Nice Randos
I have some random scans for you today, but that doesn't mean that they aren't fun.
I find this first scan to be pretty amazing, though it might not look very special at first glance. The slide is date-stamped "August 1963", and we are looking at some of the topiaries (presumably visible from the Disneyland RR) that would eventually grace the exterior garden area of "it's a small world" in Disneyland. You all know that IASW originated at the 1964/65 New York World's Fair at the Pepsi Cola pavilion; the first season ran from April 22, 1964 thru October 18th, while the second season ran from April 21, 1965 thru to October 17th. The ride would not debut at Disneyland until May 28, 1966.
Not only had the ride not yet opened in Flushing Meadows when this photo was taken, but I think that it's incredible that they were already working on these topiaries nearly three years before the ride would open at Disneyland. I wonder how complete the design for the Anaheim version was at this point?
I started to doubt myself, so I dug out the slide and double-checked the date! I know that I have another photo of those topiaries in the same place, too.
Next we have this undated photo of the French Market's outside dining area; I would guess that it is from around 1970-ish, since there are folks waiting in the queue for the Haunted Mansion in the distance (that ride debuted in August of 1969, of course). The lamps are all lit, so it's possible that it was much darker to the eye then to the camera. I think that the Royal Street Bachelors are performing for the diners. And I love seeing the female cast members in the doorway in their costumes.
21 comments:
Major-
When I first looked at the image with the topiaries, for a minute there I thought you had stumbled upon a slide taken at the 'rear garden' of my estate - back in the day. Then I realized elephants were not included in my topiary menagerie. (Well - you can't have the entire Noah's Ark grouping).
Thanks, Major.
Wow! A topiary of an AED. I never saw that one, before.
I wonder what's that second one from the right?
I see Goldie Hawn, Elvis and Tom Jones seated together in the second picture.
Fun randos, thanks, Major.
Major, do we know for sure the photographer took the topiary picture from the Disneyland RR? Are the topiaries even inside the Park? Maybe an employee snapped the picture backstage. Or maybe they're in a special nursery somewhere else.
The elephant looks like it's ready for its debut, while the shaggy squirrel (or whatever that untrimmed thing is) definitely needs some more work. Truly a rare and amazing photo, Major.
The French Market photo really IS special! Perfect exposure and composition. And you're right about the CMs, they add that extra bit of elegance and interest to the scene.
Wonderful randos, Major. Thanks.
I remember in an early Disney TV anthology episode; Walt had discussed a topiary attraction which would be part of a "magical" garden. I wonder if that was the inspiration for the topiaries in Fantasyland & IASW.
That French Market image is nice. My favorite Disneyland restaurant for atmosphere. Even over The Blue Bayou.
The French Market's days are number though as Disney is going to change the architecture and change it to "Tiana's Palace" restaurant complete with steamboat "smokestacks". New Orleans Square is getting a lot of "Princess and the Frog" makeovers with the new Tiana Bayou Adventure that is replacing Splash Mountain.
https://www.nola.com/news/business/new-restaurant-called-tianas-palace-to-open-at-disneyland/article_bf4ecc74-9699-11ed-b988-d377eddf233f.html
They ruin everything. Thanks, Major.
JB, these topiaries were along the railroad just before the IASW site. That was back in the early 1960's. I've seen other photos of this scene where you could see the potted topiaries along the railroad while inside the passager coach. Major has it correct.
Thanks, Ken. At least that part of the mystery is solved.
That first one is fascinating, largely because of the date. I see that Ken has confirmed that the topiaries were along the back side of the Park next to the DLRR right-of-way. That solves both the problem of finding a place to put them while they were growing and also building excitement for guests in advance of iasw’s debut at Disneyland.
The foreground of the second image is now filled with additional tables. While it clutters up the view a bit, they are definitely a welcome place to sit, especially if you have a large party of, er, mature people who have been on their feet all day. There’s also a drinking fountain built into the wall to the left of the camera for a free, cool drink, although you have to bring your own bag of C&H sugar if you want a photo.
Sue & JB, I think the second topiary from the right is Godzilla. His tail is being grown separately and will be installed later. That’s really the only logical explanation.
