Todd J. Pierce writes, "This video is taken from some 1957 pro-stock that I've owned for years. The transfer was done on a Spirit DataCine (i.e. the same machine that Ken Burns uses to transfer historic footage for his PBS documentaries). The entire reel is 20 minutes. These are the best clips, none of which have ever been shown in public."
source
great great footage!
saw this earlier today, loved it!
That was absolutely wonderful. Thank you so much. That was a little bit before my childhood memories of Disneyland begin. If you have footage of the mine train and would be so kind as to share it with us, I know that I would love to see it. Thank you again! :-)
That is great video! That is my Park! I lived through this time and went every year. This really brings back good memories. Aunt Jemimah! Back when the River Belle Terrace was Aunt Jemimah's Pancake House. Talked to her many times and was sad to see that place go. Also the Stagecoach Ride - loved that. So many great memories. Life was simple and fun back then. Is there any place we can see, or get, the entire 20 minutes?
Peter Pan Forever!!! I Will Never Grow Up.
Thank You Poisonedapples
At 2:22, it looks like the Omnibus is driving all the way around Holiday Hill or something. That can't be the hub!
Two things about that video:
Not a minority guest in sight.
At 3:46, a couple are taking a nap on a grassy knoll under a tree. I have eternally hoped Disneyland still had spaces that allowed this. Could you imagine?
Wonderful video, great find! Thanks for sharing,.
I noticed that as well. It's kind of fascinating to see the discrepancy between past and modern cultures.Originally Posted by choco choco
Magnificent footage! I'd love to see more of it. What I wouldn't give to take a time machine back to when the park looked like this.
The Main Street vehicles traveled a bit farther back then than they do now. So yes, it is passing alongside Holiday Hill.
[QUOTE=choco choco;1056703201] Not a minority guest in sight.
I remember the first photo my family shot at Disneyland, which was probably around the same time, since I was a young kid. It was the usual castle shot, but among the crowd entering the castle (via the drawbridge) was an African-American lad, around 10 or 11 - enjoying himself, like everyone else. But I also remember that when we first saw the photo, he stood out because you didn't often see black people at Disneyland back then. But it wasn't unheard of and they were certainly welcome. I also remember seeing a black family riding on the Casey Jr. train, either on that visit, or one soon after.
Knott's Berry Farm on the other hand, almost never seemed to have black guests early on. In fact, as late as the 1970's, it was relatively rare to spot African-Americans there. I think the fact that Knott's had a country/western theme may have made potential black visitors hesitate, worried that it might be redneck territory where they wouldn't be welcome. I know that Walter Knott was a very conservative Republican, and Knott's is deep in conservative Orange County (as is Disneyland), but I don't think there was any kind of discrimination against minorities at the park. Still, perhaps black families simply didn't want to risk it. And I suppose I can't blame them, given (what was) recent history back then...
Wow, very cool!!!
Before my time, and I'm officially old.
i will be there in 12 hrs.
PDX to LAX.
via SW.
See you there.
Ralzap
Amazing! The shot from the skyway facing main street is my favorite (2:17). It made me realize Main Street is really the only area that hasn't changed much since day one. Its strange to see it there looking as it does today, but with no development/DCA/Anaheim buildings in the background.
DL truly has stood the test of time!
One more thought... If Disney were to build those Fantasy Land facades today, how many pages do you think the complaint thread would have?
Last edited by disneyland55; 02-09-2012 at 03:03 AM.
awesome video..
but how could it be walt's disneyland.. did you see all those lights out on mainstreet!!!
and what about those parents driving kids to the point of exhaustion???
Reality is.. somethings never change
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wow, I feel like I just took a trip back in time. This footage is 20 years older than I am, but I feel like I was actually there. it really gave me a sense of what I would have seen walking around in the park in 1957. The color and transfer is really amazing. I'm re-watching this again and again to look at all the details caught on film- what's changed, what's recognizable, what's observable of things on the periphery of the shot like just beyond the berm of Main St and the front gates (green fields/groves) etc. Thanks for sharing this footage. Really amazing and enjoyable.
Last edited by SoCalUW; 02-10-2012 at 08:19 AM.
Boy on gray horse 0:55
Woman on Casey 1:37
Blue shirt over Hooks entrance 2:31
Maybe we just don't notice today because there is such an abundance of non-caucasians in everyday life. I'm sure if there was buch better resolution and more footage we could find a few more non-pinks...
I do remember in 1959 noticing some, but fewer non-pinks at DL than in my school in Southside Indianapolis. I noticed because one of my school chums at the time was Black and we had the same first name - it became my first lesson in racism. I noticed after that.
Surprised to see the helicopter at 00:38. Anyone know what that's about?
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