Traveling Thursdays: Mom Goes To Europe, Pt. 4

It’s September 11, 1955 for today's first photos from my mom’s European excursion which was a gift after her graduation from college.

The first two captions are "Avon River behind church" and "Church where Shakespeare is buried" which would make this 2nd photo a shot of The Holy Trinity Church in his birthplace, the English village of Stratford.



Next up is Sulgrave Manor, which is famous for having been the home of the ancestors of George Washington.



Two of Blenheim Palace, a country house situated in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. The palace is notable as the birthplace and ancestral home of Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill.





Progressing to September 12, my mom took this overhead shot of a London Street. Vintage signage - yeah!



Finishing up the post are some varying quality shots of The Changing of the Guard ceremony:













I watched “Tron: Legacy” last night. My verdict? I definitely prefer the original. Sure, the graphics are simple:









...but I love ’em! They are clean, stylized, and go perfectly with the story. Oh yeah...story...loved that, too. Sure, there’s a slight hokey 80’s feel to it, but not enough to keep me from enjoying it.

On the plus side, “Legacy” runs circles around the original as far as the CGI effects go.



And Olivia Wilde is a definite plus in her role of Quorra. Her innocent joy at seeing a sunrise is played perfectly.



But Jeff Bridges’ character, Kevin Flynn, just seemed off the mark in this one; either the writing or his acting prevented me from seeing a real bond between him and his son Sam (Garrett Hedlund) after their reunion approximately 20 years after Kevin's disappearance. There was chemistry between Sam & Quorra, and if Disney actually greenlights a third installment (which it appears was their original intention), focusing on those two would be a good idea.



And what the heck happened to Yori/Lora? She was missed this time around. Overall, it was a fun movie to watch (especially if you have a boffo home theater system!), but just barely missed the mark for me.

See more vintage and contemporary photos at my main website.

Disneyland That Never Was, Pt. 3

Museum of the Weird, 1964: Imagineer Rolly Crump loved the idea for a collection of supernatural oddities—but his fellow Imagineers weren’t so sure. When Walt came over to WED to see what was new, Rolly’s models were pushed off in the corner. But Walt spotted them and insisted he be shown everything. He was so intrigued by the Imagineer’s ideas that when Rolly returned to work the next morning, Walt was still there in the same clothes. It took him all night, he said excitedly, but he figured out where this quirky collection would fit at Disneyland—in a Museum of the Weird. Walt even previewed the models with Rolly on “The Disneyland Tenth Anniversary Show,” but ultimately, this museum for the macabre never came to be.





Herbie the Love Bug Ride, 1976: Conceived in 1976, the “Herbie the Love Bug Ride” was planned for a location in Fantasyland and promised to take passengers through many of the adventures seen in “The Love Bug” (1969) and “Herbie Rides Again” (1974), the first two films in the series. The ride vehicles—individual Herbies, of course—were conceived to perform wheelies, run tilted up on one side, and even, as seen in the first film, split down the middle so different members of the same party would pass a cactus on both sides.



See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos at my main website.

Disneyland That Never Was, Pt. 2

This one is probably my very fave of the series, and I sure wish it had been built. It would have been a nice addition to the Main Street area.


Edison Square, 1963: A new land intended to be located just a few steps from Main Street, U.S.A. down “Plaza Street” between the Plaza Inn and the Kodak Shop, would feature a paved brick street leading to a residential square showing America passing from the ‘old’ of the 19th century to the ‘new’ of the early 1900s. The electric light is seen taking the place of gas lamps; horse-drawn vehicles would give way to electrical and gasoline-powered horseless carriages. It was designed as a composite of several major American cities at the turn of the century, from New York City to San Francisco, and behind the façades an attraction called “Harnessing the Lightning” would celebrate the life and work of Thomas A. Edison using five dioramas. Although the street was never built, many of the ideas were later realized in the General Electric Carousel of Progress attraction.



Although the calendar listed this project as 1963, as far back as 1957 this idea was being advertised in the park as an upcoming reality (you can also see the Pirate Wax Museum marker on this map, too).



1958 came and went...still no Edison Square.





Meet and Greet with Tikis, 1963: Recently found by Disney archivists in former Walt Disney Imagineering President Dick Irvine’s correspondence files, these never-before-published sketches for unusual costumes were based on the carved Tiki Gods of the Enchanted Tiki Room attraction. The designs explore ideas for several walk-around characters, including a “greeter,” a “drummer,” and even one who “walked on his hands.” The drawings don’t include notes on how the costumes would be used, so we don’t know if they predated the current “talking” tikis in the pre-show area of the attraction, if they were meant to be in addition to the tikis, or if they were meant for use throughout the park. Unfortunately for Tiki fans the world over, these particular costumes never walked off the drawing board.



See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos at my main website.

Disneyland That Never Was, Pt. 1

Over a year ago, D23 published a calendar called “Undiscovered Disney” which featured images and text about Disney projects that never fully came to fruition (or else changed significantly along the way in the creative process). This week, I will be presenting the ones that pertain to Disneyland. Up first is:

Rock Candy Mountain, 1957: Long before the Matterhorn appeared as the first peak in Disneyland’s soaring mountain range, Imagineers considered creating a Rock Candy Mountain in Fantasyland back in early 1957. Located by the canal boats of Storybook Land and incorporating the Casey Jr. train tracks, this mountain would have looked a little out of place (in my humble opinion) and detracted from the more natural looking miniatures that currently inhabit the space. Imagineer Harriet Burns (seen below) told the tale of meticulously gluing dozens and dozens of hard candies and candy canes to a model of Rock Candy Mountain at Walt Disney Imgaineering (then WED Enterprises). When Walt was less than enthusiastic about the idea, the model was wheeled out to the parking lot and became a giant candy-covered bird feeder!





