Goofy and Pluto, August 1981
The walk-around characters of Disneyland are real rock stars, everyone sees them and wants a piece of them. They remember their innocent, early days, before they knew of the double-edged sword of celebrity. Well, boo-hoo! That's what I have to say about it. In fact, that's what I have to say about everything.
There's Goofy, attracting hoards of fans outside the American Egg House (formerly the Hills Bros. Coffee House). Is the man with the pale shirt-and-tie behind him his "handler"? When a guest becomes particularly enthusiastic, he might have to use his electric cattle prod. Don't worry, they hardly feel it through their thick hides! Cattle, I mean; it hurts like heck if you're a hu-man.
Nearby, a grown woman has knocked over three children so that she can have her photo taken with Pluto, one of the most huggable characters. Two boys to the left prefer lampposts anyway - always have, always will. There's a woman to the right...
... somehow she reminds me of Gladys Kravitz from "Bewitched"!
4 comments:
Major-
I think the use of cattle prods on unruly guests is TOO GOOD-! Something more deadly seems in order these times.
The expression on the lady 'staring' into Pluto's mouth appears to be one of disgust. Perhaps she's a dental hygienist and feels the need to start cleaning immediately.
The Gladys Kravitz look-alike (well, the 1st Gladys Kravitz, Alice Pearce, who died following Season 2, and was then replaced by Sandra Gould for the duration of the series) looks as sullen as her 'friend'. It doesn't appear The happiest place on earth has made much of an impression on either one of them...
Thanks, Major.
I should note actor George Tobias, who played Abner Kravitz for the entire series, teamed up with Alice Pearce in 1965 to play identical roles [Mr. & Mrs. Fenimore] who happened to be next door neighbors to Doris Day in the film The Glass Bottom Boat, released in 1966.
Goofy looks like he just partook of some 'magic mushrooms' before going onstage. He's having an out-of-body experience. Or maybe the CM inside the costume is having an in-a-body experience and it's being transferred to the Goof. I think the dark haired lady is using a camcorder. It looks like the little guy meeting Goofy has a white headband. I remember people wearing headbands back then, but.... why? Or maybe it's a strap to hold his glasses on when he rides Space Mountain.
Hmmm, I'm not seeing Gladys Kravitz in that woman, other than the stern, accusatory expression. She does remind me of another actress I've seen in movies or TV, but I can't place her at the moment. And while we're discussing look-alikes, the woman who knocked over three children reminds me of Khrushchev in disguise. He finally made it into Disneyland!
Nanook, I wonder if that lady (Khrushchev in disguise) can see the CM's face inside Pluto's mouth?
It's always a pleasant surprise to see costumed characters here on GDB. Thanks, Major.
Oh, and boo-hoo! ;-p
Ancient memory of looking into Goofy's open mouth and seeing a guy wearing a black mesh mask (a nylon stocking?) over his head. A bit more disconcerting than the obvious little window in the hats of big face characters.
Today saw a clip on Facebook from a guy at Disneyland waiting in a 90 minute line for a "Patriotic Mickey" meet and greet. Somebody who braved traffic, crowds, and expense to be in the park on a holiday weekend is choosing to spend a good chunk of the day for a chance to stand next to a masked, silent performer. It's one thing to wait with a kid (or without a kid) to chat with a pretty princess, but even there I'd check other wait times if the sign said 60 minutes.
Many years ago in the Magic Kingdom, I recall sitting on a bench with a sundae (swell, and no wait at all) when the Seven Dwarfs ambled by, trailed by a giddy mob of mostly adults. It wasn't clear what they thought the dwarfs were going to do that they needed to be part of; my guess was they were headed offstage for a break. Had a mental picture of Disney executives drawing up plans: "We could spend thirty million on a ride here, or hire some more college students to wear costumes ... "
Don't get me wrong, it does my heart good to see little kids excited by Mickey and the gang. But when it's rigorously organized to serve autograph collecting and unfunny Influencers who use them as stooges ... It's late and I'm getting cranky so good night all.
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