Coca Cola Masked Marvels

Johnnyt

Johnnyt

Burn all jump cues
Silver Member
Anyone old enough on here to remember the Coca-Cola Masked Marvels that use to come into the bars in the NY area in the 1920’-1930’s? They wore masks and would play the best guys in the place. I believe my dad said one of them was Greenleaf. Anyone know who some of the others might have been? Johnnyt
 
In The Bank Shot by Minnesota Fats, he mentions 3 men that were The Masked Marvel. Erwin Rudolph, Joe Procita, and Andrew St. Jean.
 
Johnnyt said:
Anyone old enough on here to remember the Coca-Cola Masked Marvels that use to come into the bars in the NY area in the 1920’-1930’s? They wore masks and would play the best guys in the place. I believe my dad said one of them was Greenleaf. Anyone know who some of the others might have been? Johnnyt
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Johnny Lineen was the "main" masked marvel. I'm only 48 but I remember Tom Shaw's excellent "Legends" series and that's my source.
I'm at work right now (on my lunch break:) ) so I don't know which issue it's in. If you want, PM me & I'll get you the info you need a little bit later.
 
Terry Ardeno said:
Johnny Lineen was the "main" masked marvel. I'm only 48 but I remember Tom Shaw's excellent "Legends" series and that's my source.
I'm at work right now (on my lunch break:) ) so I don't know which issue it's in. If you want, PM me & I'll get you the info you need a little bit later.
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Johnny Lineen was Johnny Irish if i'm not mistaken. He was the leader of the pack in his later years at 7-11 in New York. I know for a fact the Joe Procita was one of the Masked Marvels. Fats blew the whistle on him at Johnston City and he didn't deny it.
 
jay helfert said:
Johnny Lineen was Johnny Irish if i'm not mistaken. He was the leader of the pack in his later years at 7-11 in New York. I know for a fact the Joe Procita was one of the Masked Marvels. Fats blew the whistle on him at Johnston City and he didn't deny it.
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You're right Jay, he was also known as Johnny Irish. Not to be confused with Johnny Vevis (Vives), who won the first 1 pocket tournament in Johnston City before the 9 ball & 14.1 divisions were added the following year. Vevis (Vives) spelled his name both ways depending on how he felt at the moment. His talent was watered down by his ongoing battle against the "Big H" aka "White Horse".
 
jay helfert said:
Johnny Lineen was Johnny Irish if i'm not mistaken. He was the leader of the pack in his later years at 7-11 in New York.
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WOW! THERE'S a name I haven't heard in years!
 
Fred Whalen

I had an old photo of Fred Whalen, wearing a mask, which he signed for me. Fred used to run the World touneys back in the 60's & 70's in LA.
 
Johnnyt said:
Anyone old enough on here to remember the Coca-Cola Masked Marvels that use to come into the bars in the NY area in the 1920’-1930’s? They wore masks and would play the best guys in the place. I believe my dad said one of them was Greenleaf. Anyone know who some of the others might have been? Johnnyt
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This has got me curious as to just who and how many players participated in the "Masked Marvel" exibitions...so....I contacted Coca Cola and after speaking with several people, I was able to speak to a person in their company who is going to research this and send me the info when they get it. They even gave me a reference # that is assigned to this question.
When I hear back, I will post what they give me.

So far, we have Joe Procita, Erwin Rudolph, Ralph Greenleaf, Johnny Lineen & Andrew St Jean. Let's see who else was involved...
 
