Golden Horseshoe Saloon
Encyclopedia
The Golden Horseshoe Stage (referred to as Pecos Bill's Golden Horseshoe Saloon during construction) opened in 1955 with several other original attractions at Disneyland Park
in Anaheim, California
. Over the years the venue has housed multiple stage shows; it currently shows Billy Hill and the Hillbillies
seven days a week. The "saloon
" is located in Frontierland
and has a picturesque view of the Rivers of America
, New Orleans Square
and part of Critter Country
.
On Saturday, July 16, 1955, the Golden Horseshoe opened a day early for a private party of corporate sponsors. This show marked Wally Boag's first official performance as Pecos Bill/Traveling Salesman at the Golden Horseshoe Saloon.
The first show to open on the stage was Slue Foot Sue’s Golden Horseshoe Revue (mistakenly spelled "Review") on July 17, 1955. The revue
's music was written by Charles LaVere, who served as the show's pianist, and used lyrics by Tom Adair. The script for the production was co-authored by two of its stars, Donald Novis
and Wally Boag
. This variety show ran a record 39,000 times and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest-running musical of all time. One of the features of the show was to have children from the audience sing and dance on stage. "Davey Crockett" was a favorite song performed by the guests.
In 1962, Ron Miller, son-in-law to Walt Disney, directed a made-for-television movie by the same title. The film starred Disney actress Annette Funicello
, Ed Wynn
, Betty Taylor
, Gene Sheldon
, Wally Boag
and Walt Disney
himself.
Today, the Golden Horseshoe Stage is still popular inside and out. For years Disneyland served chili at the bar as well as drinks and desserts. Outside on the front balcony, there is a periodic, comedic wild west shoot-em'-up show performed by Laughing Stock and Company that always draws a crowd.
, Dick Hardwick, Frankie Wylie, Jack Watson, Judy Marsh, Burt Henry, Dana Daniels, Jay Meyer, Kirk Wall, Jimmy Adams, Don Payne, and many others.
The stage show featured saloon owner Slue Foot Sue and her dance hall girls who welcomed the audience with "Hello Everybody", followed by a flirtatious interactive song like "A Lady Has to Mind Her P’s and Q’s" or "Riverboat Blues". The show's MC
introduced various skits featuring a traveling salesmen, played by Wally Boag
, and later Dick Hardwick.
The show would be interrupted by Pecos Bill
himself, who would sing his self-titled signature song.
, E. E. Bell, Joe Jacoby, Eric Gunhus, and many others.
.
Various other evening entertainments have appeared there over the years, including Alabama, Louis Armstrong, various jazz and gospel groups and special events. It was also used during the 1950s as a venue for dancing couples during Disneyland's 'Date Nite' promotion.
, the same person who designed a saloon set for the movie "Calamity Jane
" starring Doris Day
. Goff was already working on designing exteriors for buildings on Main Street, USA when asked to work on this project.
Disneyland Park (Anaheim)
Disneyland Park is a theme park located in Anaheim, California, owned and operated by the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts division of the Walt Disney Company. Known as Disneyland when it opened on July 18, 1955, and still almost universally referred to by that name, it is the only theme park to be...
in Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
. Over the years the venue has housed multiple stage shows; it currently shows Billy Hill and the Hillbillies
Billy Hill and the Hillbillies
Billy Hill and the Hillbillies are a musical/variety group at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. The group performs a bluegrass country-music-centered show along with classic rock and rap...
seven days a week. The "saloon
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
" is located in Frontierland
Frontierland
Tokyo Disneyland's instance is known as Westernland, as "frontier" does not adequately translate into the Japanese language. The Mark Twain sails this park's Rivers of America...
and has a picturesque view of the Rivers of America
Rivers of America (Disney)
The Rivers of America is an artificial river found in the Frontierland district of the Magic Kingdom-classed Disney theme parks around the world. The first river was built in Disneyland when the park opened in 1955. It surrounds Tom Sawyer Island, which can be reached by rafts traveling from the...
