Two From July 1963
July, 1963. America was abuzz because of the introduction of ZIP codes! Folks threw parties, dressed as Mr. Zip, who briefly became as popular as Spuds MacKenzie did years later. What a time.
Take a look at this first picture, presumably snapped by a guest walking from the tram drop-off zone toward the ticket booths. It's too bad there aren't beds full of beautiful roses anymore. The curve of the Monorail track reminds me a bit of the columns in St. Peter's Square in Rome. Probably designed by the same person.
Looking at the attraction posters, I noticed one just beyond those Servicemen - a yellow poster featuring the Mickey Mouse Club logo - certainly tied to the Mickey Mouse Club Headquarters, which was in the Opera House in 1963; the show had gone into syndication in the Fall of 1962.
This is the only halfway decent photo I have of the entrance to the MMC Headquarters, notice the poster to the left. It's a bit different from the one on the Monorail pylon, but close enough. Presumably it was a silkscreened piece, what a find one of those would be! Too bad there's no mention of Disneyland on the poster.
Daveland has a much better look at one of the posters outside the Opera House (image used with permission).
Next is this wonderful look from the Skyway into the classic Fantasyland, with long lines for the Peter Pan attraction even back then. The Carrousel is drawing them in as well. In the distance, you can see the side of the Opera House, with two large "barn doors".
15 comments:
Major-
Poor Mickey - sandwiched between vertical stripes and the dreaded blue and red arrow points.
It should be noted that Spuds MacKenzie's nickname was actually Mr. Zip-! (The more you know...)
Thanks, Major.
Wow, the composition is great in the first pic! The swooping Monorail beamway on the right (such perspective!), the colorful roses on the left with that light tower acting as an eye stopper. The tower isn't exciting to look at but it serves its purpose.
Some of those Servicemen are carrying travel bags. Maybe they're going to change into their civvies once inside. (Don't they get in at a reduced price if they're wearing their uniforms?) I wonder if that's a Tour Guide to the left of the Servicemen? She's wearing a red and white outfit.
The Mickey Mouse Club poster looks very pleasing in its uncluttered simplicity.
The picture taken from the Skyway looks great! Often times, the camera is tilted a bit or there is some motion blur, but not here! Everything is crisp and clear. (A cracker AND a furniture polish!)
Nice photos, Major. Thanks.
That first syndicated MMC is the one I'm old enough to remember.
It still had the dedicated days of the week, proclaimed by Mickey and followed by a themed production number (Fun With Music, Guest Star, Anything Can Happen, Circus, and Talent Roundup). It was a diversified mix of segments from the original show, plus new stuff to freshen it up: Acts filmed at Disneyland, science demonstrations by Professor Wonderful (fairly blatant knockoff of Mr. Wizard), and I think they had less dated "newsreel" segments hosted by new Mouseketeer Reporters. I recall there was fresh club merchandise on store shelves, and you could still find 50s goodies at Salvation Army and Goodwill.
I kinda got the Mouseketeer stuff wasn't recent. Annette was older than me on MMC, but still a kid I might sit next to in the cafeteria. At the same time, she was all grown up in movies and on the "World of Color", probably dating guys with driver's licenses and even their own cars.
At some point they redubbed all Mickey's openings to be generic -- that is, viable for any day of the week with no mention of day-specific features (these were dubbed by Walt himself, who'd stopped doing the voice back in the 40s). By the time they got to Disney Channel it seemed like every episode followed Mickey with the same exact "We're the Mouseketeers" dance number. It felt like the original "Bugs Bunny Show" after they stripped out the bits that linked vintage cartoons into a single plot line.
Remember catching a few episodes of the 1980s leisure-suited revival (they even drew Mickey in a jumpsuit or something); managed to miss the teen idol version completely.
Okay (sigh) boomer.
That red white and blue "color blocked" shirt on the girl in the third image, reminds me of NBC's logo in the 1970s.
Personally, I think bringing back the MMC Headquarters in the Opera House would have been a larger attendance draw, than a robotic Walt.....especially if they had also brought back the "Babes in Toyland" sets. That film is the most beloved film by Disney fans, even more so than "The Happiest Millionaire" and "The Black Hole." ;-)
Next week marks the 70th anniversary of the original Mickey Mouse Club's debut. I have a blog post commemorating the anniversary, which will be published next month. Included in that post, will be some original MMC items that my grandmother purchased for me. And just as DBenson pointed out, they were found in a thrift store about 17 years after the show went off the air!
