Most Recent
Annie Hall - 1977
Woody Allen, Diane Keaton
Alvy Singer, the lead character in Woody Allen's semi-autobiographical film classic
lived in Coney Island as a child in a house that was under the Thunderbolt rollercoaster
that shook wildly every time the coaster made its rounds. Alvy's father ran the bumper
cars' concession.
Sophie's Choice - 1982
Kevin Kline, Meryl Streep, Peter MacNichol
In the 1982 film Sophie's Choice, the characters played by Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline
and Peter MacNicol spend 'Dress-Up Sunday' at Coney Island. Prior to this, Sophie
exclaims "Coney Island - Oh boy!" with unparalled enthusiasm.
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| If you have a picture you'd like us to feature a picture in a future quiz, please email it to us at CFitzp@aol.com. If we use it, you will receive a free analysis of your picture. You will also receive a free Forensic Genealogy CD or a 10% discount towards the purchase of the Forensic Genealogy book. |
| Quiz #179 Results |
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| Answers: 1. Coney Island, New York 2. The name of the island was originally Conyne Eylandt, Dutch for Island of Rabbits, because it was overrun with rabbits. See the photograph at www.old-picture.com/american-history-1900-1930s/Island-Coney.htm |
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| Click here to see results of 5th occasional photoquiz survey. |
| Click here to see results of 5th occasional photoquiz survey. |
| Answer to Quiz #179 - October 12, 2008 |
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| 1. Where was this picture taken? 2. What does this place have to do with rabbits? |
| ********** |
| If you enjoy our quizzes, don't forget to order our books! Click here. |
| The idea for this quiz was submitted by Stan Read. |
| Comments from Our Readers |
Hi Colleen,
I expected that you would have a quiz question about those prolific bunnies!
Some of the quizmasters that visited Coney Island in its heyday probably will have
some interesting comments. Perhaps they ate a hot dog at Nathan's Famous, rode
the Cyclone, and took the Parachute Jump. Those were in mostly happy times.
To counter the current fiscal gloom, I searched for a prospective quiz photo that
would be viewed as amusing. Instead, I ended with a photo taken at an island with
amusement parks!
Best wishes,
Stan Read
I expected that you would have a quiz question about those prolific bunnies!
Some of the quizmasters that visited Coney Island in its heyday probably will have
some interesting comments. Perhaps they ate a hot dog at Nathan's Famous, rode
the Cyclone, and took the Parachute Jump. Those were in mostly happy times.
To counter the current fiscal gloom, I searched for a prospective quiz photo that
would be viewed as amusing. Instead, I ended with a photo taken at an island with
amusement parks!
Best wishes,
Stan Read
| Poetry Corner |
| Fun on the Rides and in the Sun Coney Island, located on the New Jersey Shore, A vacation attraction to crowds near and far, Enjoying the fun, rides and beaches, Coming in crowds from where ever they are. The name of "Coney" is an interesting study. The first Europeans noticed rabbits on the island, So the Dutch named it "Konijn," for rabbit, Translated later to "Coney" for this play land. Robert Edward McKenna Dear Robert how are you? I missed you last week. What was there to do Without quiz poetry? For me Coney Island Was not within reach New Orleans Louisiana Had Ponchatrain Beach! On Thursdays ma Mere took us Out there to veg We watched the high divers Jump off a tall ledge. We all ate fried chicken And played in the sand Without thinking a second About Coney Island! Colleen Fitzpatrick Student Robert E. McKenna School of Poetic Composition |
| Comment from Stan Read Who Submitted This Week's Photo Idea |
| Congratuations to Our Winners! Gary Sterne Beth Long Robert McKenna Betty Chambers Rex Cornelius Jim Kiser Audrey Speelman Joshua Kreitzer Mike Swierczewski Mike Dalton Fred Stuart Kelly Fetherlin Lois Carr Judy Pfaff Don Draper Gina Hudson Tom Tollefsen Marilyn Hamill David Doucette Carol Darrow Eileen Corcoran Karen Kay Bunting Sandy McConathy John & Susie Roberts Carl Blessing Milene Rawlinson Margaret Waterman Stephen Bloom Deborah Campisano Carolyn Cornelius Mick Reed Sandy Thompson Jessica Gagnon Dennis Brann Martha Lasser Brian Kemp Tamura Jones Rex Cornelius Diane Burkett Lydia Sittman Leslie Shapard |
I get up early every morning. I went to the quiz and figured out the location, but didn't
know the questions. I went to the link a few minutes ago to see if it was OK and I just
had to find what it had to do with rabbits. Gary Sterne
*****
You're talking to Jersey girl who also like's Nathan hot dogs....) ;) Beth Long
*****
Those Netherlanders have all the fun -- where are the Poles in all this stuff?
