Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Monstro of the Future

I've scanned a few slightly oversized slides recently - nothing special, but still worth a look. Mr. Trilby is all by himself with Monstro - quite an honor. The famous whale blinked during the photo, just like I always do - it just makes him seem more human. Er, more down to Earth. I mean, he's not human, and he swims in water, but you get it

For Halloween they should have Monstro's teeth covered in blood. Or replace him with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.


I think I first learned about the Monsanto Home of the Future in the 1980 book, "Disneyland: The First Quarter Century". At the time I thought I knew Disneyland pretty well, so it was a shock to see that strange building, somehow managing to be futuristic and mid-century at the same time, hovering above that lovely pond. There's a chance I might have seen it with my own eyes when I was a tiny child, but I have no memory of it at all.


42 comments:

Nanook said...

Major-
How come Monstro never swam in the HoF pond-? It would've been like 'two peas in a pod'.

Thanks, Major.

"Lou and Sue" said...

'The Monstro Monsanto Pod of Whales Pond'

TokyoMagic! said...

And tell me again, why did they get rid of the House of the Future?

Speaking of Dwayne Johnson, I suppose the addition of him to the Jungle Cruise will now be delayed, since the release of the "Jungle Cruise Movie" has been delayed?

Nanook said...

@ TM!-
One can only hope.

Chuck said...

Even Monstro has that "will you take the darned picture already?" expression on his face.

Bonus attraction - Casey, Jr., in the rear right.

Nanook, I see what you did there.

TM!, either that or they're rushing to add him to the attraction while nobody is looking.

TokyoMagic! said...

Chuck, the cats and birds are looking. I hope they stop them. It will be just like an Alfred Hitchcock movie. Actually, it will be even better, because it will involve cats.

K. Martinez said...

Personally, I was disappointed Disney moved Dwayne Johnson's "Jungle Cruise" all the way to a Summer 2021 release. I was actually looking forward to it sooner than later.

Major, I was very young, but I do remember Monsanto House of the Future. I remember stepping into the house and seeing the kitchen and dining area and stepping out of the house. I was with my mother and sister when we toured it. The rest of the HoF experience is too faded to remember.

Andrew said...

Random Disneyland Fun Fact for today: that rock formation (which can be seen in many old pictures) is still there today, but you can't go up to it anymore. I guess you could say that it's "seen" a lot of changes over the years, though! Storybook Land looks awesome; thanks, Major.

Chuck said...

Sue, I apparently totally skipped over your wordplay. Nicely done.

stu29573 said...

I always get the impression that Monstro is upset because he got beached on those rocks. He needs George Castanza to help him. "The sea was angry, my friends; like an old man in a deli trying to send back soup..."

zach said...

I still enjoy that corner of FL. I see the cage on Casey Jr which is my favorite vehicle. And, as you know, I always looked forward to I ride on the canal boats.

One word... Plastic. I always liked the HotF. So modern and clean. Someone should have put that in their backyard.

Somehow, I do enjoy the Rock in movies so I will see it eventually.

Nicely done,Sue.

Dz

"Lou and Sue" said...

Thank you, DZ! I left the ‘peas’ part out, as I figured ‘the boys’ could add that in.

Alonzo P Hawk said...

It's amazing that Mr. T can still muster up a wry smile with one of Monstro's teeth half in his noggin. Muscle reflex I guess.

I always thought the HoF would make a good home for the Omega man. That 7 feet or so in the air is just enough to keep those light sensitive zombies sluggishly jumping up and down for a way in.

Major Pepperidge said...

Nanook, Monstro needs a constant diet of crunchy canal boats filled with people!

Lou and Sue, everyone knows whales travel in “flocks”! ;-)

TokyoMagic!, the HOF was torn down because of brain eating amoebas. I’m glad the “Jungle Cruise Movie” has been delayed, I suppose, but it’s merely putting off the inevitable.

Nanook, at least you still have hope.

Chuck, Monstro was grumpy, but everyone found it charming. He is sort of the Charles Grodin of whales. I hope they make DTRJ (Dwayne The Rock Johnson) as sweaty as possible to mimic real life.

TokyoMagic!, ha ha, when I read your comment, I thought, “The cats and birds are looking? What??”. It took me a minute to figure that they are the only living things in Disneyland right now. I’m kind of slow.

