Dueling pianos, slapstick comedy, dancing…the Golden Horseshoe has hosted many different types of performances and entertainers throughout the years. But no show is as famous as the Golden Horseshoe Revue, the original stage show in the theater. And today, if you walk into the hall and look on the wall to the left of the seating area, you’ll see a special framed photo. The Golden Horseshoe Hall of Fame celebrates the “best entertainment in the west.”
Wally Boag – Wally originated the role of Pecos Bill in the production. He was known for his slapstick style, and Steve Martin cites him as a major influence on his comedy. In addition to thousands of performances in the Horseshoe, Wally also wrote a huge portion of the Enchanted Tiki Room script (and voiced Jose), and participated in the development of the Haunted Mansion. Wally took the character to Florida to open the Diamond Horseshoe Revue in Disney World in 1971. After three years performing in Orlando, he returned to Anaheim and continued to perform in the Golden Horseshoe until his retirement in 1982.
Betty Taylor – Ms. Taylor performed as Slue Foot Sue in an astounding 45,000 performances. She appeared in shows 5 days a week from 1955 to 1987, making her one of the most recognizable Disneyland performers of all time, and certainly one of the longest performing.She also had a small role voicing one of the pigs in America Sings.
Fulton Burley – Fulton joined the gang as The Irish Tenor in 1962, performing in the Golden Horseshoe until his retirement in 1987. Wally Boag actually recruited Fulton to the show, calling him when the original voice of The Irish Tenor, show writer Donald Novis, became seriously ill. In addition to his performances in the Revue, Fulton also voiced Michael in the Enchanted Tiki Room, and often traveled on special tours to promote re-releases of Disney animations.
This is one of my favorite details at the Golden Horseshoe!