# SILVER SCREEN TO SILVER BALL **Source:** Pinball News Website **Type:** article **Published:** 2019-04-26 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2019/04/26/silver-screen-to-silver-ball --- ## Analysis A historical overview of the symbiotic relationship between Hollywood and pinball manufacturers, tracing iconic film appearances of pinball machines (The Verdict, Dazed and Confused, Tommy) and examining how licensed movie/TV properties have driven some of the best-selling pinball machines of all time (The Addams Family, Star Trek, Twilight Zone, Terminator 2). The article concludes with caution about future licensing deals, warning against cheap reskins and emphasizing the importance of quality gameplay alongside IP recognition. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] The Addams Family pinball machine became the best-selling pinball machine of modern times with more than 20,000 units sold. — _Article states this as documented fact about a licensed 1992 Midway machine._ - [HIGH] Star Trek pinball machine sold nearly 17,000 units after being released by Bally in 1979, with artwork updated to reflect Star Trek: The Motion Picture uniforms. — _Article provides specific sales figures and historical timeline for the licensed Bally machine._ - [MEDIUM] The 1975 film Tommy is credited with helping to bring an end to Chicago's ban on pinball machines by inspiring popularity that led bar owners to bring in illegal machines. — _Article states 'Many people credit this movie' — attribution is attributed to community belief rather than documented fact._ - [HIGH] Terminator 2: Judgment Day pinball machine sold more than 15,000 units and was a successful arcade release. — _Article provides specific sales figure for the licensed Midway machine._ - [HIGH] Twilight Zone pinball machine sold more than 15,000 units and was successful despite being created nearly three decades after the original TV series ended. — _Article provides specific sales figure for the licensed Midway machine._ ### Notable Quotes > "While it might seem as if both industries compete for the same dollars, they actually share a strong symbiotic relationship that dates back decades." > — **Gene Goodman (article author)**, introduction section > _Establishes the core thesis that Hollywood and pinball benefit each other rather than competing._ > "Like all consumers, gamers are always looking for the next great thing, so manufacturers should avoid repackaging existing machines with new artwork and sound effects." > — **Gene Goodman (article author)**, Looking Forward section > _Key industry warning against creating low-effort licensed reskins; emphasizes need for substantive game design innovation._ > "It's also important to make licensing agreements carefully, since the negative connotation of a box office 'bomb' could be enough to sink a machine, even if it features superior elements and gameplay." > — **Gene Goodman (article author)**, Looking Forward section > _Identifies business risk that underperforming films can damage pinball machine sales regardless of game quality._ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Gene Goodman | person | Vice president of M&P Amusement, a distributor since 1932; author of the article providing industry perspective on Hollywood-pinball relationships. | | M&P Amusement | company | Distributor of new and quality refurbished used arcade games and pinball machines, headquartered in York, Pennsylvania, operating since 1932. | | The Addams Family | game | 1992 licensed Midway pinball machine based on 1991 film; best-selling modern pinball machine with 20,000+ units sold. | | Star Trek | game | 1979 licensed Bally pinball machine; sold nearly 17,000 units; artwork updated to reflect Star Trek: The Motion Picture uniforms. | | Twilight Zone | game | Licensed Midway pinball machine based on Rod Serling's TV series; sold 15,000+ units; successful follow-up to The Addams Family. | | Terminator 2: Judgment Day | game | Licensed Midway pinball machine with metallic T-800 skull and gun-grip launcher; sold 15,000+ units; reflected film's box office success. | | Tommy | game | 1994 licensed Data East pinball machine based on The Who's 1969 rock opera and 1975 film; notable for historical impact on pinball popularity. | | Disco Fever | game | 1978 Williams pinball machine featured in opening scene of 1982 film The Verdict, played by Paul Newman's character. | | Bronco | game | 1977 Gottlieb pinball machine featured in 2009 film Whip It during scene between main characters. | | The Verdict | game | 1982 legal drama film by Sidney Lumet starring Paul Newman, featuring Disco Fever pinball machine in opening scene. | | Dazed and Confused | game | 1993 coming-of-age film by Richard Linklater featuring arcade scenes with multiple pinball machines as set dressing. | | Whip It | game | 2009 film directed by Drew Barrymore featuring 1977 Gottlieb Bronco pinball machine in romantic scene. | | Bally | company | Historical pinball manufacturer; released Star Trek licensed machine in 1979. | | Midway | company | Pinball manufacturer that released The