70 Years Ago: Disneyland Live Broadcast Was Steamier Than Expected

Disneyland just hit the seven-decade mark! The grand opening on July, 17, 1955 was invite-only but also broadcast live on ABC. And boy, did viewers get an eyeful.

Walt had pulled a genius promotional move to hype the new park. He launched a show called “Disneyland“ that aired updates of the park being built weekly on ABC almost a year before it opened. So, parents and kiddies watching from home were primed for most of what they were about to see.

Host, Bob Cummings – who was married and on wife 3 of 5 at the time – apparently missed a cue, and was shown sucking face with one of the Frontierland dancers. This is live TV. In 1955.

Bob played it off so effectively, it’s hard to tell whether the moment was staged or not. You be the judge.

Bonus: 26 years after the live broadcast, the “Ronnie Reagan” guy Bob throws it to at 41:30 would be president.