K. Martinez, maybe that Jungle Cruise movie will surprise me and it will have an “African Queen” quality to it - I do love that movie. I hope at the end, DTRJ and Emily Blunt wind up liking each other! Cool that you remember the House of the Future. My brother says that when I was little we saw the 20,000 Leagues walk-thru and the HOF, but I have zero memories of them.

Andrew, I honestly had no idea that rock formation was still there! It’s amazing that it seems so far away from Monstro in the pic you linked to. Not sure how that is possible.

Chuck, Sue is doing the kind of work that I am way too lazy to attempt! Plus… lack of talent on my part?

stu29573, I’ve always assumed that this Monstro scene was a callback to the very end of the movie when he leaps to get Pinocchio and Geppeto and they escape through a hole in the rocks at the very last second. Maybe not, though?

dzacher, I have said repeatedly that if I won the Lottery (I mean a BIG payout), I would love to have a scaled-up version of the House of the Future built on a hillside. As cool as it is, it would be a little small for most families, maybe it was built at a sort of 5/8 scale?

Lou and Sue, you can always leave out peas, I don’t like them.

Alonzo, now I wish I had a photo of Mr. T with Monstro. I pity the fool! You know Monstro wouldn’t dare mess with Mr. T. I enjoyed your Omega Man thoughts! Chuck Heston should have thought of that. “I need to get to Disneyland!” he would say while rubbing the back of his neck.

Anonymous said...

The well-dressed fellow in photo 1 is in a very popular photo spot. My Dad stood right there to take a picture of Mom and I in the little boat. Unfortunately, we had only one camera so we couldn't take a picture of him as we passed.

I know that visit took place in 1965, so it has to be the same trip from which, like Ken, I remember the HOF and 20K leagues. I remember the squid, the pump room and the nuclear power plant, air lock with green water bubbling up, just a brilliant walk-through. I was so disappointed when it was gone on the next trip.

Memories of the HOF are more vague, but the kitchen stood out somewhat. I know that it stood for many more years after that, but I'm sure we never went in again or I would remember it more clearly.

The HOF is a visionary work with a lot of the main principles of modern architecture, including, maybe especially, elevation off the ground. This was a feature of a number of modern designs, probably from European influence, where all the living rooms were above the storerooms and stables. It never caught on in American single family designs, especially on the West coast, although there are plenty of city townhouses on the East coast with that pattern. In spite of it's forward design, it is never included in surveys or textbooks, I think, due to the mainstream architecture field's hostility to Disney.

Major, I feel like I have been to 1965 already today. thanks!

JG

"Lou and Sue" said...

Alonzo, I didn’t notice the tooth in the noggin til you mentioned it. I love it! Hahaha!

Chuck, oh my goodness!! And I truly overlooked your 6:15a comment to me. I’m sorry . . . am at work and apparently can’t do two things at once very good.

I love everyone’s comments today! I need the laughs as I just found out that the virus has hit my dad’s ‘home.’ He’s ok, so far.

"Lou and Sue" said...

Chuck, I also meant to say thank you! (See what I mean.)

K. Martinez said...

Major, Nah! I don't think the "Jungle Cruise" movie will surprise you. It will probably be the piece of crap you think it will be. I just want to see it for myself.

In addition, I see no point in getting worked up about a possible Dwayne Johnson overlay of the Jungle Cruise if I haven't been back to Disneyland in over eight years and have no intent of returning at this point.

Let the newer generation enjoy Disneyland as they should. It really is for them now and that's okay.

Anonymous said...

I can remember the HOF being pretty darn cool for its time thinking that in 10 years we'd have a home just like it. The kitchen with appliances popping out of the counters...a radar range...the best that plastic can provide. And mostly in white too which is the current color fad of today. So some of it DID come true! KS

Nanook said...

@ KS-
Sorry - I don't buy 'white' as being a color. It's merely a cop-out, as it goes with everything. And don't forget the grey-! (If the so-called 'taste-makers' of today had any sense, they'd at least refer to it as 'slate', as did AT&T when choosing a name for one of the colors making-up a 50-pair cable). This current grey/white "fad" is merely a setup for the next "gotta have it" color scheme - where color is "re-introduced" into kitchens-! What a concept.

