Keystone Kop Celebration

Sometimes all it takes is one “new” slide to spawn an entire retrospective post. This just such an image, featuring the Keystone Kops playing for Disneyland guests on the porch of the China Closet. It is undated, but most likely from the late 1950s. Younger readers probably wonder who The Keystone Kops were. Here you go—

The Keystone Kops/Cops were the brain child of comedian and silent screen star Hank Mann. They were named after slapstick producer Mack Sennett’s Keystone studio, founded in 1912. Their first film was “Hoffmeyer's Legacy” (1912), with Mann as the police chief. Though initially popular, Sennett relegated the Keystone Cops to supporting roles behind Charlie Chaplin and Fatty Arbuckle only a few years later. Sennett stopped using them by the 1920s, but they continued to pop up over the years in various features, cartoons, video games, and yes…Disneyland!



As you can see from this Summer 1955 shot, the Kops were shown daily at the Main Street Cinema.



On Disneyland’s Opening Day, these two Kops posed with a young guest outside the Main Street Cinema:



As comic security and a wandering music group, the Kops were a great fit for Main Street, U.S.A.







Outside the Coke Corner in 1956:



A lone Kop from 1956:



Central Plaza was the place guests would most likely see The Keystone Kops play their vintage melodies. On the right is Bernie Flymen; he played sax & clarinet at Disneyland from 1955–1960 and in Desi Arnaz’s “I Love Lucy” band. Funny how this guest appears to be completely oblivious to them. Maybe it’s the sunglasses.



Outside the Opera House, circa March 1959:



This 1960 publicity shot shows a traffic jam of shorts in Town Square.



Not sure how much help the Kop is really giving here! Note the White Wing in the background:



The Keystone Kops were seen in “Forty Pounds of Trouble” with Tony Curtis in 1962 during the Disneyland sequence:



Back to Central Plaza in April 1965:



From September 1, 1967, we see the Kops playing in Central Plaza right near the popcorn cart. The two little kids to the right do not seem amused.



A backstage shot from April 1968:



Last one for today is from July 1968. I can only guess that the Kops were discontinued shortly after that. This is what happens when you defund the police.



Want to see the original Keystone Kops in action? Here’s “A Thief Catcher” (1914) which was considered a lost short until 2010 when a print was discovered at a Michigan antique sale. Charlie Chaplin plays one of the Kops.



See more Disneyland East Main Street photos at my main website.

Calling All Disneyland Ephemera Nutz!

Calling out to all my Disneyland brochure/guidebook/ephemera nutz! I have a batch of undated slides (most likely 1960s) that include this shot of the Flower Market on West Center Street. Can anyone give a year based on the book/brochure next to the register visible in this detailed view? I know, the lady in the pink fluffy hat is pulling your focus. Try…try hard to look away.



UPDATE! Thanks to Daveland readers Tom & Eric over on X, the mystery has been solved. The publication is Disneyland World of Flowers, released in 1965.





Here are two previously unposted shots that the guest had the kindness to get date stamped! From August 1966 (might even be the same cast member):



…and September 1963, which includes a Keystone Kop:



See more Disneyland Main Street Market photos at my main website.

Coke, Cops, and Cole

Guests at the Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner at Disneyland are being serenaded by the Keystone Kops, circa August 1958. The Dapper Dans weren’t the only musical group on Main Street, U.S.A.!

Behind the Kops you can see the window for the Cole of California shop.

Founded in 1923 by Fred Cole, this swimwear company was once represented by Esther Williams (so you know they were legit).

This shot gives you an overall view of the area:

How about those mermaids in the display window? Wonder where they are now…

See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland Main Street photos at my main website.

A Kop on Main Street

I really do miss the Keystone Kops; well...not sure if miss is the right word since I never really experienced them at Disneyland as an adult, but I do think they belong back on Main Street, U.S.A. They were a vibrant part of the Park, and at times they even played music. It appears that in this July 21, 1965 photo that the Kop is explaining the ticket book to a guest.



And for those who want a closer look at the ornament on the hat…



See more Disneyland Main Street photos at my main website.

A Day at Disneyland, August 1967

Sometimes the most fun part of acquiring these vintage slide collections is trying to figure out the story behind them. This August 1967 set could go a few different ways. How about I just present the facts as I see them and let your vivid imaginations do the rest? This group/family poses in front of the Rolly Crump New Tomorrowland Ticket Booth with the Submarine Attraction Blue Monorail behind them. I can hear you readers now. “Hey Dave! Can you zoom into the pockets of those two dudes so we can see the ticket books?” Already tried. Just a blurry mess.

The next shot in the sequence shows the Yellow Monorail:



Nothing like a 1960s big blonde bouffant on the Snow White attraction in Fantasyland:



The two gents from our group seem only semi-excited to be on the Disneyland Railroad car as it exits the New Orleans Station.



This time I will zoom into the pocket for you. This guy already ate through his E tickets.



Looking back at New Orleans Square as the train pulls out of the station:



In Town Square the gents get caught by a Keystone Kop:



To the left you can just barely see the interior of the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln attraction:



Last one of my set shows Doug & Jim. Doug's tattoo would make it appear that he was 13 when he got it. I'd say Doug is still pretty close to age 13 in this shot. Jim decided to keep his age to himself.



Doug isn't in any of the shots I acquired, but he did appear in this one that slipped through my fingers. He sure knew how to make a pompadour!



I REALLY hated that I missed this one, too.



That's the way the cookie crumbles.

See more vintage Disneyland photos at my main website.

Sax in the City

Just one image for today from June 1958, featuring the Keystone Kops quartet playing their saxophones for guests in Central Plaza. I don't know the names of all the performers, but Bernie Flamen is the one on the right. He played sax and clarinet at Disneyland 1955–1960 and in Desi Arnaz’s “I Love Lucy” band.

See more Disneyland Central Plaza photos at my main website.

Disneyland September 1956

Another batch of black and white gems, this time from September 1956. You know it's the early years of the Park when you see the chicken wire fencing around the young plantings.



Look how bare the Park is; unbelievable. If only people knew how expensive it would be visit Disneyland in the future, they would have rushed the Park when it was affordable! Ah, the wonders of hindsight.



Check out the White Wings at the Popcorn Cart in Town Square.



In previous posts, readers have commented how much more realistic Main Street looked in the early years. This photo would definitely support that sentiment; you could almost believe that the Upjohn Pharmacy pictured here is the real thing!



We have to get closer for a better view! A Keystone Kop, vintage outfits...does it get better than this?



What?!? Nobody sitting in the Carnation Company Truck? Unheard of.



Names on the windows are nothing new; they existed way back when!



A contemporary shot shows that this window for Christopher Miller, Walt's grandson, has been virtually untouched!



Last one for today shows two lucky ladies climbing the steps to the recently demolished Fantasyland Skyway Station.



See more vintage and contemporary photos of Disneyland at my main website.