If you’re old enough and ever attended the Golden Horseshoe Revue at Disneyland, you may have been fortunate enough to get one of these boxes of balloons from the incomparable Wally Boag. Younger generations never knew him, although they might spot him as a character actor in some of Disney’s earlier comedies such as “The Absent Minded Professor” or “The Love Bug”, or knew his voice as “Jose” the parrot at the Enchanted Tiki Room. But Wally had a phenomenal career, and left an indelible mark on the essence of the Disney empire for decades. Wally passed away just over a year ago on June 3, 2011, and the world is poorer as a result.
My father was an actor, and had a longstanding relationship with the Boags through performance channels. As a result, I knew them since I was knee-high to a… well, my wife doesn’t like those things so I’ll say “to a gecko.” And my life was infinitely richer as a result. Wally was a great entertainer, a very funny man, and a dear friend.
Wally’s balloon work was one of his trademarks, and he always had a youngster up on stage to help him with his routine. I took this in the early 70’s during one of my visits there.
Wally as Pecos Bill in the foreground, Betty Taylor as Sluefoot Sue in the background, flanked by Fulton Burley of the amazing eyebrows and lilting tenor. In a gentle coincidence, Betty passed away one day after Wally did.
With the encouragement and massive assistance of his longtime friend Gene Sands, Wally was able to publish an autobiography a scant two years before he passed – it’s full of memorabilia and wonderful stories, and would be a graceful addition to the coffee table of anyone who remembers Wally fondly:
The book is only available at the Wally Boag Website; a review can be read at Yesterland. It’s unlikely that there will be another printing; my autographed copy is numbered 57 of 200, and I treasure it, treasure it, treasure it.
Wally was honored with a window above Main Street in Disneyland. In addition to voicing Jose the parrot, Wally had a large hand in writing the script for the Enchanted Tiki Room, which to this day remains one of my favorite attractions on the park. (Fulton Burley, mentioned above, voiced “Michael” the Irish parrot as well.)
A replica of the window graced a garden house at Wally’s longtime home in California.
Julie Andrews had been a part of Wally’s “Starlight Roof” show in London at the age of 12, where she would sing “Polonaise” from Mignon. In 1963, Julie Andrews as at Disneyland prior to the release of The Sound of Music. She stopped by to visit with Wally at Disneyland; he brought her onstage during his show and they sang a duet together.
Wally was featured in a birthday party video which included balloons for kids to blow up and decorate.
Wally as the Traveling Salesman at the Golden Horseshoe Revue
Wally as Pecos Bill
My youngest son MikeD with Wally on the beach near Santa Monica, around 1999 or so.
Wally’s Den
Wally at his desk in 2008, holding galley proofs for his autobiography.
Wally’s Wikipedia Page has a number of additional links about him and his career, for those inclined to learn more.
Time must march on, but I will miss this dear man terribly. I have been so honored to know him and his family, and my heart is lightened by the echoes of his life well-lived whenever I think of him.
The Old Wolf has spoken.
Playing in the World Game 