Home Movies At DisneyLand

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7. San Francisco 1958

by Jeff Altman

3 months ago

6. Home Movies At DisneyLand - 1956 **Part Two**

by Jeff Altman

3 months ago

5. Home Movies At DisneyLand - 1956

by Jeff Altman

3 months ago

4. Dog Training

by Jeff Altman

4 months ago

3. Kodachrome Christmas

by Jeff Altman

5 months ago

2. Skeleton_Rough_Edit

by Jeff Altman

5 months ago

1. New_York_06_HD

by Jeff Altman

5 months ago

Shot by my grandfather on his Bell & Howell Filmo using 16mm Kodachrome film stock. This footage was taken a year after the California theme park opened.

It was quite a surprise going through this and seeing my grandmother meeting Walt Disney himself! I've been doing my best to find out what they were shooting at the front of the park. So far I've been unsuccessful.

Transferred to HD (1080PsF 23.98) myself off a Spirit and Color Corrected using a da Vinci 2k Plus. Slowed to 18fps to match the original film speed.

Credits

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Daniel Riddle 3 months ago

Awesome work, man.
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thanks! I appreciate it. I'm really happy with how this stuff turned out.
3to1 Studios 3 months ago

I must say, this is amazing stuff. First and foremost, having this amazing footage of your Grandmother shaking hands with Walt Disney is totally awesome. Second, what you did with the footage just took it a notch above the rest.

Great work!
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Your words are too kind. This Kodachrome stuff, when well exposed, really falls into place pretty easily. Once you start having to push it a bit, that's when you start getting oddness. Thanks!
Josh Reichlin 3 months ago

Awesome.

I just featured this on ChicagoNow, Fry Cook on Venus:
chicagonow.com/blogs/fry-cook-on-venus/2009/08/disneyland-1956.html
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

I'm really quite flattered! I'm glad you find it as enchanting as me. Thank you!
MG 3 months ago

Great work! How long did this take? I know of da Vinci but what's a "Spirit"?
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thanks! I think I really only spent about an hour on this stuff. Its hard to say for sure because I tend to try and get through as much of this footage as I can in a single sitting. My grandfather left behind a lot of film!

A Spirit is a telecine, or what's essentially film scanner.
MG 3 months ago

Thanks! Great to know and again, great work. You OWN a da Vinci?! Don't they list for about 250k?
Andrea Allen 3 months ago

This is so cool! Thanks for uploading.
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
The Real UHF 3 months ago

who was your grandpa?
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

He was a Chicago cop with a enthusiasm for 16mm. Rather lucky on his vacation to Disney to happen upon the man.
Climenole, LLC 3 months ago

You should find out who is running your local Home Movie Day (homemovieday.com/). I'm sure they'd love to play some of your Grandfather's footage. Oct. 18th.

Thanks for sharing!
Zeb H 3 months ago

Jeff, the chicagonow.com reference is on the front page of digg.com at the moment, getting lots of attention.

Your grandparents amazing footage is being enjoyed by the world.

Thank you.
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Wow. This was quite a surprise when I saw it! Quite a few friends and co-workers love the site. Thanks!
Nilz 3 months ago

Great footage. Interesting choice of music. It kind of creeped me out a bit over this footage.
David Wood 3 months ago

I agree - the film was amazing but the music gave it a different feel then I expected.
Offscreen Productions 3 months ago

Amazing work Jeff! Are you currently doing any work-for-hire?
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thank you! I get a few jobs here and there when I can, but for the time being I'm mostly doing assistant work.
Westcoaster 3 months ago

Love this video! Great history, great work on the da Vinci! The music was perfect... good work!
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thanks! It seems the music was a pretty dividing factor for some people watching.
GREECHes 3 months ago

Awesome stuff! Your grandparents were good DPs!
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

They weren't bad! If only Kodak still produced that slow 25asa reversal stuff these days; I would shoot everything on it!
Dusty Sage 3 months ago

