Masked Marvel Files

Mr. Bond

Mr. Bond

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This is a collection of information on the "Masked Marvel" (X) promotional shows that were held in billiard halls all across the country, sponsored by Brunswick, Coca Cola, and Billiards Magazine.

Since Brunswick has no record of the events, and it appears (so far) that Coca Cola doesn't either, we are left with only Billiards Magazine and the newspapers for information on the subject. (along with a few personal stories)

To make it easier to find in the future, I've compiled the information that we've gathered so far into this thread. Much of it has appeared in another thread somewhere before, but some of it is also 'new'.

Any additional (verifiable) information is very welcomed!

1919_Sept_Masked_Marvel_X-312x214.jpg


Above image is from Billiards Magazine Sept. 1919.
To see it full size click here
 
There was more than one Masked Marvel, there were quite a few over the years.

Known Masked Marvels:
The real name of a particular Masked Marvel was kept secret while he was out on tour, but somehow or another, once they were done touring, the public found out who the past Masked Marvels really were. The following is a list of people who were said to have been (in print) a Masked Marvel at one time.


Minnesota Fats
Andrew St. Jean
Joe Procita @ 1937 (Joe was also beaten by a prior Masked Marvel)
Leon Yonders (well known for shooting "backwards")
Willie Cotter (toured CT as masked marvel)
Robert Moore ( @1934 who was only 17 at the time, could have been a Masked Marvel Jr.?)
Erwin Rudolph (@1928-1931 played 1512 games, losing only 12)
Basil Maxwell (@1947 from Detroit)
Hank Nowak (of PA)
Buddy Bloebaum (known for his excellent ambidexterity)

Suspected but not proven (yet) Masked Marvels:
Charlie Peterson
Billy Church? (not verified. known for his excellent ambidexterity)
Frank Longtoe (not verified)

Also:
*Masked Marvel X (Jr?). toured with Cowboy Weston circa 1929 [edit: evidence found. see post below for poster]

And speaking of Masked Marvels, here's something fun you never knew about Jackie Gleason :\
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excerpt from the Reading Eagle Reading PA, Nov. 14, 1969
 
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Masked Marvel Makes Memories...
His First Appearance In Chicago, At Kieckhefer's Hall

1921_March_MMgroupshot_small.jpg
 
Masked Marvel now on a "southern tour"

1921_March_MMposter_small.jpg


Billiards Magazine March 1921
Courtesy Billiards Digest Magazine
 
I find this incredibly interesting. It must have been difficult to shoot pool while only being able to see out of those incredibly small eye slits. I've often thought that it would be a good league promotion in present times if a league decided to do a promotion where they sent pros out to random bars/rooms on league nights as a surprise. Of course the pros wouldn't be in disguise so the pros could actually make themselves know to league players. Then the pros could play a league match with a drawing winner that would be severely handicapped with a prize available if they were to win.
 
I got this photo around 30 years ago from Buddy Wallace. He told me that Coca Cola sponsored this event. The fact that Erwin Rudolph was champion in 1934 makes the photo even more interesting, imo.

Buddy_Wallace_1934.jpg


Buddy_Wallace_1934_back.jpg
 
That's a freaky photo lol ...looks like foil on his head.

The fact that his outfit doesn't look like the ones in the other PR material makes me wonder if this wasn't a "copycat" masked marvel... Apparently they did have issues with people doing that...

Interesting nonetheless. Thanks for sharing that
 
I guess I believe it actually is Erwin Rudolph. Buddy Wallace told me that Rudolph played the violin - do you know if this is true (not that that necessarily proves it's Rudolph)? There don't seem to be many photos of the masked marvel, I wouldn't find it surprising that there may have been variations of the mask.
 
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