A Random Trio
I have three "shoulda been rejects" for you today! It's like getting a free meal of bad food, I suppose, but the price is right, so DIG IN!
This first one is from August of 1959. It's not surprising that at least some of the photos taken from the constantly-moving, often-swaying Skyway gondolas might be blurry, so I can forgive that. Allowing that vertical support to bisect the image is unforgivable though, and I am currently in therapy twice a week because of it. Even the man in the yellow bucket can't believe the indignity.
From July, 1964 comes this photo from the western edge of the great frontier (as seen from the Rivers of America). Sure, we can see a bit of the "unfriendly" Indian Village, and the interesting sacred funerary display to the right, but the photo is dark, and is 88% trees. I did the math!
And finally, from August, 1966 is this not-great photo of the Mark Twain as seen in my patented "over-the-shoulder-vision". It's like Cinerama, only lame!
22 comments:
Major-
Oh, the indignity, indeed-! (That man got plenty of work in Hollywood just from this one expression). I'm betting your math is a bit 'off', as according to my calculations it's closer to 91%. If truth be told, Fred Waller's first experiments with wide screen started out with "Over-the-Shoulder-Vision"®; but he had a hard time fitting the camera assembly between shoulders. Although that didn't seem to be much of an issue with this image, as we not only capture Cascade Peak, but we also spy several vacant chairs on the bow of the Mark Twain.
Happy Sunday, Major.
In the "over-the-shoulder-vision" picture, you can even see Cascade Peak - over Mark Twain's shoulder!
In that same photo, I wish we could see the people's faces more clearly, as there seems to be a lot of interesting interaction going on. Hot pink feather sighting, too!
Thank you, Major! Enjoyed your commentary on these - especially the first one.
Good morning, Nanook! Are you enjoying retirement?
Melissa, Irene, Kathy...
What do you think that orange and green [crocheted??] thing is, around the lady's neck, in the last photo?
I believe the photographer suffered from vertical support syndrome. It starts with telephone poles and power poles and develops into a more serious condition later on.
Nice Random Trio. I still like the Skyway pic. Thanks, Major.
I think the orange and green is just the trim on the ladies sweater. Or maybe it’s a poncho! I’m going to assume it’s a poncho until proven otherwise, because making up stuff about things that are out of frame is fun.
The bespectacled gentleman in the right hand skyway bucket in the first picture looks like a combination of Vincent Price and Floyd the Barber.
Every time I see a photo of the Indian villages, I want to do a little over night stealth camping. My dream as a lad. I think Floyd is saying "Can you not see the pole is messing up your picture?" Back of the head shots are cool because it could be anyone. I think it's Marilyn Monroe and Jack Lemmon. I may be delusional, but I stay entertained. Thanks Major.
Major, thank you for these pics. As always, it seems any picture of old Disneyland has “some” redeeming quality. It’s reasonable to have one or two clangers in a roll, But these are really pretty sad. Are these all by the same photographer? Because that would be very sad indeed.
The Pirate Ship clearly has the Jolly Roger aloft, and Floyd is awaiting the Matterhorn passage, which may or may not be behind us.
There is a stump in the right foreground of the UIV (papoose-free), was that a real stump or a prop concealing lighting or some other backstage gimmickry? It is shaped as if cut by an axe, not a saw.
Lots of straw hats on the men on the Mark Twain, a bright summer day.
Have a good Sunday, everyone!
JG
HEY! I have my new computer! Days early, too. It took me almost a whole day to get it up and running (cable issues), but I am almost back to normal. I still need to subscribe to Photoshop CC, and it just makes me mad that I have to, but… that’s life. Like the Hulk, I’m always angry. Anyway, now I can continue to respond to everyone’s comments!
Nanook, clearly you are using the “New Math”, that accounts for the disparity. What Hollywood production used “Oh, the indignity”?? I probably should know who Fred Waller is (was?), maybe he was a famous photographer? So many questions.
Lou and Sue, I see it, I see it! Hot pink is the finest color for an ostrich plume, it’s been scientifially proven by physicists. Or something.
Lou and Sue, Nanook showed up to work today in his pajamas, he’s so disoriented!
Lou and Sue, you don’t think that’s just the knit collar of her sweater?
K. Martinez, thank you for enlightening us about that tragic condition! Perhaps I should run a telethon to raise money for a cure?
Melissa, oh, a poncho, that’s an interesting idea. Way to think outside the sweater. I thought the man in the Skyway bucket looked like Forrest J. Ackerman (a childhood hero of mine)! How many people reading this will have to look up that name?
Jonathan, I guess I agree about almost any Disneyland photo having at least a little bit of a reason for being. You have just saved these slides from the electric chair (“Old Sparky”). I think I usually had a lot more than two clinkers on a roll of film, sadly. I love the Jolly Roger flying proudly, I wonder where they got those? Was there a supply house that made large pirate flags? Just in case, I guess. Interesting point about that stump, but I’m going to wager that it was just a plain old tree stump - it had probably grown large enough to obscure the scenery. But it might have some secret function!
"I believe the photographer suffered from vertical support syndrome. It starts with telephone poles and power poles and develops into a more serious condition later on."
And before you know it, you're a camera operator on The Patty Duke Show. Sad, really.
