Wednesday, October 07, 2015

Rescan Theater! Clock of the World, 1957

I have rescanned more slides (with my fancypants new scanner) that have already appeared here on GDB - sometimes they were originally seen as long as nine years ago. For now I am generally redoing the slides that have turned magenta to one degree or another. In some cases the results have been quite nice!

Here's one that I originally posted back in 2006. At the time it seemed OK to me. What a fool I was!


Here's the redo; what a difference! It's not perfect, but still, a huge improvement. Some of this is due to the fact that I am more proficient with Photoshop than I was back in 2006. But I love seeing the blue skies again, and that weird orange cast is gone. 

I can't help pointing out the orange tree in the background - for some reason I always enjoy seeing those. Jimmy Durante is fascinated with the Clock of the World, while I am fascinated with those rare attraction posters.


Just beyond Jimmy we can see that the House of the Future is in the early stages of construction. Pretty cool, no?


I thought I was rescanning this next example, but after doing a search on my blog, it seems that I must have skipped it originally. It's possible that the big lamp globe in the foreground bugged me, though it doesn't any more. Anyway, we've got a wonderful (undated) look at an early Town Square. Those two custodians near the flagpole are placing bets as to whether that guy is about to drop his cigarette butt. 


Zooming in resulted in a soft image, but we can still see the banner that says, "Disneyland Welcomes The Santa Fe Ry Directors". Meanwhile, there's a sign on the horse drawn streetcar that says "Santa Fe Ry Director's Special".


Stay tuned for more rescans and rediscovered treasures!

12 comments:

K. Martinez said...

In the Clock-of-the-World comparison shots the details stand out more in the newer scan. Especially the flower blossoms, oranges and clouds. Great job! Thanks, Major.

TokyoMagic! said...

It would be great if Melissa were to put a blown up face of the Wicked Witch of the West on that big lamp globe with the caption "Auntie Em, Auntie Em, Come baaaack...I'll give you Auntie Em, my pretty!!!"

Major, your new scanner rules!

Steve DeGaetano said...

Wow, three days' worth of goodies featuring the Disney connection with the Santa Fe Railway! Thanks Major!

Nancy said...

So pretty. The view of Main Street is pristine....looks like a diorama :)

The clock is so cool...i would also have said that first view was nice but to see the enhancement....gorgeous!! :)

Nice set today, Major

Chuck said...

I realize quoting Bill Cosby may not be in vogue right now, but all I can think of when seeing these is "wonderfulness."

From my perspective, the new scanner was definitely worth the investment.

K. Martinez said...

The first slide has a certain patina which gives it an aged and vintage feel, while the second slide looks newer and vibrant. I like both versions for different reasons.

Major, Did the scanner automatically fill in the rounded corners for you?

Monkey Cage Kurt said...

Your new scanner is a friend to all of us Major; I think he deserves a name! I’m thinking “Scanny”. The detail I noted was the dimples inside the Clock of the World’s sun globe. They are so much more crisp and visible.

Thanks, as always!

Linda said...

Wonderful post and I love the photos!

Anonymous said...

Note the drinking fountain at the top of the Plaza. I remember using it all those years ago.
KS

Monkey Cage Kurt said...

KS, are you referring to the little pole with the white on top immediately to the tail of the streetcar? It’s a very obscure detail, but a great observation.

Major Pepperidge said...

K. Martinez, it was very gratifying to have the new scans turn out so much better! The weird thing is, a few of them don’t look much different. Not sure why.

TokyoMagic!, it IS a great scanner, but (patting myself on the back), I am also a lot more skilled with Photoshop and can do things I wasn’t able to do 9 years ago.

Steve DeGaetano, I thought you might like those details!

Nancy, Main Street almost IS a giant playset. I still don’t know why they haven’t made a small working model of that clock for sale.

Chuck, yeah, I think old Bill has become a pariah. I choose to believe that other people used the word “wonderfulness” before him!

K. Martinez, in some cases I will leave a photo looking a bit faded, or leave a slight warm tone, because I like the vintage quality. But it’s also nice to take a dark pink slide and bring it back to something resembling real life.

Monkey Cage Kurt, well, I don’t know about “Scanny”, though Pee-wee Herman would approve! It really is fun to bring out little details, like those dimples on the clock that you mentioned.

Linda, thanks!

KS, good eye, I did not notice it. Where is the bag of C&H sugar?

Monkey Cage Kurt, yes, that is the fountain. Not easy to see in that view, for sure.

Melissa said...

In other words, you've rejiggered the jigger!