Wednesday, February 11, 2015

More Instamatics

It's time for more vintage Instamatics, courtesy of my friend Mr. X! Talk about the gift that keeps on giving, these things have lasted for months and months. I'm super grateful that he generously gave me all of these wonderful images.

Let's start with this beautiful shot of the Matterhorn. I don't know what to say about it except that it is sunny and colorful and awesome.


Here's an interesting picture, taken as the sun was setting; Tomorrowland is backlit dramatically, but we can still clearly see the Matterhorn, Peoplemover, Monorail, Skyway, and some of the Autopia. The photo was taken aboard the Disneyland Railroad while it waited at the Tomorrowland station. I really love this one.


And finally, here's a closeup of the Disneyland Band. Everyone loves a tuba player! EVERYONE, do you hear me?!?! The ladies loved him, which made his bandmates jealous as hell. But what could they do? He played the tuba, and there was no way they could compete.


Stay tuned for more Instamatics!

9 comments:

Alonzo P Hawk said...

I agree Major. The second photo is awesome. Even though it looks like a lot of detail was lost in the shadows the center of the photo says it all. Very busy and full of all that made that era tomorrowland so great!

I myself remember sitting in the tomorrowland station and just looking out at that great view. Thanks for posting.

Nancy said...

Awesome pictures today!!

My fave is also number two. My favorite Skyway sky buckets and Monorail Yellow AND the turquoise Peoplemover train....FABULOUS!!! :)

Thanks for making me warm on a very cold morning here in Pittsburgh!!

MRaymond said...

I was just transported back to my childhood. Thank you

K. Martinez said...

Mr. X strikes again!

Number two is the fave. Everything about it brings back a flood of aural memories; the sound of the Autopia vehicle motors as guests brake, stop and accelerate in the load/unload zone, the clunky sounds of the PeopleMover on this particular downward stretch as the Goodyear tires embedded in the track resist the downward momentum of the vehicles heading into the Autopia woodlands and the distant contemporary sounds of the Tomorrowland Terrace. On top of all that there's the arrival and departure announcements of the Santa Fe and Disneyland Railroad. All pure Disneyland magic.

I love all three images today. Thanks, Major and Mr. X!

Tom said...

Another vote for that second shot. Of note is the RICHFIELD sign edge on, with only the leading R fully visible.

This photo presents Tomorrowland as a kinetic, bustling place ripe for exploration.

HBG2 said...

"Everyone loves a tuba player. EVERYONE, do you hear me?"

What was that? Sorry, Major, I couldn't quite hear you. I'm standing next to this #$%@ tuba player.

Anonymous said...

Ditto on photo number 2. For those of us who experienced it, the contrasts between then and now couldn't be more startling...or depressing.

KS

Chuck said...

My only memories of the Tomorrowland station from this era are of being impatient to get going. How could the engineer just sit there when he knew full well there were DINOSAURS ahead?

I remember when I was seven riding around the entire Park four times without getting off so we could see Primeval World again...and again...and again. I also remember not having any trouble selling my parents on the idea. At the time, I just figured it was because my dad is a train buff, but now that I'm older and a parent, I'm sure exhaustion played a factor as well. Definitely got our moneys' worth out of that set of "E" tickets.

Major Pepperidge said...

Alonzo, I tried to lighten those shadows, and it worked a bit, but it was so grainy in those areas that I decided to just let them stay dark and mysterious. I only wish I had a nice vivid memory of this view from my childhood!

Nancy, I don't mean to rub it in, but we are dealing with almost 80-degree weather, not even halfway through February; I am dreading what summer will bring.

MRaymond, cool!

K. Martinez, the "putt-putt" sounds of the Autopia are a vivid memory for sure. I remember the Peoplemover making sounds while riding it, but I didn't know that you could hear it from below. I'm glad you liked today's selections!

Tom, stay tuned, there's a much better shot of that Richfield sign coming up someday. This was when Tomorrowland really was a world on the move.

HBG2, deafness is a small price to pay; just think how COOL you look standing next to a tuba player.

KS, the Tomorrowland that we see today is OK, but they have neutered it (no Skyway, Rocket Jets, or Peoplemover, cartoony subs, and so on). Maybe this is why people are so excited at the idea of a "Star Wars Land", though I am not sure I agree.

Chuck, I honestly think that when I was a kid, we always got on the train at Main Street Station, did the Circle Tour, and exited. It wasn't until much later that I would use the train as a way to get to the other side of the park. Seeing Primeval World over and over is a bonus!