Rare, newly unearthed, Las Vegas - 1955 Wilbur Clark promotional film - Desert Inn

This rare early Las Vegas Promotional film was recently unearthed and converted to digital - The film is circa 1955 - The film promotes the Desert Inn club and Las Vegas in general as the place to be... The new vacation destination hot spot. Great early scenes of Vegas, interior of the Desert Inn - Hollywood Actors, Lake Mead, Valley of fire etc..

[@havitcold]

Old Las Vegas was much nicer and exciting than today's version

[@LesterMoore]

Like the way the generation that survived the Great Depression and straight into WWII knew how to relax in style and elegance when their time to reap the rewards of their hard scrabble lives. The men wore sport coats with nice shirts, trousers and polished shoes during the day and suits at night. The ladies broke out cocktail dresses and beautiful hairdos. Class ... pure class. Not like today when slobbery, homeless, street hustlers and weirdos run the streets. Of course the Mob wouldn't let street urchins spill over onto Fremont Street and the budding Strip.

[@desertfalcon]

I agree

[@dadevi]

​@@LesterMoore The Mob were the street urchins.

[@jebronlames7789]

Blessed I got to enjoy vegas at it's last great days 70s and 80s. Frank. Sammy, Foster, Red,Jerry,Dean,Lola,great days back then

[@joelonzello4189]

Downtown before they covered it over. Vegas better in the 80's early 90's.

[@JeanS-hi8sf]

Thank you for your wisdom and how classy people dressed always I miss those days when people cared ❤

[@denisemilder9514]

Beautiful 1954 Packard

[@yvonneplant9434]

There's a beautiful Packard bldg in downtown Philadelphia. It's now a residence but has a Packard in its lobby. ❤

[@Porsche996driver]

I thought maybe it was a Buick Special (like the cars on Highway Patrol). Love that wild blue-green color! I mean this video was really well done and IT DIDNT MENTION GAMBLING!!

[@shimaohana]

My mom loved the Desert Inn. She use to drive or take the train to Las Vegas. She used to run the blood drives up at Nellis Air Force Base for the Red Cross back in the 1950s. She was the head of Red Cross in Southern California back then. What a great historic video. It’s interesting to know that the lake is very low and 1955 as well.

[@lightyear999]

The color of that car is fantastic! And with amazing white walls. Nowadays we're lucky to get a blue car. Style in this country has been "blanded" down to nothing. So sad.

[@EdDunkle]

Yup. 80% of the cars in the US are black, white, or silver.

[@hugh-johnfleming289]

I played a few rounds there back in the '80s and remember thinking how beautiful all the trees were... And one of the greatest luxuries I have ever enjoyed was a shave at their barber shop.

[@atleeriksen8514]

"..where dinosaurs and other animals of the stoneage lived". What a gem this film is. The walldecor, the clothes, the people, The 54 Packard .!!" And that yellow shirt with black trim that Mr. Clark wears. I juts got to have me one of those👌

[@kevinfestner6126]

At 2:20 that 54 Packard Carribean Convertible is like wow!

[@Porsche996driver]

Yeah it’s amaaaaazing ha

[@Shopwrecker]

Wilbur Clark on the phone with the Bonanno and Gambino Mafia families 😂😂😂😂

[@billl1127]

Close, It would be the Chicago Outfit.

[@pittsburge88]

More like Tony, "The Ant."

[@billl1127]

@@pittsburge88 Tony "The Ant" Spilotro was only 17 in 1955. But Tony, "Big Tuna" Accardo may have been on the line.

[@pittsburge88]

@@billl1127 The mob starts grooming their members when they are very young. The Ant very well could have been on the line.

[@whatever_it_takes6691]

​@@billl1127and technically the Anastasia family as well. Gambino didn't take over until '57.

