Amid the unrelenting tide of change, most seaside parks, where the nascent amusement industry took hold in the early 1900s, have closed. Rhode Island's Rocky Point Park dates back to 1847. Through the years it evolved into a treasured New England playground that was known as much for its self-proclaimed world's largest shore dinner hall as for its roller coasters and rides. It served its last clam cake (which, along with its red clam chowder, was to absolutely die for) in 1996. The game buildings, dance hall, and the rest of the beloved park have been bulldozed to make way for some fancy-pants condos. But echoes of the screaming riders and the big bands that performed at Rocky Point reverberate in the collective memories of its generations of visitors--and in a wonderful film, You Must Be this Tall: The Story of Rocky Point Park, that is now available on video. Obviously a labor of love, the makers of the documentary assembled a huge cast of characters, including employees, politicians, historians, and fans, to tell the story of the gone-but-not-forgotten park. Among those interviewed is George LaCross, a Rhode Island native and one of the people behind Laff in the Dark, a site that is an ode to classic amusement park dark rides and fun houses. In the film, LaCross provides some insight about Rocky Point's House of Horrors ride. On the special-features second disc of the two-disc DVD set, there is some heartbreaking footage of the park being demolished. I highly recommend the video for all New England park fans. While you're at it, pick up some clam cakes and Narragansett Beer to go along with the film.

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