Mike Swierczewski
*****
The name Coney Island is an English adaption of the Dutch name: Conyne Eyland ie
rabbit island (for rabbits (konijyn) inhabiting it as opposed to Dutch framers who were
settling it. The name appears on a 1639 map of New=Netherlands. There may have
genetic mutations displayed at Coney Park over the years: giant white rabbit, sea rabbit
and yes maybe a stray jackalope from out west. Mike Dalton
*****
I could not find a photo like this. I was looking for a Golden Rod hotel with entrance on
Surf Avenue. There is a surf avenue on Coney Island. I think the Battle of the
Merrimac was a fun attraction. The Gray cars would be used to return to Broadway
and 42nd street in New York city. The people are all dressed up and could possibly be
part of an Easter Parade. Coney Island amusements usually opened on Palm Sunday
each year which is the Sunday before Easter. Judy Pfaff
*****
The rabbits? Like all barrier islands, Coney Island was once overrun with rabbits.
Some of the references I found suggested that "Coney" is a variation for the Dutch
word for rabbit. Indeed, expansion of the park was once halted by a portion of the
island that had been set aside as a rabbit hunting preserve.
One dull-witted local resident, Roderick Feudalmeyer, determined that he could
eliminate the preserve by eliminating the rabbits. Since rabbit hunting was permitted
within the preserve, their extermination seemed assured. Feudalmeyer threw himself
into an obsessive rabbit extermination project. As his notoriety grew, Feudalmeyer
changed his name to his stage alias. He dropped his given name, Roderick, --a constant
source of embarrassment due to a speech impediment-- and rearranged the syllables of
his surname, Feudalmeyer, to Elmer Fudd. His undoing was an unsuccessful attempt to
destroy a particular rabbit who inadvertently arrived on the island after missin!
g a left turn at "Alba-koy-key." Their antics provided a wealth of anecdotal history that,
unfortunately, I have been unable to second-source. Such fun.
John & Susie Roberts
Weawwy? Waff out woud. A wikwey stowy.....
*****
The women's hats are wonderful. They are huge and some are much decorated(like
the young girls crossing the bridge) as was the style in that period. I particularly like
the beaver-looking ones on the two ladies at the bottom of the picture slightly to the left
of center. I can't imagine walking around with something like that on my head.
Carolyn Cornelius
*****
A coney was, of course, an English dialect term for a rabbit. Still used in Sussex when
I was a kid. Mick Reed
*****
Coney Island (Coyne Eyland) is marked on the map as on ocean side to right of New
York harbor entrance. It is a round point of land sticking out from the mainland. The
opposite point of land, across the harbor, is known today as Sandy Hook. There
appears to be markers along point, so that ships in those days would not run aground
on sandbars. Mick Reed
*****
Wascally wabbits...every 30 days they can recreate and produce 5 to 8 little
wabbits...so the Dutch called the place Conye Eylandt because of all of the varmints
that were running about! Dennis Brann
*****
Yes, I often went to Pontchartrain Beach [in New Orleans] from early childhood to my
teen years. I remember they had frequent stage shows in the early 1950's and I can
clearly remember being on the stage there and on the uppder deck, although not during
one of the shows, when I was nearly 4 or nearly 5 (my birthdate is 9/9/1948). I recall
very clearly that the PA system played "The Blue Tango" frequently during that trip to
the Beach so that would probably place it in 1952 when "The Blue Tango" was the #1
hit. The stage was built in the Art Deco "International" style like the bath house across
the midway, and looked like the upper deck and bridge of an ocean liner.
I also remember when they built the new beautiful swimming pool when I was about 8
and then closed it only a few years later because of integration. The last trip to the
beach I clearly remember was my grammar school end-of-graduation-year festivities in
May 1962, although I know I occasionally ate at Bali Hai at the Beach in the late 1960's.
