More From March 15, 1957

I love "Disneyland in the 50s", even when the photos are a bit mundane. This first scan isn't mundane, though! It's a nice shot of guests walking beneath the arched entrance to Adventureland. Those are genuine elephant tusks, but don't worry, that elephant was a jerk. If it looks like something is missing to the left, it's because this is some five or six years before you'd see the building that would house The Enchanted Tiki Room. 

OK, this one is a pretty common view, but I still love seeing the long-gone Pirate Ship, as seen from the long-gone Skyway. Guests are crawling all over the ship like ants on a dropped donut. Of course 1957 is from before the tropical lagoon (and Skull Rock) were added, and the "swimming pool" pond does leave a lot to be desired. It's nice to know that they'd fix it, and beautifully!

 

A Pair From August 1962

Here are two photos showing the iconic entrances to two "lands" that were mere steps from each other, but that took you into completely different worlds. 

The big wooden gates evoke a frontier fort (and there is the stockade to the right, where a skilled marksman could shoot a fly off of your hat). The "Frontierland" sign could have been made with one wide board, but I've always loved the split, as if they could only source skinny trees out on the plains. The young woman with the red shirt has an impressive helmet of hair that would repel any arrow. To the left, the Davy Crockett Arcade, and beyond that, the Pendleton shop, where everything was plaid.

If you were in the Plaza and walked past Frontierland, you'd only walk a short distance to the entrance to Adventureland, with thatched roofs and bamboo as visual clues. Notice that there are walls to the left, where the Enchanted Tiki Room was being installed, to open the following Summer (June 23, 1963). Straight ahead is a fence of thin poles, which seems oddly-placed, I'm not sure if some other addition was underway - if so I can't imagine what it would be. Or was it just there to protect that tiki from hooligans?

 

Snapshots

I'm using up the last three vintage photo prints that were part of a lot of about 20 images that turned out to be from several different Disneyland visits. Some were from 1965, but these are either from later in the 60s, or even into the 1970s. 

Mom is a real live wire, she loves to smile for the camera, waving like a maniac. I approve of her enthusiasm. Three members of the Bucket Hat Mafia are also aboard, don't make any sudden moves or you'll sleep with the fishes! The Storybook Land hostess is standing, I don't think I've ever seen one that wasn't sitting "sidesaddle" on that little "roof".

There's mom again, I imagine she has a big Phyllis Diller laugh. She curses like a sailor, but that but that only makes her more lovable. Notice Rolly Crump's entry-to-Tomorrowland flowerbeds, making these photos post-1967 at least.

Here we are on another different day; Mom is wearing a different outfit as the family poses in front of the famous Senegal palm tree. I love that diamond-shaped Autopia sign in the background... I recently saw a website that stated that it was the best Autopia sign of all. I'm not so sure about that, but it's pretty sweet.

Snoozles™

It's Snoozle Time! The exclamation mark hopefully makes this all more exciting than it actually is. First up is this scan from September, 1960. I guess the photo was taken from the Monorail? There was nothing else (other than the Skyway, which is to our left) that was elevated like that. It captures a sort of general view of Fantasyland, with parts of various attractions peeking up above the trees, but nothing that serves as a "main subject". It's not such a bad picture, really, just sort of "Huh?". 

Next, a sunny, bright, clear photo of Main Street Station from December, 1964 (the absence of any clear holiday decor makes me think that it was actually taken before December). So why is it a Snoozle? Well, maybe it isn't. But it's not that exciting. "Population 33,000,000", not too shabby for only nine-ish years of operation. Could Walt have imagined such numbers back in 1955? 

 

Scenes From America

Here are three random scans of random places (or things) around the country. 

First up is this scan from a black and white negative, showing a place called the Pioneer Motel, which is attached to "Pioneer Fine Food" (breakfast, lunch, dinner - EAT). I thought that finding the location of this place would be pretty easy, but I had no luck. How about YOU? There are a LOT of Pioneer Motels.

Next is this photo from June, 1967. I had no clue as to where this is, but luckily that sign behind the VW Beetle is legible - it's the Twin Light Motor Inn, in Gloucester, Massachusetts. One postcard states that this is "part of the former Campbell Soup estate. Which explains the omnipresent vegetable soup aroma.

