Chrysler Pavilion, New York World's Fair
The Chrysler Pavilion underwent a few cosmetic changes between the 1964 and 1965 seasons. In 1964 the building was mostly white with some tasteful touches of other colors (as you can see in this panorama). By 1965 it was painted an eye-popping combination of pink and orange. Zowie! See the sign for "Bil Baird's Marionettes"?
Here's a rare photo taken during one of Bil (one "L") Baird's puppet shows. This 20-minute exercise in musical whimsey... is continuously performed on a novel revolving stage. Bil Baird marionettes sing, dance and cavort on a giant, revolving stage. Bob Hope starts the show in a short film that will keep you chuckling while you relax in the air-conditioned comfort of the most unusual theater in the world! They had me at "air-conditioned".
These fellows were known as the "Diversified Products Showmen". They are going to flash you! Each of these delightful characters depicts a different story about Chrysler's diversified operations. (Chrysler Corporation does much more than make fine cars!) Very polite, our 10 showmen. As each tells his story about a special facet of Chrysler activities -- Space, Missiles, Defense, Amplex, Airtemp, Parts, Chemical, Marine, Industrial Products and International -- the other 9 remain attentive.
11 comments:
It's interesting I guess, and it certainly has that early 60s vibe. But jeez, Walt really was in a totally different league with his 4 shows compared to this thing.
What can I say, great pictures of a place I wish I had gone to. Have I said that before?
The Baird show was called the "Show Go Round" since it operated on a reverse principle the Carousel Of Progress did. The stage rotated and the audience was stationary in their theater (there would be another theater that the stage revolved to, loaded for the next group of people).
Mason Adams, a veteran voice actor sang and narrated the lead part of "Carby Carburetor."
We miss you Chugga-Boom, you and your fabulous Slurpee dispenser.
awesome as always....so glad that someone had the sense to take so many great pictures that we get to see ;)
thanks as always to David, who takes the time to research, post and sometimes does "major" housekeeping so that we can see them at their best!!
where do we cast our vote for our favorite blog on the net??
Thanks Nancy! As for research, I am merely coasting on the hard work of others, mainly the fabulous website nywf64.com.
I can barely view any of these images through all the slobber. Thanks for posting. I am smitten with the set designs, colors and style of the various NY Fair displays. Every thing and every place looked like so much fun. I would have loved seeing Bil Baird's show, who was at the height of his popularity with his marionettes for "The Sound of Music" - released in theaters that same year. Heavy sigh...
Those are great!
I loved the "Show Go Round!" I still remember the song (such as it was).
That is a wonderful picture of Carby. I've been looking everywhere for shots from the show (my wife was Bil's lead puppeteer at his NYC based theater.) Do you have any others? I just posted a portrait of Carby of the World's Fair Facebook page;-)
Craig, unfortunately this is the only photo I have from the show. I believe that the original Carby puppet eventually sold for a ton of money!
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