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The Curator V.I.P. Beware Vampire, I have 3908 Posts |
I'm currently working on a story about a palm/tarot reader at NY's Coney Island in 1972. I've been there when I was 15 year old, first trip to the USA.
I need information about some subjects: the practice of tarot/palm reading in 1938 and 1972 (I know that seers were banned at a time, but it's not very clear.) I will use some references from the film "Angel Heart". Also famous fires in 1938 or little time after at Coney Island. If someone knows the subject, I'll appreciate information. Thanks in advance. |
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chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
Christian -
My Grandfather was one of the builders of the RUSSIAN bathhouses in Coney Island -- my father tells stories of working after the fire (he is 95) and had rolls of coins fused together. One story he tells is of men searching for bodies using metal rods to poke down in the ashes. One hit a very ripe smell and was sure he had a carcass -- but when they dug down he had hit and pierced a case of burned sardines...... My Aunt Olga worked the bath houses as a towel attendant and card reader. The Russian/Polish. Ukranian communities all thrived on the mystic futures of playing card readers and tea leaves (usually read in a glass) and paid well. There were also Domino readers.....but I know little of the last. She spoke seven languages -- added an eight in her 70s with Spanish as the neighborhood changed. BTW - our city is now trying to regulate readers through TAXATION --- check the following article in opur Weekly. http://www.tucsonweekly.com/gbase/Curren......d:111893
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
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The Curator V.I.P. Beware Vampire, I have 3908 Posts |
Thanks Chmara.
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fraughton Veteran user of books 327 Posts |
After reading "Scary Dark Rides", I'd bet Doug Higley might know something about it. Maybe PM him. Just an idea.
Beware of this and that.
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StrangeMagick Special user 635 Posts |
I'd check with Todd Robbins who I believe heads up the Coney Island sideshow. I know he teaches a sideshow class in Coney Island.
Dave Birtwell |
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fraughton Veteran user of books 327 Posts |
Doh, of course! Todd Robbins is an excellent source. Well done Dave. I wish I'd have thought of that.
Beware of this and that.
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jfquackenbush Special user Out here on the desert 607 Posts |
It's a ways from Coney Island, but there's some really creepy stuff about roosevelt island and hellgate prison in the hudson between brooklyn and new york.
for some images of Coney Island in the seventies, the movie the Warriors has some good shots. you've probably already found this but it might be useful http://westland.net/coneyisland/time.html also a good resource for american carnie practices from that era is David Maurer's "Language of the Underworld" which I go back to over and over again for the insights about the language of the times. Also, 38 was not too long after Dai Vernon was working on the Midway in Coney Island so his stories about that might be a good resource too.
Mr. Quackenbush believes that there is no such thing as a good magic trick.
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The Curator V.I.P. Beware Vampire, I have 3908 Posts |
The link is very helpful yet, thanks.
I'll check Vernon'stories, good idea. |
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B.Clay New user 97 Posts |
I don't actually think Fortune Telling was ever officially banned in NYC (although I could be wrong.) Places like the "Gypsy Tea Cup" have been in continuous operation since the 1920's. While the actual methods of tarot and palm reading don't change, the taste and concerns of each generation do. A reading in 1942 might focus on different issues than one in 1972. That might be the real heart of your storytelling.
There was a big fire in July 1932 in Coney Island that had burned much of the amusement district and the boardwalk. Rebuilding in the heart of the Depression was slow and modest. In 1934 Robert Moses was appointed Commissioner of Parks (and later infamously assumed control of the Housing Authority) under Fiorello LaGuardia and got into a power struggle that lasted into the 1940's. He hated the cheap Carny feel of Coney Island and wanted to convert it into a more genteel environment of playgrounds, athletic fields, beaches and boardwalks. (This was an attempt to recreate his earlier success with Jones Beach.) In spite of the huge popularity of Coney Island during the Depression, Moses assumed control of the boardwalk and beaches, and had the boardwalk relocated 400 feet inland, thus eliminating acres of amusement property. With it, he began a policy of intimidating and discouraging property owners and accelerated the decline of Coney Island. Coney Island in the 30s and early 40's was still hugely popular and known as "the empire of the nickel." It had a cheap but fun Carny feel. After the war, with a housing shortage in NYC, the city (Moses) claimed areas of the decaying amusement region and turned it into low-income public housing projects. By 1949, the decline was in full swing. And in the 60s, it was considered unsafe and downright dangerous. I think the character of the area would feel very different depending on the era you set your story in. Throughout this entire time, there were card readers and mitt camps all along the boardwalk. There are several excellent books on this history of Coney Island. You should also look at a Robert Moses biography like "The Power Broker". There is also 1953 B&W film, "Little Fugitive," that was shot in Coney Island and shows the flavor of the place. It is currently available through KINO video. Hope this helps. You can PM me if you have questions or want to go over anything in more detail. |
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The Curator V.I.P. Beware Vampire, I have 3908 Posts |
Thanks, I will probably focuse my story on the 1944 fire.
