Golden Horseshoe Saloon

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 it has now housed multiple entertainment venues, currently showing "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.

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 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 venue to open in the Stage was Slue Foot Sue’s Golden Horseshoe Revue (mistakenly spelled review when the correct word should have been "revue") on July 17, 1955. 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 movies by the same title. The film starred Disney darling, 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 deserts. 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.

Productions

The Golden Horseshoe Revue

THe Golden Horseshoe Revue was the original and longest running show at the saloon playing from July 16, 1955 until October 12, 1986. It starred over the years ~ Wally Boag, Betty Taylor, Don Novis, Fulton Burly, Dick Hardwick, Jack Watson, Judy Marsh, Burt Henry, Dana Daniels, Jay Meyer, Kirk Wall, Jimmy Adams, Don Payne, and many others.

The stage show features saloon owner Slue Foot Sue and her dance hall girls who welcome 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 introduces various skits featuring a traveling salesmen, played by Wally Boag, and later Dick Hardwick.

Later the show is interrupted by Pecos Bill himself who sings his self titled signature song.

The Golden Horseshoe Jamboree Show

This show ran from November 1, 1986 until December 18, 1994 starring over the years ~ Judi Wallace, Judy Bell, Heather Paige Kent, John Eaden, Don Payne, Gil Christner, Joe Jacoby, Eric Gunhus and many others.

Billy Hill and the Hillbillies

This show ran from December 22, 1994 until present starring over the years ~ Kirk Wall, Dennis Fetchet, John Marshall, Evan Marshall, John Eaden, Duane Michaels, Rick Storey, Anders Swanson, and many others. It features bluegrass and comedy.

The 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 Story".

Frontierland: The Little Town That Could

This comedy/melodrama ran occasionally from 2001 until 2003 and featured my 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 1950's as a venue for dancing couples during Disneyland's "Date Nite" promotion.

Architecture

The interior of the saloon was designed by Harper Goff, 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.

References

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title = The History of the Golden Horseshoe Saloon Pages
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accessdate = 2006-12-17