This is just fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing. We just posted a link to your video on MiceChat: micechat.com/forums/disneyland-resort/121889-cool-home-video-1956-a.html#post1055506360
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thanks, Dusty! I'm glad other people can get just as much of a kick out of this stuff as I can!
orbitalpunk 3 months ago

Your grandmothers outfit was adorable. And thanks to Dusty Sage for bringing this to light on MC. And thank you J. A. for sharing this. It really is precious footage in many ways.
laherrera5 3 months ago

gotta love the mice chat!
mike ambs ☂ 3 months ago

This was amazing. I love old footage :) your grandfather had a pretty good eye too. I can't believe your grandmother got to meet Walt Disney! Crazy.
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

I did a double take when I first saw it. I had to bring up a picture of Walt on the internet just to make sure I wasn't making a false connection with someone else. Thanks!
Octavio Solórzano 3 months ago

Thanks 4 Sharing, this Historical piece.! Seems like it was recorded a couple of years ago..! Nice job..
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thank you! The beauty of film (especially the larger formats) is that it adapts well as new video technology becomes accepted.
Anna Gustafson 3 months ago

Wow! The quality is amazing. This was so cool to watch.
Too bad Walt Disney has kind of a wimpy handshake. :-)
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thank you, Anna! I actually never really noticed the handshake; I mostly try and figure out exactly what their exchange is. My grandmother's lips are just so darn hard to read!

Hooray for going through old family movies!
Max Power 3 months ago

Awesome, you made me travel back to 1956.
Thanks so much for sharing this piece of history.

Lucky grandma.
I would make a still of her shaking hands with Walt and print and frame it if I was you ;)
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Oh, believe me. I have a print all ready framed and ready for her the next time see here.

I'm glad you enjoyed it!
laherrera5 3 months ago

Jeff this was awesome in so many ways. The color and quality are amazing, the footage is so cool. And it's really cool that you pour through your grandfathers footage and share it. Pretty sweet that you are able to use his hobby in your own hobby. Please keep more footage coming!
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Its weird how, even though I never really knew him, I sort of independently picked up on the same things he was into. I even still shoot with the camera he shot this stuff on. Thanks for the positive comments!
laherrera5 3 months ago

That is awesome. Thanks again for sharing. Can't wait for more.
Chris Light 3 months ago

this was SO cool to watch. you are so lucky to have film footage like this in your family. the music was a touch of gold on this, yet i have no idea who it is. haha...perfect vibe. thanks for posting!
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Up until only a few years ago; I never knew any of this footage existed. It had just been sitting in a closet for the past few decades.

The music is a band by the name Deerhoof.

Thanks!
Andrew Hazlett 3 months ago

Great time capsule and imagery.
John Frost 3 months ago

Brilliant colors, brilliant look at early Disneyland, and a wonderful film overall. I've just exposed it to a ton of Disneyland fans over on my blog - thedisneyblog.com

Thanks for putting this out there.
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thanks, John! I knew there would be people who would get into this stuff, but never really knew the means of getting to them. Putting on here and just seeing who picks up on it really only seemed like the thing I could do.

I appreciate you putting it out there, and glad you enjoy it for what its worth.
Dave DeCaro 3 months ago

Jeff - Amazing stuff. Thanks so much for sharing this footage. I found your site through John Frost's site. LOVE the internet! I have also linked it on my daily Disneyland blog: davelandblog.blogspot.com
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thanks, Dave. I'm very happy that this material can be of such interest to people out there! Keep up the good work!
Trevor May 3 months ago

This is absolutely superb, Jeff. It could have been shot yesterday the quality is so good! I've just blogged you: antikewl.com/ -- Thanks so much for sharing!
Tim Samoff 3 months ago

I'm completely blown away by the quality you were able to achieve. Wow. Incredible.
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thanks, Tim. I'm just lucky to work in an environment where I have access to the machines to do it properly.
chelle stefan 3 months ago

I was wondering if you could tell me what song this is? Thank you!
--Chelle.
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

The song is "Dream Wanderer's Tune" by the band Deerhood.
Vasant Ramaswamy 3 months ago

