The Return of Cap'n Mike!
I am pleased to present another selection of scans, with thanks to the generosity of the Mysterious Benefactor. These are the last images from Folder #4... but never fear, there are TEN more folders!
By now most of you should be well-acquainted with Captain Mike, who could not only pilot a Mississippi riverboat by sense of smell alone (necessary on moonless nights), but he was also a raconteur who made sure each guest felt welcome on his boat.
I wish I had his people skills, I never know what to say. But Captain Mike always knew what to say, even to a squirmy three-year-old. Notice the little girl in pigtails is wearing a Magic Mountain shirt with one of the original trolls that used to populate the park (along with a wizard). I believe that "Bloop" is the troll pictured on her shirt.
"Why yes, I know Slue Foot Sue, in fact I used to date her! She was... um, er... well, she is a fine woman indeed!". Captain Mike almost forgot himself. Meanwhile, look at the beautiful wilderness as the boat progresses along the river.
I assume that the Captain had grandchildren, look at how he really is listening to the little girl. I was trying to figure out that bucket hat on the smaller girl, and it appears to have Disney characters, possibly Mickey in an appropriate costume for each land.
Captain Mike doesn't want the little girl to see the dead body on the raised bier behind them, so he distracts her by pointing out a cloud that looks like Vinnie Barbarino.
And... the actual last photo from Folder #4, a cheerful cast member named "Dave". I don't know if he worked ashore, or assisted guests onboard the riverboat (or both), but either way, I feel safe in his capable hands.
THANK YOU, Mysterious Benefactor!
23 comments:
Major-
I think many of the problems in today's society can be boiled down to one thing: Simply not enough raconteur's-! (And as long as we're on the subject... more 'dandy's' would also help assuage the lack of decorum). Captain Mike knew how to 'raise the bar' of civil discourse, all the while keeping things ship-shape..
Thanks, Major.
A trip aboard the Mark Twain with Cap'n Mike was an added bit of fun for young and old. As a young Ensign in the Navy once told me, the Captain always knows what to do. He is probably regaling his young listeners with tales of currents and snags and river pirates. He has seen it all. The young man in the last photo was manning the helm, keeping clear of Keel Boats and Canoes and such. All in all, a perfect day on the river. Thanks Major and MB.
Never consciously noticed that funnel or capstan (the big, round doohickey) behind that row of seats before. I know I have to have navigated around them to sit up front with my grandmother, but I was probably too focused on not running over peoples toes with her wheelchair…if they even let us take her wheelchair on the boat. Maybe she walked. I hate it when I can’t remember stuff. Like pants - why do I always forget to wear pants to work on Thursdays.? At least I never forget to put on a pair of box- uh-oh. This is embarrassing. I’m going to get fired for this, aren’t I? Shouldn’t have told the boss “I’m livin’ the dream…”
I think Disney missed out on an obvious sponsorship opportunity for the Mark Twain - RCA. They could have put a statue of Nipper in front of the funnel. Genius!
These are always fun to study the details, Major. I promise to review closely later.
Thank you!
JG
Raconteur - is that like a Mouseketeer, but with raccoons?
Just a treat watching everyone have a good time, back when Mike could actually touch a child and not give it a second thought. I want to jump into those photos so bad. The happiest place on earth for real.
Nanook,
Not only enough raconteur's, dandy's, good fellow's and old beans, but too many
Ne"er-do-wells and varlets.
"See that cloud, little Susie? It looks just like Vinnie Barbarino."
"Who?"
"Barbarino."
"Where?"
"Up there."
"What?"
"That cloud... oh, I get it."
"What?"
That last shot is so good of the CM...I'm asking my friends if anyone can identify him. You never know. KS
@ DrGoat-
Although not always true, I refer to ne'er-do-wells as 'trust loungers'.
@ Melissa-
"Hey, You remind me of a man".
"What man-?"
"The man with the power".
"What power-?"
"The power of hoodoo"
"Hoodoo-?'
"You do"
"Do what-?"
"Remind me of a man..."
And I have him identified. Dave F. I have forwarded a note to him via FB. He and I share a number of the same Disney friends so maybe he might chime in. Thanks for the post Major! KS
I hope we hear from Dave F.!
Nanook, people who used to be raconteurs are now podcasters! In theory, anyway. I’ve had people suggest to me that I should be a podcaster, and my response is: NO.
Jonathan, I wonder if the kids that we’ve seen in a number of photos still remember Captain Mike? You’d think that an experience like that would stick with a person. When I see photos of CMs like that last one, I always wish I could interview the person!
Chuck, I’m glad that you included the technical term for the capstan (“big, round doohickey”). As a nautical person myself, I always appreciate accuracy. I would think that the Mark Twain would be the perfect ride for wheelchairs, and in fact I believe that I’ve even had photos where you could see a wheelchair or two right up front. Also… you wear pants to work? I’ll have to try that sometime. Hey, in this crazy pandemic, no boss worth his salt would fire an employee for a little thing like showing up to work mostly nude. Just write about it in the next company newsletter! Nipper on the Mark Twain, I like it. But then again, I’d like to see Nipper on all of the attractions.
