Grocery Store, April 1963

Here's something a little bit different! I found three slides featuring a grocery store, circa 1961, that I thought were a lot of fun.

Here we are, heading toward the front door, but we'll have to parlay with those Campfire Girls selling candy before we do anything! Thanks to a label by the door we can see that this is a Safeway store; there is also a partial sign from the Herald Examiner mentioning the Los Angeles Dodgers, which helps us narrow down the location. Inside we can see a lit sign for Van de Kamp's Bakers, with the familiar windmill. If you had less than 50 cents you could still walk out of the store with a "fresh fryer" or a fruit pie. And you could rent a rug cleaner or floor polisher for a buck! My marble floors could probably do with some polishing.

Photos taken inside grocery stores are not common, to put it mildly! Here we have a refrigerator case full cheese (and maybe some pickles and sauerkraut) - what a bounty. A gigantic block of Velveeta cheese - the finest cheese in the world - hovers mysteriously (is there anything Velveeta can't do?). The lady to our right has picked up a child in the baby aisle, packed fresh daily. Signs in the window advertise aluminum foil, bagels, ketchup, peaches, and other items available for such a value.

This last one was rather dark, and I lightened it as much as I dared. The freezer case holds a large assortment of Sara Lee products, including some new "light" treats for those watching their calories. I see a sign for "E-Z Por", but don't know what it was. There also appears to be a display of cigarettes in the distance, along with a sign saying that they appreciate our business.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit to Safeway!

Two Randos

I just learned that GDB friend Nanook will be retiring today, and I want to wish him all the best! Now he can relax, or go on adventures, read good books, enjoy good food, watch classic movies... sounds pretty sweet! Happy retirement day, Nanook!

I'll be sharing two scans today - snatched from their warm, cozy folder, dusted off, polished, and made ready to present to you.

This first one is dated "June, 1965", and is a nice view of a group of beautiful totem poles, contained in a corral to keep them from wandering off during the night. And possibly also to keep people from scratching their initials in them, as they like to do. I believe that these totem poles were added in 1962; before that, the Indian Village had mainly been a tribute to the Native Americans of the Great Plains and the Southwest. I've always been dazzled by the artistry of the carvings of the Indians of the Northwest peoples. Were these totem poles created by studio artists using accurate references? Or did they find actual native artisans to help? The answer might be gone after so many years.

This next one is from September, 1967, and features a group of kids excited to meet Mickey Mouse on the northeastern part of Town Square (there's the yellow Hills Bros. Coffee House behind them). A note on the slide mount tells us that the little girls in their matching hats are named Ann and Jill (they are also holding plastic Domino masks which must have come with the hats). Some of those boys are looking pretty rambunctious, and Mr. Yellow Shirt thinks he is posing, while the tall girl didn't get the memo. She looks like she could have walked right out of the Great Depression with that sack dress. I can't quite make out the design on the paper bags; they might be generic bags from a souvenir stand near the entrance.

Mark Twain and Captain Mike, 1978

I'm continuing to share the deluge of 1978 slide scans featuring the Mark Twain, courtesy of the Mysterious Benefactor! 

This first one is sort of a continuation from the last MB post (on July 12th), which had similar shots as seen from the bow of the Twain, as people rested on their little wire chairs and soaked in the sunshine. There's the "Hussong's Cantina" guy to the right.

And there he is, Captain Mike, as big as life! You can tell from these photos that the Cap'n excelled at making people feel welcome - a skill that I do not possess. I make people remember that they left their stove on, and they have to rush home ASAP. Mike's smile seems so genuine, how could anybody resist? I can almost hear his hearty voice and feel his warm, calloused handshake.

I think this is a neat angle on Fowler's Harbor, with the Columbia sleeping there (as usual). Everything looks so green.

It looks like Mike might have a story to tell to that lady, I hope it is G-rated. You know sailors. The Hungry Bear restaurant is behind him, one of my favorite places to dine if I can get a seat on the top level right next to the water (which I usually can).

Captain Mike knows that children are our future, and he needs to start training the next generation of experienced steamboat captains. What an honor to wear the captain's hat!

Captain Mike says, "Don't be a fool, stay in school". Good advice! Also, don't do drugs; it has something to do with frying eggs, but I forget what exactly. And another thing, don't play with blasting caps. Does anybody else remember PSAs telling kids to not play with blasting caps?! They mostly made me wish I could get my hands on some. Also, where does a kid buy some throwing stars?

