Dark Snoozles™, February 1961
I recently scanned a batch of slides from February, 1961, and was miffed to discover that 7 or 8 of them were so dark as to be unusable. It's a shame, because some would have been nice! They probably had a camera loaded with film suitable for daylight photography, but once the sun started to set... fugetaboutit! There were two that I decided might be OK for a Snoozle Sunday, in spite of their very obvious flaws.
There's the Omnibus, stopped at the load/unload zone at the Plaza in front of Tomorrowland's entrance. My guess is that it was a LOT lighter to the naked eye. You can just see the Moonliner through the upper level of the Omnibus, it looks closer than I would expect. There's not a lot else to point out!
Next is what would have ordinarily been a pretty neat shot, taken from a Nature's Wonderland Mine Train as it was about to pass behind one of the waterfalls on Cascade Peak, just as the Columbia was passing. Up on the Columbia, we can see what I believe is a cast member, is he waving at somebody on shore? Maybe folks on the Pack Mules? To the left, a person with a white sweater is drinking from the river. Refreshing!
20 comments:
Major-
I think that CM on the Columbia is mid-way into the Fourth arabesque of his ballet position. (Yes, those CM's were very multi-talented).
Thanks, Major.
If you look through the Omnibus, you’ll see a man standing there with an embroidery kit on his head—complete with the embroidery hoop. I think.
Thanks, Major.
Dark Snoozles... I sort of expect to see Barnabas Collins, the vampire, without his fangs.
There must be some sort of eye-trickery going on here. The Moonliner, besides looking close, also looks too short! I would expect to see it poking way up above the Omnibus. We also see the "sun" half of the Clock of the World next to the Moonliner. I can't tell what that center (dark) attraction poster is on the Omnibus.
Major, perhaps that person in white (on the left) recently got off an especially spinny Teacup, and is making a 'deposit' rather than a 'withdrawal'. The CM on the Columbia is not only waving, he is tipping his hat to whoever is on the shore. An unfortunate starfish crawled up onto the Columbia during high tide, and got stranded there.
Now I'm curious to see how dark those other scans were. Yes, these definitely qualify as Snoozles, but only because of the darkness. Thanks, Major.
@ JB-
"I can't tell what that center (dark) attraction poster is on the Omnibus".
That would be the "Mine Train to Spectacular Rainbow Caverns - Frontierland".
^ Ah. Thanks!
That guest drinking from the river is Lisa Simpson. She likes to drink the water from various theme park attractions, all around the country.
Thanks for the Dark Snoozles, Major! I hope next Sunday, we get Milk Chocolate Snoozles. ;-)
Reading the sign on the bus, I recall that the feature called the Hub is always called the Plaza on maps and tickets etc., even restaurant names. I had never heard the Hub term till reading Disney blogs. How or where/when did the Hub term originate? Is it official Disney? Or something applied by fans?
The Rivers teemed with fish, and The Columbia is returning to dock with a huge load of tuna. This will be cleaned and canned on the Island before shipping over to the Pirate Ship to be dispensed as sandwiches. That guest in photo 2 is cleaning the fish they caught. That could have such a great picture. I’ll bet the photographer was irked when they saw these.
Thanks Major!
JG
JG: Employees referred to Central Plaza as "the Hub". When speaking to a guest: we said "Central Plaza". We did not say singularly "Plaza"....as in "go down to the Plaza"....This was not something that we actually were schooled in...our leaders did not say "do not call it the Hub"....it just "happened", and was internal dialog. Now: there may be printed reference to "The Hub" somewhere at some time...would have to do some forensics. I am thinking that "Central Plaza" was took long for the sign on the bus...or the font's didn't look swell if it was smaller. I am sure there is a reason. I saw a recent photo of the Omnibus rather fancifully painted with swirly curly fonts and such. Like everything else, I prefer the original: it seems more authentic to advertising signs used at the turn of the last century. It's sad that the photo is dark, as it's a really good photo of the Omnibus. I'm sure I've seen it a zillion times but it's the first time I saw that it has a fabric roof. Very charming. You can see the flat tops in silhouette. Not sure what that employee is doing in the Columbia photo: but the costume looks more like a military costume than a "real" costume. Maybe this was a military guest doing shenanigans? Could be. What a very interesting shot taken from the Mine Train. Those guests are enchanted with something....including the Air Force guy doing the arabesque. Thanks for the Snoozles (tm) Major!
Nanook, who among us has not practiced ballet moves at Disneyland?
Lou and Sue, if you wear your embroidery hoop on your head, your hands are completely free. Pro tip!
JB, ha, your mention of Barnabas Collins reminds me of when I would watch “Dark Shadows” when I was a kid. I think I had no idea what was ever going on, I just liked that it was spooky. I’ll bet it would be hard to watch these days. I’m assuming that the photographer used a long lens for the first photo, which would “flatten” the perspective; as for how short it looks, I blame society. The center poster is for Mr. Toad’s Erotic Adventures. The thought of seeing somebody barf at Disneyland is pretty gross, I know it happens. I would think that any CM would begin to question their job choice. Trust me, you’ll see more of these dark slides, they were made to be Snoozles.
