The Columbia, September 1983

Here are three photos from Lou Perry, courtesy of his daughter, Sue B. These are all from September, 1983, a mere 42(ish) years ago. Lou captured a few pix of the Columbia as it rested in Fowler's Harbor (where it seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time). 

One can't help but be impressed by the complex rigging on the Columbia. Hey, it looks authentic to me! Based on my long years at sea whaling, you see. To this day I enjoy gnawing on a piece of of whale blubber for breakfast. But I digress. At the bottom of the frame is a rare photo of the "Zinger Box", where Dolly Madison Zingers and other snack cakes were stored. The roof of the shack in the lower left corner would eventually become Michael Eisner's apartment.

The elements are tough on a genuine 18th-century style sailing ship, especially when the builders declined getting the undercoating. Fools! I always get the undercoating on everything I buy. Extended warranties too. 

I sort of love the idea that Lou would sort of wander wherever his feet took him, and captured photos of any detail that interested him. If only I did that for my many visits in the past (I am notoriously forgetful about taking pictures). 

Many thanks to Lou and Sue!

Main Street, June 1960

I have one photo today, but there are some fun details to point out. First of all, take a look at this June, 1960 shot looking up Main Street, with that awesome banner overhead. Look at the new attractions: "America the Beautiful", "Nature's Wonderland", and the "Art of Animation" exhibit. Along the street, we can see lamppost signs with highlights from these new attractions - I sure wish I had some of these in my collection!

Even if I don't have any, I've saved good images of these signs when they show up (which isn't often). If you look to the left, near the front of the Penny Arcade, there is a beautiful sign for "America the Beautiful". I love the gold ink used in the sky, and the pink cherry blossoms - and the crowd of people at the bottom of the image, standing in the Circarama Theater.

To the right, on the lamppost with the American flags, you can see a sign for the Beaver Valley tableau in Nature's Wonderland. This example of the sign was very browned over the years, so I did a bit of Photoshoppin' to try to restore it a little bit.

Further north, and very hard to see, is this "Living Desert" sign. 

Another fun detail is the pink and white striped construction wall in front of the yet-to-open Hallmark shop (it opened on July 1, 1960). I don't recall ever seeing this before!

Easter Sunday

It's Easter! And you know what that means. Well, probably a "Twilight Zone" marathon on TV, but it also means Easter baskets, Easter egg hunts, perhaps a trip to church, and ham for dinner. 

GDB superstar Sue B. found some vintage slides from a vintage Easter - date unknown (maybe 1970s?). First up, two lucky kids have found baskets full of treats waiting for them in the den. They are wrapped in purple cellophane (the baskets, not the kids) to lock in freshness! I always enjoyed biting the ears off of the chocolate bunnies, though even as a child I was mildly outraged that those were hollow and not solid chocolate. The plastic eggs that contained jelly beans? Meh. It took me a moment to realize that the thing on the table is an ashtray. Meanwhile, I love details like the many magazines stored beneath the television. 

I'm not sure if this is from an entirely different home/family/day, but somebody went all out and made a special Easter cake, or should I say CAKES. A mama bunny and a baby bunny. Covered in shredded coconut, as per the instructions in "Good Housekeeping" magazine. The pink eyes and noses are jelly beans, I believe. You can have mine. The paper ears are artfully done. I guess lots of kids would be coming over later, look at all the fun stuff on the table. Favorite item: that furry red whatever-it-is in the upper left. 

I have my own vintage photo to add. If it wasn't for a hand-written note, this could be from any day, but I know that those three adorable girls are wearing their Easter finest. Two of them wear ribboned hats, one has an actual bonnet. I wonder if Mom made the dresses (perhaps from a pattern in McCall's)? The baby boy is unconcerned with holidays at this stage of his life.

AND LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST! Here is a photo contributed by our dear friend MELISSA! She sent this to Sue B. and gave permission to share it here. I can't believe we're going into chocolate egg season already! My mother scanned this picture for me and I thought I'd share it with you. Gwen and Judd lived next door to Grandma when she moved into town while Granpa was away during WWII, with the two kids she had at the time, my oldest uncles. She always had a knack for collecting extra kids. I love their little outfits (hello sailor) and the big, square baskets. I met Judd once as an older man, and maybe it's my terrible eyesight but I think he looked pretty much the same except for the sailor suit. Anyway, take care and have a great weekend! - Melissa

SO GREAT to hear from Melissa! Have a Happy Easter, everyone!

New York World's Fair, August 1964

It's a World's Fair extravaganza! Rather than dividing these seven scans into two posts (my usual M.O.), I decided to go nuts and share all of these remaining 120-format transparencies in one go.

