[221], In 2015, after the hotel was purchased by Westgate, the room was given its current name. David English, the author of a book on the Elvis: That's The Way It Is documentary film, previously . By the end of the 1960s, Elvis Presleys career was in disrepair treading water in a sea of bad movies, records that no longer made the charts and a decade of increasing irrelevance in the fast-changing world of rock n roll. The logo was designed by Dan Acree. Elvis Presley performs onstage at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, in late July or August 1969. [99] The sign was reconstructed in 1997 for $9 million with a reduced height of 279 feet (85m), making it the world's tallest free-standing advertising sign. The Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino is a hotel, casino, and timeshare resort in Winchester, Nevada. Post date: 29 yesterday. Paragon Gaming will continue to oversee the small, 35,000-square-foot casino. The hotel carried the Hilton name for forty years until in . It opened in 1969 as the International Hotel, and was known for many years as the Las Vegas Hilton, then briefly as the LVH Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, until taking its current name in 2014. [82][83][84], Around the end of 1981, another extension to the north tower was completed, adding 391 rooms at a cost of $21 million. [116] Hilton had led the group of hotels that had promulgated the proposal for the monorail as early as 1996. He sang great, and the fan response was overwhelming. This casino/hotel might go through the periodic face-lift but continues to stand where lesser properties have long since fallen to either implosion of the demolition crew's wrecking ball. [99] Later that year, however, it was partially destroyed by a windstorm. [242][243] It was demolished in 1994 to make way for the Sky Villas. [319] The hotel hosted no boxing matches between 2002 and 2008; since then, it has occasionally hosted minor fights. March 23, 1978 via Newspapers.com. The Hilton suffered financially from the recession of 2008. From 1981 to 1990, it was the largest hotel in the world. Las Vegas Hilton - Vintage Las Vegas Author: www.lasvegashowto.com. The hotel was sold to the Hilton chain in 1971 becoming what was known as the Las Vegas Hilton, later known briefly as the LVH. He gulped water and Gatorade and mopped his sweat with handkerchiefs tossed onstage by women in the audience. [314], In 1985, Donald Curry defeated Milton McCrory at the Hilton Center to unify and become the undisputed welterweight champion. From 1998 to 2008 the Hilton was home to Star Trek: The Experience. I mean, he almost hurt himselfhe was doing flips and cartwheels and all kinds of stuff. The cartwheels may have been an exaggeration, but no one could doubt that Elvis was giving it everything he had. what happened to international hotel las vegas, He said that he looked at him. 4 What hotel was demolished in Las Vegas? When the hotel originally opened (International Hotel) in 1969 it was the largest hotel in the world. [68][71][72], On the night of February 10, 1981, a major fire occurred at the Hilton. ", "Strip Scribbles: Soap opera makes way for Mario Batali TV series", "Strip Scribbles: Andre Agassi to be inducted into Tennis Hall of Fame", "Famed Westgate venue shimmers with history; 'Duck' director drives Lincoln musical", "Suzanne Somers sizzles; 'Alice' at Vinyl in benefit; Michael Grimm also turning up at HRH", "A 'Sexxy' sendoff: Topless show spun to 1,000 performances at Westgate", "Monday By the Numbers: USA Sevens, Cameo, more Chazz Palminteri", "Preview: Cameo is ready to bring the P-Funk to Westgate", "Wynn dunks Crackers in sports book expansion; no more Cameo at Westgate", "Controversial comedian Favorito finds that popularity buys second chances", "Old school-style comedian Vinnie Favorito finds a permanent Las Vegas home at Westgate", "Rodriguez, Wilkinson set to leave, but 'Sex' will go on at Paris", "Vegas family act Bronx Wanderers start anew at Westgate", "Gwen Stefani, Bronx Wanderers, Mr. Piffles and more Las Vegas showbiz news", "Trek to Vegas: Intergalactic attraction inspired by outer space classic", "VegasBeat Timothy McDarrah: Palms performs a popular impression", "All good things must come to an end: last call at Quark's Bar", "Trekkies head for Vegas for one last Experience", "Was number of Elvis' consecutive sold-out shows in Las Vegas 636 or 837? What Happened To The International Hotel? - Tourismguide.info The Westgate, the resort created by legendary Las Vegas developer Kirk Kerkorian, opened 50 years ago today as the International Hotel on July 2, 1969. But he hadnt performed live onstage in more than eight years. 