Four From One

I am squeezing four photos from one today with this fantastic vintage 1956 image taken in Central Plaza at Disneyland. It may look like your standard image until we zoom in and see the interesting details, like what the landscape looked like before the Matterhorn. Nothing to cover up this unsightly tower!



How about this amazing vintage straw hat?



And let's get a closer look at the Wagon and Guests. 10¢ for a ride? Heck, today it's FREE! Well...as long as you pay the $100+ admission fee!



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

Dinner at Brennan's

Brennan's is one of my favorite restaurants for dinner in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Located on Royal Street, it is a NOLA classic!



A customized mirror in the entryway:



On my last visit, since I was by myself I ate my dinner (and drank my beverages) at the Roost Bar.



The atmosphere is light and airy here, with a bit of a Key West feeling.



A nearby dining room:



The bar itself, complete with my first beverage of the evening:



Loved the light fixtures (what a surprise!):



Resembling bird cages, they were the perfect accent to this themed area:



I started out with the Gulf Shrimp & Green Tomato Salad:



It's been awhile, but I do believe my entree was the Parmesan & Herb Crusted Lamb Loin:



Bananas Foster is the showstopping dessert that most get here; however, I wanted to try something different, so I picked the Pineapple Financier:



For a classy evening at a legendary restaurant, Brennan's is the place.

More shots of Brennan's on Royal Street on my main website.

A Cutout A Day: Davy Crockett

Last one of this series shows the Davy Crockett cutout. Looks like the Frontierland hero has his name in lights; painted lights at least. I love the little boy's expression as he stares into the bear's gnashing teeth!

More vintage Disneyland cutout fun at my main website.

Shirley at Home, 1949

This staged publicity shot shows Shirley Temple at home with her first husband, John "Jack" Agar. From the publicity blurb:

Jack is prepared to put another log on the fire as Shirley shows him Susan's new blue robe. They call this wood paneled alcove their living room.

Since daughter Susan was born January 30, 1948; the photo is stamped January 4, 1948. Most likely this shot is from 1949 instead. Once you're done doing the math, check out the Stork Club ashtray in this detailed view:



More 1940's Shirley at my main website.

A Cutout A Day: Captain Nemo

Just outside of the Red Wagon Inn (now the Plaza Inn), guests could pose behind painted cutout boards of their favorite cartoon characters...or in this case, a live-action character. This board represents Captain Nemo from the Disney live-action classic, "20K Leagues Under The Sea." Nemo was played by James Mason. I wonder what Disney artist painted this?

More vintage Disneyland cutout fun at my main website.

A Cutout A Day: Pluto

Part two of this series shows Pluto licking the heck out of the little tot behind the cutout. He seems to be ok with the cartoon canine's slobber. I would be too.

More vintage Disneyland cutout fun at my main website.

A Cutout A Day: Dopey

From a fantastic batch of 1956 images comes this shot of a young tot at Disneyland posing behind one of the many cutouts located near Central Plaza. Guests could stick their heads in and pretend they were one of many famous Disney characters. This one is Dopey. Literally? I can't say.

More vintage Disneyland cutout fun at my main website.

Shirley and the Columnist

This autographed photo of Shirley Temple was taken during filming of "The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer" in 1947. The inscription is made out to Jack Hirshberg, a famous Hollywood publicist. He worked on such films as "The Ten Commandments," "Some Like It Hot," "Play It Again, Sam," "All the President's Men," and "Ordinary People." He also represented Frank Sinatra, Jack Benny, Gary Cooper, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Martin & Lewis, and Cecil B. DeMille; not too shabby!

More Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Dean Jones: It's A Girl

Actor and star of many a Disney movie Dean Jones ("The Love Bug," "That Darn Cat!") sure came up with a cute way to announce the birth of his first child, daughter Carol. This announcement was sent by his first wife, Mae Entwisle, who was friends of my parents.

From the Phil Sears website I found this autographed photo of Dean and Walt; lots of other great items for sale on Phil's site!



More pop culture fun at my main website.

Sowden House At Night

Just a few images for today, so I sure hope you like them. Lighting makes a heck of a difference when it comes to mood and atmosphere. I had shot the Sowden House in the daylight, and it was pretty phenomenal. At nighttime, I would say it was spectacular. Vince helped light the torches in the courtyard. This home was designed by Lloyd Wright...and yes, his father's name was Frank.



Even the interior glows as the sun begins to set:



More shots of this amazing home at my main website.

Monorailpalooza

A celebration of photos of the long-lasting Disneyland transportation staple, the Monorail. First we begin with a trio of images from year one, 1959. The outfits people wear are just as fun as seeing the Park itself.



The Red Monorail peaks into view in this October 1959 image:



Too far away?



Let's zoom in for a better look in this image that also hails from October 1959.



Another October 1959 gem:



The closeup would make a great photo all on its own.



Moving into the swinging sixties, we have one of the Blue Monorail from July 1961:



And a Yellow Monorail shot from May 1963:



Is it still in operation today? You betcha'!



Craving more Monorail shots? Ride on over to my main website and see more photos of the Monorail at Disneyland.

Shirley Signs A Contract

Here's a vintage shot of a teenage Shirley Temple, who had finished making movies at 20th Century Fox and was about to embark upon a new journey at MGM.

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. -- SHIRLEY TEMPLE, emerging from a brief "retirement," is shown as she appeared in court here to have a new contract with MGM approved. The contract calls for Shirley to make at least two pictures during 1941.

Shirley ended up posing for a few publicity shots, like this one by Clarence Bull:



and made just one film at Leo the Lion's studio, a less than stellar production called "Kathleen":



It was mutually agreed by both parties that they would part ways soon after.

See more Shirley at MGM photos at my main website.

Lunch at Galatoire's

Here is a vintage December 1959 photo of Galatoire's, the famous restaurant in the French Quarter of New Orleans on Bourbon Street. What was once Randon's Cleaners next door is now Galatoire's 33 Bar & Steak. Yes, they have expanded!



Another detailed shot showing the license plate, for all you vintage auto enthusiasts!



Galatoire's has been a staple of the French Quarter since 1905.



At lunch time, locals stop by for this wonderful deal. Hopefully those participating just have to walk to their next business meeting.



The dining room downstairs is like a step back in time.



...and so is the service. In a good way!



The filet I had at lunch during my last visit was out of this world. No sauce was necessary.



The memory of the mouthwatering Sweet Potato Cheesecake pie still lingers.



Hungry for more? Visit my main website.