"Lou and Sue" said...

Nanook, I feel the same way about stainless steel appliances. Just my opinion.

The only thing I remember about the HOF was the wonderful brightness inside because of all the windows/glass. I never thought about it until now - but maybe that’s why my favorite houses are always the ones that are small with lots of huge windows. My dream house would have all glass outside walls. Am serious.

Chuck said...

The only thing I remember about the HOF is...oh, wait. I wasn't born yet. ;-)

Nanook said...

@ Sue-
For an opposing point of view - I happen to like stainless steel appliances, freely admitting they are often very impractical in some situations and should be chosen carefully, and certainly not because they may happen to be "on trend"-! Let's just say few among us are individual thinkers, but are highly-influenced by the 'suggestions' of others.

@ Chuck-
That's no excuse-!

Sunday Night said...

I don't have a memory about seeing the inside of the HOF, but I do have very good memories about the 20,000 LWT. What a great idea to take some of the sets from the movie and animate them (diving room, power room). It was great!!

zach said...

My most prominent memory of 20000 Leagues exhibit is the organ. Is that a false memory? It was there, right?

Dz

zach said...

And of the 50 shades of white I like Swiss Coffee the best.

Dz

TokyoMagic! said...

Oh, Sue....I'm so sorry to hear that the virus has reached your dad's home. I hope he remains safe and well! I'm thinking positive thoughts for you, him, and your family.

Major Pepperidge said...

JG, yes, ol’ Monstro was a popular photo subject. Like so many landmarks in Disneyland! I envy your memories (vivid ones apparently) lf the 20K walk-thru, that would have totally been right up my alley. I really do think that most people (the ones who can afford a home) want something fairly traditional. It can vary in style (mid-century modern, Spanish deco, Georgian, etc), but it still needs a normal front door, a normal living room and kitchen, etc. You might be right about the hostility toward Disney, though the design was done by guys at MIT, you’d think that would make some difference.

Lou and Sue, OH NO, I hope that Lou stays safe and healthy!! So sorry to hear that!

K. Martinez, the Jungle Cruise movie just looks so formulaic, I feel like I already know the general story beats. But I’d love to be surprised. I agree with you in spirit about my lack of concern over the update to the Jungle Cruise, but know that in my heart I will be sad that it has been changed in a significant way, probably forever.

KS, I do like the idea of those pop-up and pop-out appliances, and all the other futuristic accoutrements. It really would feel like you were living in a clean, reliable “tomorrow”.

Nanook, while I know what you mean about white, I do like it for its neutral, bright appearance that always works. And if white is one of the choices, they pretty much have to list it as a “color”. If people feel the need to buy an avocado green fridge in five years, that’s on them! So many people are painting their homes dark gray, and you know what? It looks fine, but white always looks good. In my opinion of course!

Lou and Sue, I’m not crazy about the stainless steel look, but I could live with it. I do love all that glass, though you’d better have some good AC, or else you’re gonna be sad on a hot summer day.

Chuck, wait a minute, you were in the Civil War, I saw the photo to prove it!

Nanook, my prediction is that PLAID appliances will be the next big thing. Be the first on your block and be ahead of the curve! Up to a point I am sure I am as susceptible to market forces as anybody else, but for some things it just doesn’t matter. If I had a stainless steel fridge, I could sleep just fine at night.

Sunday Night, you are right, considering that the 20K attraction was a last minute, low budget addition to Tomorrowland, it sure inspired a lot of kids!

Chuck said...

dzacher, yes - it was there. In fact, it's still there, hiding in plain sight in New Orleans Square. I guarantee you've seen it in its second Disneyland home.

Nanook said...

OH, Silly Major-
This is the 1950's-! You want a plaid refrigerator, you shall have it. "A Fashion First Exclusive" from International Harvester [and the Homemaker] to the rescue-! Just LOOKIE HERE-! In 1953, m'lady could 'personalize' the front of her refrigerator - and if plaid's the thing - plaid it will be-!

After all, these refrigerators are "Feminized". (For all intents and purposes, American women may still have been 'barefoot and pregnant', but her refrigerator could be 'feminized'. Real progress is unfortunately very slow).

Nanook said...

