In order for Kerkorian to create his dream megaresort, he sold the the International and Flamingo in 1970, to the Hilton Corporation. This resort was not only a dream but also to serve as the flagship for more resorts under the same name.
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Kerkorian wanted his megaresort to be on the Strip and the perfect location would be the intersection where the Flamingo, Dunes and Caesars Palace were located. Kerkorian stepped back into the Bonanza game by buying the bankrupt property. Kerkorian ran into the same problem as Howard Levin. The remainder of the 43 acres was owned by Ernest Lieb who would not sell it to Kerkorian but nothing was going to stop Kerkorian from his dream.
In 1971, Fred Benninger was asked why MGM was entering the hotel business.
"Sole reason involved Kerkorian's ownership of the Bonanza Hotel on which the new complex will be built. The land originally acquired by Kerkorian for around $10-1/2 million, sold for $11 million and regained by default for $4 million. The property recently was appraised for $7 million and can be bought for the default figure which is an excellent deal." - Fred Benninger, 1971
The ground breaking for the new resort took place on April 15, 1972, at a champagne-and-caviar party consisting of Hollywood notables such as Cary Grant, Chad Everett, Janet Leigh, and Betty Grable. Actress Raquel Welch depressed the plunger setting off a charge of dynamite signaling the beginning of construction. Hundred of balloons and a barrage of fireworks forming a giant picture of Leo the Lion burst across the sky.
To solve his property line problem, Kerkorian cut the Bonanza in two at the property line and built a wall separating his property from Lieb's.
The first of the following two pictures show the hotel being built with part of the Bonanza still standing. The second picture shows workmen erecting a wall at the property division. The truck on the left is the new hotel side and the lights on the porch of the Bonanza on the right.
Kerkorian knew to have the best resort took the best. He retained ex-Hughes' employees Al Benedict (who also worked at the Last Frontier, Desert Inn, and Stardust) who presided over the complex, Bernard Rothkopf (one of the founding partner's of the Desert Inn, assisted in the opening of the Stardust, and worked at the Sands Hotel) as executive vice-president in charge of gaming and later was made president of the resort, and Carl Cohen as executive vice-president of the resort's casino operations. Also hired was Fred Benninger who was chief administrator of the entire Kerkorian financial empire, and Morrie Jaeger as vice-president in charge of gaming.
Kerkorian utilized many of the same companies that built his International. Martin Stern, Jr., and Associates of Beverly Hills for the design, and Taylor International Corporation of Las Vegas was the managing construction company. Taylor also built Caesars Palace, Riviera and Tropicana.
The artist's rendition went out on brochures and postcards stating: The coming attraction of our time is here, MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas. A $100 million dollar fantasy. 2100 rooms and suites. The Celebrity Room, reserved for superstars. The Siegfeld Room, for lavish revues. The Lion's Den, a lively show lounge. Six restaurants. The MGM movie theatre. Tennis. Swimming pools. Health clubs. Shops. And jai alai, the world's fastest game, in a 2200-seat arena."
This ultimate dream took 15 million square feet of gypsum on interior walls, ceilings, soffits, and pillars; 11 acres of roofing; 450,000 square feet of waterproofing material; 750,000 square feet of stucco for exterior walls; 20,000 tons of structural steel; 1,895 miles of electrical wiring; 50,000 lighting fixtures; 200,000 light bulbs; 2,300 television sets; and 300,000 square feet of flame-retarding material and insulation on cooling ducts and water piping. It also contained eight acres of glass, including 55,000 square feet of reflecting glass, 142,000 square feet of one-way glass, and 106,000 square feet of window panes tinted gray or bronze to eliminate sun glare. The resort installed 24 high speed elevators raised and lowered by 11-1/2 miles of steel cables. Another two and one-fifth miles of governor cables were part of a comprehensive safety system that brought elevators to a gentle stop, should their ascent or descent exceed the rated speed of 500 feet per minute. It also contained 12,000,000 watts of heating and cooling capacity - enough to serve a town of 8,000 homes.
The resort installed over 300 miles of draperies and about 16 miles of traverse rods with finger tip motorized controls. This was the largest single drapery contract ever written in the West. The interior doors stacked in a flat pile, would tower three times the height of the 363 foot hotel and the laminated plastic covered doors, cabinets and restaurant tables would cover three football fields. It also contained more than 300,000 plumbing fixtures, enough for 6,000 homes or to build a complete restroom every one-fourth mile between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. There were 30 tons of bath tubs which end to end, would span the Golden Gate Bridge two and one-half times.
