BUPIX - Fox Studios

Among the many photos and documents that GDB friend Bu gave to me was a series of Polaroids taken when Bu managed to explore the old Fox Studio backlot (as well as the MGM backlot, more on those photos in the future!). Pretty neat! It's pretty incredible to see these photos of what was left of one of the great backlots from the Golden Age of Hollywood. 

Bu was kind enough to include his recollections of his explorations! This scene is not “inside” the lot…as the actual lot of Fox was sold and destroyed to build Century City, which decades later I would work in for several years.   The set is from “Hello Dolly” of course, and the photos were taken in 1980.   After being chased out of MGM by the police (true story for later) we drove up to Hollywood I think to eat at the Tick Tock restaurant on Cahuenga (a great old place now gone.  The orange rolls were incredible.   With very old waitresses from a lonnnngggg time ago.   There was also sherbet in-between courses.   Glad I went when I did as it didn’t stay around for much longer.)   So we made our way down Pico to the 405, and saw these sets: which very much are directly on the street…at least they were before high fences and what not.

So…..we got kicked out of the crumbling back lot of MGM, so on to more polished sets.    The scale that you see in the photos was the scale that it was.  Very very impressive.   HERE is Eddie Sotto’s post; The Barbara (Streisand) archives has some stuff HERE.    

We drove up to the gate, boy we had courage back then, and the guard was very pleasant and said that we couldn’t go past the gate, but could definitely roam around out in the parking lot: where the sets were: and these are the photo proof: done in glorious Polaroid.

The photos really don’t do these sets justice, but if you look at the “Barbra” site that I posted, you can get a look of some of these exact places.   This was an EXPENSIVE set…when movies were movies.   Oscar worthy, and it got a few.   It’s a wee painful to watch in kind of a “My Fair Lady” perspective…but both films are complete masters of artist art direction.   And amazing soundtracks as well.   Some of “Dolly” used on Main Street, Disneyland USA.

When I took these photos I had never seen Hello Dolly, so I was just taking photos of sets and history.   The train station was full scale…as were most of these things.  It was really amazing, and that is where there was a fountain, but I don’t think “THE” fountain, as that landed at Knotts sometime in the 80’s.  You can’t make it out very well, but the gates are to “Harmonia Gardens” another incredible set created inside a stage on the lot.  The exterior was just as impressive. 

Behind this row of sets are offices: guess some of them are still there along Pico, but the sets are long gone, except for a sliver it seems.  You wouldn’t know it unless someone told you however.  Massive train station now gone: lots of glam offices, and the guard gate still where it was.  In the 90’s I went to an audition there, and some of the ramshackle remnants of this glorious set were still there, and that time the guard let me in :)   Have no idea what show I was there for, but I do remember the building was historic, and difficult to find: that lot used to be a maze and you definitely needed a map.   I turned one corner and there was Julie Andrews….painted on the side of a stage: the one where they filmed “The Sound of Music”.   It was all quite magical.

Later on when I worked behind the lot, one of my employees said that a friend of hers discovered a bolt of fabric from the Von Trapp Family children somewhere in storage.   What ever happened to that bolt?  I have curtains to make!  Hope everyone enjoys this trip to Century City CA, home of a big shopping center, the West Coast Twin Towers, and a historic Movie Studio.   All within a few blocks.  And fun fact: scenes from one of the Ape movies were filmed on the streets of Century City because it looked so “futuristic”….but those overpasses really just copied a 1967 Tomorrowland PeopleMover track.   Really.

And just for fun, Bu attached a few additional images, one new, the others showing a sketch and the actual "Hello Dolly" sets:

I wish I'd seen these sets! Such a shame that it was all torn down, but Hollywood was changing. MANY THANKS to Bu for sharing his Polaroids, and for writing down his fun memories! Stay tuned for his photos of the crumbling MGM Backlot.

