Hot Peas and Butter anyone remember hot peas and butter a kind of a brutal game as I remember it someone would hide a belt from the rest and the search would begin, the object would be to find the belt first, and chase ands smack the rest with the belt untill the got “home” you would be helped by the person who hid the belt by them saying hot or cold as you would search.
Our fires escape was on Amsterdam Avenue and 65th Street (before Lincoln Center). My girlfriend lived in the apt. beneath us. She and I had tin cans attached by a string hanging from fire escape to fire escape, so we could chat as we ate cut-up Fig Newtons and penny candy and sunned ourselves on our “terraces.” The metal structures provided a respite from the heat of the tenement buildings where not a fan, certainly no air conditioner, could be found “back in the day.”
Remember the kids who would trash a game just because they were losing? Or those who would change the game rules to accommodate their personal needs? Who was the cheater in your crew? Was it a kid in the bunch or a sibling? Bring them out! My brother was the biggest cheat. Teaching me how to play chess, he always cheated in his own favor. Then he’d beat me up when I accused him of being a cheating loser. He’s nicer now, but back then he was the play mate from hell. And don’t forget the kids who would snatch there toys or games back because they were losing.
One of the many joys of life back in the 50,s was to hang out on the street corner and sing Doo Wop. While living in East New York Brooklyn I would sing till my throat was sore.We would sing when we got up till we went to bed at night. In the subways or hallways were always the choosen place to capture, THE ECHO. From the streets of Brooklyn to the Boardwalk @ Rockaway Beach the air was filled with harmony coming from groups like,The Bob Knight Four,The Star Fires,The BelAirs,The Capris, The Admirations,The Chalets,The Five Discs and many many more. From dances @ St. Michaels to St. Fortunata,s,from the candy stores that line the streets ,to many a pizza place,groups could be heard telling their story with the human voice. From the driving beat of the Bass singer to the high tenor float of the Falsesetto to the SHO DOP DOBBIE DOO of the Background singers to that crystal clear voice of the Lead singer,Doo Wop was king. Found memories of a time when things were easy. I Remember In The Still Of The Night, fond thoughts to all, Frank Iovino presently still singing Doo Wop in Florida with my present group called,WHAT ELSE,The Five Boroughs. Visit our web site @ angelfire.com/la/fiveboroughs and please sign our GUEST BOOK to show if you Remember In The Still Of The Night.
We are independent filmmakers, creating our first film as a labor of love, outside of regular jobs in Television. The documentary is based on the experience of families in the Catskill Mountains during it’s heyday (1920’s-80’s). There is no substantial bankroll. All of the individuals working on the project are actually doing it out of a common interest in the project or as a favor(associates and friends). We have been obtaining footage, letters, photographs and postcards from people through their mutual generosity, but mostly their shared desire to make a statement about this cultural experience. We pay all expenses to ship it, copy it, etc. We will send all masters back to you (in perfect condition!)following the duplication. As far as photos go, you can easily send JPEGS (High Resolution if possible). All people will be credited in the film. We have already received a generous amount of resources from people and we also have asked for releases from them) to protect all involved, including the people who donate their footage. At the present time we are collecting all of the above as well as setting up interviews with many of the “lifers”….If you know of any families or friends that spent time in the “borscht belt”, please pass this note along to them. We truly appreciate all of your assistance in this project. Please stay in touch! Sincerely yours, Nina Benzi/Evan Haiman Kippered Herring Productions 15 Baker Street Wayne, NJ 07470 kipperedherring [at] hotmail [dot] com
Playing bottle cap ball in a narrow gravel driveway next to a small store in Missouri, we’d stop for a refreshment–a Pepsi and a nickel bag of Planters peanuts. We’d pour the peanuts in the bottle of Pepsi. When we really got the craving, we’d buy a bottle of Grapette, which was only about 7 ounces of soda. But a bottle of Pepsi got you more for your dime. D.K. in Missouri