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!
3 comments:
Major-
I have a cumulative attendance number of 900 million for just Disneyland as of January of this year, and about 1 Billion by February of 2025 if DCA is included.
According to Jason's Almanac, the Park was open until 1 AM on 9/19/1964 and it was a 'Date Nite'-! (Maybe the DGA was known to be a bit more 'racy' back in those days...)
Thanks, Major.
Hmmm... "Disneyland"?... Is that something like Freedomland? Sounds vaguely familiar.
I like the pin + ribbon combo. Especially the elegant "Disneyland" printed in gold.
"I Was One In 200 Million"... I dunno... Is that something like "The 700 Club"?
Well, I wasn't "There! July 17, 1980" for Disneyland's 25th Birthday Party. But I was "Here! In Eugene, Oregon"... That must count for something! I like how the colors 'pop' against the black background.
The small, balding director in the chair looks like he could be Danny DeVito.
The Liz Taylor pin is colorful (violet, to match her eyes?). And it does make your pin collection more complete. Who knows, it may end up being the most valuable one in your collection!
I like the Submarine pin a lot! Colorful and interesting. AND, it has Donald Duck! My favorite today. It's a bit pixel-y but that's probably due to the enlarged image.
Nice set of pins, Major. Thanks.
Directors' Guild members at Disneyland
Robert Wise: "Mickey and the gang, walking down Main Street, snapping their fingers. They see Chip, one of the ANIMAL animals. Music up and the rumble begins."
Roger Vadim: "Jane Fonda as a tour guide. She takes the riding crop backstage and finds Cinderella ..."
Blake Edwards: " ... And Clouseau says, 'No, I want the Moose. The Mickey Moose. Your hearing is loosey."
John Ford sees the burning cabin: "This is pathetic. We need an actual Indian attack. Dozens of 'em, shooting arrows from the canoes. Flaming arrows. The whole damn boat's on fire as we try to reach the fort in time ..."
Billy Wilder to I.A.L Diamond: "Shirley MacLaine as Snow White. Jack Lemmon as the prince. He's insanely jealous and suspects she's seeing one of the dwarfs. Cary Grant as Doc, the only one he doesn't suspect ..."
Jerry Lewis: "Me as a dwarf. No. Me as ALL the dwarfs. And the prince. HEY LADY! LADY WITH THE APPLE! ..."
Alfred Hitchcock and his wife Alma somberly exiting Peter Pan's Flight: "We'll have them find the body on that one."
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