"The Ice Cream Cone in the Purse"

Devin Wilson

Professor Armendarez

English 212

10/11/23

## Legend Summary

"The Ice Cream Cone in the Purse" is a chilling lesser-known urban legend that was created with a specific context. , Who's to think that one can be so stunned by the presence of a celebrity they put their delicious ice cream in their purse? This was what claimed to have happened to multiple women when coming e in contact with their idol celebrity. The story goes like this. A woman attends her everyday deli or ice cream shop as normal to order chocolate, it was also said that the woman who came in contact with the celebrity Paul Newman was a chocolate ice cream lover and ordered the ice cream with a vanilla cone. Then suddenly the celebrity Paul Newman walks into the ice cream parlor, the woman is so stunned and dazzled she walks out of the store. She watches Paul disappear into the crowd of people all the while licking on his ice cream. the presence is so strong that when the women step outside they totally forget where they placed their ice cream. The woman suddenly snaps back into reality and realizes that she forgot something...Her Delicious ice cream. She walks back into the parlor and asks the front desk clerk and asks for an ice cream cone since she "hadn't received one. The clerk explains that she gave the woman her change, she then grabs her wallet out of her purse and puts her change in her wallet, and out of complete obliviousness she puts her ice cream cone right next to her wallet in her purse.

## Legend History

This legend has no specific origin but the Legend was started in 1986 with the first story placing Paul Newman as the celebrity that played a part in the chaos of this legend. Many different people tell the story but believe it to be true. In article "Ice Cream in purse" it explains the tale The tale that started in 1986 broke out wildly throughout the media and made its way from person to person. It has been said that the tale started in Kansas City where "Mr. and Mrs. Bridges" took place and was filmed. Paul Newman wasn't the only celebrity that appeared in the tale it is stated that Jack Nicholson, Tom Brokaw, and Robert Redford were also mentioned to be the celebrities within the story. During the breakout of the legends many newspaper outlets stated the legends to be true and then quickly withdrew. Paul Newman Addressed the legend to the public stating that he would playfully sue for the "untrue" incidents that occurred.

## Legend Adaptations

There have many adaptations from the original legend, many coming out at different times and many having different celebrities included in the urban legend. One story explains that Robert Redford was in New Mexico shooting a movie then between takes he attended an ice cream parlor, A lady then encounters the famous celebrity and proceeds to try and keep her cool, she then proceeds to walk outside and notices that she didn't have her ice cream cone. She walks back in and asks for an ice cream cone and as stated in the article "Ice Cream in Purse" she overheard Redford say "Madam, you'll probably find it where you put it — in your purse.". (1:7)Another incident occurred in 1997 Debbie Rawlins is in an ice cream parlor in Connecticut Rawlins is on the verge of being overwhelmed by the presence of Paul Newman who was standing behind her. She orders her ice cream and walks outside and before she can take another step she notices that she can't find her ice cream. Rawlins walks back into the parlor with everyone laughing and Newman states that it's in her purse she looks down and sees ice cream melting all over her purse. Another instance is in New England where a woman was visiting with her family who were originally from Michigan. On Sunday the women went to get some ice cream at an ice cream parlor after a long 5-mile hike. She drove to the ice cream parlor and when she walked into her surprise she saw Paul Newman enjoying a donut and some coffee, she was starstruck by the presence of the actor. She then pulls herself together and she walks up to the front desk clerk and orders chocolate ice cream. The woman had her ice cream and changed in separate hands and just before she could open the car door she noticed that she only had changed her hand. She walks back into the store and there is Paul Newman grinning stating "You put it in your purse"

## Adaptations Analysis

One thing I would change about the Adaptation is the timing in which the women forget the ice cream cone. Also the reasoning behind the ice cream cone being in the purse in the first place. I get that the disappearance of the cone is supposed to be sudden and spontaneous but maybe they can add a character to the legend who in fact informs the women that when they see Paul Newman they will forget to do something or specifically forget their ice cream cones were stuffed inside of their purse. It adds more of a supernatural effect to the legend. I think this legend shows what effect celebrities have on regular civilians. The Legend also consistently picks at women who are in the presence of a handsome celebrity and doing something completely embarrassing.

## Work Cited

Barbara Mikkelson, David Mikkelson. “Ice Cream in Purse.” *Snopes*, Snopes.Com, 13 May 2000, www.snopes.com/fact-check/the-dreamsicle/. Accessed 12 Oct. 2023.

News, Deseret. “Ice Cream Cone Caper Returns, Topped with Paul Newman as Idol.” *Deseret News*, 19 Apr. 1991, www.deseret.com/1991/4/19/18916299/ice-cream-cone-caper-returns-topped-with-paul-newman-as-idol.

“Urban Fables of the Rich and Famous; or, Is Vanilla Still Vanilla If You’re Paul Newman?” *Los Angeles Times*, 8 Dec. 1986, www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-12-08-vw-1782-story.html.