[VHS 53] THE SECRET WORLD OF AMUSEMENT PARKS. [NTSC / 1998 / 48 MINS] Theme parks are always competing for the world’s scariest rides. See some of the biggest and most popular rides today, including The Matterhorn at Disneyland, the Raptor in Ohio, Batman at SFMM and Desperado in Nevada. Keep your feet on the ground as you experience the 170ft drop from the Space Shot in Vegas. Find out how theme parks are designed and explore the future of the industry by visiting XSNY in Manhattan and the New York Skyride at the Empire State Building. ANDY SHINE SAYS: Not many ‘secrets’ were disclosed; nevertheless, I can think of worse ways to spend 48 minutes! SHINE RATING: Fair / Good.
	[VHS 54] PALISADES AMUSEMENT PARK, A CENTURY OF FOND MEMORIES. [NTSC / 1998 / 90 MINS] A thrilling ride into the heart of a classic American amusement park. Chronicling the people and events that made this New Jersey park one of the country’s most popular amusement resorts. Palisades captures the passion of the people who visited its midways and evokes the time and spirit that were the hallmarks of a carefree innocence. After the final credits have rolled, we get to see several vintage newsreels of the park and its attractions. (Also available on DVD with many exciting extras!). ANDY SHINE SAYS: Fresh, educational and entertaining, what more could you ask for? There’s plenty of nostalgic film footage, including first hand reports from people who worked at, and visited the park. SHINE RATING: Excellent.
	[VHS 55] I REMEMBER CRYSTAL BEACH. [NTSC / 1998 / 66 MINS] Coaster enthusiasts will love this! This is your ticket to delicious thrills and fond memories. The Comet, Giant Coaster, Laff in the Dark are all here waiting for you! Filmed year round from 1981 – 1991 this cassette captures the final decade of Crystal Beach before the park’s final closing after 101 years of thrilling its guests. More than a documentary, this film captures the heart and soul of a very special place. It will bring a smile to your face, laughter to your heart, and tears to your eyes. ANDY SHINE SAYS: I enjoyed this enormously. It’s always a shame to see amusement parks meet with the wrecking ball, especially after surviving for so long. SHINE RATING: Good / Recommended.
	[VHS 56] CLASSROOM VIDEO: PHYSICS OF FUN. [NTSC / 1998 / 23 MINS] A classroom resource for GCSE (Grades 11 – 12) students: Topics include, Changing potential energy to kinetic energy, and back: Pirate Ship, Roller Coaster loop, Water Slide. Work = Force X Distance. Vectors. Components of motion: Free Fall tower. Horizontal rides: Carousel, Rollercoaster track banking. Vertical rides, angular momentum and moment of inertia. ANDY SHINE SAYS: Just as the title says: An educational resource for use in the classroom. SHINE RATING: Good for children.
	[VHS 57] DIE LILIPUTBAHN IM PRATER. [PAL / 1998 / 20 MINS] A video-production made to celebrate the 70th year of operation of the Liliputbahn miniature train, which takes eager visitors around the 4km course surrounding Prater Park (Vienna, Austria) and through an impressive woodland landscape, culminating in a most beautiful and memorable journey. We see various engines, both steam and diesel, which will appeal to small-gauge-railway enthusiasts and anyone who has paid the Prater a visit. As an add-on, the programme features the Donauparkbahn, which is a miniature railway situated a few miles from the Prater. (German narration throughout). ANDY SHINE SAYS: No coasters, no rides except a pleasant journey onboard the miniature train encircling Prater Park. One for small gauge train enthusiasts. SHINE RATING: Fair.
	[VHS 58] AMERICA’S GREATEST THRILLS, THE NEXT GENERATION. [NTSC / 1999 / 70 MINS] (4 of 4) Theme parks the world over are locked in battle to build the tallest, fastest, most jaw-dropping roller coasters ever conceived. This competition has resulted in more coasters built during the past few years than any period in amusement park history. Features: Medusa; Joker’s Jinx; Apollo’s Chariot; Alpengeist; Volcano – The Blast Coaster; Twister; The Great Bear; Raging Bull; Superman, The Escape; Riddler’s Revenge; Ghostrider; Dueling Dragons; Incredible Hulk; Gwazi. (Also available on DVD with two bonus programmes). ANDY SHINE SAYS: An enjoyable and educational programme crammed with coasters. SHINE RATING: Good.