Brilliant work Jeff! What a feast to see it!
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thank you, Vasant!
Xander (Alex) Moyler 3 months ago

Thank-you so much for sharing this- a wonderful view of 1950s Disneyland! Stuff like this is rare.
Perfectly restored footage as well- mass props to you for turning it into something so amazing.
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thanks, Xander. The stuff was actually in pretty good condition when I got it, so I can't take all the credit for making it look so clean. It was pretty clear that it hadn't been projected very much.
Moayad Hassan 3 months ago

That's amazing :)

This is no less that a tresure
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thank you, Moayad!
Andrew 3 months ago

I love footage like this that captures a slice of Americana that is long gone. Featured it today at VanishedAmericana.com.
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thanks, Andrew! I really like what you're doing with that website. I'm happy something I had my hands on could be a part of it.
David Cobb 3 months ago

Like a dream. Thanks for this.
Rafael de Pino 3 months ago

I'm curious about the music too... What is it?

And great upload!
dominique alia 3 months ago

awesome footage...nice to see the past of america
Konrad Li 3 months ago

Jeff, I signed up just to comment on this. We're so lucky your grandpa decided to record this. This is the first time I've seen a 50s era color video in such clarity. Pardon my ignorance, but I didn't even know color video existed then. This is great for seeing how things were back in teh day. A real eye opener for me. Great job on the transfer to HD (upconverting?) too.

Thanks!
Dee Baughman 3 months ago

I had to sign up to comment, too. I found your video via John Frost's blog, and I was totally blown away by it! Being born in 1971, I missed the park's early years, and I've always wished I could go back in time. For two short minutes, I did!

What an amazing glimpse into the past, and it is such a gorgeous transfer, it looks brand new. Fantastic job and thank you so much for sharing!
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thank you for your kind words! I'm flattered you went through the trouble of signing up just to make a comment on this video.
Jay Palmquist 3 months ago

The music is very interesting. I just can't imagine discovering an old 16mm with my grandparents talking with Walt Disney himself... Just wow! Thank you for sharing this. I was born 2 years after this film was shot...Luckily for me, Disneyland hadn't changed much by 1967 or so when I first enjoyed Disneyland. This park was SOOOO over the top at the time. A real marvel. Still is.
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thanks, Jay. I can only imagine what experiencing that park would be like during that era. There really wasn't anything like it back then.
Franco Bejarano 3 months ago

can you please tell us what's the song? thannks
Suzi Rumsey 3 months ago

Dream Wanderers by Deerhoof.... a great band.
Climenole, LLC 3 months ago

So great! You'd be well served to find out who is running the Home Movie Day in your area and see if they'd play this during home movie day. Coming up on Oct. 17th.

homemovieday.com/
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thanks for the heads up! This looks like something I would submit to.
Tim G. 3 months ago

Excellent quality, fascinating stuff, especially if you are a big Disney fan. Well done!
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thank you
Jaye Thompson 3 months ago

What terrific footage! (Also, you've been Boing-Boinged.)
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thanks, Jaye! I had never heard of Boing-Boing before, but my roommate is telling me its a pretty big thing. Thanks, again!
Jaye Thompson 3 months ago

Really? I can't imagine not knowing about the Big Blog... I'm envious: with blithe ignorance, you nabbed one of the coolest Nerd Merit Badges!

nerdmeritbadges.com/products/been-boinged
Judi Murphy 3 months ago

WOW!! Made me so melancholy for the good ole days, I was born in 1944. LOVED your grandma's hat and got a kick out of all the ladies wearing dresses. My 1st Disneyland visit was in 1967, you did a fabulous job, loved the happy music, great color! Thx for sharing, what's next?
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thanks, Judi. I'm glad this little film could make you feel nostalgic. I have quite a bit more footage to get through (my grandfather shot A LOT of film). As I go through it, I've been posting the stuff that others may find interesting.
Stephen Chappell 3 months ago

Awesome job, Jeff! I have some pics somewhere of my grandparents attending the opening month of Disneyland, but they were all in B&W. This really brought back memories of my first visit as a kid, in 1968. Thanks for sharing it and taking so much care in restoring it and encoding in HD.
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Stephen, those picture sound really precious and must be really closely held. I can only imagine how magical that place must have been back when it was first created.

