Matterhorn Chalet

One of my favorite places in the park is this lovely chalet which serves as the loading area, part of the line and also the control center for the Matterhorn Bobsleds. The shields on the chalet are the coat of arms from each Swiss canon. I also like the sign for the E-Ticket to ride the attraction.

I wish everyone a joyous new year and for a great and prosperous 2016. Please be safe and sane out there!

Last Two Swiss Family Robinson Pictures

I have reached the end of slides from the Swiss Family Robinson. The first is an image of Tommy Kirk as Ernst moving items from the wreck.

The last image is a nice shot of the pirate ship sitting at anchor. I hope you have enjoyed this set of images from the set of Swiss Family Robinson.

Even More Images of Filiming of Swiss Family Robinson

Even more images from the filming of Swiss Family Robinson. First up is the wreckage of the ship being moved from the site of the wreck onto the island. In the background are some of the livestock that was being transported from the wreck.

The second image shows the filming of the scene with lots of crew assisting in pulling the boat to shore. The image shows what looks like a fun shoot and not that heavy of work.

Swiss Family Robinson Filming

Two more images from the filming of Swiss Family Robinson. First up is a pretty shot of the villians pirate ship. The ship is based upon the Chinese Junk with a great dragon design on the main sail.

The second image shows Kevin Corcoran in the surf after the wreck of the ship. Kevin plays Francis, the youngest son of the Robinsons. I like the crew in the background.

Souvenir Friday- Nesbitts Orange Soda Advertising Calendar

A very scarce early paper souvenir from Disneyland is a calendar for late 1959 to 1960. Nesbitt's was the leading Orange soda during this time period. Nesbitt was also a California company so it made sense for the company to promote Disneyland. Fanta surpassed Nesbitt's in the mid 1960s and the Nesbitt company was sold and the orange soda disappeared from shelves. At this time of the calendar, Nesbitt was the official Orange Soda for Disneyland. The calendar is a wall calendar with each page featuring a great image from Disneyland and three months. The calendar was given away to stores, soda fountains, gas stations and other places where Nesbitt's was sold. First up is the Rainbow Mountain Railroad and the new Monorail and Submarine Voyage for the months of December 1959, January 1960 and February 1960.

Next up is the steamer Mark Twain for the months of March, April and May 1960.

June, July and August 1960 features a lovely mermaid sunning herself while a submarine passes in the background.

The last page features Main Street with the Omnibus and Horse Drawn Streetcar for the months of September, October and November 1960.

I want to wish every one a Happy Holiday (Christmas, Kwanzaa, Festivus, Boxing Day, Yule, Hanukkah, etc)and I hope you received lovely gift of items you want.

Filming Swiss Family Robinson

Two more images of the filming of Swiss Family Robinson. First up is a great view of the camera barge and other activities to support the filming of scenes of the shipwreck. Tobago definitely looks like a warm and sunny place.

The second image is a set photograph featuring Janet Munro as Bertie escaping the pirates.

For those who love interesting and obscure Disneyland history, look for the January 2016 issue of Magic Magazine. There are two nice articles about a magic show that was in the Fantasyland Theater during winter 1967. The show featured magic tricks performed by Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Alice in Wonderland. It is a fantastic historical article with rare images.

Swiss Family Robinson Set Images

Two more images from the 1990s press kit. First up is the unnamed ship that the family was being transported and is the source of much of the items used in the Treehouse. Looking at several sources, the ship is unnamed in the film, named the Recovery for Disneyland, then Titus where the name of the ship at Walt Disney World is the Swallow. This set was constructed on location in Tobago.

The second image shows John Mills as Father and Dorothy McGuire as mother walking up the ladder to the barebones frame of the Treehouse. The animals in the scene all had to be imported as there were no indigenous wildlife on Tobago.

Behind the Scenes of Swiss Family Robinson

Diverging a little from the theme park images I am posting from a set of images sent out in the 1990s press kit for the Walt Disney film Swiss Family Robinson. All the images are marked behind the scene and feature some nice images of the sets and actors from the film. First up is a nice glamour shot of Janet Munro as Bertie. I just read her biography and she had a somewhat tragic life and was dead at the age of 38. I love the details of her costume and the sun definitely makes for a beautiful image.

The second image features the actors on a break drinking Coca Cola. The famous Japanese silent film star Sessue Hayakawa as Kuala the Pirate chief and in the background is James MacArthur as Fritz. I do not recognize the actress. I love the behind the scene look at this landmark film. Of course, the film is the source for the best treehouse attraction.

Frontierland Views

Two images from a grouping which I posted back in February 2015. I was looking for some other photographs and found these two images I had not scanned or posted. The views are of the Rivers of America and scenes along the shores. First up is the steamer Mark Twain heading into dock with the fishing shack on the left hand side of the image. Unfortunately the crate is blocked by the guest on the right side of the photograph.

The second image shows Tom Sawyer's Island and Castle Rock. There is a nice crowd waiting for the next raft to the mainland from the island.

Souvenir Friday- The Art Corner Club Disneyland Souvenir Patch

In the recent Van Eaton Disneyland auction was this souvenir patch from the Art Corner in Disneyland. The patch was listed as a prototype and as a cast member patch. However, I believe the patch was a souvenir piece that kids (and adults) could receive when purchasing the Art Corner animation kit. The kit includes a neat little card for the Art Corner Animation kit. As an owner of the kit, the artist could animate a scene and send it into the Walt Disney Studio to be filmed onto 8 mmm film. The patch could have been sent back with the filmed scene. The patch features a great design with Mickey Mouse in a beret and holding a paint brush. The patch measures 3 inches in diameter.

