A handful of famous people have worked at Disneyland. John Lasseter (founder of Pixar) was a Jungle Cruise skipper. Steve Martin worked as a magician in the Main Street Magic Shop. Michelle Pfeiffer portrayed Alice in Wonderland. Teri Garr was a parade dancer. And Bob Cummings, Art Linkletter, and Ronald Reagan are/were members of Club 55 since they worked at Disneyland on opening day (July 17, 1955) as guest personalities. But there is one other famous celebrity who had a more notorious stint as a cast member.
During the summer of 1967, Richard Carpenter performed at Disneyland with John Bettis as a banjo and piano duo. They played at Coke Corner on Main Street.
Being a time-specific land, they were instructed to play certain pieces from the early 1900’s. However, they were frequently asked by guests to perform more contemporary songs like “Somewhere My Love,” “Yesterday,” and “Light My Fire.” Being young and cocky, they ignored their directive and honored the guest’s requests. Talent supervisor Vic Guder spoke to them numerous times about straying from the approved song list, but his words had little effect on the duo. Eventually, they were fired.
Being young and not completely understanding how the supervisor-subordinate relationship works, they thought they had received a raw deal. To vent their frustration and outrage they collaborated on an “anti-establishment” song titled, Mr. Guder in honor of their Disneyland boss. The song was later recorded by Richard and his sister Karen and was released on the “Close to You” album in 1970.
In later years, Richard admits that perhaps he should have been satisfied with having a job and not behaving as he did.
Here are the words to the song. Something to keep in mind when reading them, the 1960’s represented a time of change. Non-conformity was rampant – except at Disneyland where cast members were expected to maintain the Disney look and attitude. Grooming standards were extremely strict then, more so than they are today.
Mr. Guder.
Say! Mr. Guder.
May I have a moment with you?
Because there is something I've got to say.
And please don't let it scare you away.
Mr. Guder.
Say! Mr. Guder.
I have seen you go through a day.
You're everything a robot lives for,
Walk in at nine and roll out the door at five.
(*) You reflect the company image.
You maintain their rules to live by,
Shine your shoes let's keep a neat haircut,
Now that you're wearing a coat and tie.
Mr. Guder.
Say! Mr. Guder.
Some day soon may realize,
You spend your life just playing a game,
Where no ones wins but everyone stays the same.
Repeat (*)
Mr. Guder.
Say! Mr. Guder.
Some day soon may realize,
You spend your life just playing a game,
Where no ones wins but everyone stays the same.
The sa-a-a-me.
Please!
Play your game!
Stay the same.
Posted by Jack Spence on August 23, 2009 5:00 AM | 
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Comments (10)
I laughed out loud while reading the song lyrics. Another excellent blog, Jack. Please keep up the good work. Thanks
Chi
Posted by Chi Tran | August 23, 2009 8:11 AM
Posted on August 23, 2009 08:11
wow was a hudge fan of the carpenters never knew that about the song!!!
Posted by dusty | August 23, 2009 9:23 AM
Posted on August 23, 2009 09:23
Jack,
As ususal, I love your photos. Coke Corner looks really good (maybe I'm thirsty).
And look at you breakin' down - "The Carpenters"?
Next thing you know you'll have one of them newfangled color TV's all the kids are talking about at the sockhop.
And where is that flying car they promised us in grade school?
Dave
Posted by David Santo | August 23, 2009 7:46 PM
Posted on August 23, 2009 19:46
'Close To You' was one of the first albums I purchased as an adolescent. I was always intrigued by 'Mr. Guder' as I thought it was such a silly song.
To finally learn its origin almost 40 years later brought a smile to my face! Thanks.
Posted by Donna | August 23, 2009 9:21 PM
Posted on August 23, 2009 21:21
I thoroughly enjoyed your blog! I have always been a big fan of The Carpenters and greatly appreciated hearing the story behind the song, which is one of my favorites. I developed a skit around it in a drama class in college ages ago and often sing the song to myself at work on stressful days. I am pleased to know that two of my favorite things--Disney and The Carpenters--have a connection.
Posted by Elizabeth | August 23, 2009 11:57 PM
Posted on August 23, 2009 23:57
I winder if this is why the carpenters did the video for "Please Mr postman" from Disneyland-as a small kid in the UK it was the first time I knew that there actually was such a place and the start of a loooooong desire to visit!
Posted by hobbes | August 24, 2009 8:39 AM
Posted on August 24, 2009 08:39
I laughed as I read this as well. I never thought I'd see the words "Carpenters" and "anti-establishment" used in the same sentence!
Thanks!
Posted by Jennifer Wood | August 24, 2009 12:31 PM
Posted on August 24, 2009 12:31
Hi Jack,
That was very interesting. I always learn something new from your blogs.
Back in Junior High I listed The Carpenters as one of my favorite groups in our school year book. That is something I have to live with today.
I just looked up Richard Carpenter's birthday and he was around 21 years old when he worked at Disneyland. Very rebellious age.
Thanks Jack!
Posted by Todd Burnidge | August 27, 2009 4:49 PM
Posted on August 27, 2009 16:49
I love the internet as you can find answers to all those nagging questions you've had from the last 50 years. Now if I can find the meaning of
Crescent NOON from the same album. What the heck does that mean?
Posted by Tim John Howley | September 28, 2009 5:50 PM
Posted on September 28, 2009 17:50
I WAS JUST AT DISNEYLAND ON 10/24/09 AND TOLD A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE WHO WENT WITH ME OF THE CARPENTERS PLAYING THERE AS WE WERE GETTING OFF THE JUNGLE BOOK RIDE HE TOLD ME OF JOHN LASSETER WORKING THAT RIDE AND HE WORKS AT PIXAR AND KNOWS MR. LASSETER PERSONALY
Posted by BART KEARNS | October 25, 2009 4:33 PM
Posted on October 25, 2009 16:33