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William
F. Cassidy - A Memorial Tribute
Laff In The Dark bids a fond farewell to former Pretzel Amusement Co. owner Bill Cassidy, the last of the classic dark ride builders from the "Golden Age of American Amusement Parks", and a truly nice guy. |
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Voyage
Of the Ghost Ship
Kennywood Park's legendary Bill Tracy Ghost Ship rises from the deep - and the ashes - to take you on one more cruise to Davy Jones' Locker! By Ned Johnstone and Brian Gallo |
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Hell
On Wheels!
Come On Down for a Hot Time at Dante's Inferno at Coney Island's Astroland Park! By George LaCross |
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Raiding
The LAST Ark
Explore the history of Britain's only Noah's Ark funhouse from stem to stern. By Paul Beesley |
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Rocky
Point's Era Of Terror
Remembering Rhode Island's Rocky Point Park and its menu of dark attractions By John Malone and George LaCross |
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Saving
Sal
San Francisco's Playland may be gone, but its most famous resident has come back- to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. It's a laffing matter! By Bill Luca |
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Fear
On The Pier
The dark history of Stillwalk Manor awaits you at the legendary amusement center of Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, New Jersey By Gary Heller with George LaCross |
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Still
Spooky After 50 Years!
Coney Island's Classic Spook-A-Rama celebrates its 50th birthday at Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, as we present our third Laff Achievement Award! |
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Over
A Barrel
Whalom Park in Massachusetts has been closed for five years, but their funhouse still stands. Laff In The Dark explores this classic walk-through. By George LaCross |
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Send
'Em Out Laffing!
The story of the man who invented dark rides, and the business he built to make them, the Pretzel Amusement Ride Company. By Bill Luca |
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A
Walk On The Wildwood Side
New Jersey's Wildwood boardwalk and piers have been home to some of the great classic dark attractions over the years. We take a look at what's 'on board' these days. By George LaCross |
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The
Last Laff At Lake Compounce
Take a nostalgic trip back to Lake Compounce in Bristol, CT and the fondly-remembered Laff In The Dark ride that delighted park-goers for over forty years. By Charlie Burnham |
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Fear
and Fantasy
The history, business and art of pioneering dark ride stunt designer Van A. Olkon and the company he built - Animated Display Creators of Miami. By Bill Luca |
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The
Dark Past Of Dorney Park
The former owner of Dorney park shares his memories of the Whacky Shack, Bucket O' Blood and other attractions that once brought fun and thrills to Dorney's patrons. By Bob Ott |
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The
Haunted House - Trimper's Rides and Amusements
We explore one of the greatest surviving Bill Tracy-designed dark rides in existence. This multi-level extravaganza on the boardwalk of Trimper's Rides and Amusements in Ocean City, MD, contains almost every trick in the book. By George LaCross |
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Pirates
Cove at Trimper's Rides and Amusements
One of the last two operating Bill Tracy-built Pirates Cove walk-through funhouses. Join us at Trimper's in Ocean City, MD. They don't make 'em like this anymore. By George LaCross |
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Laff
In The Dark's Second Laff Achievement Award!
We pay tribute to Mr. Granville Trimper and Trimper's Rides of Ocean City, MD, home of two terrific Bill Tracy attractions: Haunted House dark ride and Pirates Cove funhouse! |
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Flying
Witch Project
Laff in the Dark investigates this super three-level dark ride at Rye Playland, NY. Do you dare to join us? By George LaCross |
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Fun
in the Dark At Glen Echo Park
Laff in the Dark returns to this fondly remembered Washington, DC area park and its fine array of funhouse and dark ride attractions. By Bill Luca |
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SpookHouse!
It may be the oldest operating Pretzel dark ride in existence! Still spooky since 1931! Join us as we visit SpookHouse, at Keansburg Amusement Park, NJ. By George LaCross |
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The
Legend Of Le Cachot
Kennywood's great Le Cachot may be gone forever, but Laff In The Dark takes you back in time for another look at this classic Pretzel dark ride. By George LaCross |
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Out
Of This World!
