The Mystery Mural

This beautiful piece of art fell into the hands of Kathleen Bell, a Las Vegas native and daughter of Charles R. Bell who acquired the piece himself. It measures approximately 3.5 x 6 feet, is painted on canvas, and on the bottom there is evidence of a border or wainscoting. The piece features pop-culture celebrities from mostly the 30's, 40's and 50's, including Ronald Reagan, who performed at The Last Frontier!

In her own words:

"[My father] was also the campaign manager for Congressman Walter S. Baring and saw to it that he stayed in Washington for some 14 terms. In the 70’s they called him the King Maker in the R.J. He all but ruled the NV Legislature at one time. He was Loved, Hated and Feared. One of the Old School politicians, helped win Nevada for many, including Jack Kennedy. He was very closed mouthed about a good many people and situations. “It was healthier”, he’d say. I wish I knew the complete story but this is what I do know.

Folklore has it that an Art Director or Sketch Artist, someone of that ilk came to Las Vegas in the (50’s - 60’s?) gambled, couldn’t pay the large debt in full. Rather than being escorted to the desert, this person was allowed to paint this piece and it hung in the (unknown) Casino’s coffee shop. I am unable to find a signature. There may be another piece somewhere that has a signature, or perhaps the artist did not want it known. Many unanswered questions. I am trying to ascertain the veracity of the folklore associated with the chiaroscuro with respect to the identity of the artist, the year it was painted, the location and exactly where it hung and for how long, (casino & location in the casino), who commissioned said piece, as well as the particular format and initial ownership.  Another curiosity is, why was this person allowed to paint this instead of being escorted to the desert as was often the norm in the past.  A sweetheart deal perhaps?

Can hardly wait for feedback. Thank you for your help."

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UPDATE:

From LeavingLV.net's good friend Brian "Paco" Alvarez:

"According to my father the mural was exhibited at the original MGM Grand Hotel outside the entrance to the "Movie House" (the name is a guess). The theater featured old MGM movies. Many years later the theater was converted into a comedy club when the hotel was renamed Bally's.  Also there was a Hall of Stars at the MGM. This hall connected the Casino with the Jai Alai Fronton.

The fire never reached the theater which was located at the west end of the hotel on the lower level where the shops were. The fire mainly back-drafted out the front of the hotel towards Las Vegas Boulevard obviously destroying the casino and Porte-cochere. As we all know the electrical fire started in the deli at the east end of the casino near the Orleans Coffee Shop and Barrymore's one of the three gourmet room and headed west. The east end of the hotel was badly smoke and water damaged of course. Hence the reason the mural probably survived."

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