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Event
REMEMBERING PLAYLAND & SPECIAL WHEN LIT (Live Music & Pinball machines)
LIVE MUSIC BY TIPPY CANOE (5:30PM) & VAGABONDAGE (6:30PM)
PACIFIC PINBALL MUSEUM & KINETIC ARTS CENTER
REMEMBERING PLAYLAND 8:00PM (62 min.)
San Francisco's now-extinct Playland at the Beach, an amusement park located next to Ocean Beach, was established in the 1880s as a collection of amusement rides and concessions all separately owned by various concessionaires. In 1923, George and Leo Whitney opened their first concession, soon followed by additional concessions. They eventually purchased the 10-acres of land on which Playland sat, and the land adjacent to Playland, including the Cliff House. After George Whitney's death in 1958, and years of decline, the land was purchased in 1971, and Playland was dismantled in 1972 for condominium development.
More than three decades later, Tom Wyrsch has resurrected the city's lost treasure in his new documentary, the first and only documentary ever made about Playland at the Beach. For those who enjoyed playland as a child, Laffing Sal, the Fun House, the Carousel, the Big Dipper, the Diving Bell, Dark Mystery, Limbo, and Fun-tier Town will bring back fond childhood memories. For those who have only heard stories about Playland, the documentary will help bring it to life.
"Remembering Playland, the Story of San Francisco's Playland at the Beach" a full length documentary, with 12 interviews, 20 minutes of archival footage, 187 photographs and original music was written and directed by Tom Wyrsch. It is a production of Garfield Lane Productions, an independent video & DVD production company.
SPECIAL WHEN LIT 9:15PM (97 min.)
Special When Lit rediscovers the lure of a lost pop icon - pinball. This American invention made more money than Hollywood through the 50s and 60s. Its success swept the world making it the epitome of 'cool'. Today pinball is all but forgotten. This is the definitive story of the rise and fall of pinball as told by the fans, collectors, designers and champion players from across the globe. A game, a sport, a lifestyle - pinball takes this eclectic bunch of self-confessed 'pinheads' back to their youth as they open up passionately to reveal the attractions of the 'world's funnest toy'.
Now pinball is virtually nowhere. Kids don't even know what a pinball machine is. People stay home for their entertainment and kids hang out online, not at the arcade or corner store. The fate of pinball seems decided yet there exists a passionate sub culture keeping the dream alive. Whether it's down at their local bar for a game, or choosing which game to play from a basement collection, pinball is a reality trip to a universe in a box. The ball is wild and can't be controlled, but the challenge to tame it never stops. It's a world that's special when lit.
At a time where we can instantly access any song or movie from our past, pinball offers a throwback to an experience that can't be digitally reproduced. Special When Lit captures the passion for a game that inspired generations. But it also recounts the loss of a certain way of living and playing. Perhaps pinball deserves a better fate than simply a nostalgic footnote. Whatever the future, Special When Lit will leave you searching for an arcade to line up your coins to master the silver ball. Will the machine always win?
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LocationPavillion Theater
98 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94607
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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