Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Christmas at Disneyland

It's almost the BIG DAY! I recommend listening to Bing Crosby's album of Christmas classics to put you in the mood. Or Nat King Cole, he's good too. Or even Elvis! Maybe you need to finish wrapping those last few presents, or you are doing prep for tomorrow's dinner (do you have enough boxes of pizza rolls?). Wear your ugly sweater, even if it is 90º out, OK? I have some classic Disneyland holiday images for you, too.

Let's start with this 1958 photo of the Monsanto House of the Future, with a red ribbon on it. I'm sure all of you have found out how hard it can be to put a big ribbon and bow on an S-class Mercedes (the  traditional Christmas gift), imagine wrapping an entire house! Get the butler to help, it will make things so much easier.


Next is this photo from 1967, with the Matterhorn (and the star) on a clear winter day. It looks like there is still some leftover construction walls near the entrance to the New Tomorrowland. Two little boys in identical outfits stroll towards the Omnibus, where are their parents? I suppose the three ladies walking toward them could be their caregivers.


And finally, from 1971 comes this nice photo from Town Square looking north(ish) on Main Street, with the classic garlands and bells overhead. Tasteful, but effective. The guy to the right looks like he could have gone to my high school, I hope he enjoys those Marlboro Reds. The Streetcar is coming our way, he might have to ring the bell so that guests aren't squarshed. 


I'm still out of town, and out of order!

Monday, December 23, 2024

A Very Special Holiday Post!

Whoo-hoo! Some weeks ago, I had an email exchange with GDB friend Steve DeGaetano (our resident locomotive expert), and he mentioned his plans to recreate the first miniature train set he ever received, and run it under his Christmas tree. I asked him if he would send me some photos once he had it set up, and he did a lot more than that - he offered to author an article about his history with toy trains, and include images. Here is that article!

For many Americans,  toy electric trains and Christmas go together hand-in-hand. As Ron Hollander wrote in his seminal book on  Lionel trains, “All Aboard!”, “Trains – real as well as toy – have always been inextricably linked with Christmas. Real trains chuffing through snowy landscapes brought people home for this major family holiday. Toy trains were a special and expensive gift, particularly appropriate at Christmas. The practice of setting up a crèche evolved into the building of a “Christmas garden,” a miniature winter scene. This was but a short step to trains circling the Christmas Tree.” 

So, in that spirit, I’m going to share a little bit of that magic.



On a mild Christmas morning in Canoga Park CA, in the winter of 1970, Santa Clause brought me my very first toy electric train set. As a bleary-eyed four-year-old, I stared rapt at the sight before me: Running noisily on a loop of 3-rail track screwed to a green-painted piece of plywood was a genuine Lionel electric train! The set featured a black “Nickel Plate Road” steam locomotive, Green “Burlington” gondola, black Santa Fe flatcar and a brown Nickel Plate caboose. Unbeknownst to me then, Santa had brought me the absolute cheapest Lionel train in the 1970 catalog! 



However, he redeemed himself somewhat by including a separate-sale yellow Sunoco tank car and a blue Northern Pacific hopper.



It may seem ironic for those that know me, but I was sorely disappointed that the locomotive was a steam engine, instead of the huge diesels that I had seen roaming the tracks of the San Fernando Valley!



But moving the lever on the black transformer, hearing the motor buzz and the wheels clickety-clack over the rail joints, and smelling the ozone from the hot motor eventually captured my heart.



Lionel had been founded by Joshua Lionel Cowen in 1902, but by 1969, it was faltering, coming under different corporate umbrellas. By 1970, MPC produced the trains (itself a division of General Mills), and the line was a shadow of its former self—that year’s “catalog” was only a folded poster (at Lionel’s peak in the 1950s, the catalog was nearly 50 pages thick). The old die-cast metal trucks (wheelsets) and couplers on the cars had been replaced by plastic versions; each car now only featured one operating coupler (the other ones were fixed); and the caboose didn’t even have a coupler on the rear, making “switching” impossible! The locomotive side rods were simplified, and there was no working headlight. But whatever it was, that train set was mine, and I spent many years highballing around my miniature world.



(My mother had a mild stroke when she found out that I had discovered the train set box in the garage some time after Christmas—a sure sign that the train set might not actually have come from Santa’s workshop. But oh my, that inimitable Lionel cover art was surely the stuff of dreams!)



