Disneyland Photographer
Mell Kilpatrick 1902-1962
His career as a news photographer began in 1948 and he eventually became the chief photographer for the Orange County Register - then called Santa Ana Register. Having already established a rapport with the local community Mell was the perfect guy to get the perfect angle. As one of Orange County’s best-known cameramen, he covered Orange County in every possible manner by air, on foot, by car, and even by boat.
At first, he photographed evidence for insurance companies,the corners, as well accidents for the Highway Patrol; even carrying a police badge to access the crime scenes.. They were modern-day memento, black-and-white documents of death.
Mell’s style so was unique,that it captured Walt Disney attention. While Disney had all the machinery at hand to build castles and rivers, one thing Walt didn’t have was a place for his staff to develop their photographs. As luck would have it, Mell was on the spot and granted Walt’s staff unlimited access his darkroom. A local place to develop official Disney photographers photos. The park’s first images were developed in Mell’s Santa Ana darkroom.
Having done this, a friendship-business relationship began to develop. Walt then opened the castle drawbridge and gave Mell unlimited access to the park, during construction and throughout the early years of Disneyland a privilege not granted to others outside the parks only Disney own photographers.
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Limited amount left $ 60.00
Homecoming Destination Disneyland Book Vol 5, Hardbound book Celebrates Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary To commemorate This book was handed out to the Media on the 50th Anniversary at the Park. Disneyland's Golden Anniversary, A collection of vintage photographs by veteran news photographer Mell Kilpatrick, narrative tributes from a host of celebrities, and exclusive artwork by legendary Disney artist Sam McKim, (also art by, Walt Disney, Floyd Norman, Willie Ito, Brian McKim, & Ron Dias). Narrative tributes include brief recollections from people involved with Walt Disney and the Disneyland Park during its early years. Many former employees of Walt Disney Productions, including former cast members, celebrities and imagineers, contributed personal recollections of Walt and his dream. Homecoming Destination Disneyland includes select reproductions of the original Disneyland press releases from the 1955 press kit, which had been saved by the author’s grandfather, photographer Mell Kilpatrick. More than a dozen movie stars, television personalities, Disney cast members and other entertainment industry personnel lend tribute to the Disney dream in the new book. A foreword by Keith Murdoch, City Manager of Anaheim during the 1950s, shares a fascinating look at the search for the perfect location for the Magic Kingdom. Keith guided Walt through the miles of Anaheim orange groves, in search of parcels which could accommodate Walt’s dream park. Ron Dominguez, second-generation Anaheim native shares the story of how his family came to sell their ancestral home and orange groves to a buyer with mysterious plans for the property. Dominguez recalls his teen years working at the park and eventually rising to the position of Executive Vice President of Disneyland. Also featured in Homecoming Destination Disneyland are narratives by veteran TV personality Art Linkletter, actors Fess Parker, Dean Jones, Tim Conway, Don Knotts, and Wally Boag, artist Brian McKim, director Richard Fleischer, illusionist Teller (of Penn & Teller), Matt McKim, and Sam McKim, Walt Disney's secretary Lucille Martin, former Disneyland president Jack Lindquist, Disney creative director David Pacheco, animators Ollie Johnston (the last of Walt's nine old men) and Ron Dias, Floyd Norman, Willie Ito, voice talents Lisa Davis, Ilene Woods, imagineer Yale Gracey (written by his wife).
"Disneyland... The Beginning: Collector's Edition" Hardbound book $35. As the fourth and most elaborate of Thie's Disneyland photography series, the edition features many rarely seen and never-before-published photographs of famed Southern California photojournalist, Mell Kilpatrick. Featured throughout the text are full sized (6" x 8") photographs in both black & white and color of Disneyland's earliest years (1954 - 1960). The excitement of Disneyland's grand premiere is captured from several angles, providing an historical record to the events of the day that may clarify some of the blurred recollections of those who were there to experience the inaugural event. Along with many of the early construction photographs of the familiar Disneyland buildings, also included are several forgotten exhibits and attractions,
This beautifully designed hardcover edition features a foreword by Walt Disney's eldest daughter, Diane Disney Miller. Early Disneyland designer and Imagineer Sam McKim provided the introduction for the text, and several other key figures in Disney history have offered their own unique perspectives including: Art Linkletter, Harriet Burns, Margaret Kerry, Bob Gurr, Blaine Gibson, Rolly Crump, and Alice Davis. Art Linkletter: As a showman, host, interviewer, producer, entrepreneur and businessman.
