Nice Randos
Here are two fun RANDOS for you today, starting with this particularly pretty photo of Skull Rock, from an image marked "November 1961". The photographer must have had a decent camera, this picture is very sharp and clear, and the warm late-afternoon lighting is not only pleasing to the eye, but it enhances the details. Skull Rock had debuted in December, 1960 - just under a year before, and the trees and plants still look newly-planted.
This next one (dated "July 1958") was a fun find; I'm wondering how many of you recognize actor Andy Devine? He's greeting a fan in Adventureland. He had a long career as a character actor in many films and TV shows, and was best-known for his scratchy voice.
Just for yucks, I'll highlight some of Andy's better-known films. Here he is in 1937's "A Star is Born", starring Frederic March and Janet Gaynor.
Next, a cast photo from John Ford's 1939 classic, "Stagecoach".
In 1962, Andy was in another John Ford masterpiece, "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance".
Some of you might remember him in "The Twilight Zone", as tall-tale-teller Somerset Frisby in the episode titled, "Hocus-Pocus and Frisby". Ol' Archimedes Frisby!
Another highlight from Andy's career is the 1962 epic western, "How the West Was Won", in CINERAMA.
5 comments:
That first photo is fantastic! I love it — Skully at his best!
I’ve seen Andy Devine in movies and on TV—but did not know his name. Thank you, Major, for introducing him to us. What a fun picture to find! (I bet his smoking did not help his “scratchy voice.”)
Kingman, AZ still holds an annual parade for Andy Devine!
https://www.explorekingman.com/event-andy-devine-days-parade-2025-09-27/
Thank You Major!
You're continuing with your postings of beautiful, colorful pictures. :-) Everything about this image is exceptional. I love the bluish tint to the waterfalls. The clarity and lighting almost make the image look like model train scenery, with moss and lichen for vegetation. Of course, I'm saving this one!
Yep, I know (of) Andy Devine... and his scratchy voice! He's holding a cigarette in his hand... maybe that's where his scratchy voice came from.
Sue, depends on what one's definition of "help" is. As I noted above, the cigarette is probably the reason for his scratchy voice, which was his trademark.
Randos sometimes produce the best photos! Thanks, Major.
Major-
What a great way to start a Friday... Skull Rock... looking all shiny and new-!
What a fun image with Andy Devine in Adventureland. He was always an enjoyable actor on-screen - as seen in the color image from A Star is Born, (1937), with the home video Blu-ray copies providing disappointing color, only hinting at the original, [somewhat] muted original Technicolor images. (The original nitrate IB prints were quite lovely, this 'frame grab' lacking that original brilliance). And you bookend the series of images with one from the final Cinerama production. A fitting tribute, indeed.
Thanks, Major.
What a wonderful photo of Skull Rock. It should not have been removed, gosh darn it!
I LOVE the 1937 version of "A Star Is Born"! I originally saw it in a college film class, "Cinema as Literature." I didn't care for the Judy Garland version, and I never saw the Babs version. I did like the Gaga version, but not as much as the original!
It looks like Andy Devine is standing in front of General Lee's Gifts. That's a new one to me! How did General Lee fit into Adventureland? Am I missing something? That space later became the Adventureland "Big Game Shooting Gallery" (in 1962) Today, it is indoor dining space for the Bengal Barbecue. In between, it served as expanded shop space for the Adventureland Bazaar.....I think it had it's own separate shop name, but I can't remember what that was now. I remember that space carrying a lot of Indiana Jones themed merchandise after the Indiana Jones Adventure opened.
Thanks for the Randos, Major!
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