II. Cheap AMUSEMENTS
All for a penny
Colin Donellan lounges against a lamppost in front of an amusement arcade in London, England (1953).
When considering the economic downturn that followed in the wake of the Nickelodeon parlors, it’s easy to see how cheap amusements might have lasting appeal. The effects of the Great Depression meant few could afford expensive theater or concert tickets, but for mere pennies, one could indulge in an evening’s worth of automated entertainment. Record high unemployment also meant people had more time on their hands, and coin magnates offered no shortage of solutions. Fortune tellers, shooting games, strength testers and other assorted novelties could be found in every street corner saloon and drugstore.
"Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.”
ELBERT HUBBARD
Children at an amusement arcade (1967).
While penny arcades may be a thing of the past, our desire for shared entertainment experiences remains unchanged. In an era of rising entertainment costs and digital isolation, affordable amusements continue to serve an important function in our daily lives. Just as they once provided escape and community during economic hardship, today's arcades and family entertainment centers remain essential gathering spaces where people can enjoy shared experiences without the financial strain.
While fads come and go, the enduring appeal of accessible entertainment transcends any particular era or technology, fostering connections and creating memories that might otherwise be out of reach. Though they may seem commonplace and at times unworthy of note, the sum of what these machines offer is often greater than their parts.