The Captain has made that kid very happy, and what could be better than that? I wish I'd been lucky enough to meet the Cap'n, I hope he knew how much joy he brought to people.

 Many thanks to the Mysterious Benefactor!

Tahitian Terrace, March 1981

Photos of the general Adventureland area seem to be rather scarce - if guests did reach for their cameras, they usually did so on the Jungle Cruise, or else they took pictures of the exterior of the Enchanted Tiki Room, or of the Swiss Family Treehouse. So I welcomed these nice images, even if they are from 1981. The color is great, and Adventureland looks very inviting.

In this first shot, we have the ol' Tiki Room in the distance, with the Tahitian Terrace to the right of that, and in the foreground, a souvenir stand where guests could buy woven handbags, hats (for protection against the blazing tropical sun), and who knows what else. Rubber snakes? Shrunken heads! The best souvenir of all, even Grandma would love one hanging from her rearview mirror.

Our photographer thoughtfully took this nice picture of the sign outside of the Tahitian Terrace! Stouffers had been the sponsor since 1962 (when the Terrace debuted), but then Kikkoman took over. Guests could get all the ice-cold soy sauce they could drink! I'm enjoying the odd mix of Asian and African (and Polynesian?) decorations on the sign and dangling from the building itself. Is that a Zuni fetish doll just beneath the stylized buffalo head in the upper right?

A Pair From August, 1959

I'm using up the last two scans from a batch circa 1959; they're not bad, but not great! Speaking of not great, here's a picture of the Matterhorn as seen from the Plaza. I have similar photos from pretty much the same angle that I think are better - nicer lighting and color, and such. But this one is perfectly serviceable. The Monsanto House of the Future is mostly hidden by an olive tree, but it's there. 

I can't be too disappointed by any photo of the wonderful Moonliner, and certainly have worse examples than this. But it's odd that the photographer chose an angle that left 1/3 of the rocket obscured by tree. Just walk around to the other side! Still, that tree will be sorry when the rocket finally takes off!

A Trio From August, 1966

I'm using up the last three scans from a batch, circa "August 1966", which explains why they are kind of random. I just scanned a different batch from the same month and year, which proves that there is a conspiracy to turn us into lizard people. 

Here's an unusual view looking from the Disneyland Railroad toward the turnstiles and out into the parking lot. The spaceship-thingy under construction is the Anaheim Convention Center. There's quite a crowd entering the park, but the Big Bad Wolf and at least two of the Three Little Pigs are causing a traffic jam. Notice the back of the poster frames.

I love just about any photo taken from a monkey's-eye view, and here's one from the top branches of the Swiss Family Treehouse, looking northwest-ish along the Rivers of America. There's not much to see besides a raft to Tom Sawyer Island deplaning, but I still like the lack of development in that vast wilderness.

And... you know it, you tolerate it, it's yet another look at the façade of "it's a small world". Every time I see a photo like this, I think that it would be fun to build an accurate scale model of this out of foam core. Especially if I had a CNC machine! Accurate plan views would be nice too. I'll get right on it... tomorrow.

Sleeping Beauty Castle, July 1964

Today's photos are Dullsville, daddy-o! But that's why they're here on a Sunday, when all of you are out frolicking on the beach or at the local malt shop. It's two - TWO! - photos of the most-photographed castle of all, Sleeping Beauty Castle and Frozen Yogurteria. 

This first one had problems, as you can see by the red portion at the bottom of the photo; the film must have been exposed to light I suppose. I still insist that things were better before the "Partners" statue was in the spot where that little flower bed is. Guests are milling around, or sitting and resting their aching feet, watching the Horse Drawn Carriage pass by.

Our photographer panned up to make sure that there were no archers about to fire their crossbows at us (with flaming arrows!). It could happen.

More From the 1953 Tulsa State Fair

Here are the last five photos from a batch featuring the 1953 Tulsa (Oklahoma) State Fair. It was all about oil and drilling and pumping! Maybe you will strike it rich when you find a gusher on your property.

There's the US Steel pavilion, with one of those pumps known as "mules" (in orange) out front. That hypnotic movement used to be a familiar sight when I lived in Huntington Beach, those things were all over. I assume that the tall structure is a drilling platform or derrick, or whatever the correct term is. "Drill thingy"? 

This is a neat one because it shows a rare photo of an early version (possibly the first version?) of the famous "Golden Driller" statue, commissioned by Mid-Continent Supply Company in 1952. Several different Golden Drillers have been built over the decades, including one in 1959, and another in 1966, but photos of this version seem to be hard to come by. This one is my favorite, not that I am biased or anything. Judging from his gesture, he has just enjoyed a spicy meatball.

