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09-07-2009, 10:21 AM   #1
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Mr. Warmth

I watched an HBO special last night called Mr. Warmth. It was about Don Rickles who at 83 is still performing today. It was a good documentary and included some old footage of back in the Rat Pack days and some relatively current (2007) gigs.

I remember Don Rickles best from the Dean Martin's roast my dad and I use to watch. He is still as sharp tongued today as he was then. They also did quite a bit of what life was like in Vegas back when the mob use to run the town (60's),

Bob Newhart (a good friend) made a great observation that say what you want about the mob but they knew how to run a casino. Show tickets and drinks were given away and they knew the real money would be made in the casinos ten fold. It all started to change when Howard Hughes starting buying out all the casinos, where his attitude was even the coffee shop needed to make a profit.

Anyway I was amazed he is still performing and I would go see him perform if I get a chance. He was a star before my time, but one of the few great ones left from the Rat Pack days.

09-07-2009, 03:46 PM   #2
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You touched on something I have said many times. I'm old enough to remember the old Vegas, and I liked it more when the Mob ran it. They may have been crooked, but they weren't greedy the way the big businesses who run it today are. Rooms were cheap, food was cheap, booze was free and excellent entertainment was affordable. The way Vegas is now, I don't think I will ever go back.
09-07-2009, 04:47 PM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by Tom S. Quote
You touched on something I have said many times. I'm old enough to remember the old Vegas, and I liked it more when the Mob ran it. They may have been crooked, but they weren't greedy the way the big businesses who run it today are. Rooms were cheap, food was cheap, booze was free and excellent entertainment was affordable. The way Vegas is now, I don't think I will ever go back.
It isn't greed, its debt service and desperation.

The mob didn't borrow $1,000,000,000 to build a monument to excess. In fact they were, of necessity, somewhat modest in their excesses.

Here's a bet that MGM Mirage is bankrupt (again) by Christmas.
09-07-2009, 06:24 PM   #4
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A group of us still go to Vegas every year - the rooms are cheap (if not comped) , the drinks are still 'free' (tip for the waitress usually $1.00/drink). You do need to sign up for their loyalty cards (that helps) and if you play slots that really helps (my Wife , I don't really gamble and all she plays is slots so most all our gambling allowance is on the slots). We don't spend a fortune by any means (a daily limit) but a lot of what we do spend is at home base or a sister casino. (last several years it has been Bally's which is owned by Harah)

Food can still be cheap - there are several good buffets that are pretty resonably priced but for the most part I agree food is no where as cheap as it once was. As for show tickets well that is also true - the headliner shows (we try and go to one a year) are quite expensive , but it also pays to research the venue. For example we saw La Reve at the Wynn. It is such a small theatre that there was not really a bad seat in the house so the $99.00 were as good as the $199 ones.

There has also been talk of completely stopping the comps for people like us (ie: non whales) . If that ever happens where I have to pay $5 - $6 a drinks and $100 - $200 a night for a room , well they will loose us as customers that 's for sure.

Some 2007 stats for the MGM Companies show : 60% of the revenue comes from non-casino operations. Gambling only accounts for 40% of their revenue of course that is one internet site but I believe it. In the 60's I'll bet gambling accounted for over 80% of revenues and they still managed a profit - greedy bugger nowadays........


Last edited by daacon; 09-07-2009 at 06:31 PM.
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