5 Who owned the International Hotel in Las Vegas? He did the up-tempo songs faster than in the old days, as if he were trying to get through them as quickly as possible. On the night of February 10, 1981, just 90 days after the devastating MGM Grand fire, an arson set fire to the Las Vegas Hilton on the eighth floor. [49][50] There was also a complex of international restaurants, offering Bavarian, Italian, Japanese and Mexican cuisines. He earned a reported $100,000 per week. [115] The system had been under construction since 2001. Then the next year (1970) he broke his own previous attendance record. [210][211] Long-running acts at the Shimmer Cabaret included comedian David Brenner (200405),[212] [80] Hilton and other companies involved in the hotel paid a $23 million settlement to victims. [317] The series culminated in Mike Tyson's defeat of Tony Tucker at the Hilton Center in 1987 to unify and become the undisputed champion. [155] The typical schedule comprised two shows per night: a dinner show at 8pm and a cocktail show at midnight. [98], The hotel completed a new 362-foot (110m), $4-million marquee sign in 1994. It was also during this period that the hotel was sold at auction due to economic hardship suffered by the property during the recession of the previous decade. [238], During his engagements at the hotel, Presley famously resided in the 5,000-square-foot (460m2) Imperial Suite on the 30th floor. Originally called the 'International' when it opened in 1969 it was Nevada's tallest building. [152], The property's main entertainment venue is the 1,607-seat International Theater. Barbra Streisand was the opening-night act, but the International Hotel, followed by the Las Vegas Hilton, was known as the Las Vegas home to Elvis Presley. 8.Las Vegas Hilton - Vintage Las Vegas. The hotel continued under the name of the LVH until the middle of 2014 when it was sold to Westgate Resorts. Elvis Presley The bronze statue . International hotel elvis Stock Photos and Images - Alamy [76], The casino and hotel reopened nine days after the fire with 1,000 available rooms. Bye Bye Monte Carlo: Las Vegas Casino Resort Being Replaced - Forbes All Rights Reserved. A year after his death, a bronze statue of Presley was unveiled at the hotel;[248][249] it has since occupied various spots around the property. [252][253][254][255][excessive citations], Elvis: An American Musical, a multimedia production incorporating archival footage with live songs and re-enactments, premiered at the Hilton showroom in 1988, where it ran for two months before going on a national tour. In 1998, Hilton spun off its casino properties, including the Las Vegas Hilton, as Park Place Entertainment. Opened as the International, then renamed to the Las Vegas Hilton, LVH then Westgate. His performances shattered all previous Las Vegas show attendance records. And when Wayne tells the story, he said it made him feel that Elvis was telling him he was okay and was appreciating the performance, said Prouty. [55][56] He needed the money to help pay off loans that he had taken out to purchase major stakes in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Western Airlines. TOP 9 what happened to the international hotel in las vegas BEST and NEWEST Even in a town used to star-studded opening nights, the array of celebritiesCary Grant, Sammy Davis Jr., Ann-Margret, Paul Anka, Dionne Warwickwas impressive. Because he didnt want to meet that many people. 5 Did Elvis live at the International Hotel? The Hilton Showroom was renamed as the Hilton Theatre, and underwent a $12-million renovation to add bridges and embankments to accommodate the show, which features performers on roller skates. Virgin Hotels has opened its latest US property, housed within the former Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The International was renamed the Las Vegas Hilton in July 1971. The Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino is the former Las Vegas Hilton (1971-2012), as well the LVH - Las Vegas Hotel and Casino (2012-2014). The hotel carried the Hilton name for forty years until in June of 2011 Hilton Worldwide terminated its franchise agreement with the Las Vegas Hilton. Elvis Presley performs onstage at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, in late July or August 1969. From 1969 to 1977 were Elvis' concert years. They were choreographed around his image- his arrival on the stage was dramatized, as was his departure. The Showroom Internationale was filling up, anticipation building. Westgate celebrates 50 years in Las Vegas PHOTOS From 1981 to 1990, it was the largest hotel in the world], and was known for many years as the Las Vegas Hilton, then briefly as the