Here are a couple of pages from two different Disneyland merchandise catalogs showing the Art Corner Animation kit.

Snow White Wishing Well Sign

A nice close image of the lovely wooden sign for Snow White's Wishing Well Sign. The sign promoted the Variety Club International which was the recipient of the money raised by the coins tossed into the well. I am so excited by the fonts used in this sign, with the matching Disneyland and Wishing Well.

Tomorrowland Adventures Ticket Booth Sign

A sign shop documentation photograph of the Tomorrowland ticket booth sign. Note that there were no A or B ticket adventures in Tomorrowland at this time. I wonder where this sign is now...in someone's collection or part of the sign collection at the sign shop in Disneyland.

Lonely Trash Can

Near the Matterhorn and Motorboat Cruise sits a lovely although lonely trash can. I like the shield graphic with the dust pan and broom.

Bear Country Opening Sign

In 1972, a new land opened in Disneyland. Replacing the Indian Village of yore, a merry band of bears set up home in a theater and presented a down home show. The bears featured designs by Marc Davis and Al Bertino and other Imagineers. The land has been renamed to Critter Country and the bear band has been replaced by an English bear. I still have great memories of Bear Country and the fun to be had in this small land.

Souvenir Friday- Yale Disneyland Key in Presentation Case

Once upon a time a guest could shop at the Yale lock shop on Main street and obtain a house key with the Disneyland logo. Most of the keys I have found and seen are just by themselves. This one appears to be one that was given to a VIP or a very important customer of Yale. The case is nicely marked on the inside for Yale, is custom designed for the key and the key features Sleeping Beauty Castle. The reverse of the key (which I did not picture) is marked Yale.

Painting Fantasyland Shield

Another photograph of the sign painter in action. This image features a painter putting the flourishes on a shield. The shield is destined to be placed on Sleeping Beauty Castle or the Fantasyland courtyard. I tried to blow up the writing on the set of blueprints in the photograph but I could not see much.

The Shooting Gallery is Closed

Neat sign that was used at the Adventureland shooting gallery when it was closed for refurbishment. I like the crocodile referencing the Jungle River Cruise and also to Peter Pan.

Painting the Oaks Tavern Sign

A nice image of an employee in the sign shop working on the Oaks Tavern sign. The Oaks Tavern opened in 1956 and closed in 1978, turning into the Stage Door Cafe. Based upon the clothing of the employee, this looks like it was taken in the late 1960s or early 1970s. The tools of a sign painter are on display.

Panoramic Views of 1939 New York World's Fair

Two more views of the 1939 New York World's Fair. The first image is part of the theme center with the set of statues and flags that lined the fountain and in the background is the Federal building.

The second image shows the great wide walkways and part of one of the many fountains found on the fairgrounds. I like the several prams used to transport guests throughout the fair.

Souvenir Friday- Matterhorn Patches

In the recent Disneyland auction there was a large group of uniform patches for sale. However, one of the patches was not a costume patch, but was a souvenir item sold in the Emporium. The patch in question was the small shield shaped Matterhorn patch that sold for several hundred dollars. The way to tell if the patch is a Disneyland used costume patch is to look for the word BOBSLEDS in the blue field next to the depiction of the Matterhorn mountain. As you can see, the patch without BOBSLEDS was sold for 50 cents in a plastic bag. Of course the souvenir patch does have some value, but not the value of a Disneyland used costume patch.

Scenic Views of the 1939 New York World's Fair Part 1

Two landscape type views from the 1939 New York World's Fair. The first image shows one of the many water fountains in front of the Romania building. The fairground looks like it was rather expansive. I like the many flags flapping in the breeze.

The second image shows the sweeping walkways that surrounded the Trylon and Perisphere. In the background can be seen the statue of George Washington. This looks like a nice spot to sit down and take a rest.

Carnival Ferris Wheel Operator

Three black and white snapshots of an operator for a Ferris Wheel. The wheel was part of a traveling carnival. The photographs were taken in June of 1959. I like his apron set up to take money and issue tickets.

Cute Poses at Disneyland

Two different photographs of cute poses at Disneyland. First up is Mr. and Ms. Spaceman in Tomorrowland. In the background can be seen the Thimbledrome Flight Circle.

The second image is of a very cute girl holding her great sunglasses and holding a shopping bag, maybe holding an Art Corner cel.

Souvenir Friday- 1983 Peter Pan's Flight Attraction Poster

In 1983 several new attraction posters were created by WED. Most of the art was created for the opening of Tokyo Disneyland and were changed for use in Disneyland. Many were based upon the original posters from the 1950s. The Peter Pan flight features one of the flying pirate ships loaded with happy guests flying past Big Ben of London. I have posted three different shots of the poster, this poster is framed and on the original plexiglass as mounted while up in the park.

More Black and White Images

A couple of more great images from a visit in 1958. First up is a shot of dad, two sons and the daughter waiting for the start of the round trip on the Viewliner. It looks like dad is holding one of the Tinkerbell glow wands.

The second image appears to be from the Chicken Plantation restaurant in Frontierland. The note on the reverse is very cute: Andrew at Disneyland & wouldn't he try hard to get his head stuck in the fence.

Great Black and White Disneyland Images

I rarely use the word great to describe most of the photographs, but these two snapshots are great. First up is an image of a boy and his dad starting the trip to nowhere in particular on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. What makes this great is the shot of the mural in the background. The mural previewed the trip guests would take with Mr. Toad.

The second image shows the dad and another son hanging out on Main Street in front of the Insurance of North America storefront. The photo shows a nice close up of how the light pole signs were installed for the 1958 opening of the Grand Canyon tunnel on the Disneyland Santa Fe Railroad. The trash can in the background is also great.