The Pirate Museum, 1961: In 1961, Walt turned his attention to the upcoming New Orleans Square project. From the very beginning, he wanted a pirates-themed attraction and the space for a Pirate Museum, which would use rudimentary Audio-Animatronics® characters to depict the romance and adventure of the buccaneer life, to be built underneath New Orleans Square. Construction was suspended as Imagineers turned their attentions to the new attractions planned for the 1964 New York World’s Fair. After the success of the Fair, Walt had so many new ideas for the attraction, he realized they would never fit in the small space as built. Pirates of the Caribbean became a full-fleded boat ride that would require an enormous show building outside Disneyland’s berm. Today you can see the original space for the Pirate Museum in the empty caverns you pass through at the bottom of the attraction’s first flume.



See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos at my main website.

Screen Gem Saturdays: Happy April Fool’s Day + 1!

For a day after entry into the April Fool’s Day festivities, I will submit this photo of actor Cesar Romero as The Joker. He went from a swarthy Latin Lover to crazy comic villain, nailing the characterization of The Joker in the campy 1960’s “Batman” television series—still a joy to watch. Cesar is shown here with Eartha Kitt, definitely one of the most puuuuuurfect actresses to play Catwoman.

Here’s a mug shot from “Batman” of Romero, also known as “Uncle Butch” to Joan Crawford’s children.



Romero was one of Crawford’s friends who stood up for her after Christina put out her acidic “memoir” entitled “Mommie Dearest,” which was published AFTER Joan’s death and the reading of the will. Romero did admit that Joan was strict with her kids; once he even suggested to her that she should “ease up” with them as they were only children. This advice was met with an icy reply and a recounting of her tough childhood.

See more Hollywood Movie & TV photos at my main website.

All About Bette: A Smokin’ Attraction!

Ready for the latest hush-hush gossip from Anaheim & Burbank? Got that leftover cinnamon bun out of its ziplock bag yet? Have that K-cup snapped into the brewer now? Did you stash those last few nuts and chews from the huge 50 pound box of candy your office got last week? Got your Krispy Kremes in hand yet? Unwrapped your Reeses Cup? Got your Capn’ Crunch poured into the bowl with your Vitamin D Milk? Have you showered yet today? Well then let's get going shall we?

You are probably wondering what the first image of today is all about...well, let me tell you. It’s all about Bette Davis. If you’ve ever heard of the phrase, “Money Talks!” then you’ll know how this new attraction at Disneyland came into being.

Disneyland wants more money. Marlboro cigarettes needs more smokers. Can you think of a better combo? I sure can't. In an effort to jazz up poor tired old Abe Lincoln, the creative types up in Burbank chose the perfect attraction to link up with eager new advertiser Marlboro. And just wait until you see what they came up with!



When the curtain parts, you see dear ol’ Bette, back from the other side. Sitting and smoking. So natural, you'd swear it was the bawdy gal herself. And just in case the cigarette didn't alert you to the sponsorship, there's a purdy neon sign flashing above Bette as she takes a drag on her cig.



When she gets up out of her chair, it will truly amaze you. And the smoke...it's so real that you'll think it's actual cigarette smoke—because it is! That's right readers...Marlboro refused to cough up the sponsorship dollars until Imagineers figured out a way to have Audio Animatronic® Bette spewing out real nicotine. Just breathe deep and enjoy.



And the dialogue...you'll be on the floor laughing at the amazing script Imagineers were able to put together by using vintage audio clips that were spliced together.



Whatever you do, DON'T delay in seeing this attraction. This is a temporary overlay that Disney & Marlboro are testing for audience reaction and it's ONE DAY ONLY. If you can't make it to the park on April 31, then you'll be S.O.L.!

Oh-kay - that should do it for today. Remember your support is vital, and your donations to PayPal help keep me fat and happy. I’m only here due to all of your kind efforts.

Keep in mind updates only get posted when there is something to complain about, and not before. It takes time to make up...oops, I mean confirm this stuff, and even then we can only offer a tantalizing glimpse.

See you April 31st!

See more amazing photos at my main website.

Traveling Thursdays: Mom Goes To Europe, 1955, Pt. 3

Back to Europe...the only information I have on this first photo is my mother’s caption, “Showcoach at Kentwood, Sept. 9, 1955.”

Next up we have a batch of shots all labeled Oxford, Magdalen Tower, Sept. 9, 1955. Magdalen Bell Tower is one of the oldest (and tallest) parts of Magdalen College, Oxford. Built of stone from 1492 and completed by 1509.





A shot of my Grandmother at Oxford.



Closing in for a view of what the well-dressed lady would wear in 1955. DO NOT forget the gloves!







The next day, my Mom and Grandmother visited Warwick Castle, on Sept. 10, 1955. It is a medieval castle in Warwick, the county town of Warwickshire, England that sits on a bend on the River Avon. The castle was built by William the Conqueror in 1068 and used as a fortification until the early 17th century, when Sir Fulke Greville converted it to a country house. It was owned by the Greville family, who became earls of Warwick in 1759, until 1978.



Getting literary on you...Shakespeare’s House, Sept. 10, 1955





Ann Hathaway’s (Shakespeare’s wife) family’s cottage:



Originally, the house was part of a 90-acre parcel. Not bad for a “cottage.”



Zooming in to the previous shot, you can see my Mom and Grandmother.



The Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, Sept. 10, 1955. The present theatre opened in April 1932 on the site of the original Shakespeare Memorial Theatre which had been destroyed by fire on March 6, 1926. It is now managed by the Royal Shakespeare Company and was renamed Royal Shakespeare Theatre in 1961.



See more vintage and contemporary photos at my main website.