Choreographer and producer Frederic Apcar was born in Paris and began his career as a chorus boy in the famous Folies Bergere. After arriving in Las Vegas in 1961, his first production at The Dunes was a glamorous dance show called Viva Le Girls! in the Parisian Room lounge.

Two years later, he persuaded the owner of the Casino De Paris – which featured legendary French performers such as Josephine Baker and Maurice Chevalier - to license the first official show outside Paris.

The Las Vegas version in a newly-built showroom at The Dunes was an immediate hit with its naughty dance routines and variety acts. It cost $75,000 a week to run and had a cast of 100 dancers and performers.

Apcar, who ran around Las Vegas in a silver Cadillac, remained at the helm of the Casino De Paris until the 1980s.

The Dunes, which opened on a prime position on the southern end of the Strip in 1955 and was partly financed by Mob and Teamsters money, began to decline and Steve Wynn bought the property in 1992, imploded the hotel and began construction of the $1.6 million Bellagio.

This marvelous menu cover, showing a glamorous showgirl with her pet tiger, was typical of pop art tastes in the 60s and 70s and was the front cover of a dinner menu at the Casino De Paris.

Courtesy Private Collection.