Now THIS is my idea of fun! (You think I'm kidding?)
1957
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
The Love Bug!
For my amazing nephew Jeremy who is celebrating his birthday today, here are three Herbie paintings that I did for the 30th Anniversary of "The Love Bug" about nine years ago. (Jeremy is a serious Herbie fan -since about the age of four - and he can tell the difference between a good Herbie movie and a bad Herbie movie. He's seen 'em all.)
Though not intended to be final art, these "exploratory" Photoshop images nevertheless ended up on an assortment of merchandise from travel mugs to mousepads for the Walt Disney Gallery stores. I confess I borrowed heavily from "Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom" and the commercial animation of Halas and Batchelor for the look of these.
In 2005, I was surprised to see elements from all three images show up in the product development style guide for "Herbie, Fully Loaded".
A tip of the sunroof and a "beep beep" on the horn to Jeremy today! Hope he's having a great one!
For my amazing nephew Jeremy who is celebrating his birthday today, here are three Herbie paintings that I did for the 30th Anniversary of "The Love Bug" about nine years ago. (Jeremy is a serious Herbie fan -since about the age of four - and he can tell the difference between a good Herbie movie and a bad Herbie movie. He's seen 'em all.)
Though not intended to be final art, these "exploratory" Photoshop images nevertheless ended up on an assortment of merchandise from travel mugs to mousepads for the Walt Disney Gallery stores. I confess I borrowed heavily from "Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom" and the commercial animation of Halas and Batchelor for the look of these.
In 2005, I was surprised to see elements from all three images show up in the product development style guide for "Herbie, Fully Loaded".A tip of the sunroof and a "beep beep" on the horn to Jeremy today! Hope he's having a great one!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
GOUACHE ALMIGHTY
Today let's revel in some original illustrations created in the late 1950s by a handful of artists for Walt Disney Magazine. Inspired by the immense popularity of the Mickey Mouse Club television program, this high-quality periodical for kids featured stories about young studio stars, as well as articles touching on science, music and the interesting world around us.
Best of all is the sophisticated art direction lavished upon each issue by staff artist Paul Hartley. An accomplished illustrator himself, Hartley is revered today for having designed the look of Walt Disney's Cold War-era classic, Our Friend the Atom, as well as several of the original silk-screened attraction posters for Disneyland.
Here's a comical painting by Hartley for a story called The Pink Hat published in the August 1957 issue. (Click small images to view at larger sizes on Flickr.)
Legendary Disneyland designer Herb Ryman created this modern airport scene for a "Spin and Marty" adventure in 1959.
Al Dempster, a golden boy of Little Golden Books, painted this fantastic depiction of Johnny Appleseed for the series "Heroes of American Folklore" in 1957.
The uncredited title illustration for "Yellowstone: Land of Burning Mountains" published in June 1957, may have been the work of writer Milt Banta, who was also an artist. Banta died at a very young age, at 36, in late 1959.
Can't get enough of this good stuff?
A hug around the neck to Miss Stacia Martin- an illustrious illustrator herself- for identifying the titles and artists of these images. Thanks a million, Stacia!
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Skin Deep
The Restoration of Mr. Bali Hai
No bones about it, today's post is precisely seven years late.
Way back in August 2001 (mere weeks before "9/11" meant anything to us other than the eleventh of September) Jody and I volunteered to rescue an old, rotting lump of wood that had been sitting outdoors in the sun, rain, and salty sea breezes for half a century. Even worse, the lump had been touched, leaned upon, and sometimes even sat upon by hundreds of thousands of people.
Mr. Bali Hai is the world famous Sort-Of-Tiki that has stared down each and every visitor to the Bali Hai Restaurant on Shelter Island in San Diego, California since 1953. And, in our highly-respected opinion this deadpan deity is a bona fide star in the American Pop firmament. The Buster Keaton of Tikis!
Hewn from one massive solid chunk of native Californian Julian Pine by an undocumented carver, Mr. BH is widely recognized thanks to a souvenir ceramic mug in his likeness, carried off to all corners of the world by the bazillions of folks who ordered the "Mr. Bali Hai" cocktail with dinner.
