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[VHS 27] WHITE KNUCKLE. [PAL / 1994 / 52
MINS] A compilation of probably the most outrageous
roller coaster rides in the world that will have thrill-seekers
overloading on adrenalin. Includes stunning on and off board
footage of stomach-churning rides. Features: Nemesis; Shockwave;
Grand National; Thunder Looper; The Ultimate; Big Dipper; The
Vampire; Cyclone (Southport); Avalanche; PMBO.
ANDY SHINE SAYS: Front seat footage of your favourite coasters,
with on-screen data. SHINE RATING: Good. |
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[VHS 28] VERTICAL REALITY. [PAL / 1994 / 15
MINS] A Blackpool Pleasure Beach production: This video
shows the entire journey on board the Pepsi Max Big One, which
may distress viewers of a nervous disposition. The story of the
PMBO, from conception to completion! ANDY
SHINE SAYS: I wanted to learn as much as possible about the coaster
and how it came about, and of the problems and challenges the engineers
and construction crew faced. I was left disappointed as it discloses
very little information. SHINE RATING: Fair. |
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[VHS 29] LAUGH YOUR TROUBLES AWAY: THE COMPLETE
HISTORY OF RIVERVIEW PARK. [NTSC / 1994 / 35 MINS] A
product of years of research by Derek Gee and the personal
experiences of Ralph Lopez, who worked at the park for 11 years,
make this the most comprehensive and factual history of Riverview
available today. Traces the development of the park as seen
through postcards, vintage ads, photographs taken by the park and
motion pictures. (Also available on DVD containing much bonus
footage and extras). ANDY SHINE SAYS: A most
interesting and captivating film sure to appeal to all amusement
park enthusiasts. Well presented and featuring rare footage of
the park and its rides. SHINE RATING: Excellent. |
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[VHS 30] RAPTOR RULES THE SKY. [NTSC / 1994 / 15
MINS] Fall prey to the most incredible inverted roller
coaster in the world! Dangle helplessly in Raptor’s
fearsome grip as you swoop and soar through the air on the
tallest, steepest and fastest inverted roller coaster. Watch the
construction of this amazing ride through time-lapse photography
and thrill to the disorientating experience of Raptor in your own
home, any time of the year! ANDY SHINE SAYS:
Exactly what you’d expect of a short promotional film. SHINE
RATING: Fair. |
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[VHS 31] AWESOME RIDES. [NTSC / 1994 / 30
MINS] Step right up and keep your hands inside the car
at all times! This is an exciting look at how portable coasters
and spin rides are put together: see a roller coaster assembled
right before your eyes! The featured rides – the coasters
of Cedar Point - are great and the action is super! Learning can
be fun! ANDY SHINE SAYS: This is for children
with inquisitive minds, and for those youngsters who enjoy visiting
the amusement park. SHINE RATING: Fair. |
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[VHS 32] THE YEAR OF THE ROLLERCOASTER: THE COASTER
ENTHUSIAST’S DREAM. [PAL / 1994 / 55 MINS] 17 of
the UK’s top theme parks joined forces to celebrate The
Year of the Rollercoaster. 1991 saw the opening of the longest
coaster in the world with the Ultimate. 1994 then saw the opening
of three major new rides in the UK: The PMBO, Nemesis, and
Shockwave. This video features all these rides with both on and
off ride footage. Each ride is shown in three different ways,
forming this unique video. ANDY SHINE SAYS:
I enjoyed this. The front seat footage is interesting and the
programme in general is well put together. SHINE RATING:
Good. |
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[VHS 33] PEOPLE NEAR HERE: COMET PEOPLE. [NTSC / 1994
/ 27 MINS] A documentary about the Crystal Beach Comet.
Observe coaster enthusiasts as they work together to raise
awareness of this endangered Herbert Schmeck creation. Follow
this wooden coaster, from the very last circuit at Crystal Beach
to the first successful test run, on 03 June 1994, at Great
Escape Park. This videocassette also contains vintage footage of
the Crystal Beach Cyclone – probably the roughest, toughest
coaster of all time - and Steeplechase Park at Coney Island, New
York. ANDY SHINE SAYS: Features plenty of
old footage that will hold your attention for the duration.
