Pool Halls in the Chicago area I visited.

[dmgwalsh]

I think I've seen the IBC's website before...I thought it was very interesting. How many 9 footers do they have though? It looks pretty small. How far is the IBC from say downtown chicago btw?

It's a private club and not very big. six nine-footers, one ten footer, and a billiards table. Lot's of neat memorobilia on the walls.

From downtown, maybe 20 miles. Take the Stevenson to LaGrange Road, South a few blocks to Archer, West 1/2 a mile and you are there.

 

[Donovan]

Donovan...I don't know what Doc (or whoever) was smokin', but it must be good. No part of The Hustler was ever filmed at that location, nor anywhere else in Chicago. Whoever made up that biz card must be some kind of hallucinogin. The BUILDING may have been there that long (maybe), but no poolroom has been there. If you really want the scoop, go into the clothing business on the ground floor, and ask to contact the building owner. That might get you the straight story, since Chris' owners either don't know, or are telling lies...or both!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Thanks Scott. Unless something huge like cuejoey mentioned, actually was constructed, I just don't see how that scene was done there. I just can't imagine that layout in Chris' in any shape or form. Now maybe one of the smaller joints in the movie might have been set up there, but I'm not believing that at this point either.

 

[Donovan]

I sent a message to Grady, Freddy, and Goerge Fels to see if they have time to give us any help with this. I know they are busy people, but hopefull one of them can respond to some of this.

 

[Donovan]

that place you mentioned be close to kimble donavon, where was that at exactly?

I just took the time to really look up the info on it. I did not know it was called Marie's Golden Cue.

It was a great place with old time feel to it.

I looked on the map and thought it was 2 blocks closer to Kimball, but I must have been wrong. I mean "come on", what are the odds of 2 pool halls with Golden Cue in their title being only 2 blocks apart. LOL I just missed the exact location. Plus, we did walk to it both times. The sign is plenty big if you drive East on Montrose from Kimball Ave, that you won't miss it.

Marie's Golden Cue
3241 W Montrose Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 478-2555
Hours: Open Weekdays 12pm-1am; Weekends 11am-1am

I don't know how accurate these hours are, I got them from google.

Here is the Google map for it, just choose "View larger map". The Hybrid style map rocks BTW.
http://www.google.com/maps?num=50&h...atlng=41850000,-87650000,11184422722493889731

 

[Donovan]

Here is what the MAN himself, Mr. George Fels, said on the subject:

"The Hustler" was filmed entirely in NYC. Its sequel was PARTLY filmed at Chris's; some of it was filmed at other rooms, such as St. Paul and North Center, which are no longer active. Chris's was opened circa 1975 as Bob's Billiards, by a young 3-C player named Bob Weir. Hope this helps. GF

 

[Donovan]

Nice job Scott, sticking to your guns on this one!

Now I just wonder what the heck this card is all about...hmmm?

 

[1 Pocket Ghost]

Here is what the MAN himself, Mr. George Fels, said on the subject:

"The Hustler" was filmed entirely in NYC. Its sequel was PARTLY filmed at Chris's; some of it was filmed at other rooms, such as St. Paul and North Center, which are no longer active. Chris's was opened circa 1975 as Bob's Billiards, by a young 3-C player named Bob Weir. Hope this helps. GF

Hey Donavan, Scott and I already told you this same thing....and you just 'incorrected' part of my post - the original owner was named Bob Ries not Bob Weir - I knew him, and I've been going there since it first opened as Bob's Billiards.

 

[Donovan]

Hey Donavan, Scott and I already told you this same thing....and you just 'incorrected' part of my post - the original owner was named Bob Ries not Bob Weir - I knew him, and I've been going there since it first opened as Bob's Billiards.

First off, 1 Pocket Ghost, I respect you tremendously. We have other forums in common. I am not taking anything away form your post, but there is still much in question for some of us. You were right on the Bob thing and Scott is correct on the no filming thing.

However we were still trying to find out the actual opening year of the pool hall and why the Bus Cards say that on them. That is why some of this is still new information for us.

Please don't think your post was ignored or take GF's info personal. I should have said something sooner for sure...my mistake! I actually tried to use the name you gave me to dig up some other info, but I came up empty.

It is odd to say the least the card reads the way it does. So we are just trying to figure this all out and by all means, all info is welcome.

