Mad Magazine - December 1956

Welcome to “Magazine Monday”! It’s a “MAD” Magazine Monday!

From December 1956, this issue of MAD Magazine is the first to have Alfred E. Newman on its cover. I grew up reading all of my older brothers MAD Magazines and books, my mind was undoubtedly shaped and/or distorted by these magazines. I’ll still pick one up every few months and they still make me laugh out loud.






The index page showing all the fun stuff inside. I was going to ask if anyone wants the entire issue posted, but it’s so much fun I’m going to go ahead and post the whole thing on Bonus Sunday.






The article on “Dizzyland” is classic standard MAD satire, as they stated in the index page “which shows how jealous we are” it makes me think this was all in good fun. It’s interesting to see the focus on how much money Walt appeared to be making.

Now without further interruption, here is the “Dizzyland” MAD piece. Step back in time, pretend you are a child again, read and laugh out loud. 









My favorite quote from Fantasticland: "Don’t get the idea because we’re drawn smiling, were happy!"

MAD had very little advertising in 1956 (one small shoe ad) and had no advertising from 1957 to 2001 (how cool was that!) so here's a funny “joke” ad about tires that don’t need a car!






It’s December 1956 therefore an Elvis satire is in order!






This “Mouse Trap” piece is a good representation of the MAD style of humor.






The back cover is fantastic; it’s the reverse side of the front cover. MAD was and is famous for all the little details in their drawings, this is no exception.





Come back on Bonus Sunday for the entire issue.

P.s. I'm at the Park today!!!!!!!

McCall's - February 1956

Welcome to “Magazine Monday” a new weekly post featuring a vintage Magazine relating to or otherwise about Disneyland or Walt Disney World.  This weekly series will continue until the material runs dry - we are good until at least spring.  Sometimes we’ll have just a short article and even some great vintage ads. Oh, and expect the obscure.

Let’s kick off Magazine Monday with McCall’s Magazine from February 1956. McCall’s is one of the first, if not the first women’s magazines. It was published up until 2001 when it was renamed “Rosie” (yup, that Rosie) and promptly ceased publication in 2002 (Link).

These were BIG “Life” sized magazines measuring in at 10 ½ by 13 ½ inches. Super castle picture on the cover, but where is that lady standing?






She sure is a sharp dresser. Looks to me like she is going to fall in? In fact, is she even really there? Was this a pre-Photoshop fixed photo?






“Tight fitting trousers and a gay shirt” Hey, I didn’t make it up; I’m just copying what it says!






It feels like we are on a game show with these descriptions of the clothes. What’s Carol Marol wearing today? It must be from “Spiegel, Chicago Ill. 60609”.








How about a few vintage ads? These are a real time capsule of mid 50’s America. New Cascade for the new fangled “automatic” dishwashers, that's an idea that will never catch on.






Mamma Mia that’s a good Pizza! Slick recipe here for some good 50’s style Pizza Pie!






Here’s a fun beer ad. I want to be the guy running the music, how cool is he with a beer in one hand and the other hand turning up the Hi-fi volume, all the while keeping that great smile. “Beer Belongs – Enjoy it” but remember its “America’s Beverage of Moderation”.






After the party guests leave the faithful housewife is going to vacuum up with her fancy Electrolux vacuum. “Sold only on home demonstration by your friendly Electrolux Man”






This last scan is not an ad, rather it's something very sobering. Here is a comparison of the 1956 Russian workers daily meals vs. the 1956 USA workers daily meals. Wow, that’s quite a contrast, I am so glad to be living in the USA!





Next weeks “Magazine Monday” will continue in 1956 with a comical look at Disneyland.

Disneyland Album - TV Guide January 1955 - Part 4

From January 22-28, 1955, this TV Guide is the final part of a four part series called “Disneyland Album”. You can see parts one, two and three here (Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3). I was supposed to post this last Friday, but I was so stuffed with turkey I forgot all about it.

Ed Sullivan was an amazing showman, but he seems to have more of a "radio" face.





New York and Hollywood TV Teletype's. "Judy Garland was this close to signing an exclusive TV contact with NBC, but the deal fell through..." I think her TV show would take few more years to materialize.






Weird TV Teletype information from Washington, I don't recall seeing that in other old TV Guides. 44 million viewers tuning in to see Ed, WOW!






This weeks Disneyland Album final installment at least closely relates to Disneyland the park. The early illustrations of the Jungle Cruise sure make me smile.







"Davy Crockett Goes to Congress" part 2 of 3 was featured on the Disneyland TV Show. If you have been following each weeks episodes, you will notice there is no order to the shows, was this Walt's was of making sure you always would come back?






1955 had a look all of its own and I like it.






