Memorable Characters

TILLY FROM MARCELINE, MISSOURI

The Disneyland Main Street Cinema is an original park attraction dating from opening day on July 17, 1955. That’s also the day that a demure cast member, wearing the name tag “Tilly from Marceline, Missouri” began simulating ticket collection from her booth in front of the theater from guests in line to see six short films being shown simultaneously on six screens. I crossed paths with Tilly, named for her vintage cash register “till” and haling from Walt’s home town in Missouri, in 1955 for the first of countless times. It was standing room only (seating is not provided), and the films were live-action 5-7 minute loops featuring silent screen stars from the early 1900’s including Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks, along with news reels and humorous hand tinted slides (“Ladies over 40 need not remove their hats”). The Main Street Cinema currently features classic Disney animation from the 1920’s and 30’s including snippets from Plane Crazy,the first animated Mickey Mouse short, Pluto’s first appearance in The Moose Hunt, Donald Duck’s third film appearance in The Dog Napper, Traffic Troubles and Mickey’s Polo Team inspired by Walt Disney’s  interest in the sport with cameos by Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Charlie Chaplin and Shirley Temple.  Headlining the iconic Cinema marquee overlooking Main Street, and providing the musical accompaniment for all six films, is Mickey Mouse in the title role of Steamboat Willie, the first fully synchronized animated sound cartoon.

Disney Marketing attempted converting the classic Main Street  Cinema into a themed gift shop, and putting Tilly out of a job, in 2019 by turning on the lights and setting up merchandise tables in front of the screens. Overwhelming fan outrage convinced Disney to abandon the ill conceived greedy plan after just two weeks.

The Main Street Cinema continues to attract first time Disneyland guests as well as experienced park goers seeking a cool spot  for a few minutes. She hasn’t missed a single day of work in seven decades, goes out of her way to dress appropriately for the season and has never uttered a negative word. Tilly from Marceline, Missouri joins the Cigar Store Indian as the only permanent memorable characters on Main Street USA.         -Bill 8/24