Settler's Cabin Mystery

I have a slide scan for you, one that almost wound up in the Snoozle™ file, until my spidey senses started tingling. As you can see, this is a not-great view of the burning settler's cabin, from "sometime in the 1950s" (probably no later than 1956, based on the spindly trees). But what is the deal with this strange angle? I've never seen another view like it, looking up the steep embankment toward the cabinaceous conflagration.

I chose a selection of more-typical views from my collection, such as this one from 1957. I initially thought that the previous photo could have been taken from an Indian War Canoe, but it seems as if it would have to have been right up in that little portage at the bottom of the photo. Unlikely, says I. But not impossible.

Here's a shot from January, 1961. Maybe the angle in the first photo is deceiving, and a longer lens could have made the cabin appear closer? 

By July 1964, Tom Sawyer Island's foliage was so lush that the cabin was probably only visible from a few specific angles. 

Have a cabinaceous day!

Disneyland at Dusk, July 1964

Say! Today is GDB pal MS's Birthday! And while he is probably relaxing on the white sandy beaches of Hawaii, we can enjoy this vintage photo, shared with us by Sue B., from her personal collection (but not taken by her father Lou). Five kids (Four boys and a girl? Hard to tell) pose next to a low-profile layer cake. The shape helps it to glide through the air with less friction, you see. Physics! The kid at the bottom of the frame has had more than enough sugar. Happy birthday, MS!

As you know, Sunday's are ordinarily the day for Snoozles™, those wretched photos that are too dark, or too blurry, or "not great" for other reasons. But I couldn't do that to MS, so instead I selected two scenes from Disneyland taken at dusk in July, 1964. 

Standing in the Plaza, we see the Castle as the sun sinks low into the West. There's a pretty decent crowd, but it was July after all. Soon the twinkle lights would come on (if they weren't on already), the temperature would drop, and the whole place would become even more wonderful.

A small crowd has gathered at the entrance to the Enchanted Tiki Room, at first I thought that they might be watching the Barker Bird (in his red plumage) overhead, but nobody seems to be paying him any attention. To the left is a woman wearing a "native" dress (sort of like a sarong that Dorothy Lamour might have worn in a movie) and a lei, I assume that this is a Cast Member. The warm sunlight really makes this a pretty picture.

A Room of Rompers, May 1967

I found a fun group of three vintage slides from a filming of an episode of the classic children's TV show, "Romper Room". I remember watching a version of this show when I was very young (15 or 16 at the latest), but the memories are vague. 

From Wikipedia: Romper Room is an American children's television series that was franchised and syndicated from 1953 to 1994. The program targeted preschoolers (children five years of age or younger), and was created and produced by Bert Claster and his presenter wife, Nancy.

Romper Room was a rare case of a series being both franchised and syndicated, and some local affiliates would produce their own versions of the show instead of airing the national telecast. For some time, local shows all over the world used the same script but with local children. These particular photos were taken at KTNT in Tacoma, Washington.

The hostesses were always addressed as "Miss." The show also had a mascot, Mr. Do-Bee. Mr. Do-Bee was an oversized bumblebee who came to teach the children proper deportment. He was noted for always starting his sentence with "Do Bee", as in the imperative "Do be"; for example, "Do Bee good boys and girls for your parents!" There was also a "Mr. Don't Bee" to show children exactly what they should not do.

At the end of each broadcast, the hostess would look through a "magic mirror"—actually an open frame with a handle, the size, and shape of a hand mirror—and recite the rhyme, "Romper, bomper, stomper boo. Tell me, tell me, tell me, do. Magic Mirror, tell me today, did all my friends have fun at play?" She would then name the children she saw in "television land", saying, for example, "I can see Melissa and Stu and Nanook and Ken and Lou and Sue and JG and Bu and Mike and Chris and JB and Dean and Steve and Kathy and Walter" and so forth.

Parking Lot, June 1962

Views of the old parking lot are always popular. There's just something about vast stretches of asphalt painted with parking stripes and "populated" with cars that evokes smiles and happiness among all peoples of the World. If only every place could be a parking lot!

