Modern Screen, August 1955: Disneyland

For the August 1955 issue of Modern Screen Magazine, actress Pier Angeli graced the cover. Inside, the gossip mag gave three full pages of coverage for the recently opened Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, California. The first spread included a color photo of the Sleeping Beauty Castle model:



The historic model was on display at the Disneyland Opera House when I shot it in February 2007:



…and in June 2008:





One can “assume” that while the article came out one month after the Park opened, the feature was put together while Disneyland was still under construction, thus the model shots. A photo of Walt with a colt  from April 1954 was also used. Here’s the uncropped version from my collection:



The article features two “young stars,” Marla English and Larry Pennell, who posed for pictures at the Walt Disney Studio in Burbank, where the rides and vehicles were being construction/refurbished. Below are trees from the Snow White attraction and the Horse-Drawn Chemical/Fire Wagon:



A shot of the Chemical Wagon from 1956 taken in the Park:



The second page of the spread included color shots of the Main Street, Adventureland, and Mark Twain models:



A closeup of the Main Street model, which still had the bandstand situated in Town Square:



An August 1955 black and white closeup of the same model:



Closeups of the other models:





A closeup of one of the Stagecoaches, with Marla and Larry looking very lovey-dovey:



An August 1954 image from my collection of the same stagecoach, also shot at the Disney Studio in Burbank; note the corrugated wall, visible in many of the images from the Modern Screen article:



The last page of the feature included a map and other studio-shot photos of more vehicles and animals (both real and fake):



You might recognize Pennell from “The Beverly Hillbillies,” where he played Dash Riprock. Marla’s claim to fame was being cast opposite Spencer Tracy in “The Mountain” (1955), and then deciding to withdraw from the project. Marla told the columnists that she left as a result of hospitalization due to a recently administered smallpox vaccine. According to the St. Petersburg Times, September 18, 1955, this was the real reason, according to a close relative of Marla:

Said she: “Marla has fallen in love with a young Paramount player, Bud Pennell. She desperately wanted the studio to give him a part in “The Mountain.” Then the two of them could have gone off to France together. When the studio refused, she blew her top. A woman in love will do anything.” This, a Paramount executive conceded, was basically correct. “Only an actress in love,” he added, “would give up a picture with Spencer Tracy.”

At least they had Disneyland…

See more Disneyland brochures and map photos at my main website.

The Chemical Wagon at Disneyland

After yesterday's post, I thought it only fair to celebrate the other fire-fighting vehicle at the park, aka The Horse-Drawn Fire Wagon/Chemical Wagon, as seen in this March 8, 1956 photo. Today, you'll find this authentic reproduction inside the Disneyland Fire Department next to City Hall, where it is surrounded by hats, axes, and other props that you might have found inside a turn of the century Fire Station. The wagon is no longer used on Main Street, U.S.A. to carry guests; instead, it makes a great place for younger guests to explore and to have their photo taken.

This vintage shot shows the Fire Wagon at the Disney Studio backlot, before reaching its home in Anaheim.



This next batch of images are from the 1960's, and were taken for "Vehicle Documentation." Whatever that is.













Most likely they were meant to be a record of the detailing of the Fire Wagon.



Today, despite being climbed on and kid-handled by guests of all ages, the Fire Wagon still sparkles.









Be sure to pay attention to it next time you are running through Town Square on the way to Star Tours!

See more vintage & current Disneyland Fire Department photos on my Fire Department web page.

Vintage Town Square Tribute

Because of its location, Town Square often gets the shaft at Disneyland. Guests are in such a hurry to get to their favorite attraction that they run through this area, missing many of the memorable features located here. To correct this, I am doing an entire post dedicated to Town Square...from a vintage perspective, of course. The first photo for today is from May 1956, when the park wasn't even a year old yet. Looks a bit empty from a guest and landscaping perspective, doesn't it?

From April 1958 comes this faded print, showing a festively costumed lady on a horse; I don't know any details about what's going on here, but it would appear that she is participating in some sort of contest or parade.



This elderly couple from September 1959 is walking by the Hills Brothers Coffee Garden, which is now used as a character meet and greet area.



The sky may look ominous, but I still love the color and composition of this May 1962 shot:



Town Square is also where guests board the Disneyland Railroad and get to see the inside (and outside) of my favorite Disneyland Train Station.



Had to zoom in for the details of this one, especially the oh-so-simple strollers.



This lovely Tour Guide photo is from 1967:



Last photo for today is from May 1974, and Town Square is crowded with both guests and balloons:



Zooming in to see the center of the commotion:



and to see the signage for the Fire Wagon:



Next time you're at the Park, make sure you spend some time in Town Square - you'll be glad you did!

See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland Town Square photos on my Town Square web page.