First up is this view of the Solar Fountain, which was located to the east of the Unisphere, near the House of Japan (seen to the right). A central dome supports a 30-foot high column of water while a starburst circles around the dome. Wobbling jets of water surrounding the dome simulate the sun's gases. Gases, you say? In the distance (to the left) is the conical, wavy roof of "Sermons From Science", and the distant towers of the New York State pavilion.

Continuing eastward, you'd find the Tiparillo Band Pavilion. This is an outdoor dance floor and band shell jointly sponsored by the Fair, which provided the facilities, and the General Cigar Company, which provides music by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians every night except Mondays. The pavilion is used in the daytime for special performances by visiting national and local groups. Man, those folks on the benches look like they have tired feet (and tired "everything else")!

In this view, the Fountain of the Continents (where the giant Unisphere loomed) is just behind us; we're facing northeast along the Promenade, with the Pool of Reflection in the middle distance, with the sculpture "Star Thrower" just visible at the end of that pool. Beyond that, the Bell System pavilion. Overhead, the wonderful Sky Ride (it's way up there!), and the Republic of China pavilion is mostly out of frame to the left.

Next we see the Tower of Light; The world's most powerful searchlight beam rises from the center of this unusual building, whose exterior walls consist of 600 aluminum prisms fitted together to form an eye-catching pattern. Sponsored by investor-owned electric utility companies throughout the nation, the building is entered by a moving ramp that carries visitors over a reflecting pool and deposits them on a giant turntable. The turntable revolves past seven chambers, stopping at each chamber for a new episode of a musical presentation on the benefits of electricity.

Hmmm, here's something I can't quite place - perhaps one of you can? In the distance is a tent covering a merry-go-round. But I can't figure out where it was! I was thinking that the body of water to the left might be the Fountain of the Planets, but am not really sure. There was a a fancy merry-go-round over in the Belgian Village, but that was very different from the one seen here. It would make sense if this was somewhere over in the Amusement Zone, but the area in the photo looks so sparse compared to that densely-packed land.

One of the Fair's attractions that I would have wanted to see is the General Electric "Progressland" pavilion, featuring Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress, among other delights. Under a huge, gleaming dome suspended from spiraling pipes, the GE exhibit, called "Progressland," depicts the history of electricity, from its beginning to the mighty bang of nuclear fusion. The multipart show, produced by Walt Disney, uses a unique theater. Here the seated audience is carried past a number of stages; there are reflecting mirrors, startling visual and sound projections, and in the climax, neutron counters and other instruments to document graphically the demonstration of controlled thermonuclear fusion.

OK, I know this next picture should have been placed before or after photo #3, but you have to understand that I am very drunk. Here's the Republic of China pavilion: The opulent red and gold pavilion is a reproduction of a tradtional imperial palace - the first of its kind which has ever been erected in the Western hemisphere. Within the structure are exhibits of ancient and modern Chinese culture, and many rare and beautiful art objects: bronzes, porcelains, jades, silks and carvings in ivory, wood and stone.

I hope you have enjoyed this visit to the New York World's Fair!

Nice Black and White Pix

A few years ago I acquired some especially-nice black and white photo prints, and it's about time I scanned them. 

First up is this scarce view taken inside the old "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" walk-thru attraction that was in Tomorrowland from August 3, 1955 through to August 28, 1966. Not a bad run for a "space filler" that Walt needed for his least-developed land. Using set pieces and props from his 1954 hit film was a pretty good idea! In this photo we have a couple standing in front of Captain Nemo's pipe organ, I believe that Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" was played from a speaker. I'm assuming that the man to the left is security, though he might also be a mime.

Just as an aside, I noticed that Photoshop had something in the "Filters" menu called Neural Filters. Huh? Within the Neural Filters are many options, such as "Skin Smoothing", "Colorize", "Super Zoom" (my rap name, btw), and most interesting to me, "Photo Restoration". What's that? It's in beta mode, but I tried it out, and it did smooth out the grain, and sharpen some details (while losing other details, to be honest).

Here's a closer look at the original scan on top, and the version with the "Photo Restoration" applied on the bottom. I feel like the faces were restored impressively, what do you think?

A second photo was taken inside the Penny Arcade, with a few fun details, including two attraction posters. One is for the Columbia, which debuted on June 14, 1958; but these photos have the hand-written date of "2-12-1957" on them. It is possible that the posters were ready before the attraction opened, but more than a full year before?? Something seems screwy. Thanks to "Jason's Disneyland Almanac", I can tell you that February 3rd was a Sunday, park hours were 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, attendance was 14,705, and the high temperature was 71º (with a low of 37º).

Weirdly. I tried the Neural Filter on this photo more than once, and it made no discernible difference.