JG, I will hold you to that promise, and will show up on your doorstep in exactly one year!
Melissa, you are close, but are thinking of the results of when a Mouseketeer MARRIES a raccoon.
DrGoat, you make a good point, these days it would probably behoove any CM to keep their distance. Even a perfectly innocent pat on the shoulder might result in an irate parent. I’ve seen plenty of Old Beans, but not very many New Beans.
Melissa: you’ve described that scene so vividly that I can already imagine it, as directed by Steven Spielberg. Tom Cruise IS: Vinnie Barbarino. (They might have to change the name to Jack Barbarino because Tom Cruise likes to play characters named Jack).
KS, That would be awesome!
Nanook, I think that Cary Grant scene has appeared in these comments before!
KS, wow! Amazing! I would love to hear from Dave F. Thank you so much!
Lou and Sue, you aren’t kidding!
Oscar Goldman appears in photo two, looking for Steve Austin in the forest.
Following extensive text recognition analysis, I have determined that the youngsters hat reads “Adventureland”. One shot shows Mickey in a safari jacket.
Capstans were named after a sartorially correct deck hand named Stan, I feel sure of this.
I thought a raconteur was someone who used raccoons to disrupt industrial production when shoes were unavailable, but I am less sure of this.
Pretty sure Cary Grant wore pants to work.
Really great to know Dave F, what are the odds to ID him after so long? It would be great to hear from him. Thanks KS and Major!
Today is a first for me, posting to GDB from poolside. Hooray for hotel WiFi!
JG
In the second to the last image - to the right of Captain Mike , you can see the sacred Indian ( unfriendly) burial grounds .......warriors who have fallen in battle are placed upon the traditional bed of death - at night his fellow warriors will come to mourn the brave warrior who brought great honor to their tribe. The terms of treaty forbid Tom Sawyer Island explores from journeys to that part of the island.
School has started back, so I only get in on the tail end of the comments now! Arrrrrrrrgh! 0ne year, four months to go and then I can comment all day, every day!!!
Stu29573 - Welcome to GDB After Dark! A few of us check in here in the evening, mostly to see the nightly fireworks and twinkly lights in the trees!
@ JG-
It does kinda look as if Mickey is wearing a safari jacket and hat. But it clearly says "Frontierland". So, I'm guessing that's supposed to be a cowboy hat. I think I found a solution... LOOKIE HERE
JG & Nanook- With those eyelashes & dress, I would say that is Minnie not Mickey... ;)
-DW
Looking at the photos and Nanook's link:
Donald's(?) in Adventureland, Minnie's in Frontierland, Goofy's in Tomorrowland...who's in Fantasyland, I wonder? Maybe Mickey??
JG, I hope you're having a wonderful vacation!
School has started back, so I only get in on the tail end of the comments now! Arrrrrrrrgh! 0ne year, four months to go and then I can comment all day, every day!!!
Stu, just get up when Major's new posts post. Problem solved.
That's 2:00 a.m., my time - probably the same for you, too. You'll be first, if you can beat Nanook. Also, you have ALL DAY on weekends.
Still hoping we hear from Dave F. Would love to hear about some of his experiences at Disneyland. (He has a fantastic smile!)
Fun post, Major and all!
JG, Oscar hopes that Steve Austin has found Bigfoot! Jeez, I still can’t make out what is on that darn hat. I agree that Cary Grant wore pants to work, did I somehow give the impression that I thought he didn’t?? Given the closeness of CMs back in those days, I’ll bet a lot of them participate in various forums and Facebook groups, probably happy to share memories, and hoping to reconnect with old friends. I know you’re enjoying your poolside relaxation, but it’s too bad we couldn’t have met up for coffee or whatever!
Mike Cozart, is the info about the Indian burial “official lore”?
Stu29573, ha ha, I wish I could guarantee that I will still be blogging in 2023! I probably will, it’s always a crapshoot as to whether I will have enough photos to last.
Sunday Night, GDB After Dark - men must wear smoking jackets (you don’t have to smoke, though), and ladies can wear casual evening wear.
Nanook, very cool that you found the actual hat!! Thanks!
DW, yes, definitely Minnie.
Lou and Sue, I guess it would almost have to be Mickey in Fantasyland. I wonder what costume he would be wearing? If anything, I’d expect him to be in his traditional outfit, tails, red bowtie, etc. Like you see in parades. And you make great suggestions, Stu can stay up until 12:01 and be the first person to comment! Sleep is overrated. Let’s cross our fingers about Dave F.!
@ DW-
Mickey was in drag-!
I forgot to thank MB...
THANK YOU, MB!
Nanook, thanks for the hat close-up, I thought the panel in picture 3 read “Adventureland”, it has a different graphic that I can’t make out. Maybe Donald based since there is a patch of blue.
I wonder if there were graphics for all the lands around the brim?
Sue and Major, living the life here, it’s all wine and roses.
JG
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