Licensed Product Time

Today I am sharing an unusual (and possibly rare?) Disneyland toy that I was very happy to acquire several years ago. How many of you remember "Rub-Ons"? The Hasbro toy company produced Rub-Ons from the early 1960's up into at least the 1970's. I had a "Zorro" set when I was a kid, my grandparents gave it to me when I was sick, and I loved it.

The "magic" was in the full-color picture elements that were printed on translucent pieces of paper. Kids could transfer this artwork onto pre-printed backgrounds by rubbing it with a high-tech wooden tongue depressor, and voila! Instant customized happiness.

Little did I know that there was a Disneyland version of Rub-Ons - awesome! The box is undated, but we can place it somewhere between 1962 (because the Swiss Family Treehouse is represented) and 1966 (when the Flying Saucers went bye-bye). Here is the box... a bit warped, but not too bad....

I am a sucker for Disneyland maps, and even though this barely qualifies as a map, I still think it's neat. Look at all of that empty space, just begging to be filled with itty-bitty people, ride vehicles, and characters! As the box says, this piece unfolds to an impressive 36 inches long - ordinarily Rub-Ons were much smaller, which might explain the use of the word "PICTURAMA" for this set. I had to knit several scans together to get this composite.

This toy was complete with all five unused sheets of Rub-Ons. The paper is a sort of parchment, leaving the artwork looking kind of foggy or waxy until it is transferred... then it turns bright and beautiful! I adjusted the photos to try to enhance the way they look. 

The first sheet on the left is devoted solely to moms, dads, boys and girls (of the "Leave it to Beaver variety) - with a few tour guides and so on. The sheet on the right has various characters from Disney animated classics - Sleeping Beauty, Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, etc. And there are natives, hula dancers, jungle critters, a skyway bucket, and more.

On the left, more classic characters. You know them well! To the right, more jungle pals, denizens of Nature's Wonderland, motor boats, Autopia cars, Tinker Bell... even a swan.

The last sheet incudes the helicopter to the Disneyland Hotel, two Astro Jets, the Town Square cannon, a few Flying Saucers, some teacups, and hey, I just noticed the newer rectangular Skyway bucket in the lower right corner. That would help to date this to 1965, I believe.

I hope you have enjoyed these Disneyland Rub-Ons!

Megenta Tormenta

Once again, I present two slides (and one closeup) that, as it turns out, I have already shown on this blog. Ever since I bumped my head, I have been so very very dizzy. These were both a lurid shade of magenta, and I have done my best to make them acceptable.

First up, from 1958, we have this shot taken from the Skyway load area looking down on the Autopia. There's a nice shot of one of Disneyland's locomotives, with the old yellow passenger cars that look so great. Traffic is light on the Tomorrowland highway.

I was wondering what that thing is in the lower right corner, and now I think it might be a bundle of tarpaulins, which could have been used to cover the cars in inclement weather. I suppose that the wheeled "clothes rack" would have been a convenient way to move the heavy bundle around. Clever! If some of you think it might be something else, please chime in.

This next slide is from June 1961, and it shows the then-brand-new Snow White Grotto (which opened in April of that same year). Weary guests can relax to the sound of waterfalls and fountains, as well as the ringing bell and the song "I'm Wishing" from the nearby wishing well.

Around Fantasyland, 1959

Disneyland has lots of impressive eye candy, from castles to Swiss mountains to old-timey riverboats. But I think this first picture, featuring King Arthur's Carrousel, is pretty sweet! I like all the funny little flags and shields, and the particular blue of the sky; there is also something fun about seeing the park on a busy day... in a way the people add movement and color that brings the place to life. Is the "tent" over the carrousel made of metal? I've always wondered. Maybe it was a real cloth tent that was then "glassed" with fiberglass. Quick, the President needs to know!

Later in the afternoon, Sleeping Beauty Castle is looking fine. It was a busy day, but I still would love to magically zap myself there!

Random Sunday

It's time for a little "housecleaning"; I'm going to sweep out the dust bunnies and remove some cobwebs, and throw out that giant bag of Confederate money that I found above the bedroom closet. And I'm going to share some scans that have been sitting around, eating my food and running up my phone bill. They have to earn their keep!

As I continue to scrounge through old previously-ignored slides, I keep coming back to this little family's photos. And while this one had turned an unpleasant pink, I still loved the fact that it was a rare night photo of the beloved Carnation milk truck. It's hard to tell, but the kid is wearing his souvenir Donald Duck "squeaky" hat.

This next photo is from September 1976, and is taken from right about where that kid was in the first picture. We are looking past some faux flowers at the Century Clock Shop, which is where the Upjohn Pharmacy had been until 1970. The clock shop opened in 1972.

And finally, a look at Tom Sawyer Island and "Castle Rock", looking very raw and new in this undated photo. Look at all the kids and grownups enjoying themselves!

