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Veteran Las Vegas showman Moore dies
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Bill Moore
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LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Bill Moore, a veteran show producer who gave Las Vegas audiences eyefuls of feathers and sequins -- and the country a national punch line with a show called "Nudes on Ice" -- died Thursday of a brain tumor. He was 86.
In the days when Las Vegas entertainment was known for generic show titles with specific ingredients, British producer Moore and partner George Arnold delivered sparkly showgirls, skaters and variety acts packaged under titles such as "Razzle Dazzle" and "City Lites," which ran more than 13 years at the Flamingo Hilton.
"He was the guardian angel of Las Vegas. He came to Las Vegas to help everyone," said Charo, the star with whom Moore had been aligned as a producer and adviser for the rest of his career after his "City Lites" closed at the end of 1994.
"He was the most dignified, wonderful human being I've ever met in my life," Charo added. "He had happiness by giving happiness to other people."
Moore and Arnold, who died in 1997, produced revues in Las Vegas, Northern Nevada and Atlantic City for nearly 35 years. Their credits included the first show at Caesars Palace, "Rome Swings," in 1966 and the "Bal du Moulin Rouge" revue at the Las Vegas Hilton in the early 1980s, with production numbers built around headliners Charo and Suzanne Somers.
"I think we were probably the last of our type," Moore noted after the death of his partner.
But only one title caught the public zeitgeist, a revival of a show Arnold and Moore had done in the 1960s. "Nudes on Ice" was only the latest in a long string of "... on Ice" productions, "Playgirls ..." "Fantasy ..." and "Spice ..." among them. But there was something about the "Nudes."
A title that seemed provocative in the hippie era was by 1988 an easy laugh that got the little revue at the Plaza -- then called the Union Plaza -- name-checked by the likes of Andy Rooney and David Letterman, who made a habit of asking guests whether they had seen it or performed in it. The title also turned up in the sitcoms "Murphy Brown" and "Alf."
"It was great for us," Moore said.
Moore, a native of Gateshead, England, was a dancer and Arnold an ice skater when they decided to produce their own show, "Rhythm on Ice," at the El Cortez in 1960. It was a modest hit and "got us onto the Strip," Moore said in 1988. Once there, they had productions running for more than 30 years and "never had a flop."
In 1988, Moore explained why a previous generation's production shows still pulled an audience. "Whatever's current becomes a fad, and we find that it's very fleeting. If you try to put in current things, it's gone with the wind so fast. Before you know it, it's out."
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The memories are great. Your friendship appreciated. We had so many laughs. The angels probably have you and George working on your next production, which will be another hit. Rest in peace. You will always be remembered by me and my fanily.
Dear Bill,
Words of the Gaelic blessing flow into my mind, may the road rise up to meet you, may the soft rain fall on your fields, may the Lord hold you in the palm of his hand, Alwyas Loved.
Sister Catherine, Brother in law Johhny and family x x x R.I.P
You are SO right, "78firebird": just how many same old, same old shows do we need? Enough with the Cirque shows; bring back the REAL Las Vegas shows like "Nudes on Ice" and "Showgirls of Magic".
Dear bill i will miss you so much each week we were on the phone talking about the shows we loved so much old and new. Rest in peace my love or even better you and geoge put a show on up there all my love john osborne
brighton england
Bill was one of the first people I worked for in Las Vegas and hired me out of- that is to say, rescued me, from a truly awful show for his show at the Flamingo in Laughlin. He was truly a gentleman, a joy to work for and became a very dear friend. I was privileged to know and work for him. God bless you Bill.
RIP Bill. Bill and George were the greatest. Working for them was a pleasure. I have alot of great memories as I skated in 4 of their shows. I really miss the shows of the 70's and 80's. I am so sick of the silly Cirque shows. They are all the same.
Rest in peace, Bill. The time I spent with you and George prior to the opening of Flamingo Hilton in Laughlin, though more then two decades in the past, still remains vivid in my memories. You two represent a time when Clark County was still place of community where neighbors kept on eye out for one another.
These fabulous shows NEED to make a comeback in Vegas. How many Cirque, Blue, Sameness do we need? Time to bring the Showgirls and Musicians back.
May you rest in peace dear uncle Bill, The world and las Vegas Thanks you for your wonderful productions, goodnight and God bless Love from your family in Gateshead, England