Frontierland

The BENEFACTOR OF MYSTERY! He has, like, more scans for us, ya know? All of today's relate to the Golden Horseshoe. Did you know that it was originally called "The Golden Horseshoe of Death"? Seems crazy, but it is true.

This first one is a pretty and very blue photo of the wide path between the Rivers of America and the GH building, which is all lit up like some proto-Las Vegas attraction. Dean Martin's grandfather probably performed there. The decision to use a star filter is really something. To the right, a popcorn wagon looks like a sunset in a box (admit it, that would be handy).

Back in the days when buildings in the Old West were made of splintered, weathered wood, stuck together with manure and despair, a place like the Golden Horseshoe must have looked like heaven on Earth. Pay no attention to the sign in the lower left that says "THE ASS". 

Many of the photos in the later folders (the MB sent around 1,000 photos in 10 folders) are from the 1980s and possibly even the 1990s (not sure), this particular photo appears to be from the 1960s. It's surprising what a difference it makes to have those people in their period clothing, because otherwise it looks relatively unchanged in the rest of the photos.

The next three are grainy images of the façade, perhaps the photographer was tasked with documenting the way everything looked in case the building was blown up by aliens (see: "Independence Day").

Here's the left half (with a special guest appearance by the Pendleton store)...

And here's the right half, with special guest appearance by Charo. I WISH!

Thank you, Mysterious Benefactor!

The Matterhorn, September, 1964

Today's scans almost fall into the Snoozle category, but I'm feeling generous, so I won't punish them. YET. 

It's no wonder that visitors would want to take pictures of the Majestic Matterhorn; it's not like you see something like it every day. Unless you live in Zermatt. This slide had turned a blue-violet, which is aggravating - I did the best I could to bring the color back to something resembling normalcy. There are no bobsleds visible, but don't cry - the Monsanto House of the Future can be seen peeking through the trees, and while it doesn't bring good luck, it does have a fresh, minty smell.

This next one is also from September, 1964, but is actually from a different batch of slides. Our photographer was up in the Swiss Family Treehouse, and must have had a camera with a zoom lens in order to capture this pretty-decent image of the Matterhorn. Again, no bobsleds. But there's the Minty Monsanto House of Plastic!
 

February, 1977

Going through a large-ish batch of slides from February 1977 (and others), I have a number of pictures showing a pretty mom with her two denim-clad kids. 1977 was just a few years after the U.S. discovered vast denim reserves in Colorado, as you probably recall. 

As I may have speculated before, mom might have been in showbiz in some capacity, or else she's just got IT. You know, IT! Some say that I have IT (but I went to the doctor and I don't have IT anymore). Dad took this picture and said, "Just look natural", and this is the best the son could do. You tried, little buddy. I attempted to figure out what the daughter is holding, and it appears to be a record album, but even Photoshop fiddling didn't really help. 

Next, mother and daughter exit from Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and have just passed through HELL - you can see the walls of glistening viscera just behind the girl's head. You know, a few throw pillows would really make that work.

 

Snoozles™ - March 15, 1957

Today's Snoozles™are not so bad - they just suffered from some minor flaws. Kind of like me! These are from a lot from 1957, which was a Friday. The park was open from 10 AM to 7 PM, the temperature got up to a pleasant 70º, and attendance was an even more pleasant 4,341 (thanks as always to Jason's Disneyland Almanac for that info!). I hope you all brought your dead cats to swing.

This one would almost be POSTCARD WORTHY if it wasn't so dark and dingy. It needs to be washed with Duz Detergent, if you ask me. The Horse Drawn Streetcar is such an iconic part of Main Street, I hope it never goes away. Notice that the horse is wearing a straw hat with holes for the ears. In the 80s, they gave the horses Devo "energy domes". Why would I lie about such a thing? I had to chuckle when I saw that fire hydrant...

... only to see that it is still there, all these years later.

I was especially miffed that this one was too dark - I always enjoy any view of the old Stagecoaches that rumbled along the trail next to the River (and beyond). Up near the crest of the hill, riders on Pack Mules pass by.
 

New York World's Fair, DuPont Sign

A few years ago, I acquired a large-ish group of slides that featured photos from the 1964 New York World's Fair. It has some great stuff! But first, let's take a look at this previously-posted scan featuring the DuPont pavilion - take special note of the sign to the left.

