Salute to Disney

Ah, the first Welk episode of the New Year....with style no less!

This week, Lawrence and his Musical Family salute the music of Walt Disney and here are some of the highlights.

We go around the globe to prove not only it's a Small World after all, but get this particular annoying song stuck in our heads in perpetuity.

Also, LA's finest are getting to know Mary Lou....in spite of the fact there's a possible bank robbery or prison break in progress

....and finally, we meet some pretty exotic cats from Thailand.

SALUTE TO WALT DISNEY - September 22, 1973 

1. IT'S A SMALL WORLD - Myron Floren on accordion with Gail, Dick, Cissy, Bobby, Anacani, Charlie, Sandi, Arthur, Joe, Tanya, Ken, Mary Lou, Norma, Jimmy and Neil Levang on guitar, Richard Maloof on tuba
2. LAVENDER BLUE - Guy Hovis & Ralna English
3. THE MICKEY MOUSE MAMBO - danced by Bobby Burgess & Cissy King, sung by Mary Lou Metzger, Jack Imel, Gail Farrell, Charlie Parlato, Anacani and Bob Lido
4. ONE SONG - Joe Feeney with Bob Ralston at the organ
5. MEDLEY OF SONGS FROM SNOW WHITE - the orchestra

6. WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR - Norma Zimmer
7. OH HAPPY DAY - Larry Hooper
8. JOLLY HOLIDAY - danced by Mary Lou, Bobby & Jack (also singing), sung by Ken Delo and Dick Dale
9. CHEM CHEM CHER-EE - Sandi Griffiths & Tanya Falan
10. FEED THE BIRDS - Sandi Griffiths, Gail Farrell & Jimmy Roberts

12. A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR - Myron Floren on accordion, danced by Arthur Duncan with Bobby, Cissy, Jack and Mary Lou
13. WITH A SMILE AND A SONG - Bob Ralston at the piano
14. TRES PALABRAS (WITHOUT YOU) - Anacani
15. WHO'S AFRAID OF THE BIG BAD WOLF? - Ken Delo with his daughter Kimberly and lifesized Disney characters

16. WALTZ OF THE FLOWERS - orchestra, danced by Lawrence and Cissy King
17. THE SIAMESE CAT SONG (WE ARE SIAMESE IF YOU PLEASE) - Sandi Griffiths, Gail Farrell and Mary Lou Metzger
18. WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK - the orchestra
19. SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS - Guy, Ralna, Joe, Tanya, Sandi, Jimmy, Norma, Larry, Cissy, Bobby, Gail, Dick, Mary Lou, Ken, Anacani, Charlie, Arthur

And your host this week is Bobby Burgess!

This was also the episode where Larry Hooper returns to action after being on the sick for quite a while.

Four years to be exact.

Back in 1969, Hoopie was hospitalized for heart trouble. However, one medical complication after another extended his stay. It was so bad that on at least two occasions, he was given up any hope not just for recovery, but to live.

Thanks to the support of the Maestro and the Musical Family, the well wishes and prayers from fans across the nation along from his own family, and the best medical care available, Hoopie made a full recovery. 

He received a standing ovation from the audience, it was truly a touching and moving moment in the show's history.

The show itself was fun, filled with great songs and Bobby Burgess was a great choice to host this week. Before joining the Welk show, Bobby was famous as one of the mouseketeers on television's The Mickey Mouse Club.

So until next week, keep a song in your heart and keep your Siamese cats housetrained if you please.....