Walt Disney Studios Theater

Another view of the Walt Disney Studio's theater on the Burbank lot. This image appears to be before the Company had fully moved to the studio. The landscaping is not very grown and the building looks fresh and new. I really like the doors of the theater with their round window accents. The photo shows the design of Kem Webber.

Souvenir Friday-Red Drivers Cap

Over the years, Disneyland has sold some very funky hats. This though is one of the cooler hats I have seen. A driving style cap in red cloth with the early land graphics distributed throughout the fabric. Fairly simply made, but oh so stylish. One could imagine a daring man wearing this hat while driving his MG-TC Roadster on Highway 1. Although Major Pepperidge will still want his feathered hat for his job interviews.

More Native American Housing, Indian Village

Continuing the exploration of the displays at the Indian Village, here is a selection of photographs of the various tipis and signs. Some of the tipis were marked as different versions, I especially like the Plains Indians sign about the Peace Pipe. These images go well with Major Pepperidge's dancer post for today.

Native American Housing and Buffalo, Indian Village

Located adjacent to the Bead Worker was a tipi and a stuffed buffalo. There have been other postings on the Disneyland photo blogs of the poor buffalo. I hope he was put to a good rest as he did appear to be pretty ratty. Also that torch appears a little too close the tipi, I wonder if they had burning Indian tipi to match the burning settlers cabin.

Bead Workers Booth Indian Village

The Indian Village was not only scene to the Native American dances, but also had displays showing typical life and activities of the Native American tribes. One of the displays was for a bead weaver. I believe the weaver would be working and talking to guests at the same time, similar to the characters at Colonial Williamsburg or any other historical site. I wonder how many kids who went to Disneyland then went on to Anthropology or History careers after being exposed to the historical displays? How many scientists were influenced by the Monsanto displays (both the 1955 and the 1967 versions)? Now Disneyland has to have entertainment value instead of infotainment value. The California film in California Adventure is being removed to be replaced by a cartoon ride. At least Innoventions may be receiving a make over to make it more relevant.

Sunkist on Main Street

A nice view of the Sunkist Citrus house on Main Street in 1960. Taken early in the morning prior to opening, the image shows an empty Main Street. For all the viewers pleasure, I have included a close up of the store display featuring the two sprites. In the early 1960s, Sunkist promoted a giveaway of a Disneyland map featuring the two sprite characters. Unfortunately the tree is right in the middle of the image.

Two Sets of Flags At Disneyland

I am going to go out on an edge here and state that the Disneyland of today needs more flags. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, there were flags everywhere. The front entrance, the entrance to Tomorrowland, the entrance to Frontierland and even on Fort Wilderness. My insane idea to correct Tomorrowland: bring back the state flags to the entrance. Bring back all the flags to Frontierland, bedeck the Columbia with flags, and put pirate flags in New Orleans Square. But of course, keep the flags in theme and not just put up character flags. Here are two examples of flags, one in Tomorrowland and one in Frontierland.

The Walt Disney Studio Burbank California

A nice view of the newly opened Walt Disney Studio in Burbank California. This image appears to have been taken at the little hill across from the Studio where the striking animators had their picnic set up. I believe this is now part of Griffith Park and is separated from the studio by the freeway. The streamline modern look of the studio can be seen from this vantage point. And every studio needs a large water tower.

Souvenir Friday-Tacky Souvenirs

In my collection I have some really kitschy souvenirs such as water globes and snow domes, strange ceramics, and more. But these two pieces are the tackiest souvenirs I own. Both appear to be postcards that are encased in plastic with sparkles and abalone shell. They appear to be home made by some enterprising crafts person, but they do have Disneyland price tags. So for those who love to see odd items, enjoy! I hope you enjoy the flash back to the 1970s!

I want to let everyone know that Bob Cowan has two new blogs of interest. One is animation art and the other is comic strip art. Bob was the source of the great strike photographs I posted a while ago. His blogs are Cowan Collection: Animation and Cowan Collection: Comic Art

Hazel Greenwald and Disneyland

Today's post is from a reader of the blog. He sent the following images taken by Hazel Greenwald in the early 1960s. Hazel was the main proponent behind the Hadassah film archive in New York. The Hadassah is the Women's Zionist Organization of America. For more information on Hazel, check out this student paper and also the post today on Didier Ghez' Disney History blog. The images are all black and white. It appears she was at the park very early as there are not many guests around, but enough to show the park was open. A favorite of the owner is the Disneyland band in front of the Tinkerbell Toy Shop and my favorite is of Frontierland with the Mark Twain in the background.

