A traveling exhibit arrived at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum yesterday. It is about the S.S. United States, the largest and fastest luxury liner ever built in the U.S. It is a wonderful maritime exhibit for our lighthouse.
But for me it is something totally different. Having been born in 1957, I am a Mouseketeer from way back. Sunday night with the “Wonderful World of Color” (later “Wonderful World of Disney”) was the best part of the week. Old Disney is where I go to relax. For some guys it might be fishing or hunting or sports, but if I even step into a Disney Store my troubles just all melt away. When I say “Old Disney” I mean before Walt Disney’s death on Dec. 15, 1966. I thrive on the history of the studios, the production art for the classic animated features, and especially the live action movies from the 1950’s and early 60’s. One of these movies is “Bon Voyage” (1962) starring Fred MacMurray, Jane Wyman, Tommy Kirk, and Kevin Corcoran. A good portion of the movie was shot on board the S.S. United States. The scenes where the cast is boarding the vessel show her massive scale, and the “on deck” scenes really showcase what it would have been like to sail aboard her. It is funny that no matter where I go I can usually find evidence of the influence of this amazing American.
At least Walt was always consistent… he always did everything first class!
We miss you Walt!
P.S. Do you know what Disney movie combined live action with animation, and featured a lighthouse in the town where the story took place (I also love Disney trivia)?
Comments (8)
too easy...Pete's Dragon
Posted by Paul | February 17, 2007 12:25 PM
Dear Mr. Cain,
How interesting it is that I am also a Disney fan. It is funny that nearly all aspects of life can tie into the works of Walt and his imagination. I look at the gorgeous St. Augustine lighthouse every day and cannot help but think that it is one of the most colorful and attractive of all lighthouses. Obviously you guys take good care of it. Like Walt's creations, it is one of a kind and mixes education with entertainment and family fun; it serves a purpose that lights the stage for entertainment in our rather mundane and habitual lives.
The contributions that the lighthouse offers to maritime history are very much appretiated and, like Disney is to the hearts of America, St. Augustine would not be the same without it.
I look forward to seeing the new exhibit and more changes in the future. Keep up the good work with this, "Candle on the Water."
Posted by Ms. Cain | February 17, 2007 1:55 PM
In the "standing on the shoulders of giants" category:Walt got his inspiration from another inventive, creative American. He visited Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan during the 1940s and was so taken with Ford's Greenfield Village complex that he used it as a model for Disneyland. Who know where Ford got his idea?
Posted by kathleen | February 18, 2007 10:45 AM
Rick:
I'm looking forward to seeing the S.S. United States exhibit. She was quite a ship. Sadly, I saw her in Philadelphia a couple of years ago and she was a wreck! A rusting hulk whose interior had been picked apart for scrap. Apparently, there is a non-profit group trying to save her -- much like the Lighthouse was saved by the Junior Service League. The ship still holds the record for the fastest westward crossing of the Atlantic. She deserves to be saved. And yeah, that Disney guy -- what an imagination!
Posted by Jay Humphreys | February 18, 2007 8:54 PM
This is the sound of me laughing and saying...I should have expected this....
I do love Fred McMurray though.....what a guy.....brings back fond memories.
As a preservationist I'd like to thank the Walt Disney corporation for reminding us how important saving our Civil War battlefields are...I really do salute them for changing their mind ( under pressure) about Mannassas. REAL history rocks!!! And, OK...so do old Disney movies.
Kathy
Posted by Kathy | February 19, 2007 10:46 AM
There are a couple of websites featuring the vessel. The first is
http://www.ss-united-states.com/
The second is
http://www.ssunitedstates.org/
The latter has some great shots of Walt aboard as well as some of the other cast. Click on "the ship" on the top menu then on "celebrity photos" Then "enter the gallery."
Sorry the trivia question was too easy.
Posted by Rick Cain | February 20, 2007 5:02 PM
Rick,
I believe the answer to your trivia question is Pete's Dragon?
Posted by Mollie | February 22, 2007 3:26 PM
OK, so it was too easy. Answer this one... Where in Paris does Fred MacMurray become lost while on an outing with his yougest son in the movie Bon Voyage?
Posted by Rick Cain | February 22, 2007 3:57 PM