Las Vegas Mob Experience

It was a vice-like grip that bred fear, loathing and laundering in Las Vegas, but one that ultimately shaped the “Strip” pounded by the feet of tourists today. For a period, the mob era was rarely talked about. Henchmen remained nameless and murders remained mythical legends of another lifetime, however, the recent conclusion of the historic “Operation Family Secrets” trial has put paid to fears of reprisals and potential 'whacks', since most of those infamous 80's “businessmen” are now serving time. Now, the creaking lid of a dark and once insidious past is being prised open; secrets abound are pouring from the lips of Vegas veterans, who once worked under notorious tyrants and the chilling tales of hits and vengeance are filtering into the public domain. Its only recently that Las Vegas has realized, it's past could actually hold the key to it's booming future – the premier mob attraction on the heart of the Strip, being the first to open the doors to that “other world”.

“Las Vegas Mob Experience” seeks to explore and corroborate the fishwives tales and facts, within a 23,000 square foot venue at the affluent Tropicana Hotel Resort. The 50's built venue is a fitting locale for the permanent exposition, since it was here Frank Costello got found out in 1957, allegedly in possession of papers detailing the casino's gross takings. Tropicana was also at the center of a lengthy skimming operation during the 1970's. - linked to the powerful mob arm from Kansas City. Mentioned in both the “Godfather Part II” and “James Bond: Diamonds Are Forever”, the hotel is modernly linked with fictional crime-lords too – a ranking third after the Flamingo and Sahara hotel resorts. The Tropicana too is one of the last vintage hotels on the Strip, that hasn't succumbed to bankruptcy or implosion in recent years.

Sin City visitors might well have been satisfied with a slicker than your average mob museum, packed to the gills with photos, sound-bites and a few live video excerpts. But frequenters know that Vegas is rarely ever satisfied with putting on a mediocre show. “Las Vegas Mob Experience” harnesses the latest in 3-D technology for a celeb led tour around replicated streets and alleys of Vegas. Once you put on those tinted cine-specs, there's no looking back as Mickey Rourke or Tony Sirico take up the helm, and lead you into the dark lair of dastardly dealings and death.

Digitally manipulated “ghosts” of Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel and Myer Lansky are on hand (popping up with heart-stopping regularity) to provide first hand narrative when it comes to key events, including the fallout over the opulent Flamingo (built by “Bugsy”) that led to his untimely demise. Post duck 'n' dive tour, actor James Caan (of “Godfather” notoriety) provides a fascinating televised insight into the history of the Vegas mob, with accompanying photographs and even a few old mob interviews thrown in for authenticity. If you've ever heard this guys voice, you'll know he pulls off a pretty convincing mafia dude himself – albeit as a brooding sound-alike.

“Everyone has skeletons in their closet..but ours are more literal than most...”. It's the kind of promise that can't help inspire a rousing curiosity, especially when marketed by a tour that promises to expose the colorful lives of Las Vegas' gangland celebrities – whacks and all! The “Experience” has been able to resurrect the lives of these prolific entities, with a little help from the sons, wives daughters of the mob men. Widows Nancy Spilotro and Janice Sachs have contributed countless personal effects that once belonged to their underworld husbands, while Benjamin Siegel's own daughter Millicent Rosen permitted the installation of several cars from the “Bugsy” collection. The end result? An eclectic expo combining some truly personal effects – including Meyer Lansky's diary, private Spilotro photos and the entire furniture hoard from Sam Giancana's living room. Sam Giancana's like-for-like room replica feels more than a tad chilling, since it was only a room away from the furniture that Giancana met his end, at the barrel of a gun.

Visitors to the “L.V.M.E” come away with more than a multi-media history lesson playing in their heads. The association of the mob's next of kin has allowed the experience to convey the truth about the legendary Vegas characters, without (pardon the pun) overkill. As for the 3-D tour, it's time travel without a portal - a fascinating insight into how modern Vegas grew from an arid, desert shrouded oasis, into the thriving everyone-wants-a-piece glitter gulch of today.