Thanks for sharing that! She was such a role model to me in pre-teen years, so wholesome. I wanted to be a Mouseketeer more than anything! RIP, sweet lady. ❤️
Thank you so much for sharing this. She was so beautiful in every way. Every boy wanted to date her and every girl wanted to be her. She was a role model and she is so missed. Thank you Robert again for sharing this.
In her youth, and even when she was older, Annette was more beautiful than Marylin Monroe, but she was a young woman of truly excellent character. I think Hollywood attempted to sway her, but she valued more important things than fame and wouldn't budge. So, they made fun of her instead. When I was seven or eight years old I lived on West Street in Garden Grove, about one mile from Disneyland. My next door neighbors and I had a thing for identifying cars as they drove past, because West Street was only two lanes and very busy. On one occasion I saw a young woman with a scarf over her head wearing big round sunglasses go sailing past our house in a Thunderbird Convertible. I really thought it was cool, the way she looked. It didn't occur to me until years later that it may have been Annette on her way to see Mr. Walt.
I never tired of this dance routine. To this day, it brings me back to my early teens. I still like trying to dance with them. Yes, such "innocence." :) God bless Walt Disney.
@@erod4489 A lot Of Teen Talent came out The Mickey Mouse Club. It was broadcasted originally from 1955-1959 and they would put it on after American Bandstand. Some Kids who weren't even chosen still did well. Paul Williams who would work with everyone from The Carpenters To Barbara Stresiand was rejected as was Jessica Simpson and Elizabeth Hendrickson (The Young & The Restless, All My Children, & General Hospital)
I remember when the Disney channel had Vault Disney 1:00 in the morning. I fought sleep just to see this show. That was the last time Disney channel was worth watching.
Same here! I thought I was the only one who did this. I think it was worth it because we got to enjoy and appreciate a lot of the classics. It's funny that those who Vault Disney was shown for--our parents--were likely fast asleep while these old shows aired lol.
Nowadays TV like this can't even be shown. It's considered "hate speech" for promoting controversial ideas like a family has a mom and a dad, or children should obey their parents.
I was born in 1992 and my parents watched these growing up and my mom bought me some videos of this show when I was little. I loved them, these and The Little Rascals
i remember back in the 90's when disney channel had a block called vault disney where they aired all of the original disney classics from the 50's-80's and this show was one of the shows they aired and i remember enjoying it i miss being a kid so much and it makes me so sad for kids now cause they have NO IDEA the kind of entertainment we had back then
@@jgjperlmanLawrence Welk often said he never worried about Bobby. He was raised by Walt Disney. These are good memories. That re-do they tried a while ago was a joke.
These kids and teens were mega talented. Inspired generations from the '50s - '70s, through the original series and the subsequent reruns. Sharon, Annette and Bobby were exceptionally terrific dancers. Cheryl was pretty, Lonnie, cool, Darlene, charming. Great to have this captured on RU-vid. Others like Tim Considine and Shelley Fabares who appeared in the mini series went on to years of stardom .
NoHu4 not like today's Disney stars who get into drugs, sex, booze and jail. Cameron Byrce was a throwback, a great kid. I enjoyed watching Jessie with my grandkids. He had good timing.
Everytime I watch this and he says “roll call” I immediately think of the SNL skit “Jingleheimer Junction”. The original 1955-1958 Mousketeers were the most talented. Every kid was a skilled triple threat.
My mother bought me videos of this when I was little (she grew up watching it) I remember pausing the TV and practicing the dance moves like crazy. Loved that my mom introduced me to these shows during my childhood. These and the little rascals shows
Imagine learning this dance just by watching it every day. There was no pause button lol. But all of us girls learned and practiced at recess and argued who was prettier, Annette or Darlene
I used to watch this on Vault Disney back in the 90s whenever I stayed up way passed my bed time. I'm now 31 and wish Disney would bring back Vault Disney with all the classics instead of repeating the same shows all night
I use to watch Disney late night back in the 90s and early 2000s as a kid. They would always show old movies and shows from this period like Zorro and the Mouseketeers and I would stay up and watch them. At the time I didn't put it together that they were from so long ago but I enjoyed them none the less
Annette. She was just so lovely. I'll always remember the series "Annette" that was featured one year on the Mickey Mouse Club. Annette played a young high school girl from the rural Midwest who came to live with her Aunt Lila and Uncle Archie in a town called Ashford. The entire series is on RU-vid now, all episodes stitched seamlessly together into a three-hour movie format.