That’s correct : the Disneyland test topiaries were displayed in Fantasyland before It’s A Small World was relocated in California. I know sone of these early topiary hedges were used over at the miniature golf attraction over at the Disneyland hotel. I’m not 100% positive if the early topiary plants were used at Small World or if newly designed ones were created. Topiary’s were considered for several pre-small world attractions … like Garden of the Gods , Rainbow Road to Oz , Fantasy Gardens … in the 70’s Disney tested motorized topiary plants to be added along the waterways of the Plaza Swan Boats at Walt Disney World. In several Disney publications there is mention of “animated” topiaries being developed for Discovery Bay… although only a Disneyland Line issue specified that they would be used in a fantasyland entrance to Discovery Bay.
Very very interesting photo...and I'm wondering if they were intentionally grown for it's a small world, or if they were grown for another speculation, then "hey...let's put those topiaries we were growing in the gardens of it's a small world!" Fantastic idea! They do take time to grow. I thought the ride was rather rushed together for the Worlds Fair (validation needed), and then "after we are done there, we will ship it to Anaheim!". Which came first the chicken or the egg, or the topiary or the ride? an age old question. I think, in honor of this post today, all of my emails will be in lower case letters 'ala it's a small world. I fell down a rabbit hole looking at the Google maps today of the French Market, soon to be Tiana's very colorful eating place with smokestacks sticking out of the top of a building in a very fanciful way. Sounds like Olde Towne Mall, Torrance, CA 1975 to me....sorry people...can't we do Tiana's Palace in a lovely and curated vintage New Orleans french revival type way? I went to a place in the real New Orleans which was an apartment for Napoleon. He left earth before visiting, but you can visit, and it is super cool (not an ad). Make it look like that- which is kind of what Club 33 was before the TRE. For another time. Walt's legendary story of "Disneyland should only be photographed with people in it"....well...after looking at the Google street view...I'm not sure you can really see the French Market anymore...and with so many people, can you really absorb anything?...but it seems the public enjoys chaos and crowds...and very very very bright colors. Everyone wants everything a Saturday morning cartoon! I saved the image of the topiaries, as at some point I do want to create my own. In the shape of a Carnation Ice Cream Bar...so all the neighbors will say "what is that?"....then I will be able to regale them in ODV stories of Ye Olde Disneylande. I enjoy the French Market costumes. How nice that the ladies all have the same hair-do which adds to the look. I remember those leather fold over bags in the 70's...they must have hung on for a time. VIP Hostesses were given costume designed bags to go with their costumes. The TG's did not have a bag...but could not bring one on tour...I thought it looked weird for people to be in period costumes carrying a Douney and Bourke (sp?) bag, or an LV bag... both popular in my day. Since costumes did not communicate personal style, it was pretty much the only thing you could do. I don't see the hype in all the bags, but I am also not the target audience. 300K Birkin bags?...I really don't get, but somebody does. Thanks for the Morning Musings Major. (in caps)
This may be sacrilege...but are the topiaries actual plants? (I've always believed so). It just seems almost impossible to get a hedge to grow like that elephant.
--Steve D.--Who thinks he's a gardening genius when he can shape his boxwoods to look like spheres.
My first thought was that the topiaries were grown for something else and then repurposed for iasw. I think they thematically blend with Casey better, for example.
By the way, I'm also growing my own. One is in the shape of a "tree," and one is a "bush." They look pretty good!
Major, there is a choice picture of the Topiaries with train tracks included in the book DISNEYLAND WORLD OF FLOWERS, which was published in 1965.No mention is made of IASW. This book makes a wonderful kind of horticultural education, because it is very engagingly written and you can see all the world's foliage right there in Disneyland.
Al Stovall of the spacy Anaheim motels must have seen these early Tops and immediately started to nurture his own, since a similar just-as-good-as-Disneyland menagerie dotted the grounds of the Inn of Tomorrow, opening in the late sixties. Anaheim could use an Al and Walt these days.
