Wednesday, August 25, 2010

1500th Post

Today marks the One thousand five hundredth entry on Gorillas Don't Blog. It looks even more impressive when it's written out. FYI, that's 500 more than I ever planned to do, just think of the value you are getting for your blogging dollar.


On with today's photos...

Well, looky there - - it's the Viewliner crossing Tomorrowland Lake (as seen from the Skyway, of course). I'm not sure how futuristic the Viewliner was, but I love it anyway, with its classic 50's styling. There were a lot of empty seats on it this time around. Meanwhile, we also get glimpse of still-rural Anaheim.


Here's a wonderful view of early Main Street USA... it was in a batch of slides that were labeled "1956", and yet there's the "Intimate Apparel" shop; aka "The Wizard of Bras". Perhaps that means this is actually a 1955 photo? (Sorry about the horse poop)!


Here's a closer look at Hollywood Maxwell's short-lived store. There was a dummy of an old lady sitting in a rocking chair on this porch, but she is apparently tucked into the corner out of sight from this angle. The fact that this store really existed in Disneyland is pretty great! Isn't "torsolette" a wonderful word?


We've seen this lady (and her hat) before; when the wind picked up, she could fly through the air and solve crimes. I love this 1956 view of the Jungle Cruise dock; notice that the sign in the background says that there were only 7 naptha launches - eventually there were 12. Name them all and win my gold-plated admiration!


Here's a colorful photo from September 1967, showing The New Establishment rockin' out on the Tomorrowland Stage. My guess is that they are singing "Windy" by The Association (a big hit in '67). "Who's peekin' out from under a stairway, callin' a name that's lighter than air?" Greatest. Song. Ever. I love the way the reflected light shines through those plastic panels, infusing everything with a warm glow. To the left we can see the Tomorrowland Ticket Booth, designed by Rollie Crump. Wonder what that guy in the blue work shirt is doing over there?


I decided to close with this beautiful photo of Sleeping Beauty Castle, circa 1958. The tropical plants in the foreground are part of the entry to Adventureland, while the folks mid-ground are crossing the bridge from Frontierland.


I am officially claiming to have the smartest and best-looking readers on the interwebs, and I'm not just saying that so that you'll send me money, bags and bags of wonderful money. Thanks to all of you for still reading (or looking, if you just like the pictures). Will we see a post #2000? I can only promise to keep on keepin' on until "blog burnout" fries my brain completely, or until I run out of photos. I think I smell something burning.

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks Major for all your wonderful posts! They are a highlight of my day, I love going to Disneyland and thinking of these and comparing them in my mind (I frequently slow down the foot traffic with my intense contemplation). Keep'em coming and we'll keep reading!

TokyoMagic! said...

Congrats and THANK YOU! I agree with Austin....your posts are definitely a highlight of my day as well!

Blue work shirt guy is tinkering with the drinking fountain. Wow, no rails around the TL stage. Those kids better watch out when that stage begins to lower.

"Keep on keepin' on." Sounds like a Brady Bunch song.

Thank you again, Major!

Rich T. said...

Congratulations on 1,500, Major! Please continue!

Disneyland horse poop is the most charming horse poop on Earth. (I tried that line on a date, and it ended like George's on Seinfeld.)

What a neat, rare shot of Viewliner!

If you ever run out of photos, I'm sure many here would gladly donate some!

And Windy is one of the most-played songs on my iPod. 'Cause Windy has STOOOOORRR-MEEEEEEEEE EYYEEEESSSS!!!

stu29573 said...

Congratulations on your 1500th! Now only 998500 until a cool million!

Seriously, though, your comments are just as fun as the pics. Keep it up!!!

Jason Schultz said...

Great set of photos! Congratulations on the milestone. When you're finished, you should print it all out and sell it as one 20-30,000 page book.

Major Pepperidge said...

Thanks guys! Chris, are you sure that's not an cigarette receptacle? It looks too low to be a fountain.

Stu, ha ha! A million, no way Jose!

Progressland, I am looking for ways to lose lots of money, and publishing a book myself seems like a good method!

Vintage Disneyland Tickets said...

Contrats on FIFTEEN HUNDRED POSTS!!!! Can't wait for the next 1,500!!!!

Awesome shot of the salmon colored Viewliner, its like the "Orange Monorail" before its time!

All awesome photos - as always - THANKS for all your hard work and dedication.

I've got all these extra bags of money, let me know where to send them....

Thufer said...