The June Gloom has hit hard, but it still hasn't dampened my spirits (though my hair has lost its curl). We're out in Lot C, that's "C" for Clarabelle Cow. Or Cruella de Ville. Or Cinderella. You get the idea! Look at that Monorail, it's like a straightened banana on one rail (I know, my metaphor needs work).  

I'll zoom in a little for you fans of classic cars. The Corvette to the left is nice, but not practical for my purposes. I'll take a station wagon, and have my eye on that two-tone cream and coral baby. 

Next we'll head over to Fantasyland, just outside of the "Alice in Wonderland" attraction. Alice herself is peering at us from her attraction poster. A flock of sailors is to the left, they are about to break into song, as sailors do. I hope it is not too naughty (but it can be nautical).  The man with the bowtie to the right seems to be introducing his toddler to three people. "This is Lurleen, she can lift a calf over her head!". Impressive, you must admit.

Covered Wagons, Knott's Berry Farm - 1950s

I love early photos from Knott's Berry Farm, in glorious Buena Park, CA. "Early" usually means "the 1950s", at least when we're talking about color images. Otherwise we're probably looking at black and white photo prints.

This first one is especially nice, with a covered wagon, pulled by two beautiful white horses. There appears to be a row of bells on their backs - something I don't recall ever seeing on any horses, but I don't get out much. They sure would jingle! It looks like guests could probably ride in the wagon, I'm not sure where that dirt path was located. To the right we can see one of the huge wheels from one of the contraptions that once hauled logs (or so I'm told). Was this out near the parking lot? 

Next, we're over near the Wagon Camp - a "natural" amphitheater where visitors could sit and watch musicians (such as The Wagonmasters) as they performed, sometimes accompanied by a flickering campfire at night. A ring of covered wagons surrounded the amphitheater, turning them into VIP seating, sort of. Your whole family could claim one! Bring blankets for those cooler evenings. I assume that you had to get there early, or they'd all be taken. Notice all of the graffiti on the inside. I'm guessing more than one message was written in lipstick, how often do you bring a writing implement to an amusement park? Never, in my case.

 

Five From Frontierland

It's time for more scans from the Mysterious Benefactor, and what do you know, the Mark Twain does not make an appearance! Incredible. 

First up is this view of the Keelboat landing (and dock), with an out-of-commission Gullywhumper at rest. And because Keelboats are social creatures, it likes to rest near the Columbia. 

At first I thought that this one was taken moments before or after the previous photo, but I see no sign of the Bertha Mae in the first pic. Maybe it was just in the right position to be hidden. Or maybe it scooted next to the Gullywhumper sneakily. Notice that there are construction walls, presumably for Splash Mountain, which opened in 1989. Or am I wrong?

I would love to be able to claim impartiality when it comes to the two Keelboats, but I have a fondness for the folk art details found on the Bertha Mae; the gingerbread moldings, the turned wood railings, and even the louvered shutters. And that blue-green paint. The wooden structure that the mast is mounted to looks like it should hold an old quilt.

The Gullywhumper is a little less fancy, but don't get me wrong, I really do like it! Hey, it has a bow-mounted gun, which is rad. It is strictly for scaring away bears.

And finally, here's a view of Chief Wavy as seen from the speeding Disneyland Railroad. The foliage is lush and green!

THANK YOU, Mysterious Benefactor!

Adventureland & Frontierland, 1950s

Here's a pair of 1950s pix that are pleasing and colorful. Starting with this one, featuring a nice family posing on the bridge to Adventureland. "Be sure to get some skulls in the picture, honey! You can cut out the kids if you have to!". The mom has her perfect "50s red" coat on.

Over in Frontierland, we get a look at the queue for the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train, along with the charming ticket booth. The Mineral Hall, with displays from the Black Light Corp. of America, is also there.

 

Spring Fling Items

Oh boy, vintage Disneyland paper ephemera, or VDPE! Not the greatest acronym, I admit; just don't think about it too much. I love any items having to do with the Spring Fling events, which ran from 1962 until 1974. Why? I just do. My first Spring Fling-related post was way back on November 2nd, 2008; you'll see a rare 1967 flyer for that year's event. 