LVH Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, until taking its current name in 2014. There were surprisingly few special effects and little emphasis on production values. [27][174] By the end of his run, he was performing there twenty weeks out of the year, and was described as the highest-paid entertainer on the Las Vegas Strip. Located near the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip, it is owned by Westgate Resorts [Westgate Resorts was founded in 1982 and operates as a subsidiary of Central Florida Investments, Inc. (CFI). Printed by permission. [49][50][52], On July 31, 1969, immediately following Streisand's engagement, Elvis Presley performed the first show of what would become a seven-year run at the hotel, encompassing 636 consecutive sold-out shows. Low rated: 1. Elvis Live On Tour 1954 to 1977 by, Robert Gordon 1996 St. Martins Griffen. The LVH - Las Vegas Hotel and Casino existed for just a brief two years. [45][46] Entertainment director Bill Miller signed Barbra Streisand to open in the showroom, along with Peggy Lee performing in the hotel's lounge. What Happened To The International Hotel In Vegas Key Points. Eight people died in this fire. You could tell he just wanted to rush through them. Richard Zoglin is a TIME magazine contributor and the author of, 'Desire Is Always Evolving.' Backstage before the show, Elvis was a nervous wreck. The Hangover is a 2009 American comedy film directed by Todd Phillips, co-produced with Daniel Goldberg, and written by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore.It is the first installment in The Hangover trilogy.The film stars Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Heather Graham, Justin Bartha, Ken Jeong, and Jeffrey Tambor.It tells the story of Phil Wenneck (Cooper), Stu Price (Helms), Alan Garner . In 2014, the LVH was sold to Central Florida Investments, Inc, or Westgate Resorts which is the name that the hotel operates under to-date. The band kept playing so Wayne kept singing, said Prouty. In 1970 the hotel was sold to the Hilton Hotel Corporation and the next year (1971) it was renamed the Las Vegas Hilton. [310] In 1969, the showroom hosted the first major boxing match held at a Las Vegas hotel, Sonny Liston vs. Leotis Martin (previous fights had been held at the Convention Center). It opened in 1969 as the International Hotel, and was known for many years as the Las Vegas Hilton, then briefly as the LVH - Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, until taking its current name in 2014. what happened to the international hotel, The DC Trump hotel was born on October 26, 2016. "Borg bests Gerulaitis". Located near the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip, it is owned by Westgate Resorts. The new live shows were not just about the music or the Hillbilly cat we knew before. A setting fit for a returning king. (His friend and hairstylist Larry Geller claimed that Elvis wore high collars to imitate the spiritual masters in David Anriass book Through the Eyes of the Masters. Elvis Vegas shows presented the full range of his singing talents pop ballads, country standards, gospel hymns, and rocking R&B. [117][118], In June 2004, Caesars Entertainment (formerly Park Place) sold the Las Vegas Hilton to Colony Capital for $280 million. [57][58] The offering was rejected, however, by the Securities and Exchange Commission, because the company was unable to provide five years of financial history for the Flamingo. Free US shipping on orders above $69! Does the international still exist in Vegas? [203], Smaller shows are hosted in the 400-seat Westgate Cabaret. The series of concerts broke house records, drawing more than 100,000 people and grossing 1.5M dollars. Experience the world, one adventure at a time. uk: In every fans mind, its Elvis at his peak. The showroom was daunting: twice as large as any other venue in Las Vegas, with room for 2,000 people. And I was the only one who could get anybody in there. [24][30] He hired airline executive Fred Benninger to oversee the development, and Martin Stern, Jr., who had designed several noted Las Vegas high-rises, as the hotel's architect. [204] This venue hosts magician Jen Kramer (since 2018),[205] Motown tribute act Soul of Motown (since 2019),[206] and the comedy night Comedy Cabaret (since 2023). [144] Architect Stefan Al described the building's aesthetics as a milestone in the corporatization of Las Vegas: "Characterized by its rectilinear forms and bare surfaces, stripped of ornamentation, this elite form of architecture stood miles away from the Mafia-tainted neon of existing casinos. Does the international still exist in Vegas? In 2014, the LVH was sold to Central Florida Investments, Inc, or Westgate