Easter, and Snoozles™

Because I compose my blog posts so far in advance, I often forget that certain days are actual holidays. Like EASTER, for instance! Luckily for me, Sue B. always knows what's what, and she sent along two fun vintage scans for the occasion.

Let's start with this undated (but probably 1950s) photo of a woman who might be a bit tired (?) at the end of the day (since it seems to be nighttime). On the table is a classic Easter basket, along with lots of cool camera equipment, along with a frankly-huge hard cover manual for a Leica camera. Nice! 

Next is this cute photo of two kids in their Sunday finest. The girl even has a bonnet, which is as traditional as can be. What do you call that collar thing? It's like the world's largest Peter Pan collar. I'm sure they are thrilled with their Easter baskets, in spite of their calm exteriors. 

THANK YOU, Sue B., for sharing these fun Easter pix with us!

***************************************

It's Sunday, a day of rest, and also a day of not-so-great photos (some call then Snoozles™). First up, a Blurzle, taken from a runaway Monorail. Clem, the pilot, was talking to a pretty gal on the platform when the train started moving. NOT AGAIN! You can't see it, but he's actually chasing the Monorail on the beam, a la Buster Keaton. Screechy looks great, even when blurry.

"What the heck, Major? This one isn't so bad!". Well, I was liquored up, and you don't want to be around me when I'm liquored up. I once punched a man for snoring (he was in a hospital bed, admittedly). 

Miscellaneous Amusements

I have some random vintage "amusements" for you today, starting with this great 1950s shot of the entrance to Kiddie Land, which was part of the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, New York. It debuted in 1952. Kiddie Land had a handful of rides for children, like a boat ride and a jet plane ride. It was part of a “kiddie zoo annex” that opened in 1952 and soon after included a petting zoo. Viola Ryan and Jack Gordon were the original owners of Kiddie Land… Newspaper stories from 1952 said Gordon was an automobile salesman and Ryan was a Kodak employee. 

Here's a wintry photo from online that must have been from roughly the same time as my scan.

“It’s fun and frolic for youngsters at Seneca Kiddie-Land, at the Seneca Park Zoo, featuring the world’s safest and most enjoyable rides,” read one story in a July 1953 edition of the Brockport Republic-Democrat. “A real wonderland, with such rides as the Horse ‘n Buggy Ride, Rocket-ship Ride, Boat Rides and the new Army Tank Ride with miniature Tanks and realistic sounding machine guns.”

Below is another photo, this one from August, 1963. The boy is wearing a t-shirt from his trip to Calgary, Ontario. It appears that Kiddie Land closed sometime around 1980. To read more about it, there's a great article HERE.

The next two are "mystery parks", I have no idea where they were located. This little helicopter ride seems to have been very popular, it shows up in many photos from all over the country. Like the fancier Dumbo attraction, kids had some limited control of their whirlybirds, allowing them to go up or down a few feet (notice the sign at the top of the "tower" that reads, "FLY YOURSELF - pull lap bar to fly UP, push lap bar to fly down". Whoa, this is complicated! 

And finally, another typical "'round and 'round" ride that could have been anywhere - this happy kid loves his classic automobile!

Leftuggies™

Today's LEFTUGGIES™ are piping hot (whatever that means)! This first photo is date-stamped "November, 1962", and is a crisp, clear image of Tomorrowland, with an emphasis on the contrast between the central planter (can you imagine something like that in Tomorrowland these days?) and the gleaming Douglas Moonliner. Douglas bought it used from TWA, but they had it repainted and detailed, and spritzed with "new rocket scent" inside. I've always enjoyed the tropical plantings seen around this area, including regular bird of paradise plants, and the giant bird of paradise "trees" to the left.

Next, from December, 1971 comes this photo of the Pearly Band, standing on the western edge of the compass rose (etc) in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. I wasn't sure when the Pearly Band first appeared in the park, but online sources say that they've been there since Mary Poppins was in theaters in 1964. Maybe they are playing "Step In Time"? The Plaza Gardens tent is behind them, waiting for the evening, when the sounds of a famous Big Band might be heard, and crowds of happy dancers would congregate.