I watched the MMC when I was young, and of course, I was a young boy during this production, and now I am "old." To this day, I am amazed at how the innocent can dance so well. It's hard to define innocence, but we know when we see it. What happened to us as a people? What has happened so we cannot bring back this innocence? This may sound silly to most, but the MMC brought joy to my youth. I feel a connection to it that has never been broken. I curse my leaders who, over time, purposely, have taken our youth from our youth. May Annette rest in peace, but never our innocence.
Good gravy, so many memories go into this... I'm 23 and my dad had me and my sister watch this show almost every night when it was on late at night on the Disney Channel (back in the mid 90s mind you). I remember when my dad would get home from work late at night after everyone else had gone to bed, and he would ask me if I wanted to get up for a while (as I have always been a night owl) to spend some time with him while we watched these shows on the Mickey Mouse Club. Never once did I tire of this show. :)
They need to put out the entire series on DVD! Completely restored and uncut of course! There’s such a great demand for this. You never get tired of watching. Disney channel today is nothing but trash. THIS PROGRAM, however - one of the best shows of all time. Something for everyone, anyone, and all generations to enjoy. Bring back Vault Disney!!!
Loved this show. I like the dance routine. My girlfriend and I would race home from school to watch The Mystery of the Applegate Treasure. It brings back a lot of good memories.
Now this is BEAUTIFUL decent well behaved children, well groomed and talented. I do think Cheryl had the best stage presentation. I though she was the prettiest.
I love reading the comments at the end of these videos ... heartwarming to see the positive impact the show had on a generation who still value it..... it must also be wonderful for the Mouseketeers to know that they have been part of such a significant piece of television history!
They used to have reruns of the show when I was a young kid in school. I had such a crush on Darlene it didn't occur to me till I was a bit older that I was a preteen fantasizing about lady in her fifties.
Oh, those pinafores! I had to put put on the outfit for each day of the week when the show came on to sing and dance with them. Of course my favorite was the cowgirl outfit for Friday's "Talent Round-up Day" We always played Spin and Marty and argued who would be with who. Loved the "scary" Hardy boys. ......Memories and Reflections. ("Here's your Ears!")
This was one of my favorite shows back in the 1950s, coming on not long after I'd get home from school. Even though only 6 or 7 at the time, Mouseketeeer Cheryl was a young boyhood crush for me. Her beautiful smile just melted my heart, even at such an early age. So sad she had to pass away at only 64 years. :( Thanks for posting this old clip from the show to bring back fond memories...
I loved this show. I was 1 year old when it first came on. Annette was my favorite because she looked like my sister's best friend. She also had a nice little poof of hair.
I have, and recently read, "The Official Mickey Mouse Club Book" by Lorraine Santoli. I highly encourage all boomers who loved the show to read it. It has many behind the scenes stories and anecdotes. The forward is by Annette. It's a wonderful story of how it all came to be, where the Mouseketeers came from, and stories about some that didn't make it and why. Paul Peterson, of The Donna Reed Show, for example, was too rambunctious and slightly out of control, so he didn't make it but for a very brief period. It's a great read with many pictures and even lyrics to some of the show's songs (as if any of us ever forgot them, right?).
J Dano I have that book! I treasure it! So many wonderful photographs and stories! I know this thread is old now, and you will probably never read this but thank you for your comment. From a fellow fan.
R.I.P. Annette. You and the rest of the mouseketeers brought so much fun to us kids then continued into our teens with your movies with Frankie and the gang loved you then and still do ❤️❤️❤️
Wow, I remember watching this stuff on late night tv when I was a kid a few years back. I wish they still ran stuff like this. It's much better than the crappy toon comedy act they have on nowadays. I miss this stuff...
