Film clip: the Crazy House at the Centennial Exhibition

Film clip: The Crazy House

Still shots and description

A moving neon sign proclaims 'The Crazy House'. This was one of the most popular attractions in Playland. Because this is filmed at night, it is quite difficult to see what is happening in the first few scenes. We watch figures moving in shadows and catch glimpses of a skirt here, a pair of trousers there, as men and women walk past the camera. Quite suddenly the visitors find themselves walking on a moving floor. A man in a striped blazer reaches for the walls to stop himself from falling, but the two women behind him aren't so lucky. They tumble down, rolling over and over, with legs in the air. The floor also seems to propel people forward, tossing them back onto solid ground. We watch as several more people tumble through the obstacle; some women hold their skirts down firmly while others find their underwear on display to the camera. From the smiles on their faces, it seems that most people are enjoying their experience in The Crazy House.