Another drilling derrick. It might not be beautiful, but it's kind of impressive anyway. And when the black gold (or you may know it as Texas Tea!) comes rocketing out, you'll do a little dance that would make Gabby Hayes proud. By cracky! 

You know what color I'm going to paint my equipment if I am in the oil biz? Spotless white! And my crews are going to wear all white, as if they were selling Good Humor ice cream.

And here's one last photo with some beautiful cars (looks like the ride on more than a few dirt roads). In the distance we can see the General Motors had a presence at the Fair, as did Bethlehem Steel. The long white building nearest to us is a rifle range because Oklahoma. 

 I hope you have enjoyed your visit to the 1953 Tulsa State Fair!

FYI, my poor old computer died on Thursday night. That's bad enough, but I went to order a new one, and due to popular demand, I may not get it until mid-August. UGH. That's gonna be torture. So I will try to respond to comments the best I can, but am not nuts about typing long responses on my phone! Maybe I'll figure out a workaround. I'm just telling you this so that you won't think I'm ignoring all of you.

Two Beautiful Photos From June, 1956

It's time for more amazing photos from Lou and Sue! These are from 1956; I don't know if this was Lou's first visit to the park, but I am glad that he was armed with his trusty camera and some Kodachrome slide film. 

Look at this first one! The Fantasyland Skyway Chalet is under construction, perhaps only around halfway done. So cool! Look at the stack of cedar shakes piled up on top of the roof. The bare hillsides that separate Frontierland from Fantasyland look especially new and raw here. And if that wasn't enough, there's lots of fun people to look at.

Let's zoom in a little, for a better look at the hubbub up on the hill. I think I count 11 men working away - Walt wanted this new feature to be ready as soon as possible! I'm noticing a man in the foreground holding  a copy of the first Disneyland souvenir guidebook, it's always fun to see something so familiar "in the wild".

I assume that this next photo was taken aboard the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship, probably from the poop deck; Lou wanted a good vantage point from which to view Storybook Land. The familiar and charming miniature scenes were added to this attraction in '56, so I am guessing that this is what's going on here.

Some of the scenes are already in place, we can see the steeple of the church from the Alice in Wonderland tableau. The attraction reopened on June 16th, 1956, mere days after Lou took this picture.

MANY THANKS to Lou and Sue!

A Selection From June 1963

I'm sharing the last four scans from a nice lot of "June 1963" slides. Thanks, little slides!

The Columbia looks pretty swell as it pulls away from the dock, on its journey along the Rivers of America. Notice the construction wall over in what would eventually be New Orleans Square, while plenty of white cast-iron benches face the river so that weary guests could rest their feet while taking in the scenery.

You know it, you love it, it's the Friendly Indian Village. I've seen so many pictures of it that I feel like I grew up there. Through the trees behind the village you can see tiny spots of brilliant yellow, which I realized was the Disneyland Railroad passing.

Yeah, yeah, Sub lagoon, I know, I know. Not even Fudgie the Whale to entertain, educate, and amuse us. But at least there's a Monorail to honk at us.

Here's an interesting photo taken from a spy satellite, thousands of miles above the Urf. You've probably heard that those spy cameras can make your license plate legible, and it's true. Here we see guest relaxing in their deck chairs right out on the tippety-tip (nautical term) of the Mark Twain.  The local football team is there in case the Twain gets stuck on a sandbar - those guys can lift the whole boat, no problemo! Some of you may recognize two of the ladies in their distinctive white coats.

Autopia Costumes and More!

GDB friend and scholar Mike Cozart has shared some neat material relating to Disneyland employee costumes - specifically costumes for the Autopia. I believe that these are from the 1980s. 

Here's two young men, looking ready to live in outer space, or at least ready to help guests in and out of their Autopia vehicles. I have to admit that the blue with the lemon-yellow accents looks pretty cool. Much better than the purple and teal that I might have expected from the '80s! The guy on the left seems to be wearing the warm-weather version, while the fellow to the right has a turtleneck shirt beneath his jumpsuit, and a sweet-looking jacket over that.

The ladies had their own versions, though a little more form-fitting. This time the gal on the left has the jacket, while the one on the right has the yellow turtleneck. Love that '80s hair!

