Meanwhile, back at work...

     All during the time we were prepping to launch the New Mickey Mouse Club, I still had to deliver on my “day job” at Disneyland, so let me circle back to a couple of significant happenings while I was still there.

     We had formed a new internal company to produce Disney-themed events all over the country, which meant a new role for me.

     I found myself producing a new big show somewhere fun about once a month.

     One week, I found myself with a really cool assignment. We were updating the 360-Circle Vision film that showed in one of the Park's most popular attractions, the surround-theater that put you, the viewer, right in the middle of the "action" - I love this film. My assignment was to travel to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia and film the Fife and Drum Corps. The technology for this was both amazing and astounding. Nine 35-millimeter cameras were mounted either on the belly of an airplane, or in this case, on the top of a station wagon and was placed right in the center of whatever the subject matter happened to be. Mine was the fifes and drums. 

     Wow! And, then to see that little piece of film in the final production was a real joy. No credits are rolled at the end, so this just had to be joy kept to myself. Still, it was great fun. 

     At the same time, the entire Entertainment Division was designing a “monster” year-long event to celebrate the Bicentennial of America.

     I mean, it was HUGE. I have mentioned the creative genius I had for a boss, Bob Jani, but on this one he truly out-did himself. Back at the beginning of 1973, Bob went to China and Japan and had personally designed special fireworks just for this huge celebration, not just for the Parks, but to be used on the night of July 4, 1976 – the 200^th Birthday of America. All of us had a hand in assisting him in some way. The key “connector” in making this event a country-wide celebration was television. Everything would be telecast “live” during the last full week leading up to the Fourth. See if you can wrap you head around all of this.

     We start in Hawaii with a giant luau on Waikiki Beach and the 7^th Fleet of the U.S. Navy passing in review. Next day in Hollywood with a giant party on the Warner Brothers back lot, followed by a special concert at the Hollywood Bowl, which we would have rebuilt just for this event. The third day at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver with a monster gathering of covered wagons saluting the pioneers who “won the west.” Then, on to Mount Rushmore and another gathering of Plains Indians all in tepees erected at the base of the mountain. Fourth day to St. Louis in the morning and Detroit in the afternoon for a celebration of American manufacturing and industry. Fifth day to Philadelphia for a special event at Independence Hall saluting the Founding Fathers and the Declaration of Independence. Day six in Washington for a Parade of all 50 States, floats and special contingents representing the unique things of each state and a special concert at the Kennedy Center that night. Sunday morning, a prayer service at the National Cathedral and our special fireworks show that night on the National Mall. Yes, we designed all of that down to the last detail.

     We presented all of that to The Bicentennial Commission for approval, knowing this was not a government event, but grass-roots America would fund and produce it all. Each of us that participated were really quite proud of that book and for the three-plus years of work that went into creating it.

     Sadly, the Watergate scandal took over the celebratory mood of the country and no one was in a party mood after President Nixon was forced to resign and President Ford was sworn in as our new leader.

     The only thing we were able to salvage from all of that monumental effort was the fireworks. Instead of a show in Washington, we were able to do it in New York Harbor and we transmitted the narration and musical soundtrack on all the radio and television stations in and around New York City and New Jersey so people could enjoy the fireworks from just about anywhere. It was truly quite a show.

We also created a brand new parade for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World that was pure Americana. That was great fun to work on as well.

     Another wonderful fun event that happened during this time was the annual Christmas Candlelight Procession at Disneyland. This was a perfect time for me to have a very special date with Sherry, and hopefully impress her a little bit at the same time. The celebrity narrator that year was none other than the giant movie star, Cary Grant.

     Being the Manager of Special Events, I was his host, which included among other duties, taking him to dinner at Club 33, the very private and very exclusive dinner club that is hidden deep within Disneyland, was back in New Orleans Square. There is a non-descript door in that little square with the number “33” which leads upstairs to a very upscale gourmet restaurant.

     Mr. Grant bought his pre-teenage daughter…and I brought Sherry. After dinner, we/I escorted him to the event that took place every Christmas time in Main Street right in front of the train station.

    
     It has always been a fabulous and very well-attended event, but this year it was really special because I was accompanied by Sherry Sparrow…my future wife.

     Oh yeah, we also opened a new attraction during this time too. A little thrill-ride called Space Mountain. We invited the now world-famous Astronaut Commander of Apollo 15, Jim Irwin, as our special guest for this occasion. Here's my wonderful boss, Bob Jani and I with Colonel Irwin. 

     He was the second American to walk on the Moon and was great fun listen to and pick his brain about his astounding experience. I have his autographed photo framed and hanging on my home office wall.