Welcome Foolish Mortals! You have arrived at The Haunted Mansion BEFORE it was open. I would need to make two trips to my favorite attraction, as I would definitely want to see it under construction as well as be able to ride through it.
Even the pre-opening signage is fascinating to detail-nerds like me:
And in not-so-living color:
Everyone here is just dying to get in:
One of the highlights of a vintage attraction trip to the Mansion would be to see Marc Davis' original stretch-portraits:
Obviously, the person who took this vintage view of Leota used a flash. They must not have listened very well to the Ghost Host.
Three shots from the original film clip of Leota Toombs:
Oh how I love the ballroom, and especially the sound of the organ playing "Grim Grinning Ghosts" as a lilting waltz:
These little guys scare the bejesus out of me:
The frightened caretaker and his quivering dog are an initial warning to guests about to enter the cemetery:
What a rarity; vintage shots of Little Leota. Once again, her face is obliterated by the camera's flash:
Stepping back a few years, the exit of the attraction before it was opened:
A reminder that the Indian Village was nearby:
See more vintage & current Disneyland Haunted Mansion attraction photos on my Haunted Mansion web page.
Great early photos Dave, particularly the "under construction" shots.
ReplyDeleteThe construction shots are incredible, Dave! It would be nice if they would restore the stretching portraits back to the Marc Davis originals (and get rid of the new bride in the attic scene!)
ReplyDeleteIs it just me, or is Madamme Leota facing west instead of north? New information!
ReplyDeleteI could go on and on about how much I love this mansion, eerily settled in its limbo of boundless mist and decay...
Great Fun...the grand organ was from the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea movie...and of the 5 singing busts...one is NOT Walt, but boy one sure looks a lot like him!
ReplyDeleteThose are great interior shots, are those professional promo's or did you take them?
ReplyDeleteTough to get pics of the Great Hall.
Thank You!!
JG
JG - Those are all publicity shots, taken before my first visit to Dland!
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