Two From the 50s
Today's "Fun Friday" scans are full of 1950s goodness, which is almost as good as "chocolatey goodness". Almost.
I sure love this first shot of a Surrey packed with an entire family while Gramps takes their picture. So WHO is taking the picture we are looking at? Walt Disney himself, I say, and who's going to argue with me?? It better not be you, JG! "Here folks (*cough*), let me take your picture". "Gee, thanks, mustachioed stranger!". It's late-afternoon during the holidays (note the decorations), which means it was probably around 4:00. Perhaps the park closed at 8:00. Also notice the Bekins moving van, which appears to be ready to back into the "garage".
Everybody's having a swell time! The boy to the right is wearing a powder-blue jumpsuit, evidence that he is actually from Planet Zebuloid-42.
Meanwhile, over in Tomorrowland, we get a nice look at the entrance (or is it the exit?) to CIRCARAMA, sponsored by American Motors. I never noticed before, but it appears that there was a little "moat" in front of this attraction. The signboard displays a tantalizing list of features, including the "Moon Ride" (hey!), "Kaiser Aluminum", "Space Bar", and "Space Station X-1".
7 comments:
Major-
"The boy to the right is wearing a powder-blue jumpsuit..."
I must take exception to that statement. Although the resolution of the image prevents viewing needed details for absolute verification , I suspect the lad is wearing a separate jacket - possibly reversible.
Make that the entrance to CirCARama.
Thanks, Major.
I think Major is right about the boy's outfit. The thing that we can't see, is the big crushy belt he's wearing, in his attempt to break up the continuity of the powder blue jumpsuit.
My username is almost the same as JG's, so I'll volunteer to argue: I think Gramps is taking the picture we see. The gentleman we see in the photo is braiding the horse's mane.
I like how the main part of this picture is rather sedate and bare, while over to the right, the street is full of people, tinsel, garlands, and hustle and bustle (maybe even Heckle and Jeckle!).
OK, so what is Jumpsuit Boy holding in his hand? It looks too plain to be a Disneyland paper sack. OH! [JB slaps his forehead], you told us that he is from Planet Zebuloid-42, so this is his flying saucer that he conveniently shrunkified with his shrinkification ray, so he could carry it around with him all day! He would've had to pay for twelve parking spots otherwise. (Saucers from Planet Zebuloid-42 are rather large, y'know.)
Hmm, I woulda thought that the "Moon Ride" was the Rocket to the Moon? But I guess that would be "Space Station X-1"? So, the Moon Ride musta been the Astro-Jets? I am confused. I also never noticed that little moat in front of Circarama before.
Nanook, I also thought Jumpsuit Boy's outfit was a two-piece thing. But that would spoil the whole Planet Zebuloid-42 meme. So... jumpsuit it is!
Tokyo!, that's 3 votes for team jumpsuit!
Thanks, Major. Brace for more Santa Ana winds tonight.
We don't have rides at Disneyland: we have adventures and attractions! Looks like we got some rides...to the Moon no less! Jumpsuit Boy Timmy looks like he is ready for a ride to the Moon...so guess he got the memo. That hat guy: gramps...that actually could be Walt: it's not: but I've seen him in this type of hat before. I actually think it's the adventures and attractions host...also known as the guy from the Pope ranch who operates this ride/attraction. You can see his glove there on the seat next to Timmy. The Bekins truck looks a bit like a paddy wagon or was it called the black mariah? That's an old name for a police wagon prisoner transport with an interesting history. First time I've seen a moat as well with CirCARama....was it changed back to Circarama when American Motors flew the coop? Looks like Sharon Disney is there with her BF at the entrance...Tomorrowland is cool in it's spartaness...you can make lemonade out of lemons. I find that the things I do by accident, or due to limited resources turn out to be my best ideas. The Emporium has some neat holiday windows: would love to see a close up of those. I've also never seen those awnings in the "up" position: however my last trip to main street I did inspect the awnings and they seem to be completely operable. Thanks Major to the trip to the 50"s! Stay safe and hope your power is back on.
I'd love to see what it says on the plate at the base of the streetlamp!
I want a ride in the Bekins Storage Wagon. Does that require an "A" coupon too?
Thanks, Major.
Actually, the Surrey Bunch (an earlier precurser to the Brady's) just defeated the Bekins Van in a drag race down Main Street! The van is rolling away in shame...
Drag races were a regular event in early Disneyland history.
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