Figured out whats held pool back oh these many years....

[RRfireblade]

No big time, cross over , "funny", endlessly syndicated motion pictures.

Caddyshack/Tin Cup, Kingpin, Major League(s), The Replacements and many others....

 

[macguy]

No big time, cross over , "funny", endlessly syndicated motion pictures.

Caddyshack/Tin Cup, Kingpin, Major League(s), The Replacements and many others....

Not sure of your point. If you are talking about Golf Bowling and major league sports. They didn't need a movie to bring them out of obscurity.

 

[RRfireblade]

Pool is in obscurity? Oh.... Hmm...

My point is that I just noticed pool has no cross over light hearted major films that now live on forever in syndication. "Cross over" as in movies that appeal to non pool players but pool is still the primary subject matter. Most every other major sport has multiple examples of this.

I just found that interesting. The general consensus seems to be that pool needs a major serious movie project that focus on the deep internal word of pool in some way. I'm curious if the contrary is not actually the case in order to reach new 'blood'.

 

[Careyp74]

They should make a movie where a has been billiard player happens to be in a pool hall and discovers new talent, and takes him on the road making money. In my version, the has been lost his hand years ago in a ball cleaning machine. Oh wait, no, he lost it to a croc.... broken in a fight over hustling. Ah, just make him half blind.

 

[macguy]

Pool is in obscurity? Oh.... Hmm...

My point is that I just noticed pool has no cross over light hearted major films that now live on forever in syndication. "Cross over" as in movies that appeal to non pool players but pool is still the primary subject matter. Most every other major sport has multiple examples of this.

I just found that interesting. The general consensus seems to be that pool needs a major serious movie project that focus on the deep internal word of pool in some way. I'm curious if the contrary is not actually the case in order to reach new 'blood'.

Pool movies appeal to pool players pretty much. Even a good one would have a hard time drawing an audience. The COM relied of star power and the Hustler connection.

I was surprised to read recently that maybe one of the best 2 or 3 boxing movies ever, "Cinderella man" was a flop at the box office losing like $30,000,000. In the US it opened on 2900 screens, a major opening and grossed 18,000,000. opening weekend and to date it is like $61,000,000.

It takes a lot to get people in the theaters. I think the Hustler and COM were just exceptions although I don't know what the Hustler did when it was in theaters. It may have been a flop also. I think unless it is a Tom Cruse project, any new pool movie will not draw flies.

 

[bdorman]

... although I don't know what the Hustler did when it was in theaters. It may have been a flop also. I think unless it is a Tom Cruse project, any new pool movie will not draw flies.

It was nominated for nine Academy Awards and won two. It was Paul Newman's first leading role and launched his career (one of the AA nominations but didn't win).

 

[macguy]

It was nominated for nine Academy Awards and won two. It was Paul Newman's first leading role and launched his career (one of the AA nominations but didn't win).

I just looked it up and it says "popular success" so that may translate to decent box office. It did win numerous awards besides the Oscars. I was surprised to read that Paul Newman was not supposed to be in it but a deal fell through with Elisabeth Taylor so he took it.

Bobby Darin was already cast and dumped when they were able to get Newman, who was already a big star with films like "Cat on a hot tin roof", " The young Philadelphians". It said he read like half any of the script and said he would do it he liked it so much.
I have a feeling it would have been a different film with Bobby Darin.

It says that Frank Sinatra was in the process of buying rights but lost out. I guess he would have played the lead if he had gotten it. I once saw an interview with Jack Lemon, who could play pool, where he said he was first choice for the part and for some reason said he didn't do it. But from what I read over the years I never see a mention of his name.