Sun Staff

Thursday, March 31, 1966 | 6 a.m.

Aladdin's lamp glows tonight at midnight!

Ribbon-cutting festivities opening Milton Prell's new Aladdin take place at the hotel's casino entrance at the stroke of twelve to usher in the first major Strip resort with gaming in nine years.

On hand for the opening will be a host of local and state officials and dignitaries, along with Hollywood personalities to mark the return of Prell to Las Vegas.

The founder and former president of Las Vegas enterprises that included Hotel Sahara, the Mint and the Luck Casino now is in his 20th year of active resort leadership in southern Nevada.

Prell's hotel group purchased the Aladdin on Jan. 1, then supervised an intensive 90-day remodeling and renovation campaign costing in excess of $3 million.

Now a $16 million property, the Aladdin's 35-acre complex incorporates 400 rooms for its opening in addition to a multitude of resort features.

Included are the largest and most beautiful casino in the state; a par-54 golf course; five dining facilities; four swimming pools and an entertainment schedule that will set a precedent on the Strip.

Featured in the Aladdin's 500 seat Bagdad Theatre are three complete and different shows, each presented twice a night, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Entertainment director Joe Rollo rolls the spotlight on: the "Jackie Mason Show," and the dancing Cheer Girls.

The "Jet Set Revue," featuring Aladdin Showgirls, song-stress Dian Hart and comedian Jermey Vernon, along with a cast of specialty performers marks the return of Dorthy Dorben to Las Vegas.

Miss Dorben, one of Hollywood's top choreographers and musical directors who directed Las Vegas productions many times in the past, staged, produced and will direct the new "Jet Set" showing.

Added Aladdin entertainment attractions feature a total of five acts performing in the Casino Show Bar from 4:30 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Heading the Aladdin's executive staff is a multitude of persons widely-known and respected in the community.

Included are Gil Gilbert, vice president; Saul Messer, general manager and comptroller; Carl Wilson, casino manager; and casino executives Elias Atol, Oscar Argon, Al Garbian, Carl Hastie, Greg Johnson, Jimmy Konys and Ernie Sims, Will Schwartz and Abe Cohen.

Other key Las Vegas personnel included Mel Prell, credit manager; Ralph Greco, food and beverage manager; Fred Lanouette, entertainment coordinator and sales director, and Dick Kanellis, director of advertising, promotion and publicity.