Ocean City, New Jersey - June 1960
When I think of seaside boardwalks, I think of New Jersey. Atlantic City, mostly. But there was (IS!) Ocean City as well! Another location full of fun and entertainment where folks from all over could come and enjoy the cool ocean breezes, watch their favorite bands, see a movie, ride some rides, eat cotton candy, red hots, and salt water taffy, and generally have a good time.
This couple has brought along a picnic lunch, which always tastes better when it has had time to warm up in a brown paper bag. I hope they don't see Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho", that shower scene will make them lose their appetites. Ocean City seems to be considerably less flashy than Atlantic City, but I like it anyway.
I have to admit that I enjoy a round of miniature golf once in a while (even though that little windmill drives me crazy). Somebody at the Ocean City course has put a lot of time and effort into making each of the 18 holes a whimsical experience. There's Rip Van Winkle, sleeping as usual...
Thanks to Gnometrek for his correction (see his comment)!!
18 comments:
I want some salt water taffy! I see a taffy sign in the distance. I wonder if they had one of those machines where you could watch the taffy getting "pulled."
The last time I saw Psycho was at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. They projected it onto the wall of one of the mausoleums. Talk about creepy!
These pictures are of Ocean City New Jersey. I grew up on those Boards. The couple is standing next to the 18 hole of the Fairy tale golg course. If you hit the ball up the tiny ramp and into a hole in the tree Rip Van Winkle would sit up and say "Ohhh you woke me up" and you would win a free game. Thanks for the memories.
TokyoMagic!, I could watch one of those taffy-pulling machines forever! Also, I was going to see Ghostbusters at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, and it was so crowded we couldn't see it!!
Gnometrek, THANK YOU for the correction! A Facebook pal misidentified this one for me (since I clearly had no idea). Hmmm, should I change the posting, or just let you comment do the work for me?! Maybe I'll correct it!
Nice pics today. I always like amusement parks on the beach or an ocean pier.
TokyoMagic! - Watching Psycho in the cemetery sounds like a lot fun.
Forgot to mention that I think I can see Alice In Wonderland talking to a caterpillar on a mushroom just beyond the Rip Van Winkle "cage" (upper left corner of the cage).
K. Martinez....it was fun! I've also seen "Rear Window" and "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane" in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Major, I haven't been to the movie nights at the cemetery for several years now for that reason....it's just too crowded now and it often sells out, so you have to get there early and then wait in a big line of cars to get in.
Look at all those pretty girls,who will soon emerge from that theater never to shower with the door unlocked again.
K. Martinez, Santa Cruz is the only beach-side amusement park I've ever been to… I wanted to go to Coney Island years ago, but it rained that weekend.
TokyoMagic!, you can also see Rapunzel and Jack and the Beanstalk!
Melissa, I remember being frightened by the shower scene… now it would barely raise an eyebrow.
Been to this Boardwalk a few times, tho not this long ago.
The first time was in about 1985, and I remember a storm had gone thru and the boards were all a-kimbo in a few sections. I have pics of those.
This is a nice place to go for a weekend, but not as much fun now I wouldnt think as it was then (lots of casinos, of course the main attraction sadly these days)
Major, I used to work at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk as a ride operator in the 1970s. It was a carefree fun time back then.
Ha! I see them now, Major. I missed them the first time around. Thanks for pointing them out.
Hi Nancy
There are no casinos in Ocean City NJ. It is a "dry" (no aclohol sold anywhere) town and is still very much geared to families.
I have memories of going to a fun house on the Santa Cruz boardwalk sometime in the early 60s. A real old time affair with a wooden slide and a turntable It had a huge clown face with an open mouth as an entrance.
Great shots, as usual. LOVE seeing "PSYCHO" on the theater marquee; that is badass!
Was at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk a few weekends ago and it was a wonderful afternoon/night. Rode rides, ate naughty food and enjoyed the cool Santa Cruz weather!
Sorry, I meant Atlantic City!! There I go, thinking again!
Thanks, Gnometrek
My family vacation in Ocean City in last week of August in the last 1950's and early 1960's. I remember 'Psycho' playing at that theatre (the Surf, seated about 1,000 people). Between the ticket booth (under the rounded marquee) and the entrance doors there was a huger standee with a red light bulb near the top. One the light went on, no one else was allowed into the theatre until the next show. Unless (as the standee promised) it was a nurse or doctor if the movie proved too terrifying for you. They even had people dressed as a nurse and doctor standing by the sign near ticket time for the evening shows. I was too young be allowed to see it at the time.
p.s. for some reason or other I think I may have noted the theatre showing Psycho as the Surf. It should be The Strand. The Surf was a different owner and not kept up anywhere near as well as the Strand.
Thanks for your great recollections, stevil! I just read a book about the making of Psycho (it's an excellent book) and they mention the lengths that were gone to so that folks wouldn't spoil the movie.
Great photos of the boardwalk! I was a projectionist at that theater in the 70's and 80's. Best job ever. I remember a sign from Psycho, hidden backstage, that stated no one was to be seated after the movie started. This was one of the rules from Hitchcock.
Post a Comment