 

Frontierland and Big Thunder Mountain RR

It's time for yet another installment of photos from the Mysterious Benefactor! I've made a pretty good dent in the large folder of scans that he sent to me years ago, but there are still MANY photos to share.

I hope you like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, because we'll be looking at it for quite a while. I was thinking that perhaps it was a new attraction when these pix were taken (it opened on September 2, 1979), but the gals in this first image have a very 80s vibe to me. "Sir, will you take a photo of me and my friend? Tee hee!". At least that's how I imagine women talk, I've never actually spoken to one. The cast member is happy to oblige.

Today is a historic day  - to my knowledge, this next photo marks the first appearance of a churro on GDB! I know it looks like the girl in the lilac top is eating her churro with a beer (who wouldn't?), but of course there was no beer to be had in Disneyland in those more-innocent days. Both of these gals are more than tall enough to ride, but they're going to have to finish their food and drink before they can board.

During every visit to Disneyland, you'll reach a point when you feel like you are completely out of gas. And the boy leaning against that sign has reached that point. "Go on without me! I'll just stay here until the buzzards get me". A goth girl stares into our souls, she's in the dead-center of the picture. The twin boys in blue windbreakers make me think of Melissa.

Here's a pretty, postcard-worthy photo as one of the runaway mine trains leaves the station, for the wildest (or is it "rootin' tootin'-est"?) ride through the wilderness. 

Ooo-la-la, this one is as artistic as heck! *Chef's kiss*. Maybe this photo was taken by Ansel Adams' son Argyle. Is that natural stone arch still there? And is it a surviving feature from the Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland? The rock work looks very realistic, a big improvement from earlier days.

As impressive as this looks here, I especially love seeing Big Thunder at night, lit up, but not too bright - sort of "low and moody".

THANK YOU, Mysterious Benefactor!

Two Leftuggies

It's time for some delicious LEFTUGGIES!™

This first one is date-stamped "June 1970", and is interesting because it shows one of Bob Gurr's lesser-known designs. Of course he was responsible for the familiar Omnibuses, but he designed another one, with three levels, just to see if it could be done. According to an issue of "Disney News", it was humorously referred to by Cast Members as the "Tromnibus" - the view from the top must have been something! I wish we could ask Bob why the Tromnibus was retired after such a short time, but I'm very happy to have this rare photo of it.

Next we have a photo from August, 1970, featuring a scene from the Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland. We've all seen this tableau plenty of times, viewed as a train crossed a trestle bridge; those four bears are living the life! Fishing, scratching, burping... three of my favorite things to do. Why, I have half a mind to jump out of the train and join them. But I don't want to get all pruny. As a famous  and insanely wealthy blogger, I have an image to uphold.

Big Bag O' Pins - Disneyland Edition!

I'm digging into the BIG BAG O' PINS again. In general, the only thing that the pins in the bag have in common is that they rend to be larger than most pinback buttons. But all six of today's examples are from Disneyland. Maybe you've heard of it? 

America's Bicentennial was a big deal in 1976, everyone was feeling particularly patriotic, and they were suddenly less interested in Vinnie Barbarinio, and more interested in history. Disneyland had "America on Parade", a salute to our nation, with giant doll-headed figures glaring at guests. And there was merchandise! Much of it featured the cute drawing seen on this ribboned button, with Mickey, Goofy, and Donald in a tribute to Archibald Willard's famous "Spirit of '76" painting - which had also been used on a 1939 cover of "Mickey Mouse Magazine". 

Were YOU "one in 200 million"? If there's one thing I can say about this button, it's that it is very legible. Congratulations, guys, you did it! I was curious to see what the latest "population" is, but couldn't find anything beyond 750 million people - it might be higher now.

