On My Stoop In Brooklyn Over Four Decades: Anthony’s Story

We’re hanging out on the stoop of Anthony Catalano’s home in Boro Park, Brooklyn, New York City. These pictures are of the “two main stoops on my block throughout the five decades on my life in Broro Park, Brooklyn NYC,” says Anthony. We’ve featured Anthony’s superb pictures of his native Brooklyn in the 1970s here and here.

And the comments beneath each picture are by Anthony, whose warmth and love for his neighbourhood, friends, family and Brooklyn shines. This is Anthony’s story:

 

 

Where the heck have you all gone?

LL-UR:

Carolyn, Christine, Margaret, Phyllis on my stoop.

 

 

Brooklyn Porch Hangout 1977 70s sneakers bottoms, Kodachrome

Here are my family and friends hanging out on my porch on a late-mid Sunday afternoon in the fall of 1977. I had taught my brother how to use my expensive Canon 814 Super-8mm movie camera. I often made clay cartoons using the frame-by-frame feature. I also bought an intervalometer that they are using here, making the clouds move fast, and themselves in time-lapse cinematography. I plan to convert my ancient 8mm to quality video some time this year. Shown: Steve, Letty?, Jerry back to us], Edgar, John [striped], Marty, Chris. Dig the classic Puma sneakers.

 

 

My Denim Bell-Bottoms & Boots @ 17 in 1977, Ektachrome 160, processed at home.

Check out the side-burns and the bell-bottoms which make an occasional comeback but not for men…. unless you are in the Navy which is where they originated in the first place of course.

Brooklyn 1301, 57 St [demolished in ’85, built in 1855. My Grandparents bought it in 1944]

 

 

Sep 12th 1976 Hanging Out – Denim Bell Bottoms Sneakers 70s Brooklyn NYC – Minolta SRT-102 & 20mm Vivitar

When KEDS RULED – The universe in the 70s : A Crisp September 12th, Sunday in 1976. Like it was yesterday man. [as opposed to “It was like yesterday, whatever.”] Heads L to R: Randy [Pitch@92mph], Rob[Gene Simmons], Steve, Chris WA2PLQ/SK now, Me- Tony dead-center, Christine [sixteen], Marty [Ferrigno pose – MADD: gone now], Jerry [God’s Gift 2 Chicks] and Paula [Marty’s sister – not impessed with God’s Gift]. We would wile away the hours playing stoop-ball on my perfect cement-poured stoop once of wood. My house was built in 1855. It is gone now too where a supplemental hospital building stands.

Minolta SRT-102 Vivitar 20mm on tripod w/timer – I ran to the dead middle.

I say the B thr R the O the OK the LYN is the place where I stay. Ok: There was no rap to speak of then. Our block was probably 95% Italian-American, with last names like Catalano, Modica, Randazzo, Bencivenga, Cavalieri, DeRosa, Fiscetti, Raimonda and Sperlazzo.

I was asked to add this to The Age of Aquarius pool but I must let people know that 1976 was a bit past that mindset. Yes TAOA was not just an era it was a place in your head man. Dig it? It was Jesus Christ, Superstar optimism. ’76 was post Watergate blues replaced with Bicentennial Spirit and Disco on the rise mixed with rock or should I say Disco vs Rock. This is a Rock/Metal crowd. Sabbath, Zepp & Rush. Christine loved The Bay City Strollers however so we tortured her with “The Gay Shitty Strollers”. etc… Ah: The deadly lore of transient pop. Britney can you hear me darlink? You s**k!!! Greenday: Stop girley-whining! Y’all triple-bite the big one. Did Alice Cooper whine?

 

 

Myself as Mr. FDR HS, Mr. Phys ED (Yeah right)… Oh it’s just Tony Catalano.

