Rat Roulette
Based on the description, it doesn't sound like this was particularly cruel to the rat, though perhaps slightly stressful for it. Apparently the Humane Society got custody of the rat once the game was closed down.
Source: Santa Cruz Evening News - Jun 15, 1939
Source: Santa Cruz Evening News - Jun 15, 1939
Comments
I fail to see what the problem is. The rat doesn't get spun, does it? And rats are intelligent and (therefore) playful creatures - it probably thought of it as a fun outing, something different from its daily routine.
There was a very similar game, two or three decades ago, on Dutch television, except with guinea pigs instead of rats. Nobody much thought it was particularly cruel on the animals. (And no, that wasn't the whole concept of the show - it was just one game in a more varied game show. Dutch telly isn't always great - after all, we invented Big Brother, for which I would again wish to apologise abjectly - but it's not that boring.)
There was a very similar game, two or three decades ago, on Dutch television, except with guinea pigs instead of rats. Nobody much thought it was particularly cruel on the animals. (And no, that wasn't the whole concept of the show - it was just one game in a more varied game show. Dutch telly isn't always great - after all, we invented Big Brother, for which I would again wish to apologise abjectly - but it's not that boring.)
Posted by Richard Bos on 05/29/14 at 10:46 AM
One should try cow-pie bingo, but it can be a very slow game to play, especially if it's raining.
Posted by KDP on 05/29/14 at 12:19 PM
The problem was that it involved gampling with a cash prize. There was no problem with the 'rat darts' game next door...
Posted by tadchem on 05/29/14 at 01:15 PM
Rats can be trained, a bit. Probably enough to increase the odds in the house's favour.
Posted by BMN on 05/29/14 at 01:37 PM
Reminded me of playing the MOUSE ORGAN!
It was lots of fun and was also a public health service! then PETA got wind and POOF! no more mouse organ! :lol: :coolsmile:
It was lots of fun and was also a public health service! then PETA got wind and POOF! no more mouse organ! :lol: :coolsmile:
Posted by Tyrusguy on 05/29/14 at 07:13 PM
A bit of food under a given exit would easily be arranged hidden from view to bilk the rubes of their hard earned cash.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 05/30/14 at 01:15 AM
@Ty: You can't watch just one Python clip. I ended up here. This is a debate between John Cleese & Michael Palin against a Bishop & Malcolm Muggeridge on the movie "The Life Of Brian".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeKWVuye1YE
I'd never seen it before. If you waste an hour, blaim Ty. 😊
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeKWVuye1YE
I'd never seen it before. If you waste an hour, blaim Ty. 😊
Posted by BMN on 05/30/14 at 05:16 AM
Anyone who thought that "Life of Brian" Was blasphemy should watch the above video! :lol: :coolsmile:
Posted by Tyrusguy on 05/30/14 at 07:50 AM
@KDP Cow pie bingo was my first thought, too. Quite common here in Wisconsin.
Posted by Fritz on 05/30/14 at 10:26 AM
I used to see booths of piano-playing chickens at the local county fair.
Posted by RobK on 05/30/14 at 11:40 AM
Ohemgee---I actually played Rat Roulette at our local fair in the 1970's. It was conducted by a men's church group. I picked black 13 and WON! A stuffed St. Bernard, complete with a barrel on its collar. : ) Reading this via Twitter, brought back that memory. Aah, already participating in illicit activity, even as a pre-teen. Bwahaha.
Posted by Atomicgal on 06/06/14 at 02:36 PM
Let me see if I understand your story, AtomicGal:
As a child you were enticed to animal cruelty and gambling, and given symbols of devil rum by a church group.
How'd I do? :lol:
As a child you were enticed to animal cruelty and gambling, and given symbols of devil rum by a church group.
How'd I do? :lol:
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 06/06/14 at 11:48 PM
Rum? Certainly not! Expat, you betray your colonial origin. There was never rum in a St. Bernard's barrel. Never give a hypothermia victim rum! They're in the alps - kill'em with brandy instead...
Richard
Richard
Posted by Richard Bos on 06/07/14 at 09:24 AM
It was an expression Richard. I know no St. Bernard would stoop so low as to transport Cabarian swill to its more discerning avalanche victims. Nor would I suspect any such entrapped swisher of the slopes chose rum over freezing to death.
Heaven forfend!
Heaven forfend!
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 06/07/14 at 09:42 AM
Oh, rest assured, I wasn't offended for real. (Though there is a very good reason not to give hypothermia victims rum, but that reason applies to brandy just as much. It increases the blood flow to the limbs, thus cooling the core more quickly, and quite possibly killing the victim.)
Posted by Richard Bos on 06/08/14 at 06:41 AM
I'm getting drawn towards cow-pie bingo and the likes. It's something different for a man that was addicted towards blackjack. But, the lately published articles in some online magazines have left an impact. I've tried my best to throw some light in my articles. http://www.alabamasportsbetting.com/
Posted by Aaron Borecky on 08/04/14 at 03:35 PM
Commenting is not available in this channel entry.
Category: Animals | Sports | 1930s | Gambling, Casinos, Lotteries and Other Games of Chance