Two Leftuggies
I have a pair of orphan slides - all by themselves, with nobody in the world to take care of them. Except me! I'll give them a warm home and all the gruel they can eat.
From August, 1971 comes this photo of the Pearly Band (see how their costumes are festooned with large mother-of-pearl buttons?) as they serenade guests over near Storybook Land. An animated Pearly Band appeared in "Mary Poppins" (1964), and they can still be seen performing in the parks. I'm not sure if they were a mere quartet here, or if the photographer only captured part of the band. It usually consisted of more than four members. Sometimes they will be accompanied by Mary Poppins or Bert.
From October, 1959 comes this crisp, bright, colorful photo of Sleeping Beauty Castle. I sometimes groan when I see the million-and-fifth photo of SBC, but I have to admit that a nice image like this one still makes me happy.
27 comments:
Major-
That shot of the SBC also makes me happy - especially since the view is 'cable-free' - as it predates Tiny Kline (as Tinker Bell) "flying" as part of Fantasy in the Sky [beginning on June 9, 1961]. And that fella walking towards us with that sullen expression, merely adds icing to the cake.
Thanks, Major.
Please, Major....I want some more.
Thanks to Stefano, I can’t un-see that “dent” about 2/3 of the way up the roof of the right -side turret (the one with the pennant). Not a complaint - I think it’s a cool detail that I had just never noticed.
Note the identically-lidded group on the castle bridge headed towards the Hub. Are those cowboy hats? Zorro hats? Porkpies?
Darn it, TM! - you beat me to that same joke!
This castle exudes charm and fantasy and it’s color scheme is dignified and planned to make the structure appear larger than it really is. It appears in many views like a real castle and not a over exaggerated plastic glossy toy made in China.
“We regret that access to Fantasyland via the Castle Garden , Castle Draw Bridge and Snow White Grotto is available only to guests with GENIE+ ; available for purchase via the Disneyland Mobile AP.
All other guests may enter Fantasyland via Matterhorn Way and Big Thunder Trail in Frontierland - Thank you”
That's SBC the way it was intended to be. There are enough toys in the world, and precious few fantasies (real ones, not ginned up marketing campaigns). Ah what we have lost...and that's quite a lot.
Decades of fools in power have hollowed out a once great company.
Major, I’m glad you found useful work for these orphans so they can earn their keep.
Pearlies are an odd group, I get that they were part of the movie, but I don’t remember them clearly.
This is a great shot of the Castle, and I never tire of seeing it as it was meant to be, dents and all. Everlasting imprecations on the clowns who came up with the current color scheme.
I’ve often wondered, and am now convinced that some of the smallest pennants are sheet metal, not cloth. They always wave in the same direction, which today is counter to the wind moving the other flags, and also do not droop. Vexillology FTW.
This shot of the drawbridge shows the seating outcroppings that were discussed a few posts back.
Thanks Major and everyone.
JG
Nanook, interesting, I didn’t even think about the cable for Tinker Bell’s flight! Great observation.
TokyoMagic! Wellll, OK. But only because you asked nicely.
Chuck, why am I not seeing the dent? Do I suffer from “dent blindness”? Should there be a telethon to help me? Ah yes, I see the group with the identical hats. Possibly porkpies, maybe trilbys. Although the kid with the blue shirt has a hat that seems to have a wider brim.
Mike Cozart, what you say is interesting, but hear me out: Wouldn’t it be better if the castle was painted pink? I mean REALLY pink? And those turrets could use some intense blue. And what about some sparkles here and there? Don’t give Disney more ideas on how they can “upcharge” us!
Stu29573, now the castle looks like it was brought to us by Mattel. Barbie’s pink plastic car would look just fine parked in front. Those execs might have degrees from USC, but they don’t know diddly about what made Disneyland great.
JG, there are so many uses for skinny children in industry. Those thin arms can reach into the gears to retrieve a dropped screwdriver, saving my company $3! I admit that I didn’t really remember the Pearly Band from “Mary Poppins” much either, but they really are there. The “Jolly Holliday” sequence. I do think that some of those little pennants are metal - maybe they were useful as lightning rods. Which makes me wonder, has the castle ever been struck by lightning? Thanks for pointing out the now-removed bridge seating.
Pearl buttons and fancy fencing - everything’s decorated nicely in that first shot.
And this castle’s decorated nicely, too!
I’ve learned a lot about the castle this week. Thanks to to you Jr. Gorillas, I now know there was bridge seating, and a dented turret. But, like the Major, I don’t see the dent...is it visible in today’s picture?
One thing that really stood out to me, seeing all the castle pictures this week, is how beautiful this castle looks against the blue sky...the turrets sometimes blend in with the sky...nothing clashes - like today’s toy castle.
Thanks, Major!
Photo 2 should be titled 'Mildly Stoic Man Posing For Million-and-fifth Photo of Castle-as-it-Should-Be'.
Chuck, I just re-read today's comments and I see that you did describe where the dent is (thank you!)...I'm currently putting on my strongest glasses and going to enlarge the picture on my cell phone. Let's hope my old eyes can find that dent...