SHINE RATING: Fair / Good. |
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[VHS 34] UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA: EXPERIENCE THE
MAGIC OF MOVIES. [NTSC & PAL / 1994 / 57 MINS] Hosted by
John Forsythe, this park promotional film captures all the
highlights of your exciting trip to Universal Studios Florida:
Terminator 2, 3-D; Barney; E.T. Adventure; Back to the Future
– The Ride; Earthquake – The Big One; Jaws - The
Great White Terror; King Kong; BeetleJuice; Stunt Shows; Behind
the Scenes special effects; movie post production, and much more.
Come on in and ride the movies! It’s all here! ANDY SHINE SAYS: You need to be a fan of the
park and their movies to fully appreciate this. Not particularly
ride orientated, there’s too much focus on movie trickery.
SHINE RATING: Fair / Good. |
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[VHS 35] WORLD'S GREATEST ROLLER COASTER THRILLS IN
3D. [NTSC / 1995 / 65 MINS] (2 of 4) American culture
touches every corner of the globe and the fascination for getting
scared out of your wits on rollercoasters is no exception.
Features: Dragon Mountain; PMBO; Nemesis; Shockwave; Olympia
Looping; La Montana Rusa; Big Dipper (Australia); Thunderbolt
(Australia); Corkscrew (Australia); Desperado; Dragon Khan; The
Dragon (Hong Kong). (Also available on DVD).
ANDY SHINE SAYS: Even with the enclosed glasses, there is no
discernable 3D effect with this VHS. It is a nice programme,
with great front seat action. SHINE RATING: Good. |
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[VHS 36] CEDAR POINT MEMORIES. [NTSC / 1995 / 55
MINS] A nostalgic look at one of America’s most
popular amusement parks. This presentation examines the 125-year
history of Cedar Point with interviews, photographs and rare film
footage. The programme traces the development of the park from
its beginnings as the Great Lakes’ pre-eminent bathing spot
to its status as America’s largest ride park and the one
with the greatest number of roller coasters.
ANDY SHINE SAYS: An educational programme that held my attention
for the duration. SHINE RATING: Good / Recommended. |
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[VHS 37] REVERE BEACH, THE CHANGING TIDE. [NTSC /
1995 / 57 MINS] 100 years ago an architect, named
Charles Eliot, redesigned three miles of crescent coastline on
his way to creating America’s first public beach. The beach
became popular not only for its beauty but for the magnitude of
its amusement capacity. Wonderland Park with The Cyclone roller
coaster and The Virginia Reel were only a few of the attractions
that brought millions to this unique metropolitan playground. See
the beach in its glory days and share with historians, the
pioneers and residents, a forgotten piece of history.
ANDY SHINE SAYS: Perhaps I was expecting
too much from this programme. I wanted more time spent at the
amusement park. SHINE RATING: Fair. |
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[VHS 38] EUCLID BEACH PARK III, FOOTSTEPS INTO
YESTERDAY. [NTSC / 1995 / 52 MINS] (3 of 3) Opened in
1895, Euclid Beach Park would delight hundreds of thousands of
people from northeastern Ohio over the next 74 years of its life.
Hop aboard the Thriller, the Flying Turns, the Racing Coaster
with its triple down! And take a spin on the Racing Derby.
Including interviews with patrons and former park employees, sit
back and enjoy the delight of Euclid Beach Park. (Also available
on DVD with a bonus programme). ANDY SHINE
SAYS: One of my favourite programmes. An absorbing documentary
featuring some wonderful rare footage of the park and its rides.
SHINE RATING: Good / Recommended. |
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[VHS 39] HERE COMES A ROLLER COASTER. [NTSC / 1995 /
30 MINS] This presentation serves as a primary
introduction to the roller coasters of Six Flags Magic Mountain.
Children (3-8 Years) and their parents are afforded a look at
Colossus; Revolution; Flashback; Viper; Psyclone; Ninja; Batman
and others in action. It's non-stop family fun as Dave and his
son Taylor travel around the theme park sampling some of the
best. ANDY SHINE SAYS: This rather corny
programme is for children and their parents to watch together.
SHINE RATING: Good for children. |
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[VHS 40] AMERICA'S GREATEST ROLLER COASTER THRILLS #2
IN 3D. [NTSC / 1996 / 75 MINS] (3 of 4) Edge of your
seat excitement! Features: The Comet; Great Nor'easter; Great
White; Grizzly; High Roller; Jack Rabbit; Loch Ness Monster;
Mantis; Montu; Phoenix; Raven; Timberwolf; Wild Thing. Two pairs
of 3D glasses provided. (Also available on DVD).
