Random New York City

OK, so today is the REAL birthday for Lou Perry and Dean Finder, which I messed up royally on Feb. 23rd. Go back and look at that day for Sue B's fun pictures!

New York City. Maybe you've heard of it. Tall buildings! The subway! Museums! Slices of pizza! A really big park! And, well, that's about it to be honest. No need to even go there. I've had some random scans from NYC for years, and I finally decided to try to make a blog post with them. Maybe you'll learn a little something about sharing, or friendship, orbelieving in yourself, or some damn thing. 

This first scan is from the 1950s, and is a view from the Empire State Building looking past the Chrysler Building toward the East River, and beyond. If you are standing on your head you might see La Guardia airport! OK, I lied. The atmosphere is vaporous, from all of the alligator exhalations in the sewers. 

Here's a map. Maps are useful.

I thought it would be a piece of cake to find a contemporary view just like that old one, but it was surprisingly difficult. The one below, scrounged from the Internet, is about as good as it got. In this modern view, you can see the Koch Queensborough Bridge crossing the East River and Roosevelt Island. Wave to the nice people in Astoria! There sure are a lot more tall buildings (how's that for incisive commentary?). 

Next is one from the 1960s, taken by my friend's boss. This fellow was an artist, and he liked to render photorealistic paintings of various store fronts in San Francisco, Paris, Rome, Oxnard, and other notable cities. They are quite nice! I looked up "The Dug Out", but wasn't having much luck. I found another place called The Dug Out on 3rd Avenue, but it wasn't a match. However, on some other site a person said that there was a place called The Dug Out on Bleeker Street. OH REALLY? Using Google Maps' Street View, I went to 145 Bleeker Street (the number on the window in my photo). 

So here's the view. I mean, it's sort of the same, but of course it's pretty different too. I was feeling pretty good about it, in general, but that staircase is a lot narrower, and that seemed odd. I should mention that the blue awning barely visible to the left is the famous venue, "The Bitter End", which opened in 1961, considers itself to be New York’s oldest rock club and built a legendary reputation after showcasing young performers like Joni Mitchell and James Taylor and comedians like Woody Allen and Billy Crystal." At the club, Bob Dylan played pool, watched performances, and occasionally performed circa 1961. I should mention that I had to go back a few years in Google Maps, because a structure is now on the sidewalk, mostly blocking this view.

Next I looked for old photos of The Bitter End, and lo, we can see that the stairs match my photo, and there is The DUGOUT (one word)! WHOO-HOO!

And finally, here's a photo (dated October, 1968) taken from inside somebody's car as they tootled along some mystery road. It didn't take very long to figure out that this is FDR Drive, which parallels the East River for miles and miles. That's the Manhattan Bridge nearby. Being unfamiliar with the territory, I thought that the Empire State Building was dead ahead, but it is several miles to the north (which would be to our right). 

Here's another Google Maps contemporary view for you.

I hope you have enjoyed these oddball New York City views!

Mark VI Autopia

Many months ago, GDB early birds might have seen today's blog post when I accidentally had two articles publish on the same day. I saw the error at around 4:30 in the morning, and decided to move it way in the future. For those of you who already viewed it - it's nice to see you!

I happened to have two Leftuggies™ that feature Mark VI Autopia vehicles, and my psychic said that I should post them today. I always do what she recommends! The tarot cards do not lie.

No wonder this girl is smiling, that Mark VI car in coral red is a pretty sweet ride. This slide is undated, but the Mark VIs were in service from 1964 to 1968. This vehicle purred like a kitten - because it is actually powered by 10 kittens under the hood. I would explain how it works, but it is very technical. It looks like the other color choices were blue, turquoise, yellow, and cream. I'm sure that the cast member should not be leaning against that pylon (Bu? We need an official ruling), I hope he enjoys prison. 

This next nice view is from August, 1965; who knows, maybe that is the same exact car as the one in the previous picture. The dreaded guide rail had been added in 1964 when the Mark VI cars were introduced. I suppose it was necessary, kids had a tendency to crush the feet and shins of CMs, and would not obey polite rules of the road; on the other hand, they should have been more quick to jump out of the way!

