Approaching the exit

Our amazing journey through the Lost Dutchman Mine is almost concluded, and now we glimpse our last vision just before the mine car exits safely back to the park. Passengers here absorb the rest of the Saloon scenario-- the red checkered table at right helps to tie together the two color photos of the saloon interior. As the mine car passengers listen to the tinkling of the piano music, there are several items of note here. Directly below the approaching window at ground level is a small box next to the guide track. This is the photoelectric cell which trips the exit doors as the car approaches the disembarkation area. The piano player is now further down to the left at the bar (at right center of image) and is now clothed (more changes due to vandalism). To the right of the piano on the wall, a sign has appeared that reads, "Please don't shoot the piano player! He's doing the best he can!" Also notice that behind the top edge of the piano there is a menacing red glow... Fire! The piano appears to be on fire, and in fact the whole saloon appears to be on the verge of imminent immolation. The supporting beams directly above are glowing as if by embers in the timber (top center of image) and the window directly facing, along with another window to the left which is not visible in this photo, reveal flames licking at the outside of the glass panes. This effect was created by Dick Kraus thusly: The "glass" panes were actually translucent plastic stretched over the window frames. Behind each window was a flood light with a revolving color gel holder - a combination of red, yellow, orange and blue. Finally, a floor mounted fan was gently blowing strips of 10 mil reflective plastic upwardly behind the windows, so as they caught the ever changing light, it looked like real flames behind the "glass." The flames behind the piano were created in much the same way. Crackling sound effects were added to complete this convincing illusion. Similar set-ups are now used for fake fireplaces and for Halloween displays. However, Kraus created all of this - on the fly - in the early 70s. This particular innovation prompted Disneyland to offer Dick a job working on a new, highly secret project. He declined the offer without regrets, but that highly secret project turned out to be Disney World! Click on the fiery window for a closer look.