Come back on Bonus Sunday for the complete TV Guide from January 22-28, 1955. I hope you have enjoyed this little series and its time-capsule look at Americana as it was in January 1955. I've read these guides before, but I always find something new when I read them again.  Oh, and fear not, I've got plenty more Disneyland related TV Guides for future posts...

Disneyland Album - TV Guide January 1955 - Part 3

From January 15-21, 1955, this TV Guide is part three of a four part series called “Disneyland Album”. You can see parts one and two here (Part 1) (Part 2). Check back next Friday for the fourth and last part.

Why Panel Shows are ‘Rigged’. Interesting to note this was almost two years before the Charles Van Doren Twenty-one scandal that put these early games show out of business for a decade.






The TV Teletype – New York Edition. WOW, that episode of Studio One “It might happen tomorrow” sounds like it was way ahead of its time, I sure would like to see it.






The Hollywood TV Teletype (still on the back side!) "ABC is working on plans for Walt Disney to do an hour-long, five-day a week daytime show from his new amusement park 'Disneyland' starting next fall". Did this become the Mickey Mouse Club? I don’t recall the MMC being filmed at Disneyland.






Here’s this weeks Disneyland page featuring Frontierland. Again its slim on info and not really related to the park, except some of those names would appear in Frontierland.






Wednesday’s line-up includes; two Color episodes on “Norby” (never heard of it except in these old TV Guides), the premier episode of “The Millionaire”. 'My name is Michael Anthony…' I loved that show! And of course, Disneyland. This week’s episode has Walt arguing the existence of sea serpents.






Who’s funny now? A young Johnny Carson, Jay’s OK, but sometimes I sure do miss Johnny. There’s Pat Caroll again!





Check back Bonus Sunday for the entire issue, it’s always a fun trip thru time.

Disneyland Album - TV Guide January 1955 - Part 1

Its vintage TV Guide time again here on the blog.

From January 1-7, 1955, this TV Guide has part one of a four part series called “Disneyland Album”. Each week in January 1955 TV Guide did a little special on each of the four segments of the ABC show Disneyland. Check back on each Friday of this month for the next three 1955 issues, yes I have them all...

Loretta Young graces the cover. The Bowl Game listing are a blast to look at (you’ll find the complete issue this coming Bonus Sunday).






There’s no way I can post a TV Guide without the “TV Teletype”. First Tomorrowland episode on Disneyland coming March 9th, mark your calendar!






More TV Teletype, “Hollywood” gets the back page (not for long)… Pat Carroll must have had a better publicity shot?






Did I mention each of the four “Special” Disneyland Albums consist of just two pages each? Oh well, the super artwork makes up for it! The dinner scene is my favorite.






The Wednesday night TV listing shows the current “Disneyland” episode. "Part 1 of Treasure Island", what a great movie. Check out the “Best of Broadway” at 9:00pm, it’s one of only two shows in COLOR for the entire week. Nice cast lineup, I bet it was a good show. I’m guessing it was done live since there was no color video tape in 1955. It could have been filmed, but that would have been expensive and they seem to list “film” when that’s the case. As with many of the listings in these early TV Guides, the “Best of Broadway” may gone forever or on some poor quality kineoscope.






The centerfold section is a welcome to 1955 from WBKB ABC Chicago. What’s with the disembodied heads they used in the 50’s? They creep me out.






Fun little Jackie Gleason article, these articles are really just ads huh?





Come back on Bonus Sunday for the entire issue.

Modern Screen - August 1955

Taking a look at yet another Vintage Magazine, this time it’s Modern Screen from August 1955. The Disneyland article inside is fun, but a little short and lacking in details and nomenclature. The rest of the magazine is splendid however; check out some of the articles/profiles down below after the Disneyland pages.







The table of contents, I’ve pulled some of the highlights for this post, let me know if you see something you’d like to read. Yes I take requests!







Who are Marla and Larry and why have they invaded this article on Disneyland?






Neato models, it reminds me of the “Dioramas” we would make in grade school except mine were pretty lame.






Some back stage photos, looks like the park wasn’t even open yet.






Here are a few two page articles or profiles on some of the big stars in August 1955.

James Bryon Dean. Spooky focus on driving fast cars.







If only I could whistle! Kim Novak sure looks, um, well she sure does huh?







This article is obviously mis-titled; it should read “Why I don’t understand my Husband(s) says Liz Taylor".







No wire hangers!!! Joan Crawford's look seems the complete opposite of Kim Novak. I like Kim's look better....







I'm not commenting here, you can add your own caption.





Again, let me know if you’d like to see more of this magazine, maybe I’ll scan the whole thing for Bonus Sunday? Please note the "Surprise Bonus Pocket Pinups" mentioned on the cover are missing from this magazine, rats!