Fantasyland Snow White Mural

Today's vintage March 1966 photo is somewhat of a Holy Grail for me. This is probably the best image I have of the original Fantasyland Snow White's Adventures Dark Ride queue mural. Ok, ok…before the fanatics crucify me, yes, I am aware that by 1966 there were probably a few layers of retouch paint that covered up the Claude Coats original, but it's still amazing that a guest would take a shot like this during that time period.

Compare with this black and white 1955 shot:



A closeup of the 1966 version:



Get more Disneyland Snow White at my main website.

Dreams For Sale, Pt. 4

Travel down the Yellow Brick Road with Judy by viewing these items from the upcoming November 23rd Turner Classic Movies (aka TCM) and Bonhams Treasures From The Dream Factory auction. Hard to believe that almost (but not quite) 80 years after "The Wizard of Oz" was filmed there are still rare items surfacing for the public to see. This original Judy Garland worn "Dorothy" dress from "Oz" was owned by Kent Warner, the costume collector employed by David Weisz Co. to help organize the blockbuster 1970 MGM Auction. He also helped himself to a pair (possibly more) of Ruby Slippers. Start saving up, folks…this one is expected to bring in $800,000-1.2 million!

A munchkin's soldier jacket:



From the catalog listing: Adrian designed the munchkin outfits to have strange proportions, including large sleeves and tails as in this jacket, to make them seem smaller than they actually were. William Giblin (1916-1985) was a 4'6" gentleman from Trenton, NJ and was the last Munchkin to arrive for filming, getting to MGM on November 24, 1938. His name also appears in accounts of World War II, as his draft number, 158, was the first one called when the United States began conscription in 1940. Looking for $7,000-9,000.



Anyone need a unique light for their home? How about his wrought iron torch used in the Witch's Castle in "Oz" as well as in the MGM movie "Ben Hur"?



$1,500-2,000.



One of Judy Garland's most beautiful costumes from 1948's "Easter Parade" is also for sale:



Check out the bead detailing on this. No wonder they expect $8,000-12,000!



The scene from the movie:



From another 1939 blockbuster movie, "Gone with the Wind" comes this triptych of vintage Vivien Leigh photos shot by Charles Kerlee:



Look at that face; you just know that Rhett took her back!



A Mario Larrinaga set design of Twelve Oaks for Gone with the Wind, expected to go for $3,000-5,000. What a beauty!



More pop culture and nostalgia at my main website and see more vintage and current photos.

Dreams For Sale, Pt. 3

Yet another post highlighting items from the upcoming November 23rd Turner Classic Movies (aka TCM) and Bonhams Treasures From The Dream Factory auction. Hope you're not sick of these yet! Today's theme is Marilyn…as in Monroe. A few original movie posters to get things started for you. Expect to cough up at least $1000 for this original 1955 "The Seven Year Itch" one sheet, 27" x 41". That might fill up a living room wall.

Have more space? A 40" x 60" "Some Like It Hot" poster might be better…but the extra real estate is going to run you $4000-6000. Yikes.



Photographs of Marilyn are always coveted; this Bert Stern signed print is expected to bring in $1000-1500.



An original costume from "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes":



Check out the detailing on the collar:



A shot of Marilyn wearing the outfit, standing next to costar Jane Russell:



If that's not enough "GPB" for you, here's an original 1953 poster heralding the movie:



If Marilyn isn't your style, maybe a smoldering Argentinean 1946 poster of Rita Hayworth from "Gilda" is what you'd rather have:



Not sure about the face though; not necessarily very flattering to Rita:



And you can't go wrong with Lana:



More nostalgia at my main website and see more vintage and current photos.

Dreams For Sale, Pt. 2

The big selling items from the upcoming November 23rd Turner Classic Movies (aka TCM) and Bonhams Treasures From The Dream Factory auction are the ones from the 1941 Orson Welles classic, "Citizen Kane." This charcoal sketch depicts one of the opening shots from the movie. This second one shows Xanadu, the palatial home of Charles Foster Kane. The listing gives possible credit to Mario Larrinaga, who created the matte paintings used in the film.



Compare with a frame from the final film. Matte magic at its best!



Of course the real grabber from the auction is the Rosebud sled pictured below. Given to screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz at the end of filming, this is an incredible Holy Grail of movie history.



Estimated to sell at $100,000-200,000. I predict much more.









More nostalgia at my main website.

Dreams For Sale, Pt. 1

Turner Classic Movies (aka TCM) has partnered with Bonhams Auction house for yet another nostalgic yard sale. These Hollywood memories come at a steep price; for us normal poor slobs, we will have to satisfy ourselves with the online glimpses provided by the Bonhams website. If you have a few extra thousand or more to burn, this November 23 extravaganza may just have something for you. There are a number of original "Snow White" cels, including this group shot of five of the seven Dwarfs. Estimated to fetch $3,500-4,500.

For the more budget minded, this celluloid of Dopey might sell for $1,000-1,500.



An even better value is a group of ten drawings, colored pencil on paper, which features Snow, all the Dwarfs, and even the Old Crone. Estimate is the same as just one Dopey cel. Sounds like a bargain to me!



















Alice fans can purchase original cels as well:







Although I don't think it's her best work, this 1940s Mary Blair watercolor is still a beauty:



There is plenty more Disney stuff up for auction, but for me, the true gems are these rare World War 1 photos of Walt Disney himself:





Estimates for these range from $10,000-60,000…each!



Items like this are rare indeed, and they don't become available to purchase very often. Stay tuned for more featured items from this incredible collection.

Need more nostalgia? Visit my main website and see more vintage and current photos.