Remembering Playland at the Beach

Linda Peebles reports that she and her husband Dave recently saw Remembering Playland at the Beach at the Balboa Theater in San Francisco. Linda says, "For those of us who grew up in this area, it was fun to remember childhood moments spent there. David and I both had a couple of birthday parties there. After the film, one of the guys in the film who collected photos and memorabilia was there in the lobby. He sold photos and DVDs of the film. Quite a few folks bought the videos, including us. I plan to give it to my 89-year-old mother because she met my father at Playland at the Beach. My Aunt Vera worked at the Hot House, which is remembered for its delicious enchiladas. We were told today that one of the secret ingredients of the enchilada sauce was peanut butter!" 

 
 

Comments

[todd bray]

Mike, our parents wanted us all dead. It's a subconscious PTSD we all live with.

[mike bell]

Another fun ride was the giant rolling barrel. You had to run to stay upright, otherwise it was "dog pile" at the bottom.
Today, these rides would lead to multimillion-dollar lawsuits. What did we know? We were kids and TV was telling everyone that cigarettes were good for you.
Not sure if 3.2 acres is big enough, but wouldn't "Playland" on the current City Council Chamber site be cool? Oh, wait a minute, it's already there!

[Steve Sinai]

Gee, I wish I were old enough to remember Playland.

Laughing Sal is at the Musee Mecanique on Fisherman's Wharf.

[Dan B. Underhill]

I know a woman who, as a child, found Laughing Sal to be quite frightening, even though she liked the rest of Playland. I can see how Laughing Sal's laugh might sound demonic to someone. I didn't experience her that way, though. I had a great time throughout.

[Karen Rosenstein]

Ah yes, the spinning disk! The trick to that one was to get as close to the center as you possibly could squeeze/wiggle/maneuver, plant your hands down at your sides and hope that no one grabbed you as they were sliding off.

Isn't Laughing Sal someplace along the Wharf area??

[mike bell]

My favorite was the big spinning disk that everyone would try to stay on as the speed increased. I also liked the indoor giant slide. We rode burlap bags down a polished wooden run. Laughing Sal always made everyone smile.

[Tammy A.]

Extended engagement - noon screenings May 14 thru 20!