For years Jody and I griped about the color scheme and sorry state of Mr. BH every time we ate at the Bali Hai, and finally we decided to see if we could do something about it. We took some unpaid vacation from work, bought several gallons of latex paint and, with the blessings of the restaurant's owner and the preservationist organization Historic San Diego, we set to work.
It didn't take long to discover that a fresh coat of paint was not going to cut it, as Mr. Bali Hai's troubles turned out to be more than skin deep. Decades of moisture had seeped into his back and a fungus had rotted away some of his insides.
About five pounds of moist, punky wood (think potting soil) had to be removed and the caverns scrubbed with a wire brush to get all contaminated wood out of there. The remaining fibers were flooded with termite pesticide and wood preservative. The "caves" were then coated in sealant, filled in with rock-hard wood putty, fortified with a layer of concrete, primered, painted and sealed again with three coats of marine polyurethane.
Referring to several vintage photographs of Mr.BH, we were able to recreate something close to his original appearance. It was thrilling to hold a 50-year-old photo up to his head and see all the same woodgrain traveling through his face. Somewhere back (we guess in the 1970s) he had been frosted like a cake with about a 1/4 inch of spackle.
We counted six layers of different colors that he has been over the years. You might recall him being Martian green, but did you know that over the years he has been THREE different shades of green? And for awhile his pupils had been bright orange!
Today only one detail is still lacking: the bone through his nose. We had gotten approval to recreate the bone - which we did- out of newly acquired pieces of Julian pine. However a few factors need to be worked out before the bone can be restored....and more on that later....
Not long ago I came across the photos we had taken to document the process. With many of our friends recently in San Diego for Comic-Con, we've been reflecting quite a bit on the stalwart Mr. Hai.
No bones about it, today's post is precisely seven years late.
Way back in August 2001 (mere weeks before "9/11" meant anything to us other than the eleventh of September) Jody and I volunteered to rescue an old, rotting lump of wood that had been sitting outdoors in the sun, rain, and salty sea breezes for half a century. Even worse, the lump had been touched, leaned upon, and sometimes even sat upon by hundreds of thousands of people.
Mr. Bali Hai is the world famous Sort-Of-Tiki that has stared down each and every visitor to the Bali Hai Restaurant on Shelter Island in San Diego, California since 1953. And, in our highly-respected opinion this deadpan deity is a bona fide star in the American Pop firmament. The Buster Keaton of Tikis!
Hewn from one massive solid chunk of native Californian Julian Pine by an undocumented carver, Mr. BH is widely recognized thanks to a souvenir ceramic mug in his likeness, carried off to all corners of the world by the bazillions of folks who ordered the "Mr. Bali Hai" cocktail with dinner.
For years Jody and I griped about the color scheme and sorry state of Mr. BH every time we ate at the Bali Hai, and finally we decided to see if we could do something about it. We took some unpaid vacation from work, bought several gallons of latex paint and, with the blessings of the restaurant's owner and the preservationist organization Historic San Diego, we set to work.
It didn't take long to discover that a fresh coat of paint was not going to cut it, as Mr. Bali Hai's troubles turned out to be more than skin deep. Decades of moisture had seeped into his back and a fungus had rotted away some of his insides.
About five pounds of moist, punky wood (think potting soil) had to be removed and the caverns scrubbed with a wire brush to get all contaminated wood out of there. The remaining fibers were flooded with termite pesticide and wood preservative. The "caves" were then coated in sealant, filled in with rock-hard wood putty, fortified with a layer of concrete, primered, painted and sealed again with three coats of marine polyurethane.
Referring to several vintage photographs of Mr.BH, we were able to recreate something close to his original appearance. It was thrilling to hold a 50-year-old photo up to his head and see all the same woodgrain traveling through his face. Somewhere back (we guess in the 1970s) he had been frosted like a cake with about a 1/4 inch of spackle.
We counted six layers of different colors that he has been over the years. You might recall him being Martian green, but did you know that over the years he has been THREE different shades of green? And for awhile his pupils had been bright orange!
Today only one detail is still lacking: the bone through his nose. We had gotten approval to recreate the bone - which we did- out of newly acquired pieces of Julian pine. However a few factors need to be worked out before the bone can be restored....and more on that later....