This resort placed the largest single carpet order ever to go to one company of 125,000 square yards of carpeting with fibre, color and designed tailored for each usage. It also placed the largest furniture order ever for one hotel. The Drexel Furniture Company of North Carolina provided 32,000 pieces, requiring 42,000 hardware fixtures and lumber from 5,000 trees. The total weight of shipment to Las Vegas was more than 1-1/4 million pounds or 126 railroad cars worth.
In March of 1973, it was noted that Donn Arden started to interview showgirls and dancers for the $1,000,000 spectacular opening of the resort which was originally scheduled for October, 1973.
In May of 1973, it was reported that time was running short so Bob Mackie was designing the costumes for the show and Arden flew to New York and Paris trying to find the figures to fit them. Bill De Angelis was the Talen Coordinator and Production Manager for the resort. He commuted to the coast weekly, where he would spend five working days conferring with Arden and finalizing the staging details.
Then carpenters and construction workers were told to report to work on Saturday, May 19, 1973 to continue building. Unfortunately, no one left the electricity on for them to use.
In late March/early April of 1973, Kerkorian was busy arranging for entertainment at his new resort. He offered Bob Hope $5,000,0000 for fives years and appear four weeks a year for one show a night, except for weekends. Kerkorian also stated that he would gladly pay Frank Sinatra $500,000 to come out of retirement for a one week stand at the resort. The down side was that Caesars Palace had Sinatra under contract and if he tried to play any other hotel they planned to take legal action. When asked, Kerkorian stated he never asked Hope or Sinatra but didn't answer the question as to whether any of hits agents did.
In August of 1973, Al Benedict announed plans to call one the showrooms the Celebrity Room, which would seat 1,200 people and feature name stars, and another room will be called Ziegfeld Theatre which will be where the spectaculars will appear. They were conducting interviews for staff and stated they are looking for 3,400-4,000 employees.
Despite the concrete strike, construction remained on schedule. Hotel officials claimed that the 26 story $106 million project will open on time.
On December 23, 1973, under roving search lights, Kerkorian's ultimate dream, MGM Grand Hotel, opened for its VIP party. The opening night entertainment was provided by Dean Martin.
MGM with Bonanza to the right
The 2-1/2 million square foot hotel opened 19 months after construction began with over 1,000 workers accomplishing the building 210 days ahead of schedule.
Invited guests were given tours of the megaresort. These guests included Gordon MacRae, George Raft, Shirley MacLaine, Howard Keel, Robert Conrad and Margaret O'Brien. The $106 million, 26 story, 2,100 room MGM Grand Hotel opened to the general public on December 24, 1973, employing over 4,000 people.
In the era of themed resorts on the Strip, Kerkorian built the MGM with the movieland theme. The inside consisted of red plush, gilt, mahogany and crystal. The resort's name came from the 1932 Greta Garbo, John Barrymore and Joan Crawford movie "Grand Hotel" filmed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studio. (The resort had to reflect its movie legacy with the use of imprinted gold stars for room numbers as was in the age of filmdom's golden age of stars. The four and one-fourth tons of brass used would have provided badges for 53,760 police officers.)
In front, lay the broad roofs of the casino, shopping arcade, and lobby, punctuated by the Aztecan truncated pyramid of the main showroom. The room tower was topped by an irregular pattern of windows and balconies, finished in mirror glass, indicating the variety of suites and rooms inside. The 60,000 square foot casino was finished in the oversized gilt floral swirls and baroque ornament of a 1920 movie palace.
The casino consisted of more than 1,000 slot machines, 94 Blackjack tables, 10 Crap tables, nine Roulette tables, 19 Poker tables, and two Big Six wheels.
The casino was 140 yards in length and was flanked by 44 marble statutes that were two years in the making by famous sculptors in three different Italian cities. The amount of 800 tons of marble were transported from Italy just for the fountain at the front entrance.
Each of the 600 chandeliers contained at least two tons of crystals and it took at least three days to string each one.
The Grand Arcade, which was the world's largest hotel shopping area, occupied 75,000 square feet and contained 24 shops, offering everything from artifacts and furs to penny candies.
There were 25 bars in the resort that had to be stocked with $150,000 worth of liquor each day. There were 70 bartenders and 150 cocktail waitresses. The annual liquor sales alone was estimated at $15,000,000.
The MGM redefined the Las Vegas porte cochere with one that was 100 by 300. Its eight lanes could easily shelter a fleet of limousines. Ornate railings and balustrades were scaled to make it feel even larger. For the first time in the Strip's history, the porte cochere replaced the roadside sign in projecting the primary imagery.
