001 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2001 Mintage: 700
The Colors of Christmas Rodeo Days Cow Chip Rodeo Days Cow Chip $5 Year: 2001 Mintage: 700 $25 Year: 2001 Mintage: 120 $5 Year: 2001 Mintage: 800
Rodeo Days Cow Chip Blood, Sweat & Tears Tony Orlando $1 Year: 2001 Mintage: 1,200 $5 Year: 2001 Mintage: 700 $5 Year: 2001 Mintage: 873
American Poolplayers Association NTC 4th of July 2001 Valley National Eight Ball Association $5 Year: 2001 Mintage: 600 $5 Year: 2001 Mintage: 800 $5 Year: 2001 Mintage: 800
CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | Summer 2005 73 Billiards Congress of America Billiards Congress of America Run for the Roses $25 Year: 2001 Mintage: 225 $5 Year: 2001 Mintage: 1,025 $5 Year: 2001 Mintage: 800
National Dart Association Village People Riviera’s 46th Anniversary $5 Year: 2001 Mintage: 850 $5 Year: 2001 Mintage: 777 $100 Year: 2001 Mintage: 46
Riviera’s 46th Anniversary April Fool’s St. Patrick’s Day 2001 $5 Year: 2001 Mintage: 746 $2.50 Year: 2001 Mintage: 929 $25 Year: 2001 Mintage: 117
St. Patrick’s Day 2001 Race Weekend 2001 Race Weekend 2001 $5 Year: 2001 Mintage:777 $25 Year: 2001 Mintage: 140 $5 Year: 2001 Mintage: 800
Super Party Weekend Chinese New Year 2001 Chinese New Year 2001 $5 Year: 2001 Mintage: 600 $25 Year: 2001 Mintage: 78 $5 Year: 2001 Mintage: 789
Mary Wilson New Year’s 2000 - 2001 New Year’s 2000 - 2001 $5 Year: 2001 Mintage: 500 $25 Year: 2000 Mintage: 70 $5 Year: 2000 Mintage: 700
74 CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | Summer 2005 Tex-Mas Dance Nevada Day 2000 1 of 5 Nevada Day 2000 2 of 5 $5 Year: 2000 Mintage: 600 $5 Year: 2000 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2000 Mintage: 500
Nevada Day 2000 3 of 5 Nevada Day 2000 4 of 5 Nevada Day 2000 5 of 5 $5 Year: 2000 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2000 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2000 Mintage: 500
North American Open Darts Tournament Halloween 2000 Bingo Fever $5 Year: 2000 Mintage: 750 $5 Year: 2000 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2000 Mintage: 720
American Poolplayers Association 4th of July 2000 Valley National Eight Ball Association $5 Year: 2000 Mintage: 750 $5 Year: 2000 Mintage: 704 $5 Year: 2000 Mintage: 750
Billiards Congress of America April Fool’s 2000 Bobby Vinton $5 Year: 2000 Mintage: 750 $5 Year: 2000 Mintage: 779 $5 Year: 2000 Mintage: 500
Valentine’s Day 2000 Chinese New Year, Year of the Dragon Playoffs 2000 1 of 4 $5 Year: 2000 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2000 Mintage: 789 $5 Year: 2000 Mintage: 500
CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | Summer 2005 75 Playoffs 2000 2 of 4 Playoffs 2000 3 of 4 Playoffs 2000 4 of 4 $5 Year: 2000 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2000 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 2000 Mintage: 500
Frankie Avalon The Tokens The Shangri-Las $25 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000 $10 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000
New Year’s 1999 - 2000 New Year’s 1999 - 2000 Spirit of the Season $100 Year: 1999 Mintage: 350 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 4,500 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 500
National Finals Rodeo 41st Anniversary National Finals Rodeo 41st Anniversary Thanksgiving 1999 $25 Year: 1999 Mintage: 200 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 500
Millenium Series, 2000 Millenium Series, 1990’s Millenium Series, 1980’s $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000
Millenium Series, 1970’s Millenium Series, 1960’s Millenium Series, 1950’s $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000
76 CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | Summer 2005 Splash La Cage The Comedy Club $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 5,000 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 5,000 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 5,000
Nikki Tyler Heather Hunter Jenna Jameson $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,500* $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,500* $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,500* * Pulled from the casino cage. Approximately 200 in circulation * Pulled from the casino cage. Approximately 200 in circulation * Pulled from the casino cage. Approximately 200 in circulation
Crazy Girls Halloween 1999 Football Kickoff $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 5,000 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000
Jimmie “JJ” Walker Jackie Martling 10th Annual North American Open Dart $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000
Rich Little DL Hughley 4th of July 1999 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000
Bobby Vee Beach Bash Blackjack Tommy Davidson $5 Year: 199 Mintage: 1,000 $25 Year: 1999 Mintage: 5,000 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000
CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | Summer 2005 77 Run for the Roses David Brenner Bobby Vinton $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000
St. Patricks Day 1999 Riviera Racing Team Louie Anderson $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000 $5 Year: 2003 Mintage: 1,000 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 1,000
Game of the Century 1 of 4 Game of the Century 2 of 4 Game of the Century 3 of 4 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 500
Game of the Century 4 of 4 New Year’s 1998 - 1999 National Finals Rodeo 40th Anniversary $5 Year: 1999 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 1998 Mintage: 500 $5 Year: 1998 Mintage: 1,000 Samples of Silver Strkes Samples of Hologram Tokens
The Oscars Christmas
From the Zodiac series