First up I have a flyer for the 1968 iteration, featuring a character wearing mouse ears who resembles Roy Williams - the Big Moosketeer himself. He's credited with coming up with the mouse ears, among other things!

Here's Roy, in case you didn't know what he looks like.

Spring Fling was largely about music all around the park, similar to the old Big Band and Dixieland at Disneyland events. Bobby Vee (with The Mustangs)! I'm mostly familiar with his song, "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes", but according to Wikipedia, he had 38 "Hot 100" chart hits, with 10 of those reaching the Top 20. You could see Disneyland stalwarts such as Bill Elliott, the Clara Ward Singers, The Royal Tahitians, and The Young Men From New Orleans. But you could also see The Moods, The Californians, and  the Levee Loungers.

Oh boy, that '68 Mercury Montego looks like a honey. For all I know it was a lemon, you car nuts can tell me whether it was any good. Lots of other prizes were available, including a trip for two to Rapid City, South Dakota. THE DREAM! (Just kidding, Rapid City, I love you). 

Next, I have two scans of a ticket from the 1963 Spring Fling event, courtesy of Lisa Sage, who kindly shared them with me, and gave me permission to share them with you. She saw my blog post featuring the flyer for that event, with those same silly rabbits. A $4 ticket is the equivalent of about $40 today - still a bargain with all of the goodies included.

Luckily, inclement weather was not an issue, the day had a high of 71º, with a low of 47º. I'll bet it was a fun time for all!

THANK YOU to Lisa Sage for sharing scans of her ticket!

Dark Scary Jungle

After one installment of "OKsles", we are right back to genuine, grade-A SNOOZLES™! It's all because I scanned 36 slides, and found that a number of them have the usual issues. A good blogger would just not post them at all, but I never claimed to be a good blogger. And so... you are stuck with them!

Both of these are from the Jungle Cruise, which is not a surprise - a large percentage of scans are from that attraction. There are so many bad photos! I'm assuming that these were taken late in the day, though it might just be a case of erroneous settings. This first one is from September, 1956, and hoo-boy, you can't see much other than the heads in the foreground, and some silhouetted trees. If there is a fearsome animal there, I sure can't spot it. To the right I see something that might be a headhunter's spear - but it might be something else.

Now it's November of '56, and we are looking at trio of hippos. It's a pretty crummy pic though - you don't have to tell me. These hippos don't even have their mouths open for a view of their disgusting teeth! What a ripoff! Any idea what those pieces of metal are, to the left? They are obviously part of the boat that our photographer was on, but I can't imagine what their purpose is.

Sorry about these terrible Snoozles!

 

Travel Town, Los Angeles, December 1970

Griffith Park is one of the jewels of Los Angeles - one of the largest urban parks in North America, though  much of it consists of steep hills and long hiking paths. Look out for mountain lions! But there are features such as the Art Deco Griffith Observatory, Travel Town, the merry-go-round where Walt Disney watched his girls while he dreamed of Disneyland , and "L.A. Live Steamers", which we will be visiting today. 

Want to ride a tiny train? Well you can! Over the years a number of different locomotives have been available for the public to enjoy; in the early years they actually were steam locos, but today they tend to be electric, or gasoline-powered, or chipmunk-driven. As many times as I've been to this general area, I've never been on one of the trains - partly because they operate only at specific times. Look at this kid! He has the whole outfit, even the hat! I'm assuming that he didn't actually get to drive the train, but you know kids. The old-timer might have had to chase after him, Buster Keaton style.

Dad (?) gets into the spirit of things. Personally, I'd want to sit behind a live-steam locomotive, but even a little "diesel" like this one would be fun. In the background - some of those steep brush-covered hills I mentioned earlier. Catch a rattlesnake for a free pet! It looks like the depot to the left was called "Switchville" (not to be confused with "Lidsville").

One last photo... Dad is having a blast! Maybe I need to make a point of visiting L.A. Live Steamers when the trains are running.