'Disneyland Showtime' with Kurt Russell, The Osmond Brothers and The Haunted Mansion (1970)

'Disneyland Showtime' first aired March 22nd, 1970 on NBC's Sunday night family-hour staple, 'The Wonderful World of Disney'.

The hour-long program featured Kurt Russell (already a Disney star) running around the Anaheim theme park with
The Osmonds (pre jumpsuits, pre-'70s bubblegum hysteria) and actress E.J. Peaker (fresh from her supporting role in the film version of 'Hello, Dolly!').

(The embedded 'playlist' below should play the program continuously through five segments, also giving you the option to skip ahead.)



Kicky, kitschy fun, with great vintage shots of the park and its patrons, but one of the biggest high points is a fascinating look behind-the-scenes at The Haunted Mansion ride, which had just opened the previous August.

- For more about the program and its production, click over to: 'Haunted Mansion Horror: Disneyland Showtime' at Tulgey Wood.

The Osmonds - Crazy Horses (x7)

Because no one demanded it; several clips of the uncharacteristically hard rockin' title track to the Osbro's 1972 LP (second only in
heavy-osity to 1973's 'The Plan', their ambitious Mormon doctrine freakout concept album).

Check the fashions, the moves, the delivery, the 'message' lyrics - - and good luck forgetting Donny's whinnying keyboard riff...

Below: ▼ perhaps the best of the bunch, dating from either '72 or '74, depending on who you believe.



Below: ▼ from a '73 German appearance, Jay gets out from behind the drum kit to strut in earnest throughout his lead vocal performance...



Below: ▼ lip-synching but spirited,,,

Below: ▼ hot and sweaty at Ohio's State Fair in '72...



Below: ▼ screaming fans and full-tilt Osmania at a '73 UK concert...



Below: ▼ funky flair and a slower tempo as part of a 'Donny & Marie' tour, later in the '70s...



Below: ▼ further changes by 1980, in concert in Provo, Utah...