I know I posted a photo of this pin (or one just like it) years ago, but who remembers? Nobody, that's who. This is from the actual day of Disneyland's 25th Birthday Party in 1980. 46 years ago! Perhaps some Junior Gorillas were there?

I remember picking this one up in an antiques mall in the midwest. It's the only one of these pinback buttons that was made when Walt was still in charge! The DGA had a special day, I wonder if they rented out the whole park and kicked everybody else out? "You non-directors make me sick! Don't come back!". I quite like the little drawing, and wonder if it was done by a Disney artist? Maybe Ward Kimball? Yeah, I doubt it too.

A guy at a store on Melrose Avenue told me that I had to buy the next button - one given out to Elizabeth's Taylor's guests during her 60th birthday party at the park. In this case, we know that she actually did rent the whole park out. I'm sure Michael Jackson was there (shamone!). I guess I'm glad to have this pin, though it's not exactly one of my prized possessions. It's an interested historical footnote. HOT TAKE: the pin is ugly.

And finally, a pin that was given to me by a friend, "celebrating" the closure of the classic Submarine Voyage on September 8, 1998. Booo! Over the next nine years, a number of ideas (such as one based on Atlantis: The Lost Empire) fizzled out, and nothing happened. Finally, in June of2007, the "Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage" opened. I'm very glad to still have a submarine ride, and think that the lagoon portion of the ride is beautiful - the dark ride portion is a bit less wonderful in my opinion, but kids probably love it.  

Stay tuned for more Pins From The Bag!

Skyway and Matterhorn, June 1962

I have two Skyway pix, and they are not that unusual as far as subject matter goes, but they are also pretty nice to look at. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, the squirrels were looking at us with their weird tiny eyeballs... it was a perfect day. I like the colors of the gondolas, and the Astro Jet that has snuck in to the left, and the dramatically-slanted roof of the Yacht Bar. Slanted roofs have been proven to increase hunger by 18%! 

Closer... closer...! The yellow Mark II Monorail is gliding past the Matterhorn chalet, hopefully tooting its air horn. Wha-whaaaa. There are no bobsleds visible, which is why I will be suing... somebody. I need to figure out who will pay me to just go away! 
 

Blurzles™, May 1961

Oh Blurzles™, why for art thou? (Dang, this blog is classy as heck!). I just scanned a batch of slides from May, 1961, and of the 24-ish scans, I'd say that 20 of them are blurry - I threw away half of them, sadly. But a few were "just OK", and some others were suitable for some Snoozles/Blurzles. 

See what I mean? Somebody had The Yips, ruining what would otherwise have been an interesting photo of the House of the Future taken late in the afternoon. Looking at the transparencies on a light table, I couldn't tell that so many of the slides were flawed, and I was really looking forward to seeing this one in detail. D'oh!  

Same batch, different location: Grandma and granddaughter are on the path that leads to Adventureland, perhaps they were on their way to enjoy a ride on the Jungle Cruise. But first, would you mind posing for a blurry photo? "Not at all!". 

 

Old California Views

I admit that this is an oddball selection today. But that's what can happen on "Anything Goes Saturday"! 

First up is a scan from a slide that I am pretty sure is from the 1940s; a parade of some kind is going on, with a western theme. "Rogers Stables", says that banner. Will Rogers? Well, no... Trav Rogers, actually. Who he? He was a noted civic leader, developer and founder of the Ranch Club. In about 1940, the Trav Rogers Stables were built at 1445 N. Sunrise Way. The original building, a dining room, flanked on either side by box stalls for horses, was to become the Ranch Club. The stalls were later rebuilt into rooms for paying guests. With the genial Trav greeting arrivals with his familiar, “Hello, Hello, Hello,” and Frank Bogert serving as manager, the Trav Rogers Stables soon became the place to go, the center of desert social life.