Thanks!
Jim Bowen 3 months ago

I had to sign up just to comment too.
This is amazing footage! If I were you, I'd contact someone at the Walt Disney Archives and see if they'd be interested at all. I know they don't have much footage of the early days of the park, let alone color footage, and such high quality too! Thanks for sharing with us.
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thanks, Jim. I'll have to check into this. I had no idea that they didn't have much footage of their early days. It was such a huge thing when it opened!
Sean L. 3 months ago

What great history preserved!! Awesome job converting and posting it. I grew up in SoCal in the 70's and 80's and witnessed the park change over the years, Was neat to see some rides that aren't there anymore, and the different shape of the SkyBaskets. What a treat for your grandparent's to meet such a visionary.
Jeff Altman 3 months ago

Thanks, Sean. It was absolutely mind blowing when I saw him in my grandfather's footage. To make it even weirder; it was never once mentioned to me that this meeting took place!
Joe Bezdek 3 months ago

Jeff, this is just fantastic. Thanks for posting it.

I (like a lot of people, I suspect) have a lot of old analog film/video/etc. that I'd like to digitize before the media deteriorates. Have you ever written up your process so others can learn from it?

Also, do you know of and recommend any companies that do high-quality digitization work?

Thanks.
Brent Sharp 3 months ago

I work for Victory Studios in Seattle, Wa. Telecine, dubs, digital transfers. We do all that stuff. Look us up.

victorystudios.com
JulieWhicker 3 months ago

How innocent the world seemed then, only 50 yars ago.
Thanks for sharing its awesome.......Julie from Sydney
BumKi Cho 3 months ago

Priceless footage!
Brent Sharp 3 months ago

Nice Footage. Nostalgia for sure. I just posted this on my blog.
themostawesomepageintheuniverse.com/2009/08/i-wish-all-my-memories-looked-like-16mm-film/

Thanks for the Embed. What is that song?
Brent Sharp 3 months ago

Ah. Deerhoof. Got it.
Elvisgirl 3 months ago

Whaou... It's just AMAZING !!! What a beautiful work... Wonderful.

Elvisgirl from Montréal.
cine8 3 months ago

Image quality is stunning, kodachrome (imo) is unsurpassed even in 2009 with modern film emulsions, nothing compares to images like these. So sad the kodachrome film/process will be history by the end of 2010.
Chris Light 3 months ago

i commented on this when i first found it 12 days ago.....still watching it every night since. this film is amazing Jeff.
MuratCo 3 months ago

this is some genuine stuff jeff ~ neat work
Jarbas Agnelli 2 months ago

Wonderful, precious footage. Nice work on the telecine.
darren elliott 2 months ago

It looks absolutely beautiful...and the juxtaposition of music is delightfully selected
Dadeographer 2 months ago

Wonderful - a personal glimpse into a time long gone by. Can you imagine what was going through your grandfather's mind during this capture as the imagery was flying by ... thanks for sharing.
jeff jackson 30 days ago

I grew up going to Disneyland (in the eighties & nineties) and I feel like I know every nook and cranny but seeing this footage makes it look like an entirely different place! So cool!
AliasUndercover 28 days ago

These are great! They should almost be museum pieces. And I don't care what anyone says, the music is absolutely perfect.
Francisco H Salanga III 26 days ago

About what they were shooting at the front of the park:

Around this time, the Disney studio had just made a deal with ABC to create weekly shows. The ultimate agenda for Walt was to gain advertising revenue and publicity for the newly opened Disneyland (which if I'm not mistaken only opened a year prior to this video). One of the shows Disney made was a weekly update for the park--basically an hour of old Disney cartoons, documentary and updates on the park and its rides.

A little tidbit about the park back then, Tomorrowland wasn't developed at the time and when patrons entered this portion of the park, they were met with a large dirt lot, with a rinky-dink sign that read something like: Future Home of Tomorrowland.