My how times have changed. This is the americana i grew up with,and i miss it dearly today. You really put a big smile on my face this last 90 sec. thanks:):):):)
The girl Mouseketeers=cute, including the dancing. But most < Annette, the best. Dear Annette I miss you so much for both the show and the beach party movies..sending this missie...Steve C. 1942-2013.
This was tasteful, life-affirming and fun, something which has left American Television. My prayers go out to the family of the wonderful Mousketeer, Annette
My innocent days of childhood.... what the "orientation" of them was, was completely beyond my childhood knowledge.....and am I glad 60 years later.....
That song and dance in the beginning was really radical back then. That was like the death metal of 1955. "those darn Mikey Moose kids and all of their stompin' and carrying on! And that music! Heavens to Betsy! It's just a bunch of clowns tuning their instruments!"
This was the standard "Mouseketeer" opening, with roll call [Monday-Thursday], in the 1957-'58 season [on Fridays, they did it in their "Talent- Round-Up Day" cowboy outfits].
Tommy is really out of place on throughout this whole piece; he needed to slide over to his left so that he could be in the center of the girls like Bobby and Cubby are; it looks really bad because it is very noticeable...Tommy looks like he's standing behind Darlene; this was a long time ago, and filming/timing probably wasn't watched carefully like it is now, but this is is still timeless Disney; I LOVE IT!!
singlemom cobb ... I think you are probably correct there because he apparently wasn’t a dancer and struggled in the beginning .. he took extra classes to improve himself in order to stay on the show .. however he did improve and is now remembered as one of the signature performers
Thank you 4 telling me this! We Aussies did hear rumors Annette was coming to visit Australia with the original Mousketeers, but never came about. I am still sorry she didn't get to visit Australia, though.
I was looking into this television show and while the 50s were known for being a particularly all-white time, this show did feature Jewish members, one or two Hispanics and Asians, and quite a few Italians. It seems strange, but they faced discrimination back the too.Even for minorities, this show made an effort to be a good, loving example to children, in a time where childhood was everything. Annette was lovely and still is. It would be nice if kids today could experience this kind of show.
I was one of The Next Generation, first seeing the show in the fall of 1962. Thank my posse for coming up with, "Who's the leader of the club that's made for you and me? M-I-C-K-E-Y- Oh, you S-O-B!"
R.I.P. Annette you were one of my favorite actresses. I may be young but my mama raised my on the beach blanket bingo movies and you will forever hold a spot in my heart.
May God wrap you in His Loving arms. You have brought great joy to all your fans and you will be missed. What a great and warm lady you have become, strong and brave. God bless you and keep you. E
Loved them all but I think Sharon was my favorite. She could out dance anyone else (along with Bobby!), plus she just came across like the nicest person you could want to meet!
@@mattjoy5353 I second that; I am obsessed with having a complete series DVD of the Mickey Mouse Club; it was the heart and soul of my childhood. (Don't figure out my age. LOLOLOLOL).
I love the blast at the beginning in the brass...Another great Buddy baker arrangement and great cheography(Burch MAnn?) executed wonderfully be the Mouseketeers
I was born in the early 90s and I still remember them showing this on Disney. Then in the 90s the Mousketeers were Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears etc.. Me my mom and my sister would always watch it. Me and My mom would always watch the original Mask of Zorro. That was our favorite. I would give up so much just to relive those days.
My kid brother used to drive us all crazy watching the reruns of this in the late 70's. He would bug Mom and Dad and a couple of Aunt's & Uncle's wanting to be taken to Disneyland; usually crying. Mom made it so he could come up in the evening and watch it instead of working in the fields. It was a foil to come up and pig out in the kitchen and fridge. He never got fat but after scarfing down 2 boxes of nilla wafers and a plate of lasagna, his butt was busted, no more MMC and back to work.
