Because of these allegations, coupled with lackluster management, New Frontier was about to go under. State authorities were gung-ho on ridding the mob reputation from the Strip and therefore contacted Howard Hughes, who was in the process of declaring his own war on the mob, regarding a possible purchase. On September 22, 1967, Hughes bought his beloved resort for $14 million from all owners and shortened the name to "The Frontier". Almost immediately after the purchase, The Frontier started turning a profit.
During this time Frontier Hotel advertised 600 luxurious rooms and suites, coffee shop, Frontier Steak House, Cabaret Gourmet Dining Room, Olympic size swimming pool, six day and night tennis courts, putting green, six speciality shops, superb convention facilities, and an elegant casino.
To date, I can find no records of what entertainers, if any, appeared at the Frontier in 1966 through August of 1967. I have Fabulous Las Vegas magazines for those years and the Frontier did not advertise any shows. It appears artists were showcased almost immediately after Hughes' purchase.
Venus Room showcased in the latter part of 1967 Al Alvarez Orchestra; Ed Ames; Ballet America; Black Theatre of Prague; Europa '68 w/Karel Gott; Eddie Fisher/Abbe Lane; Mickie Finn Show w/Fred & Mickie Finn & featuring The Dapper Four; Joey Forman; Kids Next Door; Henry Levine Orchestra; National Folk Lore Dance Company of Czechoslovakia; and Yonely. Present during Fisher and pregnant Lane's opening night was Ernest Borgnine.
Post Time Theatre showcased Kook's Tour w/Ben Blue/Barbara Heller/ Beverlee & The Sneakers/ Tony Bruno/ Gogi Grant; It's Hell Revue starring Jerry Lester/Phyllis/Bobby Sherwood; Jack E. Leonard; The Karel Gott Quintet; Jimmy Cavallo Quartet w/Terry Marell & Mario Betolino; and Frank Sinatra, Jr.
During one of the shows, Leonard said he was noticing how the men were growing long sideburns. He raised many laughs when he began calling them "Lice Ladders." It was also noted that during Beverlee & The Sneakers last show, a long standing ovation occurred with Doug McClure of The Virginian sitting in the audience.
In 1967, Richard Hubert and Nick Kelly were Managers of the Venus Room, Les Boder managed the men's shop, Tommy Clare was the host, Olin Askew was Pit Manager, and Keith Fletchell was a dealer.
In February 1968, Hughes established the first Vegas computerized room reservations system at the Frontier. It was noted that Department Manager Charlotte Ellsworth was learning the system night and day.
In 1968, Venus Room showcased Al Alvarez Orchestra, The Sid Caesar-Imogene Coca Show with the Larry Bertholet Dancers, George Carlin, Bill Cosby, Bobby Darin/Irwin C. Watson, Jimmy Durante/Sonny King/Eddie Jackson, Jimmy Durante/Barbara McNair, Barbara Eden, Eddie Fisher, Phil Harris/Doodletown Pipers, Jackie Kahane, Kids Next Door, Abbe Lane/Eddie Jackson/Sonny King, Peggy Lee, Henry Mancini, Guy Marks, Scoey Mitchell, Barbara McNair, Jim Nabors, Peter Nero, Wayne Newton w/Jerry Newton, Osmond Brothers, Pair Extraordinaire, Pearce Sisters, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Ronnie Schell, La Vaughn, Jerry Vale, Joe Venuti, Irwin C. Watson, Flip Wilson, and Stanley Wrightsman.
It was noted that Wayne Newton signed a two-year pact at the resort for $50,000 a week.
The Post Time Theatre showcased Akropols of Greece, Arirang Korean Dancers, Beverlee & The Sneakers, Vic Damone, Doodletown Pipers, Rusty Draper, Carey Garfin Four, Harry James, In Vogue with Liliane Montevecchi/Nick Navarro, Korean Palace Dancers, Jack E. Leonard, Barbara McNair, Pow '68, Phyllis & Bobby Sherwood, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Three Cheers, Tony Thomas/The Tartars, and Lovelace Watkins.