Thanks, Major!
Super special shots today. Loving all the pointy turrets over Fantasyland.
The striped dress is charming, but the woman wearing it is stunning.
Thanks!
MS
Those MMC posters are fantastic - I didn't even know they existed having never seen on in a photo nor in-person. I wonder if anyone has one in their collection?
Major, you are right again! The Vatican and the Monorail track were both designed by Carlo Rambaldi, who also designed the creature effects for one of the Dune films. I know it’s true because I read on the internet. Just now, after writing it.
I do like that parade of posters. Amazing how a simple idea like posters, combined with brilliant execution, has created such a market for collectors. The guests here are as colorful as the flags.
The pretty lady’s dress echoes the tickets in her hand. Great combination.
She could be a model, or a tour guide.
My favorite here is the skyway pic. I always loved the view over fantasyland, with glimpses down into the backstage areas hidden from guests. This pic really shows how compact it all was, the carousel tent almost touching the dark ride facade.
Notice how the castle dark ride building has a white roof. Most roofs in that era were gray gravel, and now white is required by code for energy savings. I wonder what led to the decision for Disney? White would be cooler, of course, but was that enough then?
Thanks Major!
JG
Nanook, hey, Vertical Stripes girl is pretty cute, Mickey should have no complaints! I admit that my knowledge of Spuds MacKenzie’s sordid past is limited.
JB, it’s funny, I was looking at some “Lou and Sue” scans (that may or may not appear on this blog), and Lou took a photo very much like that first one! So similar that I had to double check that I hadn’t accidentally put some of his photos in with my regular bunch. I do wonder about the bags the servicemen are carrying… I guess they can rent a locker? I believe that they only got their ticket discount if they were in uniform, but that doesn’t mean that they couldn’t change into civvies later I suppose. And yes, that is a Tour Guide, good eye!
DBenson, I have vague memories of occasionally watching the Mickey Mouse Club on TV, but I think that it felt a bit old-fashioned to me by the mid-60s. Give me Jonny Socko! Or Wild Wild West. Your mention of finding goodies at the Salvation Army and Goodwill reminds me of conversations I had with an older collector, he and his wife found incredible stuff at places like that. They had “the eye” and knew what was good. You should have seen their home, crammed full of amazing items, but never feeling junky or cluttered. I get why the MMC had to make changes for syndication; I am not sure if there are any episodes on Disney+, it would be fun to watch one or two if so. And yes, by the time they brought the MMC back, I was beyond disinterested!
TokyoMagic!, ha, I see what you mean about the NBC logo! I thought she looked like a nautical flag. Do you think that today’s crowds even know about the MMC? It might seem like truly ancient history to many. I just spoke to somebody who saw the Walt animatronic, and this person said it was better in person than it looks on YouTube, which I can believe. I told this person that my outrage has died down, ha ha. Wow, the 70th anniversary of the MMC! Incredible!
MS, ha, I agree, big sis with the stripes is very pretty and cool!
Jed B., if I had to place a bet, I’d wager that there are no more of those MMC posters around. They don’t overtly mention Disneyland, so if there *are* any, the owner might not even realize the significance!
JG, Carlo Rambaldi? He of ET fame (and other stuff)? I forget if he had anything to do with Yoda. I’m pretty sure he designed some of the gray aliens from “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”. You know me, I’m a poster fan, which is why I got into collecting them once I had some money and knew where to acquire them. To this day they still thrill me. I like the Skyway pic a lot, though we’ve seen others very much like it; so my vote goes to photo #1. There are no wrong answers, though! Interesting about the different gravel on the roof of the castle, unfortunately I have no idea why Disney bucked the trend.
I think there are TWO TG’s in that image….
I’ll be back later….thanks, Major.
@ TM!-
""Babes in Toyland" sets. That film is the most beloved film by Disney fans, even more so than "The Happiest Millionaire" and "The Black Hole.""
Wow, talk about stirring the pot of controversy-! Pretty soon you'll be referencing "a certain TV show" and declaring it the greatest sitcom ever-!
