Rube and Mandy Visit Coney Island (Part 3)

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

August in New York is always hot, making the water rides like 'Shoot the Chutes' one of the more popular rides at Coney.
For those who like their water rides a bit more subdued there's always the canal [1:00]. And for folks who like a good pile-up, a swift slide down the bamboo 'Helter Skelter' is a good way to meet others.
Then there's the Honky-Tonk of the Bowery! [1:35] The Barkers on the Midway like it when people get together too! The ballyhoo never stops. ''Step right this way and see 'Little Egypt' do an exotic belly dance! She learned her gyrations well from years of handing snakes...Gentlemen step right this way! Only 10¢, Step right this way!'' Rube thinks the invite enticing but Mandy doesn't think so. Feats of strength, that's the deal [2:10]. ''Knock it hard and bang the gong. Show 'em what ya got! Win a Cee-Garrr!'' Mandy has more than Rube in the muscle department. If she didn't then he'd be watching an edifying belly dance right now. She also has better coordination too! BANG! 400! Not enough for a cigar though. Rube can barely lift the mallet, so he gives it a reluctant but valiant try anyway. SWISH KLUNK! Must have been the beer we didn't see him consume. They both seem a little inebriated. All of the excitement has these two hungry for something to eat and nothing's better than a couple of frankfurters...Hot Dogs...Red Hots...Coney Island Caviar! What a Gal! What a Rube! What a day!

Let's stick around for sundown. Maybe set on the sand for a while. If you haven't seen many electric lights before, you're in for a treat! http://tinyurl.com/c2v5t5k

Recommended reading:
Coney Island / The Peoples Playground - Michael Immerso

01/04/12 - 1,236

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[ManilaSyndicate]

I never forgot this video ever since I saw it in the LOC website years ago. The actress who plays Mandy has got to be one of the most charming actresses ever to grace the screen. One wonders how her life turned out to be. The final hotdog scene only heightened my attraction and viewing her up close was truly a moving and haunting delight. *Sigh* American women. The cream of their kind have a wholesomeness unmatched in the entire world. They truly are the best.

[BSNFabricating]

I'd love to have that little locomotive at the beginning...

[markblyn]

I remember watching this at one of the Museum's in New York and wishing I could travel back in time 108 years, just so I could punch Rube in the face. I know it's a couple of actors doing bad slapstick, and it's a rare historical document of a by-gone age but that guy ....... Jesus, he really get's on my nerves. The girl could do with a slap too.

[Bogframe]

Thank you so much for finding and posting this as Coney Island prepares for a Renaissance in 2010!