It's time for more photos from Lou and Sue (circa 1981)! This time the pictures feature appearances by Mickey, Goofy, and Pluto. They're walking straight toward us, reminiscent of the movie "Reservoir Dogs". I hope they're not packing heat. The Hills Bros. Coffee Garden is to our right, and The Mad Hatter shop would be to our right, and beyond that, the Opera House.
Just as an aside, I noticed the signs to the right say "Press Information - Photography". I've never seen that before!
Aw, Pluto and Goofy, you guys are having more fun that people in a gum commercial. Paul McPointy can hardly believe his eyes. The two twin girls stood there just so Melissa could appreciate them 38 years later.
Er... um... sorry, wrong alley. I swear I didn't see a thing. I think I hear my mother calling me...
Thank you, Lou and Sue!
Major-
ReplyDeleteI know you meant to say the Hills Bros. Coffee Garden is to our left; however in 1981, that space [still on the left] would be occupied by The American Egg House.
And just what the heck is going on with Pluto and Mickey-?? I'm thinking of all sorts of un-family friendly jokes right about now, which I will simply let pass. Merciful heavens-!!
Thanks to Lou and Sue for sharing.
Wow! When Mickey, Goofy and Pluto play...they play for keeps!
ReplyDeleteI was in the Christmas parade that very same year, and got to go in and out of that gate everyday. I don't remember seeing that Press Info/Photography sign, either! But here is the "backside" of that sign, if anyone is interested:
Parade Gate - Alice
And also here:
Parade Gate - Poppins
These photos are a hoot! Thank you Lou, Sue and the Major, too!
Disney characters are so lame unless they're riding on each other's backs... in one way or another. I just think it's funny that the instant they got onstage, this is what they did. What was the consversation like beforehand?? Thanks Lou and Sue!
ReplyDeleteLou, Sue and everyone,
ReplyDeletePriceless. Thanks for the morning laugh. That pic just tickled my funny bone. I've seen attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion, never saw an elephant fly, but now I've seen that.
Character rumble! Character rumble! My comments on the last picture have been edited out due to the fact that I'm not as good a person as I thought I was. I'll just go wash my eyeballs now...
ReplyDeleteNanook, when Major Pepperidge says right, he means RIGHT! You have to admit, if you go far enough right, and you’ll end up in the place I was referring to. I think Pluto and Mickey have been cooped up too long and have lost their minds.
ReplyDeleteTokyoMagic!, this was before they had designed the costumes with the leather masks. Thanks for the links to those photos, very cool that this was the same year you were in the Christmas parade.
Andrew, I agree, I would love to know how the actors in those costumes decided what they were going to do once they got “onstage”. Was it completely up to them, or were they given a variety of activities?
DrGoat, yeah, that last one is particularly weird. I’m sure I said, “WHAT THE?” when I got to that scan when Sue. B sent them!
stu29573, oh trust me, I had to censor/edit myself until I got something that wasn’t too sassy. What can I say, I am a product of my upbringing.
Haven't we all been told that the characters can no longer freely roam due to the crowds and misbehavin' guests?! Yeah, right.
ReplyDeleteTM! You are so fortunate to have been a part of Disneyland during the good ol' days! You may have even known the folks in these costumes.
Major, Disney's Public Relations/Damage Control Department will probably be contacting you, shortly.
We're glad to share these photos with all of you!
The hi-jinks of these characters are from the day when most of us CMs also had the opportunity to pull harmless pranks with each other and on occasion, in front of guests (think Jungle Cruise). OF course there was no social media live-streaming it. Nonetheless some CMs are legendary in the number of reprimands who lived to tell the tale in books and in reunions held to this day. KS
ReplyDeleteKS, please share stories, especially from the Jungle Cruise - would love to hear more!
ReplyDeleteAw, look how the twins are instinctively reaching for each other's hands at the sight of Mickey clearly hopped up on some nonprescription stimulants, Pluto pre-emptively doing the Walk of Shame, and Goofy high on, one supposes, goofballs. And The World's Oldest Mouseketeer in her white sweater and navy skirt looks waaay too delighted with the antics in #3. "Whenever they did that back on the show, Jimmie Dodd would have to get out the fire hose! I'd better press Information to get some photography!"
ReplyDeleteBig thanks to Lou & Sue for the primary material and to TM! for the awesome bonus behind-the-scenes shots!
Major, ha, ha! Leather masks!
ReplyDeleteSue, the people that played Mickey, Goofy, Pluto, etc. in the parade were different than the people who played them in the park. But while getting ready for the parade to start, we would see the people come backstage and take off their heads and bodies. There were special posts/racks that they could set them on to keep them up off of the ground.
Melissa, I'm glad you enjoyed my pics! I have more backstage parade pics, which I included in a two-part post a couple years ago. Here is a link to Part 2, which also includes a link to Part 1 in the first paragraph of the post. Fantasy On Parade 1981 - Part 2
Oh dear, of all the days to be away from the desk, you go and post this.
ReplyDelete"Come for the pictures, Stay for the comments!"
Cheers Major, Lou and Sue.
JG
Thanks, TM! I'm a huge fan of the Christmas parade so that was a real treat. There's no Christmas like Disney Christmas.
ReplyDeleteCharacters in the 80's were: out. of. control. So much hi-jinx. There was a complaint in City Hall one night when one of the three pigs ran across town square to a rather let's say, "Rubenesque" woman saying "MOMMY!"...this was tame behavior back then...but we ALL had our crazy "let's see how far we can go without getting written up" moments. We were all practical jokers. The Cast Member in the photo with the white sweater worked in Lost and Found. She was actually of historic provenance- she was raised in the historic "White House" in Anaheim- later to become a restaurant (think it burnt to the ground a short time ago.) I think her name was Lucille...it was an old fashioned name in any case. On rainy days she would tell us "kids": "now, remember to wear your rubbers!" She had a very gruff voice- what a character herself! So with the image of Mickey and Pluto...and Lucille's statement....I will leave it there.
ReplyDeleteBu, I've heard stories of characters being abused by guests, but I don't think I've heard any in which the characters would act up. Was it ever possible to be fired for "crossing the line"? Interesting that you know who the woman in the white sweater was, that's pretty cool. "Lucille", I wonder if a friend of mine would know who she was? And yes, let's just leave the idea of Mickey and Pluto and rubbers to our imaginations!
ReplyDelete