Hopefully someday these studios will publish their full collections on Youtube (or Paramount+, or whatever) instead of letting film rot to nothing in storage. There are untold numbers of historic matches sitting unviewed in warehouses somewhere. There are a few Greenleaf films in storage at Warner, but the studios are so fearful of unauthorized reproductions they would rather the film be destroyed than viewed.
I've always loved watching Cisero's stroke--or more specifically his cadence and pause.
Until about 1952 the film used was nitrate that was highly flammable.a few interesting things. One the pockets weren't buckets. Judging by the pocket irons the table was set up as intended or a little tighter than intended. The other thing I noticed was the lack of respect calling the pool players "boys" over and over. Seems like there isn't much that has changed. I did run the video back to the beginning, very nice quality for video of the time which has usually passed through a generation or two of VHS before we get to see it.
Due to the acids used in processing not being completely removed or neutralized much of the old footage is no more than dust in the tins, other footage needs far more restoration than will seem justified for a pool match. Then there have been several warehouses destroyed and miles of footage of all kinds lost. Stinks, but I believe these are the realities.
Hu
a few interesting things. One the pockets weren't buckets. Judging by the pocket irons the table was set up as intended or a little tighter than intended.
The other thing I noticed was the lack of respect calling the pool players "boys" over and over.
The other thing I noticed was the lack of respect calling the pool players "boys" over and over.
The first thing that stood out to me was the tiny cue cases. Then there was Balsis removing his chalk from his coat pocket, chalking, then replacing it back into his coat pocket. That would drive me crazy watching that. I can see and understand using the pants pocket, but....manipulating that coat pocket flap EVERY shot.....geez!a few interesting things.
Even boxers black, brown or white were called boys back in the day.That was the first thing I noticed.
That seems so foreign today that it's jarring to hear.
This raises a matter that is time-sensitive in the important interest of the AZB site owners (and a few other very concerned collectors) of compiling a continually building, vital collections of all documents and footage relating to the history of pool.Quality is much better than Balsis vs Crane 1966. I wonder if a video of the entire match exists prior to editing.
Not sure exactly what you are saying but I suspect heat from the lights caused the table to play faster than normal. I noticed Lassiter wearing dark sunglasses while in the chair. Lights must have been pretty intense.I have a few observations, that I've also seen in the other older videos:
1) The table and balls to me seem to play just like a new GC. Both the speed of the roll on the bed, and the reaction of the balls off of the rails. I don't see the "slow cloth needing a huge stroke" l keep reading about on here.
2) Every main break they showed, and secondary break, was at a high speed, just like today's players. I didn't see any "chip off one corner of the rack at a time".
So either this was already the "modern era" of straight pool, or people's memories are fading
I'm saying every post I read on here the past 20 years says straight pool in the "classical era" was played completely differently than today. Both the style of play, and the equipment. Yet when I watch the oldest matches available, they both seem to be the same as today, to my eyes.Not sure exactly what you are saying but I suspect heat from the lights caused the table to play faster than normal. I noticed Lassiter wearing dark sunglasses while in the chair. Lights must have been pretty intense.