Main Street, April 1963
In my mind's eye, I always picture Disneyland on sunny days with blue skies - maybe a tad warm, but nothing that we can't handle. AND YET... I have so many photos of the park taken on gray, overcast days. California has "weather", it's not interesting weather. Today's April 1963 pictures feel like rain is on the way. They do say that "April showers bring May flowers", after all.
I wonder why the cheerful Surreys were eliminated from the fleet of various Main Street vehicles? They carry as many people as the Horseless Carriages (maybe more). It's a shame, because they are so unique, especially today. And guests love seeing horses at the park! All of the people near the Surrey are fascinated by it, even the teenager. And they hate everything! The nerd in me is happy to see the signs for the Upjohn pharmacy, the Swift Market House, and the golden crown of the Hallmark shop.
Our photographer hadn't walked very far (if at all) when Vesey Walker and the Disneyland Band passed by. Vesey is looking right at us!
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Hmm, I wonder if all of the dinginess is due to the weather, or if the camera setting (or film type) may have been wrong? As is, it has a 'bad omen' quality about it. I expect to see the Wicked Witch skywriting overhead, "Surrender Dorothy"! Or perhaps the Dementors are present, sucking all the joy from the Happiest Place on Earth.
Ah yes, the ever-popular Murk Parade! Instead of playing upbeat, happy, Disney tunes, the Band plays funeral dirges. Sorry, I just can't bring myself to say cheerful things when I see Disneyland looking so dismal. Again, maybe it didn't look that bad in person.
Oh well, it IS vintage Disneyland after all. And that's something. So thanks for the photos, Major.
Happy late birthday BU! Sorry I missed yesterdays post & activities…..
DISNEYLAND : A LEGACY FOR THE FUTURE; DISNEYLAND SHOWCASE and for a time being DISNEY SHOWCASE displayed renderings and models of future Disneyland ( and even Walt Disney world ) attractions and developments. The small framed backlit photos that once showcased Wurlitzer production always displayed lost attractions when the shop became an exhibit in 1973. The last FUTURE attraction displayed was Splash mountain. A large 1/4 inch model and several audio animatronic maquettes and concept renderings were featured . Then the model was relocated to the DISNEY GALLERY in New Orleans square and DISNEYLAND SHOWCASE which was renamed to DISNEY SHOWCASE ( displaying future plans for Disneyland and what’s new with the Walt Disney company … mainly the Disney channel ) became mostly a display about Disney home video release and new films coming out . Then the revised DISNEY SHOWCASE was all
About Disney home video and related plush and merchandise .. Eisner turned it into kinda of a mall Disney store inside Disneyland .
Notice in yesterday’s gate guide : NO OMNIBUS! That’s because our Disneyland omnibus fleet was doing time at Epcot Center’s World Showcase!!
Makes me want 4 Lbs of Disneyland ground beef and 6 MainStreet pork-chops wrapped in white butcher paper.
Sadly, this week Disneyland Paris retired their final equine. No more horse-drawn streetcars now, as they've just gotten out of the pony care business altogether to devote that space to expansions.
MS
I think the second picture really must have been taken on a Blustery Day, since the cute kid in front of the jewelry shop appears to be bundled up in one of his parents' coats.
Going by the billboard, I'm assuming that the feature at the Main Street Cinema is Buster's 1934 short "Allez Oop" - I didn't realize they ever showed talkies! You learn something new every day.
Makes me want 4 Lbs of Disneyland ground beef and 6 MainStreet pork-chops wrapped in white butcher paper.
Maybe if you go next door to the Yale store, you can get a meat locker!
JB, in the case of these two pictures, it feels like it really was gray and gloomy. Of course the camera always exaggerates the darkness, but I’m sure it “felt like rain”. I sort of like the idea of the Disneyland Band playing funeral dirges, maybe just for the Halloween season? They’ll never do it though.
Mike Cozart, whenever you describe the “Disneyland: A Legacy For the Future” exhibit, it makes me mad that I never saw it! Talk about “right up my alley”. I’ve since seen some of those models (such as the Splash Mountain model) elsewhere, but a whole exhibit dedicated to possible future attractions - wow! As I’ve said before, I’m not sure I ever even knew what was inside if/when I walked past it. Bummer. Thanks for pointing out the “no Omnibus” detail!
MS, buy all that meat and then save it for decades! What a unique souvenir. Wow, that’s very sad about Disneyland Paris retiring their horses, I hope that isn’t a portent of things to come in Anaheim.
Melissa, if these photos were actually taken in February or March (and weren’t developed until April), it could have actually been pretty chilly. Not “Montana in January” chilly, but still! I’m not aware of the Main Street Cinema showing talkies either, not sure what that’s about. “Maybe if you go next door to the Yale store, you can get a meat locker!”. ZOIKS!
@ Melissa-
"I'm assuming that the feature at the Main Street Cinema is Buster's 1934 short "Allez Oop" - I didn't realize they ever showed talkies!".
Indeed. Check THIS IMAGE from July, 1961. I would assume this 'talkie' played MOS, right along with the other five silent pictures - or did it-?
Nanook, I have not seen "Allez Oop", but is it possible that the scenes shown in the Cinema did not require dialogue? Perhaps a classic Keaton stunt scene?
I watched "Allez Oop" on Youtube earlier today, and I think it could have worked as a silent with some editing. It does have some of those long physical comedy sequences Buster was so good at. So maybe that's what was show on Main Street.
The Main Street Cinema films rotated all the time … EXCEPT for Steamboat Willie. Then in 1985 the cinema went to all Disney
Sorry I’m late! I see two trash cans and don’t mind a gray sky.
Thanks Major!
JG
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