Sailing Through Sundays on The JC: Another Interlude

Stuck in the rainforest a little while longer, I am including this list of boat names and their “descriptions.” While you are downloading that, feast your eyes on these great 1955 shots of Schweitzer Falls and The Back Side of Water, courtesy Kevin Kidney.













Hey, don’t try this at home under the faucet—you might hurt yourself!



Meanwhile, in other news: the other day I mentioned the cool auctions over at Swann Galleries. Here’s another way cool item that you JC fans should check out:



See more Disneyland Jungle Cruise photos at my website.

Disneyland Year 5: August 1960, Pt. 4

Howdy, Pardners—thanks for joining me in Frontierland today! On the left-hand side of photo #1, you can see the banner proudly proclaiming the newly updated Mine Train attraction known as Nature’s Wonderland, just above the Davy Crockett Frontier Arcade.

Over on the Rivers of America, Cascade Peak is thundering its majestic waterfalls, adding to the beauty of your Mark Twain Riverboat journey.



I know I’ve said it a million times before, but it sure is good to see the keelboats in action! Here’s one passing by Fowler’s Harbor.



Back at the Disney Family Museum, more great material has been released just to get the anticipation building for the opening. Here is the corresponding written material from the archive:

Gallery 2 - Hollywood (1923-1928): Walt arrived in California in 1923 hoping to find work as a director. But when he received a contract for his own work, he launched Disney Bros. Studio with his brother Roy. By the end of 1924, Walt was focusing on story development and directing and was no longer working as an animator. After several business setbacks, Disney created Mickey Mouse, which established Disney Bros. Studio as the leading animation studio in the country. With the third Mickey Mouse film, Steamboat Willie, Walt joined the vanguard of the talking-picture revolution by creating an animated film with synchronized sound. Both Walt and Roy Disney married during this period, Walt to Lillian Bounds, a studio inker.

Original artwork, including the earliest known drawings of Mickey Mouse, will illustrate Disney’s sensational success with his character. Other exhibit highlights include business correspondence between Walt and Roy, the move to the new Hyperion Studios, where Disney created four of its great animation features, and Walt’s meeting with and marriage to Lillian Bounds.







See more Disneyland Frontierland photos at my website.

Disneyland Year 5: August 1960, Pt. 3 & Disney Family Museum

Migrating over to Fantasyland, I have 3 semi-standard (as opposed to deluxe) shots for you, starting off with the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Our intrepid 1960 photographer must have had the shakes; probably should have had a little lunch before snapping this one.

Up next is the craziness known as the teacups. Probably why he had skipped eating so far, so as not to create a mess in all of that spinning! Anyone know if the official looking guy in the hat and tie is a cast member or just a somewhat stuffy-looking guest?



Ending the Fantasyland portion of this series with a nice steady shot of the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant. Our photographer must have had a tuna boat to calm his shakes in between shot #2 & shot #3. I really dig those plumed hats; that shocking purple feather really sticks out here!



Meanwhile, over in San Francisco, the Disney Family Museum is finally coming to fruition. I was recently sent some of the publicity materials for it. The museum opens October 1, and its website goes live on August 1, which is when tickets will go on sale. Here is a preview of some of the exhibits:



Gallery 1 Beginnings: Walt Disney’s Early Years (1901-1923)

Walt Disney was born in Chicago in 1901. In 1906, his family moved to a Missouri farm, where he had an idyllic early childhood and first learned to draw. The farm failed, and in 1911 his family moved to Kansas City, where he rose at 3:30 am to deliver newspapers on his father’s paper route and fell in love with vaudeville and movies.



In 1917, the family moved to Chicago, where Walt created cartoons for his high school yearbook, took classes at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, and tried to enlist in the U.S. Army. Rejected for being underage, he joined the American Ambulance Corps and arrived in France as World War I ended. When Disney returned to the United States, he settled in Kansas City and got a job at a commercial art studio.



In 1920, while working at an ad company, Walt discovered the fantastical world of animation and immersed himself in the young medium. While keeping his day job, he began making Laugh-O-gram ad reels and animation shorts with artist Ub Iwerks. Laugh-O-grams Films soon went bankrupt, and Walt, at age 21 moved to California. Walt’s early drawings and mementoes from his childhood, as well as cameras similar to those he used in Kansas City, will be highlighted in the Museum’s first gallery.

For all you internet social community crazies, the museum’s Twitter account is up and running.

Here are a few more way cool photos from the collection:









And a rendering of the museum itself:



To download a factsheet on the museum, click here.

