Living In The Shadow of Disney

My Dad took a job in the early-50s with Los Angeles County. Within the first few years of employment, he and Mom heard about a new subdivision going up "in the countryside" of Fullerton from my grandfather who was a subcontractor working on the new homes. Mom and Dad secured a mortgage on the 3/2 on Southgate Avenue for $15,000 and change and settled in to their new bedroom community where my Dad would travel the freeway to and from work for the next 30 years. I would come along a few years later as the last of the 3 Harvill boys.

In 1954 and '55, construction of another sort was going on in Anaheim, the next town over. The specific site was chosen as an ideal place to take advantage of the traffic heading to the beaches. A new concept in family entertainment that was the dream of Walt Disney was quickly taking shape.

I don't remember the first time I visited Disneyland. I only know that I was captivated by the all-encompassing magic it presented. Over the years my Dad, Mom, 2 brothers and me made regular trips to the Magic Kingdom and, when we couldn't be there, on summer evenings at 9 o'clock, we could sit on our roof and watch the Disney fireworks in the distance.

But there was nothing like being there! Upon entering the tunnel leading to Main Street, I gained an appreciation for history (through Great Moments with Mr Lincoln), for nostalgia, for attention to detail and a level of quality that is still unmatched. It would be years before I would realize the full impact that Disneyland had on me.

Looking back, the innovation, creativity and vision that still represents the Walt Disney dream has had a profound affect on my views of entertainment and business. As the member of a band in the early 80s, the Disney approach to quality showmanship influenced the way I approached tours and concerts. The way customers are treated in my sales career has been motivated by the way I was treated as a guest at Disneyland.

There was also the feeling that when at Disneyland, you could rub shoulders with the Stars. Back in those days, the Osmonds were frequent guests doing shows on the Tomorrowland stage and could be seen, at times, strolling through the park. Pat Paulsen, a comedian known for running a mock presidential campaign in the late 60s could also be seen. Harry James, the trumpeter/bandleader/arranger from the Big Band era was there as well. The Coca-Cola Tomorrowland Terrace stage ascended from underground with the band playing before you could see them. The groups that played there were mostly cover bands (Voyager, Papa Doo Run Run, Michael Iceberg)and were quite good; actually larger than life to this up-and-coming drummer. One of the last shows I remember seeing was with The Hager Twins who would go on to spend many years as part of the cast of Hee Haw.

Since moving "back east" to finally settle in Birmingham, Alabama, I have now logged many hours in Walt Disney World which has become a favorite vacation spot of my family. Yet, my loyalty to Walt's original has not wavered. Its' allure is tied to the brass plaque outside the tunnel at the entrance to the park where Disney himself frequently walked before his death in 1966: "Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy".

So, I guess the reason that formula still works is that it's always good to get away. Whether it was 10 minutes away as a kid, or 9 hours today, the Disney adventure intrigues and captivates me and Disney World remains one of the favorite places my family and I love to vacation.

Chuck Jones, The Magic Man

There were 3 events that, as a kid, created a stir of excitement; you know, the can't-sleep-the-night-before kind of anticipation. They were, in order of importance, Christmas, going to Disneyland, and the Chuck Jones, The Magic Man show at Pacific Drive Elementary School.

The 1st 2 I'll leave for another time. But the Chuck Jones magic show was a big deal. We had to wait the entire day for the show that came once a year and was set up on a stage in the field behind the kindergarten and 1st grade wing of the school. To begin with, Chuck had a cool name. He shared it with the Warner Bros. director who brought to life Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd and Porky Pig. I was certain, at the time, that they were one and the same. Magic was just his day gig!

Chuck even had an assistant which enhanced his mystique and furthered his legitimacy. During one part of the show he caused her to levitate and passed the metal "hula hoop" around her to verify that no strings were attached. Beyond that, I don't remember any of the specific illusions he created except for the fact that this 1st or 2nd grader was blown away!

The other night I was google-ing a few icons from my past, particularly the children's shows I watched as a kid; Sheriff John, Hobo Kelly and Wonderama. Chuck Jones came to mind and I searched him out. Well, there he was! He's still at it having spent the last 17 years traveling Australia and New Zealand as well as performing shows throughout North America. So, I sent a message to the e-mail address on his website inquiring as to whether or not he was the magician who visited my school in the late 60s and early 70s. A couple of days later, I received this reply:

I had a children's television show in Los Angeles in the early sixties and did many personal appearances at schools and shopping centers.

We moved on to build a much bigger magic act that has appeared in casinos, toured Australia and New Zealand.

I am still performing--this week in fact, at the Magic Castle, Hollywood.

Chuck Jones

Wow! Still going strong! Somehow knowing that he has been at it for 5 decades and counting encourages me to continue in my pursuits. As a young impressionable kid sitting in the grass watching this showman perform his feats of skill, I'm sure that experience contributed to my decision to audition for the annual talent show, play in garage bands, head out on the road for a few years, record, and continue to play in and around Birmingham, Alabama today. No tours of Australia, New Zealand or the Magic Castle to be sure. But, perhaps there might be a kid out there someday who sees a show and himself is encouraged to pursue his own dreams of magic or music. Ah, the circle of life. . .