Cruising into another week

Is it Monday? Hard to tell anymore. Every day seems to blend into the next. This 1956 image of the Jungle Cruise dock really speaks to me today. The skipper has just emptied his boat and is about to head to the dock to get another load of guests. While I do feel that I am being very productive during this time of quarantine, there is a sense of monotony in the air.



As a follow-up to last week’s post about the Frontierland Sheriff, I was contacted by Daveland reader and badge collector supreme Michael Hulme.



Here is a poor picture of the Deputy Marshall badge worn in the early days of the park. Your recent photo of Sheriff Lucky is a great photo showing both badges and proving my theory that the Sheriff would rate a different badge than his deputy. I was lucky to obtain the Deputy's badge many years ago on E-bay. As you can see it is badge number 4, so one could assume they are rare. I do not have a Sheriff’s badge and have never seen a good close-up of what it exactly looks like. Judging from the picture I think the Deputy Marshall's badge looks more traditional and is way cooler. It was made by the Sun Badge Company back when Walt wanted everybody to have a themed costume to where they worked in the park. All that started to change around 1962 when the early metal employee badges were phased out for the plastic ones. I doubt the Deputy Marshall's badges lasted that long.

Thanks a million for that info, Michael!

As a follow-up to my post last week giving kudos to Dianne Jacob, I want to thank those who left such supportive comments. In this time of social isolation, knowing that others feel the same way about the restrictions actually made me feel connected again. Irene - I applaud your courage. I also find it funny (but not in a good way) that an entire group of people are being singled out as COVID-19 risks due to their age. In the workplace, that could get you fired! Obviously, a person’s health is not necessarily based on their age. It all depends on how a person has lived their life, genetics, etc. Fifthrider - can I tag along with you on that trip to find common sense?

For the gutless wonder who anonymously posted this:

Please leave the politics out of your site. There are plenty of other places for that, and your views do you no credit -- however much other readers may agree with them.

You are symptomatic of the problem. It’s time that people spoke out for their freedom, even if it’s a little uncomfortable. I rarely get political, but warning: there will be more posts here when I feel the need. That’s why the blog is called “Daveland” and not “Anonymous Land.”

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TPE: The Jungle Cruise

Today's vintage journey on The Jungle Cruise will attempt to take you on this beloved attraction from start to finish, using photos that are mainly from 1955. Originally, the cast members wore attire that was more festive and colorful, providing a stark contrast to what is worn today.



What would a ride on the Congo Queen be without the infamous bad puns?

Those of you adventurers entering the world-famous Jungle Cruise, please notice there are two lines, one on the right, and the other on the left. If you’d like to keep your family together, please stay in the same line. However, if there is someone in your family you’d like to get rid of, just put them in the opposite line and you’ll never see them again.



Ladies and gentlemen, your attention, please. Would the party that lost the roll of 50 $20 bills, wrapped in a red rubber band, please report to the shipping office…we have good news for you. We found your red rubber band.



Entering The Ancient Shrine, guests see monkeys and crocodiles:



As you can see, those crocodiles provide the Temple with a very effective security system. They are completely reliable and they never ask for a dime.













Since there was no Elephant Wading Pool in 1955, I'll toss in a few miscellaneous views:





The African Bull Elephants are very symbolic of The Jungle Cruise, especially since they are predominantly featured on the attraction poster:



On the left bank–the enormous ears and huge tusks tell us that’s an African Bush Elephant, the world’s largest land animal, and for those of you with short memories–there on the right bank–the enormous ears and huge tusks tell us that’s an African Bush Elephant, the world’s largest land animal.



But wait...what's this? This undated guest shot which (based on the other images in the batch) is Summer 1955. Could it be that the Jungle Cruise began with only one elephant? Or was one removed and replaced early on due to repairs? Either way, seeing this at the Frontierland Train Depot is a funky sight to behold!



I BELIEVE this shot is from 1957 or 1958; not much in the area that would grow into the African Veldt. Can you imagine a Jungle Cruise without the trapped safari?