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Todd Robbins V.I.P. New York 2922 Posts |
I do have a bit to say on this subject, but today is my first Father's day, so it will have to wait until tomorrow.
Coney Island Todd |
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silverking Inner circle 4574 Posts |
Bein' a Dad, no life like it Todd!!
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Todd Robbins V.I.P. New York 2922 Posts |
Check out Eddie Fields autobiography. He was there (and almost a victim) of the 1938 fire. Eddie was running a couple of fortune telling joints at the time. It was a bit different than your average mit camp. It was called the magic hand and used a Sphinx illusion style table to create a disembodied hand that would come out, grab a blank slip of paper and return a moment latter with the a fortune written on the slip. The story is worth reading.
Also check out the book Coney Island: Lost and Found by Charles Denson. Charlie grew up in Coney Island and there is a good chunk about the area in the 1970s. |
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The Curator V.I.P. Beware Vampire, I have 3908 Posts |
I've Eddie Fields'book, I gonna check again.
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jlevey Inner circle Montreal, Quebec, Canada 2076 Posts |
I remember going through the very dark and scary "Fun House" as an young boy, circa 1963-64. So many wavy mirrors inside. Perhaps the Devil "popped" out at us and a slippery ride down a slide (on carpets?) inside a tunnel-like room that took us for a steep and sudden drop right at the edge of the exit door --into broad daylight. Outside, along the boardwalk, and the beach area, I recall seeing some type of gigantic tower-like structure (7-10 stories tall?) with spider-like arms or spokes jutting out in a circle around the top of the structure. I seem to recall that "brave people" could get hooked up to cords and jump off the top without hitting the ground. Perhaps there are parachutes attached to each person. Vague memory. But somehting BIG like that was there (predessor of the Bungee jump. Can't recall much more.
Hope this helps. Jonathan
Jonathan
Max & Maxine Entertainment Magicians with a touch of comedy! ___________________________________ www.maxmagician.com www.mindreadershow.com www.monsieurmagic.com |
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The Curator V.I.P. Beware Vampire, I have 3908 Posts |
Everything helps, and I'm also looking for info about the Palm/Tarot/tea leaves readers.
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Harley Newman Inner circle 5117 Posts |
I remember that funhouse. I got stuck in the rolling tunnel.
It might not be relevant to your direction, Curator, but there's a great story about the dead whale on the beach, how they charged admission to see it, how they later blew it up, when it rotted. I know there are also pictures of it. Todd probably knows the details. He's a fount of historical knowledge, and a love for the place.
“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus” -Mark Twain
www.bladewalker.com |
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Todd Robbins V.I.P. New York 2922 Posts |
You are writing about the Magic Carpet ride and the Parachute Jump. Though it is not operating, the jump is still out there. This should bring back memories:
http://www.laffinthedark.com/articles/coney001/coney2.htm and this: http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&ie......nd&gbv=2 Todd Quote: On 2008-06-26 23:25, jlevey wrote: |
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jlevey Inner circle Montreal, Quebec, Canada 2076 Posts |
...Wow, Todd... Thanks! Leave it to you to have quick access to this info and know just what we're talking about.
Tour wonderful links sure did bring back memories (a flood of them). I wonder what the accident rate was for that parachute jump. Seems like there might be some interesting stories to be told if a few of the people that actually "jumped" were interviewed and asked to recount their experiences. As a 6 year old boy, I can honestly say that I found the Tunnel of Darkness and the House of Laffs to be "very " scary... but fun! I seemed to recall being frightened that I might not (ever) find my way back out --especially in the House of Laffs. Was there a Devil character, that jumped out at you there? Thanks for the memories Todd! (... I think! lol) I also started to remember my visits to Playland. I believe this was located on Broadway and 42nd street across from Tannen's. There was an automated Cowboy that you could have a shooting contest with, and of course those little bowling bowls to throw up the miniature alleys in an attempt to sing the ball in the center ring.... but I digress. I don't think there was a Playland over at Coney Island, was there? Then there was Freedom Land, off the highway going from NYC out to Flushing, toward s the 1964 World’s Fair (Freedom Land was off to the left and had those red and blue sky trams moving constantly!). But again , I digress. Back to Curator's original query... more recollections of Coney Island needed. Please post. Todd, when did you first set foot on Coney Island territory. What year, and how old were you? Just curious. Jonathan
Jonathan
Max & Maxine Entertainment Magicians with a touch of comedy! ___________________________________ www.maxmagician.com www.mindreadershow.com www.monsieurmagic.com |
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The Curator V.I.P. Beware Vampire, I have 3908 Posts |
Well, I have to find one of those admission tickets (love ebay)...
I already get an old postcard. |
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