Walt pats a Rhino

From the publicity blurb dated May 14, 1963:

(ADVANCE FOR USE WITH BOB THOMAS STORY IN AMS OF SUNDAY, MAY 19) (LA2-May 14) HOLLYWOOD, May 19 — ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT WILL MAKE IT WORK—Walt Disney pats one of the new creations in his Hollywood studio workshop—a new rhino which goes on display in the near future at Disneyland. Electronic equipment will be installed through the opening at the left, controlling mechanism for making the critter move and make sounds like a live rhino. “The method we use is actually part of the Polaris electronic system,” says Disney. Rubberized skin covers the rhino.

The AP sent out this blurb with the same photo:

ELECTRONIC RHINO is checked at Hollywood studio by Walt Disney, who will install the new creation soon at Disneyland. Electronic equipment will be installed through theopeing at left for controlling mechanism to make the critter move and make sounds like a rhino. (AP Wirephoto).

1964 saw the addition of the African Veldt & Lost/Trapped Safari scenes; classic work by Marc Davis!



This scene is still entertaining today, and bears all of the signatures of Marc Davis’ style, from the explorers right down to the hyenas:







On another topic; I finally finished this painting of Lana Turner & John Garfield that I started over a year ago.



Part of my New Year's Resolution is to get back to the canvas more often this year.

See more Disneyland Jungle Cruise photos at my main website.

Finito

After a marathon session that began early this morning, I can now say that I am finished on this painting. I am very pleased with how Lana turned out; I am liking John G. better than I did last night, but still can’t say that I really nailed it on his likeness. His face has gotten to a point that it is just about overworked, so the brush is down and this one has gone up on my virtual art gallery for sale. I am also including some closeups of the painting. What’s next? I will throw in what I hope will be a "quick" architectural painting before I do one of Audrey Hepburn.





For more Daveland art, visit my main website.

Frustration

I spent all day (literally...all day) yesterday reworking and trying to finish this painting. I am really happy with all...except for John Garfield. He is just not coming together. Hopefully a night's sleep and a fresh perspective this morning will help me finish it.

For more Daveland art, visit my main website.

The Fred Gurley Excursion Train

From the publicity blurb dated April 6, 1958:

This new “Fred Gurley Excursion Train” will carry Disneyland visitors on a trip around the Anaheim, California wonderland and into the breathtaking new Grand Canyon Diorama. Two other trains of the Santa Fe and Disneyland Railroad will also transport passengers through the 306-foot long, three-dimensional panorama of the Grand Canyon, which opens March 31.

Here’s The Fred Gurley speeding into the Main Street Train Station, August 1958:



See more Disneyland Railroad photos at my main website.

Screen Gem Saturdays: Chemistry of a Quartet—Sex and the City

It was a show of perfection: perfect casting, perfect writing, and the perfect setting. “Sex and the City” revealed much more than just the flesh of its main characters; it also revealed many relationship secrets and neuroses that many of us go through when it comes to dating. Always spot-on, it tackled topics that had previously been taboo, and in a way that made you both laugh and say, “Hey, that’s really true!”



As for the cast, I was not particularly fond of SJP or Kim Cattrall in what I’d seen them in before; neither really made my head spin with their career choices or acting chops. Cynthia Nixon had passed by in many a supporting role, but never really stuck in my brain. Kristin Davis...I flat out thought she sucked. Her lack of acting talent in “Melrose Place” made some of the other female cast members seem like Meryl Streep. But in SATC, the mix of the 4 leads worked. It not only worked, it thrived, and each one showed you the believable growth of the characters through the entire show…EVEN Kristin Davis!



Although Carrie’s self-absorbed whining neurotics did get a little annoying at times, her character truly was the heart of the show. She was the best friend to each of the remaining three; the one they always confided their deepest secrets to, but not neccesarily to the others. Samantha and Carrie. Carrie and Miranda. Carrie and Charlotte. Very few times would you see Miranda & Samantha; or Charlotte and Miranda. Thus, I guess I really shouldn’t blame SJP for plastering herself solo over so much of the publicity art for the show and the movie...yet, I still do.







Back in 2003, I had the good fortune to wangle my way into the sneak preview showing of Season 5 episodes 1 & 2, “To Market, To Market” and “Great Sexpectations.” Shown at the Contemporary Museum of Art’s Auditorium in La Jolla, it was the closest I’d get to seeing the girls on a big screen until their official movie debut in 2008.



Of course, SJP was heavily airbrushed and featured solo on the season’s publicity poster:



Willie Garson, who played Stanford Blatch on the show, was on hand to introduce the episodes and then mingle afterwards.



He was way cool to talk to and to his acting credit, is actually straight, which few who watch the show would be able to guess.



