Spaceship Earth Before Cronkite

[EpcotMark]

Do any of you know the Narration that existed before Walter Cronkite in SSE from 1982-1986? Who was it given by? Was it Vic Perrin or someone else? I would be very much interested in hearing comments about this original narration and what people thought of it. And also why it was changed.

For those of you who arent sure what I am talking about check this out:
http://www.intercot.com/edc/SpaceshipEarth/spscript82.html

 

[FigmentJedi]

I believe it was changed because the original narration was too dull or something. I don't know...

 

[mousermerf]

No one is really sure who the narrator was, but it was very dry and there was absolutely no music. It made the ride very long.

In the big giant book of everything Epcot - Walt Disney's Epcot Center - it says at the start "a narration sets the stage: Who are we? Where did we come from?" and it implies this occurs before boarding the vehicles.

The narration is only mentioned one more time at the very end, but it does mention the entire motif of the ride is "the writing on the wall." The final bit on SSE that the book has in quotes saying it concludes the ride:

"Ours is the age of knowledge, the age of choice and opportunity. Tomorrow's world apporaches, so let us listen and learn, let us explore and question - and understand."

 

[marni1971]

Popular concensus says Vic Perrin, but I`ve never 100% confirmed it. I hope to do a video sometime of the ride circa 1982; with simulated footage on the screens on descent (the book mousemerf mentions will be my basis for the footage) - if anyone has any memories of the footage, and also of the Perrin and Cronkite era space scene I`d love to hear them (where the satellite was positioned, how may astronauts, any memories of how the scene looked etc) - I have no video, one bad still and no photos of 180top that show anything useful (all my Cronkite vids are too dark)

The original spiel was very scientific, and dry. Very true, but a bit too educational. Music consisted of early 80`s computerised jingles. Perrins (?) voice however did sound very fitting, despite the script. The Cronkite version rewrite of it was more accessible, and easier to understand. Not to mention his was a voice familiar to Americans, and warm/welcoming. Tomorrows Child also finished off the attraction; until `86 SSE was the only pavilion not to have a theme song. One note; all the sound effects in use to this day up to the kids bedrooms are the same from 1982.

 

[lamarvenoy]

I remember the old ride had a child's voice in the background during the paperboy scene, he said"extra extra New York Daileeeeeeey". The voice that replaced him is too old sounding.

 

[marni1971]

That one slipped by me; I totally agree.