Whoops... Make that femineered!, not feminized. What was I thinking-!

Anonymous said...

As much as I like the idea of "the house of the future", the problem with the very concept is that our idea of the future today quickly becomes obsolete tomorrow. It's the fatal flaw of the house, as is the rest of Tomorrowland. That's why I prefer the Magic Kingdom and Paris Discoveryland versions, which focus less on how the future could be and rather on what the future once was.

zach said...

Lou and Sue, best wishes coming your way from a lot of people I reckon. And it's hard to not be able to visit! Does he Skype? Take care, Sue

Grant said...

The HoF was my favorite part of the original Tomorrowland.

Possibly because I had a very brief on-camera moment in an episode of the old "Walt Disney's Disneyland" TV show. The link below is an excerpt from the 47 minute long episode titled "An Adventure in the Magic Kingdom".

That's a 7 year old me demonstrating the futuristic electric toothbrush about 45 seconds into the video.

I love how they got the electric toothbrush right but it was hardwired to the wall!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NQ5OlY40bA

Here's a link to the full episode if anyone is interested.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-IVHC58yqc

Major: You asked a few days ago if I sent you photos from when my mom worked at Disneyland in the 50s. Yes, that was me :)

Sunday Night said...

Wow Grant! You are a star! Did they give you anything for doing that? Like a Bicycle or something?

TokyoMagic! said...

Grant, I am very familiar with that footage! That was you? Wow, that is super neat!

"Lou and Sue" said...

Plaid appliances! Hahahahaha, Nanook! HOW in the world did you discover that ad?! I just googled "plaid appliances" to see what pops up - and I see that they do now sell plaid refrigerator handle covers - but I don't see anything about plaid appliances. "I'll first sew a cow-jumped-over-the moon-material dress for little Mary and then use the extra material to cover my fridge," says 1950's Susie Homemaker.

Magic Ears Dudebro - focusing on "what the future once was" is the most fun!

Grant - what a wonderful experience! Do you have any stories to share about doing that HOF program? (On a side note, every time I go to my dentist's office, twice a year, both the person who cleans my teeth AND the dentist always ask me if I'm still using my electric toothbrush. My answer every time is always the same, "I haven't used one since I was a little kid." I feel like Bill Murray in Ground Hog's Day.)

TM!, Major & DZ, thank you! With assistance at his end, my dad and I "face time" and, when it isn't raining or snowing (it's done that maybe 6 out of the last 10 days), I visit him 'through the dining room picture window.' Strange as that sounds, it works out pretty good - as he sits about a foot away from the glass on the inside, and I stand a foot way on the outside - and there's an open window, off to the side, that makes it easy to hear each other. It beats not seeing him! Until now, he's loved his new home, but said he now terribly misses our meals together (at the new home). Hopefully, that will change soon. Unfortunately he's at the point where he needs full-time care and assistance. I'll tell him you're all thinking of him and wishing him the best.

Grant said...

Sunday Night: Ha! Nope, no pay, no residuals. LOL I had my 5 seconds of fame at a young age. :D

I got the part because my mom worked at Disneyland and was good friends with Tommy Walker. It sure didn't require any acting skills.

TokyoMagic: The whole episode is as classic as it gets. The true original Disneyland. It really is neat that an old Disney buff like me has a distant connection to the early days.

Grant said...

Lou and Sue: I clearly remember the day of filming with the lights and camera. It was pretty exciting for a little kid.

An interesting thing is I saw the episode when it was originally broadcast in 1958. I never saw any reruns and it faded into memory. Then on New Year's Eve 1999/2000 I was flicking channels and saw the Disney Channel was replaying it. I couldn't believe it. Now it's on the internet to watch and share anytime. Man I love living in the future. :)

BTW, I really enjoy your photos. I don't post often but I'm here every day.

Dean Finder said...

Best wishes to Lou

Nanook said...

@ Sue-
One just has to know old appliances. It's impossible to forget such outrageous things. (And you thought Harvest Gold & Avocado Green were bad...-!)

"Lou and Sue" said...

Thanks, Grant and Dean!

Nanook, Hahaha! My first house came with Harvest Gold appliances. I had to take one last look at that refrigerator ad . . . It looks like it’s wearing pajamas. On that note, good night all!