Do you remember the 1977 New Mickey Mouse Club?

[bmovies]

A few video clips (I hope the links to these clips are within the guidelines, since they're not full episodes) to jog your memories:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR_rOAdrT9w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiscvH_vGU4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TtSSyWYsCE

This show was in syndication from 1977-79

(1977) Bios of the 12 mouseketeers:

BILLY "POP" ATTMORE (Born: March 19, 1965) Pop was a Disney veteran when he joined the New Mouseketeers. He played a leading role in the Disney Film, "Treasure of Matecumbe"; he can also be seen in Universal's "Two-Minute Warning". Aside from acting, Pop is also a singer and dancer. He began his dancing career at age four in Las Vegas. After his family moved from Utah To Los Angeles, he began appearing in TV Commercials. Though Pop loves singing, acting, and dancing, he loves soda pop almost as much -- which is why his family calls him Pop. It looks as though the name is going to stick.

SCOTT CRAIG (Born: February 9, 1964 Died: December 30, 2003) Before becoming a New Mouseketeer, Scott delivered newspapers for his parents who own an independent newspaper dealership in Van Nuys, California, while he kept a singing and acting career going on the side. Now most of Scott's time is spent on a busy studio schedule which required that he give up some of his regular activities such as football. Scott still manages to perform with a little theatre group, called the "Individuals"; and wakes up at 3 a.m. on weekends to help his parents with the family newspaper business.

NITA DEE (DI GIAMPAOLO) (Born: August 6, 1966) Mini-mouse Nita Dee is among the best dancers of the New Mouseketeers. She began dancing at age three when her mother enrolled Nita in a dance class to help Nita overcome shyness. Now she will tap dance down supermarket aisles. Although Nita lives and breathes dancing, she also enjoys sports, particularly swimming and bowling. Nita lives in Lakewood, California, with her family, where her 200 relatives gather during the holidays.

MINDY FELDMAN (Born: July 4, 1968) Mindy, the youngest Mouseketeer, was chosen for her personality and energy. Before joining the New Mouseketeers, Mindy had no formal vocal or dance training so she takes classes in addition to a busy studio schedule. A determined little performer, Mindy is developing into quite a dancer and often receives extra help from the older Mouseketeers like Julie or Kelly. Her favorite snack is beef jerky and it is not uncommon to see her munching a stick in between routines. Mindy also loves horses and has her own pony named Flash that she keeps on her parents' ranch in Chatsworth, California.

ANGEL FLOREZ (Born: August 13, 1963 Died: April 25, 1995) When an enthusiastic eight-year-old won a talent contest at Shakey's Pizza Parlor In Hawaiian Gardens, California, no one guessed that in four years he would be performing with the New Mouseketeers. But that's what happened to Angel. His eagerness to sing, dance and perform prompted his parents to enroll him in formal dancing lessons two years ago. Now he's singing and dancing for the "New Mickey Mouse Club". Angel is the comic of the group, entertaining his fellow Mouseketeers with impressions of favorite TV stars in between routines and rehearsals.

ALLISON FONTE (Born: June 6, 1964) Who dances, sings, plays piano, writes poetry, and wants to become a song-writer? It's a hard-working Mouseketeer, Allison. At age five, Allison started dance lessons. When she was seven she took up piano because she wanted to tape the music so she could play to her own dance routines. Allison remembers that her friends in her home town of Buena Park, California, could not understand why she never had time to play. She told them it would all pay off some day and today she's a New Mouseketeer.

SHAWNTE NORTHCUTTE (Born: February 25, 1965) Seven and eleven are lucky numbers for New Mouseketeer Shawnte. At seven she was chosen to be one of the Mouseketeers on stage at Disneyland and at eleven she was chosen to be one of the Mouseketeers for the "New Mickey Mouse Club". A dancer and singer, Shawnte says she is undecided about continuing an entertainment career when she's older -- in fact, she's thinking more about becoming a lawyer. A multi-talented youngster, Shawnte is also the "Miss Pre-Teen California" title holder for 1975-1976 and is an accomplished horsewoman.

