#36 The Jersey Shore - The Classic Pinball Podcast
In this episode George revisits his childhood by interviewing David Scarpa, the author of the book Beyond Playland. His family owned Playland arcade in North Lavallette NJ for almost 3 decades starting in 1957. The interview focuses primarily on the Arcade’s history and some of the Classic games from days gone by. There is very little pinball in this episode. They talk about the area and turn their attention to what happened to the games and how things have changed in the industry. Randy Senna (Randyland) purchased most of the older games and now has an arcade and soon to be museum in Wildwood, NJ featuring some of his collection. He also was featured in a Hoarders TV show and has numerous videos on YouTube. The discussion then turns to Seaside, Barnacle Bills, The Sawmill and Hurricane Sandy. If you grew up during this time vacationing in the area or curious how times have changed you will be entertained by his stories, views and perspective.
Kineticist’s take
Playland Arcade oral history: Jersey Shore venue (1957–85) and its legacy in modern retro arcades.
Synopsis
A nostalgic deep-dive into Playland Arcade in Lavalette, New Jersey (1957–1985), hosted by the The Classic Pinball Podcast with guest David Scarpa, author of Beyond Playland. The conversation traces the arcade's history from its founding through the decline of mechanical games and rise of video games in the 1980s, covering specific machines (pinball, electromechanical games, video games), the regulatory pressures that contributed to its closure, and the diaspora of its games: many now operating at Randy Sano's vintage arcade in Wildwood, New Jersey. The host also shares his background working for a Gottlieb distributor in Union, New Jersey.
Entities
- H. Betty Industries (Betson)· company
- Mundial International Corporation· company
- Atari Pong· game
- Bali Soccer Game· game
- Dragon's Lair· game
- Firepower· game
- Missile Command· game
- Pole Position· game
- Rotary Merchandiser by Exhibit Supply· game
- Scientific Batting Practice· game
- Silver and Dancing Dolls· game
- Space Invaders· game
- Williams Baseball Games· game
- Brick Dragons· organization
- Tom's River South· organization
- Carmen Frida· person
- David Scarpa· person
- Host· person
- Randy Sano· person
- Warren Wolf· person
- Fun Spot· venue
- Playland Arcade· venue
- Village Arcade· venue