Cox Pilot and The Disneyland Flight Circle

In my search for vintage images for my blog and website, there are times that I see something that I think, "Oh, that's cool. Might be a good addition to the collection," and then there are the rare times (let's face it I'm getting a bit jaded when it comes to vintage Disneyland images) that I think, “OMG I have to have this and how is it possible that somebody even shot this?!?”

Today's two images are from the latter category.

One of the first interactive readers with this blog was a gentlemen named Lee who worked at Disneyland during the formative years. Not only did he leave comments about my posts, he had an amazing memory and a generosity that knew no bounds. While many readers ask for free copies of my photos for their pet project (without the watermark!) or request that I find specific images that are of interest to them, Lee would share his knowledge AND vintage image collection without hesitation. Many a post on Daveland benefitted from this man's kindness. Although I never met him, it was with great sadness that I learned he passed many years ago, as that meant we'd never have another conversation about Disneyland (and eventually his life and family, as we got to know each other on a more personal level).

Can you imagine the joy (and bittersweet sadness) I felt when I came across these two AMAZING images of the Disneyland Tomorrowland Flight Circle from January 1961 that not only show detailed views of the model planes, but Lee himself! I know he would be ecstatic today with this post! The first shot shows Lee on the left and friend/coworker Keith Palmer on the right.



The 2nd image I acquired shows a closeup of two of the model planes that the boys would fly to the delight of guests:



Lee - still missing you after all these years, but I can't help but think that you directed me towards these two wonderful shots. Thanks!

See more Disneyland Flight Circle photos at my main website.

My Favorite Spaceman, Pt. 2

Two years after I posted "My Favorite Spaceman,” I came across ANOTHER vintage image of him in Tomorrowland. I probably have at least 10 images of this particular man in a spacesuit.

A closeup of the ticket booth for the Moonliner attraction:



And while I am of course interested in the Spaceman, I am more interested in the shirt the little boy is wearing. At first I thought he had on a tie, but it appears to be a pattern in the shirt AND the collar. Crazy!



Here's a previously published color image from July 1958 of “My Favorite Spaceman.”



See more Tomorrowland Spaceman photos at my main website.

Giant at Grauman’s

When I saw this image from December 1956 I just about lost it. The Grauman’s Chinese Theatre marquee for the film “Giant,” starring James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, and Rock Hudson.



Throw in a vintage bus, Christmas decoration, and cheap parking in Hollywood...what more could a guy ask for?



Here's another vintage shot of Grauman's from 1951.



Looks like “Half Angel” is playing. Starring Loretta Young and Joseph Cotten, this comedy's posters screamed “Confessions of a lady SLEEPWALKER!”



This building is long gone.



Thanks to eagle-eye reader Ken for reminding me that "this building" was the Hollywood Hotel.



See more Grauman’s photos at my main website.

The Hotel Edison

Yup, Thomas Edison was on hand to turn on the lights when this historic New York City hotel opened in 1931. Not too shabby! This art deco classic is conveniently located right in the middle of the theatre district and steps away from Times Square.



It’s always about the details:



When I arrived, I was able to see artist Arnie Charnik working on the murals that grace the lobby.



Although they do look new, their art deco styling fits in perfectly with the hotel and are a nice nod to the history of New York City.



The rooms won’t break the bank and are still very stylish and roomy.







And views…did somebody request a view? How about this from the balcony of my room?



The hotel has also been featured in a number of movies. Luca Brasi's murder in “The Godfather” was filmed at the Edison, it served as the penthouse in Woody Allen's “Bullets over Broadway”…



and Michael Keaton is seen drinking at the hotel's bar, the Rum House, in “Birdman.”

Next time you’re in New York City, be sure to stay at the Edison; operators are standing by!



See more Hotel Edison photos at my main website.

FINAL 80s Flashback: More Fantasyland

Today we take a final peak at Disneyland during the decade of my youth, starting with two angles of the Casey Junior attraction (former) ticket booth.



A few "you are there" style shots from the attraction itself:





Looks like you're SOL if you want to purchase something at Gepetto’s Arts and Crafts shop. I am guessing these shots were captured early morning before the Park was open, so if you can juuuuuuust wait a few hours, you might be able to get a trinket here.



The entrance to the Pinocchio attraction:



The Snow White attraction exterior:



A zoom-in view of the attraction entrance door and signage:



Another view of the exterior, featuring the "gargoyles":



Love this detail of the ravens on the skulls:



Still there today!



You know you've been to Disneyland too many times, when...



you're able to recognize a building exterior from the corner of one letter.



Back to the 80s exterior of Peter Pan's Flight:



One of King Arthur's Carrousel:



Kind of Alice's exterior, but also a bathroom exterior...I'll leave it up to you how you want to classify it:



Final one for the series has us whisking off from the now defunct Fantasyland Skyway Station:



See more Disneyland photos at my main website.

Futurama Friday, Pt. 2

Today we return to the Kelvinator "Atoms For Living" kitchen at Disneyland's Monsanto House of the Future, beginning with this color rendering. I don't know much about the origin of these shots, other than they appear to be very early documentation of the kitchen area as it was being put together and decorated with props.



This detail shot reveals what was on the shelves:



It also appears that there was a broadcast or possibly a TV spot being filmed here at the time:





The exhibit signage touts that Kelvinator Designers are looking ahead. What do you think of their vision for the kitchen of the future?



A microwave on the counter perhaps?



Zooming in because I wanted to see the labels on the cabinets. There's something that doesn't seem right about having the sugar next to the detergent.





Even the drawers were stocked with props, so that nosey visitors of the exhibit would feel like they were in a real kitchen.



I dig the sink. Very sleek!



I hope you enjoyed this peek at the House of the Future!

See more vintage Disneyland House of the Future photos at my main website.