Dumbo and the Skyway

Today's post is another salute to the Fantasyland Skyway Station, the cute little Swiss Chalet that is about to go bye-bye. They way termites...I say neglect. In the vintage aerial view, you can see the Station smack-dab between Storybook Land and Nature's Wonderland.

Here's some early Bruce Bushman concept art:



Interesting to note that in both pieces of art, the Stations (Tomorrowland and Fantasyland) are featured.



At first, this image looks like a shot of the Dumbo attraction:



the beauty of it is that it also captured the construction of the Fantasyland Skyway station. Note the curious guests who have stopped to watch the activity:



This Dumbo shot from late 1956 shows the complete Station in living color:



Zooming in for a detailed view of the Chalet:



Two more Skyway station photos, disguised as shots of the Dumbo Flying Elephants attraction:







One of my favorite Skyway shots shows New York Opera publicist Constance Hope and The Begum Aga Khan, on February 7, 1957:



Another satisfied Skyway customer waves to her friend, with a helicopter hovering over Tomorrowland in the background:



Last Skyway shot for today gives a dizzying view over the Submarine Voyage lagoon, circa September 1959:



See more vintage Skyway photos on my Skyway web page.

The Fiesta of Stars, 1951

On April 29, 1951, some of the biggest Hollywood celebrities got together for Father Patrick J. Peyton and the release of his book, "The Ear of God." The event was called "The Fiesta of Stars." If you've never heard of Father Peyton, surely you've heard of his famous slogan:

“The family that prays together stays together.”

Father Patrick J. Peyton (1909-1992) was a member of the Congregation of the Holy Cross. He founded the "Family Rosary Crusade" to promote the praying of the Rosary by families. This worldwide campaign that eventually became a Roman Catholic movement came from Father Peyton's patron, the Blessed Virgin Mary whom he credits as the one who interceded before God and her son Jesus Christ his recovery from tuberculosis in 1941. Peyton also started the radio dramatic anthology "Family Theatre" (1947-1957). His television shows featured famous actors such as James Stewart and Lucille Ball. His cause for canonization as a saint was opened in 2001.

The first photo here shows Loretta Young, Oscar winner ("The Farmer's Daughter") and 3-time Emmy winner ("The Loretta Young Show"). Young herself was known as a very devout Catholic. Some of the other stars on hand included Irene Dunne, Rosalind Russell, Loretta Young, Van Johnson, Margaret O'Brien, Jeanne Crain, Clare Boothe Luce, George Jessel, Donald O'Connor, and Louella Parsons.

In this photo, actress Louise Beavers is signing one of the books, with Hattie McDaniel (Mammy from "Gone with the Wind") at right.



Peyton's book is extremely hard to find; here's a photo of the cover to assist your search:



and the promotional blurb from when it first came out:

The Ear of God by Father Patrick J. Peyton. Prayer is the language of man to God. Here is a beautifully written book that demonstrates the effectiveness of prayer with dramatic true stories of the Saints and Father Peyton's own remarkable recovery from tuberculosis. You'll also read on how to pray, and what to pray for. Included are prayers for every day and special occasions. $2.75

Imagine...learning to pray for only $2.75. Not bad, considering I found a webpage attempting to sell an autographed copy of the book for $65,000. The book has signatures from just about everyone who was at this event.

Here's one of a very young Natalie Wood, proudly wearing her committee ribbon. Anyone know the chap on the right?



My online sleuthing also turned up a few images from the USC archives. This one shows Father Peyton himself:



Look at that line of people waiting to get their copy autographed.



I'm not sure where this event was held, but it appears to have been at somebody's estate.



If anyone out there knows more about The Fiesta of Stars, please feel free to comment!

See more vintage Movie and TV photos on my Movies and TV web page.

Hitchcock, A Black Wig, and Home Haircare

In Hitchcock's controversial 1964 film "Marnie," it takes quite awhile before his leading lady's (Tippi Hedren) face is revealed. Hitch didn't pick up the moniker "The Master of Suspense" for nothing!

The first shot of the movie shows Tippi from the rear, waiting for her train (filmed at San Jose's Diridon Train Station). Her bright yellow bag and hideous black wig stand out like a sore thumb.

Our next view of her shows her in a less full black wig (wearing the same suit from the previous shot), walking down the hallway of her hotel, accompanied by a bellman who is loaded down with the loot from what was presumably a very successful day of shopping. Black Friday perhaps?



The little bonus for this scene is that it happens to be the one that Hitchcock chose for his cameo appearance. He looks so devilishly sheepish as he peers from his hotel room.



For the movie's publicity still that is meant to capture this scene, Tippi's direction down the hallway is reversed, allowing the audience to see her from the front.