Nanook, oh, it could be the Mine Train. Or that Mr. Toad one I mentioned before.
JB, why are you still up at 12:40??
TokyoMagic!, why are you still up at 2:24? The SImpsons used to love to do “psychedelic freakout” jokes, I wonder if they still do? I haven’t watched it in years, except for once in a while when I’ll think, “I’ve heard the show is good again, maybe I’ll check the latest episode out”, and it’s always a dud.
JG, I feel like the “Hub” term goes way back, even to the days when Walt was explaining the layout of Disneyland to the public. I’m just the opposite and knew it as “the Hub”, and only later knew it as “the Plaza”. I’m not sure I’d want to eat a fish that’s been swimming in the Rivers of America, though it would probably be fine. It’s more the idea! And yes, it must have been a bummer to get these slides back from processing, only to find that they are awful.
Bu, I guess it makes sense to say “Central Plaza”, in case a guest had no idea what you would mean by just “the Plaza”. The Central Plaza is in the center! As we’ve seen with the word “ride”, things changed from the early days to later days - Van Arsdale France and others came up with terms that were “company approved”. As I said to JG, I am almost positive that Walt used the term “Hub” even in those early TV shows in which he introduced the concept of Disneyland to the public, but I don’t have time at the moment to go watch those to check! I think the curlicue fonts on the Omnibus were added in the 1980s or possibly the 90s, maybe when they were sponsored by Enterprise car rentals. I’m going off the top of my head, so I’m probably wrong! You’re right about the guy on the Columbia, they usuall wore striped shirts, so I have no idea if that fellow was just a goofball. Maybe they are all looking at a Canoe or Keelboat? Or waving to the Mine Train driver up at the front?
Darn good question as to who..or is that whom...is standing above everyone else on the Columbia. And standing on what eludes me after all these years, but it's something we did while working the Columbia, hanging onto the rigging just like that. The striped shirt being referenced was really summer apparel and this was taken in the colder days of February. And we'd usually be wearing a Mackinaw jacket. This is also a great perspective from the Mine Train as it went under Big Thunder. Can you feel the wet spray?? I can! KS
Officially it is called CENTRAL PLAZA. However since the 1960’s Disney has often just used “THE PLAZA” …. On signage and in narration. the Frontierland directional sign ( in front of the Golden Horseshoe Revue) since the 1960’s has had three versions the first two using “PLAZA” . The current version no longer uses the Plaza sign panel. The Main Street Vehicle stops signs always have read “one way transportation to THE PLAZA” . The live narration script for the Omnibus since 1974 - the late 90’s also uses “THE PLAZA - gateway to the many themed lands of Disneyland”. The PeopleMover 1982-1995 narration also referred to it as “THE PLAZA” : “from here you can see the heart of Disneyland : it’s THE PLAZA : the gateway to the the theme lands of The Magic kingdom ( later variant replaced Magic Kingdom with Disneyland)
I think in video and printed materials - like the Disneyland 25th book Disney used a description of CENTRAL PLAZA - THE PLAZA as acting like a “hub” to a wagon wheel … then as a “hub” …. Then at some point in the 1980’s as fans heard the term from employees and their Disney News ( an article titled THE MAGIC OF THE HUB ) and began calling it that . In the 1981 Walt Disney World 10th Anniversary hardcover book each chapter is broken down by each theme land and THE HUB is used … not “The Plaza” in the title … in Florida the first two versions of the Main Street Vehicles also used THE PLAZA then in the 1990’s began replacing THE PLAZA with “CINDERELLA CASTLE”
Tokyo Disneyland used “GRAND CENTRAL PLAZA” then just “THE PLAZA” … I’ve never heard it called “the hub” except by visiting Americans.
I think the evolution from THE PLAZA to THE HUB was never anything official … but just an organic evolution of both terms being used …. Like all Disney castle parks are ( or were ) referred to at one time as MAGIC KINGDOMS .. it has now mostly evolved to meaning only Walt Disney World’s castle park .
Technically, what the cast member is doing is 'doffing' mid-way into the Fourth arabesque of his ballet position, a plus 1 movement.
I think I see Mr Kotter looking at us through the Omnibus window. Looking for Vinnie, I suppose.
Thanks, Major, darkly.
Zach
MAJOR : for years I had alway heard about DARK SHADOWS …. Disney costume designer Tom Pierce even said he designed the Haunted Mansion cast costumes inspired by Angelique and other servant costumes from the show .. but a few years ago a channel began showing them each nite … then I got hooked like the people did in 1967. The Chanel showed all episodes in a row from the first from 1967 ( or 66??) to about 1970…I think the show whet till 71 or later. It was a bit hokey but fun and intriguing. The production had many many flubs left in ( because of time and cost - especially for the episodes when they switched to color) but finally I understand the popularity of DARK SHADOWS.
