Random Main Street, 1950s
As a rule, I am pretty happy to have (and share) any photos from the 1950s; that being said, I admit that today's examples are not "top shelf" images. Still, there's details to be enjoyed if you squint hard enough.
We've sure seen plenty of photos of the Horse Drawn Streetcars over the years; in fact, they are probably right up there among the "most photographed features" at the park when you think about it. People just love horses! The only thing remarkable about this picture (as far as I can tell) is that there are no less than three Cast Members seemingly involved in getting this streetcar loaded and ready to go. Nowadays, there might only be one, and he'll have a cudgel to make sure guests follow instructions.
5 comments:
Major-
As both the "upcoming" International Street preview wall and Maxwell Coffee House are both seen in the 2nd image, it is probably taken before 1958.
Thanks, Major.
We can't really tell if the CMs vests are buttoned. For Bu's sake (and sanity) we'll just say they are. One CM is to make the horse start moving. Another CM is to make the horse stop. And the third is to make the guests behave, with his cudgel, like you said. (I think Disney switched to cattle prods sometime in the early sixties.)
I think the horse is throwing up.
I wonder what the Band is playing?... That's a trick question... they aren't playing anything! Second Band question: Where will they eventually end up before they start playing? The little girl on the right is wearing an interesting black & white poofy dress. Her mom is dressed in a sophisticatedly stylish manner as well.
I wonder if the Wurlitzer shop sold pipe organs? Nothing too large, mind you; maybe just a thousand pipes... two thousand tops. Although, lugging around a 16 foot metal, or wood, pipe all day could be problematic.
OK, I got kinda silly with my comments today... it happens. Thanks, Major.
Lookit those tiny trees! And I don't see a trash can but there is a suspicious boxy thing behind Vesey (may I call him Vesey?).
Thanks, Major
Zach
Photo 1 looks like CalTrans influenced the number of CMs for the streetcar. But they have to check that seatbelts are securely fastened, tray tables upright and locked, and serve the in-flight drinks, so maybe not over-staffed. The good and honest horse waits patiently for the silly people. He may not understand the whole process, but he is willing to work hard for his bale of hay. Horses are decent folks, for the most part.
Photo 2 has numerous well-dressed guests. Nowadays, we’re lucky if their salient parts are covered. Notice the chap in the suit dodging those band members. There is a notable lack of trash cans, what is going on? I think I spot a sliver of one to the far left. Is that a partial can with no lid behind the band leader? This could easily be a real street in a real town. I wonder if guests were wondering if they would get their moneys worth since everything looks so familiar and ordinary and not a bubblegum fever dream.
Also wondering how many Wurlitzers were sold during their Park tenure? Doesn’t seem like a hot item, even then. Imagine hauling one around all day.
Thanks Major, these are fine Main Street views today. Much appreciated.
JG
Nanook, yes, definitely pre-1958!
JB, I have come to the conclusion that it was totally OK for CMs to have unbuttoned vests! Things might have changed by Bu’s time, but we have seen so many photos of guys with the vests unbuttoned. I’ve always wondered if Vesey Walker’s version of the band always played Disney songs (Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, the Mickey Mouse Club march, etc), or if they would also do standard marches that you would hear in any venue? My guess is that you could order an expensive and fancy pipe organ from the Wurlitzer shop, or at least they could direct you to some other place. I was just at a place that has a “Mighty Wurlitzer”, and when those bass notes hit, the whole place shakes! Silly comments are OK.
zach, not only can you call him “Vesey”, but he likes being called, “Baby”!
JG, I have to admit that three CMs for the Streetcars seems a bit excessive, though it is possible that one of the guys is just chatting. I’m sure the horses knew the procedure as well as the humans. One of the fun things about vintage photos is seeing how people dressed - often very nice, even when casual. I just scanned a batch from 1959, and have been having fun zooming in on the crowd, there’s lots of entertaining people-watching. I would honestly love to know if the Wurlitzer shop ever sold even a single organ!
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