Slue-Foot Sue is a character from the 1948 film Melody Time. She is the cowgirl love-interest of Pecos Bill. She is often referenced or appearing in the Disney Parks, most famously having been portrayed by Betty Taylor.
History[]
Background[]
Origins[]
Slue-Foot Sue is a rough cowgirl from the old west, known for feats like riding on the back of a giant catfish as if it were a bucking bronco. Because of this, she became courted by old west legend, Pecos Bill, much to the envy of Bill's horse Widowmaker. Sue came to be proprietor of the Golden Horseshoe Saloon, established in 1871. Pecos Bill would often perform in the saloon and fend off outlaws such as Black Bart.
During the time that the Saloon was active, Slue Foot Sue owned the business Slue Foot Sue's Frontier Finishing School. This school's headmistress was Miss Taylor, who was famous for her decorum and daintiness. Ownership of the saloon seemingly later passed to dancer Miss Lilly Belle.
Marriage to Pecos Bill[]
In 1878, Pecos Bill was encouraged by his friends to open his own establishment, the Tall Tale Inn and Cafe in the town of Tumbleweed. Sue would give Bill a pair of signed white leather gloves to put on display in this establishment. Around 1880, the two planned to get married in the town and hosted the celebration within the town's Gold Dust Saloon.
When the wedding came, Sue rode in on Bill's jealous horse Widowmaker. However, Widowmaker bucked so hard that even the skilled rider Sue was sent flying off, with the bounce of her wedding-dress causing her to leap off into the air. According to lore, Sue was sent off to the moon by this bounce causing Pecos Bill to become melancholy and isolate himself from society; though neither of these seem to be entirely true. Bill was known to have kept running his establishment into the 1890s, and Slue Foot Sue seemingly survived.
Later history[]
By 1889, Slue-Foot Sue was living in the town of Thunder Mesa, a town which like Tumbleweed was located along Big Thunder Mountain. In Thunder Mesa, she was known to use the alias of Dakota Belle. Here she became established with a group of rebellious gold-diggers, coquettes, and mooches including: Long-Finger Lil, Gorgeous Gussie, Rough & Ready Rosie, Lucky Lucy and a dozen others (though these may have been Sue's own alternative aliases). The ongoings of these women upset local vigilantes to the point that on July 18th of 1889, they threatened to tar and feather them if they were found outside after 10 PM.
Appearances[]
Disneyland[]
Main Street Cinema[]
There is a posting from the Disneyland Casting Agency which says, "Can-Can Dancers, Comedians Old west revue requires energetic dancers and slapstick comedians. 25 year commitment. Apply Golden Horseshoe. Ask for Miss Slue Foot Sue".[1]
Frontierland[]
Golden Horseshoe Saloon[]
Sue's likeness appears in the architecture of this building, of which Sue is the fictional proprietor. Sue also used to appear in the saloon's show, portrayed by Betty Taylor. The backdrop often has a reference to, "Slue Foot Sue's Frontier Finishing School", dedicated to headmistress, "Miss Taylor" (referencing actress Betty Taylor).
Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante[]
For Valentines day, a valentines card has been left at the entrance of this restaurant by Minnie Mouse.[2]
Disneyland Paris[]
Frontierland[]
Legends of the Wild West[]
Slue-Foot Sue is mentioned on a warning flyer saying that if she is found active by the vigilantes of Thunder Mesa after 10 at night then she will be tarred and feathered.[3]
Shanghai Disneyland[]
Mickey & Pals Market Café[]
Pecos, Widowmaker and Sue appear on a poster labelled, "Pick of the Pecos".
Tokyo Disneyland[]
Diamond Horseshoe Presents: Mickey & Company[]
Sue is the live host of this show.
Walt Disney World[]
Frontierland[]
There is a flyer for a Pecos River, New Mexico rodeo featuring Slue-Foot Sue on her catfish going from August 10th to 11th.[4]
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad[]
In the Magic Kingdom's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, there is a message on a board from Bill reading, "All Friends, Come celebrate my marriage to the prettiest lady in Tumbleweed, my wife Sue, at the Dust Saloon. Drinks are on you!".[5]
Pecos Bill's Tall Tale Inn and Cafe[]
There is a framed image of Sue in Bill's cafe. Framed on the wall are a pair of white leather gloves, signed, "To Bill, all my love Slue Foot Sue".
Trivia[]
- Pecos Bill and Sue's reference in Big Thunder could imply that the townsfolk seen partying in the Gold Dust Saloon when riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at night are in-fact townsfolk celebrating Pecos Bill's wedding.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ http://www.mainstgazette.com/2016/07/now-casting.html
- ↑ https://photos.mouseinfo.com/DLR-News-and-Info/January-22-2019-DLR-News-and-Info/i-GRmfX3V
- ↑ https://www.dlrpmagic.com/guidebook/disneyland-park/frontierland/legends-of-the-wild-west/
- ↑ https://wdwnt.com/2022/10/reference-packed-bulletin-board-erected-in-frontierland-at-magic-kingdom/
- ↑ http://www.mainstgazette.com/2015/08/my-wife-sue.html