Some Beauties From the 1950s
I know that nobody who reads GDB likes photos of Disneyland in the 1950s, but sometimes it's all I have. I'm sorry. Hopefully you can power through until something better comes along.
In any case, I guess I'll just get to today's first photo, I believe this was taken over by the Red Wagon Inn, but I'm not 100% certain, so if anybody knows for sure, please say so in the comments, or on Radio Luxembourg (I'll be listening). This photo is neat because it features some of those "Fun Foto" scenes that any guest with a camera could use. Just have your kid (or husband, or mother in-law, or chauffeur) stick his/her head through one of the holes, and... instant heirloom!
Two of the more elaborate scenes were "Captain Nemo of the Nautilus", and "Davy Crockett and B'ar". Don't worry, Davy isn't going to stab the b'ar, he is just trying to scare a bee that is on the b'ar's shoulder.
It might be fun if the park provided things like this for guests, maybe for special occasions.
To the right we can sort of see some of the displays that were in the short-lived "Art Festival", which I believe was located in at least two different places depending on the date. At times the paintings showed concept art from "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea", and possibly other films as well. It also showed artwork and models relating to Edison Square (a never-built area adjacent to Main Street). I tried lightening these up, but it didn't really help in identifying the subjects of the paintings.
Next, from a glass-mounted slide, it's none other than Captain Guy (Guy R. Exon), a pirate with a genuine wooden leg. You could find him aboard the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship for a time... he started his stint at Disneyland in 1960, but I could not determine when he left this gig. It's always fun to find a photo of the Cap'n though!
13 comments:
Major-
That's most-definitely over at the Red Wagon Inn. That trio of windows can be seen in other images from the late 50's with a green awning over them.
"I tried lightening these up, but it didn't really help in identifying the subjects of the paintings".
Just imagine how swell they'd look had they been painted by the "master" himself: Thomas Kinkade-! Another time, perhaps.
Thanks, Major.
Well I'm completely stumped on the location. Are you sure this is in Disneyland? It looks like it was taken outside an elementary school. Well, except for the Disney IP. Since Mickey is telling us this is the Art Corner, and there is artwork hung on the wall in the background, maybe this is said corner? I guess I've never seen it before, so I wouldn't know.
Junior looks a little unsure what this is all about, "Why am I looking through this hole?"
Oh, so this is one of the Art Festival places, not the Art Corner?... sorry, never heard of it before. But from your description, I would have enjoyed seeing the various paintings, etc..
Captain Guy is wearing his pistol in his bandolier/sash today. Yesterday it was tucked into his cummerbund. He always wants to keep us guessing; to catch us off guard. "Arrr, pirates be shifty that way, they be." A nice photo of the Captain.
Nanook, thanks for the location confirmation. I still don't recognize it though.
Well, I managed to get through these boring old Disneyland photos, Major. I had to drink some caffeinated beverages and prop my eyes open like Alex from "A Clockwork Orange" when he was undergoing the Ludovico Treatment. But I powered through like you asked us to.
These are pretty swell 1950s pics, Major! The only thing that could maybe be better, would be some "New Tomorrowland 1998" pics. ;-)
I bet if Disney offered something like those photo ops today, they would charge for them. About 4 or 5 years ago, they set up a Mickey-themed thing with several photo ops, in the ESPN building over in Downtown Disney. They wanted a fortune just to enter the building. I can't remember the exact price now, but it didn't even include a Disney Snack Tray® or Zinger®! Sheeesh!
My initial reaction to the first photo was that the photographer wasn’t grasping the basic photographic concept of “framing,” but then I noticed there was a face poking through not just the Mickey vignette, but also the Nemo and Crockett ones as well. Then everything made sense. And I do mean everything. My empty shell of a life finally has meaning.
Socially acceptable or not, you’ve gotta admit that Cap’n Guy rocks that cummerbund.
I’m with JB on the first photo, that building looks like my kids first elementary school. I would never have guessed Disneyland even with the photo frames.
