Sheriff and Camera Shop
By pure happenstance, I found that I had two photos featuring the same Frontierland Sheriff character. I'm pretty sure I've seen him before, but I don't know if he had a name. Was he the new "Sheriff Lucky" (since that character was initially played by somebody else)?
This first one is from the 1960s, and shows the lawman posing with a happy guest. The Trading Post is behind them, along with one of the park's two wooden Indians. You can't have too many!
Next is this black and white photo print, with the date "June 29, 1967" written on the back. A specific date? That means I can refer to "Jason's Disneyland Almanac". June 29th was a Thursday, the park was open from 9AM until midnight, and the temperature got up to a high of 77º, dipping down to 55º in the wee hours. We have no attendance estimates, sadly. It appears that two lawmen (one from the previous image) are posing with a lady in front of the Camera Shop.
Not knowing where the Frontierland Camera Shop was, I referred to my INA booklets, and in the 1967 issues, you can see that it was located right next door to the Golden Horseshoe.
I'd hoped for a more detailed description of what went on at the Camera Shop, but blurb in the back of the guide is about as minimal as it gets.
11 comments:
Major-
The rather brief description of the camera shop in the brochures kinda says it all. Why, just LOOK at a MB-supplied image from a post on August 19, 2020. And you can even buy USPS stamps-!
Thanks, Major.
1) The wooden Indian is looking both ways before crossing the street. He appears very regal in his buckskins and robe.
The Sheriff is giving us his "don't mess with me" look; proud and authoritative. The lady's dress is rather plain, shapeless, and non-descript. I wonder if she made it herself?
2) The lady seems to be all giggly, despite the fact that she has been apprehended by two lawmen. The sheriff on the left reminds me of Marshal Matt Dillon from "Gunsmoke".
Thanks for the Frontierland fotos, Major.
That space must have become the Stage Door Cafe?
Thanks as always Major
Walterworld, the Stage Door Cafe is next door to what used to be the camera shop. Guests no longer have access to that space. Which makes me wonder if the shop's counter and shelving is still in there, or was the space completely stripped of those things? Mike Cozart?
The Frontierland Camera Shop Today
I'm wondering if the sheriff was a character or actually part of security? Could be a combo platter. I think if there was some "disturbance" in the Park, the guests would expect this guy to jump in. The gun certainly looks accessible and authentic...good attention to detail: the holster looks decorated with some sort of metal eagle or something. Looks like the Danish lady from the aebleskiver shop in Solvang came down for a visit: at least that's my backstory for her. Tobacco shop Indians also add authenticity: "get Cigs here!". Note that they were also behind the counter in the Camera shop: all neatly displayed in a little drawer when you asked for them. Good to know from the INA guide that the camera shop sold (film). I was wondering, but the guide makes it super clear where film was available...but not cigarettes..."Camera Shop (film and cigs)" What's a few more letters? The Frontierland camera shop I frequented frequently: both as a guest and employee. I bought all my sound 8mm Disneyland films there...and all the Disneyland shot slide packs...of course film...and the dreaded cigarettes. Boys will be boys. The Frontierland Merchandise costume was my favorite to wear, both the trousers and vest were very fitted. You can see all the work on the brocade vest in the MB photo. In Outdoor vending we would (generally) wear the merchandise costume of the land we were in: with Fantasyland and Tomorrowland in "Yellows". It was great to wear something new and different every day. Frontierland was my favorite, followed by Bear Country (with boots and belt included) and then Yellows. Main Street both the shirt and vest were a bit baggy...and if you opted for a straw hat (not very practical in ODV) it could be kind of cool. (I think I wore it once...it was not compulsory). Back to themed Security: I know for sure Bear Country and Tom Sawyer Island had them: which leads me to ask if this sheriff was a sheriff or a sheriff. Tom Sawyer Island had the best security costume, and I'm not sure what's relevant today. Do they still wear spats? It was a nice little touch over the "regulation black oxford with defined heel". Thanks Major for today's bunny hole!
This character, (if he is a character, not security, or even if he is) is a great addition. Guests are having fun posing with him. I remember a similar guy at Calico Ghost Town with an amazing gold brocade vest. He showed me a little jewelry box holding a severed finger! And then the finger moved and I jumped about five feet straight up! Of course it was his finger through a hole in the box.
Of course I went home and made my own box and scared my friends at school with the trick.
Major, I would love to have a wooden Indian, but Mrs. G won’t let me. I can’t have a 7 foot tall tiki either. To be fair, we don’t have room for either one, but a man can dream, right?
Park Security today appears to wear a generic white outfit with a sun hat and a yellow vest, the same in all areas. Maybe rowdies don’t respond to themed security, or maybe it’s a union thing, or even legal rules? Who knows? Probably Mize Cozart.
Thank you!
JG
Nanook, I do remember that photo, and it sure shows a lot of stuff. Film, even! I guess I wondered if guests could rent a camera if they neglected to bring one - the later Polaroid shop(s) let you rent one of their crummy cameras.
