Las Vegas Documentary Goes Beyond Casinos

Published November 12, 2005 at 12:00 AM EST

People think of Las Vegas as Sin City, a version of Disneyland, or maybe a little of both. But as the town's place in American culture continues to evolve, people seeking to change their fortune are still drawn there.

A new installment of PBS' American Experience explores the ups and downs of America's fast-growing rollercoaster of a town.

Las Vegas: An Unconventional History follows the development of the town's all-important casinos, but it also delves into the stories of those who come to Vegas for everything from entertainment to a fresh start on life. The film features the stories of 10 Las Vegas residents, including a strip club "house mom," a hotel maid and a local schoolteacher.

Director Stephen Ives talks with Scott Simon about the film, which airs on PBS stations Nov. 14 and 15.

Federal funding is gone.

Congress has eliminated all funding for public media.

That means $2.1 million per year that Connecticut Public relied on to deliver you news, information, and entertainment programs you enjoyed is gone.

The future of public media is in your hands.

All donations are appreciated, but we ask in this moment you consider starting a monthly gift as a Sustainer to help replace what’s been lost.

Donate

SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

Federal funding is gone.

Donate