Silver Dollar City, August 1960

I have somehow wound up with a series of slides from Silver Dollar City (in Stone County, Missouri - near Branson). Doing a little research, I discovered that SDC opened on May 1st, 1960, so these photos are from only a few months later. It is owned and built by the Herschend family, which had already been in charge of the local tourist attraction, Marvel Cave: The Herschends built the Ozark frontier town on the land surrounding the site of the cave. Silver Dollar City originally was the site of five shops, a church, a log cabin, and a street production reproducing the feud between the Hatfields and McCoys several times daily.

The name was inspired by Ozark Jubilee script writer and publicist Don Richardson after the promotional idea of giving visitors silver dollars in change. The scenic designer for much of the original attraction was Andy Miller, who had been the set designer for the Jubilee in nearby Springfield. Opening day, May 1, 1960... In its first year, Silver Dollar City drew more than 125,000 people, four times more visitors than the number that toured Marvel Cave. "We discovered we were in the theme park business," Pete Herschend said.

Heading in!

I can't help wondering if Knott's Berry Farm, which had been a success since the 1940s, was an inspiration at all? Here we see a hotel (ice cream parlor), with a doll shop next door. Because you will want to buy a doll and immediately give it ice cream to make it feel welcome.

An old-fashioned firehouse also seems to be in order; this one has a primitive fire wagon for the Volunteer Water Bucket Brigade. It's hard to be sure, but there might be a fancier firetruck inside the station.

Aha! An actual ride! This was the "Flooded Mine" attraction. One description says: This classic boat ride takes riders through a flooding mine, past pumping stations and explosions. Riders can shoot targets which trigger some effects when hit. You can find photos of the interior, with scenes that recall the Calico Mine Train and the Timber Mountain Log Ride at Knott's!

Postcards, we love vintage postcards.

I have a few more slides from Silver Dollar City, so stay tuned!

Two From March, 1960

Here's a fun pair of family photos from March, 1960! Starting with this excellent view from the Monorail station looking back from whence we came as Big Red zoomed toward us. Little do they know that I put a space penny on the track, I can't wait to see how it smooshed! Notice the Speedramp at the bottom of the picture, I put a penny on that too. In fact, I put pennies on everything! Overhead, Skyway gondolas move back and forth. Two servicemen are in the one closes to the bubble dome, I think they are Marines, but Chuck will probably know their ranks and nicknames based on evidence that only he can see. Down below, the Yacht Bar beckons to those of us who own yachts.

Next, a mom and her two kids pose on the Mark Twain's "Flapjack Deck". I think that's what it was called, anyway. It must have been chilly, the boy has a hat with ear flaps to prevent frostbite. I like the lantern on the wall. I'll bet that Walt's other apartment was behind that door. He needed a lot of apartments. The lady to our right is being very judgy, which isn't very nice. "Uh! That color does not suit her! And her children are ill-behaved!". Cool it, lady. 

More From the Big Bag o' Pins

The public has grown tired of Taylor Swift. But they still love the Big Bag o' Pins! And you'll see why.

First up - a pin celebrating the AMC Pacer. That might be a red heart, or a baboon's behind. You be the judge. 

Here is a 1975 hatchback coupe - I have to confess that I kind of like the way it looks - it has style! Wikipedia says Reviews upon its introduction used descriptions like "futuristic, bold, and unique." The Pacer featured an aerodynamic "jellybean" styling, numerous innovations such as different door lengths, and was noted "as a space-efficient car, seemingly from the future.". The Pacer stood out at a time when "Detroit was still rolling out boat-sized gas guzzlers."

I have never wanted to brag that I graduated from Fink University, but it's time you knew the truth. As you can see, I graduated with honors. Some people have spread the vicious rumor that these pins were given out with packs of bubble gum by the Leaf company, but I won't even dignify such ugliness.

I love the bold graphic design of this pinback button for Schoenling Beer. It has a very "Captain America" vibe for reasons unknown to me. The Schoenling Brewing Company opened its doors in 1934 in Cincinnati – a city that thrived on local beer and the industry that built this city. It was family-owned, and it quickly grew as folks around town found a staple spot for it as ‘their beer’ in a city with several competing local brands.

In the ’70s and ’80s the story of regional breweries like Schoenling quickly became that of consolidations and mergers. Cincinnati tried its hardest to remain insulated from this. The city’s breweries put up a fight, but one by one they were forced into submission until finally with their merger with Hudepohl in December of 1986 – Schoenling was the last remaining Cincinnati brewery.

I particularly like this next pin, celebrating 1959's SAUERKRAUT DAYS in Henderson, Minnesota. How about a bratwurst with a cold Schoenling Beer? Sausages and sauerkraut were certainly a staple when I would visit my grandparents in Minnesota, and I always liked it when we had that for dinner. With little red potatoes (with plenty of butter)! And a bowl of radishes, which they liked to dunk in little bowls of salt. I've seen other appealing Sauerkraut Days pinback buttons, but this is the only one I have.

A LATE ADDITION! I just bought this 1967 Sauerkraut Days pin - I like the nod to the kind of psychedelic lettering you might find on a Fillmore Auditorium rock poster!

