Saturday, July 07, 2007

Indian Dancers, 1957

Here's a great Kodachrome slide showing the Indian dancers in 1957. Actually, we are getting a better look at the audience, which is just as fun. Check out the kid in the "Mickey Mouse Club" shirt! I also see 3 "Keppy Kaps", at least one guidebook, and one kid holding a large shopping bag (from the Emporium?).

It is interesting that one of the Indian dancers is a child of about five years old...labor laws must have been lax in the 50's, to say the least! Do you think he actually pulled down a salary?


Eventually the Indians left Disneyland, I'm not sure if it was because of waning interest on the part of the guests, or if the dancers themselves were unhappy.
Probably a bit of both. Still, it's fun to see these photos and remember how the whole country was once crazy about anything to do with the American west.

5 comments:

  1. I like the crowd, I have that Mickey Mouse Club T shirt...

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  2. That has to be one of the best Indian Village shots I have seen - thanks for posting!

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  3. Anonymous8:49 PM

    I can't say for sure, but at least SOME of the indians stuck around, and found new roles at DL, and eventually WDW.

    One of the Original dancers, a gentleman named Ron Heminger, started with DL in Dec. '55, and eventually made his way to WDW.

    He spent the majority of his career in Custodial management.

    I worked for him in '95-'96, at EPCOT, and had the pleasure of being at DL for the 40th anniversary and saw him, along with Dick Nunis.

    In case anyone cares.

    Scott

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  4. This is my grandma Rose Clifford on the right and the little boy is my uncle Mike. My aunt Cheryl also danced but I haven't seen any photos of her yet! Thanks so much for posting.

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  5. In regards to Uncle Mike's salary ... lol he danced for tips apparently! But he did get to ride the rides after work so don't feel too bad for him.

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