The Stunning Models of “The Big Payoff” at Coney Island, 1950

In 1950, Coney Island—a name synonymous with rollicking roller coasters and candied apples—played host to a distinct group of visitors: the glamorous models from CBS’s game show, “The Big Payoff.” While game shows were already gaining ground as America’s new entertainment staple, this moment captured the juxtaposition of New York’s enchanting playground and the burgeoning television industry. This unique blend of fashion, TV fame, and classic Coney Island charm tells a rich story of cross-cultural encounters in post-war America.

The Show: “The Big Payoff”

Broadcasted on CBS, “The Big Payoff” was one of the pioneering game shows of its time. Participants competed for prizes, but it was the models who added the requisite glam quotient. Dressed in the latest fashions, they served as walking advertisements for the aspirations of the average American, offering viewers a glimpse into a world of glamour and sophistication.

The Backdrop: Coney Island, 1950

Coney Island was the democratic amusement park, where people from all walks of life mingled freely. The 1950s were a golden era for the park, with attractions like the Cyclone and Wonder Wheel drawing massive crowds. Amidst this panorama of fun and frolic, the elegant figures of “The Big Payoff” models seemed almost surreal, blurring the lines between the everyday and the glamorous, the local and the national.

The Models and The Magic

Donned in their fashionable attires, the models posed against iconic backdrops like the Parachute Jump and the boardwalk, seamlessly blending high fashion with the vernacular culture of Coney Island. It wasn’t merely a photo op; it was a vivid tapestry of American popular culture, where the aspirational met the accessible. The images captured a moment where the fantastical elements of both television and amusement parks converged.

#1 Cindy Robbins and Pat Conway ride The Whip at Steeplechase Park, 1953.

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#2 Pat Conway, Cindy Robbins, and Connie Mavis pose at Steeplechase Park, 1953.

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#3 Cindy Robbins, Connie Mavis, Marion James, and Pat Conway by the pool at Steeplechase Park, 1953.

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#4 CBS Models ride the Bicycle Carousel inside the pavilion at Steeplechase Park, 1953.

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#5 CBS Models ride the Great American Derby Racer at Steeplechase Park, 1953.

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#6 CBS Models on the Rocket Ship ride at Steeplechase Park, 1953.

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#7 Pat Conway and Connie Mavis on The Parachute Jump at Steeplechase Park, 1953.

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#8 CBS Models on the diving boards at Steeplechase Park, 1953.

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#9 CBS Models on the Rocket Ship ride at Steeplechase Park, 1953.

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#10 CBS Models climbing a ladder at the Steeplechase Park pool, 1953.

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#11 Cindy Robbins with cotton candy at Steeplechase Park, 1953.

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#12 CBS Models lounge at the Steeplechase Park pool, 1953.

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#13 Connie Mavis and Marion James ride The Whip at Steeplechase Park, 1953.

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#14 CBS Models on a ride at Steeplechase Park, 1953.

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#15 Cindy Robbins lifted by Connie Mavis and Pat Conway at the Steeplechase Guidepost, 1953.

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#16 CBS Models ride the Great American Derby Racer at Steeplechase Park, 1953.

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#17 CBS Models on the giant slide in the “Pavilion of Fun” at Steeplechase Park, 1953.

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#18 CBS Models on the giant slide in the “Pavilion of Fun” at Steeplechase Park, 1953.

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#19 CBS Models at the Steeplechase Park pool, 1953.

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#20 CBS Marion James framed by the Ferris Wheel and Parachute Jump, legs belong to Pat Conway, 1953.

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#21 CBS Models watch as others ride the Steeplechase Horse Ride at Steeplechase Park, 1953.

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#22 CBS Marion James watches other models on the Steeplechase Horse Ride, 1953.

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#23 CBS Models on the Bicycle Carousel inside the pavilion at Steeplechase Park, 1953.

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#24 CBS Model Marion James with cotton candy at Steeplechase Park, 1953.

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#25 CBS Models on the Rocket Ship ride at Steeplechase Park, 1953.

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#26 CBS Model Cindy Robbins grabs the brass ring on the carousel, Pat Conway behind her, 1953.

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#27 CBS Model Pat Conway frames the Ferris Wheel and Parachute Jump, 1953.

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#28 CBS Models on the Human Roulette Wheel at Steeplechase Park, 1953.

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#29 Connie Mavis and Pat Conway on The Parachute Jump at Steeplechase Park, 1953.

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#30 Cindy Robbins from “The Big Payoff” Enjoying Cotton Candy at Steeplechase Park, 1953

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#31 Cindy Robbins from “The Big Payoff” with Cotton Candy at Steeplechase Park, 1953

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#32 Connie Mavis and Pat Conway ride The Parachute Jump at Steeplechase Park, 1953.

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