Jasco's Bar, Johnston City Video Action.

Colin Colenso

Colin Colenso

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
This video is an old TV report about the goings on at Jasco's Bar in Johnston City.

Rudolph Wanderone (Minnesota Fats) must have told the reporter that his hustling strategy was to wait around and play the tourney winner for the cash....lol

The whole thing is quite a typical media mis-representation of the game, but it is an enjoyable flash back into pool history. I guess from what I've read that Johnston City was certainly a hot spot for pool gambling back in those days. 60's and early 70's.

Would enjoy some first hand accounts of their experiences there! Old Timers???:D

Click on this to see the Johnston City Video!

Colin
 
Colin Colenso said:
This video is an old TV report about the goings on at Jasco's Bar in Johnston City.

Rudolph Wanderone (Minnesota Fats) must have told the reporter that his hustling strategy was to wait around and play the tourney winner for the cash....lol

The whole thing is quite a typical media mis-representation of the game, but it is an enjoyable flash back into pool history. I guess from what I've read that Johnston City was certainly a hot spot for pool gambling back in those days. 60's and early 70's.

Would enjoy some first hand accounts of their experiences there! Old Timers???:D

Click on this to see the Johnston City Video!

Colin
Click to expand...


Wow, this is awesome! Everything is how I imagined!
 
Awesome, captures the mood perfectly.

Those who haven't already should check out Tacony Billiards in Philly. Some real characters in there...

Ditto for Chris's in the Windy City, the woofing, the barking, every once in a while some maniac will scream right when the other guy's in his backstroke, or kick over a huge trashcan, the stuff's endless... the ill-fated sneeze, the whining, the moaning... it's all there.
 
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The Magic Kingdom

Colin Colenso said:
...but it is an enjoyable flash back into pool history. I guess from what I've read that Johnston City was certainly a hot spot for pool gambling back in those days. 60's and early 70's.

Would enjoy some first hand accounts of their experiences there! Old Timers???:D

Click on this to see the Johnston City Video!

Colin
Click to expand...

It was a magic place, Colin. It lasted 3 weeks, 24hrs a day. Many nights I wouldnt go to the hotel because I was afraid I might miss something so I would sack out on the wooden bleachers. One of my biggest thrills in pool is that I was able to spend time around Fats. He was all they say he was and he did play pretty good too. (of course, not like he said he did)

the Beard

the GosPool went to the printer yesterday. Dont get left out on the first edition. Still time to order for xmas.
 
ironman said:
For the record, that wasn't Martin Kamen {aka Omaha Fats}.
Click to expand...
Thanks Ironman, I'll add that to the site. You never know when someone will be searching for this kind of info.

Colin
 
freddy the beard said:
It was a magic place, Colin. It lasted 3 weeks, 24hrs a day. Many nights I wouldnt go to the hotel because I was afraid I might miss something so I would sack out on the wooden bleachers. One of my biggest thrills in pool is that I was able to spend time around Fats. He was all they say he was and he did play pretty good too. (of course, not like he said he did)

the Beard

the GosPool went to the printer yesterday. Dont get left out on the first edition. Still time to order for xmas.
Click to expand...
Hi Freddy,
I didn't know it lasted 3 weeks. That's Insane:eek: ly appealling:D Must have been something to experience.

The longest event I experienced was the Australian National Pool Championships in 1994, which was combined with a 50k tournament which spread out for almost 2 weeks in a small country town. It was a hell of a time, but I almost needed a liver transplant and a month of sleep therapy afterwards:p

Good luck with your book. It's a fabulous thing that you're doing keeping these tales alive. If you profit from it, all the better!

btw: Freddy, could you make some space in your Private Message account?
Colin
 
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Colin Colenso said:
Thanks Ironman, I'll add that to the site. You never know when someone will be searching for this kind of info.

Colin
Click to expand...

I should clarify.

I lived in Denver for many years and Omaha Fats {Martin Kamen} was a good friend of mine.
More importantly, he was one of the most outrageous characters I ever met.
Marty was about 5 ft 8 in tall and weighed better thatn 300 pounds. He always dressed in pleated slacks, wing tipped shoes, and a white t-shirt.
Wide world of Sports came to Denver and they were going to tape Marty shooting a one handed spot shot since Marty professed to be the Greatest Jack-Up Player in the Whole Entire World. {like Foresst Gump said it's just a litle whilte lie, so it didn't hurt nobody}
Anyway, WWOS were to tape this at the old Clebrity Lanes on a Saturday afternoon and in walked Marty just as dapper as ever. Slacks, wing tips, and a white t-shirt. The only problem is Marty really had an infatuation with hot dogs. His t-shirt was smeared with mustard and pickle relish. It was quite a sight.
One of the production members approached Marty and politely and quite tactfully asked Marty to don another shirt. Marty in his gruffy voice replied with a normal ok$$^#$&@&#$@ I'll go get another )&^(*%% ****shirt.
Marty drove just down the street to the local K-Mart and returned with 3 hot dogs and a BRAND SPANKING NEW WHITE T-SHIRT. The whhole place went nuts. It was absolutely hilarious.
The cameras rolled and Marty in his best Minn. Fats impersonation started his act. He Jacked up in the air for his first attempt and missed the entire ball. The crowd erupted and Marty replied with the typical $%#%$*&^&(*^(.
He finally made the dam ball but, only after 24 attempts. Omaha Fats was one of a kind. RIP!
I was in no way trying to discredit your post, just got a little excited when I saw my old friends name. My apologies.
 
ironman said:
I should clarify.