Tokyo, you are right, nothing this much fun could possibly be “free” in todays Park, as in, “included in the $200/day admission”.
Major, this is the first color photo of Captain Guy that I have seen! What a colorful costume!
To the Junior Gorillas, I posted links to more info about Captain Guy in yesterdays thread.
Thank you Major!
JG
Great shot of the Fun Fotos, it's "Fun" to see so many at once, and in such and odd location!
Spoiled by two straight days of Guy Exon, and this one in color! Mentioned a bit in yesterday's comments, but Exon lost his leg as a paratrooper during WWII. Before DL he was working for Goodwill and a few other disabled veterans charities, which looked to be his calling. He was at DL from around 1958-1962, but then became involved with disabled Navajo Tribal members, and formed a company he called "Indianland" to help them find employment. He left Disneyland once that finally got off the ground, with Walt apparently investing some in the idea as well.
"I know that nobody who reads GDB likes photos of Disneyland in the 1950s, but sometimes it's all I have."
Oh please. Give me a break! Give me a break! Break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar.
To think that "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" and the "Davy Crockett" TV series were a big thing at Disneyland. Love those old movies and tv shows and I love 1950's Disneyland. Thanks, Major.
Yep...off to the side of the Red Wagon it is. With the 20,000 League building behind it. It definitely was a different era. A great follow-up on Mr. Exon, Brad. BTW...no relation to Chuck Abbott of Disney CM fame? KS
I love Kit Kats and could live on them...literally. Not the club or the actual feline, but the chocolate bar. We need to be clear on these matters. I had Kit Kats before they came to America where they were TRE'd. I highly recommend a UK version if you get a chance....or any UK version of any chocolate. The windows of the Red Wagon/Plaza Inn are still there. Major: I sent a photo with both a vintage interior from another site (watermarked/verboten), and a photo I took (not watermarked, not verboten). These are really cool windows and I am surprised they still are intact: they are curved glass and very delicate looking. I'm not sure they are from the mansion in LA that they tore down, but will continue to dig through the inter webs. These were the "Walt's Private Dining Room/Palm Room" inside the Restaurant...You can also see the "Go Away Green"/ "Normal" structure at the back which is the Inn-Between/Employee Cafeteria. I think in the day it was the Red Wagon Employee Cafeteria. There is a big tree in front of that window now, and I am not seeing a sapling, but the tree today looks heritage and older: perhaps it was moved. I like the simple ice cream chairs and bistro table...with asphalt blending into dirt and ivy. Not everything needs to be so fancy pants. The graphics on the peek a boo frames are cute, and its funny that things like these are still around out there, despite how low tech it is. I recently did one at the Guinness Factory in Ireland: seems like this kind of thing is perfect advertising for guests to send/show/etc. in any iteration as long as it's branded. TGIF!
Oh, got it now, thanks Bu. We’re on the south end of Plaza Inn, mere feet from the Kodak film store - makes perfect sense. That Art Linkletter was one bright guy, who must have been fabulously wealthy just from that one good call (I wonder if Walt wasn’t a bit bummed about losing all that revenue?) Brilliant the way these particular photo-ops use not just any IP, but ones that promote other Lands inside the park, like attraction posters do.
Interesting to hear about Captain Guy. I was able to ride Peter Pan the other day, due to a remarkably short line, and took care to notice the part which is supposed to have been rescued from CotS Pirates Ship - and these would be exactly a close up of those elements. But I can’t say I see precise matches. The Pirates ship is much more fancy that the dayglo fantasy inside the ride. The wheel could be, but web photos show a difference in woodgrain. Maybe that story is some myth-making.
MS
KS - Alas, no relation to Chuck Abbott, at least none that I am aware of. Although I am always excited when I see his name come up in my research.
Thanks Brad!
Back in January of 2020, there were photo stands like this around the lagoon at Epcot for their Festival of the Arts, which let you put your face into famous paintings. I have one of myself in Munch's "The Scream." It was free, or at least included in the price of admission.
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