Addams Family (1992), Twilight Zone, and Terminator 2 licensed machines. | | Data East | company | Pinball manufacturer that released Tommy licensed machine in 1994. | | Williams | company | Historical pinball manufacturer that released Disco Fever machine in 1978. | | Gottlieb | company | Pinball manufacturer that released Bronco machine in 1977 and Kings & Queens, Buckaroo machines (used in Tommy film). | | The Who | organization | Rock band that created the 1969 rock opera Tommy, adapted into 1975 film featuring pinball gameplay. | ### Topics - **Primary:** Licensed pinball machines based on film/TV properties, Historical film appearances of pinball machines, Best-selling pinball machines of all time, Hollywood-pinball industry symbiotic relationship - **Secondary:** Chicago's pinball machine ban and its resolution, Movie-themed arcade entertainment in theater lobbies, Risk of licensing underperforming films ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.75) — Article celebrates the successful partnership between Hollywood and pinball manufacturers with detailed examples of blockbuster machines. Tone is informative and nostalgic. Concludes with constructive caution about future licensing strategies rather than criticism, suggesting optimistic outlook tempered with practical business wisdom. ### Signals - **[business_signal]** Warning issued about unsustainable licensing strategy: cheap reskins and misalignment with box office performance can damage machine sales regardless of game quality. (confidence: high) — Looking Forward section explicitly cautions against 'repackaging existing machines with new artwork and sound effects' and warns that 'negative connotation of a box office bomb could be enough to sink a machine.' - **[market_signal]** Historical narrative linking Tommy film (1975) to resolution of Chicago's decades-long pinball ban, establishing cultural impact of Hollywood content on industry legitimacy. (confidence: medium) — Article states 'Many people credit this movie for helping to bring an end to Chicago's ban on pinball machines' — attribution hedged but documented. - **[licensing_signal]** Article documents historical precedent of major Hollywood films being successfully converted into pinball machines (The Addams Family, Star Trek, Terminator 2, Twilight Zone), establishing licensing as proven business model for both industries. (confidence: high) — Best-selling machines list with 15,000-20,000+ unit sales figures for licensed IP; article focuses entirely on licensed machine success stories. --- ## Transcript **Hollywood’s Love Affair with Pinball** Consumers have limited disposable income, and for many people that money is spent on entertainment. Ever since the first silent films graced the screens at small community movie houses, audiences have flocked to see Hollywood’s tales of good versus evil. As the film industry continued to grow, the arcade gaming industry evolved out of rudimentary spring-launched games to create the modern pinball machines we know today. While it might seem as if both industries compete for the same dollars, they actually share a strong symbiotic relationship that dates back decades. Here’s a look at how Hollywood and pinball manufacturers work together to provide hours of entertainment. **Gaming Tables at Movie Theaters** If you’ve ever spent time waiting for the doors to open for your movie’s showtime you might have noticed other entertainment options in the lobby. Video games are almost always present, but more often than not, it’s the pinball machines that gather a crowd. People of all ages enjoy the real mechanics and knowledge of physics it takes to dominate a table and earn a free play. **Pinball Machines in Movies Themselves** The machines in the lobby might not be the only pinball games John Youssi when you visit the movie theater. Since this type of gaming has long been a part of popular culture, it’s only natural that film-makers have incorporated them into their work. [![Paul Newman plays pinball in The Verdict](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/silver-screen-silver-ball/02-silver-screen-silver-ball-1024x577.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/silver-screen-silver-ball/02-silver-screen-silver-ball.jpg) Paul Newman plays pinball in The Verdict Here’s a glimpse at some of the most notable pinball appearances on the silver screen. 1. **The Verdict** – Sidney Lumet and Paul Newman were both Hollywood heavy-hitters, and they teamed together in *The Verdict*, a legal drama from 1982. Pinball gets a starring role in the very beginning of the film, as Newman’s character starts the movie playing *Disco Fever*, a 1978 machine made by Williams**.** 2. **Dazed and Confused** – Richard Linklater’s 1993 coming-of-age tale follows a group of teenagers as they enjoy their newfound summer freedom. One of the group’s favorite haunts is an arcade with pool tables and a wide assortment of pinball machines, some of which are being played or leaned on by main characters**.