Frontierland, 1956
I have two "nothing special, but still nice" photos of Vintage Frontierland for you today. For the zillionth time! I particularly like this first view - again, nothing that unusual or notable, other than the fact that it's just pretty. Guests are frolicking on Tom Sawyer Island, so we know that this is from after June 16, 1956. Based on some other photos in this batch, it's possible this one is from around Christmastime, though it sure looks pleasant. Nobody's wearing a heavy coat or sweater, and the sky is blue and clear. A Canoe heads off into the Unknown, I hope it returns. There's a little stack of posts or logs at the river's edge in front of the Old Mill, I wonder what they were for?
And, oh well, what do you know, it's another photo of the Mark Twain, loading new passengers (what there are of them, anyway). Some of the trees look scraggly in the Winter, but it's still a lovely sight.
11 comments:
Major-
I'm ready to board the Mark Twain right now-! There's even a place to rest my rumpus room-! Sheer heaven.
Thanks, Major.
Wow, this IS a better than average picture! Besides the Old Mill, we've got the Fort, Castle Rock, Tom's Treehouse, and two AEDs zeroing in on that Canoe.
"There's a little stack of posts or logs at the river's edge in front of the Old Mill, I wonder what they were for?" That's the smoldering remains of the burning dragon (version 1). They just can't seem to work out the kinks of that thing! (Hint to Imagineers: make it non-flammable!)
I'm not familiar with "frolicking", is that like twerking? :-p
It's a fine photo of the Mark Twain. She's showing us her 'best side'. Although, the lighting is a little flat; needs more contrast, I think. And maybe juice up the color saturation a bit. But don't bother with any of that because as soon as the MT starts to leave the dock, it's gonna hit that AED that is deployed right in front of it, and go BOOM!
Nice early photos, Major. Thanks.
I read all about those little logs on a Disneyland fan page, on Facebook. After reaching the island, they would let guests try to build their own little raft. And if they were able to sail it back to the mainland successfully, they would give them back their "D" ticket.
All those red coats in the first image are letting us know that 1957 is just around the corner. Tom Sawyer Island’s foliage is so sparse you could read the sign for Fort Wilderness over the fort’s gate from the canoes. I could, too, if I knew how to read. You can clearly see that the fort’s northeast blockhouse is laid out 45º off from the other three. I’ve always wondered why they did that.
I can hear the riverboat’s bell clearly in my head. Don’t worry - I’m not crazy. It’s not like I’m hearing it in my fingers.
Thank you for some perfectly cromulent photos on a Monday morning!
Guests in red like pimentos in the meat loaf, and the red bandanna flying over Castle Rock. Seeing the Fort standing guard in the distance, a symbol of safety and civilization in the wilderness. And plenty of dynamite to hand there on the raft, can never have too much high explosive, until you can.
Another unbuttoned vest on that river pilot, maybe the strict wardrobe rules were not yet codified? Those guys were rascals in any case, rules? What rules? I’m a River Pilot, no ordinary mortal. These guys were the Tom Cruise Top Guns of their era, not to be put upon by silly rules for the little people. I bet he could assemble a raft from a few sticks in nothing flat, that’s why those were stored there. In case of emergency, grab sticks, some dynamite, and build a rescue raft.
Beautiful pictures today, Major. Gets the imagination working early. Thank you!
JG
Very nice. Especially the Mark Twain pic. I love the subtle color tone. Perfect for vintage 1950's Disneyland images. And the structural details standout better as if it were in b&w, but still in color.
Thanks, Major.
Nanook, now I’m picturing the Mark Twain with a little room that has foosball and a giant projector TV!
JB, these larger slides can really provide some sweet details, I wish I had lots more of them. Speaking of the smoldering dragon, do we know if Fantasmic is coming back? Clearly I don’t keep up with this stuff. I suppose the photo of the Mark Twain has “flat lighting”, but I prefer this well-lit view to others with heavy shadows that tend to go dark, if you know what I mean.
TokyoMagic!, oh yeah, that thing about the logs was in Randy Bright’s book. With a photo of a poorly-built raft sinking! Serves them right, those dumb raft-builders.
Chuck, I still wonder about the red coat craze; did Mamie Eisenhower wear one? Or Milton Berle? The public loves a trend. I don’t know how to read either, so don’t feel too bad. I assume that the blockhouse that is at an angle is historically accurate, but would love to know what it was based on. Mamie Eisenhower’s blockhouse? That riverboat bell is actually your alarm clock, you’re still asleep in bed!
JG, hmmm, I don’t think I’ve ever had meatloaf with pimentos in it. My mom once put green olives in meatloaf, and there was a riot the likes of which has never been seen on US soil. I know Bu was instructed to never unbutton a vest, but it’s almost more rare to see a buttoned vest in old photos! Tom Cruise?? He’s a loose cannon! If it were up to me he’d no longer be a Top Gun!
K. Martinez, these slides had some unfortunate yellow splotches on them, but luckily Photoshop could take care of most of them. I love B&W in movies, but for photos of Disneyland, I generally prefer color!
Ah TSI when it was cool! I don't know what current management (or management a couple of of CEOs ago, for that matter) have against it. I went to the Pirates Lair version last year and it was just a bunch of paths to nothing much. And now they say WDW is tearing it all out, river and all, for a Cars attraction? You can't fix stupid, but Disney will sure hire it.
”Speaking of the smoldering dragon, do we know if Fantasmic is coming back?”
It’s baaa—aaaak!
Major, "That riverboat bell is actually your alarm clock, you’re still asleep in bed! " That would explain why I can't seem to find the classroom for my Calculus final and don't appear to be wearing any pants.
Stu29573, I am assuming that the “suits” believe that the concept of Tom Sawyer Island is old and uncool. Maybe it is, I don’t know. I feel like the changes they’ve made (getting rid of some of the fun rock formations like Castle Rock, for instance) have helped to neuter the place.
Lou and Sue, argh!
Chuck, I often forget to wear pants, and don’t notice until I’ve finished my 1 hour commute.
Post a Comment