I guess this place is fairly well-known to travelers in that area. Nobody told ME about it! Here's another postcard:

And the back:

And here's one other postcard.

Changing gears a bit, here's a photo of a vintage (1950s I believe) billboard, with a sobering (see what I did there?) message about alcoholism, along with encouragement for "Total Abstinence". Good luck on that one. 

Two From August, 1977

I have two nice scans for you, both from the summer of 1977. This first one is kind of a miracle, a pretty decent night shot looking down upon the Mad Tea Party attraction! I'm wondering where our photographer could have been - I'd say the Pirate Ship, but it feels too close. Maybe they had a zoom lens? I can't imagine the teacups were whirling, or else they'd be blurs. I like the cooler colors in the entry to the Fantasyland Theater.

The multicolored Skyway gondolas are what makes this next photo extra-nice. The Autopia sign has always struck me as echoing the kind of thing you might have seen at a World's Fair in the 1930's, but that is a compliment and not a criticism. A single Peoplemover train sneaks in for a guest appearance.

A Tiki and a Totem, October 1968

I'm so glad that we still have the Enchanted Tiki Room in Disneyland - a classic attraction if ever there was one. I didn't visit it during my last visit, but I forget why. I think it was down for maintenance. Next time for sure! The outdoor courtyard has a fun pre-show, in which guests meet some of the more prominent tiki gods. Maui, Koro, Rongo, Tangaroa, and more. Vintage photos of these deities are not common, but it seems as if Pele, "goddess of fire and volcanoes", show up more than most. She has a certain je nais se quois!

I'm sure you remember these ladies, we've seen them aboard a Matterhorn bobsled, and they also visited Knott's Berry Farm on the same day! Here they are in the Indian Village, next to a nice totem pole, and not far from the old Spirit House.

 

A Pair From the 50s

Here are two random 1950s photos for ya (I saved .02 seconds typing "ya" instead of "you"). 

Somebody stuck some Skyway gondolas up above the Pirate Ship, but you know what? It works. If we all had Skyway gondolas, there would be no war. Think about it. This was from a very faded slide, and I meant to capture a "before" image so that you could see what a genius I am, but then I forgot. Some genius! 

Next is a photo of the old Frontier Trading post, with a bit of the corral for miniature horses to the left. I'm unclear as to when the corral was removed - did the Shooting Gallery eventually go in that same spot?

Looking in the window for any fun tidbits, I can see at least one feathered headdress, what might be a buckskin dress (?), a little tepee, a photo of a cowboy at the top (is it William S. Hart?), and, strangely, a pair of Buddy Lee dolls. Buddy Lee was the mascot of the H.D. Lee Company starting in the 1920s, so I can only assume that you could buy Lee dungarees and overalls, and maybe even a denim tuxedo, inside the Trading Post.

Old Buddy Lee dolls are now popular (and expensive) collectibles, I can see why, they are pretty appealing.

Frontierland, April 1963

Sometimes you'll take a photo of your kid, and it will turn out to be a treasure to be shared among all of your friends and relatives. And other times it'll turn out like this. It's not her fault, she was caught off-guard, squinting into the sun, pigtails so tight that she can't think straight. The bangs mean mom cuts her hair. She's somewhere in Frontierland, back when they had room for things like random patches of grass. It looks like a dirt path was added, probably where people were cutting through anyway... maybe it would eventually be paved.

This looks like an off-the-cuff shot taken as the Mark Twain was about to get underway. With the flags and the crowds, it's like a scene from a movie. 

Two From August 1962

Here's a fun pair from the summer of '62! Starting with this view of a family enjoying lunch in Frontierland. I'm not really sure which restaurant they visited, but one of YOU will know. Some of the guests have a tired, "over it" look, but I suppose they've just been caught off guard. The boy is going to enjoy his gourmet hamburger - extra-dry, just the way he likes it.

For a complete change, how about a house... OF THE FUTURE?!? Once you stepped inside, gravity vanished and guests floated through the rooms. It's true! I did my own research. Once a year they filled the house with water and koi, just because they could. The all-plastic house was just fine afterwards.

