Mickey Mouse Club: "I Want to Be a Fireman"

This was filmed at the beginning of the first season, and seen in late 1955. The Firehouse Five Plus Two began as a lunchtime diversion for some of the Disney animators {fronted by Ward Kimball}, and developed into a genuine touring band. They played at Disneyland whenever they could, and were one of the first "guest stars" to appear on "THE MICKEY MOUSE CLUB" (for obvious reasons).

Why did the original "MICKEY MOUSE CLUB" go off the air, 'boyd'? Well, it was a matter of "economics" on ABC's part- by 1957, they insisted on the series being cut from an hour to a half-hour format that fall, and "cramming" the show with more commercials, which Walt Disney objected to. That '57-'58 season was the last one produced with the original cast.

In the fall of 1958, 'boyd', the show went into edited repeats, with "WALT DISNEY'S ADVENTURE TIME" [showcasing repeats of the "CLUB" serials] alternating on Tuesdays and Thursdays, until the entire "package" went off ABC in September 1959.

nothing is wrong with rock i'm explaining that before rock was born the young people back then had the blues and jazz and swing to entertain themselves. i'm stating a fact. i'm not patronizing u! the problem with rock is Modern rock and the pop rock on the radios and mtv! most of it is a joke! except for Wolfmother and Jet

Didn't "Cubby" eventually play drums for "The Carpenters"??? once Karen took center-stage as the lead singer??

thank you for the information.

wow thank you for posting this. I am a very obessed disney freak with the nine old men and i have been interested to hear there music for soo long. I believe a couple of them are in the group. Is that frank thomas on the piano??? Anyways what a classic sound, being raised in this time for music must have been awesome ten times better than anything nowadays i think ^_^

Yes and Ward Kimball, the leader of the group, on the trombone.

really? Awesome, he was one of my favorite animators.

This was originally telecast as a "Guest Star Day" segment on December 27, 1955.

How funny that Mark is so obsessed with hitting his! I keep trying to read the name of the little girl next to him. Bron-something. Bronson? Bronwen?

Sorry, I found it myself online--Bronson.

Awesome video! Although it's weird to see Ward without his trademark glasses.

There is a very good article about the Firehouse 5+2 on the Mouseplanet website - search for: The Secret Origin of the Firehouse Five Plus Two I grew up watching that show (liked it a bit more than "Howdy-Doody") and many years later I am still playing Dixieland tuba! Firehouse 5 must have influenced me a lot...

sweet to watch good ole tv.

Starting at 2:30 Mark looks at Doreen like he's thinking "who told her she could sing?" I don't think he realized he was on camera!

@Carthrage they are acually playing no tapes i bet it was A LOT of fun on the mickey mouse club.

too bad Darlene didnt get a solo she was my favorite!

I am with you Fruth37- I want to know why there are no republicans and why they ignore totally President Bush one and two. Racists for sure!

i love darlene

This is classic stuff !! Sooo Good .. despite what idiots like Fruth37 may ever say ...

@Fruth37 I think that Mary girl is black just really light skined like Lena Horn

@jtco3 Lena Horne was 38 years old when the MMC started in 1955.

@Fruth37 I'm not saying she was Lena Horn i was comparing her to lena Horn cuz of her light skin

@colindominy No one asked for your comments you goof!

@Fruth37 : nor yours. Look at the weight of YT comments in advocacy of this clip .. you're out-voted ...

I love how it melts into total chaos at the end.

karen is preety

I've seen a few black performers on Disney (I've also wondered whether Mary was black!) and they were presented with dignity, especially for the times. These fellas are blowing like crazy, it got me to wondering, did these guys play for "the Aristocats" and "The Jungle Book"?

Really cute, and really early Mouseketeer. You get to meet all the minor Mouseketeers along with the Majors. : )

Her name was Mary Espinosa.

Yes, the Firehouse Five gang- and the Mouseketeers- were actually performing while this was being filmed (note that Karen pauses to catch her breath at 3:19).

Mary was Hispanic.

Doreen is my favorite.

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Nice to see the Disney animators in this episode.....the firehouse five.

love this, never even know this exist .  thanks for posting this, I play it over and over again

My brother wanted to be a fireman and he did become one. When he heard this song on The Mickey Mouse Club he fell in love with it. R.I.P. my brother Don (1943-2003).

Mike can sing very good for a boy his age.

Sharon's face is like, "Who's got my sweatshirt?"

So this is where women first got the idea that they should be firemen, bossing men around?

No sweaty costume for Lonnie to complain about in this skit.

What an amazing band! Little Cubby on the drums!

I clearly remember this show - first run.  I was like, 5 (and as usual, so effing depressed [3 older brothers already in HS]).  My mom was watching and loved this.  It was much clearer on an old time 12" TV screen with crisp local reception. Some m'sketeers here were one season - only, like Bonnie & Mary.

Why jimme and darlene and Sharon just do a angry face

I used to watch The Mickey Mouse Club as a kid in the 60s when it first was on

An episode I haven't seen won Disney +. I wish I could though.