Matterhorn Instamatics

If you could take all of the photos of Disneyland's Matterhorn and lay them side by side, they would probably reach the real Matterhorn, and back, dozens of times. It was a real camera magnet. 

At least this is an unusual angle, looking up from near the base. Could the sky get any bluer? It really sets off the gleaming "snow". The Monorail makes a special guest appearance! 

And here's another uncommon view, presumably snapped from the Autopia. The Matterhorn's peak has a slightly truncated look from this angle. I know that if I had seen this picture in a book when I was a kid, I would be champing at the bit to get back to Disneyland!

Pirate Ship Dining Area, August 1963

We've seen oodles of photos featuring the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship, but today's entries are (thankfully) a bit on the unusual side.

Like this first picture, showing a nice view of the outdoor dining area behind the ship. Marooned pirates have made makeshift shelters out of extra sails so that we can eat our tuna burgers and drink our Pepsis in comfortable shade. There are plenty of empty tables, let's eat now before it gets too busy! I love the detail of the Casey Jr. in the background.

Nearby Skull Rock is also a popular photo subject, but this picture is taken from inside one of the grottoes that are a part of that strange rock formation, sculpted by thousands of years of wind and water and elves. The photographer got artsy! In this shot we see the back side of water and look through to our favorite pirate ship.

Casey Jr., October 1972

Welcome to "Boring Sunday"! I'm using up some photos that didn't quite make the grade. 

OK, here's an embarrassing admission: I'm not sure that I knew that the Casey Jr. ride was formally called the "Casey Jones Jr. Railroad". Did you? I've probably seen a hundred photos with this sign, but never really read it. Certainly by the 1990's the attraction no longer went by that name.

Our Skyway bucket has just left the Fantasyland Chalet, and we quickly lean out and snap a photo of what's below us. Which happens to be good ol' Casey Jr!

MGM Studio Backlot, 1970

Today I am sharing a second reel of photos featuring the long-gone MGM backlot in Culver City! To see the first reel (and get caught up on some history), click HERE.

Here's a charming house near a picturesque bridge (known as "Waterloo Bridge"). I'm sure that matte paintings turned that pond into a convincing river in many movies.

This is an interesting angle on what might be some old city façades; they look so good from the front, but from any other direction they are a mess! This structure seems to be deeper than necessary; perhaps on occasion, actors needed to get up to the third story (maybe to wave out of a window).

It's so interesting to me to see these strange little structures, it's hard to believe that they would convincingly represent the Old West (or whatever), but I'm sure that when they were seen on film, the effect was perfect.

This looks like a royal courtyard in France, or maybe Austria. Again, matte paintings could fill in the upper portions of the buildings, although the encroaching trees might make that more difficult.

The detritus of countless movies and television programs, all in pretty rough shape. Not that it mattered at this point, as it was all going to be bulldozed.

More ruins. Imagine being able to explore this place when it was completely deserted! That would be amazing. And spooky.

It's hard to see anything through the trees and shrubs, but it looks like there is a grand suburban house near that stone wall.

There are more reels of the final days of the MGM studio lot if you are interested!

Monstro, February 1962

I love this first picture from Fantasyland, showing the Pirate Ship, Skull Rock (barely), and Monstro, all from an angle that one doesn't normally see. The last pink rays of sunlight add a dreamy air to the scene. Since this is February, it's probably only about 4:30 - the park generally closed by 6 o'clock. A few brave souls in sweaters, jackets, and even a few babushkas, loiter in this quiet corner of  the park. I wish I could step into the picture and walk around!

Did you know that when the park closes, Monstro actually shuts his mouth? 

It's a Small World, August 1982

While waiting in line for "The Happiest Cruise That Ever Sailed 'Round The World", the mechanical clock began clanking and boinging, and a parade of children from around the world emerged from the façade. This photo doesn't look too different from older examples, but more color - mostly shades of blue - was gradually being added to some of the shapes. Eventually the entire thing was covered in pastel pinks, blues, yellows, and all manner of Skittles colors. Some people preferred it that way, but I am glad that it returned to it's original scheme a few years ago.

This from inside IASW featuring India was always one of my favorites, mostly becaused of the cool four-armed shadow puppet moving mysteriously behind the screen at the top of the steps. 

Body Language, November 1972

Today's photos are a study in contrasts! A young couple seems to have visited the park for two consecutive days. In this first picture, the pretty girl is radiating displeasure about something. Arms crossed defiantly, frown on her face... she can't even bring herself to look at the photographer. Whatever the problem was, I hope it blew over quickly!

Meanwhile we get a nice look at a vintage window; since we can see City Hall reflected in the glass, I am assuming that this tableau was in a window outside the Bank of America. According to Wikipedia, Lady and the Tramp was reissued to theaters in 1971, but in November of 1972 it is still featured at the park.

Ah, that's more like it! Another day (not as sunny), and she seems much happier. She's seated near the planter where the Partners statue would be added 19 years later.

Leftuggies

Every few weeks (or months) I find myself with a few leftover scans (my mom calls leftovers "leftuggies"); today I am going to share a few of them!

You might remember two other images that went with this first photo, but those featured the Viewliner (or parts of the Viewliner, anyway). Here, we can see one of the small trestle bridges for the 'liner, but it's the Motor Boats that get star billing. Putt putt!

Here's another one that has a much more interesting sibling; in the other photo, you get a pretty good look at the Haunted Mansion under construction. Here, the Mark Twain has moved in front of the Mansion, making for a much less-interesting shot.

Over in Adventureland, the sound of drums is generally something you don't want to hear. Or at least that's what I've learned from lots of B movies. The natives are looking forward to adding some new shrunken heads to their collection (which is right next to their wall of "MOC" Star Wars figures). The tree trunk in the foreground looks like it might have been salvaged from the original orange and walnut groves where Disneyland was built - or perhaps it is a cement (or fiberglass) copy.

I hope you have enjoyed your serving of Leftuggies!

Knott's, 1950's

Like most photos from the 1950's, Knott's pictures from that decade just have a certain quality to them. I'm sure a lot of it is due to the clothing and hairstyles, which were not so terribly different from the 1940's. 

I love this first picture of a mom and her two boys sitting in a wagon that has been hitched to a very shaggy mule. This setup (right outside of Judge Roy Bean's) was there for a fun photo op, I've never seen a picture of this before.

They call this guy "Seldom Seen Slim", but based on my slide collection, he was seen (and photographed) a LOT. This statue looks pretty lifelike in this image; you can almost hear him speaking. He sounds just like Gabby Hayes, of course (not to be confused with Gibby Haynes).

Frontierland, 1956

I'm sure relatively few people know that there used to be a Conestoga Wagon ride in Frontierland - I think I heard it mentioned on a recent podcast, and then the hosts decided that they really meant that there was a Stagecoach. Real Conestogas didn't have open sides, because they didn't care about the thousands of miles of monotonous scenery. Oregon or bust!

This Indian Village might be friendly, but it looks kind of barren. A few house plants, some frilly curtains, and 10 or 15 throw-pillows would really brighten the place up. Don't forget the "Hang in there baby" poster.