Balloon Sellers, July 1965

If I didn't know better, I would swear that this guy is holding 99 luftballoons. Disneyland went the extra mile and sold luftballoons instead of plain old balloons! This first pic is another example that was shot on Disneyland's 13th birthday, July 17 1965. Somewhere in one of my boxes of junk I have a deflated Mickey ear balloon just like the kind you see here (mine is yellow) - only mine can't have been from the 60's. It's sort of dried-up and crusty, but I still love it.

From the same photographer, this picture was taken on July 15 1965. Is he somewhere up closer to the castle? This fellow's balloon technique is totally different from the other guy; he holds them close so they don't tangle and make that bumping balloony noise. YOU know what I'm talking about.

It must be entertaining to watch these guys when the Santa Ana winds are gusting at 40 miles per hour. Maybe they suspend balloon sales on those days?

Knott's Berry Farm, June 1958

I love this first photo, a wonderful look at Doctor Mal De Mer's Medicine Show, from the summer of 1958. I had another photo of this show recently, but this one is much better. The curvy showgirl is smiling so sweetly that I'll believe anything she says. You can see the Doc himself to the left, which is rare. I wonder if folks could actually buy some sort of souvenir bottles of snake oil? What an amazing artifact that would be!

From the same lot comes this rare interior of the "Little Red Schoolhouse" (see the exterior here). This genuine Kansas schoolhouse, built in 1879, was purchased by Walter Knott and relocated to the berry farm, complete with all of the original paraphernalia inside. Teacher stands near the cast iron stove while two young ladies look like they have done something naughty! The picture is a bit blurry, but considering how dark it was, it's a miracle that it came out at all.

Casey Jr. & Storybook Land, October 1967

Here's a nice look at the patchwork quilt hills and banks of Storybook Land; I like the cross-stitching and variety of patterns, just like grandma's old quilt. That's right, grandma made her quilts out of dirt and stone and plants. She was an odd duck, but we loved her. After years of only riding the canal boats, I think it's high time I took a Casey Jr. Circus Train around this charming area.

And speaking of Casey, there he is ...coming down the track, with a smoky stack! He's here to thrill every Jack and Jill, don't you know. This photo gives you a good idea of just how big the miniature Cinderella's Castle is.

Party in the Basement, June 1960

Come on over, we're having a pot luck party in our wood-paneled basement! Bring that ambrosia that you are so famous for, it's deelish. Gladys is bringing deviled eggs and Susan is making a casserole.

Today's photos are from Somewheresville U.S.A., circa 1960, and I love 'em. Just look at those crazy folks, I'm surprised (and a little disappointed) that there is not a single lamp shade on anyone's noggin. 

Music is playing, and they've busted out the instruments - bongos (darn, I wanted the bongos), a güiro, maracas, and something called "lummi sticks" (according to a friend of mine). Pretty soon, the clothes will start coming off and the cops show up. Happens like every time.

Meanwhile, back at the bar, everyone is drinking up a storm. I love the beer signs - Schaeffer beer is obviously a house favorite. I swear this could be my Uncle Harold's basement; nearby you would have found a Hammond electric organ (which his wife Florence would play), and even a bumper pool table, which was pretty awesome. Good times, for sure.

I hope you don't have a hangover after today's "Anything Goes" installment!

Pix From 1957

I love it when old Kodachrome slides are as bright and colorful as today's two examples! There's no blue or yellowish tint (as is sometimes the case), no fading... just beautiful saturated hues that make the photos look like they were taken yesterday.

In old Fantasyland's courtyard, Merlin's Magic Shop peddled magic tricks, guidebooks, rubber monster masks, Kodak film, and all kinds of necessities. Unlike much of the original Fantasyland, which was built (frankly) "on the cheap" - but still awesome! - Merlin's is detailed and charming, as if it came straight from Geppetto's village. 

The bridge that was the entryway into Adventureland was adorned with human skulls, spears, and these colorful carved wooden shields. Some of the shields sported visages that would strike fear into the hearts of opposing warriors - and the occasional small child.

More Last Frontier Casino, Las Vegas

We've visited "Last Frontier Village" in Las Vegas before, and I figured I'd scan my remaining LF  images and share them today.

In my previous post, the giant light-encrusted slipper had not yet been placed atop the Silver Slipper Gambling Hall. No need for giant parking garages, street parking is totally adequate. Check out the cars, gear heads!

