Two From June 1969

  Here's a pair from June, 1969 - one "different" view (but not that amazing), and one "OK" view. Let's start with the "different" photo, with two little girls quenching their thirst at two classic Disneyland water fountains (one is tall, one is short). The bags of C&H Sugar have been stolen by teenagers, I'm sorry to say. The girl with the blue jacket is all ready to do a spit-take when somebody tells a joke. It looks like we are right near the Haunted Mansion, though I as unsure if it is back there at the upper portion of the frame or not.

Next is this shot of Mr. Toad's palatial manor in Storybook Land. Toady really lived it up! Is the architectural style "Georgian"? Down by the water we can see Ratty's house, complete with a little rowboat. In the foreground is a little girl sporting mouse ears. 

IASW Snoozles™

I know, I know, Snoozles aren't that much fun. That's why they are relegated to Sundays, when you should be "at rest" (I'm always at rest!). These are from 1973, for those of you keeping a record. This first one is weirdly backlit, almost none of the famous façade is receiving direct sunlight. Which is why I think that the entire IASW building should be mounted to a gimbal that can tilt and rotate. I estimate that this should only cost about $100,000,000 dollars.  Meanwhile, notice that the ride operators are mostly former gondoliers from Venice.

Earlier in the day (?) the sun managed to light some of the building, as well as these topiaries, made from tapioca. Does anybody know of a precedent for fanciful topiaries like these? Did Tivoli Gardens in Denmark have some? 

 

Vintage Amusements

I love vintage amusement parks! You already know that, because you watch me on your high-tech spy cameras (on your monochrome green monitors from 1985). I'm waving hello to all of you right now. I'M NOT CRAZY! 

Today I want to share two fun slide scans, starting with this one dated "September, 1960". We're watching two fellows shooting out, perhaps over the affections of the saloon gal (?) who enjoys wandering into the line of fire. "Fiddle-dee-dee! Men are so silly!". You'd think that the people behind the gunfighter near the music hall might want to move too, but they'll take their chances. Sadly, I have no idea where this western park was located, there aren't any solid clues that helped me. I did search for "Long Horn Music Hall Saloon" (in various permutations), and had no luck. If I had to make a wild guess, I'd say that it could be near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, but I truly have no idea.

This next one is from August, 1964, and was labeled "Sutton, PA". Sutton is in the northwest region of Pennsylvania, about 80 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. You know, near Corsica and Brookville! The photo shows a local carnival or fair, with a classic tank ride (children loved to pretend to be General Patton!) and a miniature locomotive that has, unfortunately, caught on fire. You just know it's because of teenagers with long hair! In my professional opinion, it is not good to have your miniature train burst into flames. 

Late Afternoon Lagoon, 1973

Today's photos are a bit "different" - both were taken very late in the afternoon, imbuing each scene in warm light. And while views of the Monorail at the station and the Sub Lagoon are not rare, these angles are unusual at least.

This first photo was taken from a Peoplemover train, and we can see another one next to the yellow Monorail, just about to ascend that gradient. Even though there were some disadvantages to the Disneyland Peoplemover system (with the embedded wheels in the track), I did like that it enabled the attraction to go up and down "hills". There were points along the ride where guests were fairly high up, and also relatively low to the ground. Skyway gondolas glide back and forth, and the Disneyland Hotel can be seen in the distance.

This next one is somewhat similar, but I believe it was taken from a Monorail (there's a Peoplemover train overhead). A conga line of Submarines await patient (?) guests. If you look just to the right of the center of the image, there is something on a pole with a blue... thing, and a red thing. It reminds me of a semaphore.  I've never noticed it before, and wonder if it had a function, or was just for looks?

 

Last Parade Scans From 1980

Here are the last scans that mostly feature a parade from 1980. These are tiny transparencies mounted in a standard 2" X 2" slide mount, and the quality does suffer a bit, but they're still fun.

Normally there are four dancers onstage at the Golden Horseshoe Revue, but there are at least six participating in the parade. The stars and their understudies? 

I don't recognize these characters, but if you do, I'd love to know who they are! Miss Bianca from "The Rescuers" is to the left, I'm always happy to see her and/or Bernard. 

Br'er Bear and Br'er Fox were always fun to see around the park. I assume that we'll never see them again, which makes me a bit sad. Things change, whether I like it or not!

A pair of beautiful horses wear fancy rigs as they pull an unknown float - maybe on of the circus wagons seen in a previous post?

And finally, the one non-parade image in this entire batch! A familiar view of Monstro The Way-Out Whale. I was wondering what the colorful shapes were, just above his nose, and realized that it is Casey Junior, chugging down the track.

Park Entrance, April 1973

I have a pair of so-so photos from April 1973, from the area outside the main park. It's a bit weird that these two are the only Disneyland slides that were in the batch, leading me to suspect that there were others, but they were cherry-picked and sold separately. Why they missed these two is a mystery.

It looks like many folks are walking toward the ticket booths from the parking lot, presumably dropped off by a tram. April can be chilly, look at all the jackets and sweaters, and one babushka. I guess the crowd of people to our right are in line to buy tickets? Mama mia! Perhaps it was Spring Break?

