Two From January 1974
I'm very nervous by nature (as opposed to Naughty by Nature), and I don't want to stray too far from Main Street Station. So let's just meander around Town Square. Come on, be a pal!
I told Walt Disney that he should have common yellow school buses going up and down Main Street. And they could have cast members playing bullies who won't let you sit next to them! And the driver could be a drunk. But Walt coughed and said something about an Omnibus, and I could tell that the subject was closed. Gosh, what a grump. Anyway, there's the Omnibus that he was so crazy about, I guess it's OK. It's passing the Opera House, which has some scaffolding. I could find nothing going on there in early '74, but a full year earlier, Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln closed, and was replaced by "The Walt Disney Story" on April, 1973. Maybe this roll of film sat in a drawer for months? Addendum: I could see that there is an oval sign for "Cinderella" in the window near the woman with the stroller. That film was rereleased in 1973!
Next is this nice photo that soothes my jangled nerves; the clip-clop of the horse's hooves and the jolly clang of the bell reduce my jumpiness by 72%!
Here's a closeup of one of the Emporium windows...
16 comments:
There is also a worker on the scaffolding (strange word). A painter maybe? He's messing with one of the windows. The two girls on, and near, the bench are wearing identical psychedelic pants.
Flare-legged pants for everyone! Even the horse! Interesting that the Streetcar is empty. Looks like it deposited its riders up at the hub and is about to arrive at the Town Square stop, to pick up another batch of riders.
We've been treated to quite a few good quality pics the last few days! Thanks, Major.
Flared jeans: I think they've come back, and went away...and came back again. I think they are cool. When are window pane jeans coming back? A couple of days ago I got the words genes and jeans mixed up....Jeans: "Sergio Valente: survival of the fittest!" If you remember that song, you may also enjoy "You've got the look I want to know better....Jordache has the fit that's riiii-iggghttt". I did not have designer jeans, and I'm proud of it. It looks like a nice peaceful day in the park, and the scaffolding is fine...I need to look up turn of the century scaffolding. It certainly looks more authentic than some other things I've seen lately. I agree with the "more unbuttoned vests than buttoned vests." Like language, when you say things long enough like "ain't" they become real words, and I think unbuttoned vests are just the norm...especially for these pony farm guys- or Main St. attractions guys in general. Maybe the Retlaw guys on the train too. NOT Outdoor Vending guys and DEFINITELY NOT Tour Guides. Suck it up cupcake and keep that vest buttoned. The Japanese elms certainly do not have scale here: they are a lovely "drapey" tree, but oh-so-messy. You can see the Brazilian Peppers in Town Square as well. Those were pruned amazingly...so that all the branches zig-zagged. Another messy tree, but so pretty: and there are a few still over to the far left of the Castle for you to check out next time at the Park. You can see a little GAF logo over at the Camera shop. In 6 years I'd be in Victorian Garb posing for a photo with a couple of co-workers in there. Polaroids have a certain charm that I appreciate. Thanks Major for the sunny morning in Disneyland!
These are remarkably clear and accurately colored, which is unusual for Polaroid pictures. Mine are often faded or have weird color changes.
The omnibus is always fun, but I feel bad for people who have to sit on the ground floor. They should make the second floor bigger and not have a ground floor at all.
That big horse has certainly improved his sketching ability, that horse-drawn cart looks like real life.
I think these photos were taken from almost the exact same spot, the photographer just pivoted about 90 degrees to take the second one. I like how the trash cans are set into fenced areas, nicely designed.
Thanks Major!
JG
I wonder if TokyoMagic or Mike—or anyone—recognizes what movie’s on display in the Emporium windows? I know there isn’t much visible, but Mike can identify a specific wall in Disneyland [and the year], with just a tiny paint chip.
Pretty images, thank you, Major. It would be lovely to step into this Disneyland, today.
Hey, I was there in June of 1973, maybe I'm in these pics!
Looking.. looking.....looking...
Nope.
Oh well. It was a little bit of a long shot. I'm probably standing behind the camera person making bunny ears over their head. I always got that prank mixed up...
You know, if you squint and look at that trash can it's almost a hidden Mickey. Or squirrels facing each other. The carriage is empty because everyone slid out when they careened around that corner, a common occurrence before the park got crowded. Oh look, an antique stroller! Nice ones today, Major.
Zach
JG, the omnibus should dispense with the first and second levels entirely and begin guest seating on the third deck. The driver's cab should be moved to the rear and face backwards. An exit slide - or maybe catapult - would be a bonus.