Incandescent point lights borrowed from movieland marquee ideas were set in mirror-finished plastic coffers rimming the edge of the porte cochere. These light boxes multiplied the shimmery brilliance of each bulb. The shiny gold-and-silver finish vacuum-formed plastic tended to warp and distort reflections, contributing a sense of ephemerality.
The MGM's 125-foot sign, designed by Stern and Ad-Art was chosen over designer Charles Barnard's proposal of a 207-foot dagger-shaped super pylon. The original sign would sit on a 16-foot concrete base with steps up its side permitting access to an eight-foot-high gold-finish fiberglass lion. Though Benninger liked it, he vetoed the sign because it would cost $700,000.
Decorator Donald Schmitt created the interior as he did with the International.
"The important thing is to give the gambler the feeling that an unlimited amount of money has been spent on him. The trick of good design is to be flamboyant but not cheap. And actually, that requires not so much a trick, but the use of the best materials. You've got to use the real thing." - Donald Schmitt
The MGM had five restaurants: Orleans Room which was a coffee shop; Caruso's Italian Restaurant; Barrymore's for fine dining, Cafe Gigi gourmet restaurant, and the Deli.
During its first year the MGM accumulated close to $18,000,000 in food sales. It was estimated that there were approximately 30,000 meals prepared each day by the seven kitchens including the daily use of 12,000 eggs. There was always 10,000 pounds of shrimp kept on hand at all times. The hotel ordered 100,000 teaspoons on its original order for $150,000 worth of flatware, most of which had to be replaced during the first year due to pilferage. Also, each day 50,000 pounds of garbage were reduced to one-fifth its original size by an electro-hydraulic compactor.
The MGM contained the first 2,200 seat jai-alai fronton in the Western United States (and the only fronton operated in connection with a hotel anywhere in the world), and a 300 seat MGM Theatre which played old Hollywood films. The seats in the theatre were deep upholstered loveseats and if you wanted a drink, just press a button and a cocktail waitress would be summoned.
As he did in the International, Kerkorian added a day care center and a spa to his megaresort. Also included were tennis courts. (Notice the Bonanza sitting in the left corner of the picture.)
In 1973, the show Hallelujah Hollywood opened in the 800 seat MGM's Ziegfeld Theatre and played there until 1980 to an estimated five million people. The production closed on October 12, 1980. (If you are offended by nudity, do not click on the Hallelujah Hollywood pictures.)
Also during this year Chill Wills arrived at the MGM in style to his wedding with Novadeen Googe.
In 1974, the Celebrity Room showcased John Byner, Shecky Greene, Shirley Jones/Jack Cassidy, The Jackson Five, Sergio Franchi, Dean Martin, Lou Rawls, Helen Reddy, and Joan Rivers. The Lion's Den Lounge showcased John Byner (doing double duty), Fabian, Ink Spots, Harry James Orchestra, Gary Lewis & Playboys, Carmen McRae, Lou Rawls, Jerry Sun Show, and Joe Williams. The Ziegfeld Room showcased Hallelujah with Siegfried and Roy joining the show on April 26th.
The Lions Den showcased Jackie Gayle/Barry Sisters & Soup. The Parisian Bar showcased Sasha & His Romantic Strings. The Cub Bar showcased Henry Rose Ensemble.
In 1975, The Ziegfeld Room Showcased Hallelujah with Siegfried and Roy.
In 1976, the Celebrity Room showcased Carol Burnett/Tim Conway/Pointer Sisters; Mac Davis; Lola Falana; Sergio Franchi; Shecky Greene/Paul Williams; Dean Martin/Third Generation Steps/Ivery Wheeler/Cindy Notz/Terry Criner; and Helen Reddy/Joan Rivers. The Ziegfeld Room showcased Hallelujah Hollywood with Siegfried and Roy. One of the acts in Hallelujah Hollywood was Siegfried and Roy.
In 1978, MGM advertised "Over 1,000 rooms, six minutes from the airport, ten minutes from downtown, world's largest casino, 1,800 seat showroom, three entertainment lounges, over 40,000 feet of covnention facilities, camperland site, 33 acre lake, bus tour terminal, seven restaurants, indoor tennis pavilion, outdoor tennis courts with illumination, two movie theatres, 50 lane bowling center with billard room, Jai Alai Fronton, shopping arcade, wedding chapel, race book, youth entertainment center, and men's & Women's Health Club.
On June 23, 1978, Siegfried and Roy left Halleluha Hollywood to star in the Lido show at the Stardust.
