Richard bASCIANO

1926-2018

The ill-fated day began with a call from my friend, the former proprietor of the Funny Store, a naughty Times Square novelty shop. He furtively informed me of the situation deemed dire; Richard Basciano, the reclusive owner of Show World, was hospitalized, and not doing very well. Later I learned that his condition was far worse; critical in fact.

To ascertain the enormous degree of awe for this formidable man is virtually impossible; but those like myself who knew him well respectfully referred to him as ‘Richie’. Richie was not only the indisputable boss of Show World, but also maintained dozens of properties; many of which were all-nite theaters, adult-related establishments, and peep shows, that aroused much more than just mere suspicion. Continue