Moulin Rouge Hotel This inspiration comes from the first Afro-American star in France, Josephine Baker. The wall painted of the Moulin Rouge Las Vegas, included many references to Paris and Toulouse-Lautrec. "Black showgirls performed on a stage amid a backdrop of walls featuring mahogany wood trim and Toulouse-Lautrec-style murals of black French cancan dancers. The showroom featured "Tropi-Can-Can" under the tutelage of veteran producer Clarence Robinson." When it opened, the Moulin Rouge was fully integrated top to bottom, from employees to patrons to entertainers. The hotel made the June 20, 1955, cover of "Life" magazine, with a photo of two showgirls. A veritable
Betty Willis (artist) for Fox West Coast Theaters. Betty returned to Las Vegas where she first took a job at the courthouse, then worked as a commercial artist before moving on to designing neon signs at Western Neon. It was there that she designed her signature piece, the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, completed in 1959. Willis never trademarked the design, later saying "It's my gift to the city." Willis is also known for designing the signs for the Moulin Rouge Hotel and the Blue Angel Motel. She continued designing signs until she retired at the age of 77. She died at