This film is by far the best documentary that I have ever seen. Coney Island is like something out of a fantasy novel. If the filmmakers had not dug up the archival footage, you might doubt that such a place could have existed. If Walt Disney had hired the residents of an insane asylum to design Disneyland, then Luna Park and Steeplechase would have been the result.
Coney Island is still there of course, but the Coney depicted in this film ceased to exist long ago. The 20th Century was born at Coney Island and my guess is that pop culture was as well. My only complaint with this film is that it wasn't twice as long. It only whetted my appetite and sent me in search of books on the place. I would have gave this film a 12 if I would have had the option.
Coney Island is still there of course, but the Coney depicted in this film ceased to exist long ago. The 20th Century was born at Coney Island and my guess is that pop culture was as well. My only complaint with this film is that it wasn't twice as long. It only whetted my appetite and sent me in search of books on the place. I would have gave this film a 12 if I would have had the option.