 

Snoozles™

Snoozle numero uno is a wonky photo of the Submarine Lagoon, from December, 1964. If it wasn't for those glowing red lights, I might have assumed that the Submarine ride was down for maintenance. This isn't the worst photo, but it ain't great either. 

Next, from "sometime in the 60s" is this bright, sunny photo of Main Street Station, with the Ernest S. Marsh coming in for a landing. "But Major, this picture is pretty OK, why is it a Snoozle?". BECAUSE I SAID SO!

Universal Studios, May 1979

I have a lot of fondness for the old Universal Studios tour, having first experienced it in the early 70s when Alfred Hitchcock did the TV commercials. I can still hear his distinctive voice saying "Universal Studios too-wa"! 

Today's trio of photos are from May, 1979, and features the Universal Studios Screen Test Airport (at least that's how it's listed on two websites, though it is awkward if you ask me). It was specifically a version of the Screen Test Theatre that used the theme and sets from the 1977 movie Airport '77. Guests could participate as "guest stars" by being filmed in scenes that were edited together with footage from the actual film, making them the stars of their own mini-movie. Here are volunteers, ready to be STARS! An MC is interviewing a kid with a Disneyland beanie.

This particular Screen Test was created as a tie-in to "Airport '77", which was an American air disaster film, the third installment of the Airport film series. The film stars an ensemble cast of veteran actors including Jack Lemmon, James Stewart, Joseph Cotten, Olivia de Havilland, and Brenda Vaccaro as well as the return of George Kennedy from the two previous Airport films. The plot concerns a private Boeing 747 packed with VIPs and priceless art that is hijacked before crashing into the ocean in the Bermuda Triangle, forcing the survivors into a desperate struggle for survival.

Despite mixed critical reviews, Airport '77 was a box-office hit, grossing $91.1 million worldwide. It was nominated for two Academy Awards. (This silly movie was nominated for TWO Oscars??).

This photo is hilarious, clearly all of the passengers were instructed to assume the attitudes of people who'd experienced a disastrous crash (in the movie, the plane lands on the ocean, and then sinks to the sea floor in the BERMUDA TRIANGLE! The most terrifying triangle on urf!!). 

Thanks to movie magic, a flight aboard a 747 could be entirely simulated on a soundstage. The attraction was located in a theater that was once known as Stage 70 and later renamed the Screen Test Theatre. Other "Screen Tests" used the themes of the TV show "Emergency!", and "Star Trek". You can watch quite a few Airport '77 Screen Tests on YouTube, they are just the right combination of cheesy and charming.

Fabulous Randos

I just scanned two dozen slides, and there were some really nice randos mixed in. Here are two for your Friday.

Let's begin with this beautiful October 1972 shot looking toward the entrance to Tomorrowland as seen from the middle of the Plaza (aka the "Hub"). The cerulean blue sky really compliments the whites and yellows (and even the reds!). This is truly a "postcard-worthy" view, it's got the rockets up in the air, several colorful Peoplemover trains, Rolly Crump's flowers (not purple and yellow, but orange and yellow!), the GE logo from the Carousel of Progress, and lots of groovy guests.  

See? POSTCARD WORTHY!

This next photo is dated "May 1980", and is a nice look at the Disneyland RR's #3 locomotive, the Fred Gurley. This appears to be a backstage photo, and I have no idea who or how somebody was able to take the image. Maybe the park was offering one of those special tours of the Roundhouse, and the Gurley was steaming up before it rolled into the park? Whatever the case, I appreciate the novelty of the picture.

A Pair From December 1962

I think it's safe to classify both of today's photos as "standard Disneyland views". Nice enough, sure, but you probably won't call Aunt Marge to tell her all about them. (Call her anyway, she's lonely).

Yep, it's no surprise that it's a photo of the Mark Twain. It looks pretty against that deep-blue sky. Daredevil ducks wait until the last possible second to scoot out of its way (while other less-brave ducks stayed safely out of harm's way). I'd say that this behavior does not set a good example for ducklings. You can tell that there is a slight chill in the air based on the long sleeves and sweaters.

