My love affair with these machines began here. I was fascinated with the large floor-
standing fortune tellers; the big two player machines; Pussy Shooters; rows of old
all wins and bandits, and of course, the wonderful working models. What pleasure these
machines could provide back then with a pocketful of old pennies, never thinking that
one day I would actually own a few of my own. Two of my favourites were the
Laughing Sailor and the Cry Baby. I also loved the early imported American 78 r.p.m.
Wurlitzer jukeboxes found in the arcades (one play for 3d; two for 6d or five for 1/-). I
can still recall the magic atmosphere with the Uust pre rock 'n ' roll) sounds of Slim
Whitman; Frankie Lane and Johnny Ray etc. above the screams of the folk riding the
coasters and the shouts of the sidestall barkers outside, along with the sme ll of freshly
made seaside rock; toffee apples ; popcorn and candy floss. That atmosphere cannot be
found in today's arcades full of plastic electronics.
I raise my hat to guys like the editor of this magazine, Jerry, who along with others
(who's names we all know) up and down the U.K. are striving with the same love and
respect for these machines to recreate that same bygone arcade magic . Over the years
since my childhood, my wife and I have travelled to many long-haul destinations
worldwide, but I still to this day have a special fondness for dear old 'Skeggy' and that
(now long gone) North Parade amusement park, for it gave me a wonderful interest, a
hobby and many happy memories.
Happy Slotting All - Johnny B.
Editor's (adolescent) Memories
Many thanks for your memories Johnny, I'm sure we can all identify with your
childhood recollections . Although I've never been to Skegness, or probably any of the
other seaside resorts you visited as a boy, I can certainly recall the thrill of visiting the
Kursaal at Southend and Dreamland in Margate.
Writing the piece on Moving Picture Machines brought back nostalgic memories
of a different type. Back in 1973 , a friend and I went on a day trip to Southend. I can't
remember how we got there; we were both fifteen so obviously didn't drive. I suppose
we must have gone on a coach trip. Anyway, we got there somehow. We played in
many of the arcades along the seafront, but spent most of our time in the Kursaal. In the
main hall of the Kursaal building, through which you had to pass before reaching the
amusement park, we found a number of machines showing very rude films, at l Op a go .
I know nothing about those machines, although at the time they would have been quite
modem. I recall lots of wood effect Formica and yellow and red light-up flashes . We
watched all the films (several times), and I can remember one in particular featured a
nicely endowed young lady trying on a number of different coloured bras! Can you
imagine the joy for two fifteen year old boys, looking at dirty films on a day trip to the
seaside? ....... . . Ahhhhh, happy days!
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