, New Orleans Square
New Orleans Square
New Orleans Square is a themed land found exclusively at Disneyland, though a similarly themed area can be found within Tokyo Disneyland's Adventureland. Based on 19th-century New Orleans, it was the first new land to be added to Disneyland after the park's opening. The land was opened to the...
and part of Critter Country
Critter Country
When Splash Mountain opened at Tokyo Disneyland, Critter Country was specifically created for it. The only other attraction in this area is Beaver Brothers Explorer Canoes . Because of the land's small size and the popularity of Splash Mountain, Critter Country is extremely crowded throughout the day...
.
History
The Golden Horseshoe Stage unofficially opened on Wednesday, July 13, 1955, as the Golden Horseshoe Saloon, when Walt and Lillian Disney, along with dozens of guests, celebrated their 30th anniversary with a private party and the premiere showing of the original Golden Horseshoe Revue.On Saturday, July 16, 1955, the Golden Horseshoe opened a day early for a private party of corporate sponsors. This show marked Wally Boag's first official performance as Pecos Bill/Traveling Salesman at the Golden Horseshoe Saloon.
The first show to open on the stage was Slue Foot Sue’s Golden Horseshoe Revue (mistakenly spelled "Review") on July 17, 1955. The revue
Revue
A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century American popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own during its golden years from 1916 to 1932...
's music was written by Charles LaVere, who served as the show's pianist, and used lyrics by Tom Adair. The script for the production was co-authored by two of its stars, Donald Novis
Donald Novis
Donald Novis was an English actor and tenor.-Life and career:Born in Hastings, East Sussex, Novis came to the United States in the late 1920s to pursue an acting and singing career. He made his film debut as the Country Boy in the detective film Bulldog Drummond...
and Wally Boag
Wally Boag
Wallace Vincent "Wally" Boag was an American performer known for his starring role in Disney's long-running stage show the Golden Horseshoe Revue. This is not a poster. It was an advertisement published in Variety....
. This variety show ran a record 39,000 times and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest-running musical of all time. One of the features of the show was to have children from the audience sing and dance on stage. "Davey Crockett" was a favorite song performed by the guests.
In 1962, Ron Miller, son-in-law to Walt Disney, directed a made-for-television movie by the same title. The film starred Disney actress Annette Funicello
Annette Funicello
Annette Joanne Funicello is an American singer and actress. She was Walt Disney's most popular cast member of the original Mickey Mouse Club, and went on to appear in a series of beach party films.-Early life and early stardom:...
, Ed Wynn
Ed Wynn
Ed Wynn was a popular American comedian and actor noted for his Perfect Fool comedy character, his pioneering radio show of the 1930s, and his later career as a dramatic actor....
, Betty Taylor
Betty Taylor (actress)
Betty Taylor was an American actress and performer. She starred as Slue Foot Sue in Disneyland's Golden Horseshoe Revue with Wally Boag. She died on Saturday, June 4, 2011, at the age of 91, the day after Wally Boag died....
, Gene Sheldon
Gene Sheldon
Gene Sheldon was an American film and television actor and musician. He is best remembered as the mute servant Bernardo on Walt Disney's live-action TV series Zorro .-Biography and career:...
, Wally Boag
Wally Boag
Wallace Vincent "Wally" Boag was an American performer known for his starring role in Disney's long-running stage show the Golden Horseshoe Revue. This is not a poster. It was an advertisement published in Variety....
and Walt Disney
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
himself.
Today, the Golden Horseshoe Stage is still popular inside and out. For years Disneyland served chili at the bar as well as drinks and desserts. Outside on the front balcony, there is a periodic, comedic wild west shoot-em'-up show performed by Laughing Stock and Company that always draws a crowd.
Golden Horseshoe Revue
The Golden Horseshoe Revue was the original and longest running show at the saloon, playing from July 17, 1955 until October 12, 1986. Over the years it starred Wally Boag, Betty Taylor, Don Novis, Fulton BurleyFulton Burley
Fulton Burley was an Irish-Canadian performer, most widely known for his work in Disneyland. Born in Toronto, Ontario, and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Fulton came to the United States in 1943 after a telephone audition landed him the singing lead in Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe Revue on...
