Showing posts with label Hollywood California. Show all posts
Disney World Salutes Hollywood Classic Movies With Min & Bill's Dockside Diner
Min and Bill
For those of you not familiar with the 1930 film, Min and Bill, it revolves around Min Divot, who owns a dockside inn and her fisherman husband Bill. The movie starred Marie Dressler and Walter Beery. It also led to Dressler winning the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1931 for her performance.
Min and Bill was a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) production and it makes sense that you may see it included at Disney's Hollywood Studios since the theme park was originally called Disney-MGM Studios due to the licensing agreement that Disney had with MGM.
Min & Bill's Dockside Diner
At Disney's Hollywood Studios, Min & Bill's Dockside Diner can be found along the shores of Echo Lake in the shape of Bill's fishing trawler, tying in to the theme of the movie. Although the Diner does not float, it appears to be a complete boat from all angles. The boat is given the clever name "S.S. Down The Hatch" using the nautical references to tie to the fact that you can purchase food here.
Secret Tribute To Hollywood Classic Movies
Besides the obvious tribute to the classic film Min and Bill, Disney also decided to "hide" references to several other Hollywood Classic Movies in this area. If you notice the crates that appear at first glance to just be dockside props, they each have special addresses on them that are worth noticing.
The above crate is addressed to George Bailey of Bedford Falls, New York and was sent from Wainwright Enterprises. Jimmy Stewart fans will quickly recognize this reference to "It's A Wonderful Life."
This crate is addressed to none other than Scarlet O'Hara at the Tara Plantation. Certainly you recognize this reference to "Gone With The Wind."
This classic film may be harder for some, but Orson Welles fans will recognize that Charles Foster Kane receiving a package from the "Rosebud Sled Company" refers to "Citizen Kane."
Max Bialystock is the intended recipient of this crate. Musical fans will instantly recognize this a crate that pays homage to "The Producers."
The last crate is addressed to Rick's American Cafe in Casablanca, Morocco that is gives away the title of this well known Humphrey Bogart classic "Casablanca" that is also referenced with an entire scene in "The Great Movie Ride."
Hollywood References Abound
Throughout Disney's Hollywood Studios there is a tremendous amount of references to Hollywood for those with a sharp eye. Min & Bill's Dockside Diner is a great example of how a Disney theme park snack stand can be so much more than a place to get a bite to eat.
Former Hollywood Landmark - Carthay Circle Theater Is Recreated At Disney World
Carthay Circle Theater
The original Carthay Circle Theater resided at 6316 San Vicente Boulevard and opened in 1926. It became one of the most famous movie theaters in Los Angeles during Hollywood's Golden Age.
On December 21, 1937 the Carthay Circle Theater became tied to Disney forever. That was the day that Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs premiered to a star studded audience. Little did the assembled celebrities know at the time, but the first feature length animated film by Walt Disney was to create a phenomena that was previously unheard of taking mere cartoons into the forefront of Hollywood Entertainment.
Within the Disney World version of the Carthay Circle Theater you can discover several pictures that were taken during the momentous premiere of Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs.
Walt Disney And Lillian At The Premier Of Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs.
Celebrities wait in line outside the theater with Costumed Dwarfs At The Premier.
Pioneer Of Fantasound
The other noted Disney premier to be held at the Carthay Circle Theater was Fantasia in 1940. Not only was Fantasia a film that was many years ahead of its time, but the Carthay Circle Theater became one of two theaters in the country to install special "Fantasound" Equipment so that the audience could enjoy the movie in stereo sound. This was the pre-cursor to the advanced sound systems that movie goers take for granted today.
Carthay Circle Theater - Only At Disney's Hollywood Studios Today
Unfortunately today you can only find the Carthay Circle Theater at Disney's Hollywood Studios. This retail location is the only testament to the original besides pictures, since the Hollywood original was demolished in 1969 after being considered obsolete.
When you visit Disney's Hollywood Studios take note that this Sunset Boulevard Landmark is a re-creation of a Hollywood Legend that played a prime role in Disney company history. Take the time to go inside and check out the pictures of the original and soak up some of that Hollywood atmosphere.
Hollywood Boulevard At Disney's Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Boulevard
At the entrance to Disney's Hollywood Studios you enter Hollywood's equivalent of Main Street: Hollywood Boulevard. This Disney World creation has taken authentic portions of real buildings from Hollywood, California during the 1930's and placed them together on Hollywood Boulevard. This creates a feeling of a place you know and recognize, but never actually existed in this form.
