FROM: Squeak of the Week Published Fridays

Bill Walsh Shoos the Blue Suede Shoes

For some people, having Elvis Presley move in next door would be a dream come true. But not, as John Donaldson relates, Disney producer Bill Walsh, who wanted privacy in his Bel Air palazzo, whereas neighbor Presley wanted only to party.

- John Stanley Donaldson, July 8, 2011

Share

It is interesting to note that before the likes of Spielberg or Lucas, the most successful producer, in terms of television viewership or ticket returns, had been none other than William "Bill" Walsh.

Taking off on the Davy Crockett rocket, Walsh had a dizzy ride through the Disney universe. The Mickey Mouse Club, the Shaggy Dog, the Absent-Minded Professor, and its sequel, Son of Flubber.

Mary Poppins.

He had need to relax.

To help him unwind, Walsh purchased a palazzo in upscale Bel Air. There, in a secluded, tree-lined cul-de-sac, enclosed by a quiet country club, he could leave, for a time, a stressful life behind.

All was well.

Until Elvis Presley moved into the neighborhood.

Having a hankerin' for Hollywood, Presley took to the town, to grind out cheap pictures, much like ground round. Tickle Me, or Harum Scarum, might be made back to back.

Well, as one can imagine, the Elvis Presley mansion became a party palace. Warm for his form, teenage girls would swarm to see this rock 'n' roll cream of a dream.

At all hours of the night.

After weeks of hearing "Hound Dog" yelped at forty hi-fi decibels, Bill suffered from sleep deprivation. "Blue Suede Shoes" blues. How could he concentrate of That Darn Cat! when there was, well, that darn cat?

Something had to be done.

He would drone the tone with his own sonic tonic.

From the Walt Disney studio, he took loan of a loudspeaker, and loaded with Guy Lombardo, bombarded the guy back. Everything from "Swingin' in a Hammock" to "Singin' in the Bathtub" was pumped, dawn to dusk - when the King was now attempting to sleep - at pure one hundred-watt power.

"My Swiss Hilly Billy" to "Hop Scotch Polka." Every title that could be obtained from a used-record shop.

Well, Bill eventually won the battle of the bands. Elvis retreated to another rental.

Out of screech reach, of Walsh wrath.

John Stanley Donaldson, once the protege of Disney Legend Herb Ryman, is the author of Mr. Ryman's biography, Warp and Weft: Life Canvas of Herbert Ryman, which you can purchase directly from the author's site.

More: SQUEAK OF THE WEEK