Characters & Matterhorn, July 1967
Disneyland visitors might see Mickey, Donald, Goofy, or Tigger, or any one of the many beloved costumed characters. But I always get a kick out of seeing a rare or relatively obscure character! Bernard and Bianca from "The Rescuers"; Robin Hood; Scrooge McDuck!
In this first photo, taken right near the Matterhorn chalet (you can just see the roof through the trees), 3 characters from "Pinocchio" (my favorite animated feature!) entertain the crowds. Honest John, I would love to see him there! And of course he will almost always be accompanied by his henchman/flunky Gideon. Pinoke hasn't learned his lesson and is playing hooky from school again.
Near the summit of the Matterhorn, we can just see a red-shirted climber. I saw climbers on the mountain when I was a kid, that was a while ago (!)… it would be nice to see them again. I've always assumed that there are permanent handholds (and footholds) along a particular path up the side, too small to be seen from the ground. The climbers are always tethered so that they can't plummet to the ground below - that would be bad.
15 comments:
Major-
Ah... the Mighty Matterhorn (or is it Majestic-?) Either way we can spy the cable - ummm.... the 'aerial assist' that so reliably helps Tinker Bell on her skyward journey towards the pillow at the other end. Ahhhh - so much for the magic. (Well, there certainly used to be one - a pillow, that is, to cushion her landing).
Thanks, Major.
♫ ♪ Climb the mountain, climb the highest mountain! ♪ ♫
I just watched Walt Disney's "Third Man On The Mountain" a few hours ago on Turner Classic Movies. Now I have that song in my head!
Matterhorn mountain climber - that's one job I don't want. If I've learned anything from watching "Star Trek," it's that you never, EVER take a job that involves wearing a red shirt.
In her white blouse and double-breasted red vest, the little girl between Gideon and Pinocchio looks like a miniature Disneyland Tour Guide!
(Also, what TokyoMagic! and Chuck said.)
Nanook, at some point I heard that Tinker Bell landed in a big mattress held by some cast members. I wonder what they do now?
TokyoMagic!, wow, there's a song I don't know! I haven't seen that movie since I was a kid… it was on TV as "Banner in the Sky".
Chuck, it might be worth the risk, since I'm sure they are pretty cool to all the female cast members.
Melissa, she was there for the filming of the "Wonderful World of Color" episode entitled "The Littlest Tour Guide"! I'm sure you can almost imagine the plot in your mind.
Summer '67! Just around the corner, the New Tomorrowland is in full swing. Yee-hah!
I remember in Town Square when I just got into the park, Gepetto walking up to me, giving me a kiss on the cheek, then putting me in a headlock and hard knuckle rubbing my head. I thought it was pretty funny! That was when I was a young adult. Never again had I experienced such affection from a Disney character. It was spontaneous without having to wait in line for a pre-set interactive experience with a character.
Wait, Ken - you didn't sue him for assault? You mean you just accepted those actions as part of playful interaction between two reasonable human beings trying to have some inoffensive fun?
Chuck - No, it didn't occur to me to sue him. I was probably just too happy to be at Disneyland and flattered that a character would pick me out of a crowd and do that. Maybe I need to get with the times and start looking for things to offend me. ;)
♪ ♫ Climb the mountain, touch the sun. You can do it, you're the one! ♫ ♪ (It's still in my head.) Major, they also sang it in "Gala Day at Disneyland" during the opening ceremonies for the Matterhorn. Annette is one of the alpine dancers in the musical number, and "world champion skater" Ronnie Robertson from Ice Capades also performs.
TokyoMagic!, I remember that song from "Gala Day at Disneyland", but don't remember it from "Third Man on the Mountain". Do you remember in what part of the movie it was sung?
K. Martinez, those Europeans, always kissing each other on the cheek. The headlock thing, that's more Biff Tannen. Sounds like it was a fun experience, coming out of the blue like that!
Chuck, I would have sued Geppetto like crazy! ;-)
K. Martinez, it is fun to be offended. It makes me feel superior.
TokyoMagic!, well, there's the lyrics, but I still don't know the melody. YouTube to the rescue, maybe?
K. Martinez, my main memory of "Gala Day at Disneyland" is the reuse of footage that we'd seen already (like being aboard a Matterhorn bobsled).
Major, it's at the very end of "Gala Day at Disneyland." Here's the YouTube link. The performers are dancing to the music starting at the 23:10 mark, but they don't start singing the lyrics until the 25:10 mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UqMkzsa_NI
Ken, the music plays on and off throughout the movie in the background. I think they might sing the lyrics briefly at the festival in the village....about halfway through the movie. Now I'm wondering if they actually do sing the lyrics, or if I was just singing them in my head every time the music was being played. They do give credit at the very beginning of the movie to the people that wrote the song.
On a recent visit, I watched the door open in the side of the peak and Tinker Belle climbed out.
The door fits pretty tight, you can't see the seam in the daylight, even when you know it's there.
JG
TokyoMagic!, thanks for the link! I really want to see "Third Man on the Mountain" again.
JG, the door is on the side of the peak? I always assumed it was right at the top. I'd love to see it open up!
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