78 CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | Summer 2005 These boxes are available for special during a scene filmed two nights concerts and various other prior. The company has now moved convention bookings. The boxes to Vancouver to complete the picture. come with a private bartender, servers, and network feeds on two April 11, 2000 televisions. Ranging from 600 square Prince Albert and his entourage feet to 1,024 square feet, skyboxes went to the Riviera to see Crazy can be combined to accommodate Girls. Prince Albert was so taken with larger gatherings. These Skyboxes them he treated them to a night of have been rented for seminars, sales dancing on the town where the girls meeting and birthday parties. enjoyed an evening of riding in a lim- Jack Benny and George Burns, 1967 ousine and champagne into the wee January 28, 2000 hours. Center. TouchNSurf, had been select- A Las Vegas magazine announced ed as the provider for this 5 kiosk the results of a poll of tourists for May of 2000 workgroup termed “Internet Comer & the Best Showgirls in Frank Marino, star of La Cage More”, which provided the hardware Las Vegas and signed a 10 year, $10 million contract and their propriety software which Crazy Girls won. to continue his run in La Cage, which consisted of a user-friendly interface Crazy Girls was will allow him to keep his title as enabling users to check/receive web presented with a “Queen of Las Vegas” for at least based or pop email, surf the web, Tourist Top Choice another decade. Marino claims even send video email, print web and email Winner Certificate, as a small child growing up in New content to laser printers, and many edging out Bally’s Jubilee, and York, he had always known he’d other accessible features. Stardust’s Enter the Night. become a star. What he didn’t realize is he’d have to be dressed up as January 2002 February 4, 2000 comedienne Joan Rivers, draped in The Riviera opened its new com- Riviera Black Hawk opens in Bob Mackie gowns to do so. puter center containing 12 stations, Colorado to bustling business. located in the rear Grande Ballroom June 17, 2000 lobby where, for a fee, people can get March 2000 Lon Bronson All-Star R&B Rock their e-mail, access their sites, etc. . Portions of the Movie 3000 Miles & Soul Revue celebrated its 10th to Graceland were Anniversary at the Riviera with a spe- February 9, 2002 filmed at the cial party beginning at midnight in Actor Joe Pesci stopped by the Riviera. This the resorts Le Bistro Lounge. The cel- resort to celebrate his 59th birthday movie starred ebration included free T-shirts for and visited Crazy Girls for the third Kevin Costner, everyone in the audience, and a Kurt Russell, birthday cake. Christian Slater, David Arquette and his Week of June 12, 2000 wife Courtney Cox Arquette. When Riviera announced that the Bela word got out who was at the resort Tabak’s Riders of the Thunderdome fans waited hours for the arrivals of would attempt the incredible five the stars. For those that stayed up at 3 motorcycles racing at 40-plus miles- and 6:00am, they could have played per-hour within a 14’13” diameter black jack with Kevin Costner or cage of metal mesh during the 7:3 roulette with David Arquette between Opm performance of Splash. It was takes, both in their Elvis attire. In a accomplished on July 2,2000, before closing ceremony on the final morn- a packed house. ing, Lichtenstein presented a “purple heart” engraved with “for beyond the November 9, 2001 call of duty, from 3MFG” to David The first fully interactive multi- Arquette, and three crew members for kiosk workgroup on the Strip was having sustained shrapnel wounds unveiled at the Riviera Convention Barbara Streisand, 1963
CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | Summer 2005 79 time. Pesci had a full-blown birthday celebration with Crazy Girl Heidi Deering whose birthday was the same date.
July 1, 2002 Donald Trump purchased a 9.8 percent stake in the Riviera’s parent Hand Painted Tokens company in a deal he says was solely dance bringing the Swayze/Grey done for “investment purposes” and moves to life.” he purchased the stocks with personal resources. The New 2003 York-New Jersey In memory of comedy legend Bob real estate devel- Hope, Riviera was the first resort on oper and casino the Strip to change their reader board boss bought to say: BOB HOPE; THANKS FOR 350,000 shares of THE MEMORIES; 1903-2003 Riviera Holdings WE’LL MISS YOU! two lighted tennis courts, men’s and stock $6.50 per share, or Women’s health spas and exercise $2.275 million, according to the January, 2005 rooms. A video Arcade, featuring Securities and Exchange Commission. Nickel Town becomes Penny Town high-tech video games, pinball machines, skee ball, an electronic October 15, 2002 February, 2005 shooting gallery, a 3-D hologram The latest incarnation of Splash Walk of Stars ceremonies honoring game and much, much more. was unveiled including all-new, high Liberace and Frank Marino. energy dance numbers - a series of Restaurants include Ristorante scenes from Kander and Ebb’s April 20,2005 Italiano, Kristofer’s Steakhouse, Cabaret, and a sexy salsa dance rou- Riviera celebrates its 50th Kady’s Coffee Shop, JAX - French tine to the theme of Dirty Dancing. Anniversary. cuisine, World’s Fare Buffet, Mardi Lead male singer Smokey, Jr., “Since Gras Food Court and Hound Doggies. I’ve had the time of my life with The Hotel/Casino offers more than Chad Davis and Laura Rodriguez set- 100,000 square feet of casino space, I would like to thank the following ting the stage with an adagio of the with players enjoying a wide variety people for making this article possi- more serene moments of the 1987 of gaming. Included are all forms of ble. John Neeland, Publicity Manager, film. As a Latin beat kicks in, the reel slots and video games, table Barbra Wolf, Director of Casino stage comes alive with spirited, sultry games, a VIP slot area, keno and a Marketing and Pamela Perkins of the complete sports book. For Riviera Hotel & Casino. Andy recreation there is a 5-lap Hughes, Gary Acquistapace, Don swimming pool with pool Lueders, Mike Pasternack for help deck lounge and courtyard, with chips and tokens.
50th Anniversary Tokens Common Back
80 CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | Summer 2005