Here is Arnold Baskin’s 1979 short film: “Brooklyn by the Sea.” Per the dear friend of GL, Jack Szwergold, who brought it to our attention:

This is amazing. Truly amazing. It captures all of the weirdness and magic of Brighton Beach in 1979 just before it became a 100% Russian enclave and was a mix of old Yids and Brooklyn youth. I would have been 11 years old at the time this film was made. Of particular note is one of the greatest street characters in the neighborhood is documented on film!!! Disco Freddy! He’s the one dancing with the radio and red shorts at about :45 seconds in. That’s basically what he did all day. And occasionally he’d do amazing feats. Like put a paper bag down on the boardwalk and do a build up to him jumping over the bag. That was his whole act. And in the film you see him chase kids which was funny and scary. Lord forbid if he saw me on a bike coming near him. He’d stop his “act” and just run like crazy.

And you know what’s also great? Brighton Beach which was never rezoned, never gentrified, which revived itself on its own still carries the same character it had. A lesson to be learned that some parts of Brooklyn will never die.

Really, watch this. It’s an incredible slice of life kind of thing. We’re indebted to Jack for bringing to our attention. Enjoy.