What a great toon

Throughout Walt Disney World there are stories, and details from stories, and details that tell a story, but never has there been a more complete story told than with this stunt vehicle and two framed pictures. Located in a tucked away corner of Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Backlot Express, these pieces of cinema history tell the story of Who Framed Roger Rabbit’s crabby cabby, Benny the Cab.

Benny the Cab was a mesh of stunt vehicle effects and animation. The process of shooting the Benny the Cab scenes were stressful, especially for Bob Hoskins who had to act and react to the animated Benny and Roger characters, who were not present, all while pretending to drive. That’s right, pretending to drive. Readers with eagle-eyes may notice that behind Bob Hoskins brownish’ seat is another seat, lower and with a more orange tone. This seat was reserved for Charles (Charlie) Croughwell, a stunt driver who would don a completely black jumpsuit and hood before taking to the wheel as Benny the Cab. A vague outline of Charles’ head can be seen behind Bob Hoskins in the photograph.

Even without research, this corner of Backlot Express tells the story of how the effect of Benny the Cab was built, layered, and executed. From expert driving, finessed acting, and well-placed strokes of animation, Benny was given life instead of just simply being a stripped-down stunt vehicle. So, don’t forget when you’re looking up, down, and all around that sometimes the story is right before your eyes.