The Lake Hopatcong Films, It Just Gets Better.
At first glance, its a cool scene for sure. But if you look real deep into each frame of the film……Look at the left of the screen. COBRA!
Today we pick apart each scene looking for gold, and it does not disappoint. Especially if you can connect the shots in a way that tell more of the story. It’s a funny thing, not a funny HA HA thing, but observation. Today we have video and photos of EVERYTHING, including ear wax being extracted. YUP its a thing on line. Anyway, but what we dont have is amazing footage of the past, the kind that captures time, and holds on to it. This footage from the MUUUU collection is a prime example of such a treasure. This was not some lame ass effort on a cheap camera. The person that shot this stuff knew their stuff. BIG TIME. And today, like right now we get the opportunity to really go back in time, even if for a short time.
See the Cobra in the center, well, after some digging Allen was able to identify it. Cobra hull #11 delivered to Lakeland Marine Base, Lake Hopatcong March 1 1955 Current owner is Bob and Alicia Boardman from Maryland. Boat is named Venom. Hopefully Bob visits Woody Boater today! Your baby pictures are ready!
These are screen grabs from the Race Day footage.
Thr Tripple!
Bob Rice’s Lieutenant U22 in the forground
Another image of MUSTANG!
I am not sure whats going on on the deck of the Barrel Back? Canvas?
One of the Aristo Crafts.
Here is the coolest part of all this, this is the exact same location of the Lake Hopatcong Show each year. Nothing has really changed. And on show day it looks just like this.
THis is from the other film, that was more lifestyle. There was an amusement park on the lake.
What a great summer get away, and still is
On the film, this boat is towing THREE skiers
Note Hockenjoes Texaco and Grocury store. You could drive your boat into that opening and have stuff delivered. Now Katz’s On The Cove
Now we are on the left side of that same location, and it appears this is where the family lived
Headed out on CHEERLEADER
Open Fly fishing?
Boat rentals
More Auqa Plaining
A warm summer day
More Aqua Plaining – And Dng, that kid is ripped! – Remember this was pre Chicken Nuggets and having one soda pop a day was a treat
Things just never change.
Cleaning up the Ford!
We have seen the pics of these, but here you go, its in the footage
LOVE LOVE LOVE the cabins
MA out relaxing. The red chairs are amazing
Amazing Name, just cant make out the work After Little….
STAY TUNED, TOMORROW we will publish our Valentines Day card day so you have some good stuff to print and or share.
Really great stuff. I especially like the shots of the marina full of wood boats with their mooring covers. That’s a boat show in itself. Thanks for the nostalgia ride!
A great trove of information and a wonderful midwinter mental vacation!
I am thinking the canvas on the barrel back is some sort of tonneau cover for the rear seating area?
Maybe the other one is Little Miss LA-HA-LA?
I cant tell you how many times I watched the video yesterday. Pure gold, and brought back many family memories of like times. And loved how they put lots of people in smaller boats, all having a great time. Having a good time in their boats and NOT a cell phone to be seen! 🙂
I already have the WB Valentines card that I reuse every year, and she keeps it on her desk year round which I “steal” to reuse.. BEST card ever! Must have been a limited edition as you havent posted it for a couple of years
Its a Captain cat towing the girl cat on an aqua plane … “youre so pretty where ever I go , I promise forever to KEEP YOU IN TOW..
So much cool stuff!
Is this a Shepherd?
And check out this supper cool yellow topped pocket cruiser with a stabin cabin.
It does appear to have the lines of a 22′ runabout, even the windshield. perhaps a convertible top? Would be rare on the lake, even in 1955.
Reply in reference to the Shepherd.
nice Frank…hope he puts that card on tomorrow…get a lot of mileage out of that one! John in thawing Va
The card
BTW, to do a screen grab. On a mac. “command, apple 4 ” all at the same time, then release. I think on a PC there is a Print screen button.
MA MUHA is without a doubt my fave shot of it all. The cabin, the red chairs and Ma. You know she would make one hell of a breakfast. Flapjacks, Bacon, oh hell ya! And force feed it to you.
And trying to connect the dots here. MULA family and Miss HA-LA-HA kinda fits.
The tripple in the shots above is believed to be ROYAL FLUSH
“Royal Flush”
That’s an amazing boat! More pictures!
And here is a photo of MUSTANG from the news paper
Open fly fishing! That is funny. The whole scene at the docks looks like boat show day on the lake. Right out in front of the yacht club. Only this could be a typical weekend on Lake Hopatcong back in the day. (or many other lakes in the country for that matter).
1:45 in 1955 Century Coronado
I have the first 1939 19′ custom that was sold to this lake and its a basket case, but repairable. What if…. Love the photos. Thanks for sharing.
Inflatable version of Aqua Plane!
Wait,, thats what a new crisp in focus image looks like. HA
Great stuff. Definitely takes me back to my childhood. We had chairs like the red ones on our dock. Ours were green. You had to put a towel on it first or it was a mean burn.
please, more pictures of MUSTANG, and the engine?