Coney Island was a break from reality for millions since exploding into the American culture at the back end of the 19th century. Seduced by fantasy, decades of visionaries elbow to elbow with the masses,were mastering the moment. Some cast indelible impressions. Artists like Reginald Marsh, Milton Avery, and Red Grooms; filmmakers such as Woody Allen and Paul Mazursky; writers from Walt Whitman to Henry Miller; Beat poets and musicians were collectively transfixed and transformed.