The Circle F Theatre showcased Dave Burton, Harry James, Beverlee & The Sneakers, Jack & Sally Jenkins, and Korean Palace Dancers.
Apparently in October of 1968, the Frontier advertised its Americana Room which was the convention center. One celebrity showcased there was Eric London.
In October of 1968, Frontier advertised that the 'New' Frontier Hotel costing $25 million opened its new resort just a few years ago. It was located on a 45 acre site - where the second hotel on the Strip was located. The horseshoe design encompasses the largest pool and patio area in the world covering ten acres of ground. Parking was available for 2,500 cars at a time. The convention facilities were able to handle up to 2,200 people. The Venus Showroom showroom sat 800. The Post Time theatre lounge sat 400.
The Executive Chef during this time was Gilbert A. Pierrel who was born in the Southern part of France. His family, on his mother's side, owned a food and beverage business. He was schooled in the pre-naval Academy. After 1940, all Military Academies were closed, so Pierrel went to the University of Aix en Provence. He worked in the kitchen in the same town for extra spending money. Then he joined the Free French Forces, Croix de Guerre, and was then transferred to the OSS and G2 SSS Combat Team of the 45th Division, 7th Army. Pierrel received the Medal of Freedom. After the war, Pierrel received his degree in law. In 1949, he immigrated to the U.S. Due to his lack of knowledge in English, he went back to the kitchen, and has been there ever since. In Florida he worked at the Palm Beach Sailfish Club as chef, Fort Lauderdale Escape Hotel as chef, and Hollywood Diplomate as Chef de Partie. In Colorado he worked at Cherry Hills Country Club, Denver as chef, and Garden of the Gods Club, Colorado Springs as chef. In California he worked 5 years at the Racquet Club, in Palm Springs as chef, and in Nevada at the Dunes Hotel for 2 years as chef. His favorite recipe was Supremes of Capon au Citron. Choose 4 nice breast of capon, skin them and bone them, except for the first joint. Pound them, season, and flour them slightly. In a skillet, heat three ounces of butter until hot. Cook supremes until golden brown on both sides. Pour out the unnecessary butter, add the juice of a large lemon, half a glass of dry white vermouth, cover and let simmer 10 to 12 minutes until supremes are cooked. Arrange them on the serving platter (or plates). Add chopped fresh parsley and chives to the cooking liquor and pour over the supremes. Serve with rice or noodles. (Pierrel's picture, bio, and recipe donated by Dan Kubota).
During his tenure at the Frontier in 1968, Jimmy Durante was asked the truth behind "Goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are." Durante stated that his first wife fell in love with a small town named Calabash, just west of Chicago. At the time, Durante promised his bride he would buy the town for her when fortune smiled on him. It was just after his first wife passed away in 1943, that he began using his famous sign-off. In 1968, it was reported that the town of Calabash had either bowed to progress or was too small to be listed on the map as no one could locate it after Durante confessed the statement's origins.
It was noted during the Three Cheers tenure at the Frontier that their clothes were very much different than their last stay. They stated the stage clothes worn before burned in a fire at The Embers in Nashville, and the troupe had to quickly pick another set before arriving at the Frontier.
In 1969, Frontier was celebrating the success of their first newsletter "The Frontiersman." Due to its great success, a second issue was mailed out in the summer. The editor was Hank Kovell and Paula Hanisch. Kovell was a 13 year resident of Vegas. He is the Public Relations Director of the resort and was also Presidient of his own advertising firm, Kovell, Inc. A native of San Francisco, CA, he did free lance radio and TV writing. He was a 47 year old bachelor, but has an adopted son. Hanisch was working in the Publicity Department just four days after coming to Vegas. A native of Seattle, WA, she was an avid skiier, and enjoyed travelling.
