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.

Knott's in the 1950's

Here's a pair of fun vintage Knott's Berry Farm images!

First up, there's Chief Red Feather (in the lovely sky-blue shirt) posing with a visitor, and armed with an extra feathered headdress just in case. In the background, other less famous Native Americans (they must have worked at Knott's for much less time) are doing there thing too. Is that man with the smiling face (to our right) wearing a bison hat, complete with horns? Maybe he knows Fred Flintstone. This slide was dated "May 27 1956".

Well, readers of this blog have certainly seen plenty of images of the old Gold Mine, where you could "pan out your own gold". In this case, I just get a kick out of the people in this photo, from their clothing to the happy (or intensely interested) expressions on their faces. Maybe they'll strike it rich!

Tomorrowland, June 1960

Say, what gives? Only one photo? Yes, it's true. But at least it is a good one! A slightly gray and  cloudy sky provides contrast to the gleaming white Moonliner. I think it's just about to blast off! Giant "bird of paradise" plants and colorful flowers help to liven things up. This is one of those pictures that I don't have a lot to say about it, but it makes me smile.

Frontier Town, Maryland

Today we're going to revisit a Western-themed amusement park called "Frontier Town", which is still around. See the earlier post here, and visit the park's website here. It is only open from June 'til Labor  Day (this is the east coast, after all) so plan your trip accordingly.

This trio is having too much fun, and that stage coachy thing isn't even going anywhere. It obviously does sometimes, since the wheels are coated with mud. Don't point that finger, it might be loaded! This vehicle has a clunky new appearance, but maybe it is just a liberally-restored antique.

Hey, it's Handsome Brady's brother Todd! His turn-ons are: sitting on benches, sipping corn whiskey, and flirting with the ladies. Turn-offs: Phonies. 

I knew that those three would wind up in jail. Bad pennies, if you ask me. In true old-west fashion, they stole that station wagon and took it for a joy ride. The gallows to our left will be their ultimate fate, just you wait and see.

Speaking of pennies, how about some penny candy? I would like some wax lips (preferably with the buck teeth), some red hots, and some lemon drops. Might as well throw in some chewing tobacco for the wife.

If those two aren't sisters, I'll eat my hat. They've stopped for a snack, but are shocked at the prices. 50 cents for a sandwich?! Fortunately that big purse is full of egg salad. No need for a utensil, just reach in a grab a handful!

Clock of the World and Fowler's Harbor

There's the giant cocktail measurer (from August 28, 1965), also known as the Clock of the World. What time is it? Time to drink, of course! One interesting detail is the addition of the Telstar satellite above the "America the Beautiful" building.  Telstar 1 and Telstar 2 - vitually identical - were built by AT&T, Bell Laboratories, NASA, and the British and French postal services, and transmitted some of the earliest trans-Atlantic television images. Neither satellite is functional any more, but both are still in orbit!

I like this unusual angle over at Fowler's Harbor. It has a "movie set" or even "Universal Studios" quality, don't you think?

Here's my attempt at making a "wiggle vision" animated gif that alternates between the two different images of a stereo slide. The process turned out to be trickier than I expected. At what depth do you want the two images to "pivot"? I tried to pick something in the mid-range to avoid having either the distant or near objects jumping around too much. There were other problems too, but... no need to go into all the gory details. Anyway, it turned out "just OK", and sort of gives you the general idea. In a way it works better for me in the small thumbnail than it does as a larger version.

SO.... are you folks interested in seeing more of these "wiggle vision" gifs? Or do they induce nausea, nosebleeds, and headaches? Let me know... if the consensus seems to indicate a desire for more, I'll dig out the stereo slides and see how it goes.

Indian Dance Circle, August 1960

In the 1950's, Westerns (TV and movies) portrayed Native Americans in a fairly negative light most of the time. They were always attacking wagon trains and forts, and were shown to be cruel and bloodthirsty. So Walt's Indian Village was fairly progressive for its day, presenting an assortment of  shelters, crafts, spiritual beliefs, and family dynamics of various tribes, in a respectful manner.

Almost every photo of the Indian Dance Circle shows pretty good-sized crowds of curious onlookers, who were undoubtedly impressed with the exotic costumes, music and dances.

SATURDAY - Service With a Smile

Today's "Anything Goes" installment celebrates the humble Service Station. I was originally going to title this one "Got Gas?", but decided (uncharacteristically) to take the high road.

How often have you gone to a gas station and stopped to take a picture with the friendly attendant? Same here, NEVER. So I love that somebody thought to do so in this case. I wish I knew where this was, but at least I know when it was - September 1963.

Luckily this photo had a few clues that helped to identify the location. That awesome truck has an Idaho license plate (1954), and the Standard Oil establishment belonged to a man named Roy Percival - which helped to determine that Roy's place was in Idaho Falls, ID. I am guessing that our photographer  was passing through Idaho Falls on the way to (or from) Yellowstone National Park or the even-closer Grand Teton National Park, just over the Wyoming border.

Hug your gas station worker today!

More Disneyland Wardrobe Department

Who wants more stuff from the Disneyland Wardrobe Department? Huck has provided another batch of vintage awesomeness.

I love this costume, which would have been worn by a monorail ticket seller in 1970. This woman looks like she's performing in a broadway musical; the outfit is reminiscent of the kind stewardesses wore in the early 1950's. Maybe it's just the little hat!

Here's a men's Monorail costume (also from 1970), although it was not specified exactly what a fellow like this would be doing.  Goofing off mostly, is my guess! Just kidding, I'm sure this guy was courteous and helpful.

And now for my favorite wardrobe model (you may remember her from here and here) in an outfit that was, according the the title of the photo, for "Fantasyland Attractions". She's just too darn cute.

Thanks as always to Huck for these great images!

Around Main Street, September 1959

Vesey Walker is struttin' his stuff down Main Street. Not many people know that he actually raised the members of the Disneyland Band from babyhood, until they "imprinted" on him like baby ducklings. It was great when they were performing, but not so great the rest of the time. You can imagine. Notice the great signs on the lamp posts and hanging overhead!

Eliza Doolittle is selling flowers for 'alf a shillin'. I wonder if that wooden cart is around anymore, or if it was given away - or worse, left to decay backstage for years.