Diane Burkett
*****
My favorite thing about the weekly quiz is that I do learn about something new.
I learned too much about Coney Island, but I enjoyed it. Jim Kiser
*****
Being from Edmonton, Alberta (Canada), I never had anything like Coney Island
growing up" but we did have "Klondike Days" in the summer! Audrey Speelman
*****
From what I read, they did have [cakewalks] at the Luna Park. The photo is
inconclusive to me, but it would explain why the people seem to be standing round and
watching a bit. I tried to find the same spot in other photos, but that Merrimack exhibit
was temporary. The theater in the background may have been temporary too. That
walk may have been temporary. You need to find pictures from the right period to be
sure. Tamura Jones
know the questions. I went to the link a few minutes ago to see if it was OK and I just
had to find what it had to do with rabbits. Gary Sterne
*****
You're talking to Jersey girl who also like's Nathan hot dogs....) ;) Beth Long
*****
Those Netherlanders have all the fun -- where are the Poles in all this stuff?
Mike Swierczewski
*****
The name Coney Island is an English adaption of the Dutch name: Conyne Eyland ie
rabbit island (for rabbits (konijyn) inhabiting it as opposed to Dutch framers who were
settling it. The name appears on a 1639 map of New=Netherlands. There may have
genetic mutations displayed at Coney Park over the years: giant white rabbit, sea rabbit
and yes maybe a stray jackalope from out west. Mike Dalton
*****
I could not find a photo like this. I was looking for a Golden Rod hotel with entrance on
Surf Avenue. There is a surf avenue on Coney Island. I think the Battle of the
Merrimac was a fun attraction. The Gray cars would be used to return to Broadway
and 42nd street in New York city. The people are all dressed up and could possibly be
part of an Easter Parade. Coney Island amusements usually opened on Palm Sunday
each year which is the Sunday before Easter. Judy Pfaff
*****
The rabbits? Like all barrier islands, Coney Island was once overrun with rabbits.
Some of the references I found suggested that "Coney" is a variation for the Dutch
word for rabbit. Indeed, expansion of the park was once halted by a portion of the
island that had been set aside as a rabbit hunting preserve.
One dull-witted local resident, Roderick Feudalmeyer, determined that he could
eliminate the preserve by eliminating the rabbits. Since rabbit hunting was permitted
within the preserve, their extermination seemed assured. Feudalmeyer threw himself
into an obsessive rabbit extermination project. As his notoriety grew, Feudalmeyer
changed his name to his stage alias. He dropped his given name, Roderick, --a constant
source of embarrassment due to a speech impediment-- and rearranged the syllables of
his surname, Feudalmeyer, to Elmer Fudd. His undoing was an unsuccessful attempt to
destroy a particular rabbit who inadvertently arrived on the island after missin!
g a left turn at "Alba-koy-key." Their antics provided a wealth of anecdotal history that,
unfortunately, I have been unable to second-source. Such fun.
John & Susie Roberts
Weawwy? Waff out woud. A wikwey stowy.....
*****
The women's hats are wonderful. They are huge and some are much decorated(like
the young girls crossing the bridge) as was the style in that period. I particularly like
the beaver-looking ones on the two ladies at the bottom of the picture slightly to the left
of center. I can't imagine walking around with something like that on my head.
Carolyn Cornelius
*****
A coney was, of course, an English dialect term for a rabbit. Still used in Sussex when
I was a kid. Mick Reed
*****
Coney Island (Coyne Eyland) is marked on the map as on ocean side to right of New
York harbor entrance. It is a round point of land sticking out from the mainland. The
opposite point of land, across the harbor, is known today as Sandy Hook. There
appears to be markers along point, so that ships in those days would not run aground
on sandbars. Mick Reed
*****
Wascally wabbits...every 30 days they can recreate and produce 5 to 8 little
wabbits...so the Dutch called the place Conye Eylandt because of all of the varmints
that were running about! Dennis Brann
*****
Yes, I often went to Pontchartrain Beach [in New Orleans] from early childhood to my
teen years. I remember they had frequent stage shows in the early 1950's and I can
clearly remember being on the stage there and on the uppder deck, although not during
one of the shows, when I was nearly 4 or nearly 5 (my birthdate is 9/9/1948). I recall
very clearly that the PA system played "The Blue Tango" frequently during that trip to
the Beach so that would probably place it in 1952 when "The Blue Tango" was the #1
hit. The stage was built in the Art Deco "International" style like the bath house across
the midway, and looked like the upper deck and bridge of an ocean liner.