Amazingly, there was a whole series of photos (date-stamped "March 1964") showing that very sign being built, from the earliest steps (seen below) to installation at the Fair. One of the red ellipses (there would be three of them, remember) that surrounded the text is placed on the wood floor of the establishment, held together with spring clamps at various junctions - presumably where pieces were glued (?) together. 

It takes a steady hand to do whatever the heck this guy is doing. Looking closely, there seems to be at least one brass rod to help align the pieces, or perhaps to add strength to the joint. The lettering is laid out on what looks like brown craft paper. 

Next we can see two of the three pieces of the sign at different stages of progress. Fluorescent tubes can be seen inside. Another sign that says "CHESAPEAKE" is in the dark background. As you all know, Chesapeake is the name of my pet goldfish.

I wish I knew more about the actual process of how this sign was put together, but I'll just have to make something up. "I don't know why we're sticking this thing together with schoolroom mucilage, it's going to melt in the first rain". "Who cares! By then we will have cashed the check and will be drinking Mai Tais on a beach in Miami". "You know, you always say the right things, Jack".  

Is that fellow to the right smoking in spite of the prominent "NO SMOKING" sign seen in the second image? I would imagine that all sorts of flammable solvents and other fun chemicals were plentiful in that place. Maybe he was just enjoying a nice candy cigarette.

In PART TWO, we'll learn a little about the place where this sign was built, and see photos of it as it was being installed, along with a few photo of the Fair as it was under construction.

Fantasyland, July 1962

Say! I'm thinking about sharing some photos of Disneyland. Crazy, right? Both of today's examples are from July 1962, roughly the park's 7th birthday. Old enough to drink! Where I come from, at least. Both of today's pix were taken from a Skyway gondola. I wonder how they came up with the word "gondola" of all things? "Bucket" certainly seems more applicable, if less romantic. Anyhoo, ye olde Fantasyland is down below, full of painted flats and patterned fabric awnings to make up for the lack of architectural details. All the familiar landmarks are there, including the distant Douglas Moonliner. A sweeper patrols the area, not allowing a piece of paper to sit on the ground for more than two seconds before it disappeared into his dustpan. Shoooooonk! 

Since our photographer was facing Fantasyland, but heading towards Tomorrowland, he probably passed Skull Rock and the Pirate Ship before taking the first image, but I blame rap music for the error. I can't stop my feet from moving! We're looking at Skull Rock, voted "BEST GIANT SKULL" two years in a row in LIFE magazine. Fantasyland Station is just peeking up - but what is that horizontal light area just above Scully's head? There's still plenty of seating in the dining area behind the Pirate Ship, we'll have to take the ride back (or WALK) and grab a table.

Happy New Year

Happy 2026! I hope that none of you has an ice bag on your head from drinking too much Yoo-Hoo chocolate-flavored drink last night. If so... you must pay your dues! I didn't really know what to share with you on this special day, so I ultimately just chose two fairly nice randos. 

We will begin with this scan of a slide dated "January 8, 1958". So... not quite a New Year's Day pic, but pretty close. Christmas decor still adorns Main Street Station - I have the feeling that would be removed very soon. In the foreground, a wonderful parking lot tram, which is a tiny bit blurry. Motion blur? The station in the background is clear, as is the man to the right. With guests standing so close to the tram, motion blur doesn't make much sense to me, but I can't really explain the phenomenon otherwise. Still, it's a bright, colorful image.

Next is something kind of unusual; years ago, I bought a photo print from Howard Lowery, an animation gallery in Burbank - he used to have frequent online auctions that I usually lost. If this image had been an original transparency or negative, I have the feeling that the bidding would have been a bit more fervent, but oh well; it wasn't expensive, and now I'm kind of glad to have it. As you can see, Walt Disney himself is to the left with his good friend Mickey Mouse, while many other costumed characters (some from parades) are gathered nearby. At first I thought that the equipment in the foreground was some sort of reflectors, but they don't appear to be reflecting much.  

There is a well-known postcard, and it's obvious that the photo session above was for the purpose of taking the photo below. Which is kind of cool! Are Walt's eyes closed in mid-blink??

I hope this is the beginning of a year of kindness, compassion, and happiness for everybody.

New Year's Eve

Before we get to my New Year’s Eve stuff, I have two fun scans from Sue B! First up is this crazy trio, they're out of control! Just look at those hats. By midnight these folks will just be getting started.

