The Waldorf Astoria in Pop Culture

Our hotel’s influence in popular culture, also known as “pop culture”, can be seen in various movies, television series and novels, but what about the world of animation? Over the last 70 years, we have influenced such animated classics such as Tom and Jerry, Alice in Wonderland and even the Muppet’s, just to name a few.

As a child, I remember watching Tom and Jerry on a daily basis after my homework was finished and as an adult, I still appreciate their old cat and mouse antics. A few months ago,  my fellow team member Abir had told me about Tom and Jerry’s “visit” to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.  In the episode, “Mouse in Manhattan” (aired July 7, 1945) Jerry makes an unexpected visit to our famous hotel while escaping the frightful New York City traffic. Jerry ends up taking the elevator to the 18^th floor where the “Starlite Room” is located; this room was Hanna-Barbera’s version of our famous Starlight Roof supper-club which was popular in the 40s and 50s. Watch the episode here:

 (video courtesy of Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc. and YouTube)

In 1865, Lewis Carroll penned one of the most famous novels of his career. “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” explored the life of a young girl named Alice living in England who escaped the stress of Victorian society through her imagination. As time progressed, “Alice in Wonderland” was adapted by many authors and television producers; most famously by the Walt Disney Animation Studios in 1951. But it wasn’t just in Wonderland where Alice had her adventures…Alice and her interesting group of friends even made a visit to The Waldorf Astoria! The photos below show “Alice in Waldorf-land;” a truly unforgettable moment!

Having a Tea Party in Peacock Alley

In the Park Avenue Lobby

In the Terminal Barber Shop

Jim Henson and his team of puppeteers brought joy and laughter to both children and adults with The Muppets. Two characters from this troupe of rambunctious puppets include the jolly old men that jeer their friends from their orchestra balcony…Statler and Waldorf. These two “men” poke fun at their fellow Muppet friends as well as each other. Our influence upon Jim Henson’s decision to name a character after our famous hotel is obvious…he even named Waldorf’s wife Astoria, though we’ve never seen her. In 1985, Jim Henson and his company hosted a Muppet Party in our famous Grand Ballroom. Photos from this event are included below:

Waldorf and Statler heckling the crowd.

From left to right: Mrs. Piggy, Jane Seymour, Kermit, Bernadette Peters, and Jim Henson. (Henson Muppet Party, Grand Ballroom, 1985)

Our presence in pop culture has only grown stronger over these last 70 years. Through the efforts of archival collection and preservation, we are continuously gathering information of our present influences so that years from now, future generations can continue learning about our world famous hotel.

– Erin Allsop, Archivist of The Waldorf Astoria New York

@WaldorfNYC    http://www.waldorfarchive.org

Erin is a graduate student in the Masters program of Library and Information Science at CUNY – Queens College, where she is focusing her studies on Archival Management and Preservation. You may contact her by email at erin.allsop@waldorfastoria.com with any inquiries or questions you may have.