Monday with Mansfield: The Carrousel

As long-time Daveland readers know, actress Jayne Mansfield’s May 11, 1957 Disneyland visit was well documented. I have been fortunate enough to acquire yet another shot from that day. Obviously a night-time shot, it is chilly enough that Jayne is now wearing her mink coat as she is assisted up on the King Arthur’s Carrousel horse by then husband, bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay. Daughter Jayne Marie Mansfield is barely visible behind the pole at left.

I attempted to see if I had any other matching shots of the horses in my collection. It was a challenge, but here’s one from September 1969. I wonder if the little girl wearing the gold outfit knows she is sitting where Jayne once sat. Probably not.



I THINK this horse I photographed in March 2012 is the one that Jayne Marie is sitting on (obviously repainted and bedazzled). Anybody with more patience is welcome to do the sleuthing for me!



How about that souvenir bag that Mickey is clutching for Jayne?



It uses the iconography from the Disneyland TV show that helped make the Park possible! Here’s a color shot of it from Dan Cunningham’s collection:



Earlier in the day, there was no need for a fur coat as Jayne signed autographs for young guests in front of the Carrousel.



See more Jayne Mansfield at Disneyland photos at my main website.

Trip to Disneyland, May 1964

This collection of images was shot May 1964, the month and year I entered this Universe. In the background are three military men; one is smoking a cigarette, visible in this closeup (along with the little boy falling asleep while he drinks his coke!):



It looks like the family was having lunch at the Red Wagon Inn, now known as the Plaza Inn. A Reuben with mustard?



The adorable little girl is getting her Vitamin D with a nice carton of Carnation milk.



Care to see the pasteurization offices and plants? Of course you do.



Mama takes baby girl for a spin on King Arthur’s Carrousel:



Here’s the original mock-up for the proposed color scheme for this horse from 1955:



How it looked circa 2012:



Back to May 1964, the little boys are ready for a flight to Neverland:



A closeup of the bored operator, the two little devil boys in red, and the control panel. I wonder what the “G” on the hats stood for?



A spin around Fantasyland on the Midget Autopia:



Let’s take a closer look at the vehicle:



The Swiss Family Robinson treehouse wasn’t quite two years old when these images were taken:







The last shot of the bunch is the saddest of all; time to board the Tram to head home. Until next time!



See more photos at my main website.

Monday in Fantasyland

After a few days of my site being down due to the incompetence of my webhost (and ever-changing google rules), we can finally journey back to March 1958 at Disneyland. While our vintage photographer probably won’t win any awards for composition, I’m darn glad he/she snapped this one! Besides the Skyway pylon, you can see the ticket booth (remember tickets?) and the Mickey Mouse Club Theater (now Pinocchio’s Daring Adventure).



A closer (and lightened) view inside of the entryway:



This one from July 10, 1957 pulls back (and up), giving us a broader view of Fantasyland. So far back that you can see the TWA Moonliner in Tomorrowland.



Want to buy a hat?



Last one for today is from August 1958, with Dumbo on the right and Skyway soaring overhead:



Thanks for your patience while my site was down!

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