My first summer finished with High School, finally! My cousins: Noele, holding my Vivitar 20mm f2.8 lens cap used for the shot and sister Letty (Letizia after our Grandmother) be “wid da cool shades mon”. Was it possible to NOT buy bell-bottoms in 79 for cripes-sake? Dig my wide-band, snap-on watch! Minolta XE-7 camera w/timer on tripod. “Glory days: the’ll pass you by” – Springsteen

 

Sunday September 12th 1976 – The 70s in Boro Park, Brooklyn NY.

One of the 8 or more color negative sequences I just unearthed in my horribly unsorted negatives and prints. This is a scan of a bad print.

 

 

Brooklyn Stoop in 1976 Boro Park

Foreground: Marty Bkgnd: Paula, Chris, Me-Anthony, Randell Minolta SRT-102 35mm 2.8 film: 5247 C41 home proc. ASA 100

Figure all in a row bore the snot out of me. Zzzzzzzzzzz I want layers of action where people go nuts and reveal their inner selves for a few moments. I think people tended to break out their best The Fonz (double-thumbs-up) and The Peace sign rather spontaneously. Interesting forgotten note: The style of my shirt was inspired by a country-western song sung by Dolly Parton. “Coat Of Many Colors” . Top 100 AM gave it tremendous airplay time even here in NYC. Patchwork clothing became popular (again?) just from that song.

 

 

Brooklyn Stoop 1976 70s Vamping The Fonz

Front to right then right to back: Marty, Randell, Chris, Paula, Edgar (doing The Fonz), then up to Christine, Steven, my brother John (doing The Fonz also) and me-Anthony in multicolored shirt. Intersection is 57th St. & 13th Avenue. Minolta SRT-102 35mm 2.8 film: 5247 C41 home proc. ASA 100

 

 

Brooklyn Stoop 57ST, 1977

My pals in the late 70s. Playing it up, we always enjoyed watching Christine brush her long hair over and over as we gave each other a knowing smile of approval. Here Chris spots me grabbing another “stoop shot” using my camera. Minolta SRT-102, 135mm

 

 

1970s dudes

Heads L>R: Marty, Randy< John [my brother] & Dominick. Minolta 50mm f1.7 lens w/flash p.s. Note Dominick almost doing “The Thinker”… his shirt says: “Do IT in the dirt”. He now owns a Century 21 real Estate office. I just recalled that this was at one of our block parties. I drank Southern Comfort and Bud [pouring SC into the beer can as it got empty – sheer brilliance] …I later found out that this is called a Boiler Maker and took over two days to recouperate. I remember vomiting at the Barnum & Bailly Circus then next day at Madison Square Garden, Sunday with my little cousins and Uncle. How I survived the 70s God knows. it’s a good thing Dom’s immigrant mother did not fathom the full meaning of his “Do It In The Dirt” shirt.[Yeah, I know there is a bike in the dirt, yeah, yeah]

 

Street Skateboarding 1977

Jerry Sozio, Edgar Vargas – having an ice – , John Catalano. [my brother] Those boards look like pretty much like “year one” gear to me, no? I know less than zero about skateboarding. Minolta XE-7 / Sigma 16mm f2.8 fisheye. Late afternoon light on a Saturday. I like my picture-taking shadow.

ADDENDUM: I have a few more of these dudes actually skating. Some are panned shots. Will post as soon as I dig them up – I already scanned them. Where the hell is that CD….. [Oh and Edgar is getting the last out of an Italian ice] Speaking of skating & boarding.

 

 

Me on my stoop in bell bottoms 1977 Boro Park Brooklyn NYC

Yes, Bell-Bottoms & Bright-Tan Boots with 2.5 inch heels! Minolta SRT-102 / 20mm Vivitar / Plus-X [100 ASA] House built in 1855 by The Snowden Family [Dutch] – Razed in 1985.

 

Cousins Marty Fischetti & Randy Randazzo [Black Sabbath]: my friends 1978

Hanging in the backyard of my house at 1301 – 57th street between New Utrecht and 13th ave in Boro Park, Brooklyn NY. That Black Sabbath T-Shirt now goes for $400+ !!!

