Khrushchev barred from visiting Disneyland

Russia or better the former Soviet Union had a leader in the 1950ies called Nikita Khrushchev - this happening on September 19, 1959 was a surreal moment in the history of the Cold War. Nikita got really angry when he was told not being able to visit Disneyland when he was visiting LA. This was all around a political summit with US President Dwight D. Eisenhower. During that summit Nikita mentioned the desire to visit Hollywood and he got the chance to take a look (with his wife) behind the curtains of Twentieth Century Fox Studios. That time they produced the movie “Can-Can” and he was suddenly by some cast namely Shirley MacLaine and Juliet Prowse. They engaged and finally Frank Sinatra was brought in to serve as master of ceremonies. Nikita enjoyed this indeed following sources.

Things got unpleasant after Khrushchev arrriving at Los Angeles Town Hall. when he met the 20th Century Fox boss Skouras, a total anticommunist. Arguments started, Skouras attacked Nikita, Khrushchev got really pissed off and resulted in this quote by the Russian boss “If you want to go on with the arms race, very well. We accept that challenge. As for the output of rockets–well, they are on the assembly line. This is a most serious question. It is one of life or death, ladies and gentlemen. One of war and peace.”

Nikita got even more angry when he was told not to able to enter Disneyland - US government authorities said they could not guarantee his safety - he exploded again with the words: “And I say, I would very much like to go and see Disneyland. But then, we cannot guarantee your security, they say. Then what must I do? Commit suicide? What is it? Is there an epidemic of cholera there or something? Or have gangsters taken hold of the place that can destroy me?”

That was the end - Khrushchev left LA the morning after.