Not long ago I came across the photos we had taken to document the process. With many of our friends recently in San Diego for Comic-Con, we've been reflecting quite a bit on the stalwart Mr. Hai.
"Mr. Bali Hai's Restoration" Photo Album.
And of course, next time you're in San Diego, please stop in and say Hai.
And of course, next time you're in San Diego, please stop in and say Hai.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
PASTORAL IN PURPLE
"FANTASY, FANTASY EVERYWHERE—AND WONDERFUL WELCH’S TO DRINK!
Welcome to Welch’s Grape Juice Bar at the Mickey Mouse Theatre in Fantasyland! You’ll know it by those big bunches of luscious Concord Grapes you see in the picture. Head for those—you’ll be heading for the greatest refreshment treat in Disneyland."
(Centaurs and centaurettes, a unicorn, a faun, and several winged cherubs traipse through a Sleeping-Beauty-esque landscape hauling a bounty of Concord grapes. The mural was designed by Eyvind Earle, can't you tell? Make sure to click it to make it bigger!)
"We whistle while we work. We have a reason, too.
We know that we’ll be drinking Welch’s Grape Juice when we’re through."
“Don’t miss the ‘Mr. Toad' ride,” advises the beloved Dopey. You’ll thrill to a series of misadventures in a 1903 automobile, knock over a cow, crash through a barn, and glide through the Pearly Gates. You’ll meet lots of old and good friends in Fantasyland. One of the best, especially when you’re thirsty –is cool, delicious Welch’s Grape Juice."
"Look for the gay and colorful Welch’s Grape Juice Bar right at the Mickey Mouse Theatre. Make it your headquarters for healthful refreshment."
(In 1965 the theater was renamed the Fantasyland Theater and you could catch a humdinger of a show there that summer called "Humdinger!" The Theater and the Juice Bar were torn down in 1982 to make way for Pinocchio's Daring Journey and the Village Haus Restaurant. Nevertheless, this particular area of Fantasyland has left a purple stain on my heart that nobody's ever been able to wash off.)
1970s.
"FANTASY, FANTASY EVERYWHERE—AND WONDERFUL WELCH’S TO DRINK!
Welcome to Welch’s Grape Juice Bar at the Mickey Mouse Theatre in Fantasyland! You’ll know it by those big bunches of luscious Concord Grapes you see in the picture. Head for those—you’ll be heading for the greatest refreshment treat in Disneyland."
(Centaurs and centaurettes, a unicorn, a faun, and several winged cherubs traipse through a Sleeping-Beauty-esque landscape hauling a bounty of Concord grapes. The mural was designed by Eyvind Earle, can't you tell? Make sure to click it to make it bigger!)
"We whistle while we work. We have a reason, too.
We know that we’ll be drinking Welch’s Grape Juice when we’re through."
“Don’t miss the ‘Mr. Toad' ride,” advises the beloved Dopey. You’ll thrill to a series of misadventures in a 1903 automobile, knock over a cow, crash through a barn, and glide through the Pearly Gates. You’ll meet lots of old and good friends in Fantasyland. One of the best, especially when you’re thirsty –is cool, delicious Welch’s Grape Juice."
"Look for the gay and colorful Welch’s Grape Juice Bar right at the Mickey Mouse Theatre. Make it your headquarters for healthful refreshment."
(In 1965 the theater was renamed the Fantasyland Theater and you could catch a humdinger of a show there that summer called "Humdinger!" The Theater and the Juice Bar were torn down in 1982 to make way for Pinocchio's Daring Journey and the Village Haus Restaurant. Nevertheless, this particular area of Fantasyland has left a purple stain on my heart that nobody's ever been able to wash off.)
1970s.
Friday, July 18, 2008
in amazing realistic presence...
Okay, Disneyland, old boy...It's your birthday today, so blow out the candles on your cake and make a wish. Atta park! Now, what did you wish for? Oh, I know it spoils the wish to blow and tell, but tell us anyway.
What does a 53 year old cultural institution wish for? A pretty new Skyway, maybe? How about losing a little weight - you could start with "Honey I Shrunk the Audience"!
I bet you're wishing you could be 10 years old all over again, just like all of us do; a bright-eyed young thing with your Main Street still in its original and best color scheme, a swanky Tahitian Terrace packing 'em in every night, and big bands with big headliners...or at least a little Dixieland jazz. You know, I really miss your Dixieland jazz. How about merchandise that is specific to each of your themed lands - golly, that would be a total diller, wouldn't it? Man!
Say, I'm just thinking, if you were 10 again, Walt would still be around, wouldn't he? I bet you still miss him. We do too - terribly. At least your castle is about to re-open with a beautifully restored "Sleeping Beauty Walk-Thru" attraction - Walt would certainly be thrilled with that, I imagine! Do you think he'd let you drop that awkward "Resort" moniker and let you just be plain ol' Disneyland again? Why not - that's your real name, for goodness sake??
Oh, sorry if I'm getting too personal. How rude. After all, it's YOUR day, and whatever you wish for is your own business. You know, you still look great - a total knockout actually - and I predict a wonderful future for you. I won't say "don't ever change" but just don't stop being yourself, okay? Have a happy, fabulous, amazing birthday, Disneyland - and many, many more. Fifty-three is something to be really proud of...Heck, I'm right behind you myself....a ways!
.....
Today I'm sharing three pieces of 1955 artwork created for a full-color newspaper section advertising the opening of Disneyland. Some of the color illustrations seen here were also printed as the Park's very first souvenir postcards. Pretty cool, huh?
Here is a portion of the text that accompanied this 2-page spread:
"Enter this fascinating realm over the drawbridge of Sleeping Beauty's Castle, whose parapets and towers rise dizzily above you. Here in Fantasyland, Walt Disney recreates the fairytale folk he has immortalized in film, book and television --Peter Pan, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty, Mr. Toad from Wind in the Willows, Dumbo, the Flying Elephant, and a host of others. Here they are, close enough to touch, in amazing realistic presence. You may ride them, or stroll with them, in the pirate galleon to Never Never Land, to a mad tea party, whirling with Dumbo in aerial gyration, to the diamond mines with the Seven Dwarfs, to King Arthur's courtyard -- to many happy ports of Fantasy."
The original pencil layout...
...and the same piece with its original vellum overlay containing the text...
And in case you think I'm a day late in my birthday tribute...here's proof that the rest of the world started celebrating a day early! ;-)
And THANK YOU, TONY BAXTER for restoring the Castle Walk-Thru! We can't wait for December to get here, so we can all see it!
Okay, Disneyland, old boy...It's your birthday today, so blow out the candles on your cake and make a wish. Atta park! Now, what did you wish for? Oh, I know it spoils the wish to blow and tell, but tell us anyway. 
What does a 53 year old cultural institution wish for? A pretty new Skyway, maybe? How about losing a little weight - you could start with "Honey I Shrunk the Audience"!
I bet you're wishing you could be 10 years old all over again, just like all of us do; a bright-eyed young thing with your Main Street still in its original and best color scheme, a swanky Tahitian Terrace packing 'em in every night, and big bands with big headliners...or at least a little Dixieland jazz. You know, I really miss your Dixieland jazz. How about merchandise that is specific to each of your themed lands - golly, that would be a total diller, wouldn't it? Man!
Say, I'm just thinking, if you were 10 again, Walt would still be around, wouldn't he? I bet you still miss him. We do too - terribly. At least your castle is about to re-open with a beautifully restored "Sleeping Beauty Walk-Thru" attraction - Walt would certainly be thrilled with that, I imagine! Do you think he'd let you drop that awkward "Resort" moniker and let you just be plain ol' Disneyland again? Why not - that's your real name, for goodness sake??
Oh, sorry if I'm getting too personal. How rude. After all, it's YOUR day, and whatever you wish for is your own business. You know, you still look great - a total knockout actually - and I predict a wonderful future for you. I won't say "don't ever change" but just don't stop being yourself, okay? Have a happy, fabulous, amazing birthday, Disneyland - and many, many more. Fifty-three is something to be really proud of...Heck, I'm right behind you myself....a ways!
.....
Today I'm sharing three pieces of 1955 artwork created for a full-color newspaper section advertising the opening of Disneyland. Some of the color illustrations seen here were also printed as the Park's very first souvenir postcards. Pretty cool, huh?
Here is a portion of the text that accompanied this 2-page spread:
"Enter this fascinating realm over the drawbridge of Sleeping Beauty's Castle, whose parapets and towers rise dizzily above you. Here in Fantasyland, Walt Disney recreates the fairytale folk he has immortalized in film, book and television --Peter Pan, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty, Mr. Toad from Wind in the Willows, Dumbo, the Flying Elephant, and a host of others. Here they are, close enough to touch, in amazing realistic presence. You may ride them, or stroll with them, in the pirate galleon to Never Never Land, to a mad tea party, whirling with Dumbo in aerial gyration, to the diamond mines with the Seven Dwarfs, to King Arthur's courtyard -- to many happy ports of Fantasy."
The original pencil layout...
...and the same piece with its original vellum overlay containing the text...
And in case you think I'm a day late in my birthday tribute...here's proof that the rest of the world started celebrating a day early! ;-)
And THANK YOU, TONY BAXTER for restoring the Castle Walk-Thru! We can't wait for December to get here, so we can all see it!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
HOLLYWOOD LUAU!
Did you get your invitation in the mail for this?? No? Well, thank goodness I'm here to tell you about it so you won't miss out!
Every year (since 2005) the American Cinematheque puts on this big luau dinner (Southern California-style, as they call it) in the courtyard of the Egyptian. They show tropical-themed films in the big theater and there is live music and all sorts of fun.
The movies this year are:
Friday July 25 - "Fair Wind to Java" and "Aloma of the South Seas"
Saturday July 26 - "Her Jungle Love"
Saturday Luau Dinner with Musical Entertainment by King Kukulele and the Friki Tikis with the Polynesian Paradise Dancers!
Also Saturday, I'll be hosting a pre-movie-screening of "Tiki-TV" .
(This is a condensed 20-minute version of the presentation I gave at Hukilau in Florida in June, in case you missed it.)
Also there will be tropical vendors and more surprises!
Can you even stand it?
More Information...
Advance Tickets: www.fandango.com
The historic Egyptian Theatre is located at 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, LA, CA 90028
Did you get your invitation in the mail for this?? No? Well, thank goodness I'm here to tell you about it so you won't miss out!
Every year (since 2005) the American Cinematheque puts on this big luau dinner (Southern California-style, as they call it) in the courtyard of the Egyptian. They show tropical-themed films in the big theater and there is live music and all sorts of fun.
The movies this year are:
Friday July 25 - "Fair Wind to Java" and "Aloma of the South Seas"
Saturday July 26 - "Her Jungle Love"
Saturday Luau Dinner with Musical Entertainment by King Kukulele and the Friki Tikis with the Polynesian Paradise Dancers!
Also Saturday, I'll be hosting a pre-movie-screening of "Tiki-TV" .
(This is a condensed 20-minute version of the presentation I gave at Hukilau in Florida in June, in case you missed it.)
Also there will be tropical vendors and more surprises!
Can you even stand it?
More Information...
Advance Tickets: www.fandango.com
The historic Egyptian Theatre is located at 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, LA, CA 90028
Thursday, July 03, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR WIFE
Our little stroll along Main Street finally brings us to the Gibson Greeting Card Shop, in this original layout sketch created for a 1955 newspaper insert.
"When you come down Main Street, you'll find one of the busiest spots in Disneyland - the Gibson Greeting Card Shop. The official Disneyland card center will play host each month to thousands of "visiting firemen," young and old, as they stop to send a Gibson Greeting Card to the folks back home. In the near future, special Gibson Disneyland Cards will appear on the racks of this store as well as those of Gibson dealers throughout the country.
"Clanging past the Gibson Greeting Card Store on its dash down Main Street, the horse-drawn hose and chemical wagon, pride of Disneyland's Fire Department, answers an "alarm" as the "volunteers" cling tight for the thrill of a lifetime.
"Inside the Gibson Greeting Card Shop you'll find sentiments older than Frontierland on cards as fresh and new as Tomorrowland. For this is the cream of the "new look" crop of Gibson Greeting Cards --"the most unforgettable way to remember."
And the quaint old charm of the shop itself forms a sharp contrast to the newly-planned modern $3,500,000 home of The Gibson Art Company, 2000 miles away in Cincinnati, Ohio...where hundreds of millions of cards are created each year.
LISTEN!
"Gibson, one of the nation's largest and best-known greeting publishers, is one of the three sponsors of the hour-and-a-half television program of Disneyland's invitational preview on Sunday afternoon, July 17th, over ABC-TV. They will introduce the new Gibson "Musicards" on the program - beautiful cards containing a record by Rosemary Clooney singing the New Happy Birthday Song.
You have a standing invitation to visit the Gibson Greeting Card Shop of Disneyland...anytime!"
Our little stroll along Main Street finally brings us to the Gibson Greeting Card Shop, in this original layout sketch created for a 1955 newspaper insert.
"When you come down Main Street, you'll find one of the busiest spots in Disneyland - the Gibson Greeting Card Shop. The official Disneyland card center will play host each month to thousands of "visiting firemen," young and old, as they stop to send a Gibson Greeting Card to the folks back home. In the near future, special Gibson Disneyland Cards will appear on the racks of this store as well as those of Gibson dealers throughout the country.
"Clanging past the Gibson Greeting Card Store on its dash down Main Street, the horse-drawn hose and chemical wagon, pride of Disneyland's Fire Department, answers an "alarm" as the "volunteers" cling tight for the thrill of a lifetime.
"Inside the Gibson Greeting Card Shop you'll find sentiments older than Frontierland on cards as fresh and new as Tomorrowland. For this is the cream of the "new look" crop of Gibson Greeting Cards --"the most unforgettable way to remember."
And the quaint old charm of the shop itself forms a sharp contrast to the newly-planned modern $3,500,000 home of The Gibson Art Company, 2000 miles away in Cincinnati, Ohio...where hundreds of millions of cards are created each year.
LISTEN!
You have a standing invitation to visit the Gibson Greeting Card Shop of Disneyland...anytime!"
Sunday, June 29, 2008
BANK OF AMERICA
“MEET YOU ON MAIN STREET! We’ll be there. Just as you enter the magic realm of Disneyland you’ll see Bank of America in an authentic, turn-of-the-century setting. Bank of America is proud to be a part of this unusual new California community –just as it’s proud to be a part of 330 other communities throughout the state. While you’re at Disneyland please plan to stop in and say hello – we’ll guarantee you a real, old-fashioned welcome!”
“SPECIAL SOUVENIR MONEY ORDERS! As a memento of your Disneyland visit, Bank of America has provided special, souvenir money orders which may be purchased at the Disneyland Branch in $1, $5, and $10 denominations. Convertible into cash at banks and stores everywhere, they make a picturesque, yet practical, gift to send to the family at home.”
Does anybody have one of THOSE in their box of keepsakes?
Friday, June 27, 2008
THE OLD LAMPLIGHTER
"THE 90'S REVISITED; Twilight on Main Street is marked by the old lamplighter who makes his evening rounds to set the gas lamps glowing. Living memories for a few, a new adventure for most. Here along the gaslit stretches of Main Street will be found the ice cream parlor of grandmother's day, re-created in authentic detail from the almost forgotten past. Bridging the years for both young and old who visit this Disneyland creation is the name Carnation. Founded before the turn of the century, the Carnation Company continues to this day to provide ice cream comparable to the legendary quality of those wonderful confections of the home freezer."
The final painting was also used as one of Disneyland's first souvenir postcards.
"Here in the unhurried atmosphere of this 19th century setting, visitors to Disneyland can enjoy giant sundaes and satin-smooth sodas made with famous Carnation Ice Cream and Fresh Milk...just as did "Victorians" of another era enjoy ice cream in similar parlors. Those of this generation will find the past recaptured and blended with a modern-day tradition --the enjoyment of fresh dairy products of a quality that has identified Carnation for more than half a century. Such wonderful flavors as Rainbow, Fresh Peach, and Pineapple are but a few of the countless tempting treats that will be served up in the gracious manner of the 90's to all who pause for refreshment during a day at Disneyland."