IIRC, there were ten "Masked Marvels". Brunswick was a co-sponsor of this promotion, so they might be another source of information. Johnny Irish can't be confused with Johnny Vives, as he was known as Connecticut Johnny. FYI, Ralph Greenleaf was also known to be addicted to both alcohol and heroin. For the most information on the Masked Marvels, I would suggest that Mike Shamos, curator of The Billiard Library, in Pittsburgh, would be able to answer your questions with the most accurate information.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
Terry Ardeno said:
You're right Jay, he was also known as Johnny Irish. Not to be confused with Johnny Vevis (Vives), who won the first 1 pocket tournament in Johnston City before the 9 ball & 14.1 divisions were added the following year. Vevis (Vives) spelled his name both ways depending on how he felt at the moment. His talent was watered down by his ongoing battle against the "Big H" aka "White Horse".
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The New York players considered Johnny Irish the all time greatest after Greenleaf. He beat everyone in his prime at 9-Ball. His prime years were the 40's and 50's. I guess only Lassiter, Don Willis and George Rood were a match for him then, and none of the above was traveling to New York looking for him I suspect.

These were probably the best 9-Ballers of that era. Clem and White Rags were the best at One Pocket back then.
 
ajrack said:
I had an old photo of Fred Whalen, wearing a mask, which he signed for me. Fred used to run the World touneys back in the 60's & 70's in LA.
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Correct. He put on all those great tourneys back then. He also happened to be the California State Champ about a dozen times, before Verne Petersen took over in the 50's and 60's.
 
Terry Ardeno said:
This has got me curious as to just who and how many players participated in the "Masked Marvel" exibitions...so....I contacted Coca Cola and after speaking with several people, I was able to speak to a person in their company who is going to research this and send me the info when they get it. They even gave me a reference # that is assigned to this question.
When I hear back, I will post what they give me.

So far, we have Joe Procita, Erwin Rudolph, Ralph Greenleaf, Johnny Lineen & Andrew St Jean. Let's see who else was involved...
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Good job. An interesting piece of pool history.
 
Terry Ardeno said:
This has got me curious as to just who and how many players participated in the "Masked Marvel" exibitions...so....I contacted Coca Cola and after speaking with several people, I was able to speak to a person in their company who is going to research this and send me the info when they get it. They even gave me a reference # that is assigned to this question.
When I hear back, I will post what they give me.

So far, we have Joe Procita, Erwin Rudolph, Ralph Greenleaf, Johnny Lineen & Andrew St Jean. Let's see who else was involved...
Click to expand...

Thanks Terry. I think I'll go out and buy a six-pack of coke...it's nice of them to recearch it for you. Johnnyt
 
Johnnyt said:
Maybe Jimmy Caras was another one...I forget. Johnnyt
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I don't think Jimmy ever did that gig. He was pretty busy with his own exhibition schedule for many years.
 
In those days, if you beat the Masked Marvel you won a cue stick or some other prize. Ole Rudolph "Minnesota Fats" Wanderone talked about beating the Masked Marvel so many times that he ended up giving away most of the cue sticks he won. Probably just more hot air from him.

I always thought Coca-Cola should bring back the Masked Marvel. Maybe he'll show up at the BCA.
 
8ballEinstein said:
In those days, if you beat the Masked Marvel you won a cue stick or some other prize. Ole Rudolph "Minnesota Fats" Wanderone talked about beating the Masked Marvel so many times that he ended up giving away most of the cue sticks he won. Probably just more hot air from him.

I always thought Coca-Cola should bring back the Masked Marvel. Maybe he'll show up at the BCA.
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Interesting. Does anyone beside me remember when a young man in a unique slanted mask and a Zorro like disguise (all black) played in the BCA Eight Ball Championships about 20 years ago. I think it was the year Jimmy Reid won. This young man played pretty good and won several matches before running into some top players and getting knocked out. He looked dashing and had a nice smooth stroke.

All I can say is "Who was that masked man?"
 
Did you ever match up with George Rood?

jay helfert said:
The New York players considered Johnny Irish the all time greatest after Greenleaf. He beat everyone in his prime at 9-Ball. His prime years were the 40's and 50's. I guess only Lassiter, Don Willis and George Rood were a match for him then, and none of the above was traveling to New York looking for him I suspect.

These were probably the best 9-Ballers of that era. Clem and White Rags were the best at One Pocket back then.
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George told me Rags was the best he ever matched up with. Jay,did you play George?
 
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