During the 1930's America looked to Hollywood to escape the reality of the Great Depression. People embraced the glamour and excitement that was associated in the city known for creating cinematic magic. This was Hollywood at its peak. The buildings were fresh and new and the excitement level was high. Disney Imagineers took elements throughout Hollywood and placed them together to make "their" Hollywood.
As you enter Hollywood Studios on the left you will find Sid Cahuenga's One-of-a-Kind shop. The name comes from the Cahuenga Pass near the Hollywood Bowl, but the architecture of the shop represents the bungalow style that was popular in the 1920's in the Hollywood/Los Angeles area. The bungalow style appeared before the Craftsman style that came into fashion later.
On your right as you enter Disney's Hollywood Studios you will find Oscar's Super Service Station (and Classic Car Souvenirs) that mimics the Art Deco Gas Stations that came about in the 1930's.
Just inside the entrance to the park you will find this replica of the Crossroads of the World tower that marked the first outdoor shopping center.
The Darkroom takes the name of a similar location in Hollywood although the Disney World version uses the architecture of a completely different building found on Beverly Boulevard in Hollywood. This is a perfect example of how the Disney Imagineers mixed and matched styles in order to fit them together on their Hollywood Boulevard.
Also appearing throughout Hollywood Studios are billboards representing classic images of Hollywood, like this one of the Hollywoodland housing development.
The building for Pluto's Toy Palace actually copies the design of a Dog & Cat Hospital from Highland Avenue in Hollywood.
Adrian & Edith's Head to Toe shop is based upon the Chapman Market Building on Sixth Street in Los Angeles. The design firm was known for taking basic box buildings and adding decorative stucco to turn it into Spanish or Mexican detailing.
The Keystone Clothiers is based upon Owl Drug Company on the "real" Hollywood Boulevard built in 1934. The architectural firm credited with the design was Morgan, Walls, & Clements, who are recognized for creating the "look" of many of the classics buildings during the height of Hollywood's popularity.
Disney World's Hollywood
As you stroll down Hollywood Boulevard in Disney's Hollywood Studios you are met by many details of classic Hollywood that put you in the spirit of Hollywood at its best. This is a vision of the glamorous and magical Hollywood that inspired so many.
Disney World has captured that magic of early Hollywood and makes it come alive each day for thousands of Disney World guests. There are many details that most park visitors will never notice in their pursuit of thrill rides and movie based attractions. What they will notice is that they are in a place that feels like Hollywood should, even though most have never been to the real Hollywood.
Note: Many details for this article were found in "The Imagineering Field Guide To Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World."
Disney's Hollywood Studios: Crossroads Of The World
Today we take a look at the Crossroads Of The World.
One of the first landmarks that catches your eye as you approach and enter Disney's Hollywood Studios is the Crossroads of the World. Its placement at the front of the park with its tower extending into the sky certainly gets your attention. On top of the tower is a globe and perched on that globe you will find Mickey Mouse himself joyfully greeting all park guests.
When you get close you see the welcoming Mickey Mouse at the top of the art deco styled structure. Many people do not realize that this structure is a near identical copy of the structure of the same name in Hollywood(Pictured below).
Photo by Carol M. Highsmith
Crossroads Of The World
The original Crossroads Of The World is recognized as America's first outdoor shopping mall built in 1936 and designed by Robert V. Derrah. It is located at 6671 Sunset Boulevard. The tower structure that Disney World copied was 55 feet tall with an 8 foot diameter revolving globe on top. The shopping center followed Derrah's Streamline Moderne Style which was a branch of Art Deco. The main building of the shopping center was actually shaped line an ocean liner and the surrounding buildings were designed to look like cottages taking architectural styles from various ports of call like: Spanish, English, Oriental, French, and Cape Cod styles.
The era of the 1930s was considered the "Golden Age of Travel." During this time traveling by ocean liner was the ultimate travel experience and evoked thoughts of far away, beautiful places to explore. This influenced the art and architecture of that time.
Unfortunately nothing stays in its idealized state. Although the Crossroads Of The World still exisits, the shopping and dining that it was known for has been replaced with office space. During the 1970's the complex became run down and dilapidated. Fortunately new owners have revived the complex and rejuvinated it. Perhaps not the same as its hey day, it still makes for a photogenic tourist attraction which is a testiment to its bold architecture and styling.
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney Imagineers sought out classic images and structures throughout Hollywood's history to bring to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Many of the buildings that Disney has duplicated do not exist in the "real" Hollywood today. Over time Only WDWorld will continue to show you the Disney Version compared to the Hollywood originals. For many people this will be the only way for them to experience the classic era of Hollywood.
Make a point during your next Hollywood Studios visit to look closer at the Crossroads Of The World and tell your family of the story of the original structure in Hollywood.