Thank you Bu and Mike, clears up a lot for me.
JG
KS, interesting, I did not think about the fact that Columbia CMs would need something a bit warmer during the winter. I’ve seen a few other photos of guys (it’s always guys) up in the rigging, so I guess that person must really be a person who works there and not a rambunctious guest. YES, I can feel the spray of Big Thunder falls!
Mike Cozart, just out of curiosity I wanted to look at my old 1950s souvenir wall maps, and it just says “Plaza” for that area. Of course they were going for brevity, not official corporate accuracy. I’ve definitely seen those signs that mention the Plaza; and its interesting to know of the spiels of various vehicles and the term they use. I just looked at the first episode of the “Disneyland” TV series, in which Walt introduces the park concept to viewers. He says, “Now at the foot of Main Street, about where you’re sitting, is the Plaza. I didn’t watch much further to see if he also says “hub” in the episode, but I was mistaken when I thought that he said “hub”. That doesn’t mean he didn’t use the word in other shows! I think you’re right, the terms are still used interchangeably, depending on who is speaking and under what circumstances.
zach, I thought that Cast Member was “dabbing”!
Mike Cozart, like The Bob Newhart Show, I haven’t seen “Dark Shadows” since I was a child. I only remember vague impressions, mostly that I thought Barnabas Collins was cool. The idea of a gothic soap opera with vampires and werewolves is so crazy, I love that it actually existed! My family had a black and white TV for a long time, so even shows that were in color were not for us! I used to go over to my friend Ronnie’s house to watch Saturday morning cartoons, it was such a trip to see them in full color. I know the Tim Burton movie of DS is much-despised, and I can’t say it’s great by any means, but I don’t hate it as much as some people seem to. Still, it is “lesser Burton” for sure.
JG, we’ve got a helpful bunch here!
Major, my comments are disappearing into thin air. Could you check your inbox and post it please? Thank you.
Major, you are likely (of course) thinking of the 1953 Disneyland Prospectus, which refers to THE HUB on Page 2:
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"Continuing along Main Street past the intriguing shops, you arrive at the Hub.
THE HUB
THE HUB is the cross roads of the world of DISNEYLAND. Straight ahead lies FANTASY LAND, to your left is FRONTIER COUNTRY, The World of Yesterday - and to your right is The WORLD OF TOMORROW. But between these central spokes of the wheel are other exciting avenues of adventure."
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https://www.openculture.com/2014/05/original-disneyland-prospectus.html
(From JB) - Hmm, I left a comment around 4:10 PM, after JG's last comment. It showed up, but now.... It's gone! It got slurped! I'll try to remember what I wrote earlier:
Major, I watched the entire Dark Shadows series about a year ago on Tubi (free steaming service). Well, all except the first year; the "spooky" stuff (with Barnabas) didn't start 'til the second year. The series was "hard to watch" even back in the '60s, early '70s when it first aired. Surprisingly, it's about the same now. After you've been watching it awhile, you sort of go with the flow. You get used to the flubs and overly dramatic delivery.
"Mr. Toad’s Erotic Adventures." Haha. If any Disney character had erotic adventures, it would be Toad.
"why are you still up at 12:40??" We vampires sleep during the day.
Thanks Mike and Bu, for the Plaza vs. Hub info. I suspected it was an unofficial thing.
Zach, haha. In my first comment I almost said "doffing his hat". But I thought it sounded too snooty. ;-D
Mike, YES! It was the flubs and stilted dialog that made the show fun! The boom mic, or its shadow, occasionally its operator, would show up in almost every episode.
JB, sorry about that, it’s weird that Blogger would publish your short comment, but not your longer one. WHY?? I want people to be able to comment! I see that you can watch Dark Shadows for free on Tubi, which I have never used, but maybe it would be worth checking out. I am spoiled now, after generally avoiding ads, but I guess I can survive. You KNOW that there’s a certain wooden boy who REALLY would have erotic adventures, but this is a family blog.
LTL, I have glanced at the prospectus, but to be honest I’ve never really read it in any detail. But you have! Yes, the “central spokes” idea is kind of what I was thinking about. Thank you for the link. I did look at another early “Disneyland” episode, “A Progress Report and Nature’s Wonderland” (episode 16 of the first season), and in that one he uses the word “hub”. Come on, Walt!
I think the first time I was aware of the Plaza being called "The Hub," was in Bob Thomas' book, "Walt Disney: An American Original." I remember there was a very early schematic (not sure if that is the right word) overview of the park's basic layout, and I think the center of the park was labeled as "Hub" or "The Hub." I don't want to dig out my copy of the book right now, but maybe someone can confirm that detail.
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