Travel back in time to check out Playland at the Beach, the once bustling, 10-acre amusement park that sat on Ocean Beach here in the Richmond District until it closed in 1972. A new documentary about the park, entitled “Remembering Playland”, will premiere at the Balboa Theater on Tuesday, March 16th at 7pm.
The 62 minute film documents all the great landmarks of Playland like Laffing Sal, the Fun House, the Carousel, the Big Dipper, the Diving Bell, Dark Mystery, Limbo, and Fun-tier Town. Plus hear stories from people that worked and played there. This is the first and only documentary ever made about this San Francisco landmark.
This is sure to sell out, so get your tickets in advance ($6.50 – $10). The premiere will also include other short films on Playland.
More on the history of Playland at the Beach
Sarah B.
OH!! Will this ever be on DVD or YouTube? I live in Seattle and won’t be able to see it at the Balboa!
Hi MamaMal – I’m not sure but I’ll try to get more info at the event. I’m sure it will be available somehow, as I think this is a one night only showing at the Balboa.
Did you ever get to go to Playland?
Sarah B.
Thanks for the info!
Yes, I did get to go to Playland several times as a kid. I lived in the Outer Richmond from 1967 until 1976 (age 4 to 13), up near Sutro Park. I have fond memories of the Fun House in particular, and the wonderful wooden slide–sliding down on a burlap sack and thumping into padded wall at the bottom. I also remember a large, flat, round spinning platform that you could sit on (with a bunch of other people) as it spun wildly in an effort to send riders careening off into yet another padded wall. Such rides could never exist today due to liability issues–very sad because they were so fun! I also remember Laffing Sal, who still creeps me out to this day…walking through the fun-house mirror maze to get to the main part of the fun house…still makes me sad to know they tore it down!
MamaMal – Then be sure to check out these other articles that have some footage – might bring back some memories! 🙂
https://richmondsfblog.com/2009/12/04/playland-by-the-beach-profiled-in-eye-on-the-bay-video/
http://fora.tv/2009/12/04/Rick_Prelinger_Lost_Landscapes_of_San_Francisco_4#chapter_16
And some stuff on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=playland+at+the+beach+san+francisco&search_type=&aq=4&oq=playland
Are there plans for other showings in the city or north bay? I definitely want to see this, I spent a lot of my youth hanging out at Playland.
Hi Derek – Right now it’s only slated to play at the Balboa. They have added more showtimes this week:
Wednesday, March 17, 7pm & 9:15pm
Saturday, March 20, 12noon
You can buy advance tickets here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/100972
The movie will also be available on DVD sometime in May.
Sarah B.
Hi Sarah, unfortunately I can’t make these shows. I wiill have to wait until the DVD comes out.