** 3. **Whip It** – Drew Barrymore’s 2009 directorial debut features Ellen Page by-passing her mother’s wishes of pageant superstardom for a spot on the local roller derby team. In one scene, Page duels with her love interest on a 1977 Gottlieb *Bronco* machine [![Numerous pinballs in this scene from Dazed and Confused](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/silver-screen-silver-ball/01-silver-screen-silver-ball-1024x539.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/silver-screen-silver-ball/01-silver-screen-silver-ball.jpg) Numerous pinballs in this scene from Dazed and Confused While these are a few notable appearances by pinball machines in movies, no film has done more for the industry than **Tommy**, the 1975 movie based on The Who’s 1969 experimental rock opera. The story revolves around the titular character, a boy who was born without the ability to see, hear or speak. Despite his disabilities, Tommy is able to gain a cult following as a dominant force on the pinball scene, defeating opponents using his “sense of smell.” For the film adaptation, Roger Daltrey’s Tommy plays on a Gottlieb *Kings & Queens* machine as he challenges Elton John’s ‘Pinball Wizard’ character, who played on a Gottlieb *Buckaroo* table. [![Elton John and Roger Daltry battle to be the true Pinball Wizard](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/silver-screen-silver-ball/04-silver-screen-silver-ball-1024x552.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/silver-screen-silver-ball/04-silver-screen-silver-ball.jpg) Elton John and Roger Daltry battle to be the true Pinball Wizard Many people credit this movie for helping to bring an end to Chicago’s ban on pinball machines, as the rise in the game’s popularity inspired bar owners to bring in illegal machines. Nearly 20 years later, the musical got its own licensed table when Data East released their *Tommy* game in 1994. **Licensed Machines** One of the most obvious examples of Hollywood working with the pinball industry is the licensing of movie and television properties to create machines themed after popular titles. While older machines had a hard time telling their story to gamers, licensed machines took advantage of existing themes and characters to immerse the player in the game’s familiar world. Designs range from basic to elaborate, and it’s not uncommon to hear music and dialogue from the films incorporated into gameplay. Some of the best-selling machines of all time feature elements taken from movies and television shows: 1. **The Addams Family** – A year after the release of the 1991 film adaptation of the original television show, Midway’s licensed machine hit the market. With a wide range of objectives and sounds from the movie, this table went on to become the best-selling pinball machine of modern times with more than 20,000 units sold. 2. **Star Trek** – More than a decade after the original run of shows went off the air, Bally released a machine themed after Gene Roddenberry’s science-fiction universe, which went on to sell nearly 17,000 units. While the machine was originally supposed to feature artwork inspired by the television show, it was quickly changed to reflect the redesigned uniforms sported by Captain Kirk and his crew for *Star Trek: The Motion Picture* which was also released in 1979. 3. **Twilight Zone** – Nearly three decades after Rod Serling’s creepy television series left the airwaves, Midway created a pinball machine featuring various elements from the show. With more than 15,000 machines sold, it was a successful follow-up for the creators of *The Addams Family*. 4. **Terminator 2: Judgment Day** – The continuation of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s science-fiction franchise broke box office records and it also took a place of honor on the list of best-selling pinball machines. With its gleaming metallic T-800 skull and unique gun-grip launching mechanism, arcades snapped this machine up to the tune of more than 15,000 units. [![Successful movies which became successful pinballs](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/silver-screen-silver-ball/03-silver-screen-silver-ball-1024x576.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/silver-screen-silver-ball/03-silver-screen-silver-ball.jpg) Successful movies which became successful pinballs **Looking Forward** With such a successful track record, it only makes sense for Hollywood’s relationship with pinball to continue, but it should be done with caution. Like all consumers, gamers are always looking for the next great thing, so manufacturers should avoid repackaging existing machines with new artwork and sound effects. It’s also important to make licensing agreements carefully, since the negative connotation of a box office ‘bomb’ could be enough to sink a machine, even if it features superior elements and gameplay. **About the Author** Gene Goodman is vice president of [M&P Amusement](https://www.mpamusement.com/), a distributor of new and quality refurbished used arcade games and pinball machines since 1932, with headquarters in York, Pennsylvania. _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 348a1085-46d6-4ef2-b23a-2170258ab813*