It happened one drunken night in Vegas.
In 1966, when Lee Marvin was filming The Professionals in the Las Vegas desert, he and actors Burt Lancaster and Woody Strode stayed at the downtown Mint casino hotel.
Across from the Mint, was the 40-foot neon cowboy sign called ‘Vegas Vic’, the symbol of The Pioneer Club casino. Vic had a waving arm, moving cigarette and a recording of “Howdy Partner” that was loudly heard every 15 minutes.
According to Woody Strode’s bio, Marvin got drunk one night, came to his room, grabbed the bow and arrow, which he, Woody, used in the movie, and shot an arrow into Vegas Vic's chest.
When the owners complained, Marvin complained right back about how Vegas Vic was keeping him awake.
Because of that, the casino executives silenced Vegas Vic for almost twenty years. His voice was restored in the 1980s, but in 2006, Vic stopped talking. His arm stopped waving in 1991, but you can still see him on Fremont Street in Las Vagas when you’re there for the famous lightshow;The Fremont Street Experience.
In the 1964 movie, Viva Las Vegas, Vic was used to show Elvis Presley’s name on the opening credits. Not a bad history for a cowboy that knows, or at least, used to speak, only one word.
As for Lee Marvin, he never knew that what happens in Vegas, stays on the internet.
How to Live the James Bond Lifestyle: The Complete Seminar
Live James Bond Lifestyle webinar coming soon. Check my Events for info.
|
Share
Print
Save