As a pre-K kid that year, I wonder how many others decided along with me that we were somehow _lacking_ if we didn't dress up in "club uniforms," sing and tap-dance for the camera every afternoon? That's a very impressionable age, and everything looked glamorous to me. It was only later that I learned to be grateful for the much more normal existence that was my life!
Actually these are not the originals as look how grown up they all are.....this was a later production. Most were on every year, however, there were changes in the talent throughout the years. They were a very talented group of kids. Roy and Jimmie were fantastic also. Thanks Walt. Thanks Mickey!
These are most definitely the originals. I grew-up watching them every afternoon after school in the 50's. Google Original Mouseketeers. It was these kids right from the start in 1955.
stevethrasher - Pease read what I wrote. I think that I made it clear and you took info out of context.. Most were Mousketeers each year..BUT THERE WERE CHANGES. Did you know Paul Peterson and Johnny Crawford were both Mousketeers for a short time. I don't see them dancing away in this piece of film. Look at Annette...She has developed. This is alater production probably 1959. There were some kids that came and went and were Mousketeers for just a very short time...Like Mark. Where is he in this production? Where is Johnny Crawford in this production? I am not saying that the people on stage in this number were not original members. I am saying some original members were gone by this time....
I can tell we're not in the same age bracket. I'm sure this video is not the very first show from 1955, but believe me these are the MAIN kids who appeared from the very beginning. Disney had many young actors under contract in the 50's. Again I'll say, Google Original Mouseketeers and LOOK at the names. They are the same names the kids say on this video.
I watched it from day one...The title on this The Mickey Mouse Club - Original Mouseketeers. - ORIGINAL MOUSEEKETEERS. Now reread my first comment. Let's just stop here....No need to go on about it. Have a great weekend!
RIP Annette; you were my favorite MOUSEKETEER, and you will be sorely missed; GOD bless the FUNICELLO FAMILY at this difficult time....she was a LEGEND!!!! I will miss the BEACH BLANKET BINGO movies with you too!!!!
RIP Annette Funicello. She OWNS and OWNED the Mouseketeers, and the WHOLE generations of the Mousketeers (70s and 90s versions as well.) My beloved Annette Funicello.
I think this was the original "A" cast (there were 3 casts at least in 55-56 as I recall). Many were let go in 57. I recall thinking "where's Bonni? Where's Mary?" Never saw them again. This show made all other kiddie shows humdrum. What a production.
haaa,i used to make my sister and cousins tap dance like that,and put mouse ears on them and,try to make them sing! wish i had a camcorder back in 1970,to see how much we probally sucked![a big fan since the re runs in 1970!]
@johnrunion : I think it had to do not only with their talent (whether they could sing dance, act, etc.) , but also their overall professionalism , e.g. could they follow instructions and retain information quickly during rehearsal, did they behave on the set, could they maintain a consistent quality of performance during retakes, that kind of stuff. The red team kids were the ones with the most wherewithal, very important when cranking out shows on a tight schedule and budget.
So much History with "This" Cast. Cubby O'Brien became a successful Drummer who worked on The Grease Soundtrack. Annette Funicello died of MS related causes. Bobby would later perform on The Lawrence Welk Show who now performs in Branson, Mo., while Darlene Valentine got arrested for a Poor Man's Ponzi Scheme. I heard that back in the day auditioning was alot of hard work. They wanted to know if you could do it all. Sing, Dance, Play An Instrument, Write A Song, etc. For all of the Kids who made it many didn't. Jessica Simpson, Elizabeth Hendrickson (Soap Actress) and Paul Williams Oscar Winner for Evergreen who also worked with the Carpenters. For Several Years The Mickey Mouse Club was on after American Bandstand.
Karen Pendleton was involved in an accident that left her paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair for the rest of her life. Don't figure out my age, but I remember when the Mickey Mouse Club was on after American Bandstand.
@@JuliafloRight On! In fact Dick Clark would say "And Now The Mouse Is On His Way But For Now Dick Clark (Salute) So Long. I was born in 1966 so I didn't see this show in it's original broadcast. Then Annette apears on the show singing a novelty song called Tall Paul.