Mountain Park in Holyoke, Massachusetts once had an impressive array of dark rides and funhouses. Learn about these great rides and the artists who created them. By Jay Ducharme |
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Return
to Zombie Castle
There's something Rotten in Rye! The classic Zombie Castle at Playand in Rye, NY gets a sinister makeover. Come on in...we'd love to have you for dinner! By George LaCross |
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Savin
Rock - Haven for Dark Attractions
Explore the dark attractions of what was once the largest amusement area in New England - Savin Rock, West Haven, CT. By George LaCross |
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Kastle
Frankenstein
The last little dark ride in Massachusetts awaits you at this perennial resort town on the shores of Salisbury Beach. By Bill Luca |
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The
Mine of Lost Souls
Take a picturesque trip through Canobie Lake Park's gold mine, but beware...things get spooky "Way down in the mine". By George LaCross |
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Laff
In The Dark's First Laff Achievement Award!
With admiration and gratitude, we proudly present our highest honor to Mr. Bill Cassidy, whose Pretzel Amusement Ride Co. started it all! |
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My
Gal Sal-The Story Of The Laughing Lady
You know the face, you know the laugh. She's the queen of the funhouse. Now you're about to learn all about her. By Bill Luca |
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Staten
Island Funhouse
Although it may be the end of the line for this little Pretzel gem, you can still join us for one more ride. By Bret Malone |
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Asbury
Park Casino
It was a building full of amusement rides open year-round, and it also featured a Pretzel dark ride and a Circus Fun House. Step back in time and take a ride. By Bret Malone |
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The
Haunting of Sandy Lake
Among the many delights of this traditional family-owned park in Carrolton, Texas is a fine dark ride from the early days of the Pretzel Amusement Co. By William Rutledge lll |
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Under The Boardwalk
The Haunted Castle and Cave Train Adventure Await You in Santa Cruz, CA By Warren Crandall |
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Ghost Train
Thrilling riders since 1930 at England's famed Blackpool Pleasure Beach By Neil Saunderson |
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Zombie Castle
A tribute to the last existing Laff In The Dark ride, at Playland Park, Rye, NY By Bret Malone and George LaCross |
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Lost Funhouses
A look back at some classic walk-throughs from the days when fun was FUN! By Jack McDougall |
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Pretzel
Logic
Remember your first dark ride? Memories of the original 1935 Pretzel Ride at Crescent Park, East Providence, RI by George LaCross |
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Terror on Gun
Mountain
A Haunted Walk-Through in A Wild West Town in Cave City, KY by Rick Davis |
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The Dark Side of San
Francisco's Playland
Thrills from the fondly remembered seaside amusement park by Ken Kaffke |
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Sylvan Beach Laffland Classic Pretzel
Time stands still at this beautiful lakeside park and its great original Pretzel ride by Bret Malone |
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The Darkrides
of Hunt's Pier
Dark attractions at the once great pier in New Jersey by Anthony Canzano |
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Laffing at Pontchartrain Beach
New Orleans, LA dark rides by Doug Ferguson |
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Classic Terror in the Lone
Star State
The Ride and Laff at the State Fair of Texas by William Rutledge III |
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Sally Corporation: The Past, Present
and Future
An exclusive Laff In The Dark interview and two ride reviews |
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Phantasmagoria at Bell's
Amusement Park
A mid-western Bill Tracy dark ride by Rick Davis |
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Terror Comes A Calling: Funland's Haunted
Mansion
A look at Funland's classic suspended dark ride by Bret Malone |
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The Dark Side of Lake George
The Tornado at The Great Escape and other "dark" attractions by George LaCross |
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The Noah's Ark Funhouse
History and workings of the funhouse once found everywhere by Joel Styer |
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The Dark Rides of Conneaut Lake
Park
Traces the history complete up to Dr. Moriarity's ride by Rick Davis |
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Lost Dark Rides and Funhouses of Coney
Island
Many of the great Coney Island dark rides by The Prince of Dark Rides |
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An interview with William Cassidy
of Pretzel
Excellent interview with one of the industry leaders conducted by Bret Malone |
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Darkrides and Funhouses of Canobie Lake
Park
Follow the dark ride history of Canobie Lake Park by Bill Luca |
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Pirate's Cove at Waldameer Park
Pirate's Cove and the Walk-Through funhouses of Bill Tracy by Bret Malone |
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Witch Castle at Salisbury Beach
The gone but not forgotten classic dark ride at Fun-O-Rama by Rick Ciliberto |