The resort's Managing Director, Henry Schwind, was given another assignment in the Hughes Corporation which sent him to the East Coast. Richard Danner was appointed his successor. A native of Elnora, Indiana, his early years were spent in Steubenville, Ohio. He was affiliated with the FBI for ten years, following which he joined the City of MIami as City Manager and Safety Director. He then began as association with the Lincoln-Mercury Division of Ford. Later he managed the successful political campaign of George Smathers for U.S. Senate. Danner was married with three grown children. Daughter Jeanne was a model and fashion coordinator at Neiman-Marcus in Dallas, Texas, son Richard, Jr., was a lawyer in Dallas, and son Robert Thomas was attending college in Georgia.
The resort also had a new Casino Manager, Harry Goodheart. He was with the Desert Inn for eight years. For 23 years, he was associated with the Beverly Hills Country Club in Southgate, Kentucky. Originally from Kansas City, MO, he and his wife Margaret had two children, a son Michael who was a law student at UCLA, and son Gary, a student of the University of Santa Barbara.
Click Here for employees listed during 1969, 1970, and 1971.
The tennis courts saw Nevada Governor Paul Laxalt, and the Newport Harbor Tennis Club from Newport Beach, CA.
Click Here to see a shot of the resort. Notice the International (LV Hilton), Landmark, and the signs for Desert Inn and Castaways in the background.
Some visitors from this year including Mr. & Mrs. Ljubormir Ljubic, Consul General of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in San Francisco with Richard Danner, Count De Vogue from France who owned the Moet Winery in Shandon with Head Chef Gilbert Pierrel who was also from France, Minnesota Governor Harold LeVander with Hank Kovell, and O.J. Simpson with Credit Manager Milton Frank and Harry Goodheart.
Also during this time a film crew from Japan taped some TV commericals. Produced by the Yashica Camera Company, segments included players engaged in the various games of chance.
Frontier hosted its Miss Rodeo America. Patricia Eaves won the state title of Miss Rodeo New Mexico, and then became Miss Rodeo America for 1969.
Conventions this year included National Association of Retail Druggists, and National Sporting Goods Association (5,000 delegates each); Mobil Oil Dealers (3,000 delegates); and American Federation of Information Processing Societies (15,000 delegates). Yamaha had their convention at the resort.
Pictured are Assistant National Sales Manager Terry Tiernan with wife Barbara and model Tina Gordon in H.B. Burnett Ladies' Apparel Shop; Colorado Springs dealer Jerry Manka with wife at the resort's Gifts Galore shop; and, Colorado Springs delegate Paul B. Brokow with wife Anne, with salesman Sal Gaamboa of Monte Factor/Jerry Rothschild men's wear. The Aerospace Systems Safety Conference was also held at the resort with Brig. Gen. Benjamin H. King, Air Force Director, speaking with convention coordinator Seve Waldman.
Gina Lollobrigida stayed at the resort while appearing in the Ed Sullivan show filmed in Vegas. She met with Wayne Newton at the Cabaret Room.
In October of 1969, Robert Goulet joined International star Don Ho in a friendly card game. A man of honor, Goulet had David Leland deliver payment of his losses to Ho. Ho broke up when Leland poured a bucket full of nickels on the dresser, explaining the Frontier wanted the container back right away.
In 1969, Frontier's Music Hall showcased Ray Charles w/Billy Wallace/The Raeletts/Don Lon Fontaine Dancers/Ray Charles Orchestra, Jimmy Dean, Jerry Vale, Jimmy Durante, and Abbe Lane. Also showcased were Al Alvarez Orchestra, Glen Ash, George Burns, John Byner, George Carlin, Diana & George, Barbara Eden, Eddie Fisher, Folklorika (afternoons), Robert Goulet, Phil Harris, Harry James, The Imperials, Kids Next Door, The King Cousins, George Kirby, Korean Palace Dancers, Abbe Lane, Guy Marks, Mexican Dance Festival, Wayne Newton, Wayne Newton/Jerry Newton/Tommy Amato, Bob Newhart & Kim Sisters, Dick Shawn, The Supremes & Diana Ross, Willie Tyler, Unusual We, and Cherry Wainer. George Carlin was fired for using the word "ass" at one of his shows for the Hughes Invitational Tournament. The Maitre d' was Jerry Schutz.