More Disneyland Hotel - November 20, 1980

Let's continue to enjoy a series of November 1980 photos taken around the grounds of the Disneyland Hotel by Lou Perry. His daughter Sue B. scanned them for us! The last post featuring images from this batch was in October, so it's been a while. 

It looks like this is another view of the Sea Port of the Pacific (at least I think it is), where you could order a deep-fried whale. Don't worry, just a little whale! Ask for extra dipping sauce. Lou has gotten artistic on us, with the cool bluish pine branches contrasting with the warm sunlit wood of the SPotP.

Here's a nice view of the Marina Tower. Like Town Square at Disneyland, they had armaments "just in case". A pair of guests are enjoying the view from their third-floor room, and they're thinking of throwing a paper airplane or two.

Hey! It's the SPotP again! It's nice that they made an effort with the landscaping, it appears that there might have been a babbling brook, for its pleasant sound and sparkling water. Or was it just a pond full of Vampire Koi? They'll leap out of the water and latch themselves to your neck! Why did they put them there in the first place??

I wonder if this was the view from Lou's room? He's also got paper airplanes on his mind, it's only natural. "I'll put a small paper clip near the front to add some weight, for stability!", he thought to himself. We can see some of the actual marina, though it is in shadowy darkness. There's what looks like some sort of cable car or trolley, I'm not sure if it's a genuine antique or a simulacrum. There's a mysterious colorful yurt to the left of the trolley.

I think it's safe to say that Lou liked the look of that Seaport of the Pacific. Maybe he appreciated the way the setting sun changed the colors and overall atmosphere? No Vampire Koi would dare to mess with him.

There are more Disneyland Hotel photos to come, with thanks to Lou and Sue!

Randos

"Life is like a box of Randos. You never know what you're going to get". Of course this is a quote from famed skateboarder Toby Hawk (no relation to Tony, who has better things to do). Toby, however, knew of what he was speaking! 

I love this image showing the Indian Village - surely from the 1950s, though I've been searching for clues that would help narrow the date down a bit. We know that the original Indian Village was right next to the Jungle Cruise, you could actually see tropical plants nearby. I wouldn't be surprised if the sounds of a trumpeting elephant could be heard. Is the white building in the distance the Plantation House? There is also that yellow banner which might be steering guests in the direction of the Indian War Canoes (or the Indian Village itself?). I feel like they hadn't moved the Village to its final spot past the train tunnel just yet. And yet... I didn't know there was a Dance Circle in the old location. I'm so very dizzy.

I've been skipping this next scan repeatedly, mostly because it's so dark. In spite of its obvious flaws, it's still pretty neat though, a view from the Tomorrowland Skyway terminal looking west toward Holiday Hill, named after singer Billy Holiday (no relation to Billie, who had better things to do). Seeing those winding paths on Holiday Hill makes me wish I could go back in time to take a brief hike up to the top. Say hello to Screechy (most people don't). There's the Astro Jets to the left, the Castle, the Pirate Ship, and more. I feel like I'm seeing what could be the Viewliner Station just under that orange Skyway gondola, or at least tracks; the simple station itself isn't apparent. Did I mention that I'm dizzy?

A Pair From May, 1960

I have two pretty nice scans from May, 1960. Don't let the overcast skies get you down! After all, it's water vapor, and we are 50% to 60% water (or in my case, Mountain Dew Baja Blast). You might think that I'd be tired of this view, but au contraire, mon frere. (That's right, I speak the French tres bon). It's still fun to peer down upon Fantasyland, with the Fan2 tent closest to us, and the Pirate Ship still in its ce-ment pond (but no critters) just beyond that. Enjoy the glimpses of Storybook Land, and even some backstage bits. 

Here's a lovely view the Columbia, possibly taken from this bridge. It's a swell perspective, with the Plantation House to our left, and (I guess?) people in the lower left waiting to catch a raft to Tom Sawyer Island. The mother and two girls didn't get the memo that red was fashionable two or three years earlier. How embarrassing!