Have you ever heard of a place called "Disneyland"? They have this koo-koo crazy ride called "Star Tours". A tour of the stars? Heavens to Betsy! The pin has a 1986 copyright, though I assume it was sold for years. Remember how excited the public was to be able to fly in a spaceship through part of the Star Wars galaxy?

The pin glows in the dark, by the way.

I remember seeing billboards with Little Miss Sunbeam when I was a kid, and it always made me want bread and butter so much. Squishy white bread! In 1942, illustrator Ellen Barbara Segner was commissioned by the Quality Bakers of America to create a marketing symbol of a young child. Over six months she submitted hundreds of sketches before coming across the girl who would become the first Miss Sunbeam in Southern Indiana. 

I hope you have enjoyed today's pinback buttons.

A Pair From the 1960s

Here are two pix from different undated batches. Maybe that makes them "randos", but I refuse to pay to have them officially certified.

At first I thought that this first one might be from the 1960s, and it could be, but somehow the fashions on some of the guests feel a bit later than that to me, now that I really look. What do you think? A Tyrolean band performs somewhere... that "stonework" makes me think that they are near the castle, but I can't quite place it. Maybe they are near the Matterhorn? Behind the two clarinetists is a groupie! 

Another "probably from the 1960s" scan is this unusual angle on the Mark Twain as it waited at the dock. There are flags aplenty! The boy to our left is sporting a hat with a purple ostrich blue, and if you look carefully, you can see a red plume and a yellow plume. I guess there were a lot of featherless ostriches walking around somewhere?

It's a Small World, December 1973

I'm sure you recall a recent series of photos that I shared (in two parts) featuring the Country Bear Jamboree. Well, that same photographer snapped ten photos inside "It's a Small World". Processing costs be damned! They aren't the greatest images, but they get the job done. As usual, I like to use the "Small World" album narrated by Winston Hibler as my guide. 

First up, I believe that these are the folks dancers from Scandinavia. We’re greeted first by a chorus of Scandinavian children, while young ice skaters whirl and glide. 

Up ahead, we can see bits of several tableaus, including England (to our right), Ireland, and the Holland. Shout out if you recognize more! 

And now near London Bridge, the English children sing to us.

And... we're now approaching the Emerald Isle, where the Wee Folk serenade us on their beautiful Irish harp.

I always liked this scene - possibly because I remembered it vividly from my Viewmaster reels. Little Dutch boys and girls seated on tulips click their wooden shoes gaily to the rhythm of the song.

I posted these in the order based on the numbers printed on the slides, and it appears that we skipped quite a few countries. But we are now in Bali: A many-armed golden goddess, silhouetted in a temple door, reigns over the beautiful land of Bali. Looking a bit like delicious birthday cakes, Balinese umbrellas shelter a variety of dancers and musicians. And one grinning Bengal tiger!

Maybe I mis-numbered the slides, because the bearskin-hatted trumpeters of Tivoli certainly shouldn't follow Bali, and yet... here we are. Rewinding a bit, the album mentions a squad of toy soldiers as they strike up the band.

 That's it for part one. Stay tuned for part deux! I'll try to pay more attention to the order of the scans.

Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship, June 1969

Today's slides feature the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship, or, as the label on the slide says, "Pirate Ride". I got quite a chuckle out of that one. Maybe even a chortle! Disneyland nerds like me need to latch on to anything we can to feel superior. I wonder if the labeler thought that "Pirates of the Caribbean" was inside this boat? 

This first photo is nice, you've got the unfurled sails, which is always a bonus. And the guests are at least 42% of the fun. Look at Junior to the right, checking his Snoopy watch. Does he have someplace better to be? "Father, the stock market will close in New York in half an hour, I need to call my broker". The couple just to the left of that kid is checking their  ticket books - all they have left are "A" and "B" coupons, the poor wretches. Well, that's it, there is nothing else to talk about in this photo.

All the guests have vanished, except for that mysterious fellow up on the deck of the ship, talking on his iPhone. When we looked away and then looked back, he was gone too! I don't really recall seeing that "Welcome Aboard!" sign before, but I probably just haven't been paying attention.

Snoozles™

Yes, it's that time again - Snoozle time! You knew it when you woke up, didn't you?

Both of these are from June, 1965, but, like all of us, they have their flaws. Some say that makes them even more lovable, but I don't say that. I judge and condemn. 

I've seen worse photos of Disneyland fireworks, to be honest. The photographer used their flash, which means that you get better fireworks images! A magnificent red chrysanthemum shell has just burst, I always enjoy the delay between the explosion and the BANG that echoes around the park. For some reason. I laugh and laugh! But why are tears running down my cheeks?

Next, a Snoozle that is also a Blurzle. Such a rare occurrence, like two-headed snakes. Somebody with the yips took a picture of the Tahitian Terrace dining area, and the mysterious waterfall. Did they know that a beautiful singer would emerge from behind the cascade? (Shrug). In spite of the lack of focus, it all looks very pretty, with that lush jungle in the background.

