The truth behind Las Vegas' iconic showgirl tram photo revealed
A well-known photo from 1950s Las Vegas appears to show glamorous showgirls driving a tram through the city. The image, stored in the UNLV Special Collections archive, has long fuelled a popular myth about the era. But a closer look reveals the truth behind the staged publicity shot.
The photo, taken by the Las Vegas News Bureau, arranged the shoot by commandeering a real tram. Passengers on board looked visibly unimpressed, suggesting the scene was not as spontaneous as it seemed. The showgirl, dressed in full costume, only pretended to operate the vehicle for the camera.
The women in the picture belonged to the Copa Girls, a famous chorus line created by Jack Entratter in 1945 for New York's Copacabana Club. A decade later, Entratter—then general manager of the Sands Hotel—brought the act to Las Vegas as part of the resort's entertainment. While the Copa Girls did occasionally drive the Sands' parking lot tram in costume, they never piloted public transport through the streets.
The misleading photo is just one of many myths explored in the Vegas Myths Busted column. Published every Monday, with a bonus Flashback Friday edition, the series digs into the city's past to separate fact from fiction. Readers can even suggest topics by emailing [email protected].
The tram-driving showgirls were never a regular sight on Las Vegas roads. The photo was purely a staged promotion, orchestrated by the Sands' management. Yet the image remains a playful piece of the city's history, now clarified by the Vegas Myths Busted series.
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