Coaster Enthusuasts of Canada

VIDEOS
about
CRYSTAL BEACH
(Ontario, Canada)

The following pertain exclusively to Crystal Beach
Park in Ontario, Canada. Be sure to see the rest of
the Videos section as some others may show
Crystal Beach. Also, see the Books section.



THE FOLLOWING MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED
WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE AUTHOR ©





                                ________

THE CANADIANA AND CRYSTAL BEACH (1999)

        This chronicles Crystal Beach and its most famous boat, the
        "S.S. Canadiana", which carried millions of people from Buffalo
        to Crystal Beach Park via Lake Erie from 1910 to 1956. The tape
        covers the period from 1888, when the park first opened as a   
        religious campground up through the 1960's, but concentrates
        in the late 1940's and early 50's. *(Not Reviewed.)

Produced By:                                    Running Time:
        WEX Studio

Order From:                                     Price:  $20.95 (U.S. Funds)
   Tim Wagner
   Department D
   31 George Street
   Fairport, NY 14450
   U.S.A.
   (716)425-7072

                                ________

I REMEMBER CRYSTAL BEACH  (1998) NTSC

        This tape highlights the last decade of Crystal Beach Park and 
        depicts its yearly cycle: the park covered in snow, spring 
        preparations (including "Comet" break-in), a day in the park, 
        nighttime, and the park's closing after 101 years of thrilling its 
        guests. Historical events include renewed boat service from Buffalo, 
        the reopening of the Dance Hall, a backwards run of the "Comet", and 
        Crystal Beach's final destruction.  *(Not Reviewed.)

Produced By:                                    Running Time:  67m
        WEX Studio

Order From:                                     Price:  $20.95 (U.S. Funds)
   Tim Wagner
   Department D
   31 George Street
   Fairport, NY 14450
   (716)425-7072

                                ________

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CRYSTAL BEACH (1993) NTSC, PAL, Secam

        From its beginnings as a religious campground in the 1880's,
        through two world wars, to its demise in 1989, this tape shows 
        the Ontario, Canada park and its famous roller coasters: The
        "Giant" on which a point-of-view ride is shown, The "Cyclone" with 
        a 14-second clip, and The "Comet" which now resides at The Great 
        Escape in Lake George, New York, U.S.A. A park ticket is included.
        *(This hour-long tape has some great views and stories of not only
        the park but the community that thrived every summer the park was
        open. Many interviews of workers and patrons at the park are
        spaced with classic footage of the rides and attractions. Included
        are some sad moments such as the remains of the "Canadiana" ferry,
        the demolition of the beautiful dance hall, and the auction of the
        park's rides. Although the audio and video quality falters in
        a few places, this is a nicely put-together view of a past
        park that can only be visited through this tape, and is one of
        only a handful of items that deal exclusively with a Canadian park.)




THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CRYSTAL BEACH 
 (Continued)

Produced by:                                    Running Time:  60m
       Paul Kassay, Janet Truckenbrodt, 
        and Cathy Herbert at
       Pacific Productions International

Order From:                                     Price:  $25.00 (Cdn. Funds)
       Cathy Herbert
       Box 935
       Ridgeway, Ontario                        Voice:  (905) 894-0483
       Canada  L0S 1N0                          E-Mail: * CB Memories
-Crystal Beach Video Tape






                                ________

ONE LAST RIDE  (2000)  NTSC

        This was shot in Late August 1989 just before Crystal Beach Park
        closed. It shows 14 different rides with on-board footage of
        four, as well as local newscasts of the closing auction in
        October of that year. Included are The "Comet" & "Giant" coasters,
        "Laff in the Dark", and the Skyride. Each tape comes with a
        coupon for 1 free Crystal Beach, original-recipe sugar waffle.
        Some proceeds go to the Fort Erie Historical museum for purchasing
        and/or restoration of Crystal Beach artifacts. *(It's wonderful to 
        see an operating Crystal Beach with its classic coasters and dark 
        ride. The video quality is good with few contrast problems. The
        reminiscings of the producer's daughters, coupled with footage of
        them in the park from two decades ago, adds greatly. Dialog is 
        overpowered at times by ride sounds and I would liked to have seen 
        captions identifying each ride, but it's a small price to pay for 
        spending a day in park that will never return.)





ONE LAST RIDE  (2000)  NTSC
 (Continued)

Produced By:                                    Running Time: 55m
        Richard Doan and Bradley Murphy

Order From:                                     Price:  $14.99 (Cdn. Funds)
        Last Ride Productions                           (Tax & Shipping In)
        Box 211
        Ridgeway, Ontario                               $18.00 (U.S. Funds)
        Canada  L0S 1N0                                 (Includes Shipping)
        (905) 894-1342
        * rdoan5@cogeco.ca


Crystal Beach Video
(Video clips of the actual documentary are available here for download.)



                                ________

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES  (2005) NTSC

        A new video from Rick Doan and Paul Kassy shows what the Crystal
        Beach scene looks like in 2005. It starts at Kiddieland and continues
        by including many artifacts of the park's coasters and of The
        "Canadiana". A highlight is colour footage of The "Cyclone".
        *(Not Reviewed.)

Produced By:                                    Running Time:
        

Order From:                                     Price: 

Crystal Beach Video

                                ________

    Want to contribute to a new book? Crystal Beach - The Good Old Days will be taken from an oral history of the park by its workers and patrons. Send your memories and stories about the park and its ferries to Erno Rossi: erossi@whitedeath.com.




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