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.
I am related to the Mr. Guder the song is about. He was my grandfathers brother. He was not happy about this song and sued them to get it off the airwaves. The rest of the family was shock when it was released and many people inquired as to whether we had anything to do with it.
I was a music student at Cal State Long Beach with the Carpenters and played in various groups with Richard. I also worked at Disneyland at this same time and fully understand both Vic Guders actions and how Richard acted due to the “climate” at that time. I further understand Vic Guder’s actions as he was my high school band director and guided me to Cal State Long Beach and into classical music.
Thank you for sharing your story. I started going to Disneyland as a child in the late 60s. It was such a different place then. I miss it. Did you continue playing classical music?
I used to hear this song and think that it was the Carpenters’ two cents’ worth on the 1960s “anti-establishment” meme. It makes it a little more interesting to find out the story behind it.
Heard the story about Mr.Guder from the Carpenters when they gave a concert in Kearney Nebraska Feb 8, 1971. I remember they described Mr. Guder as a straitlaced type of guy that gave them fits and did not appreciate their talent. Actually the night of the concert Karen was sick and could not sing. After several attempts she explained that her voice was not there and that they would come back sometime later and give the concert and honor our tickets. They kept their word and did come back to Kearney to perform that concert.
In 1970 when I was 15 years old a girl moved in next door and we became friends. Christmas of 1970 we bought each other a Christmas present. We had got each other the “Close to You” album. Boy were we surprised, I guess that helped us figured out we were in Love. We got married after High School and have been ever since. The Carpenters have a special place in our heart.
Thanks for the Mr. Guder story. Now the multi-million dollar question is: Did Mr. Guder ever say something about this song? Did they (the Carpenters and him) ever spoke afterwards?
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
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?
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!
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!
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!
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.
‘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.
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
wow was a hudge fan of the carpenters never knew that about the song!!!
I laughed out loud while reading the song lyrics. Another excellent blog, Jack. Please keep up the good work. Thanks
Chi