All that's missing in the Main Gate photo is a gaggle of nuns: Check on the TG's and the Servicemen...with more forensics, I could probably pick out a few more things. TG's were at the gate for information, as guests were still confused about the ticket schemes, and Disneyland itself. In the 80's they were still confused and for a lot of people, Disneyland was still "new" believe it or not. Being at the gate was a "holding pattern" until your tour was "up" and if there was no room in the phone room to answer phones. In addition, there were more "close geography" stations: like the 4 corners of each tunnel underneath the train tracks. And you BETTER NOT stray from that corner EVER! I remember being chastised for leaving my corner and taking a guest nearer Town Square to explain some directions to them. How presumptuous of me. It was the same lead that made me stand in the pouring rain without a coat. There was something "wrong" with that one....that being said. The Monorail beams do like quite Roman....and never really considered this before. There ARE still rose beds out there: "kind of". They are closer to Harbor Blvd where the (tiny) marquee sign is. The Main Gate could be so much more botanically wonderful than it is....even the color scheme is odd to me: this is a place where you COULD be more saturated in color. Overall, with all the parks (in the US anyway) the Magic Kingdom Main Gate seems to win the prize. With it's approach from the Monorail or a water vessel of your choosing. I was obsessed with the Mickey Mouse Club as a kid, and knew all the dance numbers: which I could probably duplicate today. Requests will be taken in order received. I tried to audition for the leisure suit Mousketeers, but was told at 11 that I was too old. The casting director sent me a very nice personalized note on MMC letterhead. The letter is now part of a worthy collection. The 60's fashions are fantastic. Almost "costumey". It's kind of amazing that from the late 50's to the early 60's there was quite the revolution in women's fashion. I'm pretty sure the guys looked the same....perhaps with not as many hats. I vote to bring hats back. Real hats. Fantasyland looks anxiety ridden crowded for me. It got soooo noisy in there pre "New Fantasyland"....and even after that it continued to be very active and loud....a photo worthy of more forensics when I have time. Thanks Major!
Ohmygosh! Are we seeing the backside of the dent!?
Lou and Sue, I think you’re right!
Nanook, I think people are starting to realize that “The Black Hole” is one of the finest films ever made.
Bu, I admit that I am disappointed that I don’t have more photos of nuns in Disneyland. Holding rulers! They could go around hitting people, and nobody can do a darn thing about it. What are you going to do, punch a nun?? I have a few other photos showing TGs out front, I never knew exactly what they were doing. Just being generally helpful? Trying to convince people that a guided tour is just what they needed? So odd that you would be chastised for talking to a guest. I’d get it if you were goofing off with another employee, but helping guests is what it’s all about! I’m glad that there are some surviving roses, even if they are much-reduced. Better than nothing. I can’t comment on the Main Gate for The Magic Kingdom, but I have no doubt that it is very nice. Too old for the Mouseketeers at 11 years old? Jeez! Maybe you had a full beard at 11? Definitely hold on to that letter, hopefully it doesn’t cause too much distress all these years later. I don’t ever remember thinking that Fantasyland was particularly noisy, but I might have just not noticed! Typical.
Budblade, it’s a rare (and very valuable) view, how many times do you get to see the back side of a dent?
That red-blue color blocks shirt on the girl in the 3rd image reminds me of the AMC (the defunct car maker) logo.
Yes, even in my early 60s childhood Disney wasn't exactly With It, but it still had an appeal and power that transcended momentary Cool. Disney was Full Service, a complete lifestyle brand, what we now call a Cinematic Universe except it encompassed movies, television, comics, merchandise, and the One and Only Genuine Original DISNEYLAND. It was the nostalgic and trusted entertainment of depression-raised grownups, and at the same time the shiny Tomorrowland of their boomer kids. I remember knowing the plots, songs, and key scenes of Disney films I didn't actually see until my teens or later, because of all the other media they were in. And of course we all had a working knowledge of the major Disneyland rides.
In time new entertainment forms and increased competition diluted Disney's synergistic power. Saturday morning cartoons. Sitcoms. Jerry Lewis, Don Knotts and Irwin Allen as prolific and reliable matinee draws. There was even scattered competition in feature animation, and theme parks began dressing up thrill rides with IPs.
Serious competition would come later, with major players betting big on theme parks and movies intended to improve on Disney formulas. The irony is that Disney, a small animation studio trying to regroup after WWII, was arguably a more powerful cultural force than the modern Disney conglomerate, infinitely more profitable and visible, but one of a handful of equally humungous media giants.
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