GH Poster Painting 2

Now that Wallyhol is done, I have moved onto my reproduction of the original Golden Horseshoe Revue painting. The gold paint does not go down well, and will probably take at least 2-3 coats. Other than that, this one is going pretty well. The only color left (besides gold) is the red. A lot of touchup to the white will remain though. I forgot what a b%&*h lettering can be… To see more of my art, visit my regular website.

The Devlin Collection: “New” Tomorrowland, 1966

The Devlin family has allowed their collection of 1960’s slides to be scanned and shown here on my site/blog. Probably the most amazing views are these construction shots from approximately December 1966 that show construction of the “New” Tomorrowland. This is my favorite image from the batch, as we can contrast the Tomorrowland of Old (The House of the Future, before it was hacksawed apart, and the Monorail Track)) and the framework of the new show buildings. Every building from before was demolished. New attractions included The Carousel of Progress, Adventure thru Inner Space, The PeopleMover, and an improved Rocket Jet ride (the Astro Jet attraction atop the PeopleMover platform). Here are three other construction views:







Meanwhile, I have finished (in between scanning) the 1st of 2 paintings for the Golden Horseshoe Event this Saturday night; I call it Wallyhol, as it is a cross between Wally Boag and Andy Warhol:



Many thanks to the Devlin family for allowing these images to be seen. Stay tuned for more “New” Tomorrowland photos.

See more vintage & current "New" Tomorrowland photos on my "New" Tomorrowland web page.

More from 1956

Here are the rest of the batch from 1956 that came along with yesterday’s Junior Autopia shot. First up is Vesey Walker & Company marching down Main Street, with a closeup included of Mr. W. Gibson Greeting Cards is the current tenant of the oft-changed shop in the background. Next we head over to Fantasyland for Dumbo; I have included a closeup of the large marquee outside of the Fantasyland Skyway station, heralding the newly opened Skyway.





Our intrepid photographer braved the Skyway and got the edge of the Teacup ride while passing over.



In Frontierland, our photographer captured the Mark Twain, with the edge of Swift’s Chicken Plantation restaurant visible on the left.



Time to sign off and head to Sunrise service; Happy Easter to all of you who celebrate. See more vintage & current Autopia photos at my website.

Wally-hol FINISHED!

Done, completed, finished, finito...and this is the first acrylic painting I have ever put a coat of varnish on...we’ll see how that works out. Now I can move on to the 2nd painting for the Golden Horseshoe event on 3/29; photos to come soon! To see more of my art, visit my regular website.

Junior Autopia, 1956

Although this slide has undergone some of the magenta color shift, it’s a beautiful image of the Junior Autopia from 1956. Note the lack of guard rail down the center; what a crazy idea...how did the little varmints survive without it?!? To the left are the Mickey Mouse Club Circus tents, sans the MMCC. By this time, only Professor Keller and his Killer Kitties were still performing there. Thanks to Jason from Progressland for helping to identify the year and location of this slide.



See more vintage & current Autopia photos at my website.

Knott’s Berry Farm, September 1961

Although I am known for my collection of Disneyland vintage photos, I do have a few of Knott’s Berry Farm as well. Here are 2 black & white shots from September 1961.



For more Daveland Knott’s Berry Farm photos, visit my regular website

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Soooo close...tonight should see the finishing touches of this one. Although each one is from the same photo, each one shows variations that are reflective of doing the same picture 4 times. Obviously, you learn different techniques and try new things with each progressive one. I wasn’t sure if I could pull this one together, but so far I am pretty happy with the results. To see more of my art, visit my regular website.

Souvenir Photos & Holders

The original group of passenger cars at Disneyland was dubbed “RETLAW 1” (spell it backwards and then you won’t have to ask “Where did that name come from?!?”). By the 70’s, these passenger cars were not in great shape and were barely being run at all. Although these cars were retired and eventually left the hands of Disney (now in a private collection in San Luis Obispo), one car (formerly known as the Grand Canyon), was converted into the VIP car “The Lilly Belle.” Photo 1 shows the original Retlaw 1 Grand Canyon car in 1955, and shot #2 is a contemporary view of it as the Lilly Belle.