Scott's idea about the movie being called Hustler II, may have some merit as to why it is on the card, but why not say "II" and what is with the 1937? If you know anything else, please let us know brother.

 

[Donovan]

Here is the response I got from the FAMOUS and FEARLESS Freddy "The Beard"...

You can bet parts of your body that the original Hustler was not filmed there in any part. New York's Ames Billiards only. No such place existed in 1937 as Chris's. Bob Reis opened it as an alternative for the Bensinger 3cushion players who were being abused by the new idiot owner Bob Seigel at the time G Fels and the Ghost said. Before that Chris's was warehouse space. The owner of Chris's is my friend, Dr. Richie Herbert. Doc Herbert is capable of saying anything with impunity. The closest Chicago came to having the Hustler filmed in Chicago was when they approached the old owner of Bensingers, Norman Bensinger about filming it in the Clark-Diversey location. When they discovered that the ceilings there were very low they sh*tcanned the idea. If you like Chris's, you would have ran away from home to hang out in the old Bensingers.

the Beard

--
Thanks Freddy! For those of you who have not read the book (shame on you, it is much better than the movie...and that is saying something), Bennington's is the name of the pool hall where Eddie plays Fats. Ames, as we all know, was used in the movie instead. It seems to me that Mr. Walter Tevis was trying hard to say he was referring to Bensinger's in real life, as close as those names and locations are mentioned in the book.

 

[Scott Lee]

It's probably a few more minutes than 5 minutes, but not by a whole lot. The link below is the driving route from Chicago Billiards Cafe (5900 W. Irving Park Rd. well within the Chicago city limits, by I don't know how much) to Cue-Phoria in River Grove. Check out the map. It gives the driving distance as 4.94 miles, and about a 13 minute drive. It's definitely closer to the city limits than this distance. In any case, it FEELS/SEEMS like about 5 minutes

Flex


http://www.mapquest.com/directions/...+GRAND+AVE&2c=RIVER+GROVE&2s=IL&2z=60171-1322

Flex...You're probably right. I wasn't thinking of going from the Cafe. I always think of being in the Loop, and traveling whatever direction from there. Billiard Cafe is at Irving & Austin...which would be quite close to Cue Phoria.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

 

[Donovan]

Chris' Billiards more Photos

Ok I did make one more trip up North and it looks like I may have to make another before I retire from all of this traveling. SO I got some shot of a few other places there.

These are the pics that I got at Chris' Billiards (as opposed to the ones that did not turn out last time.

The pic of the sign is the big poster like framed message at the entrance as you start walking up the steps to Chris'.

 

[Donovan]

Chicago Billiard Café

As suggested by Varsity2016, I did go here on my trip. The owner was the nicest guy ever. They cook some real good food there too. It was a real pleasure visiting this place. It was very clean and you could tell the new owner has a lot of pride into keeping it nice. You just gotta love the 12x6 Snooker table!

Chicago Billiard Café
(773) 545-5102
5935 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60634

 

[Donovan]

Billiards on Main in Galesburg, IL

Then a 3 hour drive away from the big city of Chicago going toward the huge state of Iowa, you might stop in a small town call Galesburg, IL. There on Main St. you will find this little gem of a place!

Billiards On Main
156 East Main
Galesburg, IL 61401
309-342-POOL (7665)
http://www.billiardsonmain.com/index.php

Great Food and full bar. Nice table and excellent playing conditions. Lots of good local players here. You will find this to be a place to get a game most nights of the week. Mark the Owner and Joe the Manager try real hard to keep the atmosphere friendly and comfortable. They also have a Private Room that has a nice table in it and plenty of room for sweaters! See their website for pics of the Private Room.

 

[cuejoey]

Donovan thanks for posting all the pics.

 

[chilli66]

I'm very late getting into this thread but what a thread! Donovan, I bet you had a blast on that trip.

Now here is a question that's been on my mind. Most pool halls I've seen look sooo drab & uninteresting from the outside. The ones in strip malls even more so. But once you walk through that door.......it's as if a magic spell has been cast upon you. Pool tables, a good looking bar. Just the sound...it's like walking into another world. Ooops, please excuse me, I'm drooling!

So, what is the best looking pool hall you've ever seen. Inside or outside. And what makes it so good?