	[VHS 59] COASTER CRAZY. [PAL / 1999 / 50 MINS] Featuring the UK’s wildest roller coasters, digitally mastered in coaster vision with original sound track. Filmed from every conceivable angle, enjoy them all from the comfort of your living room. Features: PMBO; Grand National; Wild Mouse; Traumatizer; Oblivion; Nemesis; The Ultimate; Millennium Coaster; Shockwave; Megafobia. ANDY SHINE SAYS: Features some great onboard coaster footage, however the programme goes off the boil from ‘The Ultimate’ onwards. SHINE RATING: Fair / Good.
	[VHS 60] GREAT OLD AMUSEMENT PARKS. [NTSC / 1999 / 60 MINS] In this delightful documentary you get to visit some of America’s most charming parks, from Lake Compounce in Connecticut to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in California. A celebration of places like Whalom Park in Massachusetts and Oaks Park in Oregon, Pennsylvania’s idyllic Idlewild and Ohio’s spectacular Cedar Point. It’s a fun trip from Lakeside to Lakemont, a perfect summertime escape, an unabashedly affectionate look at some great old amusement parks. And, of course, there are coasters, including the Thunderbolt at Kennywood, the Cyclone at Astroland, the Raven at Holiday World, and San Diego’s Giant Dipper! (Also available on DVD with lots of exciting extras!). ANDY SHINE SAYS: I became totally engrossed in this wonderful programme. It is sure to appeal to all those with nostalgic inclinations, and to general amusement park and coaster enthusiasts. SHINE RATING: Excellent.
	[VHS 61] LINCOLN PARK REMEMBERED. [NTSC / 1999 / 45 MINS] In its 93-year lifespan, Lincoln Park was so much more than an amusement park. The film opens in 1920, as we board the coaster, carousel, swings and roundabouts. In 1950 we are afforded a tour through the park – from the walkway to the Fun House and the Penny Arcade. Footage from 1954 takes us on boat rides and airplanes, through concessions and games, and finally a heart-stopping ride on the coaster. (Also available on DVD). ANDY SHINE SAYS: A wonderful piece that captures the fun and excitement of this popular park. Held my attention from start to finish. SHINE RATING: Good.
	[VHS 62] THE COMET SHINES AGAIN. [NTSC / 1999 / 16 MINS] Witness the continuing legend of the Comet! Observe the lonely sentinel standing silent when Crystal Beach closed in 1989. Bought at auction, see the dismantling of this huge structure and witness the massive reconstruction effort underway at Great Escape Fun Park. Re-kindle fond memories as the Comet once again takes shape for a 1994 grand opening! Experience the thrills you thought were gone forever! ANDY SHINE SAYS: I enjoyed this film. I watched once, and it would probably be some time before I watch it again. SHINE RATING: Fair / Good.
	[VHS 63] HEIDE PARK, NORDDEUTSCHLANDS GROSSTER FREIZEIT – UND FAMILIENPARK. [PAL / 1999 / 40 MINS] A park promotional presentation featuring the rides and attractions of Heide Park. An educational resource for anyone planning a trip to this beautiful location and just as good at re-kindling memories of visits past. German narration throughout. ANDY SHINE SAYS: Just the sort of thing you would expect from a park promotional videocassette! SHINE RATING: Fair / Good.
	[VHS 64] KNOEBELS TWISTER: A WOODEN WONDER COMES ALIVE. [NTSC / 1999 / 27 MINS] The story of Knoebels second major wooden roller coaster, Twister. See the massive structure taking shape, bent-by-bent. We are guided through this documentary by members of the Knoebel family and representatives from the PTC. We’re afforded a sneaky peak behind the scenes at the PTC factory to see the trains taking shape. Witness the first run as members of the American Coaster Enthusiasts give their views and opinions on this magnificent wooden wonder. ANDY SHINE SAYS: 27 minutes passed by in a flash; a sure sign of a well constructed programme. I enjoyed this. SHINE RATING: Good.