Information Stand On Main Street One Early Morning

A great early morning before opening image of the Information Stand that was once situated on Main Street in front of the Bank of America. The stand is long gone and it's replacement has been moved back to the edge of the tunnel to make way for the crowds and strollers on the sidewalk. The classic design was made into a spectacular miniature by Kevin and Jody for the 50th Anniversary line of merchandise.

A quick note, the blog will be silent tomorrow as I am off on a quick business trip. I will be back on Thursday.

Two Views on Main Street

I was asked by Tim at Vintage Disneyland Tickets what is the Kodak collection. It is the name I have given to a unique collection of images I have been showing for years now. The photographer was an employee on Main Street in the Kodak shop and took photographs of virtually every sign, along with slides and other images of Disneyland. Most of the images are sans guests and some include the maintenance vehicles. Here are two more, the first is the Kodak shop on Main Street.

The next image is an unusual shot of the Red Wagon Inn from the Main Street side. This is where the Hot Dog truck now sits. The Red Wagon Inn is one of my favorite restaurants at Disneyland.

The Walt Disney Studio Grand Opening April 10, 1940

I have several images of the new Burbank Studio that I plan to show over the next several weeks. The first image is one that I particularly like as it is of a rarely photographed building, the movie theater at the studio. This is the grand opening date of April 10, 1940. On the bill is the RKO Pathe News Reel, MGM's Mad Maestro animated film from 1939, RKO Information Please, The Blue Bird featuring Shirley Temple and released in January of 1940, and Elephant Boy starring Sabu released in 1937. Quite a bill. The poster is nice with Stromboli the showman holding the title.

Souvenir Friday- Disneyland Almanac 1966

This is a really neat souvenir piece that was given to Disneyland employees in 1966. More of a date book than an almanac, it does show some of the operating hours and the Mondays and Tuesdays that Disneyland were closed in 1966. Distributed through the date book is information on the new attractions, upcoming attractions and the movies to be released by WDP in 1966. I like the address part with Disneyland's address and phone numbers already filled in. The final two pages include important information about Disneyland. I thought Jason at Disneyland Nomenclature would like this post.

Public Telephones On Main Street

One of the most obscure images from the Kodak collection is this shot of the pay telephones on Main Street. I believe this was located next to the current location for the lockers. With today's liability and risk, the steps would not be in use.

Two Views of the Emporium

Two side views of the Main Street Emporium. The first is from Main Street showing the windows.

The second view is from Town Square with Mickey Mouse Club Merchandise in the windows.

Let's Hop Aboard the Mekong Maiden

Just imagine it is a nice spring day in 1961 at Disneyland. Look a Jungle Cruise boat, let's hop on board and take a ride....

The Studio Strike of 1941 Part 3

Some more images from the strike at Disney Studios in 1941. Based upon some of the fliers and also the signs, this must have been one of the most colorful strikes in history.
(Based upon the comments received from the readers, I have corrected and updated the posting. Thanks everyone!)
The first image is of Herb Sorrel who was the leader of the strike. He was a studio painter who was influenced by Australian-American labor organizer Harry Bridges. Herb would later lead the bloodiest strike in Hollywood history with Combined Screen Unions in 1945 and the infamous Black Friday on October 5, 1945 when strikers and Warner Brothers Studio clashed.

The next image is actor and screen writer John Gleason. Best known for his New York characters, being nominated for an Academy Award for playing boxing manager Max "Pop" Corkle in the film Here Comes Mr. Jordan.

I love this image and should have placed it next to the effigy of Gunther Lessing in the guillotine. This is the procession marching the guillotine to its location. I love the dramatic look and feel of this procession.

And to add a little background, a handout from the strikers describing the reason for the strike.

I would like to once again Bob Cowan (rcowan@mywdo.com) for sharing the images with me and my readers. To see more of his collection, head to Didier Ghez's Disney History blog.

The Studio Strike of 1941 Part 2

Continuing with the strike photos from the Cowan collection, I start off with another night shot with the strikers in their formal attire.

The next two images are of the soup kitchen. The tables were constructed by the Warner Brothers Carpentry department and staffed by members of the Coral Room and Disney Studio Restaurant. It was set up in a nice shady grove right across the street from the Walt Disney Studios. The man in the center of the second image is of Herb Sorrell who was one of the strike leaders from the Union. Walt was convinced Herb was a full fledged communist out to destroy the United States.

The photographs are some of the earliest from an animator who left after the strike and became a famous photographer. The animator Kosti Ruohomaa returned home to New England and took photographs of the landscape of New England with a special interest in Maine. He eventually earned the nickname the Ansel Adams of New England.

Finally another nice image of the picket line at the Studios. p>

Once again I would like to thank Bob Cowan (rcowan@mywdo.com) for his generosity in sharing these images. And thanks to all who wrote comments. Look for some more documents and a couple of images tomorrow from this collection.