Tunnel of love (amusement ride)
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The Tunnel of Love is a type of amusement ride commonly found at carnivals and amusement parks. It is similar to a dark ride in that riders are taken (usually by boat) through dark passages. Two major themes are presented for this carnival ride. The first theme is that of a romantic ride, usually presented in such a way as to relax those individuals who have taken the ride. The second theme is that of horror, to frighten those people who are taking the ride.
The purpose of the Tunnel of Love is supposedly to help bring couples who are taking the ride closer together, either by the romantic element, or by frightening the couple so that they will cling to one another. These rides are no longer as popular as they once were.
In the 1928 film, The Crowd, a tunnel of love is featured in which the sides are voyeuristically pulled down at a place where couples are likely to be kissing.
The Tunnel of Love was a favorite source of amusing scenes in Hanna-Barbera television series such as The Flintstones, The Jetsons, and Scooby-Doo, among others.
