Knott's Pitchur Gallery
I have a fun trio of photos from the Pitchur Gallery at Knott's Berry Farm! Three fun-loving gals probably went to enjoy a chicken dinner, but the line was long, so they figured they might as well explore the Ghost Town. And why not get a souvenir photo, while they were at it? They all picked the bucking bronc, seen many times here on GDB. I'm pretty sure these are all from the 1940s.
This first woman reminds me of my second-grade teacher, she was very nice. She's sitting sidesaddle, befitting her demure nature, but she's got a sunny smile, and a playful bow in her hair.
I like the cowboy hat on this gal, I'm going to proclaim that her sister was Ginger Rogers. You can't prove that it wasn't! It is impressive the way she stays on that fierce horse and looks good doing it.
And last, but not least, is this lady, the only one not sitting sidesaddle. After this day, she went on to become the sweetheart of the rodeo, beloved by all.
15 comments:
Major-
I'm going to declare the gal in the last image is Bette Davis' sister. "You can't prove that it wasn't!"
Hee-haw-! Thanks, Major.
Looking at these three pitchurs, I have only one question: HOW DID THESE GALS GET INTO THE SADDLE WITHOUT DESTROYING THE HORSE?
Looking more closely, I bet there is a ladder behind that rock face that's behind the horse. Either that, or they temporarily set up a ladder in front of the horse, then remove it when the rider is seated.
Nanook, she's also got a bit of Carolyn Jones in her.
These really old "pitchurs" are rather special, Major. Thanks.
Nanook, I noticed that Bette Davis resemblance, right away! She has the "Now Voyager" look, before her transformation. "Jerry, Don't let's ask for the moon....we have the stars!"
JB, there was a small staircase behind the horse.
Now that I've refreshed my memory by looking at an image of Bette before her transformation in that film, I was wrong. She looks more like Groucho Marx at that point in the movie. I must have been thinking of Bette in another film, where she has a hairdo like the lady in the last photo.
These are fun pics. Did these come to you all as a lot? Taken at the same time?
The hat must have been a prop from the studio?
I have a similar picture of my Mom posed on a stuffed mule. Dad carried it in his wallet for decades. I hope I can find it. They used to joke that you could see the stitches holding the stuffing in the mule.
All the best horses and mules came with ladders back then, we don’t see that as often these days.
Thank you Major!
JG
Nanook, I guess I can’t prove that the 3rd pic isn’t Bette Davis’ sister - but I’m going to consult my crystal ball.
JB, my theory is that there were stairs behind that “rock face”, but it’s only a guess. Stairs are nicer for ladies with skirts. Carolyn Jones as Morticia, hubba hubba!
TokyoMagic! was “Jerry” played by Jerry Lewis?
TokyoMagic!, whoa, Bette looked like Groucho Marx? Mustache and everything?
JG, these were all separate eBay items, sold by the same seller, and they sure look like they belong together as a set. So I got them all! If you can find that photo of your mom, I’d love to see it!
Ok, I live in Texas.
I have seen rodeos.
My take is that those ladies would have never made it out of the chute.
10/10 for style but minus several million for good sense.
Do better, 1940's Knots!
I feel better.
Major-
"Was “Jerry” played by Jerry Lewis?"
Not quite... the producers wanted Paul Henreid, but found it easier to cast an actor with the same first name as the character - so Jerry Colonna it was-!
Yee, and may I add, haw! These ladies sure look like they know how to have a good time! Those eyes are sparkling like six V-2 rockets. There's Ginger, Bette, and I guess we can call the other one Clara Bow in honor of her hair ornament. She reminds me of my best college friend, who is coincidentally also an elementary school teacher. I don't blame Bette for not wanting to spoil her curls with the cowboy hat.
As for how they got up there, I'm sure there were plenty of men willing to give them a hand up, even during the war years.
IIRC, I saw an old Knott's menu on another site the other day and became aware of the existence of boysenberry sherbet, and now I really want some.
@ TM!-
"I must have been thinking of Bette in another film, where she has a hairdo like the lady in the last photo".
Try The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex. I think that's a better match. (Although [when playing the frumpy, spinster portion in Now, Voyager] I do love how Davis' eyebrows were channeling a junior version of Groucho's-!)
Stu29573, these ladies might not be the best, but they have STYLE!
Nanook, some call Paul Henreid “the poor man’s Jerry Lewis”. Well, I do anyway.
Melissa, these gals really do look like fun, I hope they caught the eyes of three Marines on furlough. They could do big musical numbers together! You’re right, that one looks like Bette Midler. A lot. And yes, I’m sure that giving little ladies a hand up was one of the perks of the Pitchur Gallery.
Nanook, are you sure it wasn’t Robot Monster? I'm pretty certain that Bette was in that.
"I have a similar picture of my Mom posed on a stuffed mule. Dad carried it in his wallet for decades."
Your Dad carried a stuffed mule in his wallet? Did he ever shoot an elephant in his pajamas?
"the producers wanted Paul Henreid, but found it easier to cast an actor with the same first name as the character - so Jerry Colonna it was-!"
The baby in Labyrinth had a different name in the original script, but they quickly realized that the baby actor would probably respond better to his own name and promptly changed it. Seems like one of those things that should have been obvious from the start.
@ Melissa-
"Did he ever shoot an elephant in his pajamas?"
And a callback to the Groucho reference. Ten extra points-!
Melissa, when I worked in the Ice Cream Parlor at Knott's, the Boysenberry Sherbet was my favorite flavor. They still sell it, but it is a different company that makes it, and while it is still good, it isn't as good as it was back in the day. But hey, is anything? :-)
Nanook, you are right! I was thinking of her look in The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex. My favorite scene when she walks into the castle and exclaims, "What a dump!" ;-)
Or I guess that should be, "Whaaaaat a dump!"
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