In 1970, a German tourist on his first trip to New York shot this Super 8 film in Coney Island. It offers a tantalizing glimpse of the Bowery’s original arcade architecture, since destroyed by fires, and the Playland Arcade on the Boardwalk, where Nathan’s is now. You’ll also see Astroland’s Skyride and Astrotower as well as Ward’s Fairyland Park-now Deno’s Kiddie Park. Only the Wonder Wheel, which is emblazoned with a banner saying “Our 50th Year,” and the Cyclone roller coaster, look the same today. Just wish the film was longer!
Related posts on ATZ…
September 22, 2012: Saturday Matinee: Coney Island’s Mite Mouse Coaster (1992)
August 27, 2012: Video of the Day: Raw Footage of 1960s Coney Island
March 10, 2011: Video: Seasons of the Cyclone Roller Coaster by Charles Denson
September 27, 2010: Video: The Museum of Wax by Charles Ludlam
Amusing the Zillion 
Boardwalk Arcade was, of course, the site of Zigun’s first (second?) Sideshows by the Seashore. Dig that soundtrack.