Thursday, April 28, 2016

Judy and the Paparazzi



The paparazzi were around even back in the sixties; this October 1965 image shows Judy Garland (could that be Liza next to her?) being whisked away in a car before another shot can be taken of her.

More Judy photos from my collection at my main website.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Shirley Temple and The Blue Bird Diamond



The 1940 Shirley Temple movie "The Blue Bird" may have been a box office dud, but the 9.54 carat blue diamond ring that Shirley's dad bought for her at the time of the film's premiere definitely wasn't. Recently up on the auction block at Sotheby's, the ring was valued between $25-35 million. Not bad for her dad's original purchase price of $7,210! The ring went unsold at the auction, but Sotheby's had this to say: “Unfortunately, tonight wasn’t its night in the salesroom, but we remain fully confident that it will find a buyer.”



Here's a shot of Shirley and husband Charles Black from the 1980s.



Not sure if the rock on her hands here is the same one, but she continued to wear the 1940 ring throughout her life.



More Shirley photos at my main website.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Sax on a Tuesday



Today you get a double-shot of the Keystone Kops at Disneyland, best known for entertaining the guests with their saxophones. First image is from March 1958, showing two Kops entering Central Plaza with the Tomorrowland entrance behind them.



Seven years later they're still at it in this May 1965 image:



I see a tenor and baritone and one alto sax; can't tell what the partially hidden Kop is playing.



More vintage (and current) Disneyland photos at my main website.

Monday, April 25, 2016

Mary Blair Monday



While this installation of classic Mary Blair in Tomorrowland is greatly missed, it has always seemed a bit out of place stylistically for the land which it was created. This September 1968 shot provides a nice view of this long-gone mural by the beloved Disney artist.



Today, Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters has taken over the real estate where Blair once resided.



More vintage (and current) Tomorrowland photos at my main website.

Friday, April 15, 2016

The Birds: Behind-The-Scenes



Today's image shows a rare behind-the-scenes shot from the 1963 Alfred Hitchcock movie, "The Birds." Tippi Hedren is seen in the prop phone booth, getting ready to shoot one of the more harrowing scenes from the film. In the detailed view, you can see that yes, they really were throwing "live" birds at Tippi. Hollywood is not always so glamorous!



More Tippi Hedren photos at my main website.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Shirley and Judy Double Date



In what appears to be either the most awkward double date or just a forced publicity still, Shirley Temple and first husband John Agar are seated next to Judy Garland and her second hubby Vincente Minnelli. The blurb on the back of this shot says that they are at the 1949 premiere of "Passion." Never heard of it. On Angela Lansbury's Twitter page, she identifies this as being the premiere of the December 1946 film “Paisan,” an Italian war drama. Still, Shirley and Judy look older than they would have in 1946. Lansbury and current beau Peter Shaw were cropped out of this shot, but were in attendance.

Poor Judy looks like she just wants to crawl under the seat. Oh to be a fly on the wall here.



More vintage Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

The Boy On The Hill



These two rare photos show a little boy standing where the Matterhorn would eventually be constructed. Dubbed Holiday Hill, Snow Hill, Lookout Mountain, and even Lover's Lane, this little mountain constructed of dirt from the Castle moat gives a lovely view of Tomorrowland. Although these photos were dated January 1961, they must have been reprints, as the Matterhorn was already built by that time.



More Holiday Hill and Matterhorn photos at my main website.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Truman Weighs In



Former President Harry Truman visited Disneyland on November 2, 1957. The press was on hand to capture this shot of him weighing himself on the scale at the Rocket to the Moon attraction in Tomorrowland. Here's the accompanying publicity blurb:

11/6/57 - ANAHEIM, CALIF.: Harry S. Truman, on a visit to Disneyland 11/2, keeps up with the times as he gets the data on what he would weigh on the moon. The fun house scale gives "your weight on the moon."



More Rocket to the Moon and Moonliner attraction photos at my main website.

Monday, April 11, 2016

Gone Fishing



I have added a "new" vintage cutout to my collection. Located near the Plaza Inn during the 1950s, guests of Disneyland could poke their heads through the holes and create their own photographic souvenirs. Here are some of the other previously posted ones that guests could choose from:











More Central Plaza images at my main website.

Friday, April 08, 2016

Boy Scouts at Disneyland, 1959



Sorry for the rushed post, but hopefully this April 1959 image is good enough to suffice for today (while I am out taking other images!). I am sure many of you are jealous of these Boy Scouts being able to pour over these vintage Disneyland attraction posters at the entrance to the Park.



Mom doesn't seem to be quite as excited.

See more vintage and current Disneyland entrance photos my main website.

Thursday, April 07, 2016

Cowboy vs. Spaceman



This undated photo shows the "New" Tomorrowland, the favorite Tomorrowland of most vintage Disneyland geeks. The Spaceman survived the transition but not for very long. Here he is, model ready for his female admirer.



Could this little boy in the red cowboy hat actually be snubbing the future? I am sure mom would have scolded him if she'd seen the face he was making at the Spaceman.



More of the beloved Disneyland Spaceman my main website.

Wednesday, April 06, 2016

Bonnie and Clyde at Disneyland



Check out this undated image (most likely 1957) of a young Bonnie & Clyde driving their getaway car through the Disneyland Midget Autopia. Bonnie is concentrated on the wheel; Clyde is looking at something unknown.



Could it be the two parked cars that he is plotting to make his own?



Beware of youngsters behind the wheel!

More Midget Autopia attraction photos my main website.

Tuesday, April 05, 2016

Ride Thru: small world holiday



If you are missing the holidays, then this post is for you. If not...come back tomorrow! Today I am featuring a chronological ride-thru of it's a small world: the holiday version. I typically avoid this attraction like the plague, as the Sherman Brothers' memorable tune stays in my brain for days. However, for the sake of my niece, I made a sacrifice. Hope you appreciate!



Our VIP Tour Guide pointed out this Hidden Mickey:



The Mary Blair-styled figures:



Yup: it's 2016!



One of the controversial Disney animated characters that was added a few years back. To me, the whole thing was a tempest in a teapot.



Looks like I missed both lists.







Marc Davis' influence can be seen in these animals:





The Three Caballeros:





A tribute to Lilo & Stitch:



Zooming in I noticed this Elvis figurine for the first time:





The rainforest scene has survived:





Woody and the Americana scene; the one sloppy area on this attraction that just does not fit.





Peace on Earth: a message that should be followed year-round.



Continue the holiday celebration at my main website.