Our favorite Jimmy Fallon bits over the last few years have all been musical ones—from Will Ferrell's recent "Tight Pants" song to Stephen Colbert singing "Friday," from Fallon's expert Neil Young impressions to Bruce Springsteen's wiggle-wiggle. Last night, he and Will Smith revealed that their grandfathers (Will "Sunnyside" Smith and James "Fatty Monroe" Fallon) had hosted a 1920's radio show together...and they performed "Parents Just Don't Understand," "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It," and a song that amounted to a big plug for Men In Black III. Watch below, even though this still doesn't make up for the fact the film doesn't have a Will Smith theme song. more ›

In 1929 a NYC-based writer visited a penthouse for sale in Manhattan after hearing these dwellings were all the rage. Originally he believed penthouses were nothing more than "a little shack on a dingy roof," until visiting one himself. more ›

Have you heard of Albert Fish? Ephemeral NY takes a look back at the demented serial killer, who came to New York City in 1890. He may have been a male prostitute for some time, and had a sick fixation with children and cannibalism. In 1928 Fish responded to an ad in the classifieds by an 18-year-old boy named Edward Budd. When he visited the family's home—at 406 West 15th Street—with the promise of a job for the boy, he caught a glimpse of 10-year-old Grace Budd. more ›

Speaking of the 1920s, just the other day EphemeralNY posted this etching by Martin Lewis, titled “Fifth Avenue Bridge.” It dates to 1928, and shows the flapper set crossing what looks like a wooden bridge, along or over 5th Avenue. The bridge was likely put up to deal with construction, and one commenter on the site noted, "It’s very possible the bridge was built during construction of the new Independent subway which crosses 5th Ave at 53rd St." (The line was conceived in 1920 to deal with severe overcrowding on the subways.) more ›

The Jazz Age Lawn Party that was set to take place last weekend on Governors Island, actually took place this weekend, something we wish we had gotten the memo about. Katie Sokoler took the trip back in time to the '20s, however, and returned with some great photos. Visitors told the Daily News that the elegance of F. Scott and Zelda's day are lost in present times, and now events like this "evoke a world we wish we were a part of." more ›

Some things never change. Ephemeral NY takes a look at a guide of helpful hints for tourists visiting the city in 1920. The list of what not to do came courtesy of Valentine’s City of New York: A Guide Book, and included some of the following gems: "Don't ask a pedestrian where a certain street is. He is usually too busy to stop, and if polite enough to stop, won't know. No New Yorker knows anything about New York." And another kind reminder: "Don't gape at women smoking cigarettes in restaurants. They are harmless and respectable, notwithstanding and nevertheless. They are also smart." For more lexical gold, read the full text here. more ›