I worked there for 20 years from 69 to 89 in Data Processing on the 10th floor. The best years of my life. Every year I stood in the crowds to watch this show. I'll never forget it. Thanks so much for posting this. It brings back so many wonderful memories for me.
Spectacular. Reminds me of the days when department stores were popular destinations and they created unique seasonal displays to attract customers, when "customer service" was more than an annoying phrase. There are only a handful of old stores left in this country now who care to do that, Sad to see them go.
Thanks for the memory of the original light show. This was an annual stop for my family when we went downtown to do Christmas shopping. We lived in west Philadelphia and took the 34 trolley to the last subway stop that when you took the escalator up to the concourse were right at the enterence to Wanamakers.
The Magical Christmas Tree has returned this year for 2008 and looks fantastic. From what I hear the fountains are scheduled to return next year. Macy's has done a great job and renovating this Christmas Tradition. Along with the Wanamaker Organ it is a truly magical experience.
This video was made after the death of my son, but, it brought back memories of his last Christmas with me. Christmas 1985, I took Michael to see the lightshow and to see Santa. I'm so happy he got to see something so wonderful. Little did I know he would die in a tragic accident a few months later.
We would take the train down to Philadelphia when we were kids with grandma, mom and family.So magical and unforgettable.Everything today is commercialized and overrated,Gone with the good ol'days:(
So great to hear Facenda's voice! My Dad video taped the show in 1996, just after the May Company purchase. I have uploaded the entire original show (see video responses).
We would take the train from Secane every year,and see this show!! Then we would take the elevator to the toy dept.and ride the monorail and have lunch in the Crystal Tea Room. I remember Santa's Enchanted Village (Lit Bros.?) ,the jewels in the window of Bailey,Banks,and Biddle, finally dinner in Turin Grotto!!
I was five years old in 1960 and my sister took me to see the show and walk through the Santa village to see Santa. Back then you had to get dressed up, my sister were hot white gloves I had a suit on everyone got dressed. Today people turned in the slobs, there are no more classy department stores.Growing up in Philadelphia in the 60s was beautiful in South Philadelphia
I remember my Mom taking me to see this show as a kid. :) I never thought I'd get to see it again, since Macy's redid it. But thank you so much for this! I'll have to show her. :)
@JonasClark My brother ran those fountains for several years. It was the same unit used at Veterans stadium in center field at Phillies games Brian was an employee of Harold Steinmans Internationally famous Dancing Waters. The equipment was stored in Kingston NY
My Brother Brian Varker ran the Fountain display at that show for several years and is no longer with us.I was delighted to spot him just briefly @ !:58 in this video. The water fountains used here were also put into use in the Summers at Veteran's Stadium in center field at Phillie's games. The company he worked for was called "Harold Steinman's Internationally Famous Dancing waters" They warehoused their equipment in Kingston NY and had business offices on West 57th st in NY.
worked in kop for 7 yrs-. think i only went to Phila. once- remember the organ not really the light show- i'm 43 yrs. old- don't feel old but there are people younger than me who've never heard of this store- so sad- my kids were never no of it either...
I have been trying for years to find a version with the John Facenda narration! We always marveled at the "voice of God" narration saying "Good Bye Frosty". I remember in the last few years before they sold out, Wanamakers was selling a video of the entire show. Does anyone have a copy of that they can post. It would be great to hear the full John Facenda version. The show still brings a tear to my eye but the show has not been the same with out the Facenda narration.
@warrenvarker I know of Harold Steinman. The fountains were built by Otto Przystawk of Germany, with some extremely clever technology; pumps that could run in only a few inches of water and variable hights created with large power resistors to change the pumps' speed. "Playing" these fountains live (an acquaintace of mine learned this talent too) is, I'm told, extremely difficult! I would do almost anything to get hold of the fountains from the Wanamaker show. These are rare as hens' teeth!
Anyone know what happened to the Dancing Waters units? Dancing Waters went under years ago, and these were vintage, Otto Przystawic-built units, nothing else like them remaining intact. Waltzing Waters, the grandson's current company, prefers to scrap and install new equipment, but if they ever try that here I want to buy the original show parts to preserve them. I may be one of the few people interested in the history of musical fountain shows.
