Two massive Vegas landscape icons.
Two massive Vegas landscape icons. Photo by Harrison Shiels

Movies set about Las Vegas, or even set in Las Vegas, always get my attention. There are too many to mention, but the latest, “The Last Showgirl,” stars Pamela Anderson and Jamie Lee Curtis. Both critically acclaimed and criticized, the film takes viewers backstage at a legendary, long-running Las Vegas show.

The Last Showgirl also puts Pamela Anderson’s character in settings that might be described as the backstage of Las Vegas itself: gritty locations with glimpses of glamor.

Anderson’s showgirl performances seem to take place in an amalgamation of settings. She is shown taking in the twilight scenery on the roof of what is, inside, the tired, dark Rio Hotel and Casino. Although the hotel is fading now, it was once the belle of the ball – much like Anderson’s character. 

The blonde bombshell is also seen under the expansive, flashy marquis lights at Circus Circus. This once novel but now nostalgic property may eventually, like Anderson’s Le Razzle Dazzle Show, reach its last act. 

Some of the Showgirl scenes are also shot downtown Las Vegas. Therefore, viewers get glimpses of the old Golden Gate Casino and the new Circa Casino.

Starring…The Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino

“Mr Westgate” himself!
“Mr Westgate” himself! Photo by Harrison Shiels

Las Vegas was very different when director Francis Ford Coppola, grandfather of “The Last Showgirls” director Gia Coppola, set scenes from “The Godfather” there in 1971.

That was the same time the 007 movie “Diamonds Are Forever,” starring Sean Connery as James Bond, was filmed at the new International Hotel. The 1,519-room, high-rise casino is on Paradise Road, just off the Las Vegas Strip.

Bond, in the movie, even scaled to the top of the hotel by stowing away below one of the hotel’s glass elevators. Then, in a breathtaking scene, went mountaineering outside the building to “Willard Whyte’s” penthouse high above Las Vegas.

At that same time, Elvis Presley was in the middle of a residency. The King of Rock and Roll played at the International Hotel’s 1,151-seat showroom for 636 sold-out performances between 1969 and 1976.

The King of Rock and Roll was very animated.
The King of Rock and Roll was very animated. Photo by Harrison Shiels

This period of Elvis’ career, including his life in the International’s 30th-floor, 5,000-square-foot penthouse, was shown in Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 film “Elvis” starring Austin Butler.          

In the film, which also starred Tom Hanks as Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis is seen peering out the window of his red-decorated suite (when he wasn’t watching the television he reportedly shot with a revolver), looking down at the lights of the Las Vegas Strip.

Delicious dining at The Edge Steakhouse.
Delicious dining at The Edge Steakhouse. Photo by Harrison Shiels

Were Elvis in that suite now, his view would include the hotel’s giant, 279-foot-tall, lighted marquis, which reads “WESTGATE” in gold letters. The sign sits above a screen with varying messages, including an invitation to dine at the hotel’s Edge Steakhouse, ranked #1 in the city. 

David Siegel’s Westgate Resorts purchased the property, which was by then called the Las Vegas Hilton, in 2014. Now, it is Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino.

The Westgate Embraces the Past While Renovating and Celebrating the Future

Welcome to Elvis’ home hotel.
Welcome to Elvis’ home hotel. Photo by Harrison Shiels

“There was some buzz here after the ‘Elvis’ movie because it reminded people of the property,” said John Murray, vice-president of Race and Sports at the Westgate’s “Super Book” sportsbook.

“We do multiple shows that revolve around Elvis. David Stanley was Elvis’ stepbrother, and he did a show where he talked about working for Elvis when he was in his last days. David was a young man at the time and he’s got all these great stories about working security for Elvis.”

The Westgate, tastefully and creatively, salutes Elvis as soon as guests walk through the glass doors into its bright lobby. Here, they find a museum-style kiosk displaying a .22-caliber revolver owned by Presley and his deputy sheriff’s badge. There are also some of his official military patches, record albums, photos and even a lock of his hair.

Pruning Presley Elvis’ hair
Pruning Presley Elvis’ hair. Photo by Harrison Shiels

Closer to the front desk is a door with a sign designating it as Elvis’ dressing room. Here, guests can get up close and personal for photos with a life-sized statue of the larger-than-life music icon with a guitar hanging over his shoulder. Fans hang flowered leis around his neck, and the sign at the bottom of the bronze statue reads:

 Elvis: “The King of Las Vegas”

An eight-year exclusive run in the Las Vegas Hilton Showroom

837 consecutive sold-out performances

Entertained some 2.5 million people…

Enough to fill the Rose Bowl 25 times over

Las Vegas’ all-time favorite, and successful, performer

Spend any time at the Elvis statue, and you’ll likely meet a very animated gentleman, with his hair styled similarly to Elvis’ and clothes just as fanciful. Jose Romero Moreno will be wearing a name tag reading “Mr. Westgate.” He is an ambassador for the resort who will answer questions, tell stories and both take and pose for photos.   