Some of you may recall that white hearse, which now sits in front of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion... there it is with the wheels off for some reason. Maybe they're being inflated. A bunch of additional old-timey vehicles can be seen; I wonder why those old slot machines are just sitting in the street?

Brothels are hilarious, as everybody knows, and this one is no exception. Say, there's that silver slipper again.

There's the Frontier Museum Saloon, along with the Trading Post. What wondrous, cheesy souvenirs were available in that humble store? The saloon serves Budweiser (a van delivers a new batch) AND Pabst Blue Ribbon. If only they had Schlitz, it would be like heaven.

Another view of the same stores, from a different lot of photos.

What visit to an old-timey western town would be complete without a funny photo-op? Try to ignore the ghoulish headless torsos.

I still have more Vegas photos to share, but from now on they will be the glitzy real Vegas!

New York World's Fair

It's Fair time again!

We've seen the crazy Eastman Kodak pavilion before, but this is an especially cool angle. The giant photos at the other end get most of the attention, but the rest of  this 360 foot-long building was pretty eye-catching too. Arches, domes, spires, this baby had it all. 

Walt Disney's presence at the Fair is well known (G.E.'s "Progressland", Illinois' "Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln", Ford's "Magic Skyway", and Pepsi's "It's a Small World"), but this diorama could be found inside the Eastman Kodak pavilion. Kodak was a major sponsor at Disneyland as well as "The Wonderful World of Disney" on NBC. Strange that Mickey Mouse is absent.

Here's a great view of the United States pavilion. It's huge! Inside there was a "Hall of Presidents", and exhibits about the "Voyage to America" and "The Great Society" (featuring the many accomplishments of the USA in the realms of art, science, and world peace). The thing that intrigues me the most is something called "American Journey", in which ...visitors travel on a moving grandstand through 472 years of American History as an extraordinary 15-minute film production unfolds. Novel multiscreen techniques and startling sound effects bring the past to life; lightning flashes as Ben Franklin flies his kite; the waters churn as Fulton launches his steamboat; old-time movies recall the Roaring Twenties. In the finale, the viewer is swept into the future on an imaginary rocket flight into space. Sounds pretty cool! Notice Shea Stadium in the background; the Beatles would perform there in about a year.

And finally, a not-very-inspiring view taken from "Meadow Lake Bridge", which crossed the Long Island Expressway to the Amusement Zone; that huge industrial shed in the foreground is part of the "Bourbon Street" area (see the stylized trumpet player?), while the New York State pavilion looms beyond.

Big River, Frontierland - September 1959

Today's photos are kind a snooze, but hey, they can't all be winners. Still, maybe they will transport you back to 1959's Frontierland, looking out on that impressive river that dominates the landscape.

There's a canoe heading around the southeastern part of Tom Sawyer Island, near the suspension bridge (and probably as seen from Rainbow Ridge). That's a whole lotta people in one canoe.

One of the rafts to the island is unloading right near the Plantation House, while two other canoes are visible in the distance. 

More river craft come and go, with yet another raft about to head back to the mainland. Hopefully the kids have burned off some steam running around the island, and are now ready for a burger break.

Adventureland, October 1967

Let's go to Adventureland! That woman wore her yellow dress because she knew she would eventually wind up right in the middle of somebody's photo on a world-famous blog. Yellow goes well with all of that green. They should definitely go to the Enchanted Tiki Room, where they can see the original full-length show.

A bird - speaking with the voice of a man! Surely it is one of the Devil's minions. Destroy it! The straw hat is pretty cute though. Evil, but cute.

Well, now that we've destroyed that taking bird, we'd better get out of Adventureland. Might as well follow another lady in yellow.

Along The River, September 1963

Cascade Peak was a mountainy thingamajig that you used to be able to see along the River. The waterfalls were great; the Mine Train passed near (and under) them, the Keel Boats and Canoes went as close as was safely possible, and the Mark Twain could jump over them once it really got moving. I think I have a picture of that somewhere.

I'm sure glad that we still have The Columbia; the last time I was at Disneyland, the proud ship was packed. I got on board because I assumed that they must be giving away free iPads or something, but it turns out that it's just an awesome attraction. I still haven't ever gone "below decks" to see the displays, because I never want to miss the scenery. Someday!