Next is this odd photo - certainly a party, though it's hard to be sure if it is New Year's Eve. These people seem to be in a tiki-themed restaurant, which is always a good idea. Looking more closely, I realized that I recognized two of the people!

I'm reasonably sure that the woman is actress Natasha Lyonne ("Orange Is the New Black", "Poker Face"), while the man to the right is Andrew McCarthy ("St. Elmo's Fire", "Pretty In Pink"). Weird! Does anybody recognize the guy with the curly hair?

Thanks, Sue!

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

Can it be New Year's Eve already? I can't believe it! We're saying goodbye to 2025, and are ready to greet 2026. Many of you will celebrate with family and friends, watching robot Dick Clark on TV. "And now - beep - here's Paula Abdul - beep". I will be celebrating in my own fashion, in a darkened room with a  bowl of cold gruel. 

I wasn't sure what to share for the occasion, but realized that I have scans from two different New Year's Eve Disneyland events. Perfect! Let's start with a look at this rare flyer encouraging fans to "ring in 1961 at the biggest happiest party ever". I love the simple, charming graphics. The park was open until 2:00 AM, which was way past my bedtime, but you could ride "all Disneyland attractions as many times as you desire", dance to five great bands, and you even got free hats and noisemakers. Sounds like fun! $4.50 is about $48 in today's money - still a bargain, though people might not have thought so back then.

Let's step into the nearest time portal and set it to 16 years later, for a NYE party at the park at the end of 1977. The graphics are typical of the era, though I'm a little surprised at the group of characters at the top. Mickey, of course. Goofy, naturally. And then two Dwarfs and Br'er Bear? No Donald Duck, no Pluto, no Minnie? Outrageous! 

I love the very 70s headliners, Minnie Riperton ("Loving You") and Meco, famous for his (yes, Meco was a person) disco version of the Star Wars theme song, which was a big hit. Minnie is Maya Rudolph's mom, BTW; I wonder if Maya was there that night (she was only five at the time)? Louis Belson and his Orchestra was a Disneyland mainstay, as was Teddy Buckner and his All Stars. "Roy Ayers Ubiquity", that's a new one - not so ubiquitous! Let's not ignore Sunshine Balloon, one of rock's most important and influential bands (sorry, Beatles). I would imagine that the Midnight Spectacular in front of the Castle would have been especially dazzling on New Year's Eve!

Have a safe and fun evening! 

1970s Jungle Cruise

You know how it is... one day you're happy-go-lucky, humming a jaunty tune, and the next day, you're scanning a bunch of Jungle Cruise photos. THE TWO EXTREMES. Life, she can be fonny. 

Seinfeld was a "show about nothing", and one could almost say that this image is about nothing. If you use your Heuristically Programmed Algorithmic Computer to determine the exact center point of the photo, it's a bunch of dumb leaves. And I hate leaves! True story: a single leaf prevented me from winning the Indy 500. There's a boat to the right - no passengers, but a Skipper. And another boat to the left - they are at that little spur dock that guests can't access. What's the deal? Meanwhile, I've always liked the little hut floating on the water; the occupant is away, so we can go through his medicine cabinet - my favorite kind of snooping! 

I can't even say that I dislike  this photo - it's not terribly different from actual, official postcards that might cost you ten cents. Indian elephants are famous for loving water, swimming in it, drinking it, but most of all, squirting it at passing boats. It's a survival behavior learned by watching TV.

 

Two From June, 1972

Here are some pretty good "general interest" photos (also known as "randos") from around Disneyland.

In all of my many thousands of slides, I have surprisingly few taken in Adventureland (other than Jungle Cruise pix). Perhaps it lacked the obvious "wow" features that would inspire photographers to take out their cameras? Or maybe the fact that there is often a bottleneck where crowds can be pretty thick made people want to keep walking? Whatever the reason, I like this photo of a family near the entrance to the Jungle Cruise, with the Bazaar to our left. The lady with the yellow pants is holding a flyer, I am almost positive that I have one just like it, but can't seem to find it. Boo.

This shot taken along the shore of the river is very pretty, with the sun disappearing behind the Hungry Bear restaurant (back when it was right on the water - I loved eating there just for the view!). The water is glassy smooth. A Cast Member is preparing the Canoes for their bedtime, singing a lullaby. I love the lit torches, and the lights at the restaurant, soon it will be nighttime. The best time to be at the park?