	[VHS 65] A&E TOP 10 WILDEST RIDES. [NTSC / 2000 / 50 MINS] Put on your seatbelt and experience America’s top ten wildest thrill rides. 10Big Shot; 9Desperado; 8Skycoaster; 7Texas Giant; 6Stealth; 5Incredible Hulk; 4Goliath; 3The Beast & Son of Beast; 2Ghostrider… will the #1 wildest thrill ride in America match with the attraction occupying your top spot? ANDY SHINE SAYS: A lacklustre attempt at documenting America’s top ten wildest rides. This is the sort of programme you’d watch once, and then never again. SHINE RATING: Fair.
	[VHS 66] GREETINGS FROM BERTRAND ISLAND AMUSEMENT PARK. [NTSC / 2000 / 47 MINS] For more than 70 years, an amusement park in the hills of north-western New Jersey provided summertime fun for the young and the young at heart. The roar of the roller coaster, the magic of the carousel, the smell of popcorn in the air, and the sense that adventure was only as far away as the next ticket booth… for countless thousands, the place that had all this and more was Bertrand Island Amusement Park, on Lake Hopatcong. (Also available on DVD with extra features and footage). ANDY SHINE SAYS: A great documentary film. I watched this a few times with growing fondness. SHINE RATING: Good.
	[VHS 67] SAVIN ROCK, A JOURNEY BACK IN TIME. [NTSC / 2000 / 42 MINS] An archival presentation of Savin Rock’s attractions. See The Thunderbolt coaster; Jitterbug (Turtle Chase); Midget Auto Speedway; Carousel; Mill Chute (Water Chute); Big Eli Wheel; The Whip; Flying Skooters; Tilt-A-Whirl; Sky Blazer coaster; Caterpillar and the B29s! ANDY SHINE SAYS: An affectionate look at a much-missed park. SHINE RATING: Good.
	[VHS 68] EXTREME MACHINES, EXTREME RIDES. [NTSC / 2000 / 51 MINS] Follow a group of thrill seekers as they experience various thrilling activities. Take a ride aboard Top Gun, the inverted roller coaster. Scream aboard Stealth and race along the tracks of Millennium Force. Other than roller coaster riding, we follow the group as they try power boats, ejection seat rides, sky coasters and virtual reality simulators that are guaranteed to turn your world, and stomach, upside-down! ANDY SHINE SAYS: The coaster segment is too short, and the programme goes off the boil frequently. SHINE RATING: Fair.
	[VHS 69] THE WORLD’S LARGEST AMUSEMENT PARK. [NTSC / 2001 / 52 MINS] Learn how Cedar Point grew from an old fashioned traditional amusement park to the colossal attraction known as "America's Roller Coast." Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the park with the largest number of amusement rides and attractions in the world (68), and the largest number of roller coasters in the world (14), Cedar Point has been declared the World's Largest Amusement Park. Now, go behind-the-scenes and get an exclusive look at what it takes to win this coveted title. ANDY SHINE SAYS: This was educational and interesting. I certainly learned a thing or two about what it takes to manage and operate such a facility. SHINE RATING: Good / Excellent.
	[VHS 70] THE ROLLER COASTERS OF CEDAR POINT. [NTSC / 2001 / 23 MINS] Sit upright, hold tight and get ready for the ride of your life as we take you on a whirlwind tour of some of the greatest scream machines ever built. Whether you crave the high-tech thrills of Millennium Force, the speed of Mean Streak, or the unpredictability of Raptor, Cedar Point has the coaster for you. This action-packed programme will not only give you a brief history of the park’s legendary coasters, but will actually give you a front-row seat on some of the best. (Also available on DVD and updated to include Wicked Twister & Top Thrill Dragster). ANDY SHINE SAYS: You will find some top-notch front-seat coaster footage here. Including a short segment about the park’s founding and its former coasters. I was hoping for a longer, more detailed, programme. Oh well, always leave them wanting more! SHINE RATING: Good.
	[VHS 71] CEDAR POINT, A SUMMERTIME TRADITION ON LAKE ERIE. [NTSC / 2001 / 37 MINS] Since 1870, generations of Midwesterners haven’t considered the summer complete without a visit to Cedar Point. This collection of historic footage and fascinating details brings the past to life and celebrates the current excitement of the number one amusement park in the world. (Also available on DVD). ANDY SHINE SAYS: Others might disagree, but this is a disappointing piece from Cedar Point. It is nicely shot, but the subject matter; particularly the segment about hotels and ghosts did little for me. SHINE RATING: Fair.
