The Silver Age of Playland: 1950's
by Mike Winslow
Many consider the 50's the Golden Age of Playland. For the most part, it was a great time to be at Playland, but it was also a decade of Loss, Change and Consolidation. The Golden decade would have been the 40's. Playland was built to it's maximum capacity with a combination of new and old attractions in the 40's. It truly had the best and most expansive version of both worlds. The 50's would see the end of the Big Attractions and the influx of simpler mobile rides. It saw the loss of the Back Lot (Safeway lot), and the decade ended with the hope of a new Frontiers. The Beach Pavilion saw three different incarnations. Playland lost it's Victorian Seaside Park feel, becoming more stream-lined with simple architectural lines. It was a decade of many changes with a variety of new rides. The 50's closed with Playland being a more condensed park with dropping attendance.
Playland reinvented itself every decade, the 50's was no exception. During the 50's we saw the loss of two major attractions, The Chutes (1950), The Big Dipper (1955). Some people saw the removal of these attractions as a major turning point in Playland's future success. Yet, the 50's still saw high attendance numbers and many happy memories. It wasn't until the later 50's that attendance began to slip.
Times were a changing in the amusement park business in the 50's. When Walt Disney opened Disneyland in 1955, he changed the entire landscape of the amusement park industry, forever! Not only did Walt have a vision, but he hired George Whitney Jr. to help build his dream, but that's a whole other story.
Even at the start of the 1950's, George Whitney Sr. saw the changes coming and decided to jump on the current amusement park trend..... Portable Rides (Carnival Rides). The industry labels them as Flat Rides or Vertical rides. Both types of rides were portable, they were driven to Playland on the back of a truck(s), they could be setup within a day or removed within a day.
The days of big permanent ride structures like the Chutes and Roller Coasters weren't enough anymore. People wanted MORE. The wooden roller coasters had even become kinda passé. The Golden Age of Roller Coasters (1920's) were long past and the thrills were wearing off. It wouldn't be until 1959 that the first, steel (Tube Track) coaster, would emerge. The Matterhorn at Disneyland would be the first incarnation. Chute rides (Gravity rides) would take a major evolutionary advancement more than a decade later. Gone would be the days on large wooden structures and in it's place would be elevated fiberglass water flumes, supported by steel post supports.
Did George Whitney see into the future in 1950? That is unknown. We do know, he saw the need for more rides at Playland. George wanted to keep things evolving and fresh at Playland. I'm sure he saw the potential of more rides equating into more profits too. He was no fool!
The 50's would change the structural landscape of Playland for the LAST time. A landscape that would remain till it's last days in 1972.
After the removal of the Chutes in 1950, many of the rides from Safeway Back Lot were brought forward to the Chutes lot and later to the post demo'd Big Dipper lot. Within a few years, the Safeway lot will be left practically vacant and used as a parking lot.
George Whitney had a lot of his plate in early 1950's! He was remodeling the Cliff House, opening his Barnum Club and would purchase the Sutro baths in 1953. At the same time, he would be remodeling the old Chutes Lot and then remodel the Dipper lot after the removal of the Big Dipper in 55'. It all took it's toll in the end.
The Chutes Lot in the 50's
By 1950, the Playland's Chutes were about 30 years old. But, the Chutes concept was developed in 1893, making the ride basically a dinosaur in 1950. Technology had advanced to the point where the Chutes was old school with old technology and turn of the century thrills. At the time it was considered antiquated . Ticket sales reflected that feeling. Through Whitney's eyes, the Chutes was a giant albatross! I wasn't making much money and the maintenance costs were high.
George Whitney noticed that the Chutes was a huge structure that took up a lot of real estate. Real Estate that wasn't making much money, but costing a lot to maintain. That land could hold many Carnival type flat-rides. Those rides were more easily maintained. Plus, the greater the number of rides, the more tickets that are sold. Other than money, Whitney was an entertainer, he loved to keep the public entertained with variety of new attractions.
The Chutes came down early in early 1950 (January/February).
The Chutes was replaced with a wide open Midway with enough space to hold many new Carnival Rides and even a few permanent ones.
Barnum's Barnum Folly
By 1952, the Chutes had been dismantled. George Whitney had just finished his MAJOR remodel of the Cliff House and was considering the purchase of the Sutro Baths. As if that wasn't enough on his plate, he had been trying to fill the empty space left by the now missing Chutes.
