Jungle Cruise, August 1958

I can't imagine a visit to Disneyland without taking a trip through the world-famous Jungle Cruise.

Don't even think about following that tributary to wherever it leads (probably an ancient temple full of gold and gems)... those three crocodiles a blocking the way. Notice the primitive suspension bridge made of vines in the background... a very nice touch that implies the presence of forest people without actually showing them.

There is nothing a python likes more than hanging out on the branch of a dead tree. Don't even try to understand a snake, it will drive you bananas. Apparently the python and his pet tree were moved around as the Jungle Cruise was modified. Is he still there? I can't remember!

Pretty Girls

It's Saturday, and that means that anything goes here on GDB. Anything! The mind reels, doesn't it?

I love today's photos, both featuring pretty girls. This first example is from 1943, with a lovely young lady apparently showing off her new outfit. Perhaps she sewed it herself, since this was taken during WWII and practically everything was in short supply. I'll bet more than a few boys at her school were infatuated with her. How could they not be!

This next picture was part of the same lot of photos, but was undated, and obviously shows a different girl. But I am guessing that it is from around the same time. This young miss is wearing her Sunday finest; it almost looks like she was playing "dress up" with her mom's wardrobe, since it seems a bit large on her. Or maybe she was expected to grow into it, as is the way with kids clothing, even today.

I hope you have enjoyed today's pretty girls!

Two Beauties, December 30 1969

Here are two more from December 30, 1969!

You can't ignore the mighty Matterhorn in either of today's photos, since it towers above both scenes. The Christmas star is included at no extra charge! I believe that this first picture was taken from the upper level of the Carousel of Progress building. Notice that the Skyway buckets in the foreground are actually lower than we are! There's the wonderful Tomorrowland Stage, and the Peoplemover too.

Next, a beautiful, colorful view from Fantasyland, with Tiimothy Mouse atop his mirrored disco ball while the Dumbos twirl around him. 

Kinda Blurry circa 1957

It's always a bit of a bummer to find blurry slides in a batch, and especially so when the image in question is the Viewliner. But I decided to show this one anyway, because I just love that little train. Don't worry, I have other nice clear photos of the Viewliner to come!

From the same batch, and also blurry, we see the horse that used to be in Frontierland. Presumably a wild horse, he is making sure that all is well in his territory. I'm not sure why this horse (I call him Stormy!) was there for only a short time, but at some point a mountain lion was added - though I don't think the lion was in the same exact place.

Knott's Berry Farm

Today's "Knott's" offerings are all a bit on the underexposed side, leaving the photos kind of dark. But they're still worth looking at! All three are from October, 1967.

First, a look down "Main Street", with Goldie's house of ill-repute, and a sign indicating the Jail - permanent home to Sad Eye Joe. The Livery Stable at the end of the street serves food that tastes livery.  The building to our right has smoke wafting from it... I think that's where the town blacksmith hammered out red-hot horseshoes. 

If you walked down toward the Livery Stable in the first photo and looked to your left, you would have seen a view very much like this one. There's the Bird Cage Theater, and the "Candle Kitchen" is to the right. 

See, I told you these were dark! You can hardly see this little market that sold jams, jellies, and other products that made perfect souvenirs (what's better than a souvenir you can eat!).

It's a Small World, December 30 1969

The tumultuous 1960's were almost over when these photos were taken... the next night was New Year's Eve, and then... hello 1970!

As is often the case, winter days mean blue skies and brilliant sunshine in SoCal. The high temperature was only 65º, so it was a bit on the chilly side even at its warmest. (Thanks again to Jason's Disneyland Almanac)!

I'm so glad that the façade of "It's a Small World" has returned to its original color scheme, as seen here. Mary Blair considered white the most festive of colors, which sounds strange at first, but she knew a thing or two about color. As the building gleams in the winter sun, with gold highlights for added warmth, it really dazzles. The topiaries are awesome too!

The animated mechanical clock is doing its thing (every 15 minutes, folks), making the wait in line go a lot faster. It's so novel to see Disneyland guests so bundled up!

Two From February 20 1960

Here are two images from a small group dated "2-20-1960". According to Jason's Disneyland Almanac, the attendance for that Saturday was 18,690 (f you had gone the day before, it was only 4,885). The high temperature was 70 degrees. That would have been a great day to go, as long as you had a jacket for later!