Over the years, I got into the smaller HO trains, and my original Lionel train set was lost, or more likely thrown out, as many of my toys were as I got older. In 1987, while in a North Hollywood train store called “The Roundhouse,” a display cabinet had been left open, and I was able to heft an original Lionel steam locomotive that had been made in 1945. It was solid die-cast metal, and the sensation of its massive weight startled me, because my Lionel was all-plastic and weighed practically nothing. I was hooked again!



This year, I thought it might be fun to re-create my original Lionel electric train with near-mint pieces, and run it under the tree. It took a little ingenuity tracking down the various cars. The “Wabash Cannonball” set had several different car road names and detail changes over the years it was available (Why a Nickel Pate Road train would be called the “Wabash Cannonball,” from a different railroad entirely, is anyone’s guess). Home movies of me that Christmas definitely showed the green gondola, and I had distinct memories of the yellow tank car. I picked up a 1970 catalog from eBay, and was able to verify the set pieces. The yellow tank car and blue hopper had model numbers, so I was able to run eBay searches for those. I was also able to run searches for the Nickel Plate locomotive, tender and caboose. So over the course of several months, I was able to reassemble that original train set (Ironically, being the cheapest set in the catalog, even over 50 years later, the pieces aren’t all too expensive; the cars hover around $10 each, and the locomotive can be had for less than $35.00).



We set up our tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and after it was trimmed, I carefully placed my Lionel electric train on the track; first the locomotive and tender, and then the cars, with the caboose bringing up the rear. I notched open the transformer throttle, and the little train sprang to life. As it rumbled around the track, the ozone smell and sounds transported me back through time and space, until once again, it was 1970, Christmas, in my house on Chase Street in Canoga Park, fulfilling my dream of being a train engineer.



I was never lucky enough to have a toy train when I was a kid - it's possible that my parents were correct when they assumed that I would play with it for three days and then move on to something new. But to this day, there is just something about a beautiful miniature train running through the "snow" and a mountain range(or is it a city?) of presents beneath a lit Christmas tree. The ultimate "warm fuzzies"! THANK YOU so much to Steve DeGaetano for writing today's article and for sharing photos of his recreated 1970 setup!

PS, I will be out of town for a few days starting today. As always, there will be new posts for you each day. I'll talk to you all soon!

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Vintage Christmas Gift Labels

And now for something a little different! No Snoozles or Blurzles. So here's the deal: many years ago, after my grandmother passed away, we were going through her desk - where she paid bills, wrote cards and letters, kept decks of cards for bridge, and so on. In one drawer was a little green envelope with small un-gummed (stick them on with mucilage!) Christmas labels that appear to be from the 1920s. Or earlier? I suspect that they are pre-Great Depression at least. I found them to be very charming, and my mom gave them to me, happily. I thought it would be fun to scan them and share them with you!

A Dickensian coach travels along a snowy lane at night, laden with passengers and parcels. 


This one hints at the existence of motorcars - it doesn't really narrow down the date much, but I'm still leaning toward "the 1920s".  


A candle held in a candlestick feels very classic, perhaps thanks to 'A Christmas Carol", The colorful pattern reminds me a bit of Gustav Klimt artwork.


These old "tear off" paper calendars were a staple of silent movies!


It's hard to know which direction the letter "S" is supposed to go, especially when you've been taught to write by Spanky and Alfalfa. The kid reminds me of early Maxfield Parrish illustrations.


Is using my X-ray vision the same as "peeking"?


I've never tried a traditional English Christmas pudding, is it like a fruit cake? Do you drench it in brandy and set it alight? Do you wear it on your head?


"Peeking" - Peking - I get it!


I think Wally Boag's grandfather must have written these puns. It's the only explanation.


A toy soldier guards this package, you'd better not mess with him.


And lastly - a bunch of old-fashioned alarm clocks remind us that there is PLENTY of time until December 25th.


I hope you have enjoyed these vintage gift labels!

Saturday, December 21, 2024

The Magic Kingdom, March 1976

I've recently scanned a bunch of slides from Walt Disney World, and decided to share a few of those today. They are nice to look at, but perhaps a bit dull. You be the judge!

Cinderella Castle is spectacular, there's no doubt about it. It is also pointy, because that's how royal people like to live. Even their food is pointy (porcupine being an esteemed delicacy)! Looking at more recent photos, I see that this castle has turned pinker, just like the one in Anaheim, though I kind of admire the look of it in the picture below, as it if is made of stone (Fine marble? Though I suppose there is pink marble, now that I think about it). Anyway, it still has hints of Neuschwanstein Castle, but is perhaps even more elaborate than that famous edifice. 


