Rube and Mandy at Coney Island

1903 Comedy 10 minutes Directed by Edwin S. Porter

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About Rube and Mandy at Coney Island

A country couple, Rube and Mandy, arrive at Coney Island and go into Steeplechase Park. They ride the steeplechase, cross a rope bridge, try the "Down and Out," and ride the bulls. At Luna Park they use the rattan slide, the miniature railway, and the chutes, ride the boats in the old mill, and visit Professor Wormwood's monkey theatre. On the Bowery they see a fortune teller, hit a punching machine, and buy frankfurters. The last shot is a bust view of the two of them eating.

Cast & crew

More about Rube and Mandy at Coney Island

Edwin S. Porter produced, directed, photographed, and edited the film for Edison. Thomas A. Edison copyrighted it on 13 August 1903 as H34528. Wikipedia gives the release as 15 August 1903 and the length as 725 feet, 10 minutes at 20 frames per second. Silent Era says the Coney Island scenes and the studio scenes at Edison's 21st Street studio in New York were shot in early August 1903. The plot text above follows the Edison catalogue.

Themes

Look

Edwin S. Porter shot the rides at Coney Island and the closing close-up at Edison's 21st Street studio.

Preservation

Silent Era lists prints at the Museum of Modern Art and a 35mm paper positive at the Library of Congress. The film is in the public domain in the United States.

Notes

  • The Library of Congress paper-print description says the last but one shot shows them walking toward the camera with mustard and pieces of roll on their faces, and the last shot moves in to the waist.
  • The New York Clipper advertised the film, and it played as a headline item on vaudeville film programs, including some opening bills of the 1903-04 season.
  • Prints survive at the Museum of Modern Art and as a paper positive in the Library of Congress.
  • The performers are not named in the Edison credits.

Scenes

  • Rube and Mandy ride the mechanical horses at Steeplechase Park.
  • A close view shows them eating frankfurters with mustard on their faces.

Also available

  • Wikimedia Commons (Coney Island, New York, August 13, 1903.webm)

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