I agree with Ken, these were taken somewhere along the DRR tracks before IASW, the area now occupied by the Fantasy Stage, but then was sort of a meadow. The wall is about where the TT station is now, I think. I remember noticing these on multiple visits, I assumed they were waiting in the wings, so to speak, to exchange with others on display. Notice how one is all fuzzy, the shrubs have grow a bit to stay healthy. Stu is right, my bush-shaped topiaries do just fine.
The topiary idea was brilliant, and Stovalls were just as good. A real eye catcher with an existential twist, like ice sculptures at banquets.
I love the French Market pic and can not imagine the tone deaf design coming for this lovely spot. Makes me queasy that anyone in a design role could be so tasteless.
Chuck, what kind of lunatic would bring a bag of sugar into the Park to stage a photo?
Thanks Major, really special stuff today, great memories.
JG
Nanook, the way you can tell that it isn’t your estate is the lack of magnificent fountains!
Lou and Sue, the second one from the right is a Northern Catawampus, distinct from the variety found at Knott’s Berry Farm. I’m glad to see that those celebrities found time to eat a good meal and enjoy some conversation!
JB, since I have another photo of the topiaries in the same location, I am just sort of assuming that the photo was taken from the train. But I am ready to be corrected! Yes, that elephant looks ready to go, which makes me think that it has already been “in production” for quite a while. I was happy to find that French Market photo, especially since I understand that the restaurant is about to undergo some unwelcome changes. TRE.
K. Martinez, I have the feeling that Walt was referring to some other kind of magical garden… but he was certainly aware of topiaries, having been to Europe several times, maybe he already had a plan? I feel like “The Princess and the Frog” was not a terribly beloved movie by most, and is sort of forgotten in a way, so it seems strange that NOS is getting PatF makeover. It would be like changing part of Frontierland to a “Home On the Range” theme (please, no!), or perhaps a “Brother Bear” theme. Oh man, that artwork accompanying the linked article… I guess I shouldn’t say anything. Don’t want to hurt an artist’s feelings.
K. Martinez, thank you! Do you personally remember seeing them there?
JB, Robert Stack will be disappointed, but the rest of us are glad.
Chuck, one of the things that puzzles me is that the story of IASW at the World’s Fair is that it was a real last-minute job, and yet here are fairly advanced plans for the ride’s addition to Disneyland, eight months before the attraction debuted at the Fair. It’s no surprise that any open space is now filled with tables, good luck finding a place to relax after Fantasmic! and the fireworks on a busy night. Godzilla? I’d love that! Especially if they played his mighty roar 50 times a minute, LOUDLY.
Mike Cozart, interesting info about topiaries. I guess the elephant is so clearly intended for IASW, or at least I thought so. Some of those more abstract examples also resemble topiaries in front of IASW. But I suppose that doesn’t guarantee that they didn’t make similar types for other potential attractions. I’ve seen photos taken from the WDW Monorail in which MANY topiaries can be seen below, just sort of populating the wide open spaces.
Bu, you make a good point (and it’s along the same lines as Mike), maybe they already had a bunch of topiaries, and figured that they might as well use them to add fun to the IASW exterior. I’m sure you are right about the ride elements being shipped from New York to Anaheim as quickly as possible. From what I understand, scenes were added, and obviously improvements were made. Based on the artwork in that article that Ken linked to, I am not a fan of the way Tiana’s Palace looks. It’s ugly! And there’s more of that horrible “stone” that looks so “Home Depot”. I’m undecided about the steamboat stacks sticking up out of the top, but am leaning towards “no”. They built an apartment for Napoleon in the real New Orleans? Crazy. Why would VIP Hostesses even need big leather fold-over bags? Seems cumbersome. Why not a classy fanny pack, like I wear all the time? I get admiring looks! At least I think they are admiring.
Steve DeGaetano, I know what you mean, but I think they’re the real deal. Although… I saw “Edward Scissorhands” in Westwood Village, and the theater had some of the movie’s topiaries in the courtyard. They were fake, but even up close they looked pretty darn genuine.
Stu29573, I have topiaries that are similar to yours, only mine are “dead bush” and “dead tree”. It took a long time! Wow, I’ll have to look for photos of the Inn of Tomorrow, and see the topiaries that were there. Apparently it was a real golden age for people who were good at trimming boxwoods!