Amongst all this action, Whitney had taken back the old Beach Pavilion, home to his once beloved Topsy's Roost. Topsy's closed in 1946, making way for the Edgewater Ballroom. In 52', the property was available once again.
George Whitney had been hailed the “Barnum of the Golden Gate” in regard to his rising Entertainment empire at the Beach. Probably, running with that credited nickname, George decided to open 'Barnum's at the Beach.'
This new makeover would include a Circus Theme. Dancing Horses and other automatons in the windows. All Lit up with various colored lights. Other than that, the facade appeared rather flat, painted in a strange forrest green with painted signage. Gone were the days of blazing lighted signs, caricatures and that wonderful Victorian facade. That had all been stripped away for the Edgewater Ballroom in 46'. We know Laffing Sal #3 was purchased in 1952. Did she find a home at Barnum's? Possibly. We have no surviving photos or menus from Barnum's, the interior décor is a mystery.
Barnum's at the Beach probably had a familiar feel to most people in 1952. It had only been six years since Topsy's closed, so Barnum's probably felt like Topsy's with a new theme. Whitney even brought back 'Little Topsy's' as Barnum's eatery. Fried Chicken rides again!
We don't know that exact reasons why Barnum's failed, but there are some telltale signs. It could have been the strange theming combo of Topsy's, which was a racial Faux pas by the 50's, combined with a Circus theme? Maybe a Circus theme was more fit for children's enjoyment rather than adults? Since Topsy's popularity had came and went, the public could have just seen to many similarities. Fried Chicken and dancing may have run it's course years before... Whatever the reason, Barnum's only lasted about two years.
Back at the Chutes Lot
Barnum's may have been a flop, but the barren Chutes lot was favorably refitted with new attractions and rides!
Many of the back lot (Safeway lot) rides and attractions were moved to the Chutes Lot. Taking over the old North end of the block, where the Chutes and Tumble Bug were located, arouse a Kiddie Ride area. Playland had always had Kiddie rides scattered about the properties, but this new area was just for the Kiddies and rides they would enjoy. Mini Car ride, boat ride, Train ride, rocket ride and even a kids coaster filled the area.
Along the now expansive Midway between Cabrillo and Balboa rose some familiar rides from the Back Lot (Safeway lot) and some revamped back lot attractions. The East side of the old Chutes Midway had lost it's games and concessions, but gained some kiosk type games and food concessions. The small 'Fascination' building that once held the Sleigh Ride Station (1920's) was removed and brought into the Great Highway frontage buildings.
Dark Mystery gets a new home on the South East section of the Chutes lot. The building would have been found Hugging the backside of the Playland Arcade and planted on top of the old Chutes Boat House and canals. The new Dark Mystery was refitted with Pretzel Corporations new Art Deco Cars, along with new Dark ride stunts and gags. The new building was more expansive than it's predecessor, which equated into a longer ride with more surprises.
By the 50's, Pretzel had beefed up their Repertoire of effects. Flying Skeleton Angels, along with hanging and animated props made for new scares. With the advent of Black Light, a new fluorescent creepiness entered the dark ride realm. The New Dark Mystery quickly overtook the popularity of the now old Laff in the Dark.
Dark Mystery's new facade was a Mystery in itself! Changing the theme from the questionable and dated Dark Mysteries of Africa, gone were the Dancing Girls and Africa theme. Now, we had a Salvador Dali surrealist theme with strange dark intermingling characters and scenes. What did this all mean? Apparently, it meant, “Anything goes.” Dark Mystery became kind of a hodgepodge of props and gags. Charging Rhino's and a bubbling caldron filled with men from a lost exhibition were obvious leftover gags from the “Africa” Dark Mystery. Added were new caged ghost, ghoulies and other things that bump or SCREAM in the night. The Flying Skeleton Death Angels seemed to quite popular with unexpecting visitors.
The Diving Bell also got new digs on the Chutes lot. It, too, got a more theatrically built backdrop with a giant rock cliff and larger more expansive pool area. The actual Diving bell remained about the same, but with a new Barrel shaped topper which was themed out as a mechanical (Bell)tower.
Opening in the 40's on the back lot, the diving bell had become a mainstay attraction at Playland. The deep sea adventure was wildly popular, albeit simple. Board, close the door, descend into the deep, look around and pop up out the water. Make sure you don't puke up that Pronto Pup!
Along with these mainstay attractions, the Hey Dey ride and along with a variety of other rides fell into a constant rotation on the lot. Skylark, Loop-o-planes, etc.