[@Super_Chief]

I loved the comment that McCarren Field boasts 35 flight a day! That same airport now handles about 1,400 flights per day! ✈

[@jerrysanders9101]

I can’t believe they changed it to Harry Reid airport.. guy was an absolute filthy shady politician

[@Super_Chief]

@@jerrysanders9101 Years ago, I got stuck hitchhiking in the middle of summer (when it was 115 degrees) right at Harry Reid’s driveway in Searchlight, NV where there was zero shade for miles. I watched his aids pulling in and out of his driveway all day long as I was standing there, and not so much as one person had the decency to stop and ask me if I needed any water. With all of the cameras that were pointing at me, it was quite obvious they were aware of my presence there. Had I not finally gotten a ride, I could have literally died at Harry Reid’s driveway. Yep! Ol’ Harry Reid was sure a sweetheart alright! 🤬

[@paulgerrard9227]

35 flights with 25 passengers. Now 1500 x 250 plus

[@mannacler]

You put yourself in that situation. Harry Reid didn't owe you Jack-shiite.

[@Super_Chief]

@@mannacler That may very well be. But would YOU sit there in your air conditioned mansion and watch somebody die of heat exposure at the end of YOUR driveway?…..Yeah, you probably would.

[@dittohead7425]

I liked the old Desert Inn. When I got stationed here in 85', it was "Old School" it still had some of the old individual bungalows around the pool area. Reminds me of the old Landmark, ,The Oasis, The Frontier....I remember walking the strip and where the Mirage was was a huge dirt lot that had a helicopter tour company on it. The convention center looked like a UFO. The Marina was still open, which became the east/west wing of the MGM. Ah, good ole days...

[@gingerriviera3654]

This wss fun to watch. I always love seeing the cars and fashion of the time.

[@rmx01indiana]

What a time capsule!

[@kendalson7100]

Nice film. They were REALLY pushing that golf course. It's still there to play if you got the big $$$. The old DI was very very nice.

[@jim7297]

I love it. No luggage, just golf clubs. They must be going home that night.

[@beachbeauty7199]

"Mr. Clark and his 'Associates',".....lol....i.e., the Mob.

[@juliebransfield529]

Love the ladies in heels and fancy dresses hiking the desert😂

[@dodgingbullets3503]

🎭A time when men were men and women were women, cars had class and color. Love the old times, the nice casinos and motels...Tku for this...

[@joegoldman3065]

In those wonderful old times there was no such thing as c.T scanners on my rice, scanners and women had no chance in life other than to be possibly a nurse.Or a teacher now that can be engineers , executives and everything we live in way better times

[@Porsche996driver]

When men were men and sheep were scared.

[@mrmarkreviewsit]

Imagine a resort owner interested in projects that benefit the people of Las Vegas and its tourists! Nowadays it's corporate greed and the middle finger to the people who visit as well as the people who live here.

[@joethompson297]

Corporations have shareholders and all they care about is how much you made last quarter and how much more are you going to make this quarter. Sad, but that’s the reality

[@johntechwriter]

This phenom is known as late-stage capitalism. The point where the shareholders’ absurd demand for non-stop profit results in the ruthless executive culture that caused Boeing’s fall from grace. The next world-leading corporation soon to collapse under its own weight? Apple.

[@Buckshot9796]

Mr. Clark had shareholders, funny they all had Italian last names.

[@mattmayo3539]

Cool how the Wynn and Encore retained the golf course out back.

[@michaelillingworth7476]

Informal atmosphere at the painted desert room looks very formal for 2024 standards.

[@Vintagegolfwear]

Unreal footage. I’m going to share on my page. Thanks for posting.

[@Madness832]

Someone made a Vegas travelogue film w/o once mentionin' the word "casino." Imagine that!

[@gablefisk-govphost817]

Three years before my grandmother went to work at DI - thanks for sharing!

[@toneshop]

wHOLE lotta smokin' going on!

[@Porsche996driver]

💨🚬

[@Lockbar]

This is excellent. Thanks for uploading it!!

[@Hanover-ek4jy]

Now it hits 120 degrees in the summer!

[@whereisthedollar]

No need for a change of clothes or underwear, as long as you have your golf bags and clubs.

[@longfade]

This is terrific, thanks 👍👍

[@Nigelrathbone1]

No mention of the gambling revenues that built Las Vegas

[@kendalson7100]

Many Americans at that time thought gambling was bad, so the LV Tourism Authority used to promote the resort activities (golf, pools, horseback rides in the desert) instead.

[@Porsche996driver]

@@kendalson7100 Many Americans were right. Look at all the Sports gambling and Apps, and lotteries that are just a tax on the poor.

