New York World’s Fair, 1964
Despite initially opposing the use of tax dollars to fund the 1964 New York World's Fair, the Sunshine State (which officially became the largest state in the nation in 1963, surpassing New York) had strong connections to the Fair.
Although they were not the only holdouts. The French boycotted the Flushing Meadows event in early 1963, citing that “the exposition has not been designated as a world’s fair by the International Bureau of Expositions.” The Russians followed soon after but later changed their minds.
But in June 1963, then-Governor Edmond (Pat) Brown pushed for a measure that would lay the groundwork for a bill to have a 120,000 square foot “Golden California” exhibit — one that “should return the California investment many times in terms of tourism, manufacturing-agricultural sales and business investment.”
There was hope for a reciprocal New York Exhibit at the 1967-1968 California World’s Fair in Long Beach.
As it was, the sole representation was the “Hollywood Pavilion”, a full-scale reproduction of a motion picture backlot. Developed by actor/politician George Murphy & Associates, the privately financed exhibit hit financial skids soon after the Fair opened in April of 1964.
Los Angeles connections.
General Electric Pavilion
The 200-foot diameter dome was designed by Welton Becket.Ford Pavilion
Ford and GM in California enlisted WED Enterprises in Glendale.US Government Pavilion
Graphic Films Corporation in Hollywood produced the immigration film shown, and “Chemical Man” at the Abbot Laboratories.Billy Graham Pavilion
Bill Graham started his production company World Wide Pictures in Burbank. Working with Todd-AO, the company produced “Man in the 5th Dimension” (some scenes were filmed at Paramount), which was shown at the Billy Graham Pavilion.Walter's International Wax Museum
Owned by Manny and Louis Walter, the Compton-based factory manufactured full-sized wax statues and tableaux for the Fair. Historic scenes included a set from Joan of Arc, Dr. Kildaire, The Beatles (added later), and a 20-by-30-foot copy of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
The firm was assisted by wax model-maker Katherine Stubergh, from headquarters on Beverly Blvd. The studio also produced figures for the Movieland Wax Museum in Buena Park.
Eastman Kodak Pavilion
The company enlisted Saul Bass and Associates in Los Angeles to produce the 23-minute color movie “The Searching Eye” — with music by Elmer Bernstein and narration by Gary Merrill.
United States Pavilion
Ray Bradbury wrote the storyline narrative for Cinerama’s 15-minute ride “The Pioneer Spirit”.Texas Pavilion and Music Hall
20th Century-Fox premiered the dazzling Shirley MacLaine comedy “What a Way To Go” at the Music Hall.MGM Studios in Culver City giant mural for GM.
Two veterans of Hollywood’s silent era, Lee Sholem and Francis X. Bushman created “Studio A” at Sunset and Vine (NBC’s old headquarters). The duo produced “How Movies Are Made”. Producer Orran Sheldon negotiated to have an exhibit at the Fair.
Los Angeles-based ad agency Brand-Worth & Associates designed insignia for concessions at the Fair. Founded by Tom Worth, the Gardena-based firm worked on local projects including; A&W Root Beer Gardens in Hollywood, signage for Welton Becket and Charles Luckman at Los Angeles International Airport (TWA and American Airlines), the Hollywood Tuf Club, and Mayfair Markets.
