Disneyland's 30th Anniversary Celebration (1985)

 

Walt Disney dreamt of a place where adults and children could have fun together.  After years of planning, construction for Disneyland began on July 16, 1954.  The theme park opened one year and one day later on July 17, 1955.  Ever since then, the attractions of Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland, Tomorrowland, New Orleans Square, Critter Country and Mickey's Toontown has entertained millions of people, young and old.  

1985 marked Disneyland's 30th Anniversary and a decadent, star-studded celebration took place that only the 1980s could produce.  John Forsythe and Drew Barrymore hosted the special, which aired on NBC February 18, 1985.  Musical guests included Donna Summer, The Pointer Sisters, Alabama, Julian Lennon, Marie Osmond, Debbie Allen and Peter Allen.  Also featured were stars of The Peacock Network including Harry Anderson from Night Court (1984-1992),  The Cosby Kids, Kim Fields and Mindy Cohn from The Facts of Life (1979-1988) and Tina Yothers from Family Ties.  Knight Rider's David Hasselhoff rounded out the roster, who performed songs from his recently released Night Rocker album, which was a big hit in Austria!  Former Mousekateer Annette Funicello and Mary Poppins herself, Julie Andrews, also made appearances, along with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and dozens of their friends.  

Location: Disneyland

Address: 1313 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, CA

John Forsythe and Drew Barrymore first appear exiting The Walt Disney Story, which was an attraction on Main Street, U.S.A. until 2005.  Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is currently being shown...

During the parade, The Emporium gift shop can be seen in the background when Drew hops on an elephant to get a better view...

Country legends Alabama perform "Mountain Music" at The Golden Horseshoe in Frontierland...

Actress and dancer Debbie Allen performs "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" in New Orleans Square.  At the time of my visit, the stairs she descends from was closed off, but you can see it slightly through the doorway...

Harry Anderson and Tina Yothers meet outside The Main Street Magic Shop...

The Hoff performs a spectacular cover of The Counters' "Do You Love Me" at the Tomorrowland Terrance.  Fantasyland's Matterhorn Bobsleds can be seen in the background...

Marie Osmond sings "I'm Walking Right Down The Middle of Main Street, U.S.A." The Crystal Arcade can be seen in the background...

Donna Summer sings "She Works Hard For The Money (1983)" in Sleepy Beauty's Castle...

She also sings "Unconditional Love" in front of It's A Small World...

John and Drew join the long line at Pirates of the Caribbean.  Since the special, a bridge has been added to the area...

Marie & The Hoff sing the duet "Let It Be Me" by Sleeping Beauty's castle...

Locations Master List

Phone Booth (2003)

Slimy NY publicist Stuart Shepard finds himself in a claustrophobic nightmare after a madman calls him at The Big Apple's last remaining phone booth.  Stuart must right his wrongs, which includes confessing to his wife about an affair.  If he fails to comply or leaves the booth, he will be shot.  Stuart is interrupted by some hookers and a pimp, whom the sniper shoots dead.  The police and media soon arrive, as well as Stuart's wife Kelly and sidepiece Pam.  Stuart manages to call Kelly on his cell phone, who hears the exchange with the sniper.  She informs NYPD Captain Ed Ramey.  After his confession of a string of lies, Stuart leaves the phone booth is apparently shot dead by the police while a SWAT team breaks into the apartment of the sniper to find a body.  Stuart identifies it as a pizza delivery guy from earlier but while being treated, is visited by the real caller, who warns him his to remain honest to avoid further repercussions.

Screenwriter Larry Cohen originally pitched an a idea for a real time movie in the confines of a phone booth to Alfred Hitchcock, but it was shelved since he was unable to come up with a plot for an enclosed setting.  A few decades later, Cohen devised a plot that was supposed to star Jim Carrey.  Colin Farrell stepped into the role and did a great job as the unscrupulous Stuart Shepard and the always reliable Kiefer Sutherland provides the creepy voice of the caller.  The film was originally slated for release in the fall of 2002, but due to the Beltway sniper attacks, was pushed to the following spring.  The film had a modest box office performance among mixed reviews.  While phone booths have gone the way of the dinosaur, the message of the movie remains relevant to this day - don't answer the phone from an unknown caller.

Phone Booth was filmed in New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA

Location: The Phone Booth

Address: 453 S Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA

The phone booth is located outside The Last Bookstore, also seen in Gone Girl (2014)...

Location Visited: July 2023

Locations Master List