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Boppin LinksInterview with a 1970s greaser: Chicago Greaser! Read about Greasers in the 1970s and 80s in the book "Lords of Lawndale". Portrait of a Delinquent, by Barbara Levine“Johnny,” a 15 year old delinquent who comes from the Lower East Side slums. He is the son of a worthless father and a hard-drinking mother. The boy is the president and the toughest member of the Third Street Gang. After noting that Johnny had joined the gang when he was 12, the writer went on: “Now let us view a typical day in his life.” “He comes home from school at 3 o’clock. He meets his gang at the clubhouse. When he arrives, the members are discussing ways of fighting their enemies, the Second Street Gang. “It is decided that the fight will be waged with clubs. They will sneak up and take them by surprise. They arrange to meet at 7 o’clock. “The appointed time arrives, and we find Johnny and his gang ready to fight their adversaries. Slowly they tread along until they come to their foe’s clubhouse. Johnny gives the signal for attack. The Second Street Gang is unprepared for the melee, and so it is an easy fight. The victors destroy the clubhouse and trash the vanquished. “Johnny goes back to his home late that night and finds his parents are having a argument about their lack of money. Under this tension he goes to bed and finally falls asleep.” "Student Sketches Gang Delinquency" New York Times (1857-Current file); Feb 1, 1957;page 10. "I heard the Horsemen were Busting out, bopping the gang on the next block so I went and had myself a look! It was a rumble for real with zip guns, jackhammers, the works!" From the movie: The Young Savages, 1960. "We're going to have to bop our way back!" "What are we waiting for?" "The train would help. Unless you want to get japped on an open platform!" From the movie: The Warriors, 1979. "Gang Slang" By PHILIP BENJAMIN New York Times (1857-Current file); Oct 20, 1957; pg. SM28 |
Interview with a 1970s greaser: Chicago Greaser!
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From Stillwells and Ocean Avenue, you take the Q Train to Union Square, that is where you catch the Number 5 Bronx train to Eastchester. "We ain't been to the Bronx before!" "No sweat! This Conclave is going to be a big item, every gang in the city is going to be there!" |
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Q Train leaving Stillwells Station, you can see the world famous Cyclone Roller Coaster, the observation tower, the Wonderwheel, and the Ocean in the background. "Were goin in there with nothing! Were goin in their like everybody else - nine guys, no weapons!"
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The Q Train runs along Ocean Parkway, curves and heads up East 16th Street until it hits Prospect Park and runs along Flatbush Avenue. "What do you know about Cyrus? He's the One and Only!" |
On my way down the ramp to pick up the Number 5 Bronx bound Lexington, I did not get delayed by the Punks or the Baseball Furies, but I did run into the Gray Lady Mime. After the delay in the action, I found out that the Number 5 no longer stops at Union Square, so I had to take the Number 6 Train to 42nd Street - Grand Central Station to catch the Number 5 line. "You never what you're gonna run into. In our colours, we can't hide." "Who wants to hide?"
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"42nd Street - Next Stop!" Made it to Grand Central. Now pick up the number 5 Bronx bound train. "That's our train - the Lexington!"
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Morris Park Station - we are in the Bronx. |
| Sights from the Bronx Number 5 Elevated train. |  |
Passing Prospect Avenue |
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Passing Simpson Street Station |
Passing Gun Hill Road |
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We made it! Dyre Avenue Station, the last stop on the Number 5. Now to make it to the Conclave to meet Cyrus. Standing on the station platform, you can imagine the various gangs coming into the station and heading down the steps on their way to the Conclave. |
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Eastchester Station |
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Not much in the way of a cemetery in the area, as I walked around looking for the Conclave. Today, the area seems to be desserted, or just a commuter stop. |
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Picture taken from the Dyre Avenue Station platform. Reminds me of the neighborhood the Orphans were from. |
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You have to wonder if the producer of the Warriors wanted us to imagine where the location of the Conclave was really at, because it seems like the Woodlawn line would have been a better choice since across the street from the Woodlawn Station is the famous Civil War era Woodlawn Cemetery? |
Looking at the MTA Subway Map, and considering that the map in the movie showed them taking the Number 5 Train to Eastchester, I would have to assume after the Warriors were chased by the Turnbull A.C's, they rode the Number 5 down as far as Morris Park before they were detoured by the subway line fire. That way they could walk to the Pelham Parkway Station and pick up the Number 2 line. If they were able to make it down as far as the 149th Street and Grand Concourse Station, they would be able to run between the B, D, 2, 4, 5, and 6 Lines. I assume that is what the Director wanted us to think.
After watching the Directors-cut DVD, you find that the producer wanted you to come to your own conclusion to the various questions that you have about the famous trip. He gave you the map on where the Warriors arrived, and I think the rest is up to your imagination on where the following events took place.
The subway map in "The Warriors" movie, showed that the "D", "M", "Q", and "B" trains made the Brighton Beach Coney Island loop. Today, the "B" train stops at Brighton Beach and the "M" train travels on the Fourth Avenue/New Utrecht line. The "Q" Train is the only train that still travels to Coney Island via the Brighton line. The trains that travel to and from Coney Island are the D, F, N, and Q lines. The N and D Trains connect to the number 4, 5, and 6 Bronx bound trains at the Broadway-Lafayette Street Station. The F Train connects to those lines at the Canal Street Station. The Q and the N Trains are the only two trains making the Union Square - 14th Street connection, but the Q train is the only one that swings out towards Brighton Beach from the Stillwell's station like the 1970 Subway map in the movie. The N train also runs through Bay Ridge instead of running either the Culver or Brighton Lines. Like the Fox said to Rembrant, "Nobody can read these maps anyways!"
I could not find Cyrus, the Turnbull A.C's, the Rogues, or the rest of the gangs at either location, but I wanted everyone to know - The Gaylords were there!
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The Warriors Subway Ride
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Coney Island to the Bronx
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