Thank you so much. 1500 is an amazing number.
I have enjoyed the trip and I salute your efforts.

Jeff Hopkins said...

Congrats on the 1,500th post, thanks for all the great images and fun commentary. Yours is the first blog I check each morning and the only one I check every day! Really appreciate your dedication!

The Viewliner Limited said...

To begin your 1500th post with a BEAUTY !!! shot of the Viewliner is a true milestone in itself. And then to top it of with the New Establishment on the Tomorrowland Stage. What more can you ask for.

Congratulations MAJOR. You have my ultimate respect for making our days a little brighter and awakening many great memories of the past... at the Happiest Place on Earth.

Much appreciated, Richard.

Connie Moreno said...

I have to spell this out because this time, I really mean it: Rolling On The Floor Laughing My Ass Off! You TOTALLY crack me up, day after day, week after week. Someday when I'm home sick, I need to go back to the very beginning and read all of your posts. I wish I could say that I have been following this blog from the beginning but I can't lie about such a thing.

Yes, the horse poop actually brought back memories. I know I was a little kid but I DO remember seeing a castmember walking along Main Street, sweeping horse poop into his dustpan. I also remember thinking "Ugh, who has to wash that out?"

Loved the shot of the Intimate Apparal shop. I've always loved that porch and until today, didn't realize that the Intimate Apparal shop was located there! So now that solves the mystery in my head - I've always wondered why that door was on the porch!

Keep on blogging...or else!

DKoren said...

Wow! Congrats on 1500! I also have to say, checking your posts is one of the happy highlights of my day. The pictures are swell, and your descriptions crack me up. Thank you for this!

Steve Tanner at Magical Trash said...

Congrats on 1500. Your photos put a smile on my face daily. :)

JG said...

Congratulations Major!

1500 is a Major Milestone, and such beautiful pictures you set before us on the event.

Mere thanks won't be enough to express how much I enjoy your blog, photos and commentary, as well as the comments of my fellow followers. You have quite a little club here.

It would be a sad thing to have you stop, but my work productivity would go up. For my part, I would rather see you slow down to one or two posts a week than to stop altogether. Do what you need to do. I can read up the back catalog.

As to the pictures, Ladies Foundations for sale on Main Street? Shocking! Still, for a place so realistic as to have authentic horse poop in the street lends credence to the belief that women actually wore such things.

I raise the call for Main Street Shops to return to selling the goods of the day, who is with me on this?!!

And the castle goes straight to the screen backdrop.

Bless you sir, for bringing memories to life.

JG

Momma Nic said...

Well, it appears that Gorillas DO Blog, and we are all happy they do. Thanks for all the 'trips'.

Katella Gate said...

How wonderful, a blog with 1500 posts. I have a hard time finishing a grocery list.

I didn't know that the Jungle Cruise ran on Fels-Naptha soap? Did they shovel it in like coal?

http://www.motherearthnews.com/uploadedImages/articles/issues/2007-06-01/FelsNapthaSoap.jpg

stu29573 said...

Just as an aside, I at first thought the bass player was playing a Hofner 500/1 "Beatle Bass" (I've played one since 1981), but upon closer inspection it seems to be the Gibson knock off. The Gibson was slightly larger and the lines were not quite...right...

Katella Gate said...

Yes, I'm going to double dip on this post...

I still can not get over the whole "pop up" idea for the Tomorrowland Stage. Really a spectacular concept and perfectly executed.

A happy souvenir of sunny days long gone, before the world got soiled.

HBG2 said...

Congratulations on your 1500th! It's not just the purdy pictures that keeps us coming back, but the always witty commentary. A great Disney blog.

TokyoMagic! said...

Did DL actually have cigarette receptacles just sitting out there like that?

On second glance, I just noticed that the stage does have railings on the backside, so I guess they were concerned with people that might be passing by getting crushed, but didn't care so much about the people actually watching the show.

I'm glad this stage still exists. I hope it makes it through the next Tomorrowland redo....if there ever is another Tomorrowland redo.

thepicklebarrel said...

Congrats, Senior Stamina!!!!

Here's to another 1500!!!

StoryBookLand said...

THANK YOU FOR 1500 WONDERFUL POSTS! You make me smile each day and I am so grateful to you for taking my hobby and turning it into a full blown obsession! Now all I need is a crazy white-haired scientist and a Delorean!