OK...a variety of photos with a variety of comments! Skyway/Fantasyland. I'm not sure WHAT is goin' on in the photographers bucket...but it is enough to have both on-coming buckets staring and wincing in a very "WHAT THE"....way. I have to admit that I have never seen the Pirate Ship from this angle before as the ship looks sooooo wide! I love those umbrellas in Fantasyland and it looks like the guests do too! The one front and center seems to have the entire Family Von Trapp under it...and what's that? It looks like ears of a plush Mickey...or...it's another Von Trapp with mouse ears on? I don't remember if the burger place below was "Fan 1 or Fan 2"...either way, the smoke of charbroiled burgers that emanated from those establishments was palpable. Literally giant smoke balls travelled all the way over to Tomorrowland when it was hit by another giant ball of smoke called Coke Terrace. I'm sure the Matterhorn had to be de-greased from time to time. That water in the ship moat looks so blu- green and "mermaidy"...I only ever saw it in "Disneyland Green". Is that Casey Jr. spelled out in alyssum? or is that the beginnings of "Casa De Fritos". I don't think Casa De Fritos would do badly here. Burgers, a tuna sandwich or a taco? Collect them all! Pic #2: Yes, a Papoose free village! But it looks like uncle Elmo is over there being made into beef jerky. I have to say that at the time it didn't horrify me, but now...it's a bit morbid even though it may be authentic. Pic #3 Cascade peak...even a tiny bit is appreciated! What is the average age in this photo? Could it be that a "Welcome Seniors" banner is stretching across Main Street at the moment? oh wait...I see a wee one on the top shelf under a giant magenta plume...as a somewhat senior I do appreciate a "welcome seniors" wherever I go. I don't know what you are saying Major. Sunday photos are always the best. And who doesn't love a wonderful Olive Green and Orange poncho strap? Or is it a camera strap? And is that black strap thing a garden hose? hmmm...the possibilities.
I find myself missing the mysteries of the Indian Village when it was partially concealed from view. Seems more realistic than today. Hey it's a Frontier(land) isn't it? KS
@ Melissa-
Vincent Price & Howard McNear ('Floyd the Barber'). Good call. In 1958, McNear can be seen playing 'Andy the Barber' on Leave It to Beaver, in the Season 2 episode entitled: "The Shave". On second glance, that lady's 'mystery top', seems to be sleeveless - or merely sporting a very early 'cold shoulder look...'
Major-
In addition to inventing the 'Aquaplane', or more-commonly known as the water ski [patented in 1925], Fred Waller also created the Waller Flexible Gunnery Trainer used during WWII. It was ultimately adopted into the invention of Cinerama.
@ Melissa-
"...Our Patty loves to rock 'n roll - a hot dog makes her lose control..." Now that's sad-!
@ Bu-
That would be Fan 2. 'Casa de Casey'. Hmmmm... And then there could be a 'Casa de Casey Junior'-! (Oh, brother). Don't give them any ideas-!
Yea! Major is now all computered up. I missed all the witty banter. When I get a new piece of technology, I get my youngest son to set it up for me. To say I am computer challenged is an understatement.
Melissa, now I am REALLY confused!
Bu, the photographer in the Skyway photo always undressed as the gondola crossed the park. That’s how they do it in Europe, or so I’m told. You are right, the Pirate Ship does look especially wide, which makes sense since it was really a restaurant. Funny how it looks “normal” from almost every other perspective. I don’t know about the Von Trapp family, but there sure are a lot of kids. The thought of taking a bunch of kids to the park exhausts me! “Fan 2” is the eatery below the bucket. I want the job of degreasing the Matterhorn… such a specialized job surely paid BIG MONEY. As for the average age of visitors, I really do think that adults made up the majority of the guests at any given time. Of course families brought children, but we’ve seen plenty of photos where hardly any kids are visible.
KS, I know what you’re saying about the mystery, but I’ll bet Walt would want people to see the details he paid for!
Nanook, well I feel silly now, how could I have forgotten about the Waller Flexible Gunnery Trainer?! :-D I had a rookie Fred Waller card, from the “Gunnery Trainer” bubblegum card series. (I kid because I love!).
Jonathan, I have a weird love/hate thing about setting up new computers. It’s sort of fun, and sort of an ordeal. What does that say about me?
JC Shannon, I’m in the same boat with you regarding computers. But as long as you can communicate with us, you’re doing great!
I tend to go into anaphylactic shock when I face anything new computer-wise.
Maj, I was just having a laugh at the expense of the old-fashioned split-screen technique where they’d often have some vertical object dividing the space. Welcome back to the land of the becomputered!
If we’re eating at Casa de Casey, I’ll have the Casey-dilla Junior. Hold the circus peanuts.
@ Melissa-
The jokes just write themselves, don't they-?
@Naniok They’d better!
Sue,
I think our lady in white in the last picture is sporting a stylish yarn collar accent. Good eye on the pink ostrich plume. Do I see one of my favorite paper conical Disneyland souvenir hats on the M.T. too? At least there's some nice color today, Major. And don't photos like these make the exceptional ones all the more special? Glad that your computer is up and running.
I just remembered the episode of Maverick where Bart and Samantha Crawford are stranded in the wilderness and steal some pemmican from a native burial site like the one in the second picture. Frontierland must have been so exciting for the kids who grew up on those black and white TV westerns.
Melissa, DrGoat and other cat owners:
Make sure you see TokyoMagic's new post!
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