A Photographers Life Vol 1
Softbound book $12 This picture book contains over 60 black and white photos showing the construction of Disneyland in the 1950's. There are both aerial and ground shots of the construction. Captions and dates are provided for each photo. Also, there is written text of what the 1955 rides and amusements for each area were (Main St, Tommorrowland etc.).
A wonderful historical books for anyone's collection.
Disney Early Years Vol 2
Softbound book $12 This is the second of three black and white 1950's Disney picture book. There are dates and captions for each photo, along with some text listing general information. This book marks the introduction of visitors to the park along with construction and aerial photos. You will find photos of Matterhorn, E.P Ripley, Walt Disney, Fess Parker, Sleeping Beauty Castle, Skull Rock, Rainbow Ridge, Casa de Fritos to list just a few of the shots.
Seen Through a Photographers lens Vol 3
Softbound book 11x8.5 $12 This picture book contains over 60 black and white photos showing the construction of Disneyland in the 1950's. There are both aerial and ground shots of the construction. Captions and dates are provided for each photo. Also, there is written text of what the 1955 rides and amusements for each area were (Main St, Tommorrowland etc.).
A wonderful historical books for anyone's collection.
"Design Just For Fun" Disney Book - Publishinged by Ape Pen Publishing
Author Disney Legend Bob Gurr
The most thorough behind the scenes stories ever told about Themed Entertainment design at America's favorite destination resorts - Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Tour, Spectacular Las Vegas and more.
Legendary Imagineer Bob Gurr, as Principal Designer for hundreds of Themed Entertainment projects, takes the reader behind the scenes​
Only 1000 were made of the blue & 1000 Red books.​
These book will not be re-printed - The Original Proof Pagers are available for Purchase. Contact us.
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Disneyland Fun Facts
Did you know Anahiem City manager Keith Murdoch, took Walt Disney around to find the right parcel for the Disneyland Theme Park.
When it came to giving Disneyland its address Walt Disney wanted the address 1313 Harbor Blvd Which would have been the middle of the fwy...
Keith gave Walt Disney that address for Disneyland.
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Ape Pen Disney Products & Vintage Disneyland Photos
Mell Kilpatrick historical Anaheim California Car Crash Photos ,
Disneyland Vintage Images, and Historical photos. All Images are Copyrighted
Disneyland Photographer &
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Historical Photos of Disneyland
His career as a news photographer began in 1948 and he eventually became the chief photographer for the Orange County Register - then called Santa Ana Register. Having already established a rapport with the local community Mell was the perfect guy to get the perfect angle. As one of Orange County’s best-known cameramen, he covered Orange County in every possible manner by air, on foot, by car, and even by boat.
Mell’s style so was unique,that it captured Walt Disney attention. While Disney had all the machinery at hand to build castles and rivers, one thing Walt didn’t have was a place for his staff to develop their photographs. As luck would have it, Mell was on the spot and granted Walt’s staff unlimited access his darkroom. A local place to develop official Disney photographers photos. The park’s first images were developed in Mell’s Santa Ana darkroom.
Having done this, a friendship-business relationship began to develop. Walt then opened the castle drawbridge and gave Mell unlimited access to the park, during construction and throughout the early years of Disneyland a privilege not granted to others outside the parks only Disney own photographers.
Mell worked relentlessly to capture on film Walt Disney’s dream. He climbed atop scaffolding, crawled into tunnels, even hung out of a light plane 5,000 feet above Disneyland to snap the perfect shot.
Mell Kilpatrick covered the park from the first spade of dirt being shoveled, to the uprooting of the orange trees, all the way to the completion of the park. He was there for the infamous opening day, known as Black Sunday. Mell had a unique eye for photography, and reported the news in a timely fashion. His skills and know how helped him to continue his coverage, of the park while writing about the inside world of Disneyland.