Circus Circus

Circus Circus interior in Diamonds Are Forever (1971).

Circus Circus is a circus-themed casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Winchester, Nevada. The largest permanent big top in the world, the location prominently appeared in EON Productions' 1971 James Bond film, Diamonds Are Forever.

History

The Water Balloon Race Game

The balloon water race game in Diamonds Are Forever (1971).

Aside from rows of slot machines and card games, the Circus also featured various carnival games and attractions. One of which was the "water balloon race game". A game of skill, the objective of the game was to direct a stream of water from a water pistol into the mouth of one of several plastic clown heads, filling its adjacent balloon until it pops. The size of the prize varied with the number of players. The game was surreptitiously rigged by the CIA to covertly transfer diamonds to smuggler Tiffany Case, concealed in a prize teddy bear. This ploy was discovered by a young customer, who angrily protested the unfairness of the game. Tiffany's response was "Blow up your pants, kid!"

Zambora

Zambora and scientist performers in Diamonds Are Forever (1971).

"Here, for the first time, see Zambora - strangest girl ever born to live. She was captured near Nairobi, south Africa, and is believed to be part of a cruel, inhuman experiment. This beautiful girl will be locked into a steel cage, right in front of your eyes will change very slowly into a ferocious 450-pound gorilla."

― Attraction announcer for 'Live' stage full of Horror.

Another notable attraction is the 'Live' stage full of Horror; a shapeshifting/transfiguration illusion act featuring a scientist performer and his "test subject," "Zambora", a wild South African beauty whom he will transform into a dangerous, 450 lbs gorilla. Entering through a curtained door, guests encounter an interior designed to give the impression of a mad scientist's ramshackle laboratory. The scientist warns the guests (mostly young children) to remain silent so as not to disturb the subject from her 'transcendental state'. He then opens a wooden door to reveal "Zambora": a beautiful, young woman standing half-naked in a steel cage. She appears to have been hypnotized, standing as still, silent, and unresponsive, as a statue. The scientist warns the audience of the unpredictability of his research; urging them to flee the laboratory via the curtained exit should anything 'go wrong'. As he works the controls, the lights dim and the transformation sequence begins - the comely Zambora, still silent and motionless, slowly begins to fade away. In a few moments, the metamorphosis is complete; the girl has vanished, leaving a caged animal in her place.

At this point, the scientist makes the 'mistake' of releasing the newly-formed female gorilla from the trance. Growling ferociously, an infuriated "Zambora" shakes the cage bars and wrenches the door open - causing the young audience to panic and flee through the exit. The attraction is featured in a sequence where Tiffany Case enters the show and uses the ensuing havoc as a distraction to escape her CIA pursuers, Brad and Maxwell.

Behind the Scenes

The $15 million Circus Circus was opened on October 18, 1968; its giant circus tent-shaped main structure designed by architects Rissman and Rissman Associates and built by R.C. Johnson Construction of Las Vegas. While the modern facility includes a hotel, 123,928 sq ft (11,513.3 m2) casino, and RV park; at its opening, it only comprised of a casino. In 1971, the casino's then-owner, Jay Sarno (owner from 1968–1974), a fan of the James Bond franchise, allowed the Circus to be used in the film Diamonds are Forever and even made a cameo as Zambora's 'scientist' handler.

Gallery

The Vegas Strip where the circus is located

A disguised CIA operative gives Tiffany her prize

Filming of Diamonds are Forever outside Circus Circus

Sean Connery and Jill St John on set in Las Vegas

Sultry Zambora in her cage

The transformation

"Wake, my beauty, wake!"