The Golden Horseshoe Variety Show (1986–2003) was a comedic variety show in Disneyland’s Frontierland, performed in the Golden Horseshoe Saloon. Starring comedian and magician Dana Daniels and his “psychic parrot” Luigi, it ran two days a week, sharing the venue with Billy Hill and the Hillbillies and other shows like Woody’s Roundup.
Here are 10 fun facts about this quirky show:
- Debut and Schedule: The Golden Horseshoe Variety Show began on June 13, 1995, and ran until October 8, 2003, performing Tuesdays and Wednesdays to complement Billy Hill and the Hillbillies, which played the other five days, maximizing the saloon’s use.
- Dana Daniels’ Star Turn: Dana Daniels, a comedy magician, headlined the 30-minute show, blending magic tricks, juggling, and rapid-fire humor, often playing multiple characters like a hillbilly juggler, a balloon performer, and “Waldo the Magician.”
- Luigi the Psychic Parrot: Luigi, a green parrot, was the show’s co-star, billed as clairvoyant. Daniels used him in gags like finding chosen cards, “reading” minds via a cellphone, or “laying” an egg containing a guest’s $100 bill—despite being male.
- Janitor Premise: The show’s storyline began with a piano player warming up the crowd, interrupted by a janitor (Daniels) who revealed the entire cast was missing, forcing him to impersonate various acts, culminating in Luigi’s grand appearance in a “banana tree.”
- Wally Boag’s Influence: Daniels, mentored by Golden Horseshoe Revue star Wally Boag, incorporated Boag’s slapstick style, including balloon-twisting and audience interaction, paying homage to the saloon’s comedic legacy.
- Magic and Comedy Blend: Tricks included turning a guest’s money into birdseed only for Luigi to “restore” it inside an egg, alongside sight gags like Daniels poking fun at traditional magicians with exaggerated props and mishaps.
- Live Music Support: A pianist, often Richard Allen or Hal Ratliff, provided live music, setting the tone with lively Western tunes and syncing sound effects to Daniels’ comedic timing, enhancing the vaudeville feel.
- Audience Interaction: Daniels frequently involved guests, pulling them onstage for magic tricks or banter, such as having Luigi “predict” their thoughts, keeping the 350-seat saloon’s energy high and unpredictable.
- Shared Saloon Era: From 1995 to 2003, the show coexisted with Billy Hill and the Hillbillies and briefly Woody’s Roundup (1999–2000), with a third show, Frontierland: The Little Town That Could (2001–2003), creating a diverse entertainment lineup. The saloon’s bar served non-alcoholic drinks like sarsaparilla during shows, and Daniels occasionally incorporated the venue’s Western decor, like swinging saloon doors, into his act for impromptu gags.
- Final Performance: The show closed on October 8, 2003, after 4,000+ performances, with Wally Boag attending the final 5:30 p.m. show to honor Daniels, marking the end of an eight-year run.