ANDY SHINE SAYS: Even with the enclosed
glasses, there is no discernable 3D effect with this DVD. A
nice enough programme, if a bit laboured. SHINE RATING: Good |
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[VHS 41] EXTREME RIDES. [PAL / 1996 / 52
MINS] Experience The Gut-Wrenching Insanity of Extreme
Rides! Confront thrill rides based on over-the-top pursuits such
as skydiving, bungee-jumping, white water rafting and dragstrip
racing. Launch yourself on rides you thought could only exist in
your imagination! ANDY SHINE SAYS: Could have
done with a longer, more in depth segment on coasters. Not really
to my liking. SHINE RATING: Fair / Good. |
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[VHS 42] EFTELING, EEN WERELD VOL WONDEREN [PAL /
1996 / 32 MINS] Welcome to Efteling! This park-promotion
video takes you on a tour of the park: The gardens and Fairytale
Forest; Haunted Castle; Swinging Galleon; Vogel Rok and the
Rapids. See Pegasus, the park’s wooden coaster and Python
the steelie. See inside Villa Volta, the sensational haunted
swing! Also features the history of Efteling through vintage
footage 1952-present. ANDY SHINE SAYS: A
worthwhile piece, with some great shots of the rides in motion.
The park is covered well. SHINE RATING: Good. |
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[VHS 43] DISCOVERY CHANNEL: WILD RIDES. [NTSC / 1996
/ 52 MINS] (1 of 2) It's a thrill-seekers paradise! Jump
aboard some of the wildest, craziest, most extreme rides in
existence. Witness astonishing speed and incredible scenes. Enjoy
front seat rides on some of the most famous and outrageous roller
coasters and thrill rides! Ride the Desperado and feel the
white-knuckled terror generated by its terrifying 280 foot drop;
put yourself through the thrills and chills of the Texas Giant;
dare to hop aboard the ferocious Raptor – the world’s
tallest, fastest inverted roller coaster. Get an eyeful of
futuristic simulated rides and examine more than one hundred
years of coaster history. (Also available on DVD).
ANDY SHINE SAYS: This film held my attention from start to finish.
There’s input from several prominent coaster designers and
builders, which elevates the programme significantly. SHINE RATING:
Good / Recommended. |
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[VHS 44] DISCOVERY CHANNEL: WILD RIDES 2. [NTSC /
1996 / 52 MINS] (2 of 2) Jump on board for an
unforgettable ride on some of the wildest roller coasters on the
planet! Travel to London (Staffordshire actually!) Paris,
Barcelona and across North America and experience the rush of
death defying aerial delights found in thrill parks all over the
world. See how technology is helping designers push thrill rides
to extraordinary new limits, perpetually creating rides that are
bigger, higher, faster. Take the plunge – and feel the
speed! ANDY SHINE SAYS: I enjoyed this,
and you will too. All those lovely coasters. SHINE RATING: Good. |
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[VHS 45] DISCOVERY CHANNEL: SPEED MACHINES, DIE
VERRUCKTESTEN ACHTERBAHNEN. [PAL / 1996 / 52 MINS]
Strictly for those who love roller coasters. Witness unique
design and breathtaking construction as we interview the people
behind such machines, including John Wardley. Today, ultra modern
computer technology is employed to design roller coasters,
offering the thrill-seeker the tallest, fastest, most thrilling
and daring twists and turns, loops and corkscrews in complete
safety. German narration throughout. (Also available on DVD with
Portuguese and English narration / Original broadcast title:
Extreme Machines – Roller Coasters). ANDY
SHINE SAYS: An educational programme that takes a look at the design
and construction of roller coasters. The film also attempts to provide
a psychological profile of a typical thrillseeker, which adds a nice
touch. SHINE RATING: Good / Recommended. |
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[VHS 46] THE LEARNING CHANNEL: ULTIMATE THRILL RIDES.
[NTSC / 1996 / 30 MINS] An educational programme: The
Ferris wheel and roller coaster were the first to thrill us with
motion, but the amusement park ride of today is going through a
period of rapid evolution. Trace the parallel developments,
sensations of the body and sensations of the mind. Discover the
descendants of the thrill rides of today, like the “Space
Shot” and the “Ghost Train.” Different limits
apply to “real” and “virtual” rides.
