Diamonds are Forever Filming Locations
When Patrick and I decided to stop in Vegas on our way to Idaho, I suggested we stay at Circus Circus, as I am a fan of the James Bond film Diamonds are Forever, as the hotel is featured in the film. I also found two more locations used in the film nearby!
I think it’s fair to note that when discussing filming locations, there will be some spoilers involved! So you have been warned!
Let’s go chronologically, shall we? First off we have Slumber Inc. Where Bond takes his “brother” to be cremated, and he receives the diamonds inside the urn. The hearse pulls in off a rather desolate road, past the parking lot in front of the adjoining cemetery, and parks in front of the building.
Slumber Inc. is really Palm Henderson Mortuary, at 800 S Boulder Highway in Henderson, a couple miles away from Las Vegas. It is still very recognizable, with its very mid-century A-frame portion. Sadly, a rather awful black glass front was added later, likely in the 80s or 90s, over the entry.
After receiving the diamonds, Bond makes his way to a mausoleum to perform an exchange by placing the urn in a crypt and taking an envelope of money. What he doesn’t know is that he is about to be knocked out by the two gentlemen he passes, Mr. Kidd and Mr. Wint.
While it’s made to believe that the mortuary and the mausoleum are at the same location, they are in reality at two different ones. The mausoleum is the at Palm Downtown Cemetery, at 1325 N Main Street in Las Vegas.
A rather odd thing I noticed is that the entire stained glass window in the back was flipped at some point in time!
The “Garden of Remembrance” as it is called in the film, is actually the Building of Eternity at the cemetery.
After being knocked over the head, Bond is taken into the Slumber Inc. mortuary where he is almost cremated, but it is my understanding that the interior shots were done on a soundstage at Pinewood Studios.
Later, Miss Tiffany Case rejoins Bond, demanding the diamonds, and he asks her “When was the last time you went to the circus?” And she is off to Circus Circus.
While no front exterior shots of the building were shown in the film, it’s just too crazy of a building and sign not to share with you!
With over 30 agents on the floor, Tiffany goes to a blackjack table where she is instructed to go to the water balloons.
While a lot has changed at Circus Circus, much is still the same. As seen above, a carousel, albeit with a different paint scheme, is visible in the background, which is actually a small restaurant, and at one time spun.
There are still acts inside the big top too, but the area has changed. There is now a raised platform for them, as opposed to them swinging and spinning above the tables and slots.
Tiffany makes her way to the water balloon race, where she joins a bunch of kids, and doesn’t take the game too seriously. I observed Tiffany used gun number two, and bolted for it, when I saw the game was still there!
Tiffany “wins” the balloon race, and is given a stuffed dog, and one thing I thought was so funny is that stuffed dogs are still a prize you can win, just look in the photo above! Albeit not the gaudy by fabulous neon green and pink one she gets!
Did I win a dog? Sadly, no. But I did win a small teddy bear!
After winning her dog, Tiffany wanders off to see Zambora, the girl who turns into a gorilla. This either no longer exists, or was made just for the film, but was located next to the Kentucky Derby game, which is still there.
The games are located on the upper floor of Circus Circus, at 2880 S Las Vegas Blvd, and you don’t have to be a hotel guest to play!
Other notable Diamonds Are Forever locations that we did not visit, are the Las Vegas Hilton, which was the stand in for the Whyte House, and the Tropicana where James Bond stays. And of course there is the famous chase through Fremont Street, although a great deal has changed since Bond ripped through the strip.
This also wraps up the Vegas posts! But the road trip posts don’t end there! I have so many wonderful photos from the road of vintage signs and abandoned buildings that I’m planning on sharing next!
Other Las Vegas Destinations
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Oh boy Circus Circus. I revisted my childhood stomping grounds a few years back. It’s not as charming as I had remembered, however, I loved seeing your photos comparing the film and now. Great read.
Very Cool! Love this specific Bond movie too!
I was recently in Vegas and instantly thought of Diamonds when going past Circus Circus.
Being a huge James Bond fan I googled “Diamonds are forever film locations today” and your blog came up. Very cool!
Did you happen to research/visit any locations from the Mustang chase scenes? Was this Downtown Vegas/Fremont?
Yeah, the chase scenes were done on Fremont and the area.
Where is the “Welcome to Nevada” sign, passed after landing at McCarran on way to Slumber?
Honestly, I’m not sure. I doubt it was the real “Welcome to Nevada” sign (if it was, it has likely changed since 1971), and that it was made for production and placed on a stretch of road they wanted to use. That stretch could have been just outside of the main area of Henderson, possibly near Railroad Pass, as the mountains nearby seem somewhat similar. However, other sites note that Black Rock Desert was used as a filming location, and that area also has similar looking mountains. These sites don’t seem to mention what exactly Black Rock Desert was used for.