Las Vegas Casinos Myths Re-Busted: Did Actor Lee Marvin Really Shoot Vegas Vic With an Arrow?

Las Vegas Casinos Myths Re-Busted: Did Actor Lee Marvin Really Shoot Vegas Vic With an Arrow? EDITOR’S NOTE: “Vegas Myths Busted” dives deep into the legends and misconceptions that have defined the high-stakes allure of Las Vegas casinos, sharing intriguing stories about the myths that have shaped the citys history.

Longtime visitors of Las Vegas will recall that Vegas Vic, the iconic neon cowboy, used to have a voice. Every 15 minutes, this charming sign would greet passersby with a friendly “Howdy Podner!” However, this unique feature brought more annoyance than joy to nearby guests trying to sleep at The Mint hotel, which opened in 1965 directly across Fremont Street.

A persistent myth suggests that actor Lee Marvin, during a stay filming The Professionals in December 1965, grew so irritated by Vic’s voice that he shot the sign in the mouth with an arrow, rendering it silent for two decades. But what really happened?

The Myth Unfolded

In reality, if a mechanical sign malfunctions, especially one as famous as Vegas Vic, it gets repaired quickly. This should have raised questions about the plausibility of this tale.

On December 11, 1965, a drunken party unfolded in a room rented at The Mint by Woody Strode, who starred alongside Marvin. As the festivities escalated, the annoying voice of Vegas Vic became a topic of frustration. Strode, who portrayed an expert archer in the film, decided to take action and shot an arrow from his hotel window. The arrow hit Vic, producing sparks and causing a temporary outage but did not silence him permanently.

Strode later recounted, “I had to crawl out the window to find the right angle. It was a five-foot bow. I let loose an arrow and hit ‘Howdy Podner’ right in the mouth! Sparks flew everywhere!” However, Vaughan Cannon, who maintained the sign, clarified that only a few neon tubes were damaged, and Vic’s recording system was still functional.

Aftermath of the Incident

In the chaos following the arrow incident, Strode and stuntman Tony Epper ran to Marvin’s room to hide the bow before police could arrive. Marvin, who was asleep at the time, was woken up and, in a state of excitement, fired a shotgun out the window—an action that brought police to his door. Interestingly, no charges were pressed against Marvin, possibly due to his celebrity status or the fact that he had just won an Oscar.

What Really Happened to Vegas Vic?

It wasn’t until 1968 that city commissioners voted to silence Vic due to complaints about his vocal greetings disturbing hotel guests. There were no mentions of Marvin in any official capacity, suggesting the myth persisted more for its entertainment value than any factual basis.

Despite regaining his voice briefly in 1980, Vic permanently lost it during a renovation of the Fremont Street Experience in 1994.

Conclusion

The story of Lee Marvin shooting Vegas Vic is an entertaining anecdote that highlights the rich tapestry of myths surrounding Las Vegas. While it makes for a good tale, the reality is far more mundane.

It’s often said that with time, legends morph into facts, but as we’ve seen, the truth is much less sensational. Next time you’re in Las Vegas, consider the many fascinating stories hidden behind its neon lights!

For more insights into Vegas legends, keep an eye out for the next installment of “Vegas Myths Busted”!

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