The metal sign is made with embossed aluminum - 12 inch x 8 inch - made in USA
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A billiard/billiards, pool or snooker hall (or parlour/parlor, room or club; sometimes compounded as poolhall, poolroom, etc.) is a place where people get together for playing cue sports such as pool, snooker or carom billiards. Such establishments commonly serve alcohol and often have arcade games, card games, darts, foosball and other games on the side. Some billiard halls may be combined or integrated with a bowling alley.
Pool and billiards developed as in indoor option for games such as croquet which were played on lawns. Dedicated venues began to appear in the 19th century, and by the early 20th century, billiard and pool halls were common in many countries; in 1915 there were 830 in Chicago alone.[1]
In North America in the 1950s and 1960s especially, pool halls in particular were perceived as a social ill by many, and laws were passed in many jurisdictions to set age limits at pool halls and restrict gambling and the sale of alcohol.[2][3] The song "Trouble" in the 1957 hit musical The Music Man lampooned this prejudice (even contrasting carom billiards, requiring "judgement, brains, and maturity", versus pool, said to be a gateway to laziness, gambling, smoking and philandering).[4] Public perception had become less critical by the 1990s.[2]
By the 2010s, with competition from a growing number of competing entertainment venues, as well as the availability of online gambling, revenue from the operation of billiard halls in the United States had declined significantly.[5][6] In Korea, on the other hand, the pool halls are becoming more popular after years of decline.[7]
The Hustler | |
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![]() 1961 original poster | |
Directed by | Robert Rossen |
Produced by | Robert Rossen |
Screenplay by | Sidney Carroll Robert Rossen |
Based on | The Hustler 1959 novel by Walter Tevis |
Starring | Paul Newman Jackie Gleason Piper Laurie George C. Scott |
Music by | Kenyon Hopkins |
Cinematography | Eugen Schüfftan (as Eugene Shuftan) |
Edited by | Dede Allen |
Production company | Rossen Enterprises |
Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date |
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Running time | 134 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $2,125,000[1] |
Box office | $7,600,000[2] |
The Hustler is a 1961 American CinemaScope drama film directed by Robert Rossen from Walter Tevis's 1959 novel of the same name, adapted for the screen by Rossen and Sidney Carroll. It tells the story of small-time pool hustler "Fast Eddie" Felson and his desire to break into the "major league" of professional hustling and high-stakes wagering by high-rollers that follows it. He throws his raw talent and ambition up against the best player in the country, seeking to best the legendary pool player "Minnesota Fats". After initially losing to Fats and getting involved with unscrupulous manager Bert Gordon, Eddie returns to try again, but only after paying a terrible personal price.
The film was shot on location in New York City and stars Paul Newman as "Fast" Eddie Felson; Jackie Gleason as Minnesota Fats; Piper Laurie as Sarah; and George C. Scott as Bert.
The Hustler was a major critical and popular success,
gaining a reputation as a modern classic. Its exploration of winning,
losing, and character garnered a number of major awards; it is also
credited with helping to spark a resurgence in the popularity of pool.
The Color of Money | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Martin Scorsese |
Produced by | Irving Axelrad Barbara De Fina |
Screenplay by | Richard Price |
Based on | The Color of Money by Walter Tevis |
Starring | |
Music by | Robbie Robertson |
Cinematography | Michael Ballhaus |
Edited by | Thelma Schoonmaker |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Buena Vista Distribution |
Release date |
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Running time | 120 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $13.8 million |
Box office | $52.3 million |
The Color of Money is a 1986 American drama film directed by Martin Scorsese from a screenplay by Richard Price, based on the 1984 novel of the same name by Walter Tevis. The film stars Paul Newman and Tom Cruise, with Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Helen Shaver, and John Turturro in supporting roles. It features an original score by Robbie Robertson.
Newman won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance, his first Oscar win after eight nominations, seven of them for Best Actor.
The film continues the story of pool hustler and stakehorse Edward "Fast Eddie" Felson from Tevis' first novel, The Hustler (1959), with Newman reprising his role from the 1961 film adaptation. It begins more than 25 years after the events of the previous film, with Eddie retired from the pool circuit. Although Tevis did author a screenplay, adapting the storyline from his novel, the filmmakers decided not to use it, instead crafting an entirely different story under Tevis' title.[1][2]
The Color of Money was released by Touchstone Pictures.
Poolhall Junkies | |
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Directed by | Mars Callahan |
Produced by | Karen Beninati, Paul Brooks, Carol Gillson, John J. Hermansen, David Kronemeyer, Nancy Lanham, Vincent Newman, Scott Niemeyer, Joey Nittolo, David Peters, Tucker Tooley, Norm Waitt |
Written by |
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Starring | |
Music by |
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Cinematography | Robert Morris |
Edited by | James Tooley |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Samuel Goldwyn Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 94 minutes |
Language | English |
Budget | $4,000,000 |
Box office | $563,711[1] |
Poolhall Junkies is a 2002 drama, thriller, and sports film co-written, starring, and directed by Mars Callahan.[2][3]
The film also features Alison Eastwood, Michael Rosenbaum, Rick Schroder, Rod Steiger (in his final film role), Chazz Palminteri, and Christopher Walken. It is the story of a pool hustler who is opposed by his former mentor, with a new prodigy, in a climactic big-stakes nine-ball match. The film has since developed a cult following.