1967 Journey Through POTC, Pt. 3

Today concludes our journey through the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction in New Orleans Square, circa 1967. This particular scene is one of my very favorites, especially because it is a perfect example of Marc Davis' talent with creating characters as well as a memorable gag.



This bloke forever involved in a comic pistol duel has seen a few hair and wardrobe changes over the years.



Are polka-dots really ok for a pirate?



In Orange County (California, that is!) News, the first Disneyland President, Jack Lindquist, will be the speaker and guest of honor at the Oct. 13th meeting of the Orange County Historical Society. He will speak, take questions from the audience, and sell & sign his memoir, In Service to the Mouse, with book proceeds benefiting The Orange County Historical Society. The program will begin at 7:30pm, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 2400 N. Canal St., in Orange. The program is open to the public, free, and will include light refreshments.



See more Disneyland Pirates of the Caribbean attraction photos on my POTC web page.

1967 Journey Through POTC, Pt. 2

Join us mid-journey as we sail through the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction in New Orleans, circa 1967. The minstrels and their howling dog welcome us into this tableau as our boat floats by the wondrous Marc Davis animatronic characters.

A recent shot for comparison's sake shows only minor changes over the years.



Just a tad further ahead it's all mayhem, as the city burns and drunken pirates begin the looting.



I'm sure somebody out there will do a comparison of the hats precariously positioned on top of this pirate's head. It just isn't going to be me.



This pirate may not have a pot to p#$s in, but he's happier than a pig in slop. And why not? He has two joyous little piggies to count as his drinking buddies.





See more Disneyland Pirates of the Caribbean attraction photos on my POTC web page.

1967 Journey Through POTC, Pt. 1

One of Disneyland's most beloved attractions opened on March 18, 1967 and continues to be a guest favorite. To publicize its opening, the Disney publicity machine ran this piece in Vacationland Magazine, 1967:

Picture, if you will, the eerie and cavernous headquarters of the infamous Blackbeard, or the swampy bayous on the treasure-laden island of John Laffite. Take a page out of history when pirates sacked the Spanish Main, looted cities, set them ablaze, auctioned off the fair ladies and conquered fortress after fortress. Combine all of this with the most hilarious blackhearted buccaneers the world has ever seen, and you have a small idea of the excitement you’ll experience during a visit to Disneyland’s New Orleans Square this summer for the Park’s newest adventure, the Pirates of the Caribbean.

Using the most advanced techniques of the space age, Disney designers and “Imagineers” (the company’s word for imaginative engineering) have assembled an adventure not only unlike any other in the world, but unequaled entertainment-wise too.

In the best Disney tradition, not a moment is wasted. As the adventure begins, the action begins, and boat-borne guests literally “plunge” into the adventure with a thrilling splash down a 52-foot waterfall.

From there on it’s action and hilarity every league of the way —right up to the exciting climax and grand finale, when an entire port city is set ablaze, right down to the town arsenal full of powder kegs.

How do you escape the raging holocaust —only at Disneyland could you “fall up” a waterfall.

This 1967 promo shot shows the Wicked Wench, complete with its original Blackbeard animatronic:





After the release of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie, Blackbeard was replaced by Barbossa. I feel so old when I hear young guests actually believe that the movie came first before the attraction.



Over at the Wench Auction, the Auctioneer has seen very few changes over the years:





See more Disneyland Pirates of the Caribbean attraction photos on my POTC web page.

Screen Gem Sundays: The Sound of Music at The Hollywood Bowl

Last Sunday, I journeyed up to Hollywood to experience "The Sound of Music" singalong at the Hollywood Bowl. My two enthusiastic friends had coaxed me into joining them, but deep down, I feared the evening would really suck.



Little did I know what a blast it would be. Preceded by a costume contest, Melissa Peterman was the MC, assisted by the lovely Charmian Carr, best known as the eldest Von Trapp daughter, Liesel.



This contestant, dressed as Liesel, had her boyfriend shoot a photo of her with the real Liesel (well, as real as possible, considering there was no Liesel Von Trapp).



These two contestants came with "Brown paper packages tied up with string." I'll give you a minute to figure out the joke.



The winner of the contest were these imaginative tots dressed as the Oscars that the film won. The children told Melissa and Charmian that the gold lame came from their grandfather. Huh. That must be one very fun home!



The highlight of the pre-show was seeing all of the actresses who played the Von Trapp daughters together onstage. Kym Karath (Gretl), Debbie Turner (Marta), Angela Cartwright (Brigitta), Charmian Carr (Liesel), & Heather Menzies Urich (Louisa).







What a beginning; the aerial shot that expertly/seamlessly cuts to a closeup of Julie Andrews is sheer genius.





When "Edelweiss" was sung, the audience broke out their cell phones and lit up the hillside.



It was a beautiful sight to see.



Everyone loves to hate The Baroness. "Hisssssssssssssssssss…"



Whether you like the script or not, you can't argue that the lighting and design on this film are stupendous.





One of my favorite scenes: "Reverend Mother, I have sinned."



If this show ever comes to a location near you, I highly recommend it. Although I would find it difficult to think of a better venue than the famous Bowl itself. The image was crystal clear, and the audio literally shook the hillside.



To see more Hollywood Bowl photos, visit my Hollywood Bowl web page.

Happy 40th Anniversary, Walt Disney World!

Interrupting today's normally scheduled program, Daveland brings a mini-celebration of WDW's 40th Anniversary. Looking to expand his theme park kingdom, Walt Disney ventured further east and settled on Orlando, Florida. The photos from today's post come from the collection of Daveland reader Greg Kelly, a former employee of Walt Disney World. All of these shots are from 1975, back when the Contemporary Hotel was still Contemporary!



From 2010, during my last trip to WDW, I shot this sunrise view of the Contemporary from the sandy beaches of the Polynesian Village Resort:









Thanks to the maturation of the landscaping, the Haunted Mansion looks even more Haunted now, as you can see by this photo that I took in 2010:





The 70's look even worse from the backside.



These two lovely ladies look as if they are ready to serve a cocktail on the next flight.



Although Walt Disney World doesn't hold quite the appeal that Disneyland does for me, I still have extremely fond memories of a trip I took back in 1978 with my father when I spent an entire week exploring the resort. I think "What Not To Wear" could have done an entire episode on my Junior High wardrobe at the time. Here I am with my stepbrother, modeling my 70's chic style. PS: The hat had a zippered pocket in it.



The obligatory Castle-In-The-Background shot with my dad.



Somehow, dad arranged a private meet-and-greet with Mickey. The bored look on my face was directed towards my dad for shooting too many photos.



Oh the horror of that hat.



As a special 40th WDW Tribute, Daveland is giving away this stunning vintage ashtray. Just leave a comment for this post by Monday, October 3rd at noon, and you'll be entered to win (Continental U.S. of A. only, please!).



Only the finest quality at Daveland!



See more WDW photos on my Walt Disney World web page.