Resorts which is the name that the hotel operates under to-date. [3][243][244], Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, lived at the Hilton for several years after Presley's death, and was a fixture at the hotel as an entertainment consultant for much of the remainder of his life. We use cookies on our site to keep track of your cart while you are shopping. Usually in Vegas the headliner would be announced by a disembodied voiceLadies and gentlemen, direct from the barDean Martin! But as the curtain rose, Elvis simply walked out, an acoustic guitar slung over his shoulder, grabbed the microphone in his right handwhich was visibly tremblingpaused for a moment, then launched into the familiar lyrics: Well, its one for the money, / Two for the show, / Three to get ready / Now go, cat, go . [67][68] In 1977, the hotel opened the Hilton Pavilion, a $7.5-million venue for sports and entertainment events, with a seating capacity of up to 5,000 people. He looked at peace, smiled at him. We The concept was originated by entertainment publicist Jerry Digney. It was one of the greatest shows Ive ever seen., The performance lasted an hour and fifteen minutes, with Elvis pacing the stage like a panther, crouching, lunging, leaping, doing karate kicks and punches. [156], One of the most famous engagements at the hotel was that of singer and pianist Liberace. [181], In 1993, the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Starlight Express opened in the main theater. Here's why the Mandalay Bay hotel owner is suing the Las Vegas shooting Opened as the International, then renamed to the Las Vegas Hilton, LVH then Westgate. [37], Howard Hughes, the eccentric billionaire who had purchased several Las Vegas casinos, saw Kerkorian as a rival and the International as unwelcome competition. (Lower 48 States). The group first announced plans to rebrand the 1,500-room property back in 2018 . [24][26] Some believed it was very risky to build such a property away from the Strip, but Kerkorian believed that it would spark the development of a "second Strip" along Paradise Road. Having survived rumors or demolition and more name changes than almost any other property in Las Vegas this grand dame of Las Vegas still stands. [320], The Hilton Pavilion hosted two nationally televised tennis events in 1978: the WCT Tournament of Champions[321] and the World Team Tennis All-Star Match. [92][93][94], In 1991, the Hilton was at the center of the Tailhook scandal, in which numerous United States Navy officers were accused of acts of sexual assault during a convention at the hotel. The show rotated through three hosts: creator Bob Eubanks, Chuck Woolery, and Jamie Farr. [14][15] The hotel also has several retail shops,[16] a wedding chapel,[17] and a business center.[18]. I can remember Elvis sitting on a couch, bassist Jerry Scheff recalled, his knee going up and down like a piston, his hands dancing like butterflies. You could see the sweat just pouring out of him before he went onstage, said his friend and road manager Joe Esposito. ", "A room at the top and Elvis lived in it", "Elvis fed needs for shelter, escape in Las Vegas suite", "Career provides a lifetime worth of Elvis memories", "All the King's men remember the reign of Elvis", "Elvis Presley impersonator recreates The King's famous concerts at Las Vegas Hilton", "Elvis fans are 'all shook up' over commercialism", "Elvis Presley Festival returns to Vegas this summer at legendary Hilton hotel", "Reviving Elvis: His life, times splash onto stage in hype-ridden Vegas spectacular", "The Elvis revue and the art of the deal", "Carlini salutes Elvis at Las Vegas Hilton", "Another girlie show bites the dust as 'Cover Girls' closes", "Westgate welcomes back Elvis in form of exhibit", "Priscilla Presley ready to return Elvis for real to Las Vegas", "Elvis Presley Graceland exhibit coming to Las Vegas", "Sean & John back in the saddle with Steven Tyler; Elvis residency in Las Vegas still a possibility", "Elvis Presley Estate wants memorabilia at Westgate returned to Graceland", "Elvis fans celebrate the legend's 83rd birthday", "Finally, Elvis honored with a street name", "Despite rumors, Bert Parks will host Miss America pageant again", "Como style still relaxed amid Vegas razzle-dazzle", "Monday List: 40 at 40, a look at the Las Vegas Hilton on a landmark anniversary", "Summer season not over; Gleason returning to TV", "Our Doris back from Mrs. America pageant", "Mrs. Indiana pleased to miss out on title - she'd miss her family", "Mrs. Iowa says contestants were backing Mrs. California", "Mrs. America: The beautiful Cynthia Pensiero, as 'Mrs. Is the Westgate hotel in Las Vegas the old Hilton? Located near the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip, it is owned by Westgate Resorts [Westgate Resorts was founded in 1982 and operates as a subsidiary of Central Florida Investments . What is the International Hotel Las Vegas called now? From 1981 to 1990, it was the largest hotel in the world. Who owned the International Hotel in Las Vegas? . 