All Live-Action Aspects Directed by Jerry Rees
Starring Steve Martin
Steve Martin hosts this entertaining documentary, chronicling Disneyland's first fifty magical years. Since Steve really did start his career as an employee of Disneyland's Main Street Magic Shop, he brings a very personal touch to this story. Animated cohost Donald Duck constantly tries to one-up Steve, and as they say, comedy mayhem ensues.
Jerry Rees and Steve Martin pause for a quick photo just before the last shot of the day – a stunt in which Steve gets drenched with a ton of water by a "wild" Jungle Cruise elephant.
Above: Our wonderful Magic Shop set going up.
Left: Jerry and Marianne scout the real one.
Director of Photography John Lawrence tests his inventive bow rig on a Jungle Cruise boat.
Steve Martin's human stand-in with Donald's cardboard cutout stand-in. John and Jerry check the shot.
This is the amazingly talented Wally Boag, who performed for three decades at Disneyland's Golden Horseshoe Review. When Steve Martin worked at Disneyland's Magic Shop, he grabbed every opportunity to watch Wally perform. Wally noticed the young Disneyland employee repeatedly showing up in the audience and began mentoring him. Steve openly acknowledges Wally's important role in helping to launch his early career on the stage. Wally made a surprise visit to see Steve during our filming. They had lunch together and remembered those adventurous days.
Jerry at a recording session with the legendary Art Linkletter. On Disneyland's opening day, Walt Disney hired Art to host the live broadcast. He has great stories about leading the unpredictable event.
Disneyland's Main Street Opera House sporting the beautiful new sign.
Steve putting on a great show at the opening day festivities for the new attraction.
