An Evening at Disneyland's Golden Horseshoe in 1955

Golden Horseshoe Saloon. The beloved Disneyland original is still open since day one. This piece of concept art by Imagineer Harper Goff shows the elegant building at the end of the main Street in Frontierland. 

The original cast.

The first and best show featured the lovable comedian Wally Boag. Along with the beautiful and smart Betty Taylor as proprietor Slue Foot Sue, the gave guests a show that was energetic, family friendly, and fully memorable. All for the price of admission. No uncharges, no tricks, no 60 days out advanced booking. 

The man.  The visionary and the wife who supported his dreams.

It was a must-see attraction. Walt Disney himself enjoyed his time there the night before the opening of the park. As you will see by looking at these attraction posters for the area, Frontierland was once a real world on the move with multiple forms of transportation in the Wild West. You might even discover some attractions you didn't know existed. 

The original show eventually gave way to others, but it did bring about another fan favorite featuring Billy Hill and the Hillbillies. It's been a mixed bag since, with food ranging from pedestrian fare to little more than snacks and drinks. But there's hope!

As Disney discovers there's a market for nostalgia, Epcot's Figment popcorn bucket sales as an example, the suits may decide its high time to go vintage and bring back something this terrific. Retro is in- and following up a late night show at the Saloon with a cruise around the Rivers of America on the Mark Twain Steamboat would sure be a great way to end an evening at the Anaheim kingdom.

(Images copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Sunday at Disneyland's Golden Horseshoe

There's something sweet and innocent about Disneyland and its attraction roster at opening. Don't get me wrong- it was very much ahead of its time, but it concurrently represented an America that no longer exists. 

The Golden Horseshoe- one of Walt's favorite opening day attractions.

The forward focused optimism of a sparkling new Tomorrowland stood alongside the nostalgic sweetness of an old fashioned Main Street and the dreams of childhood in Fantasyland.  It was Frontierland, however, that seemed the most authentic and certainly the most patriotic. 

Celebrating how the West was won, it also showcased how the West was fun. Nowhere was this more evident than in the rousing revue found within the Golden Horseshoe. 

The constantly sold out show quickly became a Disneyland institution as well as a favorite of Walt himself. Betty Taylor, aka Slue Foot Sue, and Wally Boag her comedic sidekick, made quite an entertaining team! 

Here's a color version of that poster behind Walt-

painted right on the brick!

The show remained a beloved one for decades, winning a slew of adoring fans and becoming a family tradition for each visit to the park. Pepsi and Kodak were its main sponsors. 

Promotional poster from Kodak.

A proposed poster concept courtesy "Matterhorn".

The famous Pepsi version.

Now, I'll end this with a nostalgic black and white photo, courtesy OC Attractions:

(Art and photographs copyright The Walt Disney Company.)