An Interview with Sid Cahuenga
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LC: I really like this one, what is that tree?
SC: The Ham Tree! A true oddity which once stood on Washington Boulevard. This is the craziest section of the course where you have to dodge obstacles which are in your way. These take the form of graphic signs - either from advertising or are taken from the tops of structures, for example, the hat sign from the top of the Brown Derby, and there’s even a miniature golf course too! The Hollywood Flower Pot was even someone’s home, so we put a home inside! It’s all sharp turns and jolts and it's pretty fast! This section is going to be great for adding extra signs.
LC: And it brings us to...?
SC: My favourite scene! When you leave the Garden we turn up the heat as you enter a desert, pass a giant Sphinx and what better way to cool off than taking a dip into Kenyon’s Desert Plunge! And we mean plunge... This swimming pool is so cool, and you get to go right through it!
LC: Through the pool?
SC: Sure! I love the way we were able to solve this, and we are still working on it to make it even more convincing.
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LC: The ladies, they are...?
SC: The local synchronised swimming team! I love those ladies. It’s been great to just add characters to the scenes who are bizarrely normal and those whose normal behaviour is bizarre... they simply make me laugh!
LC: Does the guest get wet?
SC: I’m afraid that would be telling... the course takes you under the diving board and through one of the most recognisable signs in California’s history, and one I think that will be of interest to your readers (laughs).
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LC: I know it will! What made you choose the Disneyland Marquee?
SC: We thought long and hard about this, but I feel pretty happy about including this sign. We wanted to finish off with a true symbol of California, and naturally our first choice was the Hollywoodland sign. What I found fascinating during this research was how there is a process of culture growing up. Twentieth Century Californian culture stems mostly from the influence of the film studios and Crazy architecture was a part of that. In many respects, the creation of Disneyland was a ‘growing up’ stage in California presenting this culture to the world, through a refinement and sophistication in the presentation of amusements, food and retail.
It took a while for me to realise that there was a strong homage to Crazy architecture right outside my door at the Studios - The Crossroads of the World, The Darkroom, The Brown Derby, Gertie and Mann’s Theatre. Disney have played a major role in keeping the idea of Crazy alive, not just through re-creation but also with buildings like Michael Graves Team Disney in Burbank. Although the marquee is not around anymore, we have chosen to use it as a symbol of the continuing influence this style of architecture has.
LC: Does the ride end here?
SC: Almost! Through the sign the course takes you to the Hole in One! And to finish we have a mural showing how much the style influenced the rest of America.