Playland's Masters of Entertainment
If we learn anything about the rise and fall of Playland, it was all about who's in charge. Their efforts and diligence made Playland a major success. In the end, neglectful leadership quickly showed the road to ruin. Playland's demise may have been cemented by multiple sources.... Change in social interests - Poor business decisions - Poor Management - Etc. But what we should all agree, It took vision and determination to build and expand an amusement park. It was about playing attention to the details, nurturing new concepts and imagination. I thought we should focus on some of these 'Masters of Entertainment.' The ones that made Playland Great.
Arthur Looff
1888-1970
John Freidle
1876-1950
Son of Charles I.D. Looff, builder of many well known and sought after Carousels. Charles was also the builder and developer of Amusement Parks! Arthur basically grew up in and around the Amusement business. He held an Engineering degree and was highly versed in Amusement park development, management and engineering. He was the builder of rides, concessions, games and dreams. Some of his "Building" projects have stood the test of time.... such as the Giant Dipper in Santa Cruz. But, before the Giant Dipper, Arthur was the developer of Playland. He developed the layout and build many of it's most popular games and rides: Bob Sled Dipper, Big Dipper, Chutes and More.
Honestly, John Friedle is a little more of a mystery. His BIO isn't quite as accessible. He was born in Germany and came to the United States. John and his brother Bill come into the Playland story as a Game concession owner with Baseball throw and Shooting Gallery. Whatever their background, John came to befriend and partner up with Arthur Looff in 1915. Friedle managed and expanded Playland at a feverish pitch with Arthur. Eventually buying out Looff and still expanding the park. Even after Friedle's personal exile back to Germany around 1929, he returned to work and manage Playland along side George Whitney, 1934-1950. Reportedly, his family worked at Playland for many years.
Any additional history would be most welcomed...
George K. Whitney
1891-1958
George Whitney Jr.
1922-2002
He was called 'The Barnum of the Golden Gate!' Shrewd business man and creator of great entertainment.
George 's history is long and well documented. Originally from Kansas, he and his brother developed a Quick Photo Process. making it able to get your photo within the day vs. days. It was wildly popular and very successful. he and Leo had concession at Luna Park in Australia (there are multiple Luna Park is Australia, I don't remember which one). They spend time at Luna Park in Seattle before making there was to San Francisco and Chutes at the beach in 1922. they owned a photo studio on Market St, as well. As the story goes..... George and Leo climbed the Chutes at the Beach latter till George acquires a management position. I'm going to assume under John Friedle. George may have persuaded Friedle to run for cover after the serious Bob Sled Dipper accident. Friedle had concerns about being sued. Whether george bought out Friedle completely of partially in 1929 is unsure, but George took over as General manager of the park. He renamed it Whitney's at the beach. As we know, that name didn't stick and the park became known as Playland at the Beach. George and Leo were responsible for many Playland expansions: Food Concessions, ride variety, concessions, etc. When the Depression came along, many of Playland's concession were still privately owned. These concession owners felt the strain of the Depression and slowly sold the concessions.... George Whitney bought em up! With the success and popularity of Topsy's Roost and Playland, the Whitney's purchased the Cliff house in 1937. By 1942, George Whitney owned it all.... all one million square feet of Playland. Later, he bought out his brother Leo, when he retired. George ran Playland up to 1958.... which so happened to the year he died. George Whitney brought countless entertainment to Playland, Cliff House and later Sutro Baths. He was truly, 'The Barnum of the Golden gate.'
1950 George Whitney Bio... Click HERE
George Whitney Jr had the job of taking over where his father left off and he didn't have an easy, nor too successful job of it. Most was not of his own accord. George Jr. had worked along side his father for years. Learning the ins and outs of the amusement business. Not too much different than Arthur Looff. George Jr new his game and knew it well. When Walt Disney came calling on the Whitney's for advise, George Jr. went to work, he was employee #7 of Disneyland. He advised Walt on everything from Ride queues to management to crowd control. Jr once stated he was the only person on the Disney team with any experience in a real Amusement Park. He was manager of Fantasyland for some years and eventually went on to help organize World Fairs. When his George Sr died (1958), he returned to Playland. Jr had learned quite a bit about amusement and theme park building while with Disney, He was looking to add some new themed concepts to Playland. Fun-Tier town was born from that concept in 1960. Mad Mine and other attractions got the new treatment too.
George Jr had a vision for a NEW Playland (a Modern One), that would had survived and thrived for decades!
When Bob Frazier acquired controlling interest in the park.... George Jr was stopped in his tracks. Jr. then focused more on Cliff House, Sutro Baths and other ventures like the Seatte World's fair.