 

[cuejoey]

i will guess that he will say ProTyme in Orland Park,illinois..it has the best parking lot.very nice modern well maintained building on the outside.inside looks like life styles of the rich and famous.beautiful wood walls and drapery.table lighting is the best..very nice pro shop,great tables.great snack bar with great food.wonderful place..the owner is great to talk to.Donovan you finish off.

 

[Craig Fales]

Chris' Billiards
4637 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60630-3631
1-773 286-4714
9:30am to 2am

This is where some of the filming of The Hustler and The Color of Money was done at. I hate to say this, but this will be very anti-climactic, due to the fact that almost none of the pictures turned out. I AM DEEPLY SORRY!This is as CLASSIC as pool halls get. There were 47 pool tables, (I think) 5 3-cushion tables and a 6x12 Snooker. You can feel the real power of an old time pool hall just standing at the bottom of the steps ready to walk up. Many great players and billiard authors frequent this establishment. It is worth every second of your time to make it here.

That pic at the bottom of the stairs never seems to change....it looked like that 15 years ago....I haven't been able to get to Chitown in a long time...me thinks it's time for a short road trip...
________

 

[JAM]

Very interesting thread!

Here is a GREAT link written by Michael Pollak about "The Hustler" and Ames Billiard Academy, which shut its doors in 1966 for good: http://www.thebilliardstour.com/movie-hustler-info.html

BTW, there is a DVD version of "The Hustler" which is GREAT, and provides quite a bit of info about the movie, with audio commentary by: Paul Newman; Robert Rossen’s daughter, Carol Rossen; film editor, Dede Allen; assistant director, Ulu Grosbard; actor, Stefan Gierasch; film historian, Jeff Young; and film critic for “Time” magazine, Richard Schickel.

Mike Massey breaks down five shots shown in the movie with a "Trick Shot Analysis."

I really enjoyed the DVD of "The Hustler," even though I have seen the movie many, many times. Currently, there is no DVD version of "The Color of Money" with this kind of detail.

JAM

 

[Donovan]

I'm very late getting into this thread but what a thread! Donovan, I bet you had a blast on that trip.

Now here is a question that's been on my mind. Most pool halls I've seen look sooo drab & uninteresting from the outside. The ones in strip malls even more so. But once you walk through that door.......it's as if a magic spell has been cast upon you. Pool tables, a good looking bar. Just the sound...it's like walking into another world. Ooops, please excuse me, I'm drooling!

So, what is the best looking pool hall you've ever seen. Inside or outside. And what makes it so good?

Well, I hate to let someone else speak for me, but cuejoey is right! Pro-Tyme in Orland Park is the nuts. Ed Hiller made a hell of a place there. Usually, when you walk in a big place, there is a sense of some uncomfortableness. But here, you feel like you were meant to play here- the minute you walk in. The smell of rich quormet coffee, the perfect lighting, and the amazing layout. This place even has the seating and comforts of home. Man, seeing this thread pop up again makes me miss that place.

However, for bringing you back to the days of old, you just have to go to Chris' in Chicago. If that place doesn't take you back, your just plain dead inside. If you go, stay until close, play, sweat some matches, and enjoy all the action.

 

[Donovan]

Very interesting thread!

Here is a GREAT link written by Michael Pollak about "The Hustler" and Ames Billiard Academy, which shut its doors in 1966 for good: http://www.thebilliardstour.com/movie-hustler-info.html

BTW, there is a DVD version of "The Hustler" which is GREAT, and provides quite a bit of info about the movie, with audio commentary by: Paul Newman; Robert Rossen’s daughter, Carol Rossen; film editor, Dede Allen; assistant director, Ulu Grosbard; actor, Stefan Gierasch; film historian, Jeff Young; and film critic for “Time” magazine, Richard Schickel.

Mike Massey breaks down five shots shown in the movie with a "Trick Shot Analysis."

I really enjoyed the DVD of "The Hustler," even though I have seen the movie many, many times. Currently, there is no DVD version of "The Color of Money" with this kind of detail.

JAM

That was a nice write up! Yeah, I liked the comentary too. I think I watched it that way like 3 times. It is amazing how some things effect you. If the movie is on AMC or something like that, I just freeze and time stands still for me. Thanks for Nod JAM.