The gold mine of America

After South Africa, state of Nevada is largest gold producer in world. Golden Nugget Hotel displays world's biggest gold nugget ever found, that weights 61 pounds.

The most famous mine owner in history of Nevada was George Wingfield. He also owned every bank in state. Goldfield Consolidated Mines Company, that he ran together with senator (at that time) George S. Nixon, made them both multi-millionaires.

The other "gold mine" of state of Nevada is gambling, since gaming activities were legalised in 1931. In 2003, gross gaming revenue in Las Vegas was $7,673,489,000.

This "gold mine" closed its doors only one time in history: on November 25th 1963, for national mourning of assassinated president George Kennedy. History didn't repeat itself in first days after September 11. In fact, Americans asked in surveys on this subject saw Las Vegas as a place to escape tension.

Casino

This one, released in 1995, is classic. It approaces "sin city" way nobody dared before. The story is based on almost fabulous life of Frank Rosendhale (impersonated by Robert de Niro), best handicapper of all times, and his beautifull wife Gery (impersonated by Sharon Stone). Las Vegas made them rich and television made them famous.

"Casino" hit box-offices, but Frank said director Martin Scorsese brought spotlights on his own chopped vision of Las Vegas; blamed him that he was not really interested to either understand casinos or be faithful to real story; thus, Frank Rosenthale would have told it differently.

The Winner

Las Vegas footage has proven a good luck charm for Francis Ford Coppola's famous nephew, Nicholas Cage. He started with Honeymoon in Vegas in 1992, grabbed an Oscar on road with Leaving Las Vegas and made a come-back with Con Air in 1997; literally, Nick Cage forced his landing on Hard Rock Hotel guitar...

Just another subjective list

* 1971 - Diamonds Are Forever, from James Bond (Sean Connery) series * 1974 - The Godfather Part II * The Rocky series (parts III and IV) included brief glimpses from Las Vegas * 1987 - Heat, 100% Las Vegas made, starring Burt Reynolds * 1988 - Rain Man, with Dustin Hoffman, action set mostly inside Caesars Palace * 1991 - Bugsy, story of Bugsy Siegel and making of Flamingo. Casts Warren Beatty and Annette Bening * 1993 - Indecent Proposal. Some reviews advice to "save money for slots" * 1995 - Heat, this time starring Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino, only movie two "monsters" have met * 1995 - Showgirls, mostly a movie about... girls, including many scenes at Stardust