Las Vegas Inside & Out visits one of the oldest, most historic properties on the entire Strip, literally days after it moved under new ownership. We are talking about the beloved Tropicana Las Vegas, 65 years young and still kicking on that most famous of corners, Las Vegas Blvd and Tropicana Avenue. We will tour the casino and public areas, the pool and restaurants, entertainment venues…and then, we are going to tell you a tale about the Folies Bergère and the iconic Las Vegas Showgirl! Enjoy this one, folks – it was a labor of love.
** This video was re-uploaded on Sunday evening to correct an error. If you watched it earlier, thank you! 🙂 **
To learn more about the Tropicana Las Vegas:
https://casinos.ballys.com/tropicana-las-vegas/
The clips of Karan Feder and the showgirls viewing the collection are from the “Talk About Las Vegas” YouTube channel. The full video is here:
https://youtu.be/G5QZL01iHEs
The Folies Bergere promotional video is from the “AccessVegas.com” YouTube channel. The full video is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ3wVH9qgnU
Check out Kathleen Manley’s historical books about Yorktown:
https://www.amazon.com/Kathleen-Manley/e/B001HCRZIU?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1664683057&sr=1-1
Check out Karan Feder’s book about the Folies Bergère and the costumes:
https://www.amazon.com/Folies-Bergere-Las-Vegas/dp/1540227707/ref=sr_1_1?crid=35184XCQJS99&keywords=Karan+feder&qid=1664683144&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjYxIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&s=books&sprefix=karan+feder%2Cstripbooks%2C138&sr=1-1
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dale-McKenzie-Las-Vegas-Inside-Out-327037361289814/
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And have a look at our brand new merchandise store, on Spreadshop:
https://lasvegasinsideandout.myspreadshop.com/
Our mailing address:
P.O. Box 36536
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA 89133
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PHOTO CREDITS:
The following photos and graphics are courtesy of Shutterstock:
– The photo of the comedian on stage
– Two colorful graphics of showgirls used in the showgirl segment
– The Viva Vegas red background in the showgirl segment
The photos of Kathleen Manley at the Tropicana are from her personal collection. Kathleen also provided a number of the photos of the Tropicana and the Folies Bergère from the 1960s and 70s.
A few additional photos of that era were obtained from the vintagelasvegas.com website, including the marquees from the MGM and Stardust, and the photo of the Tropicana Country Club.
Photos of the Tropicana in the 1990s are from Dale & Paula’s personal collection.
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Credit for the opening segment goes to Trent Rentsch – thank you Trent! Contact him at [email protected].
The drone shot of the Lake at Lorenzi Park is by Count Chris, courtesy of pixabay.com.
Songs from the YouTube Audio Library featured in this video:
– Love or Lust
– Tiptoe_Out_the_Back
– Touching Moment
Songs and clips from the Epidemic Sound Audio Library:
ES_Endless Pt. 1 – Peter Sandberg
ES_Bill Me – Ritchie Everett
ES_Every Time Our Eyes Meet – Nocturnal Spirits
ES_Could Have Been Us – Blue Topaz
ES_Escalator Run Loop – SFX Producer
ES_Theater Walla 3 – SFX Producer
ES_Got That Feeling – Peter Sandberg
ES_Voce Nao (Instrumental Version) – Clara Mendes
ES_Un Jour Etrange – Joe E. Lee
ES_La Belle Vue – Sight of Wonders
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Cinematography: Dale McKenzie, Paula McKenzie
Editing, Voiceover, Post-Production: Dale McKenzie, Final Cut Pro X
Script, Research: Paula McKenzie
Cameras & Gear: iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 11 Pro Max in 4K video; Lumix G9 in 4K video for the intro/outro; sound by Rode Wireless GO
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Great video! Loved seeing that old map. I remember when Excalibur and Luxor were brand new and there was a show with Merlin fighting a dragon in the moat and a Luxor boat trip experience along the "Nile". Those and the pirate show at Treasure Island and the Volcano at the Mirage made for good excitement! I'm returning in mid-November for the first time in decades and wondering about temperatures in the casinos? Do they blast heat or keep it cool? I tend to be chilly and like to wear a sweater but don't want to be roasting if the heat is turned up. We are going for a week at the Palazzo and it's hard to know what to pack. I'm Canadian so used to the cold weather, lol.
