Tuesday, October 08, 2019

Pretty Nice Castle, 1950's

It's hard to believe that both of today's photos are from the same lot, but they are. This first image must be the first one on the roll of film, which would explain why there is something funky going on with the color at the left edge. Maybe I should have cropped that part off.


Yes, I think that's better! In spite of the ten zillion photos that I've seen of Sleeping Beauty Castle, I really love this one, with all of the people, and the Horseless Carriage, and the vintage feel to the colors.


For some reason the hues on this one are much more saturated and pleasing, especially the deep blue sky, and the castle looking so great. No need for me to point out all of this image's many charms, you can see them for yourselves!


19 comments:

"Lou and Sue" said...

I love the Norman Rockwell look of that last picture! (though that poor lady has an injured arm)

Sue

Nanook said...

Major-
I believe that "funky" issue is what photographers properly refer to as 'light-struck' - the definition should be self-explanatory. And no, I'm not referring to craft beer.

Once again, the SBC as it was seen in its native state. (No color "plussing" needed-!) Those outfits can only belong in the 1950's.

Thanks, Major.

TokyoMagic! said...

In that last pic, it looks like that little lamp post in the grass has been struck by somebody or something. Or maybe it's just the U.S. Space Probe No. 1, from "The Invaders" episode of The Twilight Zone (with Agnes Moorehead) coming in for a landing.

Melissa said...

That golden glow in the first picture is from that time Our Lady of Guadalupe visited the park; she's standing just out of frame eating an ice cream cone. Lots of my favorite paper souvenir hats in both pictures! I wish they'd bring those back; they'd be a great inexpensive souvenir. Also lots of lovely summer dresses. Very nice images all around!

Andrew said...

From videos I've seen, people just can't stay on the darn sidewalks anymore, and now all of the Main St. Vehicles have snow plows affixed to their fronts (including the streetcar horses).

Unrelated, but isn't it crazy how so many people have such fond memories all focused on these specific few acres of land?

Chuck said...

I initially read that as "vintage feet." Imagine what that would smell like. Actually, I don't have to imagine - I have two teen-aged sons.

Anonymous said...

For some reason I actually like the first picture better. Maybe I just prefer the horizontal orientation. Nanook, as a former pro photographer (with film! Yes, I'm old.) we called that "light fogged." There were various ways to fog film; light, x-rays, stress (yanking on the film too hard) were the most common. Fun fact: most film companies made their film longer than it needed to be, so if you loaded your camera correctly, you could get two or three extra shots on a roll. Of course, your first shot often looked like this one, lol!

Melissa said...

"Vintage feet" are what you need to stomp grapes.

(Another Lucy reference at GDB?)

"Lou and Sue" said...

Andrew, I agree witth your "fond memories" comment - and it sure is fun re-living Disneyland trips with everyone daily on this blog! The shared memories and laughs keep us all coming back, thanks to Major and everyone!

Stu29573, have you shared any of your pictures on this blog? I hope so! (I still haven't read all the past posts yet, so that's why I'm asking.)

Melissa - you do get 20 extra points today for tying in an "I Love Lucy" reference. I mention, and stress, "I Love Lucy" because that's the only TV series of hers that I loved and followed.

Sue

Major Pepperidge said...

Lou and Sue, ironically, that lady was attacked by Norman Rockwell.

Nanook, I would have called it a “light leak”, I assume that’s kind of the same thing? Many of my grandfather’s slides were plagued with the same problem, sadly.

TokyoMagic!, Norman Rockwell also hit that lamp post. He was a terror! The fact that you remember that the spacecraft from that Twilight Zone was called “U.S. Space Probe No. 1 means that you must stop watching Twilight Zone marathons.

Melissa, listen, even Our Lady of Guadalupe needs a vacation once in a while. All that praying! Those paper hats were genius; I assume that they were not unique to Disneyland, but I don’t recall ever seeing them for anyplace else.

Penna. Andrew, I kind of wonder if the sidewalk issue has to do with the fact that in the earlier days, Main Street felt more like a real street, while in later years it just felt like any wide avenue in any amusement park? It sounds kooky, but I do feel like there is something to the theory. And the fond memories make sense, since the whole point of Disneyland is to have fun, typically with one’s family!

Chuck, no need to imagine, I used to be a teenage boy.

Stu29573, I generally prefer “landscape mode” photos over “portrait mode”; maybe it’s a result of watching so many movies and TV shows that are composed on a horizontal rectangle? I think I have a few of those “extra” photos, often they have a few tiny holes punched in them.

Melissa, aieeeee!

Lou and Sue, I have plenty of fond memories that aren’t Disneyland-related, but I guess I wouldn’t be blogging about the place for over 13 years if I didn’t have a special attachment to it. And yes, if Stu29573 is a professional photographer, just imagine how nice his pictures must be! Hey, I think I’m the only person allowed to bestow points on this blog!

JC Shannon said...

I like the third one best. Back then, we had it made. No cell phones, no 200 channels of nothing to watch, and best of all no video games. You actually had to go outside and do something. Sign me up for a family trip to Disneyland anytime. Thanks Major.

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately most of my pics were weddings and kids' sports teams, lol. Strangely, when I went on my one childhood trip to Disneyland, apparently no one took any pictures (or at least non exist that I can find). I think that's why I love this blog so much!

Nanook said...

@ Stu29573-
I believe the ‘light struck’ term was used more around Hollywood studios than with still photographers.

Melissa said...

"No cell phones, no 200 channels of nothing to watch, and best of all no video games. You actually had to go outside and do something."

Thanks to cell phones, we can go outside to watch TV and play video games! There's a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day...

"Lou and Sue" said...

We've all seen families together at Disneyland - all staring at their phones, together. Years from now, I wonder if they'll be on a blog, sharing their phone memories . . .

Sue

stu29573 said...

Ah, maybe so!

"Lou and Sue" said...

Referencing yesterday's post comments re Target, etc. --

I just now heard on the radio that Target and Disney are partnering to set-up pop-up stores (whatever that means?!?!) - I'm serious.

Maybe "they" really do read our blog! ;)

Sue

Chuck said...

Major, I think many of us prefer horizontal compositions because that's the way we see the world. If our eyes were one above the other rather than side by side, we'd probably have a different opinion (as well as terrible peripheral vision).

Major Pepperidge said...

Jonathan, I do envy those people in both of those photos, being able to enjoy the best park during some of the best years. Cell phones aren’t all bad, but it is amazing how addicting they seem to be.

Stu29573, darn! I was hoping for some super amazing photos from you! My brother in law was a professional photographer for many years, and he did his share of weddings and kid’s sports. I think he misses it a little!

Nanook, imagine shooting a big budget movie on film and discovering that there was a light leak! $$$$$

Melissa, I love it when I see a couple at a restaurant, completely ignoring each other while looking at their phones. I’ve had dates almost that bad!

Lou and Sue, for a while it seemed like Disney was trying to design ride experiences that were “interactive”, requiring you to use your phone. What a horrible idea for the sake of seeming hip.

Lou and Sue, I heard something about those Target/Disney pop-up stores. Whatever they will be selling, I can guarantee it won’t be anything I’m interested in. Unless they’re selling Disneyland merch from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.