Two From March, 1960
Here's a fun pair of family photos from March, 1960! Starting with this excellent view from the Monorail station looking back from whence we came as Big Red zoomed toward us. Little do they know that I put a space penny on the track, I can't wait to see how it smooshed! Notice the Speedramp at the bottom of the picture, I put a penny on that too. In fact, I put pennies on everything! Overhead, Skyway gondolas move back and forth. Two servicemen are in the one closes to the bubble dome, I think they are Marines, but Chuck will probably know their ranks and nicknames based on evidence that only he can see. Down below, the Yacht Bar beckons to those of us who own yachts.
Next, a mom and her two kids pose on the Mark Twain's "Flapjack Deck". I think that's what it was called, anyway. It must have been chilly, the boy has a hat with ear flaps to prevent frostbite. I like the lantern on the wall. I'll bet that Walt's other apartment was behind that door. He needed a lot of apartments. The lady to our right is being very judgy, which isn't very nice. "Uh! That color does not suit her! And her children are ill-behaved!". Cool it, lady.
12 comments:
I think there might be two more Marines in the yellow gondola. One of them appears to be in a sort of crouched position, with the top of his hat glinting toward us. The Matterhorn is dressed in its battleship gray attire. IT NEEDS MORE FROSTING!
Wow, those two kids are reeeeally bundled up! Like Ralphie's little brother in "A Christmas Story". They must be visitors from hot, hot, Venus, and aren't used to Earth's cooler climate. If Melissa were here I'm sure she would point out that sailor in the background.
Thank you, Mister Pepperidge... Oops, I mean Major Pepperidge. [JB stands at attention and salutes.]
I love everything about that first pic!
The woman in the second pic shouldn't be so judgy. That plaid skirt doesn't exactly suit her. People in glass houses shouldn't cross their bridges before they're hatched.
Not sure where that door is on the Mark Twain! Is that the stern section of the Texas?
Photo 1 is certainly a nice view. I’ve always wanted to sit in the monorail nose cone. Sigh.
Looking at photo 2 waiting for Nanook to describe the light bulb types and model / manufacturer of the loudspeaker. Now I’m wondering if it’s the same as the one in photo 1?
Thanks Major!
JG
JB, why would the one Marine be in a crouched position? Was there sniper fire? Don’t look at me, I wasn’t even born yet. Yes, this is still the “dark gray” Matterhorn, looking sinister. March seems like it could be potentially chilly, maybe there was a cool breeze too, and a cold child is a miserable, crying child. Thank you for acknowledging my service!
TokyoMagic!, yeah that first pic is a beaut. I see that you are a scholar of Shakespeare quotes (his famous “plaid sonnet”)!
Steve DeGaetano, it’s the flapjack deck! Or I guess some folks call it the Texas Deck. There can’t be too many places for that door, I’ll have to look at wider shots of the Mark Twain to look for it.
JG, yeah, I’m sure if one was willing to wait just a little longer, the nose cone would be available, and really, that would be the very best way to ride the Monorail. Ha ha, Nanook loves his lightbulbs!
Major-
That speaker is some sort of outdoor 'horn' type loudspeaker. I'm uncertain of the brand, but could be from a handful of manufacturers: University Sound; Electro-Voice; Atlas Sound, (I don't believe Altec made anything of that type), etc. - but I'm thinking Atlas Sound. As for those lightbulbs - they appear to be clear, S11 bulbs.
Thanks, Major.
The first image is beautiful. I see the Yacht Bar is hiding as usual.
Thanks, Major.
great pics. the first one is a very unique viewpoint, very cool. can discern "the" in The Yacht Bar (always officially must have The, just like The Home Depot)
in second pic, a gentleman on the railing is flashing the sole of his shoe at the judgy woman... sign of disrespect.
Major, great descriptive writing per usual, IMHO. and commenters thx for details and takes, as usual
The door is the entrance to cabin below the Wheelhouse. Interesting to see it open while moving (I think I see Fort Wilderness) and wonder if that was SOP at the time. By the 70s, we would keep the door closed. There is a bed along one side for the captain's use so to be historically correct. A ladder is attached to the wall from which the operator climbs up to the Wheelhouse. The cabin is small and the dangers/liability of a guest climbing up and down the ladder (not OSHA compliant) without a CM present was problematic. We would allow folks to enter upon request...that request coming before we left the dock as the 'Captain' would be manning the Wheelhouse for the duration of the trip. Some folks upon seeing the ladder would decline to climb it which was perfectly fine. It was a judgement call for them and us. KS
@ KS-
I'm far from being an expert on the Mark Twain, but it seems to me that door is at the stern of the Mark Twain, and hence would not be beneath the Wheelhouse, and as such opens into another 'section' located behind the Captain's Quarters. What say others-?
Nanook, do you know so much about speakers and bulbs from working in a theater?
K. Martinez, ha ha, the Yacht Bar is a little shy!
LTL, from this day forward I shall endeavor to use the “The” in The Yacht Bar! No promises, though. I’m sorry that everyone had to see “the flashing of the sole”, after all this is a family blog (theoretically, at least). Thanks for the nice words!
KS, I just got home, so I haven’t had time to do any Mark Twain research, but you definitely know what you are talking about. And it IS weird that the door is open, knowing now that it contained a bed and that ladder. So… did cast members actually use the bed to take nap breaks? Yeah, probably not. Perhaps that door was only open for a moment and the photograph just happened to be taken right then?
Nanook, well gosh, I guess I’m going to have to look at some better Mark Twain pictures to get a sense of where that darn door is.
Nanook, upon further review, I believe you are correct. That is the small building at the stern of the MT. I stand corrected, sir. Accordingly, that door would normally be open as shown. Time for me to head to the dock for the last time. KS
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