The Vegas Strip War was a 1984 made-for-TV movie, starring
Rock Hudson. James Earl Jones is unintentionally hilarious in the role of a Don King-type, complete with wild hair (which is
clearly a wig). Every time Jones' character enters the picture, rollicking New Orleans style jazz begins to play ('cause he's black). I kid you not. Perhaps another blogger can get into that aspect of it. My interest is purely in the setting.
The
IMDb plot summary:
Rock Hudson (in his last made-for-TV-movie role) plays Neil Chaine, a charming Las Vegas hotel/casino owner who tries to turn his decaying building into The Strip's top attraction to avenge his outting by his former partners who run a more fancy hotel/casino just across the street. 
In this video you will see the Vegas Strip and Fairmont Street as they were in 1984. You will also see a young Sharon Stone in an early role, and unfortunately, a clearly ailing Hudson (who would be gone within a year).
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Fairmont Street appears to be completely unchanged since its inclusion in 1971's
Diamonds Are Forever. I have dreams about doing what Hudson does on that long, gone street, with perhaps a less dour expression. If you can make it through those shots, there is some great footage of Fremont Street.
2 comments:
Hi Chris
You should check out the Michael Mann produced series CRIME STORY. Shot on location in LV around ´86-´87 its packed with awesome shots from in an around Vegas.
Thanks, dino!
I'd forgotten about that show. Thanks for the suggestion. Going to Netflix now......
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