[@CrabbyOldLady]

Nice to see that Valley of Fire was a big deal even back then. This was 30 years before Red Rock Canyon became a National Conservation Area, so it wouldn't have been mentioned.

[@generator6946]

Golf clubs as carry ons!

[@hawlikd]

Wow 35 flights per 24 hours, boy that is really busy eh!

[@billl1127]

Mr. Clark only lived to 56, dying in 1965.

[@stephenwilliams7574]

As a teen, my family around 1971 drove the Las Vegas strip. Seemed like all the hotels had a golf course. I guess water wasn't a shortage then.

[@zekeonstormpeak4186]

Look at the tub ring on lake mead. Even then, the lake wasn’t full.

[@DEESANT-oc9xf]

This is great!

[@MelywoodMedia]

I would go if it was still like this. I have no desire to go today.

[@patricias5122]

People were so well dressed.

[@joelonzello4189]

Casinos should have kept a dress code. Full of trashy people now.

[@HighTonnage]

Narrated by Peter Graves.

[@Dr.Pepper001]

I respectfully disagree.

[@jdm1505]

Actually Hugh Douglas, who, it seems, narrated every documentary in the 50s. But yes, there is a similarity in the voice.

[@BeckVMH]

@@jdm1505. Yep, I can hear the similarities.

[@fob1xxl]

Great video !

[@JimJones762x39]

love this

[@bonwatcher]

Back when bench seats in the car were luxury, men had the flat stomachs and were skinnier than the full-figured women and smoking was allowed anywhere. I bet the lady sightseeing flicked her cigarette butt next to the rock formation and it's still there.

[@davidpowellseattle]

A fresh pack of cigarettes and a strapless dress are all you need to visit the wilderness. Pack some extra lipstick and hair spray, just in case...

[@twistoffate4791]

Lmao. ​@@davidpowellseattle

[@coughcpr3911]

@11:30 "Through the magic of our camera..." switched to a macro lens pointed at a post card of the Hoover Dam because they wouldn't let us get the damn boat any closer.

[@whatever_it_takes6691]

This is old timey

[@AzzekaTheRealOne]

The country club is still beautiful.

[@AzzekaTheRealOne]

When America had better morality and self respect ❤

[@EdDunkle]

When Americans weren't fat.

[@pigdroppings]

Jet planes were introduced in about 1960.....so propeller driven planes were normal in 1955.

[@faustinreeder1075]

Back when Las Vegas was fun And cheap. Bring back the mob! The food was better and beers weren’t $10 dollars!

[@lawnmower3699]

The Desert inn has heart The Desert inn has heart...santa claus actually comes and gives us our money back!!!

[@johntechwriter]

Shades of Albert Brooks’ 1985 comedy “Lost in America” where a couple seeking freedom from middle-class convention stay overnight in Vegas. Albert Brooks is at his neurotic best, sleeping in their low-rent honeymoon suite as wife Julie Hagerty loses their nest egg in an all-night gambling binge. His discovery of their new-found poverty culminates in his attempt to persuade the casino’s manager, who resembles what today would be considered a “made guy,” to return their nest egg in exchange for an advertising campaign authored by Albert’s character. A minor comedy classic.

[@helloitsmehb]

Haha. “Nest are now called round sticks and eggs are called things over easy”

[@miamivicefanatic9736]

Did they have slot machines back then? I really wish they showed the casino. That is one thing that is missing from all of these old-time films of Las Vegas.

[@Porsche996driver]

No mention of gambling?! 😅 But this was really well done to create interest!

[@theo3000]

Nice find!

[@joes9577]

Now girls, look your prettiest; remember there's a cameraman aboard.. -And if your kids give ya any lip, You can Beat em' with a sack of Sweet Valencia Oranges. It won't leave a bruise, and it'll let em' know who's Boss.

[@tomcox22]

Awesome

[@billflynn8229]

if I remember correctly there was another film about the DI. The ending had a fella stick a coin in a slot machine and finally hit a jackpot with coins pouring out......I saw this when very young in a local movie theatre....