I think I read that the Pirate Ship was almost sponsored by Mongo's Liverwurst, but negotiations fell through when they insisted on pumping the aroma of liverwurst through the cannon's bores. But it's fun to imagine "what might have been"!

Knott's Berry Farm

KBF on GDB! Let's go. This is a random selection of slide scans. 

First up is this shot of Seldom Seen Slim, who used to be sort of an unofficial mascot of Knott's. The prospector with his trusty burro, wandering the west looking for gold. Gooooooold! It makes me sad that Slim and his burro (I call him "Biscuit") have been removed, it seems unbelievable that there wasn't room for this statue anymore. Slim was based on a real person named Charles Ferge. I'm unclear as to when the SSS statue (sculpted by Claude Bell) was installed, though it appears to be on souvenir maps going back to the mid-1950s.

Seeing that statue reminded me of an email exchange I had with TokyoMagic! a few years back, when I'd seen this screen grab from the Wim Wenders film "Paris, Texas". Right next to Harry Dean Stanton is another "miner and burro" statue that looks nearly identical to the one at Knott's! Here's what TM said: I'll tell ya... that door in the background has "Wheel Inn" on it.  That was the restaurant next door to the "Cabazon dinosaurs."  Claude Bell created the Cabazon dinosaurs and ran the Wheel Inn for a while, and I had heard... and have seen accompanying pics to back it up, that he had a duplicate of his "Miner and Burro" statues from Knott's, outside of his restaurant.  I wonder if those statues are still there.  I think the restaurant closed some time ago. Interesting! I sure hope that at least one of these statues still survives somewhere.

Next is this September 1970 view of a mine shaft up on a precipitous hillside (or is it a cliff?). I assume that this was taken from down in the "Gold Mine" where guests could pan for REAL GOLD.

Here's an undated photo of the #40, the "Gold Nugget", I believe that the people in the foreground are standing in Boot Hill, enjoying the humorous grave markers. Is that the Haunted Shack to the left or just some other shanty? 

And sticking with the train theme, here's the #41, the "Red Cliff".  It's kind of an impressive photo, back when there was so much open space around Knott's. Not to mention the eucalyptus trees that somehow added so much to the look and feel of the place.

More Fun Photos

I'm continuing a look at some souvenir Fun Photos from the "Photo & Art Gallery" in Tomorrowland. 

As I said in the first installment, these souvenir photos were placed in a frame that was also a handy mailer, in case you had friends or loved ones to entertain. Here's one of them!

This particular Fun Photo seems to be pretty scarce; a family ("Honored Guests") has been presented with the key to Disneyland, probably by Walt Disney himself. Say, the mom is quite the tomater!  

Here's another envelope variation...

And the photo shows a happy family in the nosecone of the Monorail as it curved through a mountain pass (???). This example shows issues common to these old Polaroid souvenirs, with streaks, blotches, and discoloration. I suppose nobody thought about how they would look 60+ years later.

Stay tuned for more FUN PHOTOS!

Nice Frontierland, September 1962

Here are two swell slide scans from September, 1962! Let's begin with this great view of the Bertha Mae Keelboat gliding along the River with a full compliment of passengers. I wonder, if they brought back Keelboats (It'll never happen of course), would they be popular with guests today? The ride looks like a pleasant way to spend 10 minutes (or so).

Over on Tom Sawyer Island, we're up on the upper walkway in Fort Wilderness, the "civilized" outpost of the Frontier. Folks are milling around the Regimental Hdqrs., where Andy Jackson chatted with Davy Crockett and Georgie Russell. A girl in a pale pink dress waves "hello"! 

Blurzles™

Yep, it's Snoozle™ time, with these falling under the sub-category of "Blurzles™". As if often the case.

This first one is from the 1950s, and might have been a pretty photo of a Casey Junior Circus Train chugging through the patchwork quilt of Storybook Land, but our photographer was a little bit jumpy. It's not a total loss though, the late afternoon sun makes it kind of pretty.

Next, from 1967 or 1968 comes this dynamic composition with the yellow Mark II Monorail coming toward us on the elevated beam. Pylons! And posters! Not as many posters as I'd like though. The Disneyland Hotel is in the distance, the Monorail has just come from there and was on its way to Tomorrowland, which is pretty cool.