JB, wooden Indians have to be careful when crossing the street, if one is hit by a Cybertruck, it’s all over. I’m not sure how to interpret the Sheriff’s expression, maybe he’s regretting his Frontierland burger for lunch. As for the giggly lady, some people like getting arrested. Not me, after my sixth time in the joint I’ve learned my lesson!
walterworld, no idea!
TokyoMagic!, it does make one wonder what they do with that space. I think they store souvenir popcorn buckets there. Those things take up a lot of space.
Bu, I wondered the same thing, did the Sheriff ever actually “keep the peace”? I hope that gun wasn’t loaded. Some kid could grab it. Not that I ever did and I will continue to deny it. Yum, aebleskivers, made with real aebles. It’s funny to think of the days when you had a limited number of frames you could take per roll of film, unless you were like Lou and you’d use however many rolls you needed! We are spoiled with our digital cameras, which I admit are incredibly convenient. I guess you could probably get cigarettes in most shops if you asked. I’ve been told that you can go to the Emporium (or wherever) if you need an aspirin or a Band-aid. A friend of mine gave me a pile of those old souvenir 8mm films, but I don’t really know what to do with them - I can’t watch them, and it’s too expensive to convert them to a digital format. I’d consider it if they were taken by a guest. A straw hat wasn’t practical? Hmmm, I’ll have to think about that. They do have a nice brim to shade your face. Not sure how comfy they are though. I have no idea what they do with security today, I don’t recall seeing any, but you know they are there. They must wear cargo shorts, t-shirts, Crocs, and fanny packs to blend in.
JG, Knott’s definitely had a number of characters to interact with in Ghost Town, from lawmen to men who looked a little untrustworthy. And pretty gals too! The old “severed finger” gag, it never gets old. I hope he painted the finger with some fake blood to make it extra gory. I know somebody who owns one of the Disneyland Wooden Indians, I guess they need to be replaced now and then. Though I don’t know where he keeps it in his house. The bathroom? Sounds like today’s park security could be confused with a sweeper if you weren’t paying attention, and maybe that’s the point.
Wow - a lot of great sleuthing going on today about the (real?) Sheriff. Did he keep a loaded gun? ...or when he fired it did a large flag pop out that said "Bang"? No doubt there were many female guests stealing film to keep him busy. Or maybe they swiped a bag of those candy-coated peanuts?
Looking at the 1967 park guide, I have to admit that I never realized that Pack Mules were an "E-ticket" attraction! In fact, it was the only Frontierland attraction in that category. I notice there are no "A" ticket attractions which which explains why I have so many of those left over after each visit. Thanks Major!
TOKYO : I know the old Frontierland Camera Shop space is used for storage … at one point extra area signage for Fantasmic set up was kept in there …. So I doubt the retail counters are still in place .. but I’m not actually positive.
The shop was revamped in the late 70’s and all new signage was added ..compared to what would have been seen in 1967. I know we’ve discussed before the items sold in this shop … by favorite was the attraction photo packs ….I think I hade them all except ITS A SMALL WORLD … they featured color photo prints of attractions that were difficult to photograph…. They were kinda pricey then for the album ; about $ 4.75 a pack .. but they sell today for about 100.00 each complete with the cover aperture card.
Ok … I know this was a discussion about 2 weeks ago here on GDB but I’ll mention it again regarding security costuming : it’s been over 25 years … at least since the late 90’s since there was any themed security costuming - I believe the Tom Sawyer Island “cavalry soldier “ was the last use of this type costume … the Frontierland “sheriff” , New Orleans Square “constable” and the Main Street “police office” costumes have long been retired . Today only Tokyo Disneyland still has themed security.
This had to be a 2 part reply.
In the 90’s Disneyland also began to do away with managers ( shops , attractions etc) …leads were always in costumes. The issue became that when problems arose with guests and a manager was needed and guests saw the “manager” was in a costume .. they were not satisfied and demanded a REAL manager … as they perceived that a manager would be someone in business attire and not a costume. I think the opening costumes for DCA were the last costume series that had manager costumes …. And that was very short lived. Also it became necessary for general park security to be highly visible … so that was part of the discontinuation of themed security. There is still a large fleet of undercover security and the team of security “foxes” …. These security teams look like regular guests… some even look like kids!! We often recognized them but they were never chumming with casts backstage or onstage so as to help keep their cover.
Costuming really began to change and become more developed gearing up for Walt Disney World, but I doubt the sheriff in this particular photo was active security …. He was most likely part of entertainment as real security at this time probably would not be posing for photos and haming it up …. And notice the “MUSTACHE” ….. only entertainment ( and Walt) could sport one of those on stage…
The second photo really bothers me from a firearm safety perspective. Always treat a gun like it’s loaded and never point it at anything you might not want to accidentally shoot. I understand it was almost certainly a non-firing or blank-only prop gun, but that’s a safety rule that’s been drilled into my head since I was a Cub Scout. Funny that the bandits on the Knott’s train never bothered me in the same way. I may need to see my therapist about that.
I wonder if the Pack Mules were an E attraction because they were fairly expensive to operate? Back in the days of individual ride tickets, the money earned by tickets taken was factored into an attraction’s operations and maintenance budget.
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