 

Random Vintage Los Angeles

I love pictures of Vintage LA. Part of the deal with this blog is that you have to be dragged along with me wherever I go! But I hope it won't be too awful for you.

Let's start with this photo of Grauman's Chinese Theatre, on Hollywood Boulevard. As you can see, SHANE was playing there - a seminal Western starring Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur, and Van Heflin. There never was a picture like Shane! The official Grauman's Chinese Theatre website helpfully lists every film that was shown there, so I can tell you that this photo was taken somewhere between Thursday, June 4, 1953, and  Thursday, July 30, 1953. The previous film was "Titanic", starring Clifton Webb and Barbara Stanwyck, and the film following Shane was "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes", starring Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell. Now you know.

Next I have two photos taken in the downtown area, with the relatively-new Hollywood 101 Freeway, which opened in April of 1954. I sure love the vintage cars! Traffic is light, but maybe it was always that way back in '54. It sure isn't light NOW.

Our photographer snapped a second picture, and, at the cost of millions of dollars and thousands of man-hours, I have labeled three of the buildings for you. Those of you who remember City Hall being blown up by Martians in 1953 might be surprised to see it looking just fine here, but it was rebuilt in record time. We're not gonna let any Martians keep us down! 

And finally, here's a photo of two lovely young ladies. But this qualifies as a "Vintage Los Angeles" image because we can see the wonderful Griffith Observatory in the upper right! It appears that the women are possibly sitting somewhere near the intersection of Los Feliz Boulevard and Fern Dell Drive. I love this picture!

 

Train Tunnel

I usually share photos that come from the same batch, but today I am choosing a THEME instead. And the theme is the TRAIN and the TUNNEL. The western train tunnel, that is. Anyone who uses the eastern train tunnel is deranged! We all know it's true. "Don't go over there, Johnny! Please!!". "Ha ha, whadaya gonna do about it?" (flicks toothpick at the nearest child). 

This first scan is from April, 1970. Spring is in the air! So is love. So is the smell of popcorn and train exhaust, the most bewitching aroma of all. Fred Gurley's train sits at the station, it's mighty nice of him to let us ride it, but that's just how he is. He'd give you his last dollar if you asked. It might be sunny and clear, but it wasn't that warm - we see plenty of coats (pay no attention to those reprobates to the right). The lady in the foreground has an impressive bouffant, three entire cans of Aqua Net gave their lives for it. Monstro the whale growls at us from his poster. Whales growl, right?

Next it is October, 1971. Eighteen months after the previous photo (I counted). But Monstro is still growling at us (he's phoning it in though). This time we can see some of the posters inside the tunnel - I recognize the Tom Sawyer Island and Submarine Voyage posters, but can't discern the others. Maybe one is the Rocket Jets? The C.K. Holliday with its magnificent balloon stack (made from pressed balloons) is now overhead. If we run, maybe we can catch it!

 

Two 1957 Ticket Plan Flyers

Vintage Disneyland paper! My favorite. I have two 1957 flyers for you today, both extolling the advantages of buying ticket books.

First up is this example, with Tink on the cover. Back then, they didn't use Mickey on much Disneyland stuff, but Tinker Bell, Dumbo, and others were used instead. This flyer is scarce, I'd love to upgrade someday, the "tanning" on the white paper is not ideal to a persnickety collector like me.

I'm fascinated by the idea that only the "Big 10" ticket book is offered. What, no "Jumbo 15"? I plan on doing a lot of rides! I have a 15 coupon book that is either from 1957 or 1958 (it is undated but has the Viewliner listed as an attraction), so we know that those were around. The thing that interests me the most is the mention of a Guest Card that "gives you admission to ALL of Disneyland's attractions for one day". I've been aware of "gold passes" and "silver passes", and shoot, I might even have one or two of those Guest Cards in my collection, I'll have to dig and see.

What kind of maniac wants to be at Disneyland from 10 AM to 10 PM?? I need to be in bed by 8:00, or I'll be a total grump the next day.

Here's a second 1957 ticket plan flyer; the Tink flyer mentions Summer fireworks ("Fantasy in the Sky"), and this one mentions a "Winter bonus ticket". Do they mean "early 1957", or "late 1957"? Now you can get a "Big 10 + 2" ticket plan (gotta lure them in during the slow months), and, as before, the Special Guest Cards.

There is still special pricing for Juniors, Servicemen, and Clergy. I'll show up dressed like a clergyman and save 50 cents! What a brilliant scam! I am imagining a whole family showing up dressed like clergy. "Tommy, you got chocolate on your collar!". "Aw, gee whiz, Pop!". 

I guess I have my answer about which part of Winter the flyer meant, since the bonus tickets are only good until June 1st, 1957. So this one pre-dates the Tinker Bell version. I like the simple spot art to the right, with that interesting-looking hippo. 

If you are a real cheapskate (and I know that none of the Junior Gorillas fall into that category), you can just pay for an admission, and then buy individual tickets for each ride. I love the phone number: KEYSTONE 5-8171. Call now, operators are standing by!

I hope you have enjoyed these 1957 ticket plan flyers.