See more Disneyland Tomorrowland photos at my website.

Tell-No-Tales Thursdays: Carlos—Don’t be cheek-en!

Today’s post is about the famous well scene, with the mayor getting dunked while his beloved snaggle-toothed lady tells him not to be “cheeee—ken” (chicken, for those of you who don’t speak snaggletooth). It took me years to finally figure out what she was really saying. This one is from a vintage viewmaster reel, and I am happy to say that they left this scene (virtually) the same during the refurb. Compare the two shots.



Here’s a great close-up of the Mayor’s wife, perpetually admonishing Carlos as he gets dunked again and again. First with flash and then without.





This poor bastard has his wife yellling at him from above, a pirate threatening him with a sword, and a mouth full of well-water. And today’s political officials think that THEY have trouble. They have no idea. Shown here with and without flash:





These fellers are just standing by and gloating as poor Carlos continues to get dunked eternally.







These poor suckers are waiting patiently for their “turn” to be dunked in the well .



Here’s a good overall shot of the scene as your boat leaves the area.



Marc Davis...what a genius. So much story in such a small space. See more Disneyland Pirates of the Caribbean photos at my website.

Disneyland Year 5: August 1960, Pt. 2

It’s more Tomorrowland goodness, starting off with a shot of the Monsanto House of the Future that’s so close, you can almost reach out and touch it!

Shot #2 is chock full of Tomorrowland fun: The Yachtsman Stage/Platorm, The Submarine Voyage entrance, a genuine Blue Monorail, AND a round Skyway bucket floating overhead. Life just doesn’t get any better than this.



Finishing things off is a beauty of the Motor Boat Cruise, which has become a somewhat under-utilized area of the park today.



To celebrate all of this futuristic fun, Daveland is giving away an Alessi - Juicy Salif Citrus-Squeezer by Philippe Starck, with a retail value of $90, courtesy of allmodern.com/.



Here’s the nitty-gritty of what you’ll get if you’re the first contestant to send in your request:

* Featured in the MOMA in New York * Spider design inspiration * Functionality with aesthetic appeal * Polished aluminum * Dimensions: 11.5"H x 5.5" diameter

Those interested in receiving this way-cool juicer need to email their shipping address and telephone number to me: dvdpicasso@aol.com.

All Modern has a fantastic selection of modern furniture and home accessories from many leading designers. Part of CSN Stores, All Modern is just one of over 260 retail sites that offer a diverse array of products from Herman Miller’s popular Aeron Chair to cookware by Rachael Ray. allmodern.com/.

See more Disneyland Tomorrowland photos at my website.

Disneyland, Year 5: August 1960, Pt. 1

Disneyland has now reached its 54th year of operation, so it’s only fitting to commemorate this milestone by celebrating another milestone: Year Five! This series begins in Tomorrowland, where the Moonliner reigns supreme and The Skyway is the transportation of choice to Fantasyland.

In shot #2, a mermaid attempts to lure lusty young guests into the lagoon with a wave of the hand and a pluck on her lyre.





This poor cast member almost seems like he might be stranded in the middle of the lagoon aboard the Nautilus. Or maybe he’s in a trance over the mermaids.



Meanwhile, in other news: for all you Disney collectors looking for some great original vintage posters, you should check out Swann Galleries.





You might be interested in this original 1937 “Snow White” Poster, or maybe a 1940 “Pinocchio” poster. The auction is on August 5. Check it out today!

See more Disneyland Tomorrowland photos at my website.

Dumbo, 1956: Looking Closer

Upon first glance, this black and white shot of The Dumbo Flying Elephant attraction may appear somewhat ho-hum; but as I put this negative into the scanner, I got a little excited as it appeared that there was some construction going on!

Sure enough, as can be seen in this detail shot, the Fantasyland Skyway Station is in the process of being assembled. I sure do love those hidden surprises!



See more Disneyland photos at my website.

Flying Over Napa

Up until last month, the Napa Valley was one area of California I had yet to explore. I am so glad that I finally did. What a beautiful area; not quite as spoiled as Southern California, there is still much agriculture and respect for the land there. I truly enjoyed my visit. A highlight was taking my first hot air balloon ride over Napa early one morning. If you’re going to do it, definitely go with Napa Valley Balloons. They are tops.













Special thanks to pilot, Gabe. How many pilots are good enough to dip the balloon low enough to pick bay leaves off a tree and successfully get back up in the air? I believe this guy could land on a dime!



See more Napa Valley Balloon photos at my website.