The Many Faces of 'Laffing Sal'
Laffing Sal (sometimes incorrectly referred to as "Laughing Sal," "Fat Lady," "Sally" or such names) was produced by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) of Germantown, Pennsylvania during the 1920s and early 1930s. PTC subcontracted the figures's fabrication to the Old King Cole Papier Mache Company of Canton, Ohio. The figure stands 6 feet, 10 inches high, including a 12-inch pedestal. They are made of papier mache, consisting of seven layers of pressed card stock with horse-hair strengthener, mounted over steel coils and frame. It wore an artificial wig and had a large gap between its front teeth. The head, arms, hands and legs were detachable and were held together with fabric, staples, pins, nails, nuts and bolts. When activated, the figure waved its arms and leaned forward and backward. A record player concealed in its pedestal played a stack of 78 RPM recordings of a woman laughing. When the records finished, an attraction operator re-stacked and restarted them. Sal's asking price in 1940 was US$360, equal to $6400 today. In 2004 one of Playland at the Beach's Laffing Sal was sold to Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk for the high bid of US$50,000. As one of the first animated amusement figures, Laffing Sal is considered a forerunner of the many animatronic figures seen at attractions around the world, including the Audio-Animatronic figures at Disney theme parks.
Playland's Laffing Sal was NOT unique. 100's of Laffing Sal's were sold all over the world. SHE was unique to us. Laffing Sal also had some Partners in laughter.... Laffing Sam was her male counterpart and a RARELY seen Blackie the Barker. Jantzen Beach Amusement Park in Portland, OR and The Pike in Long Beach, CA. are the only two parks that had all three... Rumor has it, Blackie at the Pike had an accident and never returned...
Locally, Laffing Sal can STILL be seen Cackling at these locations (Click links for info):
Fisherman's Wharf MUSÉE MÉCANIQUE
Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk
NOW! Some of you will ask, "With all these Laffing Sal's around, which one(s) are from Playland at the Beach?
Here's the story I've been told by Marvin Gold, who worked at Playland....
Laffing Sal became part of the PTC's (Philadelphia Toboggan Company) catalog in 1923. Playland's (1st) Laffing Sal was bought used (original location unknown) in 1940, She was installed on the upper level of the Fun House in an outcropping over the Midway.
In 1944 she broke down, a (2nd) Laffing Sal was purchase to replace Sal #1. This Sal stood in the second story perch too.
In 1950, George Whitney bought a 4/5's size (slightly smaller) Sal (#3). This Laffing Sal might have been purchased for George Whitney's "Barnum at the Beach" club on Playland's Esplanade, which opened in 1952. Whether Laffing Sal #3 was ever used at the Fun House in not known, but she was definitely a back up. A"Pristine" back up, which was supposedly kept in storage. Sal #3 became part of Musee Mecanique and ended up at the Cliff House under Ed and Dan Zelinsky's ownership. George Whitney Jr. was a friend of the Zelinsky's, He sold SAL #3 to them for an undisclosed amount. Today, Sal # 3 is still in their collection at Fishermans's Wharf.
In 1952 +/-, Laffing Sal (#4) was purchased and put in Sal's corner (of the Fun House). For about 3-4 years, the Fun House had 2 Laffing Sal's! One on the Corner and one on the second story. Laffing Sal #4 is now at the Santa Cruz Beach & Boardwalk, today. Sal #4 was purchased post Playland, at auction, by local Millionaire John Wickett. He had Sal on display in his backyard museum and later put into storage in a SOMA wharehouse. After his death, Sal was put up for auction. Santa Cruz's bid of $50,000 took Sal away.
In 1956, Sal (#2) was retired after the remodel of the Fun House facade. She reappeared as part of the new Limbo dark ride with a replaced head, as a motionless GHOUL in the front window display. Rumor has it, Sal #2 is in a private collection today.
Laffing Sal #4's head was stolen in 1972 post auction, it was eventually replaced with the original head from Sal #2.
Read the story HERE.
Below are the MANY FACES of Laffing Sal including our Playland Sal!
These were the FARMER versions of Laffing Sal
Laffing Sal and Sam
More of Sal that I ever wanted to see!
Even though it says "MAN" it's laffing Sal. There'd be a stack of these on a record player that would provide a constant playing of Sal's laugh. Only stopping when changing records in the stack or when the attendant had to reset the record stack.
Dennis Atkinson (Owner): "Memory Lane Arcade in Frankenmuth, Mi for 20 some years. She was originally used in the Wisconsin State Fair. She is the only on
Dennis Atkinson (Owner): "Memory Lane Arcade in Frankenmuth, Mi for 20 some years. She was originally used in the Wisconsin State Fair. She is the only one I know of that still has her original clothing due to the fact she was used a few weeks a year." Thanks for the info Dennis!
Where is she now?
What's with the modern clothing and Hair! Creepy!
Soccer Mom Sal?
Chester, West Virginia, Hancock County
They love Sal in Ohio! Funny thing is.... every park there thinks they own the only one!
Here's the best view we have of Sal #2 in her second story perch at teh Fun House
Sal #3. She now lives at Musee Mecanique
Musee Mecanique
Dan Zelinsky Collection
Musee Mecanique - Fisherman's Wharf
Musee Mecanique - Fisherman's Wharf
1952
An early view of LAffing Sal #4. mid 50's.
1955. Film Clip - Odd Ball Film Clips
We can see both Sal's at the Fun House
Playland at the Beach
Playland at the Beach
Playland at the Beach
Playland at the Beach -Dennis O'rorke
-Pamela Black Collection
- Domenic
-Dennis O-rorke
Playland at the Beach
-Robert Smit Collection
-James r Smith Collection
Video clip - Rick Prelinger
Chronicle?
Dennis O'rorke Collection
- Marilyn Blaisdell Collection
-Robert Smit Collection
Kids came in and stole Sal's Head. It went missing for almost 40 years....
Laffing Sal's Head Stolen: The Story
Ghastly!
with Sal#2's head
Sal on Tour.... - James R Smith Collection
"Saving Sal" Article from Laffinthedark.com John Wickett Collection
John Wickett with Sal
Sal #4 with #2 head. John Wickett purchased her in 1972. She stayed in his collection till his death 1999. She was purchased by Santa Cruz for 50K! Here is how she appeared after purchase. She was in the same wardrobe as she was when she left Playland almost 40 years earlier.
Sal was completely renovated and took her spot on the Midway.
Refurbished Playland Sal #4. Santa Cruz
- Mike Winslow Colelction
- Mike Winslow Colelction
Refurbished Playland Sal #4. Santa Cruz
Euclid Sal? I don't know.... I saw Euclid Park Sal.... they don't look the same...