I also remember when they built the new beautiful swimming pool when I was about 8
and then closed it only a few years later because of integration. The last trip to the
beach I clearly remember was my grammar school end-of-graduation-year festivities in
May 1962, although I know I occasionally ate at Bali Hai at the Beach in the late 1960's.
Diane Burkett
*****
My favorite thing about the weekly quiz is that I do learn about something new.
I learned too much about Coney Island, but I enjoyed it. Jim Kiser
*****
Being from Edmonton, Alberta (Canada), I never had anything like Coney Island
growing up" but we did have "Klondike Days" in the summer! Audrey Speelman
*****
From what I read, they did have [cakewalks] at the Luna Park. The photo is
inconclusive to me, but it would explain why the people seem to be standing round and
watching a bit. I tried to find the same spot in other photos, but that Merrimack exhibit
was temporary. The theater in the background may have been temporary too. That
walk may have been temporary. You need to find pictures from the right period to be
sure. Tamura Jones
| To read Coney Island article in the NY Times, Aug 29, 1908, click on thumbnail. |
| Coney Island Movies (Believe It or Not!) http://www.westland.net/coneyisland/articles/movielist.htm |
Cohen at Coney Island - starring John Bunny - 1909
Cohen's Dream of Coney Island - starring John Bunny - 1909
Jack Fat & Slim Jim at Coney Island - starring John Bunny - 1910
Cohen's Dream of Coney Island - starring John Bunny - 1909
Jack Fat & Slim Jim at Coney Island - starring John Bunny - 1910
Other movies:
Fatty at Coney Island - 1917
Fatty Arbuckle, Buster Keaton
Short comedy photographed at Luna Park and other locales,
where Keaton dresses as a girl and doubles as Fatty's date
on a ride on the Shoot-the-Chutes. There is great stock
footage of Luna's `The Top' roller coaster, and the Witching
Fatty Arbuckle, Buster Keaton
Short comedy photographed at Luna Park and other locales,
where Keaton dresses as a girl and doubles as Fatty's date
on a ride on the Shoot-the-Chutes. There is great stock
footage of Luna's `The Top' roller coaster, and the Witching
| The Cyclone |
cleaned, painted and restored, but remains inactive. After an
official lighting ceremony in July 2006, the Parachute Jump
was slated to be lit year round using different color motifs
to represent the seasons. However, this idea was scrapped
when New York City started conserving electricity in the
summer months. It has not been lit regularly since.
official lighting ceremony in July 2006, the Parachute Jump
was slated to be lit year round using different color motifs
to represent the seasons. However, this idea was scrapped
when New York City started conserving electricity in the
summer months. It has not been lit regularly since.
Waves, but after the first ten minutes, the comedy scenes take place mainly on the
beach.
beach.
The Little Fugitive - 1953
Rickie Brewster, Richie Andrusco
A young boy thinks he has killed his brother and he wanders
lost through Coney Island. There are lots of shots around
Coney Island, some along the Bowery and at the Parachute
Jump; but few of the Tornado and Cyclone in action.
Rickie Brewster, Richie Andrusco
A young boy thinks he has killed his brother and he wanders
lost through Coney Island. There are lots of shots around
Coney Island, some along the Bowery and at the Parachute
Jump; but few of the Tornado and Cyclone in action.
Remo Williams, The Adventure Begins - 1986
Joel Gray, Fred Ward
N.Y.C. cop is recruited to fight the bad guys. There is a
fight and chase on the Wonder Wheel. The Cyclone can be
seen in the background.
Joel Gray, Fred Ward
N.Y.C. cop is recruited to fight the bad guys. There is a
fight and chase on the Wonder Wheel. The Cyclone can be
seen in the background.