I also have dent blindness. But I will enjoy a great view of the castle. One of those lawns is the one where the photo of Walt and one of the grandkids was taken with them sitting in the dirt. Who knows which kid, those Millers produced quite a brood. It's nice to see a drawbridge looking like a drawbridge- and I do have the dubious distinction of seeing it being lowered for the 2nd time when the "New" Fantasyland opened. Which was quite an unexpected all-around show- complete with dragons and a giant Maleficent- that Mrs. Disney made a very very rare appearance for. She at that point was Mrs. Disney again, but before her second husband died she was to be called Mrs. Truyens. She was NOT part of the "everyone is called by their first name" crowd. She was only Mrs. Disney, and when introduced: Mrs. Walt Disney. When the castle went into it's current color "scheme" (term used loosely) there was an interview with Kim Irvine who actually directed the paint job. She had mentioned that John Hench had always wanted the Castle a bit more color-forward than what was actually chosen in the end. Well...the world certainly got that. Even as a 2nd Gen Imagineer, and with a very historic iconic Disney Mom (Madame Leota) you would think that some different choices would have been made...but...it is what it is. The current demographic of churro consuming, plush hoarding, genie purchasing guests perhaps like their bling and over stimulated world. Given the 3 hour virtual waiting time to buy an annual pass (I read about that this morning) I don't think anyone is losing sleep about a colorful castle....except myself.
@ Chuck-
There's a possibility two of the three hats are the same style as seen in my thumbnail...
Chuck, I still don't see the dent in today's picture - but, following your description of where it is, made it easier to find on photos from earlier this week. Aha(!), it's towards the front of that turret! Looks like a pucker.
For anyone else still trying to find it: You can see it best on GDB 8/22/21 (last photo - just above the tree branch on the right turret, half-way up the front of the turret); and GDB 8/24/21 (last photo - right turret with the yellow pendant).
Thanks, Chuck!
Bu, I just read your comment. I hope my comment, just added above, helps you find it! It's easier to see when the sunlight hits it just right.
Eureka! I have found it! Thanks Sue!
Bu, speaking of “sunlight hitting it just right” - were you with us when we discovered Fudgie (Fudgy?) on the Matterhorn, earlier this year?
Same here. A dent...where? Oh now I see it...I think...I'll make myself believe! At this age I'm still fortunately 20/20 but...
The Pearly Band members...all familiar faces. Can hear them as they wound their way through the Park. While there is no inclusion of the bass drum player player in the picture...such his expressions were always memorable. He looked like he was having fun..LOL...not! Always made me laugh. How I look upon them all now with fondness. KS
Sue, thanks for your dent direction-finding.
Also, google "Skywalker Ranch Fire Department". You will understand.
@KS, how fun that you recognize those musicians.
JG
Thanks, JG, for that site! Yes, now I see what you mean.
My favorite pearly musician is the one and only Fozzie Bear.
https://youtu.be/ovujcZLPUxQ
Lou and Sue, will a Bedazzler allow me to put pearl buttons on my clothes? I’m going to have to take a longer look to find that dent. Am I being punked? Ashton Kutcher reference, hooray. The Sleeping Beauty Castle photo is from the old red-mount Kodachrome style film, and intense blue skies are one of the hallmarks of that. I love it.
zach, is the man “mildly stoic”, or “clueless”??
Lou and Sue, yes, I think kI see the dent too. Now I want to know how it happened. Was it molded into the fiberglass (?) turret? Did somebody hit it with a forklift while it was sitting on the ground?
Bu, I know the photo you are referring to, it shows up on various Disneyland websites all the time. Fun to think of what it would have been like to have Walt as your grandpa. I’ve heard that they actually lowered the drawbridge on July 17th, 1955, AND July 18th, 1955, in spite of the fact that they say that it was only the second time in 1983. It must have been weird for Lillian to be in such demand, she almost certainly didn’t want to be a public figure. But people wanted a connection to Walt so much - I give her credit for being a good sport. I’ve heard that John Hench wanted a more colorful castle. If so, why was it painted in muted colors for years? In my opinion, the muted colors mimic the effect of hundreds of feet of atmosphere, making it feel bigger/father away. I think it was Kim Irvine who has perpetuated the story that Hench wanted it to be “louder”.
Nanook, OH YEAH!
Lou and Sue, I think I was confused because I have poor reading comprehension. I thought Chuck said that the dent was on the turret that *didn’t* have the pennant, so I was looking in the wrong place.
Bu, yep, there it is.
Lou and Sue, I think that may have been “pre-Bu”, although he may have been reading, just not commenting yet.
KS, ha ha, as long as you think you see it, that’s all that matters! Amazing that you are familiar with the members of the Pearly Band, I’m assuming the bass drum is just out of frame.
JG, what am I missing? Why should Sue look up “Skywalker Ranch Fire Department”?
Lou and Sue, I DON’T!
Major, JG was responding to my 8/23/21 comment to him...
Ok, I totally don't see the dent. The roof seems a little crooked, though (or maybe just a little shifty)
I also cannot see a dent in any of the castle’s roofing. ????
Stu, look at the last photo on 8/24/21. Last turret on the right with the yellow flag on top. On the front of that blue turret—almost center—it looks like a giant pressed his thumb into the front of that turret. You can see it best on a cell phone—at least I can. It’s subtle. Maybe I’m imagining it...someone please correct me if I’m seeing things. I gotta go now—am taking my unicorn for a walk.
Wow...I am officially a "thing": "Pre-Bu". I feel honored. And yes, I have been following this blog probably from the beginning...and I still don't really see a complete full on dent, but I suppose in time when the light is right I will :) Fudgie is a whale out East that Tom Carvel makes. Along with Cookie Puss. I don't see Fudgie in the Matterhorn, but I suppose when I see a bigger dent, I will also see a Fudgie the Whale Cake clinging to the Matterhorn with Hans and Franz (or whatever their names were) so that they can have their cake and eat it too after a basketball game inside the mountain cone. :)
Bu, check out GDB 1/3/21 for the Fudgie picture and comments. And, check out GDB 1/26/21 for the red shark photo and comments. Now you know...
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