

A pig. A submarine. A Texas fever dream you won't believe existed.
This documentary tells the amazing story of one of America's most famous vintage roadside attractions, Aquarena Springs, located in San Marcos, Texas. With the worlds only submarine theater, aquamaids, Glurpo the underwater clown, glass bottom boats, Swiss Skyride, Texana Village (think Gunsmoke),and Ralph the swimming pig -- Aquarena Springs was a state and national phenomenon throughout the second half of the 20th century. This nostalgic documentary transports the viewer back in time to hear the stories and see the images of that magical place called Aquarena Springs. Texas State University purchased the park in 1994 and considering the importance of water resources to human life and how that will only increase in the future, what happens next?
Production
Archival footage so rich you'll smell the funnel cakes.
Writing
Bob Phillips clearly loves this weird, wet kingdom.
Director
Bob Phillips
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Ralph reportedly swam for treats, not glory—making him perhaps cinema's most honest performer.
The submarine theater still sits underwater at the Meadows Center, now haunting fish instead of families.
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