Not only that, but she now has an entourage of two more assisting the bellman with the packages and luggage. Was this how the scene was originally intended or just something for the sake of the still? Also interesting to note that there is a fedora sticking out of the room that Hitchcock was exiting from in the movie. Obviously not Hitchcock's, but supposedly the hat was to represent the appearance of an extra. As you can tell, I just love these details.



While we're covering it, I have a question that has always bothered me about this film. Being a nitpicker at times, it has always seemed a little strange that Marnie is able to wash the black dye out of her hair...



and seconds later, becomes a perfect blonde. Is this really how it works when you do a home dye job? Either that or Marnie was a very talented hair colorist on the side.



See more "Marnie" photos on my Alfred Hitchcock page.

The Birds and Sally Spectra

One of the most famous scenes in Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" is the one that takes place in the Tides Restaurant. While trapped inside, the patrons attempt to make sense of the avian attacks, most notably Mrs. Bundy, played by Ethel Griffies. Also notable in this photo is the bespeckled waitress, played by an uncredited Darlene Conley.



Best known to soap opera fans as flaming redheaded fashion designer Sally Spectra in "The Bold and the Beautiful," Conley's larger than life portrayal made her a fan favorite. This is why watching the scene from "The Birds" is so funny, as her character seems so nerdy and shy. Amazing what a pair of thick glasses can do for you!



Conley passed away in 2007, but her tribute in wax can still be seen at Madame Tussaud's in Las Vegas.



See more "The Birds" photos on my Tippi Hedren web page.

Christmas Memories, Pt. 1

I have many fond Christmas memories of the traditions that were part of my childhood. Being able to talk to Santa at our local department store was always a highlight. In this 1966 photo, I was two, and it was my family's first Christmas on the east coast. For the life of me, I can't seem to remember what this toy/book was that Santa was giving me. Looks like some kind of vintage-style race car on either a book or a stand. It must not have been a favorite or lasted very long!



A year later, I was still tongue-tied when I got to sit on the great man's lap!



For Christmas 1965, my brother seems very pleased with his Remco Monkey Battle Jacket set, complete with pineapple grenade. This "toy" originally retailed for $4.99.



It looks like a very violent Christmas, except for what appears to be a poodle appliqué on my pajamas. What the heck.



Zooming in for a peek at the vintage wrapping paper and toy instructions:



My brothers are busy hanging their stockings (and not necessarily with care!) on the night before Christmas 1966. Looks like somebody else did mine for me.



I DO remember this toy from 1962: Bop the Beetle.



You'd try to get the beetles into the gigantic frog's mouth. I can still hear that darn thing snapping shut. Scary!



What are some of your Christmas memories from long ago?

See more Daveland photos on my regular website.

Furor over Fury

This vintage color image is of a bodybuilding contest in Southern California (I believe it might be Long Beach). I don't know the date, don't know the specific contest (am guessing it is Mr. Muscle Beach), but I DO know that the bodybuilder second from right is Ed Fury, one of the many musclemen who eventually went to Italy to make sword and sandal films. 1947's Mr. America, Steve Reeves, was the first to do so with "Hercules." For the Mr. Muscle Beach contests, Fury won third place in 1951 and achieved second place in 1953, but based on photos I've seen of those two contests, this shot appears to be from another year.



This is another photo from the same contest (Fury doesn't appear to be in the frame) with some of the other competitors waiting to go on stage.



Fury is also known as a model for famous photographer Bob Mizer, who shot semi-clad men for physique culture magazines such as "Physique Pictorial." Fury also worked with the Athletic Model Guild and photographer Bruce of LA.



After the release of "Ursus in the Land of Fire (1963)," Fury's film career fizzled as the sword and sandal films fell from favor. He became a semi-frequent bit player on television, acting in episodes of "Fantasy Island," "Cannon," "Medical Center," "Columbo,", "Barnaby Jones," and "The Odd Couple."



His most recent film was the 1996 semi-cult classic, "Dinosaur Valley Girls." Starring Oscar nominee Karen Black and Emmy Award winner William ("Blacula") Marshall, you can be sure it is a classic for the ages.

See more vintage Ed Fury photos on my Movie Star/Celebrity web page.

Soarin' Over The Disneyland Hotel, 1973

This aerial shot over the Disneyland Hotel was taken forty years ago on November 27, 1973. So many changes to take note of! From this vantage point, it is easier to see that the Monorail didn't move away from the Hotel, but rather the Hotel moved away from the Monorail! The beginning of Downtown Disney starts where the old Disneyland Hotel once stood. Here's a better view of the now demolished section that was located where ESPN, Rainforest Cafe, and Earl of Sandwich now stand.



Where the current pool is was once a Marina, back when the Frontier Tower wasn't even around:



Two vintage land views of the Marina, beginning with September 1976:



January 1984:



Moving closer to the park, you can see the edge of New Orleans Square and the show building for the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction:



Hope you enjoyed soarin' over the hotel...1970's style!

See more vintage & current Disneyland aerial photos on my aerial web page.