In
1979, the Pretzel Amusement Ride Company ended more than 50
years as one of the most successful and respected businesses
in the amusement industry.
Its operations spanned the glory years of the amusement park
in America,
of which, with the carousel, ferris wheel and roller coaster,
the Pretzel Ride had been an integral part.
William Franklin Cassidy retired (but never really stopped
working).
It was, indeed, quite a ride.
Ever since Leon Cassidy brought the dark ride to the world,
amusement manufacturers have continued to develop and market
their own versions.
We've seen early simple rides, modern high-tech rides and
every kind of car
from Hush Puppies to Doom Buggies. But for us at Laff In The
Dark,
there will never be anything that says 'Dark Ride' like a
Pretzel.
It's a ride similar in many ways to life itself... sometimes
funny, sometimes scary; twisting, turning, full of surprises
and mystery, with a few bumps along the way. Eventually, we
all reach the end of our ride through life.
With a little luck, we'll go out laffing.
Thanks to:
William Cassidy
Doug Cassidy
George LaCross
Bill Chestnut
Ralph Grassi
Pete Szikura
Barbara May
Photography by George LaCross, Ralph Grassi, Bill Luca,
Laff In The Dark Collection
Pretzel archive material furnished by William Cassidy