	[VHS 72] UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD: RIDE THE MOVIES. [PAL / 2001 / 25 MINS] Universal Studios Hollywood is the world’s largest movie studio and theme park, and this programme goes behind the scenes of the Studio Tour, and shows where your favourite movies were made. The documentary then gives an insider’s look at the amazing rides and attractions such as: Terminator 2-3D, Jaws, Waterworld, Psycho, Back to the Future, and more. Don’t just watch the movies - Ride The Movies! ANDY SHINE SAYS: This programme should have concentrated only on the rides, it would have been much more interesting. SHINE RATING: Fair / Good.
	[VHS 73] EUROPEAN COASTER THRILLS. [PAL / 2002 / 73 MINS] Features 12 European rollercoasters: Colossos; Superman The Ride; Wild Wild West; Eurostar; Colorado Adventure; Weerwolf/Loup Garou; Tonnerre De Zeus; G’sengte Sau; Expedition Geforce; Poseidon; Blue Tornado; Katun. (Also available on DVD with extra footage!). ANDY SHINE SAYS: One of the best coaster / park films I have seen, featuring some breathtaking footage accompanied with interesting and informative narration. This VHS held my attention for the full duration. SHINE RATING: Good / Excellent.
	[VHS 74] BLACKPOOL – A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME. [PAL / 2002 / 48 MINS] Take the ultimate walk down Memory Lane with this collection of unique archive films offering the viewer images from 70-years of recordings. Featuring the Pleasure Beach; with footage of the Virginia Reel and the Big Dipper! We race over ‘Valentines Brook’ aboard the Grand National! Also featuring the Golden Mile, The Tower and Illuminations. ANDY SHINE SAYS: Features some excellent vintage Pleasure Beach footage, alas it is over too quickly. SHINE RATING: Fair / Good.
	[VHS 75] GREETINGS FROM CONNEAUT LAKE PARK. AN EXPOSITION OF FUN! [NTSC / 2002 / 45 MINS] If you’ve ever been to this quaintly familiar amusement resort, tucked deep in the hills of western Pennsylvania, you know that it’s a place like no other. This delightful documentary captures the Conneaut Lake Park experience and, at the same time, spark a few old memories. (Also available on DVD). ANDY SHINE SAYS: A homemade documentary film detailing the turbulent history of the park. SHINE RATING: Fair / Good.
	[VHS 76] EUROPA PARK, DEUTSCHLANDS GROSSTER FREIZEITPARK (DEUTSCH). [PAL / 2002 / 30 MINS] A park-promotional videocassette featuring the rides, shows and attractions of Europa Park. An educational resource for anyone planning a trip, and just as good at rekindling fond memories of previous visits to this most wonderful theme park. (Also available on DVD with 100 minutes of bonus material). ANDY SHINE SAYS: Europa Park has yet to produce a poor programme. This film details rides and attractions to be found there. SHINE RATING: Good.
	[VHS 77] MOUNTAIN PARK MEMORIES. [NTSC / 2002 / 35 MINS] Come along for the ride of a lifetime! Celebrating one of America’s grand old amusement parks. Mountain Park in Holyoke, Massachusetts closed in 1987 after almost 100 years of operation. But the thrills, romance and excitement live on. Old film footage, archival photos and Mountain Park memorabilia are part of the nostalgia, along with the reminiscences of park employees and regulars. From the Sky Ride and the Fun House to the Casino and the Ballroom, the memories are so vivid you can almost smell the popcorn on the midway! (Also available on DVD). ANDY SHINE SAYS: This is one of my favourite short films. Some have criticised the time spent discussing the many Mountain Park theatre productions; however, I think the balance between this and the rides on the midway is about right. SHINE RATING: Good / Excellent.
	[VHS 78] GARDALAND. [PAL / 2004 / 30 MINS] Le piu’ belle immagini di Gardaland. A park-promotional videocassette featuring the rides, shows, attractions and themed events at this Italian amusement park. Take a ride aboard the Rapids, Magic Mountain coaster and experience the Vekoma SLC, Blue Tornado. ANDY SHINE SAYS: This is your average park promotional programme. It was interesting to watch, but I probably won’t view it again for quite some time. SHINE RATING: Fair.

Back to the top