Jonas Clark yes I do one of the big problems with the dancing water was when they were originally on both sides of the tree only thing that kept the draining water from getting on the organ was a huge tarp. Miraculously they had no major problems in all the years they did it but there was somebody there watching the tarp in the water the show was done. the whole lighting and control system was changed over in 2000. the whole dancing waters system would have had to be rebuilt and it would have been too costly period Then the organ was rebuilt and I don't know if it is in the store presently but it was back in the store for a while and it was thought that the organ restoration was so costly didn't want to risk water damage and also it would be costly to keep staff on hand at all times to monitor the water
is this the video? and i see the rudi bears are blowing the horns but....the original has a bird of somekind in that place. now days the tree is back but the fountains gone
to phillygirl06 It used to be the John Wanamaker Eagle. But, then they (Wanamakers) were trying to sell Rudi the Bear, so kick the Eagle out of the show and but up that stupid bear.
Back when they still could get away with putting "Merry Christmas" at the bottom of the show...as if today people thought it was a show set up to convey the Hanukkah or Ramadan seasons. What a bizarre litigious lot we are now.
I worked there for 20 years from 69 to 89 in Data Processing on the 10th floor. The best years of my life. Every year I stood in the crowds to watch this show. I'll never forget it. Thanks so much for posting this. It brings back so many wonderful memories for me.
I love it too ⛄🎄🎅🌟🎁
Spectacular. Reminds me of the days when department stores were popular destinations and they created unique seasonal displays to attract customers, when "customer service" was more than an annoying phrase. There are only a handful of old stores left in this country now who care to do that, Sad to see them go.
What a great memory - bought tears to my eyes! My grandmother would take me every year ❤️
Thanks for the memory of the original light show. This was an annual stop for my family when we went downtown to do Christmas shopping. We lived in west Philadelphia and took the 34 trolley to the last subway stop that when you took the escalator up to the concourse were right at the enterence to Wanamakers.
Saw the light shown again on Saturday evening - it is always wonderful to see! I do miss the narration by John Facenda.
Who in the hell put a dislike on the light show?
It was always a fun day, to share this with our son.
Now it's Macys
Best Christmas show ever. My favoret pipe organ.
The Magical Christmas Tree has returned this year for 2008 and looks fantastic. From what I hear the fountains are scheduled to return next year. Macy's has done a great job and renovating this Christmas Tradition. Along with the Wanamaker Organ it is a truly magical experience.
wow! I would see this every year when I was growing up! Great memories :)
My mom took me Christmas shopping there.
Sad.
It's gone,along with Strawbridges,Gimbels and others
Soooo cool! Thank you for the sample from the past! When it was actually WANAMAKER'S!
This video was made after the death of my son, but, it brought back memories of his last Christmas with me. Christmas 1985, I took Michael to see the lightshow and to see Santa. I'm so happy he got to see something so wonderful. Little did I know he would die in a tragic accident a few months later.
The best! How lucky I was to see it every year.
We would take the train down to Philadelphia when we were kids with grandma, mom and family.So magical and unforgettable.Everything today is commercialized and overrated,Gone with the good ol'days:(
People never believe me when I say there used to be lighted fountains. Thanks for posting!!!
they used to have birds with horns on the side before the rudi bear came out. i've been going since 1967. i miss the fountains and the original voices
So great to hear Facenda's voice!
My Dad video taped the show in 1996, just after the May Company purchase. I have uploaded the entire original show (see video responses).
We would take the train from Secane every year,and see this show!! Then we would take the elevator to the toy dept.and ride the monorail and have lunch in the Crystal Tea Room. I remember Santa's Enchanted Village (Lit Bros.?) ,the jewels in the window of Bailey,Banks,and Biddle, finally dinner in Turin Grotto!!
Turin Grotto - OMG - my father used to take me there on Wednesday evenings in the 1960s after shopping at Strawbridges!
