“Remembering Playland” documentary at the Richmond Library, July 28

In case you missed this great documentary when it was playing at the Balboa Theater, you can catch it again at a free screening at the Richmond Branch Library on Wednesday, July 28 at 6:30pm.

The full length documentary tells the history of San Francisco’s famous 10-acre seaside amusement park, Playland at the Beach. Located next to Ocean Beach, it was torn down in 1972 to make way for a condominium development. Gone now for more than 3 decades, it remains one of the city’s lost treasures.

Go back in time to see Laffing Sal, the Fun House, the Carousel, the Big Dipper, the Diving Bell, Dark Mystery, Limbo, Fun-tier Town, and much, much more, all through the eyes of the people who were there. The first and only documentary ever made about Playland, it features 12 interviews, 20 minutes of archival footage, 187 photographs and original music.

I’ve seen the film and highly recommend it. It’s a great look into our neighborhood’s entertaining past.

“Remembering Playland” filmmaker Tom Wyrsch will also be at the Library presentation to intro the film and take questions. The program room at the library is not very big, so be sure to arrive early if you want a seat.

And if you can’t make it, the “Remembering Playland” DVD is available for $15 (+$2.50 for shipping). Click here to order it online. The DVD also includes three short subject films on Playland.

Sarah B.