The Superfriends, April 1972

Before we get started with our regularly-scheduled programming, let's send some big birthday wishes to Lou Perry and Dean Finder! Sue B. has provided a vintage scan for the occasion - five boys and one girl smiling at the camera while the birthday boy holds one gift, with a pile of additional presents on the floor. Some look suspiciously like clothing boxes! The boys with bowties must be brothers. Does the cage contain mice? Happy Birthday, Lou and Dean (and thank you for the photo, Sue)!

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You've heard of the Superfriends; Superman, Batman and Robin, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, and more. Well, today's photos feature MY Superfriends. Principal Aebleskivers, Madame LeFevere, and Professor Bunions.  Together, they were unstoppable. Why there hasn't been a big-budget movie about this trio is beyond me. 

Principal Aebleskivers and Madame LeFevre had a particular appreciation of "the arts", including the nearly-lost craft of silhouette-making. Folks who worked in the shop at Disneyland spent 11 years in Paris, learning their skills while taking a vow of silence. Hey, I didn't make the rules. If I'm reading this photo correctly (and I think that I am), the Principal is so deeply moved that he is on the verge of tears. The big softie!

There they are, the Superfriends. When they joined their golden teacher's lounge keys into a triangle, they were imbued with the power of the Universe! Luckily for us, they only worked for good, and not E-VIL. 

 

Snoozles™

Before we get to today's Snoozles™, I'd like to wish GDB friend Ken Martinez a very Happy Birthday! I only just learned that February 22nd is his "big day", so I had to scramble to put something appropriate in today's post. Luckily I had this cute scan of a little boy on his fourth birthday (if I believe the number of candles on his cake), with his adoring mother looking on. The two of them have dishes of vanilla ice cream, I don't know why they aren't enjoying the ice cream with the cake. They're missing out! Notice that the icing on the cake says "Happy Birthday Kenny". A total coincidence, but kind of amazing! Kenny has a very nice toy train and a toy airplane on the table, pretty sweet. 

I hope you have a great day, Ken!

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It's Snoozle Time. Not as much fun as Howdy Doody Time, but then again, what is?? In July of 1972, a photographer attempted to capture an image of dancing headhunters from the Jungle Cruise, but they were a little too slow on the draw; you can barely see the costumed dancers through the lush vegetation. Of course you can't see them at all, nowadays. It's OK, I understand.

This next one is from a batch of faded slides; and even though it isn't faded anymore, it has other issues. That being said, it's sort of a pretty view, one that can't be replicated today.

Kalakaua Avenue, Hawaii

Today I am lucky and pleased to share some photos from Hawaii from the 1950s - sure, those are nice enough, but GDB pal Ken Martinez, who is very knowledgeable about Hawaii, having visited many times, contributed to today’s post. 

Here are the photos, with Ken's writeup in "hibiscus-pink"!

This is the Liberty House Waikiki near the corner of Kalakaua Ave & Seaside Street.  This was a clothing store chain which was head quartered in Hawaii.  My mom and sister used to shop here for clothing when we visited her in Hawaii.  I believe they also opened some stores on the mainland.  It's places like this that made me dislike shopping as I was usually dragged along for the excursion.  I preferred the Ala Moana Center where there were a variety of stores and shops.

These two images are of the McInerny Department Store on the oceanside of Kalakaua Ave and Seaside Street.  The architect of this clothing shop was Vladmir Ossipoff who was known as “the master of Hawaii modern architecture".  It was built in 1958.  This was part of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel property.  I remember The Royal Hawaiian and its surroundings as being very beautiful and lush.  Lots of open space and greenery and palms.

The McInerny Department Store was demolished in the late 1970's to make way for the "NEW" Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.  I was sad when it happened.  Gone were the open views replaced by tall buildings hemming in the Royal Hawaiian.

I think this period is when Waikiki became homogenized and lost its Hawaiian feel.  The biggest tragedy on Kaalakau Avenue was the loss of the International Market Place to an ultra-modern shopping center that looks like it could be in any city anywhere.  In other words, not unique .The International Market Place felt like Adventureland at Disneyland with its tropical island feel.

Here's the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center as it is today courtesy Google Maps.

I'm not sure where this pic is except that it's probably very near the area where the other 3 pics except further westward.

