The Columbia, Sort Of - August 1967
"Fun Dad" took a lot of wonderful pictures, but today's shots of the Columbia are not his finest work. Why didn't he move to a location in which the view was not obstructed by those square umbrellas? We will never know.
In spite of the umbrellas, these are still kind of pretty, though!
15 comments:
Major-
Maybe "Fun Dad" was trying to place a close-up object in part of the frame to help establish 'depth' in the image, making the Columbia appear farther away-? Rainbow Ridge does look far away - 'cause it is.
Thanks, Major.
And just where was "Fun Dad" standing when he took those pics? They appear to have been taken from a slightly elevated angle. The Chicken Plantation was gone at this point, and the bridge in front of Pirates of the Caribbean was not going to be built for another 20+ years. Maybe he was attempting to get a better view, by standing on the shoulders of "Fun Mom."
It's Sunday, it's Sunday,
A Family of Fun day,
But where's that Columbia ship?
Behind the umbrellas,
You silly old fellas,
So don't give me none of your lip!
I spy with my little eye a souvenir green fedora with white ostrich plume!
Those aren't umbrellas. They're Disney's first attempt at conservation of water by making a huge pool cover for the Rivers of America to stop evaporation. Unfortunately, the ships kept knocking it to pieces and the guests thought it was...well...stupid.
Fun Dad does seem to have an unusual photo aesthetic. You can see those square umbrellas on the NOS foreshore in this photograph over at Daveland.
The html link to the NOS photograph doesn't seem to be working, so here's a long link: http://davelandweb.com/neworleanssquare/images/60s/KTPBKYC126_10_66_N20R.jpg
It's a beautiful day on the river, and maybe it was a case of unexpected photo op. He and Fun Mom were sipping cold drinks, discussing fun stuff, and here comes the Columbia. He pulled out his trusty camera and snapped away. "Got it!", he said. "Great job dear.", says Fun Mom. And a splendid time was had by all. Thanks Major.
Spar-end lanterns! Love 'em.
I like it! It's not like there's a shortage of unobstructed Columbia pics. I think "Fun Dad" had a "way-forward" machine and in the 21st century discovered you had a blog about Disneyland and wanted to mess with your head, even though he'd probably be long gone from this world by the time you saw these. Thanks, Major.
I spy with my little eye another Polly Holliday look alike (deck right just above cannon) and babushka (deck left {rear flap view}).
@Alonzo Good eye, I totally missed that! She has obviously spotted Mel on the shore, and plans on shouting "kiss my greeits!" from the highest yardarm.
She looks to me like a Polly Holluday/Patsy Stone hybrid.
Nanook, I suppose you’re right, that could be the reason. Maybe he thought he had a stereo camera?!
TokyoMagic!, I don’t really know, although I assumed that he was standing on a bench, or maybe a low wall (perhaps a planter?). Or maybe he just jumped as high as he could to snap his pix.
Melissa, I keep trying to put your words to the “Slinky” melody, but it just doesn’t work. I can’t find the hat with the ostrich feather!
stu29573, well that is certainly an interesting theory! ;-) On a related note, the Los Angeles Reservoir has 96 million black plastic “shade balls” floating on the surface. Since the balls are black, I’ve always wondered if the heat they absorb somehow increases evaporation?
Pegleg Pete, I tried to spot where Fun Dad would have been standing to get that slightly-elevated vantage point, but can’t find anything in that particular photo, unfortunately.
Jonathan, you mean they were drinking the famous mint juleps! I’ve never had one, as the combination of mint and lime juice makes me think of drinking orange juice after brushing teeth. Yuck! I guess they must be OK though, they’ve sold them for decades.
Steve DeGaetano, thanks to you I always notice the lanterns now!
K. Martinez, that is true, I only have about 10,000 photos of the Columbia (slight exaggeration). Aw man, now I can’t help thinking about Fun Dad being gone from this world. :-(
Alonzo, I can’t tell if she has a babushka, or just really big hair! I guess I do detect a slight difference in color.
Jonathan, Mel was probably carrying a spatula and wearing his little hat and apron. It’s all he had in his wardrobe.
Melissa, who is Patsy Stone?!
Patsy is Joanna Lumley's character in Absolutely Fabulous.
Goofy pics, but I'll take them.
Yes, it is sad to think about these folks passing on. We are fortunate to have their photos to spur our own failing memories.
Thanks Major, and the fun family, wherever you have gone.
JG
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