Where is Westgate?  

The Mob Museum’s historical homage to Las Vegas
The Mob Museum’s historical homage to Las Vegas. Photo by Harrison Shiels

The Westgate Las Vegas Casino Hotel is adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center. It is a tram stop for an inexpensive elevated train traveling all along The Strip and even close to downtown.

The tram was useful, in my case, for getting to The Strip for the Formula-1 Race. Also to Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club, in the heart of The Strip, for some laughs at the late-night host’s theater.

Toasting the end of Prohibition at the Mob Museum
Toasting the end of Prohibition at the Mob Museum.
Photo by Harrison Shiels

At the other end of town, I spent an afternoon exploring The Mob Museum. The space embraces Las Vegas’ connection to organized crime in the movies, including memorabilia from the Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci movie “Casino.”

The multi-media Mob Museum had plenty of sugar with its entertaining education. This includes “The Underground,” an authentic, creative, Roaring 20’s speakeasy.

The spot is popular even with visitors and locals who don’t have a museum ticket…if you learn the password and figure out where the door is. (Clue – it’s across from Walter White’s car from the hit TV show “Breaking Bad” on display in the back parking area.)   

Westgate’s Further Claim to Fame

 John Murray and MPS in the Westgate Super Book.
John Murray and MPS in the Westgate Super Book. Photo by Harrison Shiels

Unlike some of the aforementioned casinos of its era, The Westgate is bright and pleasant. It has the requisite restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. However, The Westgate is not overwhelming in size like some of the “big box” casinos that can feel like fortresses and be complicated to get in and out of.

It is also not burdened by an overwhelming and sometimes limiting theme. It’s not Paris or pirates or a pyramid, it’s Westgate.

A walk to the back will reveal The Westgate’s almost hidden gem. This is a sports betting facility dubbed “Super Book” rather than the typical sportsbook.

“This is the biggest sportsbook in the world based on square footage,” Murray said. “Sports betting has gotten so popular. I think it’s been good for everyone in the industry.”

Murry has been in the industry and with the property for 17 years. He began as a “ticket writer” – booking bets behind the counter…and paying them off.

“It’s a bit uncommon, but we have had to make big payouts. We paid off a $300,000 win on the Cincinnati Bengals covering the spread. The Bengals lost the Super Bowl but they covered the spread, so the ticket cashed for $600,000,” Murray recalled. “We asked the winner if he wanted to take a check to make things easier, but if they want it in cash, we give it to them in cash.”

Murray, now VP of race and sports running the Super Book, clearly earned the Westgate’s trust. 

“I once counted $150,000 on a football bet. We have taken cash bets in the hundreds of thousands, mainly for the Super Bowl. You have to take your time counting it very carefully, and we have machines,” he explained.

There are plenty of distractions in the Westgate Super Book, including very comfortable, cushy seating and sports bar-style fun food options. Also, what seems to be a three-story wall of countless giant screens displaying the games, races and fights, each of which Murray is keenly aware of.   

“The Oklahoma State versus Florida Atlantic game probably won’t distract me, but the college football playoffs will be big…and there’s a heavyweight title fight in Saudi Arabia. The Jake Paul fight against Mike Tyson was good for business, by the way. Jake Paul can fight every week as far as I am concerned because he is a great marketer,” said Murray. 

What is not great for business are the Fox Sports ‘Big Noon’ Saturday college football games, according to Murray. “It is because they are played at 9 a.m. our time. People are still waking up here at that time…or they have not even been to bed yet. We have most of our business on the night games like Sunday or even Monday night football.”

We visited during the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The Formula-1 race, which was a spectacle, was a somewhat unpredictable betting prospect.

“They’ll be all excited on The Strip but it’s the only F-1 race we get any betting action on, other than the Monaco Grand Prix. In terms of racing, the Kentucky Derby is a great betting event because there are so many horses in the race and any one of them can win,” said Murray.

He also allowed that NCAA Tournament basketball bets are easier to predict. “I can tell you the team people will bet on will be Connecticut because they’ve seen Connecticut win before.”

Fresh Fun with a Legendary Performer

Legend Resting sign
Sleep like a star. Photo by Harrison Shiels

Westgate, since taking ownership in 2014, has invested a great deal in renovations and remodeling. Through it all and over both ownerships, Barry Manilow performed regularly on the International Theater stage that hosted Elvis, Barbara Streisand and others. Manilow, of course, is a human jukebox of hits and full of genuine energy.

“Barry Manilow is a mainstay around here – he is a legend – and he still fills the room. He is very popular,” said Murray.

“Legend Resting,” is also printed on the hanging tag you put on the doorhandle of your hotel room to signal “Do Not Disturb” to the housekeeping staff. Rest, rise and have a legendary time at Westgate Las Vegas Casino Hotel.

Read more of Michael Patrick’s work at The Travel Tattler and contact him at [email protected] Order his book Travel Tattler – Less Than Torrid Tales at https://amzn.to/3Qm9FjN

Michael Patrick Shiels

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