Originally, the Lilly Belle was used only by VIP’s, and guests rarely were allowed to ride on it. However, for us common folk, we could have our picture taken on a recreation of the back of the Lilly Belle, and dress up in vintage costume. Here’s a souvenir photo from 1979, along with the decorative logo from photo holder.





As an extra bonus, here is a Splash Mountain souvenir photo along with the accompanying photo holder art. As I have said before, it amazes me that Disney celebrates a movie (“Song of the South”) with an attraction, but feels it can no longer show it.







See more vintage & current Disneyland photos at my website.

Suzy’s Tour Pt. 2: June 1968

When we were last with Suzy, she had herded us onto the Fred Gurley at the Tomorrowland Depot; this morning, we exit at the Frontierland/New Orleans Square Station, with this lovely detail shot of some of the props nearby. Although this building (used as a breakroom for cast members) is not original to the "So Dear To My Heart" inspired depot, it definitely fits seamlessly into this area. You can find these same buckets atop the Mark Twain:



Suzy took our group over to Adventureland next, where we marveled over the wonders of the Jungle Cruise:





I could have cropped out the perfectly coifed and lacquered blond hairdo on the right, but it’s such a part of the times that I decided to leave it in.





Everyone was hungry after taskmaster Suzy walked them from the depot to Adventureland, so the gang was taken to the Tahitian Terrace, everyone’s favorite Disneyland restaurant of days gone by. Just before they went in, Suzy raised her riding crop and told the tour group there was no time to eat...they must march on. That Suzy sure is brutal!





Last stop on Suzy’s tour is Fantasyland, where we see an accident literally waiting to happen. At first glance, this cute little girl with Chip & Dale steals our hearts; but something more sinister is occurring on the right, causing us to shift our attention. The wacky hipster on the right in the bright yellow poncho continues to push her stroller of death while gabbing to grandma behind her. I am sure some guest had his feet crushed shortly after this photo was snapped. All he got was an "Oops, sorry.” This is one of those behind-the-scenes stories that Disney doesn’t want you to know.



In her last effort to be merciless to her tour group, Suzy herded them over to "It’s A Small World,” where she allowed one of her group to fraternize with a dwarf, but only because it was Grumpy. Do I even need to point out the fashion statement on the left of this shot?



Last one for today, Suzy pushes the tour group onto “It’s A Small World,” while telling them that listening to the song has not been proven to have any long-term side effects on your brain. One smart tour group member stayed behind to snap this photo of Suzy:





See more vintage & current Disneyland photos at my website. Last batch of Disney publicity stills pointing out the comparisons between Classic Disney flicks & “Enchanted”:

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Over 3/4s of the way done, and now I am getting excited again as I near the finish. Time-willing, should have this done by Thursday/Friday. To see more of my art, visit my regular website.

Suzy’s Tour: June 1968

Our tour guide today through the past is Suzy, and she looks like she means business. One sassy word out of you and she’ll thwack you with her riding crop. Be sure to note the Rolly Crump Ticket Booth behind Suzy in shot 1 & 2. And so that you don’t think I’m psychic, I have included the close-up of Suzy’s name tag (this is one name I haven’t pulled out of my....)





If you didn’t get enough Matterhorn yesterday, here are two that show the square-bucket design Skyway floating over the submarine lagoon & Monorail Station. I have included a closeup of the daring 3 men climbing the venerable mountain. Judging by the crowds in this shot, looks like it was a pretty full day; good thing we have No-Nonsense-Suzy to cut through the herds.







One more Tomorrowland shot for today; the Rocket Jets really are majestic atop the PeopleMover; their ground level location today is just not quite as impressive.



In the meantime, let’s board the Fred Gurley in Tomorrowland and go to out next destination at Disneyland, which will have to wait until tomorrow.



See more vintage & current Tomorrowland photos at my website. Here are more Disney publicity stills pointing out the comparisons between Classic Disney flicks & “Enchanted”: