Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I came across this terrific documentary film about a family of five who won a Southern California vacation back in 1956, just one year after Disneyland opened. The shots of the park are really amazing to see, especially Frontierland, which seemed much more authentic than it does today. There's a lot that's fascinating to watch here besides just seeing Disneyland in its early days - from the almost primitive 9 hour flight across the country to the brand new LA freeway system. <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/barstow_disneyland_dream_1956" target="_blank">http://www.archive.org/details...eam_1956</a>
Originally Posted By ecdc I heard about this after the guy who did it passed away this year. Thanks for posting it.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Thanks ecdc. Columnist Frank Rich as written a piece for the New York Times entitled "Who Killed the Disneyland Dream" in which he discusses the rise and decline of the American middle class since 1956. As a topic it's probably more appropriate for WE, nevertheless it an interesting read: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/26/opinion/26rich.html" target="_blank">http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12...ich.html</a>
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones I'm not sure if the American middle class lifestyle of the 1950s was even sustainable. Two cars in every garage and suburban living with a huge back yard and a huge front yard turned into torturous commutes and variable rate mortgages. As much as I like the Disneyland of old, I still cringe whenever it's associated with white picket fences and the American Dream.
Originally Posted By Moon Waffle "I'm not sure if the American middle class lifestyle of the 1950s was even sustainable. Two cars in every garage and suburban living with a huge back yard and a huge front yard turned into torturous commutes and variable rate mortgages." In many of the urban areas and surrounding suburbs, yes. But there is still a very large portion of the country (and not just the rural areas) that enjoys this lifestyle and maintains it comfortably. I for one live in a community of 200,000+ and have all the thinge you mention less the torturous commute and variable rate mortgage. Same with most of my neighbors.
Originally Posted By ecdc I have mixed feelings myself. It's certainly a delightful little film, positively dripping with nostalgia. But it does seem a harbinger of American excess. Or maybe I'm too intent on reading too much into such a fun collection of home movies
Originally Posted By avimagine Re 4: I live in census area of over 400k and pretty much can say the same thing as MW. The other thing is with today's technology there is a fair percentage of people who could be telecommuting more then they are now, that is if companies would allow it.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I'm not sure if the American middle class lifestyle of the 1950s was even sustainable." More importantly it is becoming less and less attainable for the average American middle class family, but again that's probably a discussion more suitable for WE.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo WOW, thank you for sharing that, it really was great, and there was some really fun editing there too. I watched it with my 7 year old son, and we both enjoyed it. Back when Knott's Berry Farm was a great park to visit (well it was until the Knott's sold it to Cedar Fair) and Universal Studios was all about seeing how movies are made. And Disneyland was a real pleasure. Full theming everywhere, toons just in Fantasyland, and everyone appreciative of being there rather than feeling they own the place. I was struck by the facial hair on the sheriff and the custodial staff. And it was great seeing Marty's work in the newspaper. Mikey was struck by Autopia and really wanted to ride it without the rails. I enjoyed seeing Frontierland in it's original incarnation. Sadly Mikey said he wouldn't like it as much without Big Thunder Mountain, when I commented how I preferred Nature's Wonderland (he said it was too slow). Lol This confirmed I am a Disney historian more than a contemporary fan.
Originally Posted By Hannibal 8 That video was a real treat. I liked the way he refers to Black Bart (a lovable rapscallion that used to roam around Frontierland and Main Street) as a friendly sheriff. The other thing that struck me was the 1950s sensibility of walking on the sidewalks on Main Street. Even though it appears to be crowded the pedestrians in older films like this stick to the sidewalk and leave Main Street open for the vehicles and horses.
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones "This confirmed I am a Disney historian more than a contemporary fan." This pretty much describes my feelings as well. I still love to talk about the history of the parks, I simply don't enjoy visiting anymore.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo It is a real shame, isn't it? I don't think it would take a huge amount to endure me. But getting rid of fast pass, limiting AP numbers, returning unique non synergistic entertainment and shopping experiences are never likely to happen again. And such a shame. Disney did so well in their first 40 years of theme parks.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Full theming everywhere, toons just in Fantasyland, and everyone appreciative of being there rather than feeling they own the place." Yes! "I still love to talk about the history of the parks, I simply don't enjoy visiting anymore." As much as I hate to admit it I think I'm moving into this category as well.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA <-- the thought of visiting Disneyland seems 'fun' in my mind. Then, I think of the crowds, and it's just 'nooe -- not gonna do it"
Originally Posted By TP2000 The "middle class lifestyle" of 1956 as so wonderfully illustrated in that video can be had today, for about the cost of a family of four living beneath the poverty line. But you'll need to give up a few things to get back to that idyllic 1956 affluence. You are also going to save a great deal of money living circa 1956, since you'll cancel things like your Netflix and health club memberships, and shut down your Internet access and get rid of the computer you are using to read this. Instead of a collection of LCD or Plasma screens in your home broadcasting 250 channels in HD, a single black and white tube tv with a 19 inch screen that gets three channels is your only form of electronic visual entertainment. Your iPhone and monthly 75 dollar cell phone bill will be turned in to a single dial rotary phone on a cord with a monthly bill to AT&T a fraction of what you pay for cellular service. Forget about most of the electrical appliances in your kitchen, including the dishwasher, and keep just the stove and refrigerator and maybe an electric toaster and blender. (You'll find your ice in the metal trays in the top section of the fridge. You need to fill them with fresh water yourselves and wait for them to freeze. You'll build forearm strength extracting them every few days.) Your home won't have air conditioning, and neither will your car. In fact, your car will have crank windows and an AM radio, and a vinyl bench seat that will burn your thighs in summer. No air bags, no anti-lock brakes, no GPS navigation screen, no iPod jack, no Onstar, no electric locks or power seats, and your seat belt is an extra-cost option that won't pretension in a crash. Accidents that only produce bruises and rattled nerves in a 2010 Chevy will maim and kill in a '56 model. There's not a single computer chip in your entire car, and it belches blue smoke and gets about 15 MPG and requires constant maintenance in the form of axles that need seasonal greasing, constant oil changes, tires that wear out at 20,000 miles, and spark plugs that have to be gapped and replaced just as regularly. These same types of dramatic decreases in safety, comfort and convenience will extend to nearly every facet of your life as you regress back to that middle class lifestyle of 1956. Not to mention the huge social and cultural changes that will impair nearly anyone who is not a white heterosexual male. But if you long for that 1956 life, you can return to it now if you'd like. You will save a boatload of cash every year by living like that too. Money you can use for a trip to Disneyland.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Well I would love DL to return to the ethos of the time. That's for sure.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***But you'll need to give up a few things to get back to that idyllic 1956 affluence. You are also going to save a great deal of money living circa 1956, since you'll cancel things like your Netflix and health club memberships, and shut down your Internet access and get rid of the computer you are using to read this. Instead of a collection of LCD or Plasma screens in your home broadcasting 250 channels in HD, a single black and white tube tv with a 19 inch screen that gets three channels is your only form of electronic visual entertainment. Your iPhone and monthly 75 dollar cell phone bill will be turned in to a single dial rotary phone on a cord with a monthly bill to AT&T a fraction of what you pay for cellular service. Forget about most of the electrical appliances in your kitchen, including the dishwasher, and keep just the stove and refrigerator and maybe an electric toaster and blender. (You'll find your ice in the metal trays in the top section of the fridge. You need to fill them with fresh water yourselves and wait for them to freeze. You'll build forearm strength extracting them every few days.) Your home won't have air conditioning, and neither will your car. In fact, your car will have crank windows and an AM radio, and a vinyl bench seat that will burn your thighs in summer. No air bags, no anti-lock brakes, no GPS navigation screen, no iPod jack, no Onstar, no electric locks or power seats, and your seat belt is an extra-cost option that won't pretension in a crash. Accidents that only produce bruises and rattled nerves in a 2010 Chevy will maim and kill in a '56 model. There's not a single computer chip in your entire car, and it belches blue smoke and gets about 15 MPG and requires constant maintenance in the form of axles that need seasonal greasing, constant oil changes, tires that wear out at 20,000 miles, and spark plugs that have to be gapped and replaced just as regularly*** Aside from the obvious modern day safety benefits, and the AC (I'm a sucker for some decent AC and heat in my old age!), the rest sounds pretty unimportant to me. I could live without all of it, and would be pretty happy to do so (I live without a LOT of it now anyway...the computer is an unnecessary addiction that I could live with out for sure, I already don't watch TV, and we have no dishwasher or dryer anyway so we wash by hand and hang out the clothes...no biggie).
Originally Posted By Mr X ***These same types of dramatic decreases in safety, comfort and convenience will extend to nearly every facet of your life as you regress back to that middle class lifestyle of 1956*** Interestingly, your "dramatic" decreases are really not all that impressive all told, in fact you had to spend a lot of time harping on modern day car technology in order to somewhat make your point (a point that is pretty much negated anyway considering the traffic was much less intensive back then...I'd be interested in learning some highway death stats for then vs now before commenting further on your vaunted "improvements". ***Not to mention the huge social and cultural changes that will impair nearly anyone who is not a white heterosexual male*** That, of course, is a different story. But social progress and economic/technical progress don't necessarily go hand in hand. Would I enjoy a return to "simpler times" just for the peace and quiet of it all? Perhaps, yes. Would I approve of racism along with that? Hell, no. It's two very separate issues.
Originally Posted By ShivaThDestroyer not the first time this was posted on the boards but always enjoyable. <a href="http://mb.laughingplace.com/MsgBoard-T-95779-P-1.asp?c=1" target="_blank">http://mb.laughingplace.com/Ms....asp?c=1</a>
