Las Vegas Casinos Myths Re-Busted: The Truth Behind Buddy Hackett’s ‘Oral Contract’

For instance, in 1968, comedian Shecky Greene made headlines when he accidentally drove his Oldsmobile right into the Caesars Palace fountains. Discover more about [N/A – Quick Run]. EDITOR’S NOTE: “Vegas Myths Busted” publishes every Monday with a bonus Flashback Friday edition, dedicated to uncovering the truths behind the legends of Las Vegas casinos. Today’s entry in our ongoing series originally ran on June 12, 2023, diving deep into the mysteries of the Strip.

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Las Vegas in the 1950s and 60s was a hotbed of wild tales and audacious stories. However, not all of them are true!

For instance, in 1968, comedian Shecky Greene made headlines when he accidentally drove his Oldsmobile right into the Caesars Palace fountains. This incident has become iconic, much like Evel Knievel’s failed motorcycle jump over the same fountains a year prior.

Buddy Hackett, coincidentally a contemporary of Greene, became the subject of a rather outrageous story. According to some sources, he supposedly had a clause in his 1963 contract with the Tropicana that allowed him to choose a casino showgirl for “gratification” before and after his shows. This kind of claim is what fables around Las Vegas are made of!

Another website claims that this contract was supposedly documented in a book and, at one time, could be found hanging in Tropicana’s old Casino Legends Hall of Fame museum. However, let’s take a closer look.

In a rather graphic retelling of the alleged incident, author Joe Oesterle painted a rather unflattering picture of Hackett. He describes an exaggerated scenario involving a ‘bloated, bug-eyed comic indulging in excesses,’ which only serves to tarnish Hackett’s legacy.

“Everything in here is so wrong,” said Hackett’s son, Sandy, in a rebuttal to these myths. “There’s nothing that even remotely resembles truth. Who would put that in a contract? Even the mafia wouldn’t do that!”

Sandy also reminisced about a different story concerning his father’s sense of humor during a golf outing. Apparently, Buddy once lost a ball in a swamp and emerged stark naked, yelling comically that “Locusts are upon us!” This was a gag purely for the amusement of his friends, yet somehow, over the years, numerous people have claimed to be a part of that memorable day.

Buddy’s comedic persona extended to the stage as well. One night at the Sahara, advised to tone down his racy jokes because of the audience, he stood with just a silver dollar covering his privates but didn’t crack a single suggestive joke. Instead, he improvised a classic routine!

Sandy clarified that many of Buddy’s attributed anecdotes are embellished or completely fabricated. He was a man of decency who respected women deeply and was happily married for decades. “He did two shows a night and after each show, he was exhausted!” Sandy emphasised.

The Lasting Impact of Vegas Myths

The world of Las Vegas is rich with history, tales, and legends that sometimes blend fact with fiction. The stories surrounding figures like Buddy Hackett show how easily myths can become intertwined with reality. As we dig deeper, we find a mix of entertainment and exaggeration that keeps the lore of Las Vegas alive.

• Las Vegas has often changed the narratives of its iconic entertainers—sometimes for better, often for worse.
• Buddy Hackett was renowned for his humor but also faced the weight of the myths that followed him throughout his career.
• Many legends emerge from each era of Vegas history, turning its characters into larger-than-life figures.

In summary, while many claims related to Buddy Hackett’s infamous ‘oral contract’ might make for entertaining discussion, the reality often is a simple case of myth-making in a city where great storytellers thrive. As far as Buddy was concerned, he was just a performer who brought joy to many, minus the sensationalized tales.

For more insights and entertaining stories from the heart of Las Vegas, keep an eye out for “Vegas Myths Busted” every Monday on Casino.org.

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