Snoozles™

I'm using up more of the (sadly) big batch of too-dark slides. I'm not proud of it! 

Not only is this one too dark, but it's boring too. And it's a little blurry. And it smells like old onions (you'll have to take my word for that one). I love the mighty Columbia sailing ship, but it doesn't look so mighty when it is berthed in Fowler's Harbor. A Keelboat sits nearby, like the Columbia's little brother. Or rather, "sister", since it's the Bertha Mae.

And oh man, this one is just weird. The photographer accidentally placed his Ray Bans over the camera lens. You'd be surprised how often that happens. The result is a fairly terrible photo; I assume that the two boys are assuming "searching the horizon" poses, or else they are saluting me (Major Pepperidge) in acknowledgment of my heroic service during the Cola Wars.

 

Knott's Berry Farm, February 1961

It would have been fun to see Knott's Berry Farm in the early days. The Ghost Town goes all the way back to 1940, a stroke of genius on the park of Walter Knott. And of course it all continued to grow, bit by bit, for decades. I love the idea of a family heading to Buena Park for one of Cordelia's famous chicken dinners (and boysenberry pie for dessert); the wait is several hours, but it's no problem, because there's so much to do! 

Today's photos are from 1961; this first one has Dad and his four kids - three boys and a little girl (I hope her brothers were nice to her). They're all in front of the Red Cliff, old #41. I've always wondered if the odd colors were historic to one particular railroad? The pavement is wet as if a rain shower just passed through - or else the streets were hosed off every morning. The wonderful Calico Mine Ride had opened just four months earlier.

Next is this fun photo of the three boys posing with one of the Native American characters - the oldest boy got a magnificent Chief's headdress, while the younger boys (Twins? Not sure) get two feathers each. They look pretty happy! 
 

Two 1950s Beauties

Here's a nice pair of crisp, clear images from 1957-ish (by my guesstimate). First, a lovely view of Main Street Station at 1:20 PM. The sun is bright, and the sky is blue with only faint wisps of clouds. The best thing is, of course, the attraction posters, including two rare examples - the Art Corner to the extreme left, and the Main Street Station poster just to the left of the Peter Pan poster. 

Next is a shot from the Plaza looking into Tomorrowland, with the Avenue of Flags - only 48 of them in '57. Inside the CIRCARAMA building, guests could view the 360º film, "A Tour of the West". If Disney has a copy of this in their archives, I wish they'd release it for nerds like me to watch. Wouldn't it be fun to see the famous sights of The West as they looked pre-1960? Maybe they even go to Oxnard!
 

Two From April, 1963

Here's a pretty nice pair of slides, the only two in a batch from April, 1963. We'll start with this view from the Skyway as it soared over Skull Rock Lagoon in Fantasyland; the colors are a bit odd in both of today's pix, for some reason - a little subdued. From up here we can look down into the dining area to the left, and even into the pools that fed the waterfalls - I always have an irrational wish that I could sit in one of those pools, sip a cool drink, and enjoy the view. YES, I would be wearing a bathing suit, I'm not from Hollywood! 

Next is a pretty photo of the Rainbow Desert from the Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland. A geyser is erupting, but I'm pretty sure it's not Old Unfaithful. Maybe it's Young Stinky? You know, the sulphur. I believe that the mine entrance in front of us was used to store the rolling stock at night, please correct me if I'm mistaken. 

 

Frontierland, early 1970s

A trip on the Mark Twain is always time well spent. Here are two familiar vignettes to jog your memories! Over on Tom Sawyer Island, there is an Indian burial visible on that structure in the middle of the image. Wanting to know a little more about this ceremony, I did some Googlin'! One site said: When someone passed away, women of Teton Sioux Indians will first dress the body in the best garments before wrapping the body tightly in blankets or robes.  Family and friends will then assemble and begin crying at the lodge. The mourning is continued until the body is removed. After mourning and chanting the body will then be places either in the branches of some tree or on a scaffold made for the purpose.  Family members often placed food and valuables of all kinds with the body. Some family who can afford will also sacrifice several horses to place under the scaffold.

And... you knew it was probably going to be a photo of the Friendly Indian Village! The surrounding trees have almost engulfed the scene, but the young Indian boy (not so shiny!) and his faithful pooch observe us curiously, while the rest of the tribe performs necessary chores.

 

Night Pix, June 1972

Before we continue with the regular blog post, I want to salute our Veterans, since today is Veteran's Day! I was caught a bit unaware, since I'd written the rest of the post many months ago, but Sue kindly reminded me. And GDB pal Chuck generously contributed this photo of himself in his Air Force uniform! Look at all those ribbons, pretty impressive. Thank you for your service, Chuck.