Oh Guys, just a Fabulous tour ; complete with Memories and an 'inside' look at the famous 'Follies Bergere!' I remember the 'Lido de Paris' show at the old 'Stardust;' I saw it the year after I returned from my 'all expenses paid vacation' in the RVN back in 1970! Thank you so very much for the terrific work on the old 'Tropicana;' your 'blog' should be included as a part of old Las Vegas history for everyone to enjoy. I'm only sorry Paula was way too YOUNG to have joined Kathleen and Maggie as a Vegas Showgirl!!
Nice trip down memory lane
Thx for sharing this video with us. Such an interesting story of the showgirl . ❤
Great video! Next time I'd love to learn more about the convention space, if it's still there. I took my mom and grandmother there to be in the audience for a taping of Let's Make a Deal w/ Wayne Brady in ~2009. Their studio seemed to be constructed in the "old" convention space which we also had to walk through.
Great video on the Tropicana and Showgirls. Nice trip down memory lane. I believe it was early 1990s the Tropicana had laser shows outside where they had colorful lasers on the face of one of the hotel towers. It was nice for a family to enjoy.
Dale matter of factly mentions the removal of features. Each time, it diminished the experience at the Trop. They did have the wisdom to remove or cover up the traces of what was there except for the swim up blackjack. This is what is making the Rio look so shabby these days, the darkened remains of what used to be. I wish that Bally's would incorporate the Tropicana name into the new signage. At the very least let's have a tribute like RW did for the Stardust.
That was such a fun video, my husband and I enjoy the trop I hope they don't change to much
great video guys
Wow! 100 degrees! It is 64 degrees in Salem, Virginia as I am watching this video. We have had a good deal of rain lately, but today it is sunny and cool. I love hearing Dale tell his wonderful stories. I could listen all day! Dale McKenzie himself is a big part of Las Vegas history. Wow…I just love the vintage photos and Las Vegas history. It definitely has lost some curb appeal. I have never understood the theme of the Tropicana, until you explained it to me. The stained glass ceiling is nice….I have never paid any attention to it. The grounds look nice. Not a bad looking pool. Let's hope Bally's brings the property back into the forefront. I did not realize there were so many great looking restaurants and shows at Tropicana. Very cool Kathleen. What a beauty she was and is! Wow great history on the Show Girls! Thanks Paula. Sweet! Virginia!
Dale & Paula, I love all of your videos but this one was extra special. You did a WONDERFUL job on it. Thank you so very much for all that you do.
Great video, and the showgirl segment was AWESOME and brought back some fond memories for me. In 1993, my mom and I made a trip to Vegas and saw Folies Bergere, and our tickets included a backstage tour in the afternoon conducted by one of the showgirls who would be performing that night.
Wow, I was in Vegas just two weeks ago and I went out of my way to visit the Trop … just because. Little did I know it was going to change ownership so I guess I can say I was in the Trop when it was the Trop. Cool! That was a highly informative production and the review on the showgirls was top notch. Thanks for all your efforts in putting this out, it was no doubt a labour-intensive endeavour. I'm looking very much forward to your next masterpiece.
I've never been to the Tropicana, so thank you for the retrospective. Loved the show girl segment!
I’m thinking of the showgirls poor necks🙄. Wonderful tour & I luv the costumes. The pool is pretty & their wedding packages are popular. Dale looked great & I bet that lounge was packed, when he performed. ⭐⭐⭐👍
Anither interesting and informative video..😊 We've stayed at MGM Grand and Excalibur…Ive looked at The Tropicana so many times and wondered what it was like…Thankyou for this great video😊🥂🎰🎲
Thank you for another great blog. Really enjoyed the history in this one. That Tiffany ceiling is amazing. I remember seeing that in the Tropicana, jaw dropping. Xx
Great video. My late father in law glazed and installed the stained glass windows at the Tropicana and the Golden Nugget. I believe the windows at the Nugget western bar are gone now. Hope they keep the windows at the Trop.
When we lived in Vegas in 1980 the Trop was our go to Casino; it had a locals casino vibe at the time and was a lot of fun. We particularly liked the lounge show at the time which was a full on take on The Blues Brothers band called The Brothers Revue. Very entertaining
Thanks for another great video, and Las Vegas history lesson. The Tropicana was my go-to Casino/hotel back in the late 1990's. I stayed there many times, and always enjoyed it. Keep up the great work!
This was the very first show I saw the 1st time I went to Las Vegas!! Great memories!! Thanks for doing this!! 👍🏻