I just posted my interview with Jay Meyer on my Mouse Clubhouse website. In this conversation, Jay discusses his work as a singer in television and film, including The Jack Benny Program, as well as singing as a statue in the Disney “Haunted Mansion” attractions around the world, and his fourteen years, performing live in Disneyland entertaining audiences with Irish tunes in the historical Golden Horseshoe Revue. CLICK HERE for the interview and more photos
My friend Kagaya, took this photo of Mickey Mouse in Shanghai Disneyland. Other than his clothes and outfits, Mickey hasn’t really changed much since 1988, but it seems that he has gotten a facelift! But that’s okay for someone of his age. 🙂
I just posted my interview with Larry Billman on my Mouse Clubhouse website. In this conversation, Larry discusses his career, including his involvement in the early development of great live entertainment at the Disney parks worldwide. The interview and more photos are at CLICK HERE for the interview and more photos
Although it is my goal to one day have all my interviews posted here on Mouse Clubhouse, and I’m still catching up from past interviews, I’m still doing new ones whenever I can. The last three interviews I’ve done are all recipients of windows on Main Street in Disneyland, a great honor! And it was an honor to have the chance to sit down with them and learn their stories! From Jim Cora, whom Walt Disney personally tapped to be involved in the creation of the original Disney University, to Renie Bardeau who took some of the most famous photos of Walt Disney, to Ron Dominguez, whose home was what would become Disneyland and he went on to become one of the heads of the parks! I know you’ll love the interviews as much as I enjoyed capturing their stories for you! Here’s a little more info:
Renie Bardeau’s window is above the Main Street Photo Supply. It reads “Kingdom Photo Services – Renie Bardeau Photographer, Archivist,” a nod to Renie’s job as chief photographer
Jim Cora’s windows is above the Disney Clothiers and reads “Global Exports and Expats – Specializing in Land & Sea operations – Our Motto ‘The Sun Never Sets on our Magic Kingdoms’ – Jim Cora – Master Operator,” for Jim’s role as Chairman of Disneyland International
Ron Dominguez’s window is above the Market House and reads ” Orange Grove Property Mgt. – ‘We Care For Your Property As If It Were Our Own’ – Ron Dominguez – Owner” in reference to Ron’s family orange grove which was situated inside the current site of Disneyland
I’m so grateful to these wonderful people!
I just posted some clips from interviews I did with people who were at Disneyland on its opening day on July 17, 1955. http://mouseclubhouse.com/interview-disneylands-opening-day/
I just posted my interview with X Atencio on my Mouse Clubhouse website. In this conversation, X discusses his work for Disneyland and Walt Disney World, writing scripts and songs for attractions such Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean and other attractions. CLICK HERE for the interview and more photos
I want to let you know that I changed servers for my podcasts and as a result you may not be seeing all of the interviewss. Although it may still show that you are subscribed, be sure to go to the iTunes Store and resubscribe. You will see all the interviews I’ve already posted and a couple new ones, too! And I’ve got plenty more to come as well!
I thank you so much for your support and allowing me to share the wonderful stories of these fantastic people with you!
Stan Jolley was a Hollywood producer, director, art director, production designer who had a lot to do not only with Disney, but with the very beginnings of Disneyland! His Disney film work included everything from “Zorro” to “Old Yeller” to “Elfego Baco” and “Toby Tyler.” He was the art director of the Academy-Award nominated animated featurette “Donald in Mathmagic Land.”
His large list of non-Disney movie credits include “Caddyshack,” “Witness” and “Superman” and television credits include “Mr. Ed,” “MacGyver” and “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.” As the art director for the pilot episode of “Get Smart,” Stan designed the classic title sequence with the doors and phone booth, as well as iconic props such as the “cone of silence.”
In 2009, for my Mouse Clubhouse, Stan invited me to photograph his 22,000 square foot estate. It is part home, part museum. Beyond every corner was not only a part of either Hollywood or Disney history, but with remarkable views in every room. In fact most rooms had at least one mirror in it so that you’d be able to see the gorgeous surrounding scenery no matter what direction you are facing.
Please enjoy the photographic tour below of the home of Stan Jolley and be sure to listen to the audio of that is beneath some of the photos.
Special thanks to Disney’s Golden Ears club for having me inside Disneyland’s Golden Horseshoe to talk about the historic Golden Horseshoe Revue show that ran from 1955 until 1986! And thank you for letting me share some of my Golden Horseshoe treasures from that very theater, such as that photo of Fulton Burley at the very left of the photo. That used to hang upstairs above the bar. I just love the Horseshoe and I thank everybody who made me feel so welcome!
Thought I’d share my newest treasure. This button that reads “I’ve had Fun with Music” was given to elementary and middle school students in the mid-1970s, who attended a very special private show in Disneyland in the original Fantasyland Theatre (previously the Mickey Mouse Club Theater – about where the Pinocchio attraction and Village Haus reside now.)
The theater was open to the public, and was used to show Disney short animated films, guest performers, and also for private company events. With the title borrowed from one of the days of the “Mickey Mouse Club” television series, “Fun with Music” was exclusively for students on an exciting field trip and, with the help of characters Father Time and Melody, Harmony,Rhythm and Boogie Man, it formed an appreciation of music by teaching the basics. The show was written by Larry Billman, who wrote, directed and produced hundreds of live shows for Disneyland, Walt Disney World and the international Disney resorts.
The band was led by Bruce Healey, who would become the Senior Music Producer/Director, Disneyland Entertainment and is responsible for much of the music you hear in Disneyland’s parades and shows.
Father Music was portrayed by Jim Adams. Although Jim wore a number of hats (literally, as an entertainer, and figuratively) during his time as a performer in Disneyland, he is best known as Pecos Bill from the Golden Horseshoe Revue from 1970 to 1982, alternating performances with the legendary Wally Boag.
Besides the show, students got to learn more about music by attending a concert performance of the Disneyland Band and visiting the attractions “America the Beautiful,” “Country Bear Jamboree,” “America Sings,” “Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room” and “It’s a Small World,” which is pictured on the button.
Although most Disneyland park Guests are not aware this program existed, the cast and crew were comprised of Disneyland’s greatest! (In addition to the names above, some of you might be familiar with some of the other participants such as Jim Christensen, Dick Cook, John Anello, Judy Nuzum, Reid Shibata, Greg Killingsworth, Terry Robinson, Joyce Hodges, and Chellie Campbell!)
I hope to bring you much more about the very unique, but little known “Fun with Music” show in the future, but I just had to share this photo of my newest treasure.