I lived in Denver for many years and Omaha Fats {Martin Kamen} was a good friend of mine.
More importantly, he was one of the most outrageous characters I ever met.
Marty was about 5 ft 8 in tall and weighed better thatn 300 pounds. He always dressed in pleated slacks, wing tipped shoes, and a white t-shirt.
Wide world of Sports came to Denver and they were going to tape Marty shooting a one handed spot shot since Marty professed to be the Greatest Jack-Up Player in the Whole Entire World. {like Foresst Gump said it's just a litle whilte lie, so it didn't hurt nobody}
Anyway, WWOS were to tape this at the old Clebrity Lanes on a Saturday afternoon and in walked Marty just as dapper as ever. Slacks, wing tips, and a white t-shirt. The only problem is Marty really had an infatuation with hot dogs. His t-shirt was smeared with mustard and pickle relish. It was quite a sight.
One of the production members approached Marty and politely and quite tactfully asked Marty to don another shirt. Marty in his gruffy voice replied with a normal ok$$^#$&@&#$@ I'll go get another )&^(*%% ****shirt.
Marty drove just down the street to the local K-Mart and returned with 3 hot dogs and a BRAND SPANKING NEW WHITE T-SHIRT. The whhole place went nuts. It was absolutely hilarious.
The cameras rolled and Marty in his best Minn. Fats impersonation started his act. He Jacked up in the air for his first attempt and missed the entire ball. The crowd erupted and Marty replied with the typical $%#%$*&^&(*^(.
He finally made the dam ball but, only after 24 attempts. Omaha Fats was one of a kind. RIP!
I was in no way trying to discredit your post, just got a little excited when I saw my old friends name. My apologies.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the great story Ironman!

But do you mean to suggest that the real Omaha Fats was Marty and that he wasn't the one shown in the video?

Colin
 
ironman said:
For the record, that wasn't Martin Kamen {aka Omaha Fats}.
Click to expand...


I did see Omaha in one of the early scenes on this video. It was a quick profile view of him. Did you see it? Look again, he's there. I'll never forget him. I''ll tell you some stories about him later. Gotta go eat turkey now.

By the way, that was a great little video of JC. Like Freddie, I spent many hours camped out in those bleachers.
 
jay helfert said:
I did see Omaha in one of the early scenes on this video. It was a quick profile view of him. Did you see it? Look again, he's there. I'll never forget him. I''ll tell you some stories about him later. Gotta go eat turkey now.

By the way, that was a great little video of JC. Like Freddie, I spent many hours camped out in those bleachers.
Click to expand...

Well dam, now I must apologize again. That is him drinking the coffee. I'm sorry!

Jay's eye is quicker than mine.

Still, he was an incredible character and the biggest nocker of all time. Not altogether bad guy though.

I'll be quiet now.
 
Scuffler vs. Hustler

Colin Colenso said:
This video is an old TV report about the goings on at Jasco's Bar in Johnston City.

Rudolph Wanderone (Minnesota Fats) must have told the reporter that his hustling strategy was to wait around and play the tourney winner for the cash....lol

The whole thing is quite a typical media mis-representation of the game, but it is an enjoyable flash back into pool history. I guess from what I've read that Johnston City was certainly a hot spot for pool gambling back in those days. 60's and early 70's.

Would enjoy some first hand accounts of their experiences there! Old Timers???:D

Click on this to see the Johnston City Video!

Colin
Click to expand...

Thanks Colin!
This was a great peak into the past. So much has been written about and spoken about concerning Johnson City. It is nice to see some facts.

I never knew the difference between a hustler and a scuffler although I have heard the terms used often and thought I knew what a scuffler was. "Fattie" squared me away on that point.

Happy Thanksgiving.
JoeyA
 
JoeyA said:
Thanks Colin!
This was a great peak into the past. So much has been written about and spoken about concerning Johnson City. It is nice to see some facts.

I never knew the difference between a hustler and a scuffler although I have heard the terms used often and thought I knew what a scuffler was. "Fattie" squared me away on that point.

Happy Thanksgiving.
JoeyA
Click to expand...
Cheers Joey,
May your turkey be as tender and one of Mr. Fat's soft bank shots:D

Colin
 
Way cool video

WOW

Bold camera work and excellent writing...in ten minutes they capture the essence of that dark and strange world.

I would love to see this piece aired as a documentary short or something...see what kind of feedback it gets...

REAL food for thought - thanks Colin,


Steve --- basically a scuffler
 
Colin Colenso said:
This video is an old TV report about the goings on at Jasco's Bar in Johnston City.
Click to expand...
What a treat from Jansco's, Colin! WHERE did you ever find it? I believe there exists some good coverage from ABC Wide World of Sports. I wonder if that's lurking around somewhere as well?

Doc
 
Colin,

THANKS, it was great. At first I thought it might have been 66-68 but after thinking about the hair, dress,etc. I'm not so sure. Does anyone have an idea?

THANKS
 
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ribdoner said:
Colin,

THANKS, it was great. At first I thought it might have been 66-68 but after thinking about the hair, dress,etc. I'm not so sure. Does anyone have an idea?

THANKS
Click to expand...
It said October 1972 on the page I linked to. I'm not sure if that was the year the video was taken though.

Colin
 
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