7 Was the international a real hotel in Las Vegas? [58], In 1970 and 1971, Kerkorian sold his shares of International Leisure to Hilton Hotels. The Trump International Hotel Las Vegas is a 64-story hotel, condominium, and timeshare located on Fashion Show Drive in Paradise, Nevada, US, named for owner Donald Trump, who later became US president.The exterior glass is infused with gold. The International was renamed the Las Vegas Hilton in July 1971. [192] His engagement was an early example of the trend of major recording artists establishing residency shows in Las Vegas, which was begun by Celine Dion at Caesars Palace in 2003. [153], From the opening of the hotel in 1969, the main showroom was a "star policy" venue,[154] meaning that popular musical artists and comedians were booked to perform for two to four weeks at a time. Elvis' Las Vegas penthouse | Lisa's History Room To me, though, Elvis's return to live stage work at the . The Linq (formerly Flamingo Capri, Imperial Palace and The Quad) is a casino hotel on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. [75] Among the victims treated for smoke inhalation was singer Natalie Cole. Elvis returned to Las Vegas in late 1969, playing from July to August returning in 1970 in January. Women rushing the stage, people clamoring over each other. What Is There To Do In Gatlinburg And Pigeon Forge. Stay Away LIVE (Elvis Presley Photo Compilation), Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds (Viva Elvis), Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, John Wilkenson and Jerry Scheff on rhythm gutar, Cissy Houston (mother of Whitney Houston). [239] Presley's run of performances at the Hilton was cut short by his death in August 1977. The $250,000 Game Show Spectacular ran from October 2007 to April 2008. It opened in 1969 as the International Hotel, and was known for many years as the Las Vegas Hilton, then briefly as the LVH Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. [140] According to Siegel, the timeshare conversion would take 15 to 20 years, and, even after its completion, at least 30 percent of the units would remain available as hotel rooms at any given time. We process orders in 1 business day and get them shipped to you as fast as possible. . Today the property, now almost fifty years old, proudly stands under the banner of the Westgate Las Vegas. [113] The deal fell through, however, and the property was locked up in litigation between Park Place and Roski until 2003, when they settled their claims against each other. And while Mr. Las Vegas may be the most famous person to report seeing Elvis on property, hes far from the only one. [23] Kratter had decided not to build a hotel himself, and in 1967, National Equities sold a 65.5-acre (26.5ha) portion of the site to Kerkorian for $5 million. Elvis Presley: A Life in Music, The Complete Recording Sessions by, Ernst Jorgensen 1998 St. Martins Press. [235][236] It would be his first public stage appearance in eight years. The hotel was originally designed by architect Martin Stern Jr. [188], In the early 2000s, the theater kept a rotating stable of headliners who each performed for ten weeks out of the year, including at times The Commodores, The Righteous Brothers, Sheena Easton, The Fab Four, Engelbert Humperdinck, and The Smothers Brothers. Appeared dead a few times. [233][234], Elvis Presley was signed for a four-week engagement in 1969 as the second performer to appear in the International's showroom, following Barbra Streisand. puts fresh spin on imitations", "Jeff Tracta, Rich Little, Jonathan Clark and a few words about impressionists", "Shows by Murray Sawchuck and Rich Little debut tonight in Las Vegas", "Stewart focus helps, but Little wise to keep working on his show", "Who would play Oscar Goodman in the musical? [184][185] The show was signed to a five-year contract, but closed early in 1997 amid lagging ticket sales. [170][171] The show closed in 1986, and the theater returned to star policy. [270], The hotel has a history as a prominent professional boxing venue. [38] He attempted to deter Kerkorian from building the project, first by making a sham announcement of a major planned expansion of his Sands Hotel, and then by conveying false claims to Kerkorian about damage to buildings from nearby nuclear tests. [102] This lasted until 1997, when the course became the Las Vegas