Kerkorian's dream came true and the flagship was a success giving birth to the MGM Grand in Reno in 1978, and a MGM Grand in Atlantic City in 1980, among others.
In 1979, MGM hosted the Annual Red, White and Blue Ball, a $500 a plate fundraiser. Sam Melchionne performed at the gala. Scans donated by Sam Melchionne.
In 1979, Ziegfeld Theatre showcased Hallelujah Hollywood w/Tanya the Elephant. The Maitre d' was Sam Barbee. Cocktail show was $18.50.
The Celebrity Room showcased Engelbert; Captain & Tennille/David Brenner; Rich Little/Sandy Duncan; Dean Martin; Bob Newhard/Vicki Carr; and Donna Summer/David Brenner. The Maitre 'd was Pete Bella. Dinner show was $22.50; Cocktail show was $20.
The Club Lounge showcased Jerry Brown; Tom Christi; Bill Kane; and Kitty Kaye.
During the 1970s, the MGM played host to many of Dean Martin's Roasts for NBC.
In February of 1980, Celebrity Room showcased Captain & Tennille, Mac Davis/Tom Dreesem, Englebert Humperdinck, Rich Little/Suzanne Somers, Dean Martin, and Donna Summer.
In March of 1980, the Celebrity Room showcased Dean Martin and the Golddiggers, Engelbert Humperdink, and Stewie Stone. The Ziegfeld Room showcased Hallelujah Hollywood.
In November of 1980, the MGM was adding a 782 room wing and rehearsing for a new show that was to premiere in December - Donn Arden's $7 million extravaganza Jubliee. This show involved reenactments of disasters, mythical and historical events. These included the Hindenberg, Titanic, French Revolution and London Blitz. Just like a scene out of the Twilight Zone, in the MGM's basement contained a 40 foot replica of the Titanic which, in front of amazed spectators, was towed down the Strip on its way to the MGM just three weeks before.
On November 20, 1980, the live entertainment was provided by Mac Davis and Lonnie Shorr, and the talk of the day was wondering who shot J.R. on the Dallas television show.
On November 21, 1980, at approximately 7:17am, Las Vegas Fire Department's Stations 8, 11, 12, and 21 received a call to respond to a fire at the MGM Grand Hotel, with its guest capacity at 99%, and holding approximately 8,000 people. Started by an electrical short, it is estimated that during the first 90 seconds of the fire, 14 people were killed. The fire crashed through the restaurant end of the casino, going to the main entrance destroying carpeting, gaming tables, slot machines, light fixtures, furniture, ornaments and wall coverings.
The fire, estimated at 1 million cubic feet and at 2,400 degrees, travelled through the casino, out the hotel's main entrance which hit an unoccupied automobile under the Grand Portal, incinerating it in moments. Florescent lights popped under the burning canopy.
Because of the plastics and chemicals used in the glues and other materials, carbon monoxide and cyanide travelled through the resort with the fire, into elevator shafts, ventilators, stairwells, corridors, and guest rooms and suites.
On June 17, 1960, a young fireman watched as the El Rancho Vegas, the first resort on the Strip, was destroyed by flames without mercy. On this day, the young fireman, Roy Parrish, now Clark County Fire Chief, reported to the MGM Grand fire.
By 9:30am, the major fires were out, 76 guests (one dying later at the hospital) and nine employees were dead, and countless others were injured and traumatized. Kerkorian's dream and the flagship of the MGM resorts was now dark and quiet, waiting for the smaller fires to be put out, and the dead to be removed from its once glorious interior.
As in any tragedy, there is heroism, compassion and generosity, and the MGM Grand was no exception. The doctors and nurses at the hospitals, many coming in on their day off to help. Volunteers, fire departments, paramedics, police, MGM employees, and passersby, all working in overdrive to assist. Among the obvious, there was help from the casinos. Michael Gaughan at the Barbary Coast chased away his patrons, moved his gaming tables and set up his much smaller resort as a first aid station, Dunes' opened its convention center on the other side of the street as a first aid station, and employees from Caesars and Flamingo ran over to help with traffic and emergency vehicles.
Also included was the 20th squadron from the Luke Air Force Base and the 57th Fighter Wing who dispatched nine helicopters to the scene. The nine helicopters were none other than the famous CH-3s, the Jolly Green Giants used during the Vietnam War. Once again they were at war but the enemy was fire, and the injured and stranded were not soldiers.