I would love to earn your gold-plated admiration. I could put it on the shelf next to the bronze statue of my self-esteem! I did some research to make you proud, but could this be right? Hmmmm, I got it off the internet, so you know it must be true! Here are all the boats that have sailed over the years through the dangerous Disney Congo or the "Dongo", if you will.

Wamba Wanda
Orinoco Ida
Nile Nellie
Mongala Millie
Irawaddy Irma
Bomokandi Bertha
Zambezi Zelda
Volta Val
Senegal Sal
Amazon Annie
Sankuru Sadie
Congo Connie
Ganges Gertie
Kwango Kate
Ucyali Lolly

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on 1500 posts!
I Always make time to read your blog.

Eric

Chris Merritt said...

Congrats David! Amazing amount of work here - we all appreciate it. And without a doubt, the funniest blogger out there!

outsidetheberm said...

Show off!

Seriously, you must have clone. An amazing feat, this.

When you're through I think we all owe you a drink.

Thanks, David.

Matt said...

I don't know how you do it, do they still make Jolt Cola? I bow down to your awesomeness.

Major Pepperidge said...

Thanks everybody!

jedblau said...

Congrats x 1500!

You have done all of us a great service that we can never repay. Thanks for all of your tireless effort and good humor.

210Frwy said...

This is strange. I recently found this Gorillas Don's Blog commercial copy from 1957. Is Major some sort of time traveler? Well, here it is. Happy 1500 Major. I am a happier person because of your blog.

Commercial: Gorillas Don't Bog

(jingle)
Gorillas Don't Blog is the place to be,
It has the slides that you want to see.
Admission is free, you don't have to pay,
Gorillas Don't Blog - try it today!

Announcer:
Say mom, when those tired and hungry kids come home after school why not treat them to a hearty helping of Gorillas Don't Blog. Yes, Gorillas Don't Blog, the blog that contains all the important vitamins a growing boy or girl need. And mom, doctors agree that Gorillas Don't Blog has more pep then the leading Disneyland blog. And it's so easy to surf to. Just click the link and you're there! Try Gorillas Don't Blog soon. We think you'll say:

(jingle out)
Gorillas Don't Blog is the place to be,
It has the slides that you want to see.
Admission is free, you don't have to pay,
Gorillas Don't Blog - try it today!

Vaughn said...

1,500 posts, congratulations. You really do stretch my blogging dollar. Your posts are worth more than at least twice what I have paid! Here's wishing for 1,500 more.

EJPcreations said...

Thank you so much for all your posts. They always make my day bearable, and make me anxious for the weekend when I can go to Disneyland again. Congrats, and thank you for all your hard work. Your effort makes a lot of people happy. BTW thank you for pointing out Rollie Crump's tix booth. He is my personal god :)

mr wiggins said...

Congratulations on 1500!

Chiana_Chat said...

wow you have a party roll second to none here (not even Obama - all your guests are legit!). Awesome outpouring for an awesome blogger... but you knew that right Maj? We keeps tellin ya. hehe Just an amazing happy-eyes-full plus bumper-crop of pics!

Chuck said...

As you can see in the photo, public ashtr- er, I mean cigarette receptacles required constant calibration by highly skilled technicians. It eventually became too expensive to continue to operate them and, as a result, they are no longer in operation.

Nancy said...

i am in awe here....

you really pulled out the stops....Tomorrowland Terrace Stage AND Viewliner...two favorites that there just are not enough photos of....

thanks for all you do and a big congratulations! :D

SundayNight said...

I'm a little late to the party here but I did want to congratulate you on 1500. There are some great Disneyland blogs on the Internet but this is by far my favorite. The images are so well restored and the commentary insightful and often hilarious. Thank you for all the hard work you put into this blog for the benefit of mankind.

Major Pepperidge said...

You guys are the best! Thanks for the many kind words.

Hrundi V. Bakshi said...

Major, Congratulations!

I would love to get in here and comment everday. You sir - are an institution. You never fail to bring a smile and are generally the first site I visit everyday after the morning shower, before leaving for work . . . for the last several years (then I head off for the House of Mouse in Burbank).

Don't ever stop. Really. Please.

And BTW - I think The New Establishment could be singin' The Seekers "Georgy Girl". Just because - y'know it's right up there with Windy for that "1967 sound"

Keep 'em comin' Major!

Caspian said...

All of the above.

Thanks.

LD

Daveland said...

Congrats Dave - fantastic job on sharing all of these rare images with everyone.

Magical Hotel said...

Here's to you my friend for your 1500th. You are one cool blogger and I hope we see another 1500.