Monday Trouble Trio

Today’s post has three new (to me) publicity stills from the 1962 movie, “40 Pounds of Trouble” which had a sequence filmed at Disneyland. The first shot shows Suzanne Pleshette, Claire Wilcox, and Tony Curtis drinking milk (Disney sponsor Carnation, of course!) behind the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship. They are wearing Halloween masks as disguises; Pleshette as Kruschev, Wilcox as Castro, and Curtis as JFK. The ship’s parrot (Paco) can be seen caged in the background:



This vintage slide from December 1962 (same time as the release of the movie) shows the Pirate Ship in full color:



Zooming in you can see the area where the three sat, including the parrot cage:



From July 1962:



The same seating area from the reverse angle, with a better shot of the Paco, the talking parrot:



Why were they wearing masks? In the movie, Tom Reese’s character was attempting to catch them, chasing them throughout the Park. Here he is in the Skull Rock cove area, with the Skyway pylons in the background:



How Skull Rock looked in color, circa September 1962:



The area where Reese was standing (note the matching light fixtures):



Here, the three leads are being pursued through Tom Sawyer Island over the pontoon bridge:



…and a color view from 1960:



While this remake of “Little Miss Marker” is not a very good film (critic Bosley Crowther called it “too hackneyed and dull”), the fifteen minute Disneyland sequence is a great record of vintage Disneyland.
 
See more “40 Pounds of Trouble” photos at my main website.

Chicken of the Sea Black and White EXTRAVAGANZA!

As I have been going through and updating my site, I realized I have not updated the 1950s section of my Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship restaurant page in...well, it looks like one year! Today, reap the rewards of my discovery. These black and white shots are from approximately 1958.





Note the handcrafted light fixture and Paco the Talking Parrot in this detailed view!



A previously posted color shot of Paco in glorious Technicolor:



See more vintage Disneyland Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship restaurant photos at my main website.

My Name Is Dave and I'm A Signaholic

I have a slew of Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant photos, and if you've read my blog even somewhat consistently, you've probably been bored by seeing them frequently posted here. Still, when I had the chance to acquire this shot, I was very excited as it afforded a fantastic view of the entry sign that I did not possess. Yes, the signage geek in me took over. I especially love vintage signs, with their handcrafted appeal. These signs from the past were actually touched and lovingly created by the artisan; no computer shortcuts here. Lettering by hand. A beautiful one-of-a-kind light fixture. The subtle Captain Hook's Hook that holds the sign...this little piece is brilliant.

A Deviled Ham Sandwich is only 35¢. Chances are you wouldn't find this item at any theme park today, let alone for 35¢. A Peanut Butter Sandwich is 30¢; I wonder if jelly is extra? I could make a joke about guests being welcomed to visit Captain's Poopdeck, but I'll leave that up to you, the reader.



Here is a previously posted view of Paco himself. The little boy looks a bit wary of Paco. I probably would be too. He doesn't look like one cracker could fill his belly!



See more vintage & current Disneyland Chicken of the Sea Pirates Ship Restaurant photos on my Chicken of the Sea web page.

TPE: Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant

When whining about "lost" Disneyland, I would have to say the thing I miss most about the original park is The Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant. You're probably all sick to death of me talking about how I wish this former Fantasyland restaurant could have been saved, so you'll have to pardon me again as I take my Time Machine on a journey back to when it still loomed merrily over Dumbo. Maybe I could hitch a ride to Disneyland in the official Chicken of the Sea motor car!

I'd also want to get a few shots of the original (translation: rushed to get finished on time) paint scheme, trimmed in a bright white:



Plenty of characters I'd want to get to know on the ship as well, such as Paco the talking parrot:



...and this peg-legged pirate—



...who got to hob-nob with Walt Disney himself when this area was plussed with more detailed thumbing. Here are a few shots from when the incredible Skull Rock Cove area was unveiled in 1960:



And here it is, the signature item...a Tuna Boat!



I think Walt is at a loss for words, staring at the Tuna Boat in his hands:



A few shots of Walt licking his lips in anticipation of his first taste:





An April 1963 shot of the impressive Skull Rock Cove:



June 1965:



A September 1964 view from the Skyway:



No trip to the past would be complete without a journey below the deck:





A closer look at the menu:



And the cast members serving you your meal:



We have to take a look at the lush seating area behind the ship:







For JG, a few extra bonus color shots of the Skull Rock Cove area:







Sadly, the restaurant became a casualty of "new" Fantasyland in 1983. Thanks for indulging me once again as I lament the good ol' Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship!

See more vintage Disneyland Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship photos on my Chicken of the Sea web page.