Normally I would theorize that the seller did not recognize some of the slides as being from Disneyland, but it's pretty hard to ignore the giant smiling face of the floral Mickey portrait. Maybe they thought it was a portrait of Al Pacino? I definitely see a likeness. I don't know what those people to the left are up to, and I don't want to know. As always, I enjoy seeing the Santa Fe name (in this case it's on the train cars); Santa Fe would cease its sponsorship in September of 1974.

Town Square Views, December 12, 1969

Someday I'll have to visit Disneyland and never get any further than Town Square. There's plenty to keep one occupied for a full day! Sit on a bench. Look at merchandise in the Emporium. Go grab a bite to eat. Go the Bank of America (now the Disney Gallery), chat with the Omnibus driver (but don't ride it, because it will take you out of Town Square), check out the Firehouse, sit on a bench again, pet the Streetcar horses (only with permission), watch the trains come and go, see the Mr. Lincoln show... what more could you need?? Let those short-attention-span people go ride the rides in the rest of the park.

Meanwhile... hey, there's a Christmas tree!

That guy in the street isn't going to pass the Wurlitzer shop, and I love him for it. The park was pretty empty on a Friday, though of course most Cro-Magnons head toward the Castle immediately. To the right are giant Christmas presents that probably eventually held thousands of balloons, to be released during the big holiday parade. 

 

The Disney Look - PART TWO

Today I am sharing part two from a series of scans from our friend Sue B, who acquired a copy of a 1987 edition of a cast member grooming and costuming guide. I like to wear pajamas out in public, but you can't do that at Disneyland. Not even a track suit!

We left off in the middle of learning about the "dos" and "donts" of costuming (for hosts) . I love details such as hats needing to be worn "two fingers above the eyebrows". I have very slim fingers! You can't wear your mirrored aviator sunglasses, it makes people uneasy, especially when they ask you a question and you just stare at them silently, until they slink away in shame. Another mention of facial hair reminds me that we have seen vintage photos of some CMs with mustaches, usually in Frontierland (Stagecoach drivers and such).

Costume guidelines for the ladies! That orange jumpsuit makes the gal in the top photo look like she's ready to hop on the next space shuttle. All systems nominal! I think it's funny that the wearing of pins for the Red Cross, United Way, or Junior Achievement" are forbidden.Who would wear those, anyway? Apparently women can't shave their heads - yes, this is1987, and they'd had to deal with the punk era. Most of the rules seem pretty easy to follow, although I do like a nice wig once in a while.

Wow, they've thought of everything. Blushers! Eye makeup! Lipstick! Perfume (and deodorant)! Fingernails and jewelry! And so on. Skirt length, wouldn't that be the responsibility of the costume department? A lot of the other info seems essentially the same as for men. That lady with the 3D glasses must be from "Captain EO", I suppose this must have been an incredibly popular attraction when it was new (it had debuted in 1986)? 

Even more general costume guidelines; again, most rules are essentially the same as the ones for men. Looking at the pretty balloon vendor in the bottom photo, I believe that she may have appeared in a similar photo with Bu?

Oh, here we go! The Man telling me that my long golden Fontleroy curls are not acceptable! Who's that guy in the first photo? Did they have an on-site barber? Please cut out and memorize the diagram at the bottom for the next time you go to Supercuts.

Do you want a taper? It can be high, medium, or low. What more could you possibly want? Based on a recent park visit, these standards are no longer in use! 

That's it for part two! Stay tuned for part three. THANK YOU, Lou and Sue!

Snoozles™

I have a pair of "not that bad" Snoozles for you today, starting with this 1973 photo of a young woman posing in front of It's a Small World, sponsored by the Bonk of America. BONK. I'm struggling to think of anything to say about this just-fine picture!

This next one was mixed in with a bunch of random slides - I'm proud to say that a dork like me immediately recognized it as a photo of the Columbia sailing ship! There were no other Disneyland slides in the box, which makes me suspect that the seller had picked out the obvious examples and sold them separately. I forgive him.

Will I return from my trip to Utah today? WHO KNOWS!

Mystery Amusement Parks

I have some random photos of unknown fairs and/or amusement parks for you today, starting with this 1960s photo of what seems to be a parking lot fair; we can just see a sign indicating a mall where you can "shop in COMFORT". Those palm trees look very SoCal to me, but it could be Florida, or even Hawaii. There's a Trabant ride, manufactured by Chance Rides. Often seen at fairs and traveling carnivals, their design consists of a giant wheel which tilts at a steep angle, fluctuates in a wavelike manner, and spins at various speeds. There is a motor underneath the ride that makes both of these rides raise up and down. 

A little bit to the right, we can just see a corner of a classic Shakey's Pizza Parlor sign. 

Like this one! One website said that these original neon signs with the lantern on top are very rare today.

Next is this photo from August, 1971. I'm guessing that this is a county or state fair, it definitely seems to be placed on what appears to be the local Fairgrounds. There's a Paratrooper ride in the lower right, and what I think is an "Astro Wheel" in the distance. I have no idea what that spiral thing is to the left. It's too bad that the focus is a bit soft (the picture was presumably taken from a Ferris Wheel), some details are not discernible, though I am intrigued by the sign for "Dante's Inferno".

And finally, from June, 1961 comes another photo from what must have been a temporary fair - we're in the midst of baseball fields. From our Ferris Wheel vantage point, we're looking down upon a Tilt-a-Whirl, a very small miniature train, and classic Chair-O-Plane swings.

It's day 3 of my trip, I could be anywhere between Utah and California at this point!