(Coney Island) CYCLONE, a Mike Edwards film
The Coney Island Cyclone is the greatest roller coaster in the world! This year marks the 90th anniversary of this famous thrill ride. This film was made during the Cyclone's 50th season on Coney Island. As a boy born and raised on three of the 5 boroughs of NYC from 1951 to 1979, a summertime trip to Coney Island was always in the mix. I remember the day while confined to Steeplechase Park, (the grandest kiddie amusement park ever!), when my gaze became transfixed on the world class wooden roller coasters that thundered and squealed off in the distance. I couldn’t wait for the day when I was old enough and big enough to ride these coasters. I measured myself by first getting comfortable riding the Thunderbolt and then the Tornado roller coasters before I felt ready for the Cyclone.
Fast forward to 1977 when I chose the Cyclone to be the subject of a documentary film exercise while attending the very fine Richmond College, an experimental humanities school in the CUNY system, where I was to receive a BA in Cinema Studies. With either a wind-up Bolex 16 or a Bell & Howell Filmo 16mm camera and a 100’ spool of reversal film, I went to visit my subject while under a blanket of snow. Like coming upon a hibernating beast, I kept my distance shooting wide shots without a footprint. Aided by the calm of this early Sunday morning, I could feel a life-force at rest, knowing what was expected of it and what was to unfold in the early spring months. Right there on Surf Avenue, I knew my documentary project would be to explore and maybe expose that this mechanical, inanimate object is actually a being with a distinct personality.
My total commitment to this goal manifested blessings and good fortune starting with a welcoming attitude by the fine folks of Astroland, the then managers of the Cyclone. With incredible access, why not climb to the top of the main hill to shoot early maintenance procedures in sub-freezing temperatures? Why not accept invitations to experience the waking up process from the within the belly of the beast? Why not become one-of-the-guys and take the offered job working the ride for June and July that year? I disinfected more than a few seats that summer.
Did I mention that it also happened to be the Cyclone’s 50th anniversary season? Yikes! The Cyclone’s inherent magnetic properties, including technical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual, attracted pilgrims from all points on the globe. What a feast for the senses that only needed a camera, microphone, a few lights to be fetch-able in under a minute’s notice. On the days when I set up more complicated shots, I had an incredible group of fellow film students that likely consumed as many Nathan’s hotdogs as contestants go through for their eating contests. When I needed a Cyclone train and platform full of directable people, family and friends showed up by carloads.
With the Cyclone’s inherent appeal magnified by this landmark 50th year, I hope to have captured that which makes the Cyclone unique and full of personality. I am grateful to all whom assisted me, especially coaster historian and now Board member of the Roller Coaster Museum and Archive, Richard Munch; marathon coaster rider turned coaster designer, Michael Boodley; and world record holder in many roller coaster categories, Richard Rodriguez. Dewey Alpert and Milton Berger from Astroland, Gerry Mendito, the coaster’s hands-on manager, my Mom and Dad and my wife Kathryn were among my biggest supporters. A boyhood friend Drew Militano, and his folk-rock band created an original song for the film. These are among the many colorful threads that make up the beautiful and intricate tapestry known as the Coney Island Cyclone.
This six minute version of the film is a swift-paced smorgasbord of delightful aromas and flavors representing the original homage documentary. To screen Mike Edwards’ original version, navigate to RU-vid here. Make a quick bag of popcorn and create your own ‘Smell-O-Vision’ experience! Both film versions are served best when displayed as large as possible and through an active sound system. Buckle yourself in and have fun! It’s all about the fun!
27 сен 2024
