Photograph by
Summer, Donna, American, 1948 - 2012
Manufactured by
Eastman Kodak Company, founded 1889
Subject of
Arden, Donn, American, died 1994
MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, American, 1973 - 1986
Date
ca. 1979
Medium
dye on photographic paper
Dimensions
H x W x D (Sheet): 4 1/4 × 3 1/2 × 1/16 in. (10.8 × 8.9 × 0.2 cm)
H x W (Image): 3 1/8 × 3 1/16 in. (7.9 × 7.8 cm)
Description
A color polaroid photograph of the Las Vegas MGM Grand Hotel and Casino marquee taken by Donna Summer. The photograph has a thick white border that is wider at the bottom, with a color image at the top center. The freestanding, roadside marquee is shown slightly right of center. The marquee is white and roughly hexagonal in shape with two supporting concrete columns at the base. Perched at the top center of the marquee is an unlit neon sign that reads [MGM]. Below is the top third of the marquee, with a [CELEBRITY ROOM] sign at the top center and with the headliner names below in large black text that reads [DONNA SUMMER / DAVID BRENNER]. Above Brenner’s name is smaller black text that read [MUSICAL DIRECTOR EN LANE]. The center panel of the marquee features at small black sign at the top that reads [ZIEGFELD THEATRE]. Red and black text on the marquee below reads [MGM PRESENTS DONN ADREN’S / HALLELUJAH / HOLLYWOOD!] with smaller black text in the bottom left corner that reads [NIGHTLY / 9 P.M.-12.30AM / NOW / SATURDAYS 3 SHOWS / 9 PM – 12 – 230 AM]. The bottom third of the marquee features blue, black, and red text in varying sizes and fonts that reads [jai alai / PARI MUTUEL BETTING / NIGHTLY EXCEP[sic] MONDAYS] on the left and [GRAND “Q’ / $2 CAN WIN / $5000 TO $50,000 / POOLS] on the right. Near the bottom of the top third of the marquee are two men on a suspended scaffold who appear to be changing the marquee headliner names. Behind the marquee is the multistory hotel, palm trees, and a gradient dark to light blue sky. The back of the polaroid is black with a white frame. The date and film code, [07097805201], is printed in the bottom left corner with [POLAROID ®] in the right corner.
Place captured
Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Photographs and Still Images
Type
dye diffusion transfer prints
Topic
American West
Amusements
Composers (Musicians)
Disco (Music)
Nightlife
Photography
Singers (Musicians)
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2023.85.4
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown – Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5b284c751-91a0-4f8e-87cc-961015a359bf

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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