And speaking of Main Street...Disneyland's Enchanted Tiki Room marked its 45th Anniversary with a special merchandise event on Main Street this week. Apparently this wasn't the first time a Tiki could be purchased outside of Adventureland...as shown by this little news item from Vacationland Magazine, 1960.
"THE 90'S REVISITED; Twilight on Main Street is marked by the old lamplighter who makes his evening rounds to set the gas lamps glowing. Living memories for a few, a new adventure for most. Here along the gaslit stretches of Main Street will be found the ice cream parlor of grandmother's day, re-created in authentic detail from the almost forgotten past. Bridging the years for both young and old who visit this Disneyland creation is the name Carnation. Founded before the turn of the century, the Carnation Company continues to this day to provide ice cream comparable to the legendary quality of those wonderful confections of the home freezer."
The final painting was also used as one of Disneyland's first souvenir postcards. "Here in the unhurried atmosphere of this 19th century setting, visitors to Disneyland can enjoy giant sundaes and satin-smooth sodas made with famous Carnation Ice Cream and Fresh Milk...just as did "Victorians" of another era enjoy ice cream in similar parlors. Those of this generation will find the past recaptured and blended with a modern-day tradition --the enjoyment of fresh dairy products of a quality that has identified Carnation for more than half a century. Such wonderful flavors as Rainbow, Fresh Peach, and Pineapple are but a few of the countless tempting treats that will be served up in the gracious manner of the 90's to all who pause for refreshment during a day at Disneyland." And speaking of Main Street...Disneyland's Enchanted Tiki Room marked its 45th Anniversary with a special merchandise event on Main Street this week. Apparently this wasn't the first time a Tiki could be purchased outside of Adventureland...as shown by this little news item from Vacationland Magazine, 1960.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
GUIDED BY THE SUN...
Ahoy Crew!
We've just docked in our home port after an adventure in paradise (ie, the Hukilau event in Florida!) As always, it takes several days -or even weeks- to recover from the Mai Kai in Fort Lauderdale. If you have not had the sheer pleasure of experiencing this authentic vintage Tiki-temple, start booking a voyage now!
As soon as you enter through the heavy wooden doors (with portholes in them!), you know you are in for a treat. The Mai Kai's interior is sumptuous. Spots of colored light from fixtures of every shape and construction are reflected in the flagstone floor polished to a shine from decades of foot traffic. Chinese lattice tiles are used to create partitions between dining room spaces, and museum-quality artifacts behind glass give the curious guest much to appreciate.
The details are staggering here.
Nautical artifacts abound, from a suspended ship model to lanterns, ropes , chains, and tackle. The mossy green volcanic rocks and ferns glimpsed through the window are actually an indoor diorama complete with swirling waterfalls. The effect is dazzling, even if you aren't enjoying one of the Mai Kai's potent cocktails.
Nothing goes better with your cocktail (Cobra's Kiss? Deep Sea Diver?) than a hot dish of deep-fried deliciousness. Isn't this gorgeous?
Here's what we have here: Vegetable Egg Rolls, bacon-wrapped Szechwan Chicken, Crab Rangoon, and Cheese Tangs. Dipped in hot Chinese mustard and cocktail sauce, you've got something to write home about.
An incredible interior - anywhere you look. Here we are at a crossroads: You may turn left and enter the Gift Shop, turn right and enter the restrooms (also themed beautifully), or head straight to the Mai Kai's private offices. The tiki pole railings in the foreground were made by Oceanic Arts in Whittier California.
One of the pleasures of a visit to the Mai Kai, is an after-dinner stroll through the restaurant's indoor and outdoor gardens. Along the way you will cross bridges, encounter blue-lit pools and waterfalls, duck though caves and grottoes, and enjoy an incredible display of Tiki artifacts. Watch your step! You don't want to anger the gods by stepping off the path into the water.
To get this view, you must get down low on your hands and knees and look under the footbridge in the indoor garden. The inner-explorer in me wants to wade waaaay back in there!
My friends Chip and Andy have posted some incredible vintage photos of the Mai Kai on Flickr. Check them out! It's really surprising how little has changed over the years.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The HAWAIIAN EYE MUG!
As a hopelessly lost fan of the TV show, I've been dreaming of making this ceramic mug for years and years and years....
Coming in late 2009...
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