This fun Disney TV special was a nightmare behind the scenes

As a long-time Disney enthusiast, I’ve seen my fair share of magical moments and behind-the-scenes chaos, but nothing quite compares to the making of “The Magical World of Disney’s Epcot Center.” This special was a fascinating mix of wonder, fun, and pure madness.

Disney’s television spectacle for the grand opening of EPCOT Center might have appeared splendid, yet backstage, it was a chaotic ordeal!

Reflecting on television from the early ’80s offers a fascinating trip down memory lane. At that time, cable TV was just learning to walk, VCRs were scarcely seen, and there was a more traditional feel in many respects. Networks still leaned heavily on classic formats like variety shows and musical events. It all felt quite retro.

For decades, Disney stood out by creating distinctive TV specials that blended catchy original tunes with popular celebrities. By the 1980s, they collaborated with Smith-Hemion, a renowned producer of variety specials boasting stars like Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand, Elvis, Bette Middler, and others. Their productions were often playful and cheesy but entertaining to watch. The company is also associated with the notorious Star Wars Holiday Special.

One of the initial collaborations between Disney and Smith-Hemion occurred during the 1980 production of “Kraft Salutes Disneyland’s 25th Anniversary“, a show hosted by Danny Kaye and featuring numerous celebrity appearances and lively musical performances. Given this success, it was natural for Disney to consider Kaye as the host when they needed someone to present a major program marking the opening of their latest theme park.

A short history of Kaye

Although he may not be remembered now, Danny Kaye was highly cherished during his peak years as a comic artist. He first gained recognition in the 1940s through his remarkable vocal skills, outstanding physical humor, and talent for delivering complex, swift-paced wordplay effortlessly.

Kaye appeared in films like “Up in Arms” and “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty“. In the 1950s, his tall stature was featured in movies such as “The Court Jester” and the holiday favorite “White Christmas“. During the mid-1960s, he started hosting his own variety show and continued to be a well-known figure for quite some time. This period also included his role as Captain Hook in a Smith-Hemion production of “Peter Pan“.

Apart from his recognition, Kaye was also highly esteemed for his humanitarian work with UNICEF, which involved traveling globally and accumulating millions for charity. His act in the Disneyland special was commendable, where he played various roles, delivering humor and musical performances. Consequently, Kaye was deemed an excellent choice for the significant event, serving as a platform to display Disneyland’s grandeur.

The EPCOT Opening fun

The television special titled “EPCOT Center: The Opening Celebration” was broadcast on CBS on October 23, 1982, the eve of EPCOT’s grand opening. Consequently, the program commenced with a live feed from Kaye in the park as she was caught in some rain and declared, “I’m bringing this live…and damp…from EPCOT Center.

Next, we move onto the opening number titled “Hooray for the 21st Century,” a fantastic performance. It showcases the genesis of EPCOT in an impressive manner, featuring a beautiful montage of Spaceship Earth being built. Kaye effectively promotes the park by highlighting this compelling portrayal of how EPCOT was conceived as an integral part of WDW and conversely, WDW as a key component of EPCOT.

Just so there is no confusion. EPCOT Center is located in the center of EPCOT. And EPCOT Center is made up of two parts, which is Future World and The World Showcase. It’s 2.5 miles from The Magic Kingdom, which is also part of EPCOT, which is what the entire 2,700 acre area known as the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow or EPCOT or Walt Disney World is called. [laughs] Just so there’s no confusion!

The second part of the program features additional scenes from the park, where Kaye chats with astronaut Alan Shephard, followed by an encounter with Drew Barrymore, known for her role in the blockbuster hit “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.” Their conversation is entertaining, complete with Kaye’s famous catchphrase, “Get it? Got it! Good.” This segment also includes a filmed sketch starring Dreamfinder and Figment.

Roy Clark guides through the Land pavilion, while Kaye sings about various countries in the World Showcase. A noteworthy moment includes Kaye conversing with Alex Haley regarding the unbuilt Africa pavilion. Another intriguing aspect is Kaye interacting with Eric Sevareid, who recites his renowned obituary for Walt Disney.

It concludes with Kaye conducting the West Point Glee Club and how marvelous the park was. That was needed as, for many viewers, this was the first-ever look at EPCOT Center, and it was astounding to see this high-tech playground beckoning people with a look at the future.

The performance was enjoyable, perfectly sprinkled with cheese at appropriate moments, accompanied by lively tunes, and Kaye seemed to be enjoying himself. But offstage, events unfolded quite differently.

How Kaye turned the special into a mess

According to renowned Disney historian Jim Korkis, complications surrounding the production of the special arose early on. Dick Nunis, who held the position of chairman at Walt Disney Attractions, had disagreements with Smith-Hemion due to the 1981 special being produced during the 10th anniversary of Walt Disney World. Specifically, Nunis disliked the portrayal of young Michael Keaton as a bumbling Disney employee with long hair flirting with guest Dana Plato. The producers’ refusal to let him review the script further strained their working relationship, and it was no surprise that Disney and Smith-Hemion did not collaborate again until 1994.

Regarding the portrayal of Kaye, although he seemed friendly and appealing on stage or screen, his actual character was quite distinct. According to Martin Gottfried in the book Nobody’s Fool, Kaye was skillful at engaging audiences, but when it came to personal relationships, he could be aloof or indifferent at best. At worst, he exhibited a harsh demeanor and was often disrespectful towards others.

During the first day of filming, Disney producers began to suspect that Kaye displayed diva behavior, starting by requesting a Mercedes limo. Throughout filming with Barrymore, Kaye frequently complained about people who were taking pictures of him. Ron Mizikier, one of the producers, revealed an astonishing account where an elderly woman, a long-time fan, approached Kaye wanting a photograph. Instead of complying, Kaye allegedly hurled the camera to the ground and crushed it underfoot.

During filming, Kaye boldly shouted about the obstruction by Lillian Disney (Walt’s widow) and Ron Miller when he was making his introduction. Things escalated further when Kaye, while leading the choir from an elevated stage, exposed himself to Nunis by pulling down his pants in a provocative gesture. This incident led to Nunis urgently wanting Kaye to be dismissed from the production.

In the end, everything fell into place for a delightful spectacle, yet it’s not surprising that this was their final collaboration between Kaye and Disney. Regrettably, Kaye himself passed away in 1987, which meant he couldn’t dispute the stories about his troubled past that surfaced afterward.

Watching the special remains enjoyable, especially for the display of early EPCOT and its catchy tunes (Marie Osmond offers a memorable performance). Uncovering the organized confusion that took place backstage adds an under-appreciated aspect to EPCOT Center’s history.

2024-09-30 19:27