Possibly the saddest day at Disney World for me was when I went to say goodbye to The Great Movie Ride one last time. The Great Movie Ride was what introduced me to cinema. It’s what made me love movies. To see it leave was nothing short of heartbreaking for me, especially after seeing what they’re replacing it with. Seriously, a runaway train ride complete with the worst animation ever for Mickey and Minnie? Kind of a let down.
Anyways, The Great Movie Ride was the reason that I love movies and at one point I thought I would be a host on the ride so I memorized the entire (before TCM takeover) script. Here it is laid out scene by scene!
Photo courtesy of Sam Howzit on Flickr
Welcome aboard. At this time, I’d like to ask everybody to please remain seated throughout the ride, and keep your hands and arms within the vehicle at all times. Also, for the safety of our cast, and the comfort of those around you, please no flash photography or use of external video lights. Alright, now that we’ve taken care of business, let’s talk about me. My name is Jackie, and I’ll be your guide during this magical journey into the movies. It’s the perfect job for me because I love the movies. So, is everyone ready!
Great, because it’s showtime! Ready when you are C.B!
And we are rolling! Hello everyone and welcome to the Great Movie Ride. Once again, my name is Jackie and I’ll be taking you from this Hollywood soundstage right into the middle of the action of the greatest films ever made, all on one tour. But between you and me, this is no ordinary tour because the Great Movie Ride brings these movies to life, and puts you right in the middle of the action.
Photo courtesy of Nick Higgins on Flickr
I don’t know about you folks but I just love those Hollywood musicals from the 1930s! This scene is from one of my favorites, the Busby Berkeley classic, “Footlight Parade,” starring James Cagney, Ruby Keeler, and Dick Powell.
Photo courtesy of Chad Sparkes on Flickr
Then in 1952, Gene Kelly was singin’ in the rain. Did you know Gene Kelly co-directed this film?
Photo courtesy of Sam Howzit on Flickr
Does anyone know what this movie is? That’s right, it’s Walt Disney’s Academy Award winning film from 1964 Starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke.
Photo courtesy of Nick Higgins on Flickr
Hold on to those wallets and purses folks. This doesn’t look like a very good neighborhood. In fact, it looks a lot like the Underworld. The scene of such classic gangster films like the Public Enemy. Starring one of my favorite tough guys, James Cagney.
Voice One: Shh, somebody’s comin’.
Voice Two: Is it them?
Voice One: Nah, just a bunch a rubberneckin’ tourists.
Voice Three: Shut up you two. You wanna blow our cover?
Mugsy: Hey, How’d you know my name anyway?
Photo courtesy of Evan Wohrman on Flickr
Photo courtesy of Sam Howzit on Flickr
Mugsy: Okay, it’s worse. I dunno about youse guys, but this is gettin’ kinda creepy, what is this?
Narrator: This is “Alien”. You are with Sigourney Weaver aboard the spaceship Nostromo. Something has gone wrong. One by one, the crew has vanished, and somewhere in the ship, a terrifying creature waits to claim its next victim.
Mugsy: Hey pal, I ain’t no victim.
Narrator: Warning! Remain in your vehicle. The area you are entering is extremely dangerous. Proceed with caution.
Mugsy: Look out! There it is again! All right, I think that’s enough creepy crawly things for one day right…Wrong!
Photo courtesy of Rain0975 on Flickr
Narrator: Here, in “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” amid a thousand deadly snakes, Indiana Jones unearths a great treasure. Will Harrison Ford escape with his discovery? And what will be your fate? Beware.
Mugsy: Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?
Narrator: The dust of three thousand years lies undisturbed in this ancient burial chamber. And on the chest of the great stone god, a priceless jewel!
Mugsy: Wow! Get a load of that chunk of ice! Time for me to get back to work. Don’t none of you’s move while I get the goods. I don’t think they’d notice a few extra bodies around here, if ya know what I mean.
Narrator: But the jewel is guarded by a curse! And those who dare defy that curse … must pay with their lives.
See, I told you I was going for popcorn That just goes to show you, anything can happen in the movies. Now let’s get on with the show.
Photo courtesy of Loren Javier on Flickr
Photo courtesy of Sam Howzit on Flickr
Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. The best last lines of a movie ever. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in the classic romance, “Casablanca.”
Photo courtesy of Nick Higgins on Flickr
Here’s one of my favorite movie stars, Mickey Mouse, in one of his greatest roles, the Sorcerer’s Apprentice in “Fantasia.” The sorcerer’s name in this sequence is Yensid, which is Disney spelled backward.
Photo courtesy of Sam Howzit on Flickr
Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore. How often do you get to say that? I’d say we’re over the rainbow in one of the most beloved movies of all time, “The Wizard of Oz.”
Wicked Witch: Who killed my sister? Who killed the witch of the east? Was it you?
No, I didn’t kill anyone. It was an accident.
Witched Witch: Well, my pretty, I can cause accidents too!
Oh, rubbish, you have no power here. Be gone before someone drops a house on you too.
Wicked Witch: Very well, I’ll bide my time. But just try to stay out of my way, just try. I’ll get you my pretty, and your little dog too!
I wonder how we get out of here. What do you folks think? Which way should we go?
Munchkin: Follow the yellow brick road!
Follow the yellow brick road. Why didn’t I think of that? Sing along folks, you know the words.
I hope you’ve enjoy this tour through some of the greatest moments at the movies. But we’ve only scratched the surface of what Hollywood has to offer. There are still thousands of other great movies out there waiting for you to discover and here a just a few of my favorites.
Reimagining the Imagineers 