, Dick Hardwick, Frankie Wylie, Jack Watson, Judy Marsh, Burt Henry, Dana Daniels, Jay Meyer, Kirk Wall, Jimmy Adams, Don Payne, and many others.
The stage show featured saloon owner Slue Foot Sue and her dance hall girls who welcomed the audience with "Hello Everybody", followed by a flirtatious interactive song like "A Lady Has to Mind Her P’s and Q’s" or "Riverboat Blues". The show's MC
Master of Ceremonies
A Master of Ceremonies , or compere, is the host of a staged event or similar performance.An MC usually presents performers, speaks to the audience, and generally keeps the event moving....
introduced various skits featuring a traveling salesmen, played by Wally Boag
Wally Boag
Wallace Vincent "Wally" Boag was an American performer known for his starring role in Disney's long-running stage show the Golden Horseshoe Revue. This is not a poster. It was an advertisement published in Variety....
, and later Dick Hardwick.
The show would be interrupted by Pecos Bill
Pecos Bill
Pecos Bill is an American cowboy, apocryphally immortalized in numerous tall tales of the Old West during American westward expansion into the Southwest of Texas, New Mexico, Southern California, and Arizona. Their stories were probably invented into short stories and book by Edward O'Reilly in the...
himself, who would sing his self-titled signature song.
Golden Horseshoe Jamboree Show
This show ran from November 1, 1986, until December 18, 1994. Over the years it starred Judi Wallace, Judy Bell, Heather Paige Kent, John Eaden, Don Payne, Gil ChristnerGil Christner
Gil Christner is an American actor, writer and comedian living and working in Los Angeles.-Early life:...
, E. E. Bell, Joe Jacoby, Eric Gunhus, and many others.
Billy Hill and the Hillbillies
The current production in the saloon, this show began its run on December 22, 1994. Over the years it has starred Kirk Wall, Dennis Fetchet, John Marshall, Evan Marshall, John Eaden, Duane Michaels, Rick Storey, Anders Swanson, and many others. It features bluegrass and comedy.Golden Horseshoe Variety Show
This show featured the comedy and magic talents of Dana Daniels. It ran from June 13, 1995 until October 8, 2003. It starred Dana Daniels, Richard Allen, Hal Ratliff and many others over the years.Woody's Round-up
This child friendly show ran from November 21, 1999 until July 17, 2000 and featured characters from the Disney/Pixar movie Toy StoryToy Story
Toy Story is a 1995 American computer-animated film released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is Pixar's first feature film as well as the first ever feature film to be made entirely with CGI. The film was directed by John Lasseter and featuring the voices of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen...
.
Frontierland: The Little Town That Could
This comedy/melodrama ran occasionally from 2001 until 2003 and featured a supposed history of the founding of Frontierland. It starred players from Laughing Stock and Company, including John Eaden, Kevin Gregg, Ken Parks, Danny Roque and Cory Rouse.Various other evening entertainments have appeared there over the years, including Alabama, Louis Armstrong, various jazz and gospel groups and special events. It was also used during the 1950s as a venue for dancing couples during Disneyland's 'Date Nite' promotion.
Architecture
The interior of the saloon was designed by Harper GoffHarper Goff
Harper Goff , born Ralph Harper Goff, was an American artist, musician, and actor. For many years, he was associated with the Walt Disney Company, in the process of which he contributed to various major films, as well as to the planning of the Disney theme parks. During World War II, he was also an...
, the same person who designed a saloon set for the movie "Calamity Jane
Calamity Jane
Martha Jane Cannary Burke , better known as Calamity Jane, was an American frontierswoman, and professional scout best known for her claim of being an acquaintance of Wild Bill Hickok, but also for having gained fame fighting Native Americans...
" starring Doris Day
Doris Day
Doris Day is an American actress, singer and, since her retirement from show business, an animal rights activist. With an entertainment career that spanned through almost 50 years, Day started her career as a big band singer in 1939, but only began to be noticed after her first hit recording,...
. Goff was already working on designing exteriors for buildings on Main Street, USA when asked to work on this project.