When Wrecks Go Historically Wrong

The day: July 17th.
The year: 1955.

After years of anticipation, Disneyland was ready to open its gates. People gathered by the hundreds to experience the new park.

But all was not smooth sailing on that fateful summer day, as many of the characters failed to impress.

There was, of course, Walt's favorite mouse:

But many of the other characters were sponsored by popular businesses of the time. Characters like:

Asbestos Jim:

Lead Paint Larry:

And Little Timmy the Coal Miner:

Another character to only last the day was Oscar the Ogre:

Unfortunately, Oscar was sponsored by Johnson's Fancy Heroin Hemorrhoid Cream.

In fact, only one other opening day character made the cut. An imagineer, desperate to impress Walt, glued a sailor hat to a passing duck and the rest, as they say, is history.

Later the duck was given a shirt and a large dose of amphetamines.

Thanks to Nick, Anony M., Cyndy O., Meghan M., Julie A., & Sydney D. for the fowl history lesson.

*****

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And from my other blog, Epbot:

Comments

[Mike]

Okay, what kind of Mickey Mouse operation are we running here? This whole thing is just Goofy. I'm surprised there was no Minnie Me in this post. These probably ought to be buried and pushing up Daisies. I could even say this was absolutely Daffy, but then someone would just point out that's the wrong cartoon.

[Moira]

This post is further evidence that even the most adorable and innocent things are terrifying when seen in black and white. You realize, Jen, that you owe your faithful readers the full color versions of each of these, so we can be appropriately shocked, appalled, amazed, and amused.

[PandaLover]

Black and white is so so scary.

[mindy1]

What on earth were they even supposed to be?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! D:

[sendingtheclowns =^-.-^=]

Thanks, john!!
I AM a 50s kid. The only color WE saw was when we opened our eyes.
The only cakes were ..hmmm. ...DUNKED In something or other......I'll look it up, maybe. It came in a box on the tv first, then NO MORE HOMEMADE WRECKS.
I LOVE this site.....it's practically a.......HEY! THIS could BE a show!
In B&W, of course.
=^-.-^=

[Lynne]

I love this. The Black & White pics made my day, especially since today is my birthday too. I remember B&W pictures of me as a little girl in the Disney park eating Carnation ice cream with my brother when I was about four. Of course, I'm having a hard time remembering some of these characters though.

[Debbie]

If you say you didn’t read this in an old timey news reel guy’s voice you are a darn dirty liar

[Mary Kay]

Hilarious!!! One was better (or should I say worse) than the other. That said, I'm jealous of whoever made those beautiful teardrop swoops the formed the duck body. Printed head wrecked it.

[kris10]

I love that is wasn't just regular heroin hemorrhoid cream, it was *FANCY* heroin hemorrhoid cream! That makes all the difference!

[Arlene Marie]

Lol fancy heroin hemorrhoid cream.. I am still dying of laughter on that one.

[Jansville]

I wonder if the Wreckerator of the last one ever figured out why Donald looked...just so wrong walking like an actual duck. If it walks like a duck, it isn’t Donald Duck.

[PJ]

Is it me - or is Timmy wearing Tidy Whities on his head???

[Grrly Girl]

I had the same thought and was going to ask the same question about Timmy.

[The One who remains nameless]

I believe cake 3 is Patrick from Spongebob Squarepants

[Cali Kath]

*TIGHTY* whities.