Man, just look at the size of the City Hall at the Magic Kingdom. That thing is imposing. On each floor, dozens of functionaries make sure that things run smoothly at the park. People speak in whispers and hold their hats respectfully in their hands.  But it's not all serious - some guests walk out with a birthday button or one that says "This is my first trip to the Magic Kingdom".  


It's nice to see a Flower Market in Orlando's Magic Kingdom; Floridians enjoy fake flowers too, and I find that comforting. Notice the patriotic bunting on the lamppost, this was the Bicentennial year after all. Is the lady with the red top the mother of the lady with the bare midriff? "I used to look like you", she's thinking.


The Hall of Presidents, an opening-day attraction that is still going to this day. Somehow. When I was in school, I was kind of obsessed with learning about all of the US Presidents (I could name them all in order, what a nerd), but these days, not so much! It appears to be attracting impressive crowds here.


And finally, this view with what I believe is part of the moat in the foreground, so does that mean that the castle is behind us? I'm not even sure what part of the park is in the distance, is it the end of Main Street? It looks Main Street-y!


 I hope you have enjoyed today's Magic Kingdom photos.

Friday, December 20, 2024

Christmas Castle

Is it just me, or is the air scented with pine needles, gingerbread, and Hai Karate cologne? Yeah, it's just me. But that doesn't mean that I'm not in the mood to look at beautiful pictures of Sleeping Beauty Castle, CHRISTMAS STYLE! These were scanned from oversized transparencies - undated but no later than 1956, or I'll eat my socks.

If it weren't for the square format, this one would be POSTCARD WORTHY. In spite of some spindly trees, the plantings still look lovely (especially considering that it was December). There is a white-flocked tree (in the moat?) decorated with all-red ornaments, a very mid-century look. The castle itself sports only a few tasteful garlands and wreaths. I love the reflection in the water.


Next, a rare night shot with mysterious light trails - looking at the path of the light, I'm a bit confused as to what produced them. I initially thought that the red and yellow lights moving horizontally must be from an Omnibus or Firetruck (?), but there are squiggles that go in directions I can't explain. Ghostly images of guests can be seen, but they moved during the long exposure. Hey, where is that white Christmas tree?


Thursday, December 19, 2024

Christmastime Yo

I recently scanned a batch of oversized transparencies - none of them were in cardboard mounts, instead they were just loose in an envelope. They took some effort to scan, but it was worth it! You'll be seeing many more of them in the coming months, but for now I have two Christmas-themed pix. It's December nineteenth, after all, and time to get into that Yuletide spirit. 

I believe that many of the transparencies are from 1956, though it is hard to be sure. I love this morning view of Main Street USA... the street looks pretty empty, but I think nearly everyone has rushed to the Plaza, leaving just a Streetcar, a Horseless Carriage, and that fellow who seems to be chatting with the driver. 

Overhead, charming decorations exactly like those you might have found in any city add a festive air. 


This next one was in the same batch of transparencies, but the color is quite different. And the sky appears to be much cloudier, so it must be from a different day. Guests are dressed for cool (but not cold) weather; I like the girl with the pink skirt, so very 50s. At first I thought she was wearing mouse ears, but I think it's just a big hair bow. 


 

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

1951 Studio Christmas Card

I wanted to be sure to let all of the Junior Gorillas know about a new book from GDB friends Chris Merritt and J. Eric Lynxwiler, Knott's Bear-y Tales: The Complete History of the Whimsical Attraction


Most GDB readers are fans of theme parks and their history, and Knott's Bear-y Tales was  (as the book's website says), a wild dark ride unlike anything seen (or smelled) before. This is the first book to ever tackle the subject, through the interviews and artwork of those who were there. 

Anybody lucky enough to experience this ride remembers the scent of boysenberries and the wacky characters, such as bears Boysen and Girlsen, Crafty Coyote, Sarah Skunk, Zaz Owl, and the frogs of the Frog Forest. 

I just got a copy of this book, and it is beautiful! There are hundreds of photos (many in full color, including some from Lou and Sue!), this thing is not a Xerox-and-stapled volume. It's a thoroughly-researched labor of love. It is truly amazing! Chris and Eric used their contacts with people such as Rolly Crump and his son Chris to tell the whole story of this beloved attraction. You won't be disappointed! Follow the link above to the website to order yours (limited to only 2000!). Chris's previous book, "Knott's Preserved" sold out, and even the updated second edition sold out, making that excellent book a real collector's item now. 