Now this is the Philly I remember. I don't know why this reminds me of the big snowstorm we had in the late 70s
I was five years old in 1960 and my sister took me to see the show and walk through the Santa village to see Santa. Back then you had to get dressed up, my sister were hot white gloves I had a suit on everyone got dressed. Today people turned in the slobs, there are no more classy department stores.Growing up in Philadelphia in the 60s was beautiful in South Philadelphia
My childhood flashing before my eyes.......thanks for this post!
I remember my Mom taking me to see this show as a kid. :) I never thought I'd get to see it again, since Macy's redid it. But thank you so much for this! I'll have to show her. :)
So glad Macy's continued this.......It's the one good thing they did..
@JonasClark My brother ran those fountains for several years. It was the same unit used at Veterans stadium in center field at Phillies games Brian was an employee of Harold Steinmans Internationally famous Dancing Waters. The equipment was stored in Kingston NY
My Brother Brian Varker ran the Fountain display at that show for several years and is no longer with us.I was delighted to spot him just briefly @ !:58 in this video. The water fountains used here were also put into use in the Summers at Veteran's Stadium in center field at Phillie's games. The company he worked for was called "Harold Steinman's Internationally Famous Dancing waters" They warehoused their equipment in Kingston NY and had business offices on West 57th st in NY.
My parents took me to this EVERY Year when I was young
worked in kop for 7 yrs-. think i only went to Phila. once- remember the organ not really the light show- i'm 43 yrs. old- don't feel old but there are people younger than me who've never heard of this store- so sad- my kids were never no of it either...
I have been trying for years to find a version with the John Facenda narration! We always marveled at the "voice of God" narration saying "Good Bye Frosty".
I remember in the last few years before they sold out, Wanamakers was selling a video of the entire show. Does anyone have a copy of that they can post. It would be great to hear the full John Facenda version. The show still brings a tear to my eye but the show has not been the same with out the Facenda narration.
Now you have people who saw the show as children bringing their grandchildren to see it.
love it!!!...Thank You!!
@warrenvarker I know of Harold Steinman. The fountains were built by Otto Przystawk of Germany, with some extremely clever technology; pumps that could run in only a few inches of water and variable hights created with large power resistors to change the pumps' speed. "Playing" these fountains live (an acquaintace of mine learned this talent too) is, I'm told, extremely difficult! I would do almost anything to get hold of the fountains from the Wanamaker show. These are rare as hens' teeth!
I went to the light Show as a kid.
Anyone know what happened to the Dancing Waters units? Dancing Waters went under years ago, and these were vintage, Otto Przystawic-built units, nothing else like them remaining intact. Waltzing Waters, the grandson's current company, prefers to scrap and install new equipment, but if they ever try that here I want to buy the original show parts to preserve them. I may be one of the few people interested in the history of musical fountain shows.
Jonas Clark yes I do one of the big problems with the dancing water was when they were originally on both sides of the tree only thing that kept the draining water from getting on the organ was a huge tarp. Miraculously they had no major problems in all the years they did it but there was somebody there watching the tarp in the water the show was done. the whole lighting and control system was changed over in 2000. the whole dancing waters system would have had to be rebuilt and it would have been too costly period Then the organ was rebuilt and I don't know if it is in the store presently but it was back in the store for a while and it was thought that the organ restoration was so costly didn't want to risk water damage and also it would be costly to keep staff on hand at all times to monitor the water
Jonas Clark that should say there was someone there monitoring the tarp and the water every time the show was done
0:34 "the show was created in 1956" and 1:55 "1948 mechanical show". Did it take them eight years to build it?
is this the video? and i see the rudi bears are blowing the horns but....the original has a bird of somekind in that place. now days the tree is back but the fountains gone
When did the fountains get removed?
I don't recall exactly but it has been many years.
The Voice of god, and NFL Flims!!!
No, Give credit to the former Store that created it, John Wanamaker's!
to phillygirl06
It used to be the John Wanamaker Eagle. But, then they (Wanamakers) were trying to sell Rudi the Bear, so kick the Eagle out of the show and but up that stupid bear.
Back when they still could get away with putting "Merry Christmas" at the bottom of the show...as if today people thought it was a show set up to convey the Hanukkah or Ramadan seasons. What a bizarre litigious lot we are now.