[@markumjones4158]

here are one or two others on KZbin - this one here is a new one - been buried in someones storage

[@PatrickSmith]

I got off the plane in July 2024, and was immediately confronted with endless slot machines which made it impossible to even get away from the gate. It took 20 minutes to go about 100 feet away from the gate. Slot machines are preferred over people at the airport. I strongly recommend avoiding it at all costs. Unless you want to lose money in the slots.

[@edgarruiz8504]

And if you decide to stay. Go look at the models at the Glen Heather Estates subdivision. 🙂

[@UnknownHomie]

Now this city is a cesspool

[@charlesroberts8803]

Did the two men who got off of the plane lend their car to two call girls so they could go to the park in the desert? Maybe they stole it and their wallets after they slipped them a Mickey.

[@Boblobblaw88]

How to advertise a cabal/mob ran money collection machine. And the sheep pile in. Great job, sheople!

[@scatrrr]

No VD in those days.

[@Dr.Pepper001]

Oh yes there was.

[@steves7896]

QUICK! Someone tear this video down and build up a new one!

[@mickeybitsko1676]

Pete graves VO?

[@ShakespeareCafe]

They're golfing in 100 degree heat and unrelenting Mojave sun.

[@FYMASMD]

Vegas in the first 30 years was great. Absolute lack of class since the seventies. 87 year old man remembers a city where people had manners and didn’t dress like a bum. Too bad you never saw Vegas when it was worth seeing.

[@stevenphillips3466]

But if I kill all the golfers , they will lock me up and through away the key ?

[@samuelfleischmann5710]

No mention of Gambling?!

[@hombre1965]

Ahh, the whimsical world of gangsters and call girls!

[@RTD3]

No mention of gambling....😂😂

[@VEGASMYWAY]

Class no kids and well dressed patrons ah if only

[@Dr.Pepper001]

1955 -- the year the Mafia started burying their enemies in the desert.

[@CatDaddySteve]

NUKE EXPLOSIONS: You could literally lay at the pool in the evening and watch nuclear bombs go off out at the test sight in the desert North East of Vegas

[@mickeybitsko1676]

Hoffa deep sixed for not wanting to give out with more to mob for this😺

[@johndelorean2284]

Find myself wondering if they purposely left gambling out of this promotion as a form of positive propaganda.

[@dvader3263]

Cameras or picture taking was not allowed inside the casinos decades ago, for regular patrons at least.

[@kosmokramer1]

So much smoking. Surprised the dancers weren’t holding cigarettes while they performed…

[@LauraVee63]

Give me a break; my mother smoked in grocery stores when I was a kid. Don't know how old you are, but you should do some research. Your comment indicates you're shocked at this!

[@dennislodermeier1741]

@@LauraVee63 did she smoke in church too ?

[@leo9lives]

I bet Wilbur's wife picked his secretary

[@philipchiu9835]

When the mobs ruled las vegas 😅😂

[@gerger5670]

I love hearing McCarren! Not barfreid!

[@dennislodermeier1741]

they forgot to mention the legal prostitution

[@rexwall2000]

yayanothergolfcourse

[@user-mf7zn4ed9u]

FLY IN GET A ROUND OF GOLF GO HOME.....HOW WAS YOUR DAY DEAR???.... GRUELING....JUST WORK,WORK,WORK!!!!....POOR DEAR HERE'S YOUR DRINK JUST RELAX DINNER WILL BE READY SHORTLY...YOUR SUCH A WONDERFUL WIFE... I'LL THINK I'LL KEEP YOU...OH...THANK YOU DEAR...AH THE 50S YEAP.....😳😳😳

[@davidtaliaferro]

Wow, what old bullshit. What built Las Vegas was GAMBLING. Not golf courses, picnics, or floor shows. Not one scene of slots, craps, black jack, roulette.

[@mnblkjh6757]

🤔wonder if people of color were even allowed in 👎☹️

[@if6was929]

Probably not.

[@MrMikeTauber]

AI-ish voiceover

[@HisAssholiness]

35 flights a day to 500 ... pop 38k to 2.9 million

[@bbdc1977-sg8dc]

BACK WHEN IT WAS AN ADULT PLAYGROUND ! NOW IT'S AS BAD AS DISNEYLAND ! WHAT A MESS !