Fortune-Teller Machines... who all remembers?
- Thread starter Aunt Marg
- Start date
applecruncher
SF VIP
- Location
- Ohio USA
I loved them, too!
But I don't remember using one. I just stood and watched while other people waited in a line.
Now they look creepy.
But I don't remember using one. I just stood and watched while other people waited in a line.
Now they look creepy.
Oh yes, there was a creepy side to them as well that I remember as a child, too!I loved them, too!
But I don't remember using one. I just stood and watched while other people waited in a line.
Now they look creepy.
C'est Moi
Dishin' it out.
- Location
- Houston Y'all
I've never seen one in real life, but I remember the one in the Tom Hanks movie, "Big."
I'm not a believer either.
jujube
SF VIP
I went to some sort of museum near Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco that had old toys and machines. There were several of these fortune teller machines there and they were mondo creepy. There was one with a guy in fancy robes and a turban and he had the most piercing glass eyes. I got a shiver every time I looked at him.
Remember the coin-operated scales in public bathrooms that told your weight and dispensed a little piece of paper that had a fortune on it? I kept getting one that said "One at a time, please."
Remember the coin-operated scales in public bathrooms that told your weight and dispensed a little piece of paper that had a fortune on it? I kept getting one that said "One at a time, please."
Oh, I love it!
ROFLMAO! No, I don't remember the scales you speak of. Were they still around in the 70's?
jujube
SF VIP
There might have been some around in public bathrooms in the 70's, but they were mostly popular in the 1950's and into the 1960's. For a penny, you got your weight AND your fortune! Some were very utilitarian and some were fancy. Here's an example of one:
fuzzybuddy
SF VIP
- Location
- The Sticks, Northeast PA.
I remember seeing one of those machines in an amusement park. The thing that freaked me out was when you put money in it, it lit up and the woman began to breathe-her chest would go up and down. That chest movement scared the hell out of me. A card came out of a slot. Your fortune was pretty lame- "brighter days", and your lucky number. There was four of us, and we just happened to have identical fortunes and lucky numbers. That breathing- that was worth the 50¢.
Gardenlover
The world needs more love
I remember them well. They are some of my inspiration fro creating Automata today.
Lewkat
Senior Member
- Location
- New Jersey, USA
We'd find all kinds of these machines in the city and for fun would have our fortune told. Got a big kick out of them when we were kids. And, when my parents would take me to a Chinese restaurant, I'd never eat the food other than the fortune cookie as I despise that food. I would eat spring rolls or lobster rolls though.
I definitely do not remember them, but a big thank you to you for posting a picture!There might have been some around in public bathrooms in the 70's, but they were mostly popular in the 1950's and into the 1960's. For a penny, you got your weight AND your fortune! Some were very utilitarian and some were fancy. Here's an example of one:
I also remember the fortune readings not equating to a lot, but how the inside lit up and the movements of the fortune-teller and all, well worth the change.
Love fortune cookies! So many I know just crack the cookie and read the saying, but me, I love eating the cookie, even going as far as asking others... "are you not eating your cookie, because if you don't want it, I'll eat it"! LOL!
Ruth n Jersey
Well-known Member
- Location
- Northern New Jersey
I remember the fortune teller, it scared the heck out of me. The eyes use to move.
I also remember the machines that looked like a rifle range on legs, you inserted the money and metal bears would move across the screen. There was a toy rifle set up a foot or two in front of the screen. If you hit the bear the little metal bear would flip down. My dad loved these even though he never hunted. He would let me try but I never hit the bear.
My favorite was the machines that showed cartoons. After putting in the money you looked through what looked like binoculars and you could view a short cartoon. I was so little I had to stand on the box they had in front of the machine for that purpose.,
I also remember the machines that looked like a rifle range on legs, you inserted the money and metal bears would move across the screen. There was a toy rifle set up a foot or two in front of the screen. If you hit the bear the little metal bear would flip down. My dad loved these even though he never hunted. He would let me try but I never hit the bear.
My favorite was the machines that showed cartoons. After putting in the money you looked through what looked like binoculars and you could view a short cartoon. I was so little I had to stand on the box they had in front of the machine for that purpose.,
So many great memories you brought back to life for me, Ruth!
Yes, the eyes would move and the hands, too, if I remember correctly. As for the shooting game, I remember that, too.
C'est Moi
Dishin' it out.
- Location
- Houston Y'all