Many of the members had well known names—Freeman Gosden, Charlie Farrell, Bing Crosby, Clark Gable, Bruce Cabot, and Jackie Cooper, who manned the drums many a night. Palm Springs became used to having Trav’s stagecoach and wagons furnish the backbone for most of the early parades down Palm Canyon Drive, before it had lighted palm trees.

Neat! I should add that I had a second slide featuring this parade, with quite a lot of stuck-on mystery gunk. I looked up "How to clean old slides safely", and one article recommended a special chemical, which I purchased. After applying some to a swab, I was horrified to discover that all of the emulsion wiped off like marker off of a white board. OOPS.

Here an old "linen-style" postcards; the inset in the lower left shows the El Dorado Hotel exterior, seen in the first scan. Imagine seeing Clark Gable and Bing Crosby just lounging around. I'd call them "Clarky" and "Bingy" (just don't call Gable "The Clarkster", he hated that).

I like old photos of hotels and motels, and this one just happened to be on top of a stack that I was about to scan. The  Rancho 101 Motel - all I could really find out about it is that it was in San Diego, along US 101. 

There are several old postcards from what I assume is the same Motel. Here's one, the place looks charming and rustic. 

And here's another one:

Each room has a radio! You won't miss Fibber McGee and Molly.

I hope you have enjoyed these oddball images.

Beautiful Fantasyland, 1973-ish

Here are two pretty views of Fantasyland! We'll begin with this shot as seen from the rail of the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship, looking down on the Mad Tea Party and the surrounding dark ride façades (Mr. Toad to the left, and Peter Pan to the right of that). It's busy but not too busy, and the late afternoon sunlight makes the colors "pop". I just noticed that we can just see the top of the Anaheim Convention Center in the upper right.

Next is an even prettier view, looking out from behind the waterfalls of the Skull Rock grotto. Gorgeous! I miss the Chicken of the Sea mermaid, but tell myself that she is enjoying her retirement in tropical reef, preferably with a few treasure chests scattered nearby.

Main Street Scenes, April 1973

If this first photo was really taken in April, then it was getting late - the sun set at around 7:00, and I don't know about you, but that is way past my bedtime. Many guests are heading toward the exit, but why walk when you can ride on a Horse Drawn Streetcar? I'm trying to figure out what the fellow with the plaid pants (on the Streetcar) is looking at - I can't quite place it.

Upon further reflection, I considered that the item in the fellow's hands might be one of these mini-postcard books with a comb binding that were very popular souvenirs. There are two different versions (with different covers).

Whatever he's looking at opens in a similar manner, I can't think of anything else that matches (though I could easily be forgetting something).

This was the image that I thought was the most similar to what we can see on his booklet; it's pretty close, but I'm not sure it's spot-on. Other Disneyland postcard "fold-outs" changed many times over the years, with pictures added, updated, or dropped; perhaps these booklets were also updated? I don't have a representative sample.

ANYWAY... next is a view of Town Square, also from late in the day. Why are there three (or possibly four) security guards patrolling the area? There's an FBI guy too, trying to blend in (and failing). Seems excessive. I like this unusual angle, Town Square looks very inviting, there are plenty of benches for people-watching. There's something about this particular photo that makes me wish I could be there on a day just like that.

 

Main Street USA, June 1971

Here's a pair of nice views looking down Main Street in the summer of 1971.

There's clouds in the sky to mitigate the sunshine, but it's not quite June Gloom. The Disneyland Band is marching toward Town Square, and judging by the size of the crowds, there must have been a full parade, with the band bringing up the rear. It could have been "Fantasy On Parade", which ran from 1965 to 1976 (with another run in the 1980s). I notice a young girl in a half-blue, half-yellow dress that reminds (somewhat) me of the cast member costumes from Tomorrowland (though of course those were futuristic jumpsuits). See some of Mike Cozart's photos HERE.

A second photo is a bit more sunny, which is always nice. The sign on the Market House shows that one of the sponsors was Burry's Cookies. The rest of the scene is "the usual stuff", but it's a beautiful scene!