October | 2013 | Amusing the Zillion

Archive for October, 2013

Photo of the Day: Swinging on the Wonder Wheel

Posted in Amusement ride, Photo of the Day, Photography, tagged Coney Island, Deno's Wonder Wheel Park, Eccentric Ferris Wheel Company, Swinging Car, Wonder Wheel on October 13, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Sign for Swinging Car, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park, Coney Island. September 12, 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita

Swinging or Stationary? Most people reply “Swinging” when asked which type of car they wish to ride on Deno’s Wonder Wheel, which has 16 swinging cars and 8 stationary ones. This holiday weekend may be your last chance to experience the roller coaster-like thrill this season before the landmark wheel, built in 1920 by the Eccentric Ferris Wheel Company, closes for annual maintenance. The Wheel is open from 12 noon on Sunday and Columbus Day. The photo of the swinging red car was of course taken from one of the stationary cars, which go higher and are our favorite for taking pictures.

Check out “Coney Island Always: Visiting the Big CI Year-Round” for info on what’s open in October.

Update: The Wheel will stay open weekends through October 27 along with the rest of Coney Island’s rides.

Red Car, Wonder Wheel. Coney Island. September 12, 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita

September 13, 2013: Coney Island Always: Visiting the Big CI Year-Round

March 19, 2013: First Sign of Spring in Coney: Cars Go up on Wonder Wheel

September 30, 2010: Video: The Wanted’s Lose My Mind at Coney Island’s Wonder Wheel Park

September 4, 2010: Go Up, It’s Great! Coney Island’s & Deno’s Wonder Wheel

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Up for Auction: Sputnik Arcade Game, Gypsy Fortuneteller

Posted in Amusement Game, Artifacts, Auction, tagged antique arcade, arcade game, fortuneteller, Journey into Space, sputnik on October 12, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Coin-Op “Sputnik” Space-Themed Skill Game. Victorian Casino Antique Auction, Oct 13, 2013

Vintage arcade games and coin-op fortunetelling machines are among the collectibles on the auction block this weekend at Victorian Casino Antiques in Las Vegas. Online bidding is already underway for the October 12-13 sale. A number of the items like this very rare Sputnik Journey into Space-themed machine have strong graphic appeal. The arcade game was inspired by Sputnik 1, the first artificial Earth satellite. Launched by the Soviet Union in 1957, the Earth orbiting satellite began the Space Age and triggered the Space Race with the U.S. The countertop game (Lot #1151) was manufactured in the UK in the 1950s by Parker’s Automatic Supplies. It works with a large British penny and approximately 30 coins are included in the lot.

According to a post on the Penny Machines Forum, “Parker’s Automatic Supplies Ltd. were established in Rhyl in 1947 by Solomon Parker in order to supply new machines for the Parker-owned Black Cat Arcade on the promenade. They copied and improved upon existing designs and started to supply machines to other operators on a small scale. Their machines had a good reputation for reliability, had colourful, expressive backflashes and attractive veneered cases.”

The coin-op “Esmeralda” type fortune teller machine (Lot #688) is equipped with an Edison Cylinder Player and in working condition with keys. The manufacturer of this very old, rare machine is unknown. The starting bid is $10,000.

Coin-Op “Esmeralda” Type Fortune Teller Machine. Victorian Casino Antique Auction, Oct 12, 2013

Art of the Day: Creepshow at the Freakshow Is Back

Posted in art, Events, tagged Al Capone, Coney Island, Coney Island Criminals, Coney Island USA, Dick Zigun, Halloween, Harvard Inn, Marie Roberts, Scarface, theater on October 10, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Artist Marie Roberts, whose sideshow banners adorn Coney Island USA’s facade, painted this one for Creepshow at the Freakshow in 2004. ATZ snapped this photo last October, but never got to post it or review the play since it was cancelled the very next day due to Superstorm Sandy! This year’s Creepshow, titled “Coney Island Criminals,” is opening this weekend, and Marie’s banner, which survived the storm, is once again in the window on Surf Avenue beckoning passersby to stop and buy tickets.

Written and directed by Dick Zigun, the interactive play takes its inspiration from an episode in the early career of Al Capone. The gangster got his nickname “Scarface” in 1917 after getting slashed at Coney Island’s Harvard Inn where he worked as a bartender/bouncer. More of Marie Roberts art will be seen in the show, including a painting of an Ivy League rowing club and the logo of Yale University’s secret society Skull and Bones, which is beguiling considering that the Harvard Inn was owned by a gang boss known as Frankie Yale and Dick Zigun is a Yale School of Drama grad.

The play also features CIUSA outside talker Scott Baker as Jimmy Durante, who got his start playing piano in Coney Island. Set design is by Kate Dale, the Juilliard prop shop supervisor and veteran “Best Mermaid” who has been the Creepshow’s designer for the past eight years. Since the Harvard Inn burned down long ago and even Seaside Walk, the street it was on, is no more, being in the audience at “Coney Island Criminals” and possibly getting hit in the face with spaghetti or made into the mob is as close as you’ll get to this place.

Coney Island USA, 1208 Surf Ave. Corner of Surf Avenue and West 12th Street, Coney Island. Creepshow at the Freakshow runs from October 11 through Halloween. Check website for days and showtimes. Tickets are $15 in advance or at the door.