The Golden Horseshoe Revue (1955–1986) was a wildly entertaining musical comedy show in Disneyland’s Frontierland, performed in the Golden Horseshoe Saloon. Starring Betty Taylor as Sluefoot Sue, Fulton Burley as an Irish tenor, and Wally Boag as a traveling salesman, alongside lively Can-Can girls, this vaudeville-style spectacle ran nearly unchanged for over three decades, captivating audiences with its humor and music. Here are 10 fun facts about this iconic show, focused solely on its features and history!
- Opening Day Staple: The Golden Horseshoe Revue debuted on July 17, 1955, as part of Disneyland’s opening day, staged in the 350-seat Golden Horseshoe Saloon, a Frontierland theater designed to evoke an 1880s Western saloon with red velvet curtains and brass fittings.
- Wally Boag’s Creation: Written and directed by Wally Boag, a vaudeville veteran, the 45-minute show blended slapstick comedy, musical numbers, and audience interaction, with Boag playing Pecos Bill, a fast-talking salesman who doubled as a balloon-twisting comic.
- Sluefoot Sue’s Charm: Betty Taylor starred as Sluefoot Sue, the saloon’s feisty proprietress, from 1956 to 1986, performing sultry songs like “A Lady Has to Mind Her Ps and Qs” and leading dance numbers with high-kicking Can-Can girls.
- Fulton Burley’s Tenor: Fulton Burley, as an Irish tenor named Elmer, serenaded audiences with ballads like “My Wild Irish Rose” and joined comedic sketches, including a tooth-pulling gag with Boag that ended in a surprise explosion effect.
- Can-Can Spectacle: The show featured four to six Can-Can dancers, dubbed the Golden Horseshoe Girls, who performed high-energy routines in ruffled skirts, accompanied by a live banjo-and-piano band playing upbeat Western tunes. The saloon’s bar served non-alcoholic drinks like sarsaparilla and peppermint stick phosphates during the show, enhancing the Old West vibe, while a hidden stage lift allowed performers to make dramatic entrances.
- Multiple Daily Shows: Running five times daily (six on weekends), the revue offered up to 50,000 performances over its 31-year run, with a capacity of 350 guests per show, making it one of Disneyland’s most frequently seen attractions.
- Audience Participation: Boag often pulled guests onstage for improvised comedy, such as mock shootouts or dance-offs, while Sue tossed garters to the crowd, creating a lively, interactive atmosphere unique to the saloon setting.
- Minimal Changes: The show’s script, costumes, and gags—like Boag’s balloon animals and a pie-throwing finale—remained largely unchanged from 1955 to 1986, preserving its vaudeville charm despite Disneyland’s evolving attractions.
- C-Ticket Draw: Requiring a C-ticket in Disneyland’s ticket book system, the revue was a mid-tier attraction, accessible to families but popular enough to draw long lines, especially for front-row seats near the stage.
- Closure for New Show: The revue ended on October 12, 1986, to make way for the Golden Horseshoe Jamboree, a new show with updated music and characters, as Disneyland sought to refresh Frontierland’s entertainment offerings.