Sue, the Emporium window displays might be for Mary Poppins, which was rereleased in May of 1973.
"Mike can identify a specific wall in Disneyland [and the year], with just a tiny paint chip."
You forgot to mention the name of the paint color, the manufacturer, and what it was changed to when that manufacturer went out of business or was restructured into manufacturing automotive keyholes.
The Emporium windows appears to be featuring a live action film - which they did at times. It appears to be CHARLIE & THE ANGEL with Fred MacMurray , Cloris Leachman Kurt Russel and Harry Morgan. It’s one of my favorites. As a kid I loved the car chase with the model T’s and gangster limousines. It takes place in the “Midwest” somewhere in 1933 and the mom and kids dream of going to the Chicago World’s Fair. But the Dad is cheap and is more concerned with running his hardware store than spending time with his family .. so an Angel ( harry Morgan ) is sent to take Fred MacMurray away ….since he isn’t really “living” .
The figure in the yellow dress is the mom , Cloris Leachman.
CHARLEY & THE ANGEL (1973)
The very first film represented in the Main Street Emporium windows was THE ONE AND ONLY ORIGINAL FAMILY BAND ( 1968)…. Also featuring Kurt Russel!
Such a quaint relaxing vibe in these. Feels like September light.
MS
Major, my most common use for Polaroid cameras was for work, documenting existing buildings. Made it easy to see when you had a good photo of some unusual feature instead of going back to the office and waiting a week for print processing, only to find there was no picture of some odd roof transition or other feature needed to complete an as-built drawing. Usually tossed the photos after the project was constructed.
They were fun at parties too, but never for serious work.
JG
Mike Cozart, wow, I don’t have any memory of Charlie and the Angel. Do you think they would have done Emporium windows for that film? It seems to me like they tended to do windows for bigger, notable films. Though maybe Charlie and the Angel was hoped to be a smash hit, like The Love Bug?
Mike Cozart, I’ve still never seen The One and Only Original Family Band, mostly because I was afraid that it wasn’t very good. Do you like it?
MS, these could have been taken the previous September!
JG, when I was in art school, I relied on my instant camera for photographing models for reference. Then I got an expensive Nikon 35mm camera, and spent way too much time running to the 1-hour developing stores. Such a pain! Digital photography has spoiled me!
The Emporium displays for Island at the Top of the World are the first ones I remember seeing in January of 1975. I didn’t see the movie for another 30 years.
I’ve still never seen The One and Only Original Family Band, either, mostly because I was afraid of John Davidson. I know you’re thinking “That’s Incredible!”
MAJOR: the ONE AND ONLY ORIGINAL FAMILY BAND is not my favorite- but it has sone fun moments . It always seemed like such a long movie . In a why it’s an American 19th Century version of Sound of Music … lol.
Growing up I definitely remembered the emporium windows for PETER PAN , 101 Dalmatians , bedknobs & Broomsticks , island at the top of the world … The Rescuers , The Black Hole … and The Fox and the Hound ….I think a Mary Poppins too.
I have a memory of an Aristocats … but I’m not positive there was one.(??) I recall MICKEY’s Christmas Carol too …. After the scene of Scrooge McDuck being frightened by the ghost of Marley ( goofy) scene was relocated to Mickey’s Christmas Chalet when it was on display year round for several years .
"Mike can identify a specific wall in Disneyland [and the year], with just a tiny paint chip."
"You forgot to mention the name of the paint color, the manufacturer, and what it was changed to when that manufacturer went out of business or was restructured into manufacturing automotive keyholes."
LOL! You're absolutely right, Chuck!
[And I see that Mike DID respond with enough info to fill an encyclopedia page. Amazing. Thank you, Mike!]
When I viewed this post early yesterday morning, I was also wondering which film was being featured in the Emporium windows. Thanks for asking that question, Sue, and thanks for answering it, Mike! Oh, and thanks for adding the close-up, Major! I have never seen "Charlie and the Angel." I guess I had heard of it before, but I've never had an opportunity to see it. I don't remember ever seeing it pop up on the Disney Channel, back when I had cable TV. And I don't remember seeing it at the video rental stores. Back in the eighties, I was able to catch up with a lot of the Disney films that I had missed, by renting the videos. I also don't remember seeing an ad or article for it in Disney News Magazine. Still, I hope it made more money for them than Mary Poppins, The Lion King, and Frozen, combined.
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