While the next two photos are certainly on the Autopia, the costumes are not from the Autopia. Mike says that these ladies are wearing Circe-Vision costumes from when that attraction was sponsored by Pacific Southwest Airlines. I wonder if these were taken early in the morning, before guests were admitted? It's neat to see all those Mark VII vehicles in all four colors (collect 'em all!).

Well hello! As a matter of fact, I am free later, thanks for asking! But I'm not a sailor, I don't know what gave you that impression. I guess everyone smoked back then, both sultry ladies are wielding cigarettes.

Mike also included two pieces of artwork from an anonymous costume designer. Here's the first one, for the men's outfits:

And here's one for the ladies, which was pretty similar, although clearly tailored for women. It included that cap for when the solar flares were especially active.

And lastly, just because it related to cast member costumes in general, here's a scan of a photo (not sure what publication this was originally from) with men and women from all around The Magic Kingdom in their land-and-ride specific costumes. Such a variety!

As always, MANY THANKS to Mike Cozart for sharing more gems from his personal collection!

Two Scans From September, 1959

Like the title of today's post says, today I have a pair of scans from September of 1959. I'd say that this is a lovely view of the river, with good color and lighting! The Columbia was still pretty new at this point, and I like the addition of details like the little Keelboat, the raft unloading at the dock, and people fishing at that other dock. A Conestoga Wagon can just be seen to the left of the Columbia too.

I must have been sniffing glue the day I scanned this slide, since I originally labeled it "Overlooking Fantasyland". Huh? Anyway, it's a nice and busy photo showing Town Square with the Horse Drawn Carriage, an Omnibus (notice the "Disneyland '59" banner!), lots of folks resting in the shade, and more guests lining up at the train station for a Grand Circle Tour. Bunting on the station is likely left over from the ceremony introducing the Matterhorn, Subs, and Monorail.

Around Main Street, October 1981

Let's all wish DrGoat (real name: Peter) a very Happy Birthday! Sue B. wants to pass along her own special birthday good wishes too!

Today I have six wonderful photos from Lou and Sue. You know them, you love them, you might owe them some money. First up is this nice image of the Flower Market as it looked when it was moved from West Center Street to East Center Street (it moved in 1977). Not that different, really, but still interesting! Where are all the people? There's a lonely female CM, and that man in white who might be a sweeper, it's hard to say for sure.

I wonder if the displays featured more red, orange, and yellow than usual because Halloween was near? Or these are the colors people want in Autumn? It could just be a coincidence of course. 

Over on this side it's pinks and reds and lavenders, so my theory is worthless! Somehow I'll still manage to sleep well tonight. I tried to find the date when the Flower Mart was eliminated, and found one site that said it went away in 1979, but Lou's 1981 photos disprove that date.

A fourth photo of the Flower Mart! I think you can handle it. Notice the Hallmark Store to the left, which in that location for 25 years (1960 to 1985).

Next is this different view near the end of Main Street, looking toward the Coca Cola Refreshment Corner.  I'd like to go in there and order a Moxie. Or a Nehi. Or something else that they don't have, because I'm a li'l troublemaker. There will be tears! You can see that some of the trees along the sidewalk are surrounded with barriers, and one of the trees looks pretty small. Did they replace all of the old, out-of-scale trees with new ones in 1981?

And finally, a very nice look at Sleeping Beauty Castle, without the "bold colors" of later years. It's so unbold! The flowerbed right in front of us would eventually be the home of the "Partners" statue, installed a dozen years after Lou took these photos.

THANKS so much to Lou and Sue for more beautiful photos!

OK But Blurry, January 1969

I have a small group of slides from 1969, and they might have ordinarily been perfectly OK... nothing great, but acceptable. BUT... nearly all of them are blurry. Which makes them useful for a "Snoozer Sunday", I guess. 

This nice lady with the cool shades is enjoying a ride on the Storybook Land Canal Boats, and her sweetie wanted to capture the moment. Well, he did a terrible job and should go to jail!

What could be more charming than the mechanical clock in front of "it's a small world"? Nothing! But a blurry photo kind of ruins it.

This is probably the best one of the bunch, with five friends (or are they family?) posing in front of the turnstiles. It's January, so the sun is already well on its way down even though it's not even 2 o'clock (if the clock on Main Street Station can be believed). The girl in red is carrying a souvenir wall map.

Somewhere in Frontierland, a group of silhouettes stops for lunch. 

And one more blurry photo, with the nice lady posing in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. She and her boyfriend must have been disappointed with their flawed pictures when they got them back from the Photomat; maybe that's why they wound up on eBay 50 years later!