The Hippo Pool seems very sedate in this shot:



But this elderly guests seems to be getting a chuckle out of them:



There’s the natives arts and crafts. I guess you could call that ‘skull-putre.’ Quiet everyone. I speak a little of their language. Let me try to translate…you put your left foot in…you put your left foot out…your put your left foot in and you shake it all about…



The Jungle Cruise Natives have the body of Woody Strode, the man that fought Kirk Douglas in “Spartacus.” He was called down to Disneyland by Harper Goff and they made a mold of his body for all the natives, as well as the Indians on the Rivers of America in Frontireland.



Zooming in, it appears that a skull was added here to the scenery:



Approaching Schweitzer Falls & The Back Side of Water:



You can see the silhouette of the skipper, pointing out the sights to guests:



There it is folks, the back side of water. Now I wouldn’t suggest trying this at home, kids. You could very easily hit your head on the faucet.



A few more miscellaneous views:



including a 1956 Gorilla shot:



All good things must come to an end, and it appears our boat is pulling back into the dock area:









I hope you've enjoyed our vintage visit to The Jungle Cruise!

As an extra bonus today, you can download this Kermit the Frog St. Patrick's Day E-Card Image:



See more vintage & current Disneyland Jungle Cruise photos on my Tiki Room web page.

Screen Gem Saturdays: Lily Munster, Eliot Ness, and Hollywood Nightclubs

Best known as Lily Munster, Yvonne DeCarlo was actually a great beauty with a respectable movie career behind her before she ever filmed the TV classic, “The Munsters.”

Here are two vintage shots of a date between Yvonne DeCarlo & Robert Stack (known as Eliot Ness in the TV series "The Untouchables"). What a handsome couple they made. According to Yvonne’s autobiography, the two actually dated for awhile.



I love the “back off bitch!” look that Yvonne shoots the Philip Morris cigarette girl. In shot #2, they laugh about how Yvonne has just put the poor cigarette girl in her place—or at least that’s what I think.



Once a glamorous nightclub at 8433 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, Ciro’s was where all the movie stars used to hang out. Since 1972, it has been The Comedy Store. In this vintage image, Ava Gardner and Howard Duff enjoy an evening out together, back in the day when stars dressed up to go out.



Another favorite nightspot of the stars was The Cocoanut Grove, located inside the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Sadly, this historic landmark was torn down recently.



For “Regions Beyond,” here’s a color closeup of the area requested from yesterday’s post:



To see more Hollywood photos, visit my main website.

Glorious 1950’s Black & White, Pt. 2

Two shots of the Rivers of America today. Shot number one is a little baffling; apparently the photographer was enamored with the bale of cotton prop located near the dock of the Mark Twain. Would guests today be able to figure out why a bale of cotton would be appropriate in Frontierland near the River and New Orleans Street?

For a little more excitement, we’ll zoom into Fort Wilderness.



The reason for the bale of cotton shot might have just been solved; perhaps the photographer was just waiting for the Mark Twain to round the bend. His patience was rewarded here as The Floating Wedding Cake appears in sight.



In this close-up view, the top deck appears to be jam-packed; the lower deck with seats seems virtually empty. Apparently the guests all craved a bird’s-eye view on this day.



Happily, the Mark Twain still takes guests around the Rivers of America, and thanks to the aggressive scheduled maintenance program, the 1955 boat practically sparkles. Standing near the dock today though, it would be difficult to see much other than trees from this view:



As for Fort Wilderness, the poorly rebuilt structure is a shadow of its former glory, with only the recently constructed restrooms accessible to guests



View more Disneyland Mark Twain photos at my main website.

Sailing Through Sundays on The JC: The Mekong Maiden, September 1962

Here are three images from a September 1962 journey aboard the Mekong Maiden.





To those of you who celebrate it, Happy Easter! May you win first place in the Easter Parade.



See more Disneyland Jungle Cruise photos at my website.