Rides shown: Steel Phantom (Kennywood); Ultratwister (Korakuen);
Dropzone (PGA); Ice Tunnel (Universal Studios); Back To The
Future (Universal Studios); Haircut (Disney, Florida); Alien
Encounter (Disney World); Earthquake (Universal Studios); Test
Track (EPCOT). With contributions from: Alan Shilke (Arrow);
Yoshio Saegusa (Togo); Douglas Trumble (IMAX).
ANDY SHINE SAYS: I wanted more coaster footage. Instead this
programme spends too long investigating simulators and virtual
reality systems. SHINE RATING: Fair / Good. |
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[VHS 47] REMEMBER WHEN: NAT PARK. [NTSC / 1996 / 59 MINS]
Remember Natatorium Park (Spokane, Washington). Times
seemed simpler then; there were rides, dances and amusements. It
was a place where families and friends played, strolled and picnicked.
Nat Park was an idyllic place: from the dance halls to the Midway,
with bumper cars and carousel, miniature train and trolleys, where
“The Jack Rabbit” and “The Hammer” reigned.
From 1889 to 1968, Natatorium Park was a “Spokane” place
to be, where fondest memories for many generations were born. ANDY SHINE SAYS: Tells the story of Nat Park very
well. I even learned what a Natatorium is! SHINE RATING: Good. |
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[VHS 48] BPB: THE EXPERIENCE. [PAL / 1997 / 45
MINS] This park-promotion video takes you through a
brief history of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, giving an insight into
what goes on behind-the-scenes, and the name behind the success
– the Thompson family – give their personal views on
what the Pleasure Beach and its continued success means to them.
This cassette is a souvenir of your visit to the capital of fun
and relive the memory of all your favourite rides. ANDY SHINE SAYS: Pleasure Beach fans will
love this. This programme held my attention from beginning
to end. SHINE RATING: Good. |
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[VHS 49] JUST FOR FUN. [PAL / 1997 / 74
MINS] A home-video / cam-corder-quality diary of
NAPHA’s 1996 tour of UK Amusement Parks. Features: Big
Dipper; Antelope; Roller Coaster; Texas Cyclone (Ex. Morecambe);
Nemesis; Grand National; PMBO and Megafobia. Plus: Funhouses;
Tyrolean Tubs; Steeplechase; River Caves; Waltzer; Helter
Skelter; Noah’s Ark; Circle Swing, and more!
ANDY SHINE SAYS: This is full of
shaky footage, however the content is fairly interesting.
You would probably watch this once and then never again.
SHINE RATING: Fair. |
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[VHS 50] AMUSEMENT PARKS, THE PURSUIT OF FUN. [NTSC /
1997 / 54 MINS] American amusement parks draw nearly
300m visitors each year. Containing some archive footage,
experience the pleasures of Kennywood; Busch Gardens; Universal
Studios, Knoebels Grove and Cedar Point with their atmosphere of
joy and excitement. We experience the pleasures of these truly
great parks that rekindles childhood memories – see how
modern technology has contributed to the pursuit of fun. ANDY SHINE SAYS: I enjoyed watching this, and
would happily view it a second time as it has wide appeal.
SHINE RATING: Good. |
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[VHS 51] HERSHEYPARK, SWEET MEMORIES. [NTSC / 1997 /
56 MINS] Join a vintage tour of the park, beginning with
its opening in 1907 and told through archival film footage,
historic photographs, home movies and first-hand accounts of
those charmed by the carousel’s painted ponies and thrilled
by the roller coasters’ wooden dips and climbs. All this
and more at the picnic grove that grew into a world-famous
attraction in the shadow of Milton Hershey’s chocolate
factory. ANDY SHINE SAYS: Everything you
wanted to know about Hersheypark is documented here. An educational
resource that I enjoyed. SHINE RATING: Good / Excellent. |
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[VHS 52] MODERN MARVELS: ROLLER COASTERS, THE SEARCH
FOR THE ULTIMATE THRILL RIDE. [NTSC / 1997 / 50 MINS]
Consisting almost entirely of archive footage, this video
examines the history of one of America's favourite pastimes -
riding rollercoasters. Reaching its zenith in the 20th century,
the rollercoaster is the thrill-seeking embodiment of the
Industrial Revolution and technology. As rollercoaster engineers
and designers search for new heights twists and turns to build,
American thrill-seekers eagerly wait on line to experience the
fastest, scariest and most exciting coasters. (also available on
DVD). ANDY SHINE SAYS: The history of the
roller coaster on one VHS. An interesting, factual programme;
however, if you’re a keen coaster enthusiast you will
learn nothing new here. SHINE RATING: Good. |