KELLY PARSONS (Born: January 23, 1964) New Mouseketeer Kelly has been performing ever since she can remember and she loves to dance -- especially tap dance. It was her dancing ability that helped her win the "Our Little Miss World" talent beauty contest for 1975-1976. Originally from Miami, Florida, Kelly has performed during the Orange Bowl half time for three years. and has also appeared in several clothing commercials. But now she's doing what she likes best -- dancing every day for the "New Mickey Mouse Club".

JULIE PIEKARSKI (Born: January 2, 1963) Julie and her family drove all the way from St. Louis to Chicago for her "New Mickey Mouse Club" audition. She hoped for a guest spot on a "Showtime" segment. Imagine her surprise when she found out she had been selected to be a New Mouseketeer! Now new adventures have become a regular part of Julie's new Mouska-life. She flew for the first time on her way to the Disney Studios and rode her first horse while filming on location. Julie takes to new things quickly; she is extremely talented, her specialty being ballet.

TODD TURQUAND (Born: December 14, 1964) "Rhoda" fans may recognize New Mouseketeer Todd Turquand as Rhoda's stepson of the first season of the show -- or from his movie debut in "Burnt Offerings". Todd has been acting ever since he was five but still hasn't decided whether he wants to be an actor or an athlete. But for now, Todd is quite content to sing, act, and dance with the "New Mickey Mouse Club" and play Pop Warner football in his spare time.

LISA WHELCHEL (Born: May 29, 1963) Like so many young people, Lisa dreamed of becoming a movie star. But Lisa is not a dreamer, she's a doer. Several years ago she took the advice of one of her school teachers in her home town of Fort Worth, Texas and took up ventriloquism. Her parents let her order a figure from a department store which came with a book of instructions. On her own, Lisa become an accomplished ventriloquist. And today she is on her way to a dream -- singing, acting, and dancing as one of the New Mouseketeers. Lisa is also a horse lover and she rides every day before she jogs to work at the Disney Studios.

CURTIS WONG (Born: August 23, 1962) Curtis Wong, the oldest Mouseketeer, made his public singing debut at age three on a local TV station in his home town of Vancouver, British Columbia. That was followed by a movie offer, dance lessons, commercial work -- all of which led to an audition for the "New Mickey Mouse Club" in Seattle, Washington. The rest is Mouseka-history. Curtis began singing along with records when he was 18 months old, and started dancing soon after that. Aside from his love for entertaining, Curtis also enjoys the martial art of "Kung Fu".

[howilu]

I remember the updated version of the classic Mickey Mouse Club. It was a valiant attempt to revive a show that was popular in the 50s by having a more uptempo version of the Mickey Mouse March and having a diverse group of Mouseketeers.

The one name that stood out from this crop of Mouseketeers was Lisa Whelchel, who later went on to play lair on The Facts of Life. Julie Piekarski was also on the Diff'rent Strokes spinoff. In the earlier episodes,she played fellow student Sue Ann, Her character disappeared after the initial summer run and the show focused more on Blair, Jo, Tootie and Natalie.

Another thing I remember about the New Mickey Mouse Club was that the majority of the show took place at Disney World. I also remember the Mouseketeers singing the familiar closing song in the park. It's a shame that the show didn't last longer but it did return yaers later with a whole new cast, incluing Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Keri Russell and JC Chavez

[TV Knowledge Fan]

I watched it when it was on WNEW-TV {now WNYW}, Channel 5 in New York, from January 17, 1977 (the first show) through January 12, 1979 (the last one telecast). Of course, it wasn't the same as the original "CLUB", but it had its own charm. I had the original cast soundtrack album, too [with the enclosed poster].

Incidentally, Corey Feldman is Mindy's brother.

[biffbronson]

I had a crush on one or two of the new Mousketeers back then. There was a good amount of merchandising for this show too, as you might expect.

[bmovies]

Originally Posted by howilu

I remember the updated version of the classic Mickey Mouse Club. It was a valiant attempt to revive a show that was popular in the 50s by having a more uptempo version of the Mickey Mouse March and having a diverse group of Mouseketeers.

