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Children in the Surf, Coney Island - 1904
A Trip to Coney Island 1905
Shooting the Chutes, Luna Park - 1903
Special Thanks to TigerRocket Filmed July 3, 1903. American Mutoscope and Biograph Co. Cameraman, G. W. ''Billy'' Bitzer The ride known as Shoot the Chutes was first introduced in 1895 by inventor Captain Paul Boynton at Sea Lion Park, the first enclosed outdoor amusement park in Coney Island. He billed it as ''the King of All Amusements.'' In 1902 he sold the park to a couple of young sharps, Fred Thompson and Elmer ''Skip'' Dundy. One year later the new gates opened and Luna Park was in operation. The success of Luna Park would allow Thompson to build and open the 'Hippodrome Theatre' in Manhattan two years later. (see video of ''Panorama from the Times Building, New York'') According to historian Woody Register, Boynton was inspired by ''watching boys skipping stones across a pond,'' and the idea was born. (see the film ''Rube and Mandy Visit Coney Island'' [Part 3]) Recommended reading: The Kid of Coney Island / Fred Thompson and the Rise of American Amusement - Woody Register [gmap zoom=15 |center=40.57382109806356,-73.97521734237671 |width=650px |height=350px |control=Small |type=Hybrid]
Electrocution of Topsy at Coney Island - 1903
Photographed January 3, 1903. Thomas A. Edison, Inc. It is one of the few if not the only film from the Edison Manufacturing Company that Thomas Edison personally arranged. The elephant Topsy, which had been purchased from Adam Forepaughs Circus, helped to build Coney Island as a working animal before being used for entertainment there. Topsy killed three men in three years. Each one had been known to abuse the animal in their care. The last victim fed the animal a lighted cigarette on purpose as if it were a peanut causing Topsy to react like an injured animal, lashing at the man with angry pain and killing him.
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The decision was made to put the animal down. Thomas Edison saw an opportunity to turn the decision into a publicity event. He had been competing with Nikola Tesla, a former employee of his, over the best system of electricity for common use. Edison proposed DC or Direct Current, while Tesla and Westinghouse were advocating the use of AC or Alternating Current. Edison had experimented on cats and dogs for some time and thought a large animal like Topsy would be an excellent example of the superiority of Direct Current for daily use and capital punishment. He insisted AC was more dangerous than Direct Current. The film was arranged with an eye towards exposure of his theory. He can be seen in the film leading the elephant to the spot in front of the camera. Though before finally deciding to perform the electrocution, as a last resort Topsy had been fed poison several times that day with no rapid success. The moment arrived, the camera rolled, the act was done.
Rube and Mandy Visit Coney Island (Part 1) - 1903
Special Thanks to TigerRocket August 13 1903. Edison Manufacturing Co. Filmed at Coney Island and Edison's 21st Street studio in New York, New York Direction & cinematography by Edwin S. Porter This is the longest of the Coney Island films from the Edison Company. It was directed by Edwin S. Porter, Edison's top director. Compared to most 'actualities' of the period this could be considered an epic. It is entertaining and also serves as a great document of Coney Island in its first modern renaissance. No doubt this film was aimed at promoting 'Baghdad by the Sea.' South of Brooklyn and nine miles from Manhattan Rube and Mandy arrive with the cart before the horse at George C. Tilyou's 'Steeplechase the Funny Place.' To do it right the fun has to begin with a ride on the famous Steeplechase of course! A minute later they're riding the 'bulls.' Mandy does a graceful dismount while her beau Rube...well, lets just say Rube dismounts too. Together, they try their skills on the rope bridge where once again Mandy displays a grace that Rube just can't seem to match. They take a ride on the 'Down and Out' next where very few can maintain dignity on departure (2:40). And it's off to 'Luna' we go..... In 1902, songwriter Warren R. Walker wrote about what to expect ''At the Steeplechase.'' I went to Coney Island, the funny sights to see.... I paid a dime admission, and saw the funny stairs / I walked up to the top and / It almost turned my hairs.../ Chorus: At the Steeplechase, at the Steeplechase, / It cost me but a dime, But you'll have a good time.
