Disneyland 1955 Opening footage question

**Mac Daddy** · 06-20-2005, 01:15 PM

So here's a question: After viewing the 50th anniversary film in the Opera House for...has to be at least 7 times now, I am very interested in finding the ACTUAL telecast footage from the opening of Disneyland in 1955. Does it exist? Can we order it on DVD? I know they have a "Disneyland Treasures" DVD set out with footage of the opening, but I'm looking for the actual black and white two hour telecast with Art Linkletter, etc, etc. Is it out there?

Secondly, have you guys SEEN this film in the Opera House yet, and the scenes from the late 50's and early 60's? I would SWEAR that the footage looks like it was just shot yesterday if it wasn't for the crew cuts, bobby socks, and ticket booths, train cars, and rides that no longer exist. Did they colorize and digitally enhance this film?

You may have already discussed this, but I'm glad they got Steve Martin and it's well worth checking out if you haven't seen it yet, as well as the display inside.

Any answers out there? :confused:

**Malcon10t** · 06-20-2005, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by localdisnyfan

So here's a question: After viewing the 50th anniversary film in the Opera House for...has to be at least 7 times now, I am very interested in finding the ACTUAL telecast footage from the opening of Disneyland in 1955. Does it exist? Can we order it on DVD? I know they have a "Disneyland Treasures" DVD set out with footage of the opening, but I'm looking for the actual black and white two hour telecast with Art Linkletter, etc, etc. Is it out there?

Secondly, have you guys SEEN this film in the Opera House yet, and the scenes from the late 50's and early 60's? I would SWEAR that the footage looks like it was just shot yesterday if it wasn't for the crew cuts, bobby socks, and ticket booths, train cars, and rides that no longer exist. Did they colorize and digitally enhance this film?

You may have already discussed this, but I'm glad they got Steve Martin and it's well worth checking out if you haven't seen it yet, as well as the display inside.

Any answers out there? :confused:

The original filming is available in the Disneyland Treasures. One of the CDs is the opening day airing. We just rewatched it in its entirety last weekend, was great.

As for the 50th celebration, I don't know if they colorized it or not. I am sure it is digitally enhanced though. And I have seen it a few times. I have friends whose picture made it into the ending. I apologize to all who sat near us on May 5th when my son shouted "Mom! Look, it's the ....." when he saw their pic.

**sediment** · 06-20-2005, 02:01 PM

It was either touched up or simply hadn't been exposed in 45 years. It might have been touched up for the DVD release.
It doesn't appear that any of it had been colorized.

**chakisblue** · 06-20-2005, 03:11 PM

If I remember right they cut out a dance number in fantasyland by the mickey mouse club in the Disneyland Treasures dvd? They showed the whole telecast footage on the disney channel couple of years ago I have that on videotape. I wonder why it wasn't shown on the DVD?? :confused:

**bearride** · 06-20-2005, 04:57 PM

If I remember right they cut out a dance number in fantasyland by the mickey mouse club in the Disneyland Treasures dvd? They showed the whole telecast footage on the disney channel couple of years ago I have that on videotape. I wonder why it wasn't shown on the DVD??

I believe they didn't want to pay royalties!

If you get the Mickey Mouse Club Disney Tresures, there is a color version of it in the bouns features

**Stephanie2786** · 06-20-2005, 06:05 PM

I would love to own that too. If anyone knows how to get it let me know.

**chakisblue** · 06-20-2005, 06:42 PM

But still its not the complete opening day telecast dvd without it so you are kinda getting rip off

**NWRREngineer** · 06-21-2005, 07:53 AM

TWO hours? The opening day telecast was two hours? The version they have on the DT DVD is one hour. I know they hacked out the Mousketeer bit, but I'm sure that wasn't an hour long. What else got whacked? Jeeeeez.

**BugsBunny** · 06-21-2005, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by NWRREngineer

TWO hours? The opening day telecast was two hours? The version they have on the DT DVD is one hour. I know they hacked out the Mousketeer bit, but I'm sure that wasn't an hour long. What else got whacked? Jeeeeez.

Ronnie waxing poetic about someday running for president. Walt replies, "If you wish hard enough, dreams really do come true."

**Malcon10t** · 06-21-2005, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by NWRREngineer

TWO hours? The opening day telecast was two hours? The version they have on the DT DVD is one hour. I know they hacked out the Mousketeer bit, but I'm sure that wasn't an hour long. What else got whacked? Jeeeeez.

A lot of commercials. My understanding was there was close to 25 mins of commercials.

**NWRREngineer** · 06-21-2005, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by Malcon10t

...there was close to 25 mins of commercials.

Well... I guess ABC had to pay the bills somehow.

And in all that time, Adventureland still didn't hardly get but a mention as an afterthought.

As for actual footage of the telecast, it would have to exist somewhere on kinescope. They had to make the DVD from some original recording, so it's gotta be somewhere. I wouldn't count on it being available in DVD.

What would be great is if the thing they're showing at Disneyland is made available on DVD. I'd buy that in a hot second.

**Arilvdc** · 06-21-2005, 01:46 PM

so would I!! The show is awesome. After my BF and I saw it for the first time, he told me it made him understand why I love Disneyland so much.

**figment1986** · 06-22-2005, 11:26 AM

There was a few times when it was shown on the Valt disney... (In it's entirety..)

They cut a few things for royalties... ext...

It was touched up.. cleaned and everything for the DVD...

It is enjoyable...

**Crispy** · 06-26-2005, 02:32 PM

I have the full telecast taped on VHS. On July 17th 1989, they had a full day of Disneyland related programs for the 35th anniversary. I had my VCR set to record all day

1. Black and white opening day telecast (complete with all the bloopers)
2. Pirates of the Caribbean/Tomorrowland 1967
3. Disneyland Showtime (Osmonds/Haunted Mansion)
4. Disneyland's 25th Anniversary Special (hosted by Danny Kaye)
5. Disneyland's 35th Birthday Celebration (featuring the Cheers cast)
6. The Disneyland Story (hosted by Harry Anderson)

This was, of course, back in the day when Disney had series like "Avonlea" before it became the teeny-bopper channel.

Cris

**MickeyJCA** · 06-26-2005, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by Crispy

I have the full telecast taped on VHS. On July 17th 1989, they had a full day of Disneyland related programs for the 35th anniversary. I had my VCR set to record all day...

Ha!