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 ©
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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
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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
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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.)
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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
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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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