Coney Island is the westernmost of the barrier
islands of Long Island, about four miles (6 km)
long and one-half mile wide. It used to be an
island, separated from the main part of Brooklyn
by Coney Island Creek, but the center of the creek
was filled in for construction of the Belt Parkway
before World War II. The western and eastern
ends are now peninsulas.
islands of Long Island, about four miles (6 km)
long and one-half mile wide. It used to be an
island, separated from the main part of Brooklyn
by Coney Island Creek, but the center of the creek
was filled in for construction of the Belt Parkway
before World War II. The western and eastern
ends are now peninsulas.
| Coney Island http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coney_Island http://www.westland.net/coneyisland/articles/ridelist.htm |
| ********** |
| ********** |
| For lots of interesting postcards of Coney Island, click here. |
Brighton Beach Memoires - 1986
Jonathan Silverman, Blythe Danner, Stacey Glick
Neil Simon's 1983 play and 1986 movie depicts growing up in the Coney Island area,
and features scenes with the Coney Island rollercoaster in the background.
He's Got Game - 1998
Dentzel Washington and Mila Jonovich
Spike Lee movie depicts a landscape defined by housing projects and basketball courts.
Basketball player's father tries to convince him to go to college in order to get a shorter
sentence.
Bugsy - 1991
Warren Beatty and Annette Bening
While in prison, Benjamin Siegel (aka Bugsy) tells his girlfriend Virginia Hill he wishes
they were on "Coney Island eating a couple of f** hot dogs".
A. I.: Artificial Intelligence - 2001
Haley Joel Osment, Frances O'Connor, Jason Robards
David the boy robot and Teddy the mechanized bear travel to the flooded ruins of
Coney Island in a submersible (Coney Island is underwater due to global warming).
Just when David finds a sculpture of the Blue Fairy from Pinocchio and starts praying
to it to turn him into a real boy, the Wonder Wheel collapses on top of them, trapping
them for the next two thousand years.
Wonder Wheel. Built in 1918 and opened in 1920, this steel
ferris wheel has both stationary cars and rocking cars that
slide along a track. It holds 144 riders, stands 150 feet (46
m) tall, and weighs over 2,000 tons. At night the Wonder
Wheel's steel frame is outlined and illuminated by neon
tubes. It is part of Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park.
The Cyclone roller coaster, built in 1927, is one of the
nation's oldest wooden coasters still in operation. A favorite
of some coaster aficionados, the Cyclone includes an
85-foot (26 m), 60 degree drop. It is owned by the City, and
ferris wheel has both stationary cars and rocking cars that
slide along a track. It holds 144 riders, stands 150 feet (46
m) tall, and weighs over 2,000 tons. At night the Wonder
Wheel's steel frame is outlined and illuminated by neon
tubes. It is part of Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park.
The Cyclone roller coaster, built in 1927, is one of the
nation's oldest wooden coasters still in operation. A favorite
of some coaster aficionados, the Cyclone includes an
85-foot (26 m), 60 degree drop. It is owned by the City, and
| Wonder Wheel and Astroland seen from Coney Island Beach http://en.wikipedia.org... |
operated by Astroland, under a franchise agreement. It is located across the street from
Astroland.
Astroland.
Native American inhabitants, the Lenape, called the island Narrioch (land without
shadows), because, as is true of other south shore Long Island beaches, its compass
orientation keeps the beach area in sunlight all day. The Dutch name for the island was
Conyne Eylandt (Konijn Eiland in modern Dutch spelling), meaning Rabbit Island. This
name is found on the New Netherland map of 1639 by Johannes Vingboon. (New York
State and New York City were originally a Dutch colony and settlement, named Nieuw
Nederlandt and Nieuw Amsterdam.)
As with other Long Island barrier islands, Coney Island was virtually overrun with
shadows), because, as is true of other south shore Long Island beaches, its compass
orientation keeps the beach area in sunlight all day. The Dutch name for the island was
Conyne Eylandt (Konijn Eiland in modern Dutch spelling), meaning Rabbit Island. This
name is found on the New Netherland map of 1639 by Johannes Vingboon. (New York
State and New York City were originally a Dutch colony and settlement, named Nieuw
Nederlandt and Nieuw Amsterdam.)