When I heard about the making of the first movie, I was very disappointed. I didn’t feel that there was much left to say, and that the ending to the HBO TV Series was (no surprise) pure perfection. However, I actually enjoyed the movie and thought it was fairly well done. Not quite as smart as the TV show, but somewhat close. When I heard the second movie was in production, I felt the same reaction. What is left to cover with these girls? Unfortunately, this movie dumbed the smart writing down way more than the first film version did. A lot of whining and a lot of silly. Very disappointing, and an unfortunate end to a well-written series.

To see more “Sex and the City” photos, visit my main website.

Final Tweaks

More touch-ups last night, and some more work on the background. I feel like the painting is finally coming together. Another few hours should allow me to call this one "finished." It’s about time!

For more Daveland art, visit my main website.

Marcia Miner, Disneyland Ambassador

The last time we saw Disneyland Ambassador Marcia Miner at Daveland, she was giving supermodel Twiggy a tour of the park. Today, she is posing along The Rivers of America in this November 1967 photo. From the publicity photo blurb:

PRETTY STATESMAN: Marcia Miner, lovely Disneyland Ambassador, here looking over her kingdom, makes her entertainment world debut when she narrates both on camera and off in “Disneyland – From the Pirates of the Caribbean to the World of Tomorrow,” on “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color,” on NBC-TV, Sunday, June 9, 1968.



See more Disneyland Main Street U.S.A. photos at my main website.

Traveling Thursdays: San Diego, Gaslamp District, Balboa Theatre, and Joan Rivers

What a combo! Well, that’s what you get when you go to a Joan Rivers show at the Balboa Theatre in San Diego and have dinner in the Gaslamp District at Seersucker Restaurant (see first photo showing the "EAT" sign). Seersucker is the restaurant of former “Top Chef” contestant Brian Malarkey. The food is creative, tasty, and calorie laden. The space is fun, but don’t expect to have any deep conversations there as the acoustics are terrible and it can get extremely loud in there. Instead, just go for food and fun.

Since the camera goes pretty much anyplace that I go (a photographer should always be prepared!), I clicked a few things on the way to the Balboa Theatre to see Joan.

Cool sign, but wouldn’t want to stay here! Historic, yes; needing a good disinfecting? Yes, also!







The Balboa Theatre is a BEAUTIFULLY restored movie palace from 1924.



I especially like the little waterfall features located to the left and right of the stage.



Not so beautifully restored is Joan herself. Looking pulled back and puffy all at the same time, her face has become masklike. However, I wasn’t really there to see her face.

This woman is a comic legend who makes Kathy Griffin and Margaret Cho look like amateurs.



At 70+, her physical movement, comic timing, and ability to flow with the energy of the audience are more akin to someone at least half her age.



As you probably already know, she can be brutal...but her tirades know no boundaries, as she is an equal-opportunity comic tearing apart every race, creed, and color known. For audiences who are shocked, please lighten up. The woman is not serious; she’s trying to get you to laugh at life, because as the saying so aptly goes, “Laughter is the best medicine.”



Or as Alan Alda once said, “When people are laughing, they're generally not killing each other.”



See more Balboa Theatre and Joan Rivers photos at my main website.

Disneyland Hotel, 1950's

Anyone for a round of golf? For this circa 1950’s shot, here’s what the accompanying publicity blurb says:

Disneyland Hotel, adjoining the fabulous Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, offers visitors the finest in recreational facilities. An Olympic-size swimming pool, plus a children’s pool and a beautiful golf course are but a few of the many attractions. Sensibly moderate family rates are fast making the hotel a West Coast vacationist’s paradise.

By the look on this young guest’s face, seems like he agrees with that assessment!



See more Disneyland Hotel photos at my regular my main website.

Almost done...

I COULD say that I’m done, but I know the best thing to do is to let it sit for a few days and then go back for some final changes. I can already see some problems that need to be fixed, especially dealing with the background (which I'm not totally happy about yet) and Lana's art. Stay tuned.

For more Daveland art, visit my main website.

Alice's Teacup Tuesday

In conjunction with today’s release of Disney’s 1951 "Alice in Wonderland" on Blu-ray (you won’t believe the transfer on this one; it is out of this world), I am celebrating with an All-Alice post today.

Although often dismissed in the critical and popular shuffle of Disney classics, "Alice" is the only animated film to have two attractions at Disneyland. Here is one of my fave shots of the Alice Dark Ride, circa 1950’s:



A batch of present day interior views:











A view of the Teacup attraction on July 18, 1955:



A shot of the attraction in its present location; a virtual maze of psychedelic color:



A few images from the 1951 animated film:





Download a coloring book to keep yourself busy today!



Phew...I am tired. That’s a lot of Alice! Hope you enjoyed—I’m going to go have some tea and un-birthday cake.

See more Disneyland Railroad photos at my main website.