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.
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.
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.
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.
Up and Atom City
From the 1940s onward, Las Vegas experienced a military boom as World War II bases would now give way to Cold War facilities, most famously the Nevada Test Site. Mushroom clouds were often seen from the hotel windows, and postcards were sold that proclaimed Las Vegas the “Up and Atom City.” But how did this come about?
During the early days of the atomic age, nuclear fission became a symbol of modernity and moving forward. The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce rebranded Vegas as the “Atomic City” to draw in more tourists. People regularly gathered on desert hilltops for "bomb viewing parties.” And if you wanted to do it in style, the Sky Room at the Desert Inn was the only place to be!