“Playland At the Beach” 50¢ Silent Film Day | Fremont

Submitted by the Event Organizer

The Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum aims to bring you back in time with a full day of old times and film memories.

While the town of Niles goes “Playland” for a day (historic photos, carnival and beach resort items on display in stores around town, and you can buy It’s-It’s for just $1), The Edison Theater shows two silent films (from 1915 and 1933) featuring carnival rides and SF’s Great Highway. 50 Cents Admission.

Afterwards, you can watch a “talkie” – the 2010 documentary “Remembering Playland at the Beach” and learn all about San Francisco’s lost and beloved theme park. $6 admission and includes filmmaker Q&A following the screening

Film Schedule

2:00 PM A Jitney Elopement (1915) – Silent Film
50c donation
During his Niles Essanay tenure, Charlie Chaplin filmed a crazy car chase on the unpaved Great Highway just down the street from where Chutes at the Beach and later Playland
would reside. You also get good views of the windmills at Golden Gate Park.

3:00 PM On The Loose (1931) – Silent Film
50c donation
Thelma Todd, ZaSu Pitts  and Coney Island – what more could you want?  We are showing this two reel comedy because there are several rides and attractions featured that were similar to those found at Playland.  Kicks and giggles!

Remembering Playland at the Beach (2010) – Talkie
4:00 PM    Admission $6 general, $5 museum members
Written and directed by Tom Wyrsch, this full length documentary about San Francisco’s famous 10- acre seaside amusement park located next to Ocean Beach revisits Laffing Sal, the Fun House, the Carousel, the Big Dipper, the Diving Bell, Dark Mystery, Limbo and Fun-tier Town before it was all torn down in 1972 to make way for a condominium development. The filmmaker will be available for Q & A after the show.

The Town of Niles Goes “Playland” for a Day

• Cotton candy, snow cones, salt water taffy, photos of days gone by and the sounds of Laffing Sal will be part of the atmosphere – come early and look for tributes to Playland throughout town.
• It’s-It ice cream confections will be a mere $1 at Mr. Mikey’s country market (they were invented at Playland at could only be purchased there until it closed down in 1972).
• Other stores will have on display carnival and beach resort items on display throughout the town so come take a look. You may even hear the haunting cackle of Laffing Sal who greeted guests to Playland back in the day

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Films to be shown at the Edison Theater
37417 Niles Blvd., Fremont, CA 94536
Home of the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum – a non-profit, volunteer-run organization

Get your tickets in advance at our box office or on-line at www.nilesfilmmuseum.org or call (510) 494-1411 and leave a message.  Limited Seating.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.