A while ago I scanned some old snapshots for my mom's 90th birthday, and among them is this photo from 1958, with my mom (still with a ponytail), and my dad in what I assume is his Ensign's uniform. I am unclear as to whether he was still in NROTC at USC at the time of this photo; the two would be married toward the end of the year. They are standing in my grandparent's backyard, that tangelo tree behind them was part of my life for decades. 

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I've never met anybody who didn't love Disneyland at night. And if I ever do meet such a person, they will feel my wrath! 

Going through a lot of slides from the summer of 1972, there were two pretty images from after the sun set. This first one has some issues (blur), but it is otherwise very appealing to me. The last bit of light is still in the sky, but all of the park's lights are blazing; I'm not sure I knew about the flames that burned above the Frontierland Shooting Gallery to the right - that looks great. I was wondering about the eerie green light in the distance, but it is probably just white light on green trees. I'm using my noodle! 

Now it's fully dark, and we're in the heart of Fantasyland - right near the Mad Tea Party, the Carrousel, and that fun little ticket booth. Sleeping Beauty Castle can barely be seen in the distance, though some of the windows are lit. This sure evokes some great memories. Pay no attention to the poltergeist in the upper right corner.

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.

From a different lot (but also from the 50s) comes this photo of the Wurlitzer shop as the Disneyland Band marches past (Vesey Walker is to the left, in the shadows). The lady with the classic striped popcorn box got whiplash from turning her head so fast. To the extreme right, it looks like a few folks are taking a peek at the little viewers that showed concept for the never-built International Street.
 

Snoozles, May 1960

One particular batch has turned out to be a rich source of Snoozles™. So many of them are especially dark and gloomy, as if a cartoon villain has somehow drained the landscape of joy. 

Ordinarily I'd be dancing a little jig when finding a photo of the E.P Ripley (old #2 - which wasn't that old in 1960) pulling into Main Street Station. But you can barely see the locomotive here, a good 60% (maybe even 63%) of the image is just blackness. Try not to be scared by the red hands in the lower left corner. I'm a bit baffled by this one, there appears to be a shadow cast by the station (with sunlight on the right side of the tracks), but it also looks like there are lights in the inky distance. You can see where the train staff walked their emotional support poodles.

Just for yucks, take a look at this view of the E.P. Ripley from 1971 - so much nicer.

From the same dark batch comes this drab and dismal look at the cursed Matterhorn, as seen from the Town Square side of Main Street Station. Even the usually-bright-yellow Hills Bros. Coffee Garden looks dreary. Well, I'm going to go cry now!

Mystery Amusements

Just between you and me and my collection of Post-Impressionist masterpieces, I like looking at old photos of amusement parks and carnivals/fairs. It's true! I first admitted it on "Geraldo" back in 1989. Yes, I threw a chair at somebody.

Here's an undated slide featuring a death-defying high dive act. As if that wasn't enough, the daredevil is in flames! Pretty exciting. That tank of water doesn't look very deep, but if he does it juuust right, he'll be OK. Except that there are also hundreds of piranhas in the tank. As the sign in the lower left tells us, we're watching the U.S.A. High Diving Team. They won the Gold Medal in Montreal in 1976, a memorable upset. I have no idea where this thrilling show took place, but maybe the lighthouse out on that jetty will give one of you a clue. 

This next one was scanned from a clipped color negative, and it was a pain to scan. But I'm no hero! When I held it up to the light, it was obvious that this was an amusement park or fair of some kind. Now that it is scanned (yes, I agree, it doesn't look that great) I'm guessing that the photo might be from the 1990s (or later?) - those guys to the right would not look out of place if  they walked past me today. Because the rides are sort of "standard fare" for an event like this, there is not much to go on as far as determining the location.

And lastly, here's a September, 1971 photo of some kids on a little merry-go-round. Those horses have seen some stuff, look at those eyes! The haunted eyes of the damned. The kids don't care, however... right after they got off this ride, they went and got some beers and then they beat up a kid who didn't go to their school.

Tomorrowland Leftuggies

There are certain things that make me happy. An episode of "Bonanza" that still has Adam in it. A packet of Pop Rocks. Any song by Barry Manilow. AND... vintage photos of Tomorrowland, of course! 

Take a look at this beautiful view of the Land of Tomorrow, circa July 1960. The Matterhorn is dead-ahead, still giving off the aroma of fresh lumber and paint (probably). I'm guessing that our photographer had just exited from his Skyway gondola, and was about to take the stairs down, when he noticed this view. The blue sky sets off the other colors nicely; I apologize for Screechy for this indelicate view, but it just happened.

Nearly 13 years later (it is May, 1973 this time), we have a whole new Tomorrowland, and it looks pretty great as seen from the Plaza. Judging from the cold-weather clothing (coats, babushkas, cardigans, anoraks made of seal pelts), this must have been taken a few months earlier. Peoplemover trains come and go, the Rocket Jets are soaring, and I get irrational joy from seeing the Bell System and Monsanto logos.