National Golf Club. Las Vegas Hotel Promotions | Trump Hotel Las Vegas - Special Offers [2] The top floor consists of three "Sky Villas" geared towards "high roller" customers, each with a private swimming pool and at least 12,000 square feet (1,100m2) of space. [73] The fire spread to the exterior of the tower and then traveled up to the top of the building within 25 minutes. The hotel-casino sought to end the agreement last year as the property contended with financial troubles. At the time, it was the largest hotel and casino in the world. About video contains what happened to international hotel las vegas. Purple Reign (201416),[203] ), The frenzied reaction from the crowd startled the performers. [318], By 1995, the Hilton had reportedly backed away from seeking to host the biggest fights, because of escalating costs. [47][48], In keeping with the hotel's name, rooms were furnished with different international decors, with each floor featuring either a Spanish, Italian, or French theme. [172][173], Singer Wayne Newton, another longtime Las Vegas star, headlined the Hilton showroom from 1987 to 1993. [316] The hotel struck a deal to host several fights in the heavyweight unification series, a tournament to establish an undisputed heavyweight champion. When did the International Hotel in Vegas become the Hilton? [105][106][107] The hotel also spent $12 million on a new room for baccarat, a favorite game of Asian high rollers. The order of the songs was strictly Elvis choice, though he welcomed suggestions from his musicians. Westgate [Westgate Resorts was founded in 1982 and operates as a subsidiary of Central Florida Investments, Inc. (CFI). Decatur Daily Review. [20][21], Meanwhile, Kirk Kerkorian, the chairman of Trans International Airlines and landlord of Caesars Palace, began formulating plans to build a 1,000-room casino hotel in Las Vegas. [63] Hilton took complete ownership in 1972, acquiring all outstanding shares of International Leisure. and the "Icons of Comedy" series (201112), featuring comedians such as Gilbert Gottfried and Hal Sparks. The hotel is now known as the Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. The MGM Resorts International's lawsuit does . [133] They bought the property at its foreclosure auction in October 2012, where they were the only bidder. [236] Presley's first show proved so popular that the hotel immediately signed him to a five-year contract for two month-long engagements per year. [207], Starting in the 1990s, the venue was known as The NightClub. Inside the Las Vegas Show That Turned Elvis' Career Around He wasnt necessarily thrilled with who he was in the fifties. Hilton's timeshare arm, Hilton Grand Vacations, began construction of a complex at the northeast corner of the property in 1998. [111], Around 1999, Park Place began seeking a buyer for the Las Vegas Hilton, because the company hoped to concentrate on its properties on the Las Vegas Strip, especially the newly acquired Caesars Palace. It became the Las Vegas Hilton in 1971. We love to help! [77][78] The rest of the rooms were repaired over the following three months, at an estimated cost of $10 million. It opened in 1969 as the International Hotel, and was known for many years as the Las Vegas Hilton, then briefly as the LVH - Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. What is the International Hotel in Vegas called now? The general contractor selected to build the expansion was Del E. Webb Corporation. Including the space-themed casino within a casino. Philip Bruce Cline, a hotel busboy who was under the influence of drugs, set fire to a curtain in an elevator lobby on the eighth floor of the east tower. [44] At the time, it was Nevada's tallest building and largest hotel. [124][125] In June 2011, the Hilton began defaulting on payments to Goldman Sachs on the loan. FILE PHOTO: Workers board up a broken window at the Mandalay Bay hotel, where shooter Stephen Paddock conducted his mass shooting along the Las Vegas Strip, in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., October 6 . A Man Stashed Guns in His Las Vegas Hotel Room. 3 Years Later, a Killer What Happened To International Hotel Las Vegas In other words, they were about glitter and glitz as well as musicianship. [9] Benihana Village, opened in 1974, is a Japanese-themed area with streams and gardens, with several restaurants centered around its namesake teppanyaki grill. I hope this information was helpful! . He joked about the garish showroomWelcome to the big, freaky International Hotel, with those weirdo dolls on the walls and those funky angels on the ceiling. He repeated the same lines almost every night, but the evening had a loose, spontaneous quality too.