Leftuggies™
Today's LEFTUGGIES™ are piping hot (whatever that means)! This first photo is date-stamped "November, 1962", and is a crisp, clear image of Tomorrowland, with an emphasis on the contrast between the central planter (can you imagine something like that in Tomorrowland these days?) and the gleaming Douglas Moonliner. Douglas bought it used from TWA, but they had it repainted and detailed, and spritzed with "new rocket scent" inside. I've always enjoyed the tropical plantings seen around this area, including regular bird of paradise plants, and the giant bird of paradise "trees" to the left.
Next, from December, 1971 comes this photo of the Pearly Band, standing on the western edge of the compass rose (etc) in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. I wasn't sure when the Pearly Band first appeared in the park, but online sources say that they've been there since Mary Poppins was in theaters in 1964. Maybe they are playing "Step In Time"? The Plaza Gardens tent is behind them, waiting for the evening, when the sounds of a famous Big Band might be heard, and crowds of happy dancers would congregate.
6 comments:
Major-
As with the 'original' Fantasyland, there's something charming and unique about the 'original' Tomorrowland, in spite of its less-than-Tomorrow-ish feel-!
I notice in the 2nd image a trio-? of Electro-Voice 848A 'CDP' outdoor loudspeakers, chained around the trunk of the Sycamore-? tree on the far left of the image. (Two other similar [permanent] speakers can be spotted on the Carnation Gardens 'tent' roof). I wonder if the speaker trio is a part of the seasonal parades, or some other 'permanent' musical Park performances-?
Thanks, Major.
OoOoh, this is a nice one! You say those tall 'palm' trees on the left are a variation of bird of paradise plants? I've never noticed them before, at least, not the banana plant-like leaves at the top. Wonderful lighting and color in this photo.
Another nice one! Really great-looking costumes. I recognize Paul, John, George, and Ringo from their Yellow Submarine days... but who are the other two? ;-p The tree branches and foliage are a nice contrast to the colorful Band.
Thanks, Major.
The first photo is particularly nice. I think the tall woman behind the girl in the red skirt is Tomorrowland Spacegirl Shannon Borsz, seen HERE with Spaceman John Glenn (not that John Glenn). John Glenn was 6’9” tall, so as you can see in the linked photo Shannon Borsz would have been well over 6’, explaining why she towers over the other women in the photo.
JB, the planting immediately behind the Spacegirl is a bird of paradise tree. I believe the tall palms behind it are the legendary Senegal date palm.
Nanook, I don’t think the old Tomorrowland would be of much interest to guests today, but as you said, it is charming to look at today. I’m guessing those speakers were put on that tree just for the Pearly Band, though it’s possible other bands played in that spot too. Or perhaps you’re right, it was used for parades and other events!
JB, yeah, those giant Bird of Paradise plants are all over SoCal, I think a lot of people think they are banana plants, and we can see why. My mom has a neighbor with a banana plant, they get bunches of little nanners, I wonder how they taste? The owners do harvest them at some point. I’m glad you recognize John, Paul, George, and Ringo, but most people forget about Horst.
Chuck, good eye on the Tomorrowland Space Girl! That’s definitely her. I didn’t know her name was Shannon Borsz. And I didn’t know that there was a Tomorrowland Spaceman named John Glenn! He had the Right Stuff. I still think the taller plants are part of the Bird of Paradise, but I’m a doctor, not a botanist.
Photo 1 is particularly nice. The plantings are thriving, the crowds are manageable, there are eggplants for sale at the booth near the Moonliner, which I think also got new tuck-and-roll vinyl upholstery in the handover. The two planters in the center are both Bird of Paradise. The back one isn’t blooming yet.
I’m pretty sure (on practically no basis whatever) that those big speakers were part of the Plaza sound system for fireworks shows and parades, and not just for either Carnation Plaza or the Pearlies, which may not have used them at all. I don’t know when the Park started having the theme-specific music tracks, but those big shows were there from the start. At some point, the speakers became big round cans like oil drums, painted go-away green.
“What did you do at Disneyland Daddy?” “I was the purple Pearly”…
Thanks Major!
Major, I agree....I think those taller plants are just more "bird of paradise." Chuck, I don't think the Senegal Date Palm existed in the old Tomorrowland. Wasn't that brought in specifically for the 1967 "New Tomorrowland"? And now I am wondering, where did they go to purchase an 80+ year-old tree? I guess now, it is 139+ years old!
Nanook, I bet you are right about those speakers being for the parade. Since the photo is from 1962, the parade would have still come from the west side of the park, and continued through the west side of the Plaza, passing directly in front of the Castle. I believe the route for the parades did not change until construction of It's A Small World was completed.
- TokyoMagic!
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