The Las Vegas Strip

This chatty video history of Las Vegas's growth from a desert outpost to a family vacation destination joins similar non-biographical--in the human sense--entries (Santa Claus, various television series', etc.) in A&E's long-running Biography series. The glitzy showbiz aspect of Vegas history coexists with the gritty Western and ominous mob facets, so it's fitting that the usual suspects from gangster Bugsy Siegel through casino czar Steve Wynn are covered here, along with the highlights of the evolution of Vegas architecture (Bigger! Brighter! More ostentatious!) and entertainment. Keely Smith addresses the transition from live performances by prominent music, theater, and comedy stars in the ‘50s to today's floorshows featuring briefly-attired young women in routines more or less reminiscent of those in the beloved schlock bomb feature movie Showgirls. Other interviewees include older (Steve Lawrence) and newer (Penn and Teller) Vegas legends--but no Las Vegas denizen living or dead can explain the appeal of the redoubtable Danny Gans, a megastar legend in Clark County, but totally unknown elsewhere. The bottom line is that this is a serviceable bit of entertainment and pop culture history, though hardly the best or most comprehensive title on the subject. Optional. Aud. P. (M. Tribby)