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HISTORY PRESERVED - Sin City Legacies On Film

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HISTORY PRESERVED - Sin City Legacies On Film

A quartet of documentaries chronicles unsung legends of the Vegas entertainment industry...

UPDATE 10/20/24 - HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU, KID will have a premiere screening at Winchester Dondero Theater on 12/18/24 at 6:30 pm. A meet-and-greet with the stars will precede it. A post-screening Q & A will be held. An additional screening will be held on 12/19/24 at 2 pm. Complete information is in the press announcement below.

Original 10/29/23 article begins here: The importance of documenting history on film was never more uniquely stated than in the 1999 film GALAXY QUEST. The star-studded comedy chronicled a dying alien species visiting our planet for help after intercepting TV broadcasts. They believed a STAR TREK-like adventure series was actually "historical documents".

Here on Earth, we appreciate documentaries as ways to learn about or relive important moments. They're designed to be entertaining while preserving history for future generations. Now film crews are in Las Vegas to capture the essence of iconic performers for several new films. For many, the "Era of the Headliner" begins and ends with Celine Dion. Most recently slated for a grand return at Resorts World Las Vegas, the Canadian superstar had to back out due to health reasons. In many ways, that's made Celine Dion impressionist Elisa Furr more in demand than ever before.

Despite being a Las Vegas resident, it seems as though Ms. Furr is rarely home. Crisscrossing the globe to perform for audiences on cruise ships and in major cities, she creates impersonations that are remarkably similar to Celine herself. That led to Elisa being interviewed for an upcoming documentary. Just last week, a camera crew set up in Furr's home to capture her words and thoughts.

"Had such an amazing time tonight filming a documentary for @bellmediagrp. Thank you so much for this opportunity. More to come!"

While the specifics of the film have yet to become available, we'll be sure to share any information we receive on our official VEGAS 411 Facebook Page.

Musical Director Ned Mills and singer Sally Olson have been keeping the music of Karen and Richard Carpenter alive for decades. Their production CARPENTERS LEGACY recently relocated to Planet Hollywood's V THEATER after a successful year at Alexis Park Resort.

Ned and Sally have been working on a Carpenters documentary for several years. The labor of love will soon be complete and ready for release. This writer (below) was one of many who were interviewed for the film. Other guests include LEGENDS IN CONCERT founder Johnny Stuart and The Carpenters' audio engineer Michael Lansing.

You can get a sneak peek at CARPENTERS LEGACY: We've Only Just Begun right here: [embed]https://youtu.be/1z9TA6zRj2o?si=VkEAL1Rxj3LkPSLJ[/embed] Jay Nagle is another Las Vegas resident with an upcoming docu-bio. The prolific director and playwright, who spearheads community outreach programs and is an important part of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, has another upcoming project. Two summers ago, we told you about Jay's efforts to bring his stage production SLAMMER - THE PRISON GIRL MUSICAL to the big screen. Since then he's been working on a new documentary about three former child stars.

HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU, KIDS - Conversations About Growing Up on the Silver Screen is directed by Nagle. It chronicles the lives of Mimi Gibson (Disney's original 101 Dalmations), Sharon Baird (1955's Mickey Mouse Club), and Beverly Washburn (Old Yeller). Ms. Washburn, who resides locally, returned to the spotlight recently thanks to Rob Zombie, of all people. The musician/director, who specializes in horror films like THE DEVIL'S REJECTS, recently' backed a vinyl soundtrack release of Washburn's 1967 shocker SPIDER BABY.

Jay Nagle and Beverly Washburn

Nagle says that HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU, KIDS should be released soon. "Beverly, who was the nun in SLAMMER, just filmed a cameo scene in the remake of Spider Baby. She was in the original movie with Lon Chaney Jr. Also having a cameo is Ron Chaney, Lon's grandson", Nagle added. "We hope to have the documentary finished by the end of the year."

The history of Vegas stage musicians comes full circle in SECOND CHAIR, STAGE LEFT. An undeniably riveting concept, the in-the-works documentary shifts the spotlight from headliners to the unsung musicians who provide invaluable support for every live performance. "Las Vegas is known for one thing - entertainment. And since Jimmy Durante opened the Flamingo Hotel, music has been the driving attraction in the Entertainment Capital of the World."

"Riding shotgun to all the legendary entertainers who have played there are the musicians....the world-class, classically trained masters of their instruments that fill out the orchestras and fill out the clubs." "This is their story - the people behind the Sinatras, the Arethas - every night, just out of the spotlight, in the SECOND CHAIR, STAGE LEFT."

Curt Miller (far left), Lady Gaga and other musicians

Your tour guide on this journey is UNLV's Curt Miller. Best known to mainstream audiences as lead trombone player for Lady Gaga, Mr. Miller is President of the city's Jazz Outreach Initiative aka "JOI", whose members perform regularly at NOTORIETY LIVE.

"Joining Miller in sharing stories will be Marty Harrel - Elvis’assistant conductor, Dick Palumbi - Musical Director at the Riviera Hotel, legendary pianist and conductor Dave Loeb, Wayne Newton’s drummer, Adam Shenda,l and a list of additional musicians as deep as one hundred Vegas orchestras."

A number of familiar and iconic musicians have been tapped to share their thoughts and experiences. They include Clint Holmes, Michael Shapiro (Reckless In Vegas), Daniel Falcone, Nathan Tanouye, and Rebecca Sabine.

Interspersed with fascinating conversations will be archive footage along with new performances by The JOI Jazz Orchestra that salute Sin City's Golden Era. "Bringing the world of Las Vegas music full circle, students from the Jazz Initiative Outreach program will perform, signaling the baton pass of old to new and guaranteeing that Vegas’ legacy of live playing will continue." Produced and directed by Kevin Abrams, SECOND CHAIR, STAGE LEFT is currently in production. Along with numerous interviews, the film's crew has footage at Keith Thompson's COMPOSER'S SHOWCASE, Westgate Resort, NOTORIETY LIVE, and Michael Shapiro's studio. A release date was not announced as of the publication of this article.

SamNovak
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Sam Novak serves as the Deputy Editor and columnist for Vegas411.com. With a career spanning several years, Sam has established himself as a candid and insightful voice in the city’s entertainment scene. His column, “Vegas Unfiltered,” is renowned for its unvarnished critiques and in-depth analyses of Las Vegas shows, celebrities, restaurants, hotels, and emerging trends. Sam’s commitment to providing readers with genuine insights has solidified his reputation as a trusted authority.