Demo of the Dipper
At the ripe old age of about 30, the Big Dipper was still the largest attraction at Playland in 1955. It received a nice new coat of White paint around 1954. Why George Whitney had the Dipper removed is a mystery to this day. He was reported to have stated, '...It's ugly..' That could have been true! It was reported that Whitney had the Big Dipper painted white but used no primer. Others speculate it didn't bring in the big bucks anymore and like the Chutes, took up to much real estate. Yet another hypothesis was that safety regulation had become more strict and the cost of modernizing the coaster was to costly. Whatever the reason, Whitney was juggling a heavy load! George Jr. was off doing his thing with Uncle Walt at Disneyland, leaving George Sr and Floyd Gilman (Whitney's son in law) to carry the burden of overseeing the upkeep of Playland, Cliff House and recently purchased Sutro Baths (1953).
Maybe the answer to the Big Dipper's demise falls within a juggling of money and profit? While Playland & Cliff House were financially still very profitable, the acquisition of the Sutro Baths became a financial sinking ship. Whether Sutro's was ever profitable under Whitney's thumb is unknown, but highly doubtful. Shifting moneys may have spawned the building of the Cliff House's Skytram over the modernization of the Dipper. That Cliff House attraction opened in 1955 too.
Whatever the reason or rational, the Big Dipper came down in March of 1955. Following the familiar and successful cue from the removal of the Chutes, the Dipper lot soon became another mecca of Carnival rides and expanded games and concesssions.
By 1955, the back lot had become more Parking Lot than amusement lot. Many of the back lot rides were moved to the frontage lots over the years, leaving the Skyliner (Circle Swing) and the Derby racers as the few attraction left on the lot. The Skyliner would be scuttled and Derby Racer closed after a fire. The Derby racer found itself as a storage area for most of the 50's and 60's.
The Dipper lot was soon revamped with new concessions and games at the North end behind the Fun House. Part of this space would later be used for Limbo (Dark ride). Most of the mid to south end of the lot was now open space with the exception of the Splendid and Golden Gate Inn eateries.
This lot, too, now acquired a decade of rotating carnival attractions. The caterpillar ride, Tilt-a-whirl, Ridee-o, Roto-Jets, Scrambler and other typical flatbed truck delivered rides.
The 50's saw Playland basically become a giant carnival and far less of Seaside Amusement Park.
“The Rotor” comes to Playland
The Rotor wasn't just another Carnival Flat Ride. New to America in the 1950's, The Rotor was designed in Germany and made it's first appearance at the 1949 Oktoberfest in Munich. This was one of the more unique rides of the 50's. Most rides of the time placed it's passengers in a vehicle that rotated around the outer edge of a horizontal circle. Think Tilt-a-whirl or Caterpillar. Also common would be the vertical circular rotation; think Ferris wheel or Rock-o-plane rides. The Rotor was different! You rode as a group in a round room. The vehicle of entertainment was centrifugal force. Science was the attraction!
Wikipedia describes the attraction: The Rotor is a large, upright barrel, rotated at 33 revolutions per minute. The rotation of the barrel creates a centrifugal force equivalent to almost 3 G's. Once the barrel has attained full speed, the floor is retracted, leaving the riders stuck to the wall of the drum. At the end of the ride cycle, the drum slows down and gravity takes over. The riders slide down the wall slowly. Most Rotors were constructed with an observation deck.
Playland's Rotor was NOT owned or leased by George Whitney. It was brought to Playland via England by Max Myers as a private concession. Myers, just leased the space from Whitney. It arrived around 1951ish, but was gone by 1955. It was rumored that Whitney didn't like that it was so popular and the money was all going to Myers. Whether Whitney didn't renew his lease or Myers just moved on.... The Rotor had a short but memorable stay at Playland. The Rotor went on to International fame throughout the 50's and 60's. Some of the original designs have survived, but many newer versions are out there, like the spaceship themed Graviton.
Look who's Laffing now!
Laff in the Dark sees it's last laughs by the end of the 50's. The well loved attraction survives
over 20 years, but is removed to make space for the new entertainment frontiers ahead.
Laffing Sal made her debut in 1940 in her second story perch on the outside of the Fun House.
Sal's popularity had never wained. In fact, she wins center stage exposure and is moved to the
front corner window on the Fun House in early 1950's. There, everyone can get a closer look to
be amused (or scared to death) of Laffing Sal's cackling laughter, along with a bevy of other odd
automaton buddies.