Other notables included the New York firefighter, a guest at the MGM, who escaped the burning building just to run over to a fire truck, grab some gear, and then run back into the resort; and 70 men from Ironworkers Local 433 who were working at the construction site of the new wing. Knowing they would know the MGM layout better than anyone there, and were used to climbing structures in the most primitive fashions, sprung into action mounting scaffolds, helping the injured as well as firefighters. Because of their relentless efforts, many of these men ended up in the hospital themselves for smoke inhalation. Due to their expertise, and some of them stated just plain dumb luck, all lived to tell the tale.
Of course, there were also the post-fire heros. The volunteers who helped with the dead and injured. The Las Vegas Convention Center was turned into a rescue center with volunteers suppling clothes, aid with finding loved ones, and food and drink, which were all donated. Evangelist Billy Graham was in town for a crusade and he appeared at the Convention Center to comfort and assist the victims.
Just as the Phoenix rose from the ashes in all its glory, on July 29, 1981, the MGM Grand opened its doors. This time, the MGM Grand installed a $5 million fire-safety system, with a JC-80 central computer sealed off in a room with a two-hour firewall. The resort opened as one of the safest hotels in the world. Of course, people knowing that the MGM would have to have an excellent fire detection system, booked reservations in record numbers, proving that the MGM could be what she once was. The first guest to register a room on the 20th floor suite was Cary Grant, who strolled through the resort greeting guests.
On July 30, 1981, the MGM Grand proved the old lady was back and doing just fine by opening its $10 million Jubliee! in the Ziegfeld Theatre, having Dean Martin alternate with Mac Davis and Lonnie Shorr in the Celebrity Room, and in the movie theatre played an old-time favorite - Grand Hotel. On some of Dean Martin's shows, the Golddiggers were showcased.
Two weeks after opening, the MGM had to prove she was perfect when sparks from a welder's torch caused insulation material to smolder. This gave off smoke which triggered alarms, and firefighters once again reported to the grand lady. The public address system gave guests instructions. The incident proved to be minor and the fire safety system worked exactly as it was meant to (long live the queen).
As in most cases, people learn from tragedy. Its a hard lesson but nonetheless a lesson. The MGM fire was no exception. Firefighters learned that in a resort fire, people would run from their rooms into the halls, down the stairways, and into the elevators. The Las Vegas Hilton experienced a fire approximately 90 days after the MGM fire. Firefighters had the local networks broadcast into the guests' rooms telling them to stay in their rooms and do not try to exit until they were notified. Because of this action, and the lessons learned at the MGM, eight people perished compared to the 85 at MGM.
In 1982, MGM made an appearance in the movie Lookin' to Get Out and in 1985, she appeared in Rocky IV.
During this year Ziegfeld Theatre showcased Jubilee! for $22.50. The Celebrity Room showcased Eddie Rabbitt and Mac Davis.
In 1983, Celebrity Room showcased Dean Martin, and Engelbert Humperdinck. The Ziegfeld Room showcased Jubilee. Throughout the resort Sasha and his Romantic Strings would entertain guests with everything from country to classic music.
During 1985, the Celebrity Room showcased Tom Jones, Mac Davis, Rip Taylor and the Smothers Brothers. The Maitre d' being Pete Bella. The Cub Lounge showcased Maurice Moore Four, Don & Terry, Jerry Tiffe, Carleen Terrano, and Eddie Dane. The Ziegfeld Room showcased Jubilee.
During this time the resort held 10 outdoor tennis courts with four being lit. They were opened from dawn to 9:00pm, and was used by reservations only. Hotel guests had priority. There were no fees. The pro was Lornie Kuhle.
The resort also held the Movie Hall of Fame which was located at the end of the casino, in the corridor leading to the convention area. The walls were decorated with large photo protraits of the stars that made the famed MGM movie studio known around the world. There were scenes from their movies, the Oscars they won and plaster life masks of the stars.
Also during this time MGM had facilities for children. Its game room arcade contained air hockey, real pool tables, carnival games, and video games. It was conveniently located next to the ice cream parlor and across from the movie theatre.
The casino held 20 poker tables with Mike Flynn as Manager. The sports and race book was being managed by Kathy Manix.
Barrymores was described during this year as a dark-wooded plush style of a New York eatery. It contained an American menu of fine steaks, seafood, and chops. Specialties included Roast Rack of Lamb, Prime Rib, and associated seafoods on ice. Average entree was $15.00.
Apparently Cafe Gigi was changed to Gigi's which presented exquisite cuisine in an elegant room patterned after one in the Palace of Versailles. Some of its furnishing were used in the MGM movie Marie Antoinette.
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