Leftuggies are so convenient, just heat and serve. They give hard-working (ha ha) bloggers a little break.
This first one is from July, 1965, A speeding Firetruck almost flattened us, that driver will be hearing from my attorney (Lionel Hutz, esquire). Past the death truck we get a glimpse into Tomorrowland, including the Circarama Theatre, where "America the Beautiful" could be experienced. Atop the Circarama Theatre you can just see the folded-up arm that supported the Telstar satellite that could be seen around that time. Perhaps that was due to be removed soon? The Clock of the World can also just be seen beyond the Italian Cypresses.
Here's an old scan with a better look at the Telstar model.
Next is a photo from July, 1972, showing a very busy Frontierland. This is kind of how it looks and feels today! Still, it's nice to see the wooded shores, with the Mark Twain in the center, and Fowler's Harbor just visible to the left of it.
Wow, that "death truck" must be going close to lightspeed! Look how blurred and stretched out the truck and its occupants are. I'm surprised it was captured on film at all!
ReplyDeleteWe can also see a bit of Mr. Douglas's rocket, and a sheaf of toothpick-and-olive lights.
In the old scan, Telstar looks like another toothpick-and-olive light. I've always loved the early '60s instrumental version of "Telstar".
This is a nice you-are-there picture. The silhouetted leaves hanging down from above make the photo extra special. Over to the right, there's a lady (in front of blue-shirt-guy) who looks like she's looking through a 3D stereopticon viewer... or maybe it's a pair of soup cans, chicken noodle, I think.
Seems like it's been a while since we last had a helping of Leftuggies. This was an extra tasty batch, Major.
There's a caution sign on the right side of the Tomorrowland entrance. I bet that firetruck driver had already knocked over a fire hydrant....or something.
ReplyDeleteWe should be more forgiving of the Fire Truck driver, after all, he was going to a fire.
ReplyDeleteThe thing on top of the World Clock looks like a cross between a cockleburr and a mine.
The Frontierland picture is Peak Disneyland, I love it.
Thanks Major, a good start to the new week.
JG
JB, with my extensive knowledge of physics, I can determine that the Death Truck was traveling 99% light speed. Those toothpick and olive lights, you just know those went to the landfill. So sad. Apparently that Telstar feature didn’t work a lot of the time, so I guess it’s nice to have a photo of it “in flight”. And yes, the Frontierland photo looks like a frame from a Viewmaster reel, with the foreground foliage!
ReplyDeleteTokyoMagic!, I saw the “Caution” sign, but couldn’t figure out what folks were supposed to watch out for. There doesn’t appear to be any construction. Maybe people were tripping on the curb?
JG, all Firetruck drivers should pick up interested people as they speed to a fire. It’s the polite thing to do. “Can we stop for marshmallows?”. “Sure!”. Ha ha, you’re right, that thing on top of the clock does look like a WWII mine, for some reason those always make me think of “Gilligan’s Island”.
Vintage Tomorrowland is charming: with it's very optimistic view of the future...not sure what they are going for now, but hope I'll see a new, new, new Tomorrowland before I cross over the bridge. The satellite thingy I have never seen before: it seems like there is a huge opportunity in sponsors who are developing new technology to showcase the future in Tomorrowland/Disneyland with it's "captive audience" of probably 50K + people a day...just my .02. I'd like to see things never dreamed of: somewhat like when EPCOT opened when everything was very impressive and imaginative. I suppose "Star Tours" hits that button with future travel with "space busses"...lots to ponder. Frontierland is quintescential Disneyland: and although I love this area almost empty of guests: a big load of them gives energy and life to the landscape. Working on busy days was hard, but an 8 hour day went by in a flash, and the visceral energy around you was palpable. Now: when you get to the end...around the end of August: you've had "enough"...but a really good crowd on 4th of July or Christmas Day is something to behold. I don't go on rides/attractions/etc. anymore anyway: so I suppose these days should be at the top of the DLBL. Disneyland Bucket List. Thanks Major for a good tugg.
ReplyDeleteLionel Hutz is gone. Say hello to Miguel Sanchez.
ReplyDeleteTelstar? Did The Tornados play the soundtrack for America the Beautiful?
I hesitate to put words in italics, as I know this silly blogger program now tends to italicize EVERYTHING. But, here goes...
ReplyDelete"....or maybe it's a pair of soup cans, chicken noodle, I think."
JB, have you heard that 'Campbell's Soup Company' is now changing its name to 'Campbell's Company'?
"There doesn’t appear to be any construction. Maybe people were tripping on the curb?"
Major, I bet it's the tiny white wire fencing that everyone's tripping over. :o) Sometimes it looks a bit mangled. :oP
"...but a really good crowd on 4th of July or Christmas Day is something to behold"
Bu, my Aunt Adeline went to DL on a Christmas Day sometime in the 1990s, IIRC, and she told me she only got on one attraction and couldn't get into any restaurants. Sounds like fun.
Thanks, Major.
I hesitate to hit the PUBLISH button, but here goes.....
Bu, I really love “Vintage Tomorrowland”, but admit that the charm might not translate to the folks born in the 21st Century. What do they know?? I don’t think they are going for anything now, they just add things when they come up with a new idea, and there is no overarching theme, really. I’m sure Disney would love it if they could find sponsors willing to pay for the development and operation costs of any ride, but I think that today’s corporate culture makes it tougher to justify spending so much. There are exceptions of course! But I wonder if we could ever have a World’s Fair like the one in 1964 again? So many companies pulled out all the stops! I love an almost-empty Frontierland, though it has been a long time since I’ve seen it that way. With “Fantasmic!”, that area tends to get crazy at night, and then stays crazy. However, just before the park closes, you can sometimes enjoy relatively wide-open avenues. And hardly anybody on the Haunted Mansion!
ReplyDeleteDean Finder, if there really is a MIguel Sanchez in “The Simpsons”, I am way behind. Of course I haven’t really watched the show in years, so that’s no surprise. I can’t answer your question about The Tornados, but I’d love to know!
Lou and Sue, it seems that the italics behaved this time! Yes, I heard about the Campbell’s Company redo, seems like “WHY?”, though I can guess. The tiny white fencing - just put it around your yard, no burglar will be able to avoid it. Oh man, only getting on one attraction sounds bad. I once went in August, and my brother and I only got on six attractions all day, I was so mad
^ Major, I’ve found it works out best to stay late at the park (til closing—and then some), after all the pooped-out guests with children have left. You’d be surprised how many rides/attractions you can squeeze in, in just a couple end-of-the-night hours. Regarding holidays, Christmas Eve is supposedly slow—the opposite of Christmas Day.
ReplyDelete