Charlie Harris' Pool/They Call Me Mr. Tibbs

[Biloxi Boy]

Watched a 1970 Sidney Poitier movie set in San Francisco. In it was a "downstairs" pool room, Charlie Harris' Pool. Appears to be a serious room. Anyone know about it?

And, while researching, I found this from 1915 in San Fernando Valley:

Pool hall, San Fernando, circa 1915

Five men, four standing, one seated, on porch of the first billiards and pool hall in San Fernando. Owner Bruno Praster (1880-1918), second from right; Roy O. York (1882-1947), far right.

digital-collections.csun.edu

How about it Bob?

 

[garczar]

Watched a 1970 Sidney Poitier movie set in San Francisco. In it was a "downstairs" pool room, Charlie Harris' Pool. Appears to be a serious room. Anyone know about it?

And, while researching, I found this from 1915 in San Fernando Valley:

Pool hall, San Fernando, circa 1915

Five men, four standing, one seated, on porch of the first billiards and pool hall in San Fernando. Owner Bruno Praster (1880-1918), second from right; Roy O. York (1882-1947), far right.

digital-collections.csun.edu

How about it Bob?

that place in the valley was probably closed before anyone on here was born. looked up the movie and it just said Chinatown somewhere. location shooting was done in Frisco and studio stuff in LA.

 

[Biloxi Boy]

Both places part of our history -- the scenery of our past. Anyone who missed those days can access a 60 second glimpse of where we come from. Play it at 1/2 speed. You young cats need to especially check out the circular cue rack behind the counter with its sign "Private Cue Owners Only" -- a definite step up from playing off the wall. This was the filmed in the late 60's and jointed cues in cases had not yet become the rule.

 

[garczar]

Both places part of our history -- the scenery of our past. Anyone who missed those days can access a 60 second glimpse of where we come. Play it at 1/2 speed. You young cats need to especially check out the circular cue rack behind the counter with its sign "Private Cue Owners Only" -- a definite step up from playing off the wall. This was the filmed in the late 60's and jointed cues in cases had not yet become the rule.

The original Hollywood Billiards was a walk down. Never been in it but maybe this is where they filmed. Jay H. needs to chime in.

 

[Baby Huey]

That room is the BRUNSWICK BILLIARD ACADEMY AKA 4th and Main La Ca. Rommie Yanez was the owner. My home room 1965-1970. Only one of us regulars were allowed to stay on as an extra. To add a bit of additional trivia Michael Jackson shot his Thriller video in the room and in the alley behind it. Great room for a tough neighborhood. Some excellent 3C and pool players played out of there. Mr. 3C also played out of there some as well.

 

[Biloxi Boy]

I knew someone had to know. Thank you for your reply and information.

 

[jay helfert]

Good call Jerry. We always just called it "4th & Main." I went in there several times in the 1960's. No problem finding a game in there. Took Gary Pinkowski there and he hooked up with Oklahoma Crying Sam in some $40 One Pocket. Gary won the first four games and Sam was going crazy. They doubled the bet and Sam won two games and we quit. Took Jimmy Reid down there and he hooked up with little Oscar. We had no idea who he was. They played $20 Eight Ball and Jimmy lost a few games before he found his gear. Then he destroyed Oscar, winning maybe nine of the next ten games. We got some heat leaving there but Jimmy looked one hispanic guy right in the eye and said "If you're looking for trouble I'm ready now!" The guy shut up and we left. It was a real old school poolroom (which I loved) but a dangerous neighborhood at night. I looked every way when leaving there and kept my little piece cocked and loaded. I always parked as close as I could to the entrance.

 

[book collector]

Good call Jerry. We always just called it "4th & Main." I went in there several times in the 1960's. No problem finding a game in there. Took Gary Pinkowski there and he hooked up with Oklahoma Crying Sam in some $40 One Pocket. Gary won the first four games and Sam was going crazy. They doubled the bet and Sam won two games and we quit. Took Jimmy Reid down there and he hooked up with little Oscar. We had no idea who he was. They played $20 Eight Ball and Jimmy lost a few games before he found his gear. Then he destroyed Oscar, winning maybe nine of the next ten games. We got some heat leaving there but Jimmy looked one hispanic guy right in the eye and said "If you're looking for trouble I'm ready now!" The guy shut up and we left. It was a real old school poolroom (which I loved) but a dangerous neighborhood at night. I looked every way when leaving there and kept my little piece cocked and loaded. I always parked as close as I could to the entrance.

Wouldn't it have been better to have a gun?

If I am not mistaken Rommie Yanez was the player in the cartoon "Donald In Mathmagic Land " where Donald Duck gives an explanation of 3 cushion billiards.

 

[Island Drive]

Played Arturo there at 4th/Main, late seventies, daytime got out with the cash, never went back
When I saw the comment SF and Basement room, never heard of that (basement room) up north early 70's.

 

[Baby Huey]

Book Collector: 100% correct for that Mathematical Donald Duck Cartoon. Rommie was a great guy. Ran the room strict and didn't tolerate any bullshit. He sold it around 1971 or so and it slowly went downhill and into demise. That's about the time I started to go elsewhere. It was really a 3C room had eight billiard and eight pool and snooker tables.