With the exception of The Ilikai Hotel which is my single favorite piece of architecture in this area, Waikiki has lost most of its charm in my opinion.

Here's the Ilikai Hotel today:

OK, that's it! I'd like to send a huge THANK YOU to Ken Martinez for generously helping with these vintage Hawaii photos, I'm sure he loved that I gave him "homework", out of the blue! But he did a great job. Hawaii in the 50s (and probably the 60s) really does look like paradise, no wonder so many people went there.

Two From December 12, 1969

Here's a pair of goodies for you to start your weekend off in the right direction. Let's begin with this lovely photo of Tomorrowland, taken at the very end of 1969. Everyone was still giddy from the success of Zond-7, the Soviet Union's spacecraft that circled the moon and returned to Earth (in August). I dressed as Zond-7 for Halloween, as did many дети that year. Anyhoo, I always love a look at the classic New Tomorrowland, with the Peoplemover overhead. Not only would the Peoplemover transport you in comfort, it would keep your cans of soda ice cold. There are not many guests, even though it appears to have been a perfect day (keep a jacket in a locker for later, though). 

I suppose I should have placed this one first, but that's what they would expect me to do. We've survived the parking lot, taken the tram to the gates, purchased our tickets, and now we're making our way toward the west tunnel beneath the railroad tracks. But first... let's go say hello to Goofy. The angle of the woman with the green pants makes me think she's running. She so durn excited! The color and lighting are so nice here, and it's always great to see the E.P. Ripley a-waiting at the station. In the tunnel, a Swiss Family Treehouse poster and a Jungle Cruise poster can be discerned.

Kids and Mice, December 1976

Hey, I get that today's photos are not that exciting. But you have to take the good with the... well, not "bad", exactly - maybe "dull" is an apt word. But let's not linger on the negative! Like Pollyanna, we can play the Glad Game, in which we should "find something to be glad about in every situation, no matter how dire". 

I'm glad that these two Norman Rockwell-esque kids have found Mickey and Minnie Mouse, two celebrities that haven't "gone Hollywood". They love their fans! I think that everyone is in front of the Emporium, although that bulbified ceiling to the left kind of throws me. Luckily, I'm glad that I have a smart and classy readership who will know just where this is.

I'm glad that the girl thinks she's getting a little too old for such silliness, and yet... she can't resist giving in. Her brother has no qualms, he's having a great time! And finally, I'm glad that we can all look forward to better photos tomorrow.

Stuff From the Box

"Hey, Major Pepperidge! What's in the box?". "STUFF!". Here are six more random items of mirth for you.

First up is this odd-looking ring; it is a Straight Arrow Golden Nugget Ring, given out by Nabisco Shredded Wheat in 1950. It's genuine plastic! Not that phony stuff. The Straight Arrow radio program is a western adventure series for juveniles which was broadcast, mostly twice weekly in the United States from 1948 through 1951. A total of 292 episodes were aired.

Initially broadcast on the Don Lee Network, on February 2, 1949, the program debuted nationally on the Mutual Broadcasting Network. All the programs were written by Sheldon Stark.

The protagonist, rancher Steve Adams, became the Comanche Indian, the Straight Arrow, when bad people or other dangers threatened. In fact, Adams was a Comanche orphan who had been adopted by the Adams ranching family and later inherited the ranch.

 

It was tricky to take a photo of the view as seen through the lens of the ring using my phone, but this ultimately turned out OK. This type of device, with a lens revealing a micro-photograph, is known as a "Stanhope". My mom gave me two of these rings over the years, and both of them lacked the photo - there was just a clear lens, and nothing else.

Here's a vintage ad that I scrounged from the Internet, for your edification.

This next one is something I picked up on a whim at a collector's show in Glendale - I'm not sure I'd buy it now, but I was probably hip-mo-tized by those four genuine Tanzanites, presumably indicating forty years of service with the Kroger organization.

Here's a heavy little copper charm from Knott's Berry Farm. Use it as a keychain, a watch fob, or just throw it at your friends when they aren't looking. I can't tell you anything about it other than what you can glean just by looking at it. 