Minolta XE-7 – Vivitar f2.8 20mm on C41 Color Negative Film.

 

 

Friends on The Stoop – Labor Day 1983

As they appear: Phyllis, [Brother John] Christine, Margaret, Little Jerry Richie ———- Harry John, Carolyn, Steve, Anthony [me]. Camera on tripod Minolta XE-7. Right before we all set out to our yearly BBQ in Staten Island Clove Lake Park in the spring of 1982.

 

 

John & Tony 1976 Sears Roebuck Lives

John & Tony 1976 in Polyester Suits. Guilty as charged. God the sidburns are killing me. A typical Sunday. My brother John looks much more comfortable and natural. Minolta SRT-102 w/ 50mm f1.7 Rokkor

 

 

Brooklyn Stoop Hangout Fall 1976

The stoop of my old home built in the 19c. Standing L to R: cousin Wanda and sister Letty, Marty, Randy, John, Christine, Chris, Robert, Steve, Girl-a, Maria, John my brother doing a quick lean-in. Seated: Paula, Girl-b. Minolta XE-7 35mm Tri-X scanned now w/Konica-Minolta Dimage.

 

 

On Chris’ stoop in 1977.

L to R: Camille Quarto, Christine Sperlazzo(w/Starz Magazine), Randy Randazzo, Chris Cavalieri, Marty Fischetti, Paula Fischetti. Minolta XE-7 Sigma 16mm Tri-X scanned w/Konica-Minolta Dimage.

 

 

Tony Steve Dominick, spring 1978 in Bell Bottoms – Boro Park Brooklyn NYC MTA MAP Shirt

Me – Subway map, Steve – Led Zeppelin, Dom – tank top. We just emerged from the basement from working out. Man, it feels like maybe 10 years ago, but it was an amazing 33 !!! Minolta XE-7 20mm Vivitar on tripod self-timer. Torn down in ’86: My family home was built in 1855.

 

 

1967 The Kids We Were – Brooklyn 60s IPODS VS STICKS

Kids during the “Summer of Love”: 1967 Anthony & John Catalano with Anthony Esposito posing for the camera. Right photo downward: Anthony C, Anthony Esposito his sister Lisa, Kenny Mafeo, & my Brother Johnny. I quickly handed out sticks and had none left for Johnny, he almost started to cry, so I told him to make believe he had one. He then smile about the acting job. Notice that we are pretty lean machines: We ran around from our waking moment till moments before our face hit the pillow dreaming about doing the same the next day. There were very, very few overweight kids to be seen. Am I crazy, to recall it being that way? We had fun with a stick, a cardboard fridge box, wood, wheels and sand. It makes me glad I’m almost 52. Taken via Kodak Instamatic camera likely by Mom.

 

The Brooklyn Stoop 1977 70s Kodachrome 25 Slide

Randy, Chris, Me, Paula, Christine.

Across from my house down the street a bit. This was the second most popular stoop to hang out on: Chris’ stoop. Timer on SRT-102 or my XE-7 50mm Kodachrome 25 slide film on tripod: I ran in.People have asked why is it not like this now. A good question. I sincerely believe that young people have become anti-social in many ways. Conversation on “the stoop” was slow and sporadic. We chided each other, told stories about school and occasionally broke out into a box-ball challenge when the afternoon cooled off in the summer. We all had many cousins who would come over when visiting. This stoop is still there, empty. When I passed by it about a month ago. I stood looking at it and was saddened especially since Chris, a fellow ham radio operator, I learned had passed away about 12 years ago. The whole area has nobody there I know any longer. Nobody at all. [UPDATE this high-quality replaced the horribly bad thing that was here before – a digital photo taken of slide on frosted glass! UGH!] I opened the plastic/glass slide mount: It’s Kodachrome 25 !!! – I did use a tripod and my friends were used to holding still for me. 🙂 MUST SEE THE LARGE VERSION – click on “all sizes” above & go to “original”.

