What happened at Kennywood in the mid-70s?

[Paul A. Kossa]

The other day, the film "Rollercoaster" was on AMC. While I have it on
video, and have seen it a couple dozen times, I recorded the beginning
and end, since they usually have some behind the scenes info inserted.
The commentator mentioned that scenes were to be filmed at KW (the fire
at the flume, I assume), which I have heard before. But he said the
plans were scrapped when KW changed their minds after a "real-life
incident" at the park. Anyone know exactly what happened?

PAUL A(lpe d' huez) KOSSA
". . .things beyond your strength, search not."
--Sirach

[Kelly]

I saw this also, and was wondering the same thing.

Kelly

[Sampleman7]

When the movie "Rollercoaster" was filming, part of the movie was supposed
to be filmed at KW. Once the idea was scrapped, the Thunderbolt only got a
mention in the movie. (The terrorist was supposed to be at "the Thunderbolt
in Pittsburgh, not here".)

Dennis

--
http://members.home.com/mooshkaink/
"Kelly" <Kell...@neo.rr.com> wrote in message
news:3BF7B269...@neo.rr.com...

[coaster kevin]

"Sampleman7" <d_joze...@hotmail.BRAKES.com> wrote in message
news:NAQJ7.232026$5A3.85...@news1.rdc2.pa.home.com...

If I recall correctly, part of the problem the director had with Kennywood
was all of the smog in the air, hence he wasn't able to get a very clear
picture like they got at other parks.

Kevin

[The Jeff]

There was a fire at Kennywood. The Haunted house ride near the Thunderbolt,
or Pipin as it was then, was very close to being lost. I think this is what
they are refering to. But hey, I could be very wrong.
Jeff
"coaster kevin" <kev...@pcisys.net> wrote in message
news:tvgg94n...@corp.supernews.com...

[Kelly]

According to the book 'Kennywood' by Charles Jaques, Jr., the caption from pg.
170 reads: "The Ghost Ship Dark Ride, along with a Cuddle-up, miniature Whip,
and German Carousel were destroyed in a spectacular fire caused by an electrical
malfunction, on June 19th, 1975, when the Park was in full swing with school
picnics." Does this sound like the right time frame? The host on AMC made it
sound like this is what made them change their minds about filming there.

Kelly

[Shawn Mamros]

"The Jeff" wrote:
>> There was a fire at Kennywood. The Haunted house ride near the Thunderbolt,
>> or Pipin as it was then, was very close to being lost. I think this is what
>> they are refering to. But hey, I could be very wrong.

Kelly <Kell...@neo.rr.com> replied:

>According to the book 'Kennywood' by Charles Jaques, Jr., the caption from pg.
>170 reads: "The Ghost Ship Dark Ride, along with a Cuddle-up, miniature Whip,
>and German Carousel were destroyed in a spectacular fire caused by an electrical
>malfunction, on June 19th, 1975, when the Park was in full swing with school
>picnics." Does this sound like the right time frame? The host on AMC made it
>sound like this is what made them change their minds about filming there.

That does sound like the right timeframe, I think.

With regards to Jeff's post - you've actually got two different Kw fires
in mind. There was an earlier fire in 1961 which destroyed the park's
bandstand; that's the one that came a wee bit close to the Pippin. The
Ghost Ship was located roughly where the fountain entrance to Kiddieland
is now, between where the Aero 360 and the Golden Nugget ice cream stand
are today.

My second-ever visit to Kennywood was about a month before the Ghost Ship
fire (yeah, I'm dating myself). I remember riding both the Ghost Ship and
the adjacent Cuddle-Up ride, which the park named the Road Runner. I also
rode the Jack Rabbit for the first time during that visit - my first ever
"big" coaster ride.

-Shawn Mamros
E-mail to: mam...@mit.edu

[The Jeff]

I used to frequent Kennywood, growing up in the town of Monongahela. You are
correct, I got the two fires confused. I do remember riding the Ghost ship
vaguely. I was kind of young. And the Pippin was before my time. I now
reside about 1200 miles away from my favorite park, living now in New
Orleans. But I do plan a trip in the spring. I was fortunate to ride the
Steel Phantom before it was removed, so I have to go back to ride The
Phantom's Revenge.
Jeff
"Shawn Mamros" <mam...@mit.edu> wrote in message
news:3bf95491$0$3942$b45e...@senator-bedfellow.mit.edu...

[Gary Baker]

To all,

I just caught this post.

The reason Kennywood decided not to participate in the filming of the
movie 'Roller Coaster', has nothing to do with previous fires or smog.

They just did not think having a ride accident / disaster at their park
was GOOD PR.

It is that simple, as I have been told years ago by various members of
Kennywood's management.

Gary Baker