Arcade Photographs

[Bent Copper]

The review of the Pennies By The Sea book states that it is sad that so few photographs inside arcades exist, saying that they were rarely considered worthy of photographing.

I agree, but I think the real reason is because the owners didn't like people taking photographs inside their arcades. This is the reason why this aspect of social history has gone largely unrecorded and historic research is so difficult.

Unfortunately, this attitude still persists today. On three separate occasions I have been walking through modern arcades in Blackpool with a camera hanging around my neck (not an unusual thing to do in a town like Blackpool) and I have been accosted by some jumped-up member of staff shouting "Hey you can't bring that camera in here". In all cases, the lens cap was still on, and I had shown no intention of taking any photographs.

I don't know what they've got to hide. Perhaps they think that, by taking photographs of the machines, I will somehow be able to work out how to cheat and win a fortune off them.

As long as this blinkered attitude persists, the amusement arcades and machines will continue to go unrecorded for future generations.

What do you think?

[pennymachines]

Interesting. I can't think why they'd object either. I've been through a few seaside arcades recently, camera around neck, without any problems. I doubt that this was really a factor. Dim interior lighting and poor sensitivity of old film stocks may have been. As someone pointed out to me yesterday, there are also very few photos of pub interiors.


Museum of London Picture Library

[pennymachines]

JC recently sent me these interior and exterior images of Jack Beals' Amusement Arcade in Bay Road, somewhere in the UK, sometime shortly before the war. I can make out various mid thirties pintables, Buckley? diggers, rotary merchandiser and a Smash Hitler shooter. (Click images to enlarge). The large darts game is unfamiliar.

There's also a nice British arcade interior of a similar, possibly earlier period on Stig Hollegaard's tivoliautomater site.

[stoxman22]

In the '70s I had the privilege of spending most of my holiday time in Mablethorpe where my parents had a caravan. There were two arcades that back then had old machines to play on and I have wondered if any of the machines were still in existence. Last weekend I travelled over to Mablethorpe to see if anything was still there for me to photograph bearing in mind this post and the lack of arcade pictures.
I have posted the results of my efforts below.
The arcade owner didn't seem in the least bit interested that he owned some classics he considered them as "the ones that had lasted" The Aherns Pile Driver is in remarkable condition and I remember playing on this machine in the early '70s. He has owned the arcade for 45 years and before you wonder, he was not interested in selling, but I guess if the price was right....... The Jigsaws have been there since new in 1934.

[stoxman22]

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[stoxman22]

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[john t peterson]

Those are great pictures, Stoxman22. Thanks for posting them.
John Peterson, USA.

[money monster3]

Hello to the chap who started this post ,im a family amusement centre just outside Blackpool and will warmly welcome anyone from here who would like to take photos in my arcade .We are currently in the process of opening one of our store rooms into an OLD BACK ROOM which will house old bandits and wall machines .


look forwarding to seeing and hearing from you .

regards Money monster

[cheeky]

The arcade owner didn't seem in the least bit interested that he owned some classics he concidered them as "the ones that had lasted" The Aherns Pile Driver is in remarkable condition and I remember playing on this machine in the early 70s. He has owned the arcade for 45 years and before you wonder, he was not interested in selling.

I know the one you mean. I visited there a couple of years ago but it was closed. I was told that the guy who owned it was offered a huge and I mean huge six figure amount for a couple of the machines. Guess what - he wasn't interested and didn't bat an eyelid! I'm delighted because it will mean that for now a well known collector won't be able to ship it to the States!

[wb]

fantastic pictures there on the site. It's really nice to see old arcades still exist in this country. I always remember an arcade in New Brighton, wirral called the Caesars Palace. Sadly it was pulled down in 1990 and i've been looking for pictures of it. can anyone help???