Somber Fantasyland, 1960s

We love our sunny skies in SoCal, but (thanks to chemtrails) clouds and weather do happen. Just look at this first photo - I guess it's not going to rain, but it really wants to! The genuine gold leaf on the façade still manages to gleam, I'm gonna sneak in one night and scrape all the gold off. I'll be rich! The family in the foreground is interesting. Mom (?) is in shorts and white go-go boots, while Junior wears a red sport coat. 

This might be a view from the upper level of the Carousel of Progress building, though I am not certain. The Matterhorn looks just a little sinister beneath those oppressive clouds. Three Skyway gondolas (two mustards and one ketchup) glide to and fro. I believe that I can see just a smidgen of a Bobsled, so buy a lottery ticket today.

Beautiful Frontierland, August 1961

Imagine being magically transported back to 1961. Tuck your mullet under a Keppy Cap so that you won't get looks! Take a stroll around Disneyland, especially Frontierland, and soak up all that vintage ambiance. Since I am reasonably sure that I never visited the Indian Village when I was a kid, I would want to head in that direction. If I time it just right, I can watch a performance of native dancing by members of a number of tribes. It would be so great!

Next is this lovely look at the Columbia; it looks like passengers are deplaning, and they are probably discussing all of the wonders of the wilderness that they just saw. "That moose looked right at me!". A raft is loading up at Tom Sawyer Island, ready to cross the river. To our right, the old, short-lived bandstand.

A Dream Team Selection

 I can't explain it, but today seemed like a good day to share more photos from the Dream Team - Irene, Bruce, and James. I'd guess that there are still around 35 images from that large batch of scans that remain, and I'm being very miserly with them to make them last. You understand! 

We'll start with this shot of Cascade Peak probably taken from the Mark Twain; by this time the Mine Train attraction was long-gone, but Cascade Peak survived as a feature seen along the river's edge for 19 years afterwards. It still looks nice here, with the waterfalls splashing past the disused track. Since many of the Dream Team's photos are from the 1990s, we know that the peak would be gone soon (it was razed in 1998).

It's nice to see this shot of the Jolly Trolley still in operation over in Toontown - I always liked the cartoony proportions of this trolley, based on the Los Angeles "Red Car" trolleys that were so beloved. The trolley swayed in an eccentric manner (hard to describe) as it traveled the short track, adding kinetic  movement and energy to the land. The Jolly Trolley operated from 1993 to 2003, so it has been more than 20 years since it’s last trip!

We're still in Toontown, over at the site of Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin. Toontown opened at Disneyland on January 24, 1993, while the Car Toon Spin didn't open until January 26, 1994, so we know that this photo was taken sometime in that interim. I quite enjoy RRCTS, though the queue can often be longer than I am willing to endure. 

Somewhere in Frontierland, you'd see this nice hand-painted sign - they buy and sell buffalo hides! Top prices too. It don't know exactly where this sign was, but it would not surprise me if it is still there today.

MANY THANKS to the DREAM TEAM!

July, 1969

Here's a nice duo of scans from July of 1969. Perhaps Apollo 11 was on its way to the Moon! This first example is a fun look at all Three Little Pigs, marching with the Big Bad Wolf. He has reformed his evil ways, but he's still a wolf, and can't stop dreaming about pork chops and bacon (that explains the lolling tongue). It's fun to see the smiles on some of the nearby guests. Overhead, the yellow Mark II Monorail passes with a peculiar hum and whoosh. I hope the pilot honks the air horn in a "shave and a haircut - two bits" rhythm.

Next, a somewhat standard (but still nice) view of the Sub Lagoon as seen from the Skyway. The "Ethan Allen" glides by below, and two Peoplemover trains move slowly above it. The Fantasyland Autopia (hello, Screechy!) appears to have quite a large queue, while other guests make their way back to It's a Small World. One Motor Boat makes a surprise cameo.

 

Snoozles

I have THREE Snoozles for you today! As you will see, the picture quality isn't too bad, the focus is within International Blog Committee (or IBC) parameters, and the lighting is pretty good. They're just boring! OR ARE THEY? You be the judge. Someone else can be the jury (I want to be the executioner).

From August, 1980 comes this "meh" photo of Main Street Station. I can't even think of anything to say about it, other than I miss the Santa Fe logo.

Also from August, 1980 (but from a different lot than the previous image) comes this shot of Sleeping Beauty Castle - other than the banner for Disneyland's first quarter century, there is nothing much of note.

Here's another photo of Main Street Station, undated but I believe it's from the late 1970s; Santa Fe went out for ice cream and never came home in 1974, so we know it's from after '74, anyway. Don't hassle me, man! "Oh little bird up in the sky, whence are you coming from, and where are you going?". I wrote that all by myself, with no help from AI.

