Marlene Dietrich performs during her opening night at the Sahara on Oct. 4, 1955.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Associated Press

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Pistol-packing Marcia Rogers prepares to fan a shot from her Colt .45 as she practices at the Sahara Hotel in November 1961 for the annual Sahara-Colt's National Fast Draw Championship.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Associated Press

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Justice of the Peace Herman Fisher begins the wedding ceremony of Vidal Sassoon and Beverly Adams at the Sahara on Feb. 16, 1967. From left, Sassoon, Adams and Cathy McElman, matron of honor.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Associated Press

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Actress Elizabeth Taylor and husband Michael Wilding relax at the Sahara on March 7, 1956.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: REUTERS

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The Sahara in 1971.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Sahara Hotel and Casino

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The Sahara in 1974.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Associated Press

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Sid Caesar, center, and Imogene Coca, right, rehearse for their debut at the Sahara on Sept. 15, 1977. At left is colleague Milton Frome.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Associated Press

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Singer Tony Bennett toasts his audience on April 10, 1977, at the Sahara.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Associated Press

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The marquee at the Sahara on May 11, 2011, a week before it closed.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

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Guests play table games during the final hours of operation at the Sahara hotel and casino on May 16.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Isaac Brekken / Associated Press

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Disabled slot machines sit empty during the final day of operation at the Sahara on Monday.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Isaac Brekken / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=31328

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Charles Krebs, 76, known as "Eddie the Hat" around the Sahara Hotel and Casino, sips a drink at a bar during its final day of operation, May 16, 2011.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Isaac Brekken / Associated Press

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The Sahara hotel on its final day. The 59-year-old property, on the Las Vegas Strip, opened in 1952. It is where Elvis Presley stayed while filming "Viva Las Vegas" and where the Beatles stayed when they performed in Sin City.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: DARRIN BUSH / LAS VEGAS NEWS BUREAU/EPA

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Workers man the front desk during the final check-out at the Sahara.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Isaac Brekken / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=31331

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Las Vegas — The porte cochere and marquee at the Sahara Hotel & Casino on May 11. The Sahara's current owner, SBE Entertainment Group, has closed the 1,720-room resort, which first opened in 1952.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=31326

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