Most Disney collectors are familiar with the commercial Panavue slides that have turned a lovely shade of purple over the years. Lesser known are the Treasure Tone commercial images of the park. Today, we start off on Main Street, circa 1950’s.
Before the kalamazoo handcar was at the park and before the Grand Canyon Diorama entered the scene, the Disneyland Railroad had the ability to have TWO engines (just like Doublemint) pass each other side by side at the Main Street Train Station. Hard to believe.
Town Square is fairly sleepy, too. No Abe Lincoln here or Steve Martin; just the façade of the Opera House. Chances are the Babes in Toyland exhibit wasn’t even featured at the time these shots were made.
The Disneyland Band is playing at the Town Square flagpole, which is now a time-honored tradition. Even in this jaded day and age, guests stop to hear the band play at the daily flag-lowering ceremony.
In this shot taken from the Train Station, we can see a banner welcoming the Girl Scouts and a sign touting Professor Keller’s Jungle Killers—rooooaaaarrrr!!!!
See more Disneyland Main Street, U.S.A. photos at my website.
I love these " Treasure Tones", did you have to fix the color or was it still good? The band does still have that effect on folks (me too)! Great "Train passing" pic, can't wait to see more of these "treasures". Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIf you are going to have "souvenir" slides, Treasure Tones are the best!
ReplyDeleteWho or what was the "Jungle Killers"...was it a silent film at the Main St. Cinema? And does that sign also read 25 cents or "B" coupon?
ReplyDeleteTim - The color was still pretty good on the Treasure Tone slides; didn't really have to fiddle much with it. Tokyo: "Jungle Killers" is referring to the animals at the Disneyland Circus. Professor Keller held down the tent once the Mickey Mouse Club vacated.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave! I forgot about that. Kind of weird that the sign is posted on the grass in Town Square, huh? Oh, wait...the circus attendance wasn't all that great, was it? Maybe they were trying to give it all the publicity they could.
ReplyDeleteI spy with my little eye
ReplyDeleteSomething white and green.
Though people queue and bow to it,
It's neither king nor queen.
What is it?
Katella - You've got me stumped. Other than the trashcan in the Opera House shot, can't figure it out.
ReplyDeleteDave:
ReplyDeleteIt's the drinking fountain at the north end of Town Square.
http://davelandweb.com/centralplaza/popup.htm?images/50s/G1950s_KTPBK_N16R.jpg
BTW, haven't forgotten the QM stuff.
Awesome picture of the trains crossing at Main St station! I don't think I've ever seen that before. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHow rare are these slides?, just came into a full set, there are a total of 32.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Joe