The name of the clam man in this video is Zen. I worked at JRs during that period, where most of this video was shot. We worked ridiculously long hours, usually anywhere from 80 to 100 hours a week, by request. When working with people you enjoy, even those long hours can be fun and rewarding. We would earn enough just by working summers to pay for college and expenses for the rest of the year. Imagine trying to do that today. Pete Femiano was the owner. He also owned the Midway, which was called the Lemon Grove at the time. He expected alot but was probably the best boss I ever had. The place had to be spotless, like new, at the end of every day. The funny thing is that after working so many hours, we would get off at around 3:30 am after the boardwalk closed and go drink beers and bs until about 7:00, maybe go catch sunrise, go to Barney's for an open air breakfast, finally getting about 2 or 3 hours sleep without a day off all summer. By the end of the season, most of us would lose 30 or 40 pounds. Even with so much work, those summers were some of the best times of my life. Thanks for the video, Rick.
Hey Bill....many thanks for your comments..Zen and I and the interviewers (Bob McHugh and George Scribner) all went to Emerson College in Boston and were also in a musical group doing primarily Beach Boys material called Extra Cheese! When I went down one summer and saw Zen at work I made this film as a project for my filmmaking degree....sorry for the quality but the transfer was terrible!! I sure hope Zen is doing well as I have lost touch with that good man. My best, Rick
2021 board walk not the same not even one pinball machine! Bring back the past...70's early 80's the best! Glad I was part of that time. 2021 would never go back there nothing there anymore its a shame!
James Patrick DeLucci Do you remember the guy who used to operate the Swiss Bob back then who said "ayyy-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi- do you want to go faster now?" We always liked him as kids :)
That Jungle Drums Rifle Game the kids are playing is in the Casino Arcade, and i purchased that very machine, as well as many others you see there.... they are alive and well, in my vast collection of our history... Jungle Drums is in Randyland, at the old Woolworths in Wildwood.... The Fascination show was not Lucky's Fascination which opened 1 year after this film was shot... it was Quinn Davenport's Fascination at Hamilton Ave; It went out of business the following year, and Sand Topaz took the location. I still have 4 of those very Fascination Tables in my home. They were my very first Fascination Machines!
awesome find i was a little young for this era but i think i remember kids at ages around 12 13 playing those ball games to win cigarettes even in early 80's . imagine that today ! great video !
The cigarette game was there at least into the mid 90's. Probably a little later than that. But yes, there would be no way that game would exist today lol.
Thanks to OP, for sharing. Some of the *BEST TIMES* of my life were spent, here!!
Glad you enjoyed....those were special times!!
The name of the clam man in this video is Zen. I worked at JRs during that period, where most of this video was shot. We worked ridiculously long hours, usually anywhere from 80 to 100 hours a week, by request. When working with people you enjoy, even those long hours can be fun and rewarding. We would earn enough just by working summers to pay for college and expenses for the rest of the year. Imagine trying to do that today. Pete Femiano was the owner. He also owned the Midway, which was called the Lemon Grove at the time. He expected alot but was probably the best boss I ever had. The place had to be spotless, like new, at the end of every day. The funny thing is that after working so many hours, we would get off at around 3:30 am after the boardwalk closed and go drink beers and bs until about 7:00, maybe go catch sunrise, go to Barney's for an open air breakfast, finally getting about 2 or 3 hours sleep without a day off all summer. By the end of the season, most of us would lose 30 or 40 pounds. Even with so much work, those summers were some of the best times of my life. Thanks for the video, Rick.
Hey Bill....many thanks for your comments..Zen and I and the interviewers (Bob McHugh and George Scribner) all went to Emerson College in Boston and were also in a musical group doing primarily Beach Boys material called Extra Cheese! When I went down one summer and saw Zen at work I made this film as a project for my filmmaking degree....sorry for the quality but the transfer was terrible!! I sure hope Zen is doing well as I have lost touch with that good man. My best, Rick
2021 board walk not the same not even one pinball machine! Bring back the past...70's early 80's the best! Glad I was part of that time.
2021 would never go back there nothing there anymore its a shame!
This summer 73,was my first job on Casino Pier , on the Matterhorn,then 74 to the Swiss-Bob,to 77,Himalaya 83-88.Many,many memories & Great Times !
+James Patrick DeLucci when I came back to America I used to ride the Swiss Bob in 73 and 74.
James Patrick DeLucci Do you remember the guy who used to operate the Swiss Bob back then who said "ayyy-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi- do you want to go faster now?" We always liked him as kids :)
I was one of the operators,1974-1977, [Jimi] ,that also said that on the Swiss-Bob.
I agree.....things WERE simpler back then....glad you enjoyed.
I can't believe it took me this long to discover the vid posted! Still have a print. Thanks, Rick!
Wasn’t that a blast?
My best to you William
Thanks, most appreciated.
Hurricane Sandy ruined everything
That Jungle Drums Rifle Game the kids are playing is in the Casino Arcade, and i purchased that very machine, as well as many others you see there.... they are alive and well, in my vast collection of our history... Jungle Drums is in Randyland, at the old Woolworths in Wildwood.... The Fascination show was not Lucky's Fascination which opened 1 year after this film was shot... it was Quinn Davenport's Fascination at Hamilton Ave; It went out of business the following year, and Sand Topaz took the location. I still have 4 of those very Fascination Tables in my home. They were my very first Fascination Machines!
How cool of you!!! Soooo glad that you're keeping them alive!!!
Great people back in the day :)
The best!!!
I guess you could say the young guy who worked at Jr's was the baddest muthashucker on the boardwalk.
Great piece... thanks for sharing!!!
Many thanks twisterbret....sure hope they can bring the boardwalk back!
My best, Rick
awesome find i was a little young for this era but i think i remember kids at ages around 12 13 playing those ball games to win cigarettes even in early 80's . imagine that today ! great video !
The cigarette game was there at least into the mid 90's. Probably a little later than that. But yes, there would be no way that game would exist today lol.
love this . thanks
Wow Fantastic Video! I shared a link to it on the Casino Pier History Facebook page
5:27 the Octopus! That was so much fun! This was a cool film.
wheres funtown pier?