The movie boys at Seaside Park

The movie boys at Seaside Park : or, The rival photo houses of the boardwalk by Victor Appleton is a juvenile adventure novel written in the early 20th century. It follows three enterprising boys—Frank Durham, Randy Powell, and Pepper “Pep” Smith—who try to launch a first-class motion picture playhouse at a bustling seaside resort, balancing daring rescues, business savvy, and looming rivalry. The opening of the novel finds the boys scouting Seaside Park’s boardwalk, spotting a prime vacant building, and impressing the landlord after Frank leads a swift rescue of passengers from a burning motorboat. Their brave act brings them to the attention of wealthy Mrs. Carrington, whose offered backing—arranged through her attorney—solves their funding hurdle, while her feckless nephew Peter proves a nuisance and potential rival. Old ally Ben Jolly arrives (with ventriloquist Hal Vincent in tow), helps set up frugal living quarters, and the team splits duties: Frank and Vincent go to New York for films and equipment, Jolly to Fairlands for their old gear, and Randy and Pep prepare the venue. A final incident sees Pep heroically saving a runaway baby carriage, injuring his wrist, and being whisked by a millionaire motorist to a Brenton mansion for expert care, while Randy tracks him down—leaving the show’s launch underway but not yet open.

The movie boys at Seaside Park, by Victor Appleton. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #76377.