The End of an Era
After a sudden illness in 1958, George Whitney passes away and with him, the Legacy of the Whitney Brothers. The Great Entertainer is no more. But there's still one Whitney left to maintain the fun and laughter. George Whitney Jr along with Floyd GIlman take the reigns in 1958. He leaves Walt and the Magic kingdom and heads for home... Home to Playland.
George Jr. goes for the Brass Ring
George Jr comes back to take over ALL the Whitney properties; Cliff House, Playland and Sutro baths. He brings with him fresh ideas in park theming, along with a black booked filled with the names of people that can make the new magic happen.
George Sr had already done some sprucing up around Playland. The Cabrillo entrance received it's new colorful Popcorn Box towered entries and the new Midways seemed to be popular and functional. In 1958, George Sr was working on a few new ideas he had up his sleeve. The Alpine Racer and Limbo. The Alpine Racer was on order in 1958 and Limbo was George Sr. last hurrah.
As George Jr comes to town, he's faced with many challenges, Upgrading Playland and falling attendance. We'll leave Sutro and the Cliff House out of this discussion.
Racing into Limbo
At the time George Whitney's passing, he was hard at work assisting in the design of his new Dark Ride, Limbo. With Laff in the Dark becoming outdated, it was on the way out. George saw potential in a new space next to the fun house. He would bring a new dark ride to the frontage lots, ending the usage of all the back lots.
Limbo opens in 1958. It's facade was quite elaborate. A few years before Dark Ride Artisan Bill Tracy hits the scene with his wild and kooky facades and daring set themes. Limbo's facade is created by some local Italian artisans. An oversized crouching Skeleton presided over the entire front of the facade. Dramatic as this is visually, the fun doesn't stop there! The background of the inner staging area is fully decked out in creepy demons and ghouls prancing around in a hellish environment. Tombstones line the base of the staging area. Passengers are greeted on entry by a blood drooling witch who appears to be beckoning you into her realm with maniacal movements of her hands. Next to her we see some bleeding babies heads. Wow!
As with most Dark rides of these types, darkness brings about the biggest fear. As you slam through the entry doors you are thrown into darkness. Then some quick mysterious jolting turns. Limbo's ride scenes are fresh and more ghoulish than past decades. Limbo includes 'signs of the times' in SiFi and horror. Black light mixed with other visual effects brings you into spacey realm of the Twilight Zones opening scenes. Aliens, ghouls, subhuman beings, spiders and human torture all play out in the darkness.
1959 bring a Roller Coaster back to Playland. The Alpine Racer, a Wild Mouse Type coaster. These coasters were the cutting edge in 1958. Designed in Germany, they were originally made with a wood frame and very compact. Later, they would be made with steel frames. The cars small, mouse like. Two people in tandem per car. The track short with sharp turns and some quick dips. The cars skittered around the track like rat in a maze. They never picked up much speed, but the lack of support guards around teh track gave ya the feeling you were going to fall off teh track at every turn. The dip were also steep and jarring. Far from the thrills of the Big Dipper, but it was cutting edge and popular at the time.
Playland had a new coaster!
The Alpine Racer found a home on the corner of La Playa and Fulton. A mere quarter of the size of the Big Dipper it was wildly popular on arrival. The Alpine Racer survived until the final days at Playland.
New and Final Frontiers
George Jr will complete his fathers work, but he has many of his own ideas up his sleeve. He has a bright vision for a new themed Kiddie Land.... Fun Tier Town.
The 50's end with Playland as a much smaller park. The Laff in the Dark lot is vacant and Safeway lot is pretty much only used for parking. All the entertainment has been moved to the Great Highway front lots. Playland has lost two of it's largest attraction. The space left empty has been filled in with many Carnival rides along with a few decent permanent attractions. Playland takes on more of Carnival Atmosphere and loses it's 1920's Seaside Amusement Park Charm.
Things are looking bright as the decade ends. Only positive changes ahead. George Jr has vision and plenty of ideas. But what comes next, will change the landscape of Ocean Beach forever...
Photo credits
1952 Postcard
Chutes - SFPL
Barnums - eBay
Midway - Marilyn Blasidell Collection
Dark Mytsery - Marilyn Blasidell Collection
Diving Bell - James R Smith
Dipper photos - Robert Smit
Rotor - James R Smith
LAffing Sal - eBay
Cabrillo entry - Dennis O'Rorke
Limbo - Ken Kaffe