Tahquamenon River Trolley, Michigan

If you happen to be visiting the upper peninsula of the great state of Michigan, you might want to head over to Soo Junction to take a ride on the "Toonerville Trolley". Named after the beloved trolley seen in the long-running (1906-1955) "Toonerville Folks" comic strip by Fontaine Fox, this scenic railway started touring the Tahquamenon River area way back in 1927. The 5.5 mile trip takes visitors through thick forests full of bear, meese, deer, and rare white snozzles.  

I love today's photos (late 1950's, I would wager) showing the colorful rolling stock; the train looks like a giant toy, which is apt since there were so many toy versions of the comic strip version of the Toonerville Trolley. As you can see, thee seats are basiclly simple wooden benches, much like one would find in any park.

Once you have completed your trolley trip, you can board a boat that takes you on a narrated 21-mile trip up the river to the beautiful Tahquamenon Falls. The official website sez: The Captain gives commentary on river history, Indian lore, and points out any wildlife that is spotted along the way. Then stopover for a nature hike (5/8 mile) through virgin forest to view the mighty falls. 

I would totally do this! TOTALLY.

Portrait Artists, East Center Street

Here are two fun photos taken a few years apart over on East Center Street, where portrait artists rendered likenesses in pastels for a unique souvenir.

This first one is from August 1965 and features an elegant young lady doing her darnedest to stay still. It's not easy! The artist is working on a double portrait, and from what I can see, he has captured the woman's likeness pretty well. A partially obscured Main Street cast member (with the long skirt) can be seen just over her shoulder.

Now we'll jump ahead to July 1968, for a remarkably similar shot. This time the artist's subject is a young lady with a distinctly more "mod" look. She has an umbrella... maybe it was to keep the hot July sun off (a hat would ruin her "That Girl" flip). I wish we could see more of the portrait (another double)!

Knott's Ghost Town, October 1967

Happy 4th of July, 'mericans! Today we're going to walk through Knott's Berry Farm's Ghost Town.

Over on School Road, we are not troubled much by other visitors. Where is everybody? I guess that in those days, October was truly the off-season. As always, the eucalyptus trees add a lovely backdrop. Hey, what's that in the distance?

Ordinarily you would probably see one of the big locomotives at the end of the street (and you still can just see one), but the interesting detail is the genuine San Francisco cable car. I had no idea that these went through this part of the park.

Still on School Road, we are near the Ghost Town Gunshop and the Grist Mill. Somehow these buildings manage to look neat and tidy even in their ghost-towny state.

And lastly, a final, somewhat murky scene of a nearly-desreted square near the Blacksmith's shop and the General Merchandise store. I see a sign on the tree to our right, any idea what it says?

Autopia, December 1998

Today we're going to check out a few more Autopia images from only 15 years ago. But things have changed a lot in that time! 

Oh boy, look at all of those beautiful cars, the "Mark VII" versions that resembled the Corvette Stingray. They were introduced in 1967 and had worked faithfully for over 30 years, quite an achievement after so many less-successful versions. I think (but am not positive) that these photos show the Fantasyland Autopia, and it appears that it was not in operation. Overhead we can see one of the short-lived Rocket Rods passing by on the old Peoplemover track!

Well, I admit that the photographer ("Mr. X") probably couldn't have shot this angle if the ride was closed, so I don't know what was going on. Unless he hopped the fence, took the photo, and then flew to Paraguay to hide from the Disney police. To the left, the Mark V Monorail makes an appearance - I don't miss this particular design. And hey, another Rocket Rod!

New Orleans Square Snapshots

Instead of the usual slides, we'll be looking at a couple vintage snapshots, undated but almost certainly  from the later part of the 1960s. 

I love this picture of what I believe is the Delta Street Ramblers as they were making their way (rambling) through the riverfront area of New Orleans Square. The guy in front is showing off by only using one hand, but I will only really be impressed if he uses NO hands.

I'm sure Walt must have been very happy with the way his New Orleans turned out... it looks so great! There are details aplenty. In the foreground we have a group of four young ladies in matching paisley tops and blue jackets, for whatever reason. The rest of the street is bustling with activity; you can see the sign for the Blue Bayou restaurant, to our extreme left is a shop, "Pirates..." something. Is that part of the Pirates Arcade? There is a woman at a cash register, and next to her are some striped Disneyland bags, with a design that I am not familiar with. I'm sure that one of those, empty and in good condition, could fetch $20, $30, or more.

Mermaids, August 1960

Well, I very nearly lied when I entitled today's post, but there really IS a mermaid in this first picture. Barely. Otherwise, it's a nice view of the lagoon; notice the Monorail coming at us almost straight on. And check out the crowds over by the Fantasyland Autopia, good grief! To the left, the Matterhorn chalet, and way in the distance is the hipped roof of Fantasyland Station.

There's a (slightly) better look at a merm, working on her tan. The merms were always working on their tans!