Once Upon A Time in Staten Island is a film by producer and longtime Staten Islander, Athur Siegel. The video, is a trailer for the film which combines still photos of Staten Island between the years of 1940 and 1963. I, for one, had no clue that Staten Island ever featured a ski-jump, but apparently in the 1940’s there was one at the site of Clove Lakes Park. Towards the end of the clip, there’s a series of then and now shots, comparing the Staten Island of yesteryear to the Staten Island we all know today.
Below, read how Siegel’s production company, EmArt Productions, describes the film:
Following the curious summertime adventures of a typical 12-year old of 1951, this unique 59-minute film evokes memories of Staten Island’s rural past at mid-20th century. It is essentially a nostalgic, looking-back piece but also historical, environmental, documentary and cultural. Nevertheless during its final 20 minutes the film poses critical questions about the dubious benefits of redundant urban sprawl with its attendant crowding and congestion and the traditional rural qualities of life we have traded for it. You needn’t have been a resident of Staten Island during the mid-20th century to empathize with the film’s message. The theme is virtually universal. Almost 4,000 copies have been sold locally and nationally. A civic-minded Florida resident recently ordered six copies to distribute to his local town planning board. This film is a perfect poster boy for the consequences of urban sprawl.
If you want to check out the full video, you can find it for purchase on the EmArt website, here.
Chris is a communications professional with a passion for pop culture, media, and all things creative. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications with a specialization in Media Studies and has experience in running a pop-culture website, freelance writing, coaching, and speaking engagements. He has worked behind the scenes on music albums and co-founded a boutique web design and marketing firm. He is also an amateur photographer and musician. He is always looking for the next exciting project to dive into.
