I spent a while scanning some old paper ephemera from the park, and thought I would post a few examples today.
Let's begin with this 1955 table tent card thingy from the Golden Horseshoe Revue (presented by Pepsi-Cola). My theory (going back to the 1930's) is that the drawing of Slue Foot Sue and the beautiful show gals is by Sam McKim, although it is just an educated guess, really. The guy could draw!
Notice that the card says "Musical Review" instead of "Revue". Heads will roll!
Open up the card thingy and we get something resembling a broadside from the 1800's, with a variety of fonts and olde-timey embellishments. No pointing fingers though, that's a disappointment!
Wally Boag was there from the beginning, but at this point Judy Marsh was Slue Foot Sue. I've never been entirely clear about why Ms. Marsh was replaced by the lovely and wonderful Betty Taylor after only a year or so. Notice also that Donald Novis was still the "silver toned tenor"; he grew ill in 1962 and was replaced by Fulton Burley. Costumes were by Reniè, who won an Academy Award for her work on the 1963 Liz Taylor version of "Cleopatra".
Next is this newer table tent card thingy - from the 1960's (notice the mention of "Chicken of the Sea" tuna salad - CotS ceased their sponsorship at Disneyland in 1969. Rather than an ersatz playbill for the musical comedy show, it was a bare-bones menu. (Ironically, they did not serve bare bones. You had to go to Adventureland for that).
Inside were lyrics to some old classic songs... you could sing along as loudly as possible (preferably off-key) with a mouth full of tuna salad!
Major-
ReplyDeleteI've always been fond of the term 'tent' to refer to such thing-a-ma-jigs. These are both wonderful examples of such things. Don't you find it odd Disneyland didn't offer tongue sandwiches to go along with the rest of their 'tongue teasing foods'-?? You haven't lived until you've eaten tongue, let me tell you.
Thanks, Major.
Mmm, bear bones.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that Pepsi could sing...
ReplyDeleteIf I were a member of an orchestra, I'm not sure I'd take it as a compliment to be called "efficient."
ReplyDeleteI love the wording and the artwork of the table tent. In the early days of Disneyland, before they started using photography, the ephemera were works of art. If Walt thought you were a good enough artist to work for Disneyland, that was quite a compliment. Wonderful stuff today Major. It's been some days in preparation, a splendid time is guaranteed for all.
ReplyDeleteI like the Pepsi bottle cap on the first tent thingy. I collected bottle caps as a kid. You could pop the cork out and pinch the cork back on the cap from the inside of your shirt. Coke, Squirt, Nehi. Quite the fashion statement.
ReplyDeleteThe 'olde timey' words are all fun. Someone got points for 'Terpsichore', I'll bet.
I would like to see more of this, if you don't mind.
Thanks, Major
dz
@Nanook, tongue sandwiches speak for themselves.
ReplyDeleteThese are very cool little items. I like them.
The first one is a treasure, so much information. Wish I had a recording of that show, it would be worth it for "Beautiful Dreamer" alone.
The lyrics on the second one are interesting, the crowd from a few years before would know all those by heart.
What lyrics would be included on today's card? Probably Disney movie theme songs. Notice how people no longer sing as they once did? Or is it just me?
Thanks Major.
JG
JG
Nanook, you have to admit, they do look like tents when folded and placed on tables! Like lilliputian campers have settled down for the night. I’ve never eaten just a big piece of tongue, but (on the recommendation from a friend) have tried lengua burritos and tacos. I didn’t hate it, but I think I preferred the chili verde.
ReplyDeleteMelissa, they now serve bear bones in Critter Country.
Stuart Powley, I was looking at old Pepsi slogans, and the ONLY one that really rang a bell was “You’ve got a lot to live, and Pepsi’s got a lot to give”. I can still hum the tune in my head, even though I was a mere child when it was used.
Steve DeGaetano, it’s true, “efficient” is almost a case of “damning with faint praise”. Perhaps the wording on this item was based on some actual vintage playbill?
Jonathan, they use a lot of Photoshop airbrushy stuff now, too. I guess I can’t blame them, and I do love Photoshop for all it can do. Funny that you referred to “For the Benefit of Mr. Kite”, I thought of that while I was composing this post.
David Zacher, I have a little box of old bottle caps that I picked up at a garage sale. My favorites are the ones for obscure drinks that I’ve never heard of, though there is a “Donald Duck Cola” cap in there too. I’ve got lots of stuff to scan… for some reason I just seem to have a hard time getting around to it.
JG JG (!), I love the “Wonderful World of Color” program about the Golden Horseshoe, but sadly there is so much added business with Annette (nothing against Annette, she looks lovely) and Ed Wynn that they didn’t have time for Fulton Burley’s songs. When I was a very young child, my family would go to Shakey’s Pizza Parlor - they would play old songs (“Has Anybody Seen My Gal?”, “Yes, We Have No Bananas”) with the lyrics on a screen, and everybody sang loudly!
Major, brilliant minds think alike!
ReplyDeleteMajor-
ReplyDeleteThe Pepsi slogans that come to mind when I think of Pepsi are: "Say Pepsi, please"; "Now, it's Pepsi for those who think young" (set to the tune of "Makin' Whoopee") & "Come alive! You're in the Pepsi generation" - the previous two sung beautifully by the lovely Joanie Sommers - famous for her hit "Johnny Get Angry"
Jonathan, I was going to say that too! ;-)
ReplyDeleteNanook, while I remember reading (or hearing) about the Pepsi Generation, I don't really remember a tune. Looking it up, that slogan ended when I was 5 years old, so it's not that surprising I guess. And I only know "Say Pepsi, please" because I love looking at old magazines and old ads!
@Major, I recall the same about Shakey's. Singing in a group like that is fun.
ReplyDeleteI remembering enjoying the Germans singing in the pub in my visit there in the '80's, even though I don't understand German.
Irish bars are fun for the same reason, and there I know the words and the music.
In "regular" bars, no one sings unless they are wrecked, and no one sings with them. It's like a crime.
Maybe I will add double initials to all future posts. ;-)
JG
We used to go on a Canal boat cruise every summer, and the entertainment was a banjo* player and a singalong of all those old-timey songs. It was awesome.
ReplyDelete*He'd make the same joke every time, about how his playing was more "banjer" than "banjo."
Regarding Judy Marsh being replaced, the rumor I heard was that she made SLue Foot Sue just a bit TOO realistic, if you know what I mean.... too friendly with some of the men in the band.
ReplyDelete