Saturday, October 31, 2009

POSTERAMA 12

Happy Halloween everybody! I never know what to post on this spooky day, so I decided to fall back on the good old Haunted Mansion. It's the 40th anniverary year after all, and this is the first tribute I've made to that venerable attraction.

Let's start with the beautiful POSTER! We've all seen it, since it's been reproduced over and over. But there's something about having the real McCoy from 1969! It features the three famous "hitchhiking ghosts" (Phineas, Ezra, and Gus); behind them looms the mansion itself, bathed in eerie green light, with bats circling the sailing ship weather vane. And of course there is that typography that has become so famous. This was the last of the regular silk screened posters; the laborious process had become too expensive, and lithography was used after that.


This flyer from 1970 was a fun find for me; my family lived in Huntington Beach back then, and my dad was in the navy; of course I anxiously looked forward to "navy nights" as one of the highlights of the year! It seemed so strange to arrive at Disneyland at night... in my memories it was never very crowded, and even though ticket books were normally still in use, you didn't need them on navy nights. Like today, you rode whatever you wanted as much as you wanted, but it somehow seemed a whole lot cooler back then. So, I was at Disneyland on October 24 1970, and rode the Haunted Mansion (notice how prominently it is featured in this simple flyer!) for my very first time. Over the years every detail has become familiar, but on that night, it was one of the most amazing things I had ever experienced. And yes, I was totally scared to even walk through the front door!

8 comments:

  1. All your's for $3.25!!! LOL Now you can buy annual passes on PAYMENT plans!!! WOW, times have changed! Loved the posters!

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  2. Awesome Spooky Post! The last of the silk screens was sure an amazing poster. "Phineas, Ezra,and Gus" are those really there names?

    Oh boy, I do like that Navy Nite flyer! Isn't it funny how the first trip thru the mansion is so impressionable. It scared the carp out of me too (in 1970) but I still wanted to "hurry back"...

    Thanks Major and Happy Halloween!

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  3. "Phineas, Ezra, and Gus"... I think those are CM names that have gained semi-official status. I'm sure somebody out there knows better.

    Those trips thru the Mansion in the early 70's were beyond description. Immersive environment, jaw dropping effects, and I think most important, although it draws from "spook house" genre, it doesn't have any cliche gags or set ups. (no ghosts of Marley in chains etc.)

    40 years later, it's still too much. Thank about that.

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  4. Did Disneyland have much of a to-do about Holloween back in the earlier days? You know what I mean? Cast members in any costuming, decorations, altered attractions...? I'm assuming that Christmas, then perhaps Easter and Thanksgiving had some fuss but I don't know... Just curious.

    That's a great poster Maj thanks for sharing it and such a clear picture of it. :)

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  5. Chiana: The emphasis on Halloween is fairly recent, the last 10 years maybe, with the company ramping up the volume in the last few years.

    Christmas has gotten very elaborate in the same time frame, when you look at images from "back in the day" just a few wreaths were enough.

    Easter and Thanksgiving might have gotten a nod... I certainly don't remember seeing anything specific for these holidays. We used to visit the park on Thanksgiving day specifically cause the place was EMPTY. (that changed in the 80s)

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  6. Katella Gate - thanks. It's not quiet on Thanksgiving day anymore? Shucks!

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  7. how cool to have a dated souvenier...

    The Haunted Mansion at DL is my choice if i had time to run in and take one ride :D

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  8. Anonymous7:28 PM

    Easter has never been highlighted, that I'm aware of. Maybe too 'religous' a topic? Although there is a Mr and Mrs Easter Rabbit that are (supposedly) only out on that ONE day. I've never seen them in person, but there are photos floating around.

    Why not make it a rabbit extravaganza and have ALL the Disney rabbits out and about? Easter Bunnies; Thumper; those rabbits from Snow White and Sword and the Stone; Roger; Jessica.... :0

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