Gems from May 1958, Pt. 1

A recent batch I acquired from May 1958 has a number gems, so I will sloooooowly dole them out for you, so that I don’t overwhelm you all at once. Here’s a beauty of the entrance to the Sleeping Beauty Diorama located inside the Castle. Note the turnstile at the entrance, no longer there.

For all you signage geeks (like me), here’s a closeup of the one to the left of the entrance.



The restoration of this hidden Disneyland gem is one of the highlights of the many improvements made to the park over the last few years.

Here’s a shot of how the entrance looks today:





See more Disneyland photos at my main website.

Screen Gem Saturdays: The Marx Brothers

My dad introduced me to the Marx Brothers when I was just a tyke; one of the nearby theaters used to show vintage films on the big screen on weekends. It was always a treat for me to be introduced to Charlie Chaplin, W.C. Fields, Laurel & Hardy, and of course The Marx Brothers. As a young boy in the 1930’s, my father used to spend hours in a darkened theater watching all of the old classics and he passed that love of film onto me.

I still remember going to see “Animal Crackers” and “A Day at the Races” for the first time in my youth. I couldn’t get enough of the Marx Brothers. I bought every book and made sure I caught them whenever their films were on TV. My favorite one was Harpo by a longshot. Sure, Groucho had the funny dialogue and was the driving force of each movie, but it was Harpo who really made me laugh. Always playing a silly imp, beneath his vacant look was the mind of a genius who was always at least 10 steps ahead of anyone else he shared the screen with.



The early Marx films are the true gems; I especially recommend “Duck Soup” and “A Day at the Races.” The later films, although still funny, seem a little labored and complacent. The Brothers were caught in their own successful formula for comedy and the audiences trapped them within that framekwork.





Harpo attempted to break out on his own, proving that he could carry a film by himself. Unfortunately, to get the financial backing for “Love Happy,” the other 2 brothers had to sign on as well. Harpo shines in this forgotten gem, while his brothers seem to drag down the pace of their film with their extraneous scenes.



“Love Happy” is probably best remembered for a bit part played by a young Marilyn Monroe.

See more Marx Brothers photos at my main website.

Trip Report, Pt. 4: The Finale!

After Connie departed, Stacy and I went back over to Indiana Jones to use our fast pass. Alas, the ride closed for repairs before we got to ride it. Still had a chance to snap a few photos, so the wait wasn’t a total loss!



I believe this began its life as an ATT sponsored message:



As the park got crazier with crowds, it was time to head to Disney California Adventure, but not before a stop at The Candy Palace to get some treats for the office. Yummmmmm...caramel apples! Check out the adorable little girl peering into the window, wearing her Minnie Mouse ears.



Our first attraction at DCA was The Tower. I think I like the hotel theming as much as the attraction itself, if not more.







Zooming in for the Do Not Disturb sign...for at least 70 years!





Lots of progression over at Cars Land, especially in the cool detailing of the perimeter rockwork:







Alerted by a text from Connie (a true Disneyland fan is always in the know!), I saw that the King Triton statue previously at Disneyland...



was now on top of the upcoming Little Mermaid attraction at DCA:



Excellent recycling! I wonder if he’ll be squirting water at guests below? Here are some more shots on the progress of the exterior of the attraction:









We had dinner at Paradise Pier...



or more specifically at Ariel’s Grotto, mainly to get the tickets for the viewing area of World of Color. This was only my second time to see it.



Although the food and service were good, there’s something about this restaurant that has just never really resonated with me. Most likely it’s the somewhat 80’s/90’s style decor which has more of an off-the-rack type look than something richly themed that I would expect from Disney. I guess overall it has the appearance of a restaurant that was tacked together quickly (and cheaply), lacking any kind of emotional connection to the guest.









The desserts looked great, but they were a little on the bland side as far as flavors go.



Moving on to the main attraction, World of Color! As I’ve said before, this spectacular show must be seen in person; photos do not begin to do it justice.















By the time the show was drawing to a close, the rain was coming down at a fairly good pace, thus telling us it was time to head home. Overall, another magical day at Disneyland/DCA!

See more Disney California Adventure photos at my main website.

Indiana Jones Adventure Anniversary Post

Indiana Jones is one of my very favorite “new” attractions at Disneyland. 16 years later, it still packs the guests in and leaves them wanting more. The attention to detail to the queue as well as the attraction have made this dark ride a memorable part of almost every guest’s trip to Disneyland. The images posted today are from the early publicity campaigns designed to drum up interest. Where possible, I have also included some of the marketing copy that accompanied these photos.





DECISION-MAKING TIME—When the Indiana Jones Adventure opens on March 3, 1995 guests visiting Disneyland will decide if they should dare inter [yup...Disney made a typo!] the Temple of the Forbidden Eye. Built long ago in tribute to the deity, Mara, the temple offers the “pure of heart” one of three magical gifts. However, ancient legend also issues a stern warning: “A terrible fate awaits those who gaze upon the eyes of Mara!” as they might be vaporized by beams of fire or face other horrors such as screaming mummies, creepy crawlies, ravenous rodents, and poisonous darts.



ANCIENT TEMPLE RUINS—Daring Disneyland guests now have the opportunity to explore the shadowy ruins of an ancient lost temple. Months before the Indiana Jones Adventure opens, guests in Adventureland will discover the excavation site and base camp for the recently unearthed Temple of the Forbidden Eye. Cleared from lush tropical foliage on the shores of the Jungle Cruise, the temple stands as the ominous entrance to the Indiana Jones Adventure, opening in 1995.



PROMISING ADVENTURE—Traveling beyond one of the three passageways in the “Chamber of Destiny,” fortunate explorers aboard the Indiana Jones Adventure enter the “Hall of Promise.” Inside, the temple deity Mara, displays all the wonders of the gift they are about to receive-if they can obey the one temple rule: “Look not into the eyes of Mara.” A terrible tortuous fate awaits the foolhardy visitor who dares to gaze into the eyes of the idol, as they will be banished through the “Gates of Doom” from which there is no return. The Adventureland attraction opens Mar. 3, 1995 at Disneyland.



ESCAPE FROM THE MUMMIES—A cavern of cadaverous corpses await “unworthy” guests who dare explore the newest Adventureland attraction at Disneyland, the Indiana Jones Adventure-opening Mrach 3, 1995. More than just a routine archaeological expedition of the fabled Temple of the Forbidden Eye, the tour has a catch: “A terrible fate awaits those who gaze upon the eyse of Mara!” Guests making their escape from the temple deity, will find their vehicles careening through an ancient burial chamber fileld to the brim with haunted inhabitants.



‘CAVERN OF BUBBLING DEATH’—Explorers on the Indiana Jones Adventure encounter the “Cavern of Bubbling Death.” A twisted menagerie of swirling lava, fire balls and falling debris, the cavern has as its menacing centerpiece a 45-foot-tall decaying skull of Mara. All pathways inside this massive subterranean cavern lead to unspeakable peril including a precarious path high above a molten pit. There’s no turning back as the suspension bridge sways from the heat of the steam vents below and Mara’s destruction beams launch fireballs all around.





See more Disneyland Indiana Jones Adventure photos at my main website.