ALSO: Chris and Eric will be giving two presentations in the SoCal area, one for the OC Historical Society on Thursday, January 9th, and another at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles on Sunday, January 26. I've attended a half-dozen of Chris's presentations, and they are always fun and full of amazing photos and information. If there is any way you can attend these, I encourage you to do so! I plan to be at one of them for sure, and possibly the other one too. HERE'S a link for complete info.

AND NOW, OUR REGULARLY-SCHEDULED POST!

The holidays are upon us, and I thought it might be fun to look at one of the classic Disney Studio Christmas cards. The Studio sent out cards going back to the 1930s, and many of them are beautifully designed and highly-collectible today. I only have a few (oh how I wish I'd bought them back when they were relatively inexpensive!), but I like the examples that I own.

Here's the mailing envelope - even in this "used" condition I'm happy to have it. Love the red ink stamp for "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", which would be rereleased in 1952.


Here's the cover, with Mickey, Minnie, and Donald signing carols, while two of Donald's nephews prepare to throw snowballs. "The Little House" is in the center of the picture, she was featured in an animated short that would be released in 1952.


Unfolding the card once, we see Robin Hood and Peter Pan; "The Story of Robin Hood", starring Richard Todd, would be released in June of 1952, while "Peter Pan" would not be released until February of 1953. I am reasonably sure that the artwork on this card was painted by Eyvind Earle, it just looks like his style. He painted non-Disney Christmas cards as a side gig for many years, some that are still in print. 


Flipping the card over, we see a handy (?) calendar with many familiar characters, and a few less-familiar characters, such as Susie the Little Blue Coupe, Lambert the Sheepish Lion, and Lucifer the cat (from "Cinderella").


Let's just unfold the whole thing, OK?? I know it wasn't really intended to be looked at this way, but what the heck, now you know how it was laid out.

I hope you enjoyed this Studio Christmas card!

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Two From July 4, 1964

Hey hey, it's the fourth of July! Well, it is in these pictures, at any rate. Not that you can tell, nobody is wearing red, white, and blue overalls or a foam Lady Liberty crown. Gosh, these people are boring!

In this first one, a couple stands among bushels and bunches of flowers. The flowers aren't real, but what is, you know, man? The gentleman is saying "hello" to Carol Burnett's grandmother by tugging on his earlobe. Then he picked his nose, which is how he said "hello" to Ernest Borgnine's grandfather. 


Over at the Carnation Plaza Gardens, the Disneyland Band performs for the lunch crowd. The sign to the right tells us that the Band was led by Jim Barngrover, who was the third director after Vesey Walker and James Christensen. The man behind that column is having a time-out after misbehaving.


Monday, December 16, 2024

Mine Train & Cascade Peak, August 1961

I have two very nice photos of the Mine Train as it circled Cascade Peak, circa 1961 (when Nature's Wonderland was only about a year old). 

I'm guessing our photographer was on Tom Sawyer Island, and he grabbed a quick shot of the very nice scene across the river, marred a little bit by the crewcut-headed boy in the lower left. Darn kid! Shouldn't he be in military school? Somehow, Cascade Peak looks particularly big here (look at the tiny people in the train), I'm sure it helps that the surrounding trees were still small and appropriately-scaled.


Luckily, we get another photo, taken from a lower vantage point (though still on TSI, I guess?), with the plucky little Mine Train chugging its way through spectacular vistas populated with many photogenic critters.



Sunday, December 15, 2024

Snoozles™

"Gladys, get the kids, it's Snoozle Time!". "SNOOZLE TIME???" (Gladys faints). That's right folks, gird your loins for some "just OK" scans.

 This first one is dated "November 1963", and appears to have been taken from the "Huck's Landing", one of two areas on Tom Sawyer Island where rafts could... um... land (the other being "Tom's Landing", near the Old Mill). This image isn't too bad, just a bit dark. Looking across the river, we see Canoes that I thought were empty at first, but now I see that they are loading up with guests. They probably won't be full crews, however. I wonder if that little group of guests on the shore are people in line for Canoe rides?


Next is this scan from July of 1964, an upshot of some waterfalls crashing down from Cascade Peak. I don't believe this is Big Thunder Falls, but... maybe it is?