 

 

Christine Sperlazzo on Brooklyn Porch 1977

Christine posing on my porch for a few shots. Finally: A semi-cooperative pose from somebody on my block! I just found her on Facebook: I’m so happy. Minolta SRT-102 50mm Kodacolor II

 

 

Peter Vickie Anthony Easter Sunday 1963

Peter Vickie Anthony 1963 taken with Mom’s Kodak Brownie in Boro Park, Brooklyn. With these spiffy threads and being with my cousins, it is very likely an Easter Sunday. Aren’t they all cute as bunnies? [what happened to me?]

 

 

Randy Chris Dom Marty @ Stoop, July 1975

Clockwise – Chris, Randy, marty & Dominick. Getting ready to play some softball or practice in “The Lot” If Randy puts another ball through my kitchen window his Dad is going to mumble unmentionables under his breath to him for two weeks.

 

 

Chris Cavalieri & King Brooklyn 1975

Brooklyn 57th Street 1975 Christopher Cavalieri with his Doberman, King. What a slobberer! Note Chicago T-Shirt.

 

 

Jerry Chris Tony Brooklyn Stoop Hangout 1977

Hanging out on the stoop in Boro Park, Brooklyn. Jerry & Chris sporting rockin’ mullets and Tony with the classic Italian push back. [Like D.A. w/o the split] Big belt buckles and Bell Bottoms. jerry is visiting us here: he had moved away to somewhere else in Brooklyn. We had not seen him for at least five years, so we are catching up here.

Tripod/timer Minolta XE-7 w/ 50mm Rokkor & Tri-X B&W film.

 

 

57th St Stoop Brooklyn Sidewalk 1977 Anthony [me], Noele Caruso and Chris Cavelieri.

I am actually wearing my bell-bottoms and my black felt platform shoes. [2 1/4″ heels made me albout 6 feet] I just saw the old stoop a few weeks ago. The block is lonely and the stoop was redone with just a railing and steps only.

 

 

The Stoop – 10am The Fourth of July 1975

Another shot I remember like it was yesterday. My brother is standing with a lit punk. We are waiting for it to get late enough to start shooting of our tons of fireworks. The rumble begins early…far, far as one noise with an occasional pop, but mostly as one ominous, contiguous build.

 

 

Maryanne Wedding 1301-57st – Brooklyn 1976

1976 Bridal Party for Maryanne Russo emerging from our old house’s porch. Maryanne’s family lived on our 3rd floor.

 

 

Grandpa – Giovanni Tuzzolino Porch 1976 (1892 -1985)

On the old porch posing as the gentleman that he truly was and always will be in my memories of him. Elderly people of today seem to rarely have 1/100th of the class. Face it: Grandpa was from another era being born in 1892. He could not be found working the nickel machines in “A.C.”, however he could play a mean game of pinochle. I love the lapels on that jacket. Snazzy, no? Boro Park, Brooklyn Minolta SRT-102 50mm.

 

 

Dad cousins and I – Picket Fence 1964 60s

The early-mid 60s: Cousin Vicky, Me, Dad [Vitale Catalano] & Cousin Peter 1963-64 taken by Mom. I would love to wear Dad’s hat now that I am 4 years older than he is in this photo as of 2007. Here he looks like he jumped out of a spy novel. My Dad immigrated to the US in 1956. Note Mom’s sharp purse on the right? Scanned by Minolta-Konica Dimage. Camera: Dad’s new Contax 35mm.

p.s. Remember when Cracker Jacks had REAL prizes, not stupid little paper ones?

Thank the lawyers for that.

 

Anthony on The Old Stoop, Brooklyn in 2009.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Anthony died on March 1st, 2014. He was 54. Thanks to his surviving brother, John Catalano, we can see Anthony’s terrific photographs of what life was like there. Many of these picture were taken when Anthony was a teenager. His voice is both compelling and authentic. For these reasons the captions are reproduced in his own words. And we hope you agree that his charismatic work is deserving of a wide audience. See more of it here.