As with other Long Island barrier islands, Coney Island was virtually overrun with
The Parachute Jump, originally the Life
Savers Parachute Jump at the 1939 New
York World's Fair, was the first ride of its
kind. Patrons were hoisted 190 feet (58
m) in the air before being allowed to drop
using guy-wired parachutes. Although the
ride has been closed since 1968, it
remains a Coney Island landmark and is
sometimes referred to as "Brooklyn's
Eiffel Tower." Between 2002 and 2004,
the Jump was completely dismantled,
Savers Parachute Jump at the 1939 New
York World's Fair, was the first ride of its
kind. Patrons were hoisted 190 feet (58
m) in the air before being allowed to drop
using guy-wired parachutes. Although the
ride has been closed since 1968, it
remains a Coney Island landmark and is
sometimes referred to as "Brooklyn's
Eiffel Tower." Between 2002 and 2004,
the Jump was completely dismantled,
| Cakewalk at Luna Park http://www.shorpy.com |
rabbits, and rabbit hunting was common until
the resorts were developed and most open
space eliminated. It is generally accepted by
scholars that Coney Island is an English
adaptation of the Dutch name, Konijn Eiland.
Coney is also an obsolete and dialectal English
word for rabbit. Coney came into the English
language through Old French (Conil), which
derives from the Latin word for rabbit,
cuniculus.
the resorts were developed and most open
space eliminated. It is generally accepted by
scholars that Coney Island is an English
adaptation of the Dutch name, Konijn Eiland.
Coney is also an obsolete and dialectal English
word for rabbit. Coney came into the English
language through Old French (Conil), which
derives from the Latin word for rabbit,
cuniculus.
| Dreamland c 1908 www.captainbob.8k.com/photo3.html |
The English name "Conney Isle" was used on maps as early as 1690, and by 1733 the
modern spelling "Coney Island" was used. The John Eddy map of 1811 also uses the
modern "Coney Island" spelling.
Between about 1880 and World War II, Coney Island was the largest amusement area
in the United States, attracting several million visitors per year. At its height it contained
three competing major amusement parks, Luna Park, Dreamland, and Steeplechase
Park, as well as many independent amusements.
Luna Park, which operated from 1903 to 1944 was located on 38 acres on Surf
Avenue between W 12th and W 8th Streets next to Stillwell Avenue depot on one of the
barrier islands called Coney Island. The park was enlarged in 1912 and included 31
buildings for shows & amusements, 28 rides, 2054 towers & minarets, and 1,450,000
modern spelling "Coney Island" was used. The John Eddy map of 1811 also uses the
modern "Coney Island" spelling.
Between about 1880 and World War II, Coney Island was the largest amusement area
in the United States, attracting several million visitors per year. At its height it contained
three competing major amusement parks, Luna Park, Dreamland, and Steeplechase
Park, as well as many independent amusements.
Luna Park, which operated from 1903 to 1944 was located on 38 acres on Surf
Avenue between W 12th and W 8th Streets next to Stillwell Avenue depot on one of the
barrier islands called Coney Island. The park was enlarged in 1912 and included 31
buildings for shows & amusements, 28 rides, 2054 towers & minarets, and 1,450,000
lights. It employed 1500 people and used
315 miles of tickets each season.
As of October 2008, the major parks are
Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park
(a successful family owned park with
over 20 rides located directly on the
Boardwalk), 12th Street Amusements, and
Kiddie Park. Also, the Eldorado arcade has
its own indoor bumper car ride. Astroland
closed September 7, 2008.
315 miles of tickets each season.
As of October 2008, the major parks are
Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park
(a successful family owned park with
over 20 rides located directly on the
Boardwalk), 12th Street Amusements, and
Kiddie Park. Also, the Eldorado arcade has
its own indoor bumper car ride. Astroland
closed September 7, 2008.
| Luna Park Shoot-the-Chutes c. 1907 http://www.westland.net... |
Three of the rides at Coney Island are protected as designated NYC landmarks and
recognized by the National Register of Historic Places.
recognized by the National Register of Historic Places.
| The Parachute Jump New York's Official "Eiffel Tower" http://www.terrastories.com/bearings... |
| ********** |
| The American Experience: Coney Island PBS Video http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/coney/ |
| American Experience - Coney Island (PBS Home Video) Click here. |
| Coney Island, The People's Playground Click here. |