I love this charming photo of Mickey Mouse greeting us. Minnie can just barely be seen to our right. There's the wide open parking lot behind MM, and a smattering of vintage cars. On the horizon to our left is the sign for the Disneyland Hotel (and the Hotel itself, of course). Thinking of bringing a big paper bag full of onion and limburger cheese sandwiches into the park? That sign reminds us to think again.

This scene looks suitably wintery - for Southern California anyway. The park closed at 7 o'clock, but in February that meant they probably had at least two hours of nighttime fun, and it eventually got quite chilly... a mere 39 degrees. Brrrrr!

New York World's Fair, IBM Pavilion

Today's trip to the New York World's Fair features the distinctive IBM pavilion. It's hard to miss the 90 foot-high, egg-shaped theater; note that it is covered with the letters "IBM" in relief. Famed architect Eero Saarinen (the TWA terminal at JFK airport, and the St. Louis Arch, among other projects) was involved in the early stages of this design, although he died in 1961. Some say that the "egg" was built to resemble the typeball of an IBM selectric typewriter.

Out in the courtyard... well, not much to see here, unless you like geraniums. Which I do! What appear to be steel beams jutting up out of the picture frame are actaully the "trunks" of metal trees that helped to support the main structure.

Inside the "egg", visitors would view a 12 minute film created by Charles and Ray Eames. It was called  "The Information Machine", which sounds appropriately 1960s-ish. In order to view this film, up to 500 guests sat in this steeply-angled grandstand called "The People Wall".

The entire audience was raised up 50 feet via massive hydraulic lifts. At one point, a host descended from the ceiling on a tiny "crow's nest". You can see pictures of it here... pretty cool!

In this next photo, the People Wall is rising up into the theater. The film was "... a 12-minute show full of visible and audible surprises (special lighting effects, stereophonic sound, 14 slide and movie projectors throwing images on screens and surfaces of various shapes and sizes)...". It described "the similarity of methods that are used by the human mind and computers to solve problems".

Here's what you would have seen if you were part of the People Wall before it was raised. The "Fountain of the Planets" is to the left, while the Better Living Center and General Electric's "Progressland" are to the right. Let's go to Progressland next, dad!

From this raised view, you get a better look at the steel "trees" supporting the whole shebang!

I hope you have enjoyed your visit to the IBM pavilion.

SATURDAY - Around the USA

Here's "Capt. Frank's Sea Food House", at the end of the 9th Street Pier in Cleveland Ohio (photo from June 1959). Apparently Capt. Frank's was a pretty popular eatery - depending on who you ask. You can find online comments that range from "Yum!" to "Terrible". As always, the cars help to make this photo a lot of fun.

If any of you are familiar with the 1984 Jim Jarmusch film, "Stranger than Paradise" (a movie I love), you can see Captain Frank's in the background as our main characters arrive on a brutally cold winter day. This is apparently the view from the other side of the building.

"Covey's Little America" was an oasis of comfort and convenience for weary travelers passing through the great state of Wyoming. As you can see, the sign says that there are 55 gas pumps, which made it the largest gas station in America. In 1963 the name was changed to "Holder's Little America", and the place is still thriving today. See some vintage postcards and some more Covey's history here and here!

More Instamatic Pix

It's time for some more Instamatic photos, snapped by my friend Mr. X back when he was a teenager. The collection of photos ranges from around 1964/5 into the early 1970's.

Here's a view taken as a Skyway bucket headed toward the Fantasyland station (having just passed through the Matterhorn). Below, the old single bobsleds await lucky passengers. From what I've heard, the brand new bobsleds leave a lot to be desired. The Fantasyland Autopia is just visible, and sharp-eyed humans will also see the Motor Boat Cruise and a bit of the Monorail.

Another picture just a little further along the Skyway cable... I noticed that the roof of the Bobsled queue builiding is a more natural wood color here, as opposed to a greenish hue in the previous photo. Now you get a clear look at the four-car red Monorail, as well as the Motor Boat load area, which appears to be waterless. 

Now for a picture taken from the Monorail looking out at the entrance, with plenty of cars below. You can still see some 50's models down there, and at least one Mustang. I can't help but notice the posters, even though they are tiny and far away. Golden Horseshoe, Flying Saucers, Art of Animation, and what might be the Grand Canyon Diorama are the few that I can identify.