Stefano, interesting. I still don’t have a copy of that particular book. I’m very picky about my books and would only want a “near mint” copy with the dust jacket, and those are generally out of my price range. I have to give Al Stovall (Sir Albert??) credit for seeing the Disneyland topiaries and deciding that he needed his own!
JG, yes, I believe it was even called the “Fantasyland Meadow”, or (later) the “Small World Meadow”. Don’t hold me to that though. I’m sure you are right about the “fuzzy” example, they need to let them get a bit shaggy before they can give them their proper haircuts. I’m afraid that “tasteless” was my basic impression of Tiana’s Palace too. I like Tiana as a character, she’s pretty and plucky and resourceful. She deserves better!
Major, looking at the dates of these photos, I wonder if these topiaries were started "just because" Walt wanted them "somewhere", and then the penny dropped, so-to-speak, that they would be perfect in the IASW facade garden?
I can't pretend to know much about the schedule and timing of the IASW attraction development, but I know it was hurried, and I know a little bit about design and brainstorming, which does take some time, even when geniuses like Rolly Crump and Mary Blair are involved, and it's hard to believe that the Disneyland facade design preceded the NYWF development. Was the ride even a definite addition to Anaheim in 1963? Those shrubs are probably a couple of years old already in the picture, and the Anaheim design definitely continued after the NYWF version was delivered.
It's fun to speculate, but someone somewhere knows.
JG
Chuck, HA! It looks just as 'real' as Godzilla, too! (The Japanese, guy-in-a-rubber-suit version.)
Major, took me a sec to figure out what Robert Stack had to do with anything today... then I remembered he hosted that 'Mysteries' show for many years.
I have a special topiary, too. I call it "weedy lawn".
Yes Bu,
I grew up within walking distance of first Del Amo when it was new, then eventually Olde Towne in Torrance. Even as a junior Disneyland man I could tell it was T-acky, like Farrell’s on steroids. But ofcourse my friends all worked there and so I spent countless hours there. It even had a dark ride (or two) which was not terrible - a flying rail like Peter Pan, two levels and waterfalls. The carrousel in the food court was, and is, a beautiful old double decker, now located in San Francisco. The whole place was a bit too reliant on popcorn lights and moldings.
Tiana’s Palace. Why have a landlocked paddlewheel appearance just a few feet from…an actual paddlewheel boat floating by? Looks like the only other major change is…less shade. Please don’t tell me the band shell is going away! Live music makes that whole area…well, sing.
Love topiary. That meadow is also prominent in the Disneyland 25th show…with Danny Kaye singing about ‘Anaheim California’.
My guess is they were being created for Fantasia Gardens or Gardens of the Gods, but yes, use them for iasw instead. At WDW they grew them early then sprinkled them around to fill in gaps. Oh man do I wish I could have played Disneyland mini golf!
Oh, MS
Bill Evans always talked about how Walt wanted topiaries in Disneyland .. but REAL topiaries in Europe were completely trimmed to shape and the plants used were very slow growing. WED Imagineers began testing other ways …. Starting with wireframes for the plants to grow around. Next they discovered olive trees ( bushes??) grew very quickly …. But we’re very very messy … but the Disneyland gardeners discovered with all the shape trimming and pruning around the wire frames that the olives didn’t get a chance to developed.
A shorter expedition of the Disney style topiaries is also explained by Bill Evans episode in the 1980’s Disney Channel series MEET THE WED IMAGINEERS.
A former ex IMAGINEER FACEBOOK group a few years ago showed that a well published photo of the topiary farm always used for WDW publications was actually topiary’s being grown at Disneyland pre 1966 and the uncroped photos and alternate photos showed it was indeed Disneyland. One of the them is the famous photos with the signs in front of topiary animals ( facing DL RR passengers) : “ PLEASE DONT FEED THE ANIMALS “
With those identical hairstyles and faces turned mostly away, those two NOS cast members could pass for twins. Throw in the light blue dresses, and you could easily imagine the Grady sisters all grown up and selling you beignets forever and ever.
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