An Ultra Rare, Eyes Of A Generation Exclusive! Please SHARE!
Disneyland Opening Day…Behind The Scenes Of The ABC Coverage
First, this is an upload and not a link, so please share this as it is the only way to let others see this rare look at ABC’s preparation and coverage of the July 18, 1955 opening day ceremonies at Disneyland. The network brought in 29 cameras, 85,000 feet of cable and audio equipment and engineers from ABC Radio. There was enough equipment to furnish 12 television stations. Most of the equipment was theirs, but some had to be rented from NBC so don’t be surprised when you see that logo.
This is the in house documentary ABC made for use at their affiliates and sponsor meeting in the fall of 1955. The next post today will be the full broadcast of the program produced by this assemblage of men and machines.
At the time, this was the largest remote ever done by anyone. As you’ll see, rehearsal was a mammoth task in itself with last minute construction making it nearly impossible, but…they pulled it off, and in grand style! Enjoy![fb_vid id=”682459658458253″]
A true gem here!
All those guys on lifts and man-buckets with no restraints at all? It was a different time for sure.
How do you access this to see it?
My dad was the TD on that shoot!!
Back when live TV engineering was really a new and difficult idea… Everything had tubes, no transistors!
Found some other pictures from the opening with the cameras. http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/07/getting-ready-for-disneyland-park-to-debut-a-look-back-at-july-17-1955/
Is this on YouTube?
Found a great page from a camera operator from the Disneyland shoot. http://www.pharis-video.com/p5099.htm
At 2:08 you can see where the cameraman filming this left the leather case for his Bell & Howell 70dr on top of the gear cases.
This is absolutely amazing!
Narrated by Paul Frees.
Great stuff!
Over the years I worked with John Rich from time and he led me to
Believe that he was the only director.
Two words I haven’t heard in thirty years: Film Chain.
Hosted by Art Linkletter, Bob Cummings, Ronald Reagan:)
Film Chain. Started my career in 1981 in TV being a projectionist.
Wonderful! I watched all of these. Rare, indeed! Thanks for sharing!