Bali Hai, July 1964

I hope you are in the mood for a Hurricane or a Mai Tai, and maybe some Martin Denny or Les Baxter tunes, because we are visiting the Bali Hai tiki bar, operating since 1954 on Shelter Island in San Diego. From Wikipedia: (Shelter Island) is actually not an island but is connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land. It was originally a sandbank in San Diego Bay, visible only at low tide. It was built up into dry land using material dredged from the bay in 1934. It was developed in the 1950s and contains hotels, restaurants, marinas, and public parkland. Notice the stern (?) visage of Mr. Bali Hai to the left - there is a statue of him as well, restored by Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily in 2001. The sign to the right says "Exotic Cantonese Dinners : DANCING TONIGHT : Polynesian Floor Show".

Up on the roof, a fearsome (but friendly?) fellow known as "The Goof" surveys the landscape below. Apparently there had been another "Goof" on Balboa Island in Newport Beach, and this example is a copy of that one.

Here's a great photo of Alice Hudson, who apparently was instrumental in bringing The Goof to the Bali Hai restaurant. A replica of a giant Tiki statue known as the “Goof,” which had long stood atop Christian’s Hut in Balboa, was hoisted to the roof of the elaborate new “Tiki temple” on Shelter Island, constructed from timbers hauled down from backcountry San Diego mountains. You can read an extensive history of Shelter Island's Bali Hai HERE.

EXTRA! EXTRA! Mike Cozart sent along a photo of the Bali Hai restaurant, taken shortly after its renovation. It looks wonderful! Thanks Mike.

Beautiful Tomorrowland, August 1960

Oh boy, vintage Tomorrowland, it's like catnip to me (these photos make me drool and roll around on the ground and act goofy - goofier than usual I mean). There's nothing that we haven't seen before, and yet... the park looks so exciting and beautiful. The colors are so nice, you can practically taste them. Go ahead, lick your computer screen, it's a free country.

It's August 1960, and the Matterhorn was only a year(ish) old, but wow, what a sight. No wonder over 50 photos have been taken of it (maybe 60)! By the looks of things, our photographer was going up the steps to the load platform of the Skyway terminal - maybe they were seconds from boarding their luxury gondola. After being handed a glass of premium champagne, they'll be whisked up into the clean, fresh Anaheim air. 

Here we are, whisking. WE'RE WHISKING! I love the hues of the early Skyway buckets, especially my favorite persimmon orange pal. Down below, the Autopia, and Screechy who stopped by to say "hello" (well, he just screeched, but we know what he meant). The red Mark I Monorail is at the station, and to the left, the Astro Jets are in the astro-jetting. 

More "America Sings", September 1983

Hopefully you've seen the first installment of photos (taken by Lou Perry and scanned/shared by Sue B) from "America Sings". They are unusually nice, with some startling closeups that you don't tend to see elsewhere. Great job, Lou!

Here's a disreputable piano-playing pig; Wikipedia says that you'd see him during the "Gay 90s" section during the song "Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay". I believe that this animatronic was later repurposed as a female pig for the big showboat finale scene in Splash Mountain.

One of my faint memories from America Sings is these Cancan chickens (again, "Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay"?), and their rather slow and arthritic kicks - the limits of technology did them no favors. These gals also appeared in the Splash Mountain finale. 

There was a Geese Quartet that performed several songs, including "She May Be Somebody's Mother" / "The Bowery" / "After the Ball" (from "The Gay 90s"), "Ja-Da" / "Darktown Strutters' Ball" / "Singin' in the Rain" (from "Modern Times"), and more. 

From the "Headin' West" portion of the show, this "Sombrero-wearing dog" sang (wait for it), "Who Shot The Hole in My Sombrero?". 

And finally, another scene from The Gay 90s, with a bird in a gilded cage singing "A Bird in a Gilded Cage". Who could have predicted it!

MANY THANKS to Lou Perry and to Sue B. for sharing these wonderful photos of a long-extinct attraction!

Three From January, 1974

Well... I have some "nice but boring" scans from January 1974 for you today. There's nothing really wrong with them, as photos go. But after viewing many thousands of Disneyland pix, these are very run-of-the-mill. Are they "Snoozles"? Kinda. 

It's that nutty old Mark Twain, with Cascade Peak still looking pretty good just behind it. I could almost see a picture like this showing up in a souvenir guidebook of the time. And yet... SNORE.

The Columbia, the first American vessel to circumnavigate Oxnard. It makes you proud. When it's in Fowler's Harbor, it ain't circumnavigating nuthin'! 

And lastly, you knew it had to be in this batch... a view of the Castle later in the day (in January that means 2:00). Again, there's nothing particularly wrong with this photo, but we've certainly seen many nicer and more interesting images of this feature over the years.

I promise to have something more interesting for you tomorrow!