The one name that stood out from this crop of Mouseketeers was Lisa Whelchel, who later went on to play lair on The Facts of Life. Julie Piekarski was also on the Diff'rent Strokes spinoff. In the earlier episodes,she played fellow student Sue Ann, Her character disappeared after the initial summer run and the show focused more on Blair, Jo, Tootie and Natalie.

Another thing I remember about the New Mickey Mouse Club was that the majority of the show took place at Disney World. I also remember the Mouseketeers singing the familiar closing song in the park. It's a shame that the show didn't last longer but it did return yaers later with a whole new cast, incluing Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Keri Russell and JC Chavez

Yep, Lisa and Julie got that Facts of Life series so soon after the NMMC. It debuted in 1979.

Though I think you meant that it mostly took place at Disneyland (California). Disney World is in florida. Though they did do a tv movie special in Disney World ("The Mouseketeers at Walt Disney World").

[bmovies]

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

I watched it when it was on WNEW-TV {now WNYW}, Channel 5 in New York, from January 17, 1977 (the first show) through January 12, 1979 (the last one telecast). Of course, it wasn't the same as the original "CLUB", but it had its own charm. I had the original cast soundtrack album, too [with the enclosed poster].

Incidentally, Corey Feldman is Mindy's brother.

Me too! I was born (1969) and lived in Brooklyn, NY. I was 7 years old when it debuted in January 1977. (turned 8 the next month). Though I recall them switching the time slot every so often. At one point scheduling it at 2:30 in the afternoon, and school didnt let out until 3pm. Arrrgh! (though I didnt have the album. Too poor, couldnt afford it. Though you can always now find a copy up for sale somwhere on the internet)

[bmovies]

Originally Posted by biffbronson

I had a crush on one or two of the new Mousketeers back then. There was a good amount of merchandising for this show too, as you might expect.

I had a crush on Mouseketeer Kelly and only Kelly. I've had crushes on girls before I ever saw Kelly, like on some of my female classmates. So, Kelly wasnt my first crush, but she was my BIGGEST crush of all time. Whereas when it came to girl classmates, cupid usually hit me with an arrow, but in the case of Kelly, Cupid used a sledgehammer on me. Never had that big a crush on anyone before or since.

http://go.to/Club77

http://members.tripod.com/dm_one/

[howilu]

Originally Posted by bmovies

Yep, Lisa and Julie got that Facts of Life series so soon after the NMMC. It debuted in 1979.

Though I think you meant that it mostly took place at Disneyland (California). Disney World is in florida. Though they did do a tv movie special in Disney World ("The Mouseketeers at Walt Disney World").

I did see the video and it was shot at Disneyland and not Disney World. My mistake.

[angiefan]

Yep.I remember watching it. I remember Lisa Whelchel.

[CaliforniaKid]

I remember it well I have an episode or two

[Schmoopie]

OMG, thanks for posting the links! I have fond memories of watching this show. I was a Disney fanatic at the time having had my first trip there in 1977. My brother was born in 1978, and my parents left us with our grandparents when he was only 3 months old when they went to San Francisco. Every morning I'd get up and watch this, but it was more fun to watch my baby brother's fascinated gaze when he was staring at the TV!

[Gabgirl]

Thanks for the memories! I used to love watching this show when I was a kid. One thing that stuck out with me is that a few of these girls went on to the tv show, "Facts of Life"(Lisa Whelchel, Julie Piekarski, and Molly Ringwald). I didn't see Molly Ringwald on those videos, but definitely remember her also having a part of the New Mouseketeer club.

[bmovies]

Originally Posted by Gabgirl

Thanks for the memories! I used to love watching this show when I was a kid. One thing that stuck out with me is that a few of these girls went on to the tv show, "Facts of Life"(Lisa Whelchel, Julie Piekarski, and Molly Ringwald). I didn't see Molly Ringwald on those videos, but definitely remember her also having a part of the New Mouseketeer club.

I think Molly wasnt a regular, a mouseketeer. As I understand it, she made only an appearance or two on the show.