Here's another employee badge that I picked up at a collector's show, for Fisher Body's plant in Hamilton, Ohio. What was Fisher Body? It was an automobile coachbuilder founded as the Fisher Body Company by Frederic and Charles Fisher in 1908 in Detroit, Michigan when they absorbed a fledgling autobody maker. By 1916 the concern had grown into one of the world's largest manufacturing firms, the Fisher Body Corporation, and was producing over 350,000 vehicles a year for nearly 20 different makers. In 1919, under the guidance of its ever-aggressive president, William C. Durant, General Motors purchased a 60% stake in the company.

Before stamped metal bodies and interiors became the norm, the company owned 160,000 acres of timberland and used more wood, carpet, tacks, and thread than any other manufacturer in the world. It had more than 40 plants and employed more than 100,000 people, and pioneered many improvements in tooling and automobile design including closed all-weather bodies. In 1984 GM dissolved its Fisher Body Division as part of its extensive North American restructuring.

These are not hard to find!

Next is this nice, vintage, genuine enamel pin featuring J. Wellington Wimpy, beloved character from the "Popeye" comics and cartoons. He made his debut in 1931, and was a fairly major presence in the comic strip, but became rather one-note when he debuted in animated form in 1933. He loved hamburgers! And his catchphrase was, "Cook me up a hamburger; I'll pay you Tuesday" (the line was altered over the years, I knew it as "I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today"). He would have gone perfectly with the Olive Oyl pin I pictured in an earlier blog post. Yes, I have the Popeye pin too.

And finally, here is an oddball pin that I know nothing about. And, because I can't read Cyrillic, I have no idea what it says at the feet of those sturdy, wheat-lovin' proletariats. The man who sold this to me said it was from a "harvest festival", but he was likely just guessing. It reminds me of a pin from the 1939 New York World's Fair featuring a statue nicknamed "Big Joe" (see two variations HERE).

Stay tuned for more STUFF FROM THE BOX!

Sub Lagoon, May 1960

Whoever took the photos in this May 1960 batch was mighty impressed by the Submarine Voyage and its Lagoon... there are no less than six images of it. Seems a bit excessive if you ask me, but something inspired them to keep pressing that shutter button. I'm only sharing two of the pix today, and I admit that they aren't super exciting - but I have to remind myself that there was nothing like the Subs anywhere else. Plus it was not even a year old!

The sky might be overcast, but I've got a song in my heart and a pocketful of nickels, so life is good. Down below, 3 gray submarines sit unused, but ready to be put into service if need be. 

Now there are four subs in "no man's land", what gives? Admittedly, it looks like it was a slow day, with not a single sub gliding through the lagoon, and no Monorail overhead - not even one Autopia car in photo #1. As usual, the slides are date-stamped "May 1960", but I would not be surprised if the pictures were taken in March or April.

 

Fantasyland, November 1961

I've got two standard views of vintage Fantasyland for you, starting with this look at the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship, circa November 1961. The late afternoon sunlight imbues the scene with a nice warm glow. Thanks to the wisdom and good posture of Junior Gorillas, I know that the entry door has moved from mid-ship to further toward the stern. This prevents the accumulation of barnacles and weeds, according to Chuck. Overhead, a Skyway gondola looks like it might get caught in the rigging of the ship.

From a different lot of slides, but also from November 1961, comes this photo of the Dumbi. Or rather of the EXIT sign? The flying elephants don't seem to be the main focus. Let's describe this composition as "artistic", that will go a long way. I don't mind it!

SNOOZLES™

Snoozles. They were first discovered in the 18th century by Edouard Snoozle, and now they are omnipresent in our society, showing up on Instagram, Facebook, and other social media platforms.

This first Snoozle is from 1970, a somewhat gloomy view of Main Street Station. It's really not a bad photo, but it's a bit boring (in my opinion), considering how many much-better photos we've seen of the same subject. The flower portrait looks nice! And I'm always happy to see the Santa Fe logo on the train station.

From May, 1960 comes this equally-gloomy view from the Jungle Cruise; that python is slowly suffocating that tree trunk, and he will soon devour it with one slow gulp. I know somebody who had one of these Jungle Cruise pythons in their living room, it was quite a thing to see!