Captain Eo Premiere

Hard to believe it's been 25 years since the initial release of Michael Jackson's 3D featurette, "Captain EO." Doing a quick run through in my head of Disneyland history, I can't think of a single attraction other than "Captain EO" that was removed and then years later, brought back to life. "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" was a temporary removal for the 50th Anniversary Steve Martin movie; The Motor Boats morphed into different forms over a period of some 30+ years before disappearing for good. Is "Captain EO" the only attraction to get yanked and then return? I'm sure there's a DL history nut out there who would know.



These publicity photos were released in conjunction with the grand opening of "Captain EO" at Disneyland. From the publicity caption:



9/13/86: Director Francis Coppola, actress Anjelica Huston and Director George Lucas cut the ribbon to open Walt Disney Co.'s "Captain Eo," the much-ballyhooed 17-minute 3-D film starring Michael Jackson. Jackson did not take part in the opening but Disney's chairman Michael Eisner told the crowd that Jackson was somewhere in the audience disguised "either as an old lady or an usher or animatronic character." Although the cost was not disclosed, it is estimated to run more than $1 million a minute.

Here is a shot of the men behind the film, Coppola, Jackson, and Lucas:



See more Captain EO photos on my Captain Eo web page.

Indiana Jones Adventure Anniversary Post

Indiana Jones is one of my very favorite “new” attractions at Disneyland. 16 years later, it still packs the guests in and leaves them wanting more. The attention to detail to the queue as well as the attraction have made this dark ride a memorable part of almost every guest’s trip to Disneyland. The images posted today are from the early publicity campaigns designed to drum up interest. Where possible, I have also included some of the marketing copy that accompanied these photos.





DECISION-MAKING TIME—When the Indiana Jones Adventure opens on March 3, 1995 guests visiting Disneyland will decide if they should dare inter [yup...Disney made a typo!] the Temple of the Forbidden Eye. Built long ago in tribute to the deity, Mara, the temple offers the “pure of heart” one of three magical gifts. However, ancient legend also issues a stern warning: “A terrible fate awaits those who gaze upon the eyes of Mara!” as they might be vaporized by beams of fire or face other horrors such as screaming mummies, creepy crawlies, ravenous rodents, and poisonous darts.



ANCIENT TEMPLE RUINS—Daring Disneyland guests now have the opportunity to explore the shadowy ruins of an ancient lost temple. Months before the Indiana Jones Adventure opens, guests in Adventureland will discover the excavation site and base camp for the recently unearthed Temple of the Forbidden Eye. Cleared from lush tropical foliage on the shores of the Jungle Cruise, the temple stands as the ominous entrance to the Indiana Jones Adventure, opening in 1995.



PROMISING ADVENTURE—Traveling beyond one of the three passageways in the “Chamber of Destiny,” fortunate explorers aboard the Indiana Jones Adventure enter the “Hall of Promise.” Inside, the temple deity Mara, displays all the wonders of the gift they are about to receive-if they can obey the one temple rule: “Look not into the eyes of Mara.” A terrible tortuous fate awaits the foolhardy visitor who dares to gaze into the eyes of the idol, as they will be banished through the “Gates of Doom” from which there is no return. The Adventureland attraction opens Mar. 3, 1995 at Disneyland.



ESCAPE FROM THE MUMMIES—A cavern of cadaverous corpses await “unworthy” guests who dare explore the newest Adventureland attraction at Disneyland, the Indiana Jones Adventure-opening Mrach 3, 1995. More than just a routine archaeological expedition of the fabled Temple of the Forbidden Eye, the tour has a catch: “A terrible fate awaits those who gaze upon the eyse of Mara!” Guests making their escape from the temple deity, will find their vehicles careening through an ancient burial chamber fileld to the brim with haunted inhabitants.



‘CAVERN OF BUBBLING DEATH’—Explorers on the Indiana Jones Adventure encounter the “Cavern of Bubbling Death.” A twisted menagerie of swirling lava, fire balls and falling debris, the cavern has as its menacing centerpiece a 45-foot-tall decaying skull of Mara. All pathways inside this massive subterranean cavern lead to unspeakable peril including a precarious path high above a molten pit. There’s no turning back as the suspension bridge sways from the heat of the steam vents below and Mara’s destruction beams launch fireballs all around.





See more Disneyland Indiana Jones Adventure photos at my main website.

D23 1 Year Anniversary Event, Pt. 2, The Return of Captain EO

Michael Jackson, Francis Coppola, and George Lucas collaborated on The Walt Disney Company’s “Captain EO,” a unique three dimensional narrative musical film presented by Kodak, which premiered September 19, 1986 at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. This musical space fantasy starred Michael Jackson with original songs written, produced, and sung by Jackson, “Captain EO” was directed by Coppola, executive produced by Lucas, and produced by Rusty Lemorande.







With Jackson’s recent death, news quickly leaked that Disneyland was going to remove "Honey I Shrunk The Audience” and put “Captain EO” back into the Kodak Theater. Then, just as quickly as it was announced, it was yanked supposedly due to fear about any backlash from allegations made against Jackson while he was alive. Once the Disney corporation overcame that hurdle of fear, plans to return “EO” were quickly reinstated and it made its debut on February 23.



I remember seeing it the first time it was at Disneyland; “EO” seemed a little creeky and hokey to me even back then. I was a huge fan of Jackson’s talent during the 80’s when I was in college. Each song was a favorite, and I remember what a big deal it was to crowd around the TV each time one of his innovative videos was released on MTV. After awhile, I felt that his songs lost their edge and became too manufactured. I lost interest in him as his fame seemed more centered around his erratic behaviour than his musical genius. Seeing him in the recently released "This Is It” musical documentary reminded me exactly what the world lost; an extremely talented dancer, song stylist, musician, and creative being.



I checked out “EO” on Wednesday night during the D23 Anniversary Event, almost 24 years after its initial release. My thoughts were pretty much the same; very dated; not anything I hadn't already seen from Jackson. And yet it sure was a lot of fun to see. It’s definitely a time capsule of the videos that launched MTV: the fashions, the hairstyles, the attitudes, the choreography.



Even though the film had opened weeks ago, the audience broke into applause every time Michael was visible and cheered him on; it really was amazing. The 3D is not up to the technical standards of today’s 3D features, but it will still make you duck your head every now and then. The sound was incredible, and so was the movement of the room in the appropriate places. The laser effects were fewer and not quite as impressive as I originally remembered, but overall, it was enjoyable to watch...especially Jackson's famous moonwalk!



In the waiting area, there is a video that was originally shown back in 1986; it too is very dated, but a fun glimpse of “the making of...”; you rarely see Jackson in this video...other than his feet, and from the movement, you know who it is supposed to be.



UPDATE: Kurt, a Daveland reader, assembled this photo for me as a follow-up to my Snow White post last week. The Tony Curtis movie "40 Pounds of Trouble" features a lengthy sequence at Disneyland and is notable for its interior views of some of the Fantasyland Dark Rides. Here is a collage of the Snow White views:



Many thanks to Kurt! See more Disneyland Captain EO photos at my regular website.