The Circle F Theatre showcased Beverlee & The Sneakers, Vic Damone, Deedy & Bill, Doodletown Pipers, Loree Frazier, Carey Garfin Four, Jack & Sally Jenkins, Harry James, Jack E. Leonard, Let's Make Love Revue, Laura Lys, Frank Sinatra, Jr., The Swing Set, Three Cheers, Tokyo Happy Coats, and Cherry Wainer. During this year Doodletown Pipers was signed for five more TV syndication specials by Triangle Productions, and Warner & Arts Records rep went to see Beverlee & The Sneakers with the hopes of signing the group on with his label.
The Doodletown Pipers had their picture taken while on location near Vegas for a series of TV specials.
When Frank Sinatra, Jr., appeared at the Circle F in September, 1969, the audience included Sammy Davis, Jr., Dick Shawn, Carol Channing, Abbe Lane, Lainie Kazan, Mike Romanoff, Richard Conte, Nancy Sinatra, Sr., Nancy Sinatra, Jr., and pop Frank.
Al Alvarez (left) had his picture taken with Marco Valenti and Frank Sennes, Jr.
The Cabaret showcased Buddy Bohn, Dave Burton, Mariano, and Bob Sims.
In October of 1969, Ray Anthony signed a $1/2 million contract with Frontier to appear at the resort 20 weeks in 1970, and 20 more in 1971.
The Frontier took out an ad in the 1969 Holiday issue of the Fabulous Las Vegas magazine wishing everyone happy holidays. On February 10th, Wayne Newton took a break from performing at the Frontier to entertain troops in Vietnam. His brother Jerry, and conductor Tommy Amato accompanied the singer.
The Cabaret Room restaurant offered a lengthy continental menu. A patron can choose their own wine from the Frontier's own wine room. All dishes were a la carte and served from 6:00pm to 5:00am. From 11:00pm on there was entertainment and dancing. Showcased during this year was Dave Burton, and Bob Sims.
Also during this year, a poll was taken at the Frontier which discovered that one dealer was from France and several were Cuban nationals. Married men outnumbered bachelors three to one. Of those who were married, the average was slightly over 12 years, topped by one man who was married for 33 years. These men averaged slightly less than two children each, the most having five children. Ages of the dealers ranged from 25 to 69. One dealer lived in Las Vegas less than two years and another almost a quarter of a century. Average length of residence was just over eight years. Experience varied up to 47 years for one man. The average of the Frontier dealers was just over 13 years.
During this poll, it was discovered that only about one-third claimed any education beyond high school, although almost all had completed high school. Several had college degrees. A few were taking courses in flying, real estate, English, and computer programming. When asked about previous jobs, the dealers stated Deputy Collector of the Internal Revenue Serve, beautician, stunt worker, lawyer, musician, carpenter, salesmen and owners of small businesses. Exactly one-half of the dealers owned or were buying their own homes, while the other half were apartment or mobile home dwellers. When polled about their off-work activities, they stated fishing, hunting, water skiing, swimming, golf, boating, bowling, gardening, raising chinchillas, do-it-yourself projects, reading, stamp collecting, softball, tennis, art and skeet and trap-shooting.
The poll stated that more than half of the dealers belonged to civic, social or fraternal organizations. The Elks, Masons, Optimists, Knights of Columbus, VFW, Moose, Lions and Eagles were among those mentioned. Church work, scouting, and ethnic participation were also included.
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