This article is on the character from America Sings. For the muppet, see Sam Eagle.
Sam the Eagle was the host of the defunct Tomorrowland attraction America Sings, where he was voiced by Burl Ives.
History[]
Background[]
Sam the Eagle appeared to be an anthropomorphic bald eagle who was seemingly an inhabitant of Tomorrowland. Sam was a fun-loving and charismatic American patriot who often travelled with his friend, Ollie the Owl. He may have purchased his Tomorrowland property from John.
Development history[]
Sam the Eagle was an, "Uncle Sam" inspired character, designed by animator Marc Davis for the attraction America Sings, replacing original plans to have Ollie host. In 1988, the attraction was shut down and while other audio-animatronic characters were moved to Splash Mountain, Sam's animatronic had its "skin" removed and turned into an AA figure for Br'er Fox.
Appearances[]
Tomorrowland[]
Sam would sometimes make live-appearances around the Tomorrowland Expo Center.[1]
America Sings[]
Sam was the host of this show.
Innoventions[]
A mural in Innoventions showed a mural of Tomorrowland. In the mural was a gazebo with the silhouettes of Sam and Ollie within.[2]
Sherman Brothers Tribute[]
John mentioned Sam and Ollie at a live-appearance in a Sherman Brothers tribute in 2010, saying they, "Sold the place (the carousel building) to that singin' eagle and his little owl friend".[3]
Trivia[]
- As host of a Carousel Theatre attraction, Sam replaced John from Carousel of Progress, and was replaced himself by Mayor Tom Morrow.
- Sam is one of the few characters from America Sings who did not make the move to Splash Mountain.
- Sam was connected to the urban-legends surrounding the Hatbox Ghost from the Haunted Mansion, with a disproved theory saying that the Hatbox Ghost's removed figure was used to create Sam.
- The mule which Sam and Ollie rode appeared in Splash Mountain's finale pulling the Collegiate Quartet.
Gallery[]
