Soda Guy
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Saturday, August 25, 2012 9:42:33 PM


Anyone have any good stories oi this show? I would tell a couple but the happened at State Conventions and well between the Mods and the Bishop I am sure they would be DQ'd.

How many units did they have?
Scott
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Sunday, August 26, 2012 9:35:52 AM
I remember reading in AB one time that at the Mid South Fair in Memphis, there was a Cow Milking contest. Kaufman, the fair manager and two others were competing... Milt won! He said he had an advantage he didn't tell them about... "I grew up on a farm"
Tornado
Sunday, August 26, 2012 11:03:44 AM


Not sure if totally true or not, but I do remember years back there was an article in Carnival magazine on Goodings Amusements Co. If I remember correctly I thought it mentioned that in the day they had 12 units and 169 rides. Must have been many many duplicates and probably in some cases up to 12 of the same pieces, like a MGR. Probably had one per unit…. They were the NAME of there era…
Pizzagod
Sunday, August 26, 2012 11:19:22 AM
By good stories you mean besides the ones about him being a pedophile or his sexual identity issues?

Well....it was a different operation from when Floyd Gooding owned it.
For one dollar I'll guess your weight, your height, or your sex.
Soda Guy
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Sunday, August 26, 2012 1:02:04 PM
Originally Posted by: Pizzagod 

By good stories you mean besides the ones about him being a pedophile or his sexual identity issues?

Well....it was a different operation from when Floyd Gooding owned it.




No the one I was refering to was him being threatened in an elevator at a state convention. The betting pool was wagering on if he actually Peed all over himself.

Scott
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Sunday, August 26, 2012 1:23:51 PM
Damn my "story" sounds like a "Golden book" story compaired to what I'm reading
Pizzagod
Sunday, August 26, 2012 1:37:36 PM
Originally Posted by: Soda Guy 

No the one I was refering to was him being threatened in an elevator at a state convention. The betting pool was wagering on if he actually Peed all over himself.



I hadn't heard that one-but it wouldn't surprise me. He wasn't a physically imposing man. I guess Minker was his roughie at the conventions.


For one dollar I'll guess your weight, your height, or your sex.
flamo
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Sunday, August 26, 2012 3:14:22 PM
Originally Posted by: Tornado 

Not sure if totally true or not, but I do remember years back there was an article in Carnival magazine on Goodings Amusements Co. If I remember correctly I thought it mentioned that in the day they had 12 units and 169 rides. Must have been many many duplicates and probably in some cases up to 12 of the same pieces, like a MGR. Probably had one per unit…. They were the NAME of there era…



BAck in the day Gooding had 12 units. Each had a #12 Eli Wheel and as memory serves me each also had a 3 abreast AH MGR. Several other duplicates that were switched between units as need. Other shows that had multiple units were Sunny with 2 units, Fred Nolan with at least 4 units, LaGasse (Marie) with 4 units. All had a wheel and MGR. Most had #5 Eli wheels and usually AH MGR. Most carried a Smith and Smith Chair o plane. Tilts & Puss, were popular. Scramblers were in demand. Some shows had Rock o Planes, Paratroopers or a cat.


I'm there, Old, Tired, Broke and Henpecked
coasterkeener
Sunday, August 26, 2012 3:47:28 PM
I saw Goodings Million Dollar Midway in the mid '70's in Memphis: fair and Cotton Carnival. At the time it was an impressive midway. I believe they had two Sky Wheels at the fair.
When did Gooding sell? Did the show eventually cease operation?
Bgotthar
Sunday, August 26, 2012 4:16:07 PM
pugh Shows tried to buy Gooding's Million Dollar Midway.I played it with Wayne Thompson Himalaya. New England Unit was great! Sea food awsome and Memphis Mid South Fair Great Spot, Indepents were Zacchini,Lkassen Brothers,Joe Lane,Randall Legon.are just some that I remember.Milt Kauffman booked spots and mainly had gen sets and booked all the rest.
I worked for Pugh Shows from 1974-2000. Married Michelle Gazella of Gazella's Finer Foods
Sixcat
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Sunday, August 26, 2012 6:19:03 PM
Back in the winter of 72-73 Nick Santamaria's Famous Funway did business with the "Rabbi" and became the New England unit of Gooding's Million Dollar Midway starting with the 73 season. I was the concession manager with Nick at that time. One night at the New England club, I don't remember exactly when but it was winter, Nick told me I was to meet "Uncle Milt" as he called him, at 11 the next day in Boston at a coffee shop across from city hall. Nicky didn't know what it was all about but I was to wear a tie. So knowing nothing I was there by 11 am and here comes the Rabbi at 11 sharp. He said follow me. I said what's this all about? He said you'll see. I followed him across the street to city hall and up to what was the Mayors office. When we got there the girl looked up and said go right in he's expecting you. I followed him in and we met with the deputy mayor and Milt introduced me. After they talked a few minutes they walked over to a table and there was a layout. Milt turned to me and said, show him how the show will look at this years Boston Sumerfest. No warning, it wasn't even my show, I'm with Nick, it's the big show. So, I looked at it for a bit and then faked my way through it. After, The D Mayor said great and Milt said you can go, so I went home. Later that night Nick called me and said I don't know what you did but Uncle Miltie is happy with you and he said you can keep your job. I didn't know I was on an audition. That's my MDM story.
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DOGMAN
Sunday, August 26, 2012 8:24:58 PM
I remember meeting Uncle Miltie with Buzz Barton and then going on to sell him a lot of canvas when I was with Anchor.
He even offered me an office job but had another deal. Wish I had given him some time as it would have been a trip.
flamo
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Sunday, August 26, 2012 8:41:13 PM
Back in the late 60s, early 70s I was trailer mounting #5s for Al Sunny. He was charging 10Gs for the conversion which came with a double folding start. He got a call from Kenn-Penn wanting to know if we could do their 2 #12s. I told Al it just a longer trailer and a few dimension changes but it could be done. Just charge more. To that point no one had TMd a 12. One of the 12s blew over in a storm. They sent me the twisted iron. I had to buy 6 spokes and a few rim irons from Eli Bridge but a few weeks later they the first TMd 12. They sent me the 2nd for the same. Gooding heard about it and wanted AL to do one of the 12 #12s they had. Gooding had a big shop in Columbus so we knew what would happen. If I did one they would copy it on the other 11. Al wanted a contract stating they wouldn't copy our work but Gooding wouldn't sign.....I didn't build either.
I'm there, Old, Tired, Broke and Henpecked
olediggerguy
Sunday, August 26, 2012 9:08:46 PM
I was also on Nicks "New England " unit. but a couple years after you Sixcat.I was there during his last 3 years of operation. Nick was a classic...His famous quote was " yup, this is The Million Dollar Midway.....but this is the 100 dollar unit." He wasn't too far from the truth... I was told Milt got hooked up with Nick so he could brag to other commitees that he had the only show big enough that could play 3 state fairs at the same time. (one of our spots was Vermont State Fair in Rutland) please let's not get that topic going again....
I believe at one time Kaufman referred to himself as "Rabbi Doctor Milton Kaufmann" They don't make them like that anymore....
Sixcat
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Monday, August 27, 2012 3:03:47 PM
Originally Posted by: olediggerguy 

I was also on Nicks "New England " unit. but a couple years after you Sixcat.I was there during his last 3 years of operation. Nick was a classic...His famous quote was " yup, this is The Million Dollar Midway.....but this is the 100 dollar unit."



I left in 74 sometime after Bangor ME that year. Nick's famous saying was "som*"
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