Bowling Games Off er Handsome
Returns For Nominal Investment
It was right after the World Series and
the boys at the bar were replaying each
game in minute detail. Managerial stra-
tegy was analyzed, argued over; key plays
were dissected; hits were turned into
double plays, and errors transformed into
put outs.
All the while the liquid kept sliding
across the sheen mahogany and the fuzz
gathered on the grandstand managers' lips.
The conversation slipped into World Series
of the past; comparative merits of per-
formers in the "good old days" came up
for a harsh and heavy word intercourse.
"The Cards would have never won that
series a dozen years ago if the ump had
called that balk on Dizzy Dean," one of the
elbowers interposed.
"Where d'you get that 'balk' stuff?" a
man on the end shot back. "He just had
a deceiving delivery, that's all."
The first speaker, a tall, bony man, got
unsteadily to his feet, stretched to his full
weaving height, and announced majesti-
cally: "I saw that game. I saw that balk.
And I'll show you just how it happened."
Using a system of propulsion which was
a cross between Braille and visual percep-
tion, the tall man planted himself in front
of the bowling game. Inserting a coin, he
picked up one of the balls, and turned to
his audience. "Now watch carefully," he
aaid, "and I'll show you exactly how Dizzy
done it."
He flung his arms wildly, twisting into a
grotesque contortion. He spun about and
released the ball in a lunging heave.
. . . When the bartender had ushered
Dizzy Dean's poor prototype to the nearest
exit and taken inventory of the damage,
he discovered that two fifths of whisky, a
quart of rye, one bottle of scotch and two
of brandy had been smithereened.
The barhop summoned the owner and
A man who has operated 40 bowling
games for the past eight years told us:
•·1 can't remember the last time a ball-
happy customer caused trouble-it happens
so rarely. Of course, there is the matter
of lost balls, but that runs to no more than
two a week for my entire route (cost: 40
to 75 cents each). While tl)ere is liability
the owner roa;~-d his indignation; in a mat-
insurance on the game itselfi none is avail-
ter of seconds he had reached for the phone
able for damages caused to the premises
and was pouring volleys of vituperation
by the balls. But I've been . able to realize
into the ears of the operator.
such a nice return on my investment that
"And get ~ver here ~s fast as you can
an extra occasional expense isn't even felt.
and take your damned game out," he
Rightfully, the customer should pay-and
shouted, "before I throw it into the street!"
in most instances I've heard about, he has
The operator could have argued and
paid."
tried to change the proprietor's mind. Or
It's been a good many years since Paul
he could have hung up and sulkingly taken
Bennett bought Coney Island's 42-foot Skee-
the game away.
Ball for Wurlitzer and trimmed it into a
But this coinman, who had displayed
14-foot coin device.
acumen and salesmanship in convincing the
In 1936 Wurlitzer introduced a small
owner he should install the game origin-
portable model; in '37 weekly high-score
ally, realized that an antagonistic location
prizes stimulated play and caused location
was a liability to the business and would
takes to soar. By 1940, however, play had
reflect unfavorably on all operators of all
dropped to a new low-only to receive a
equipment.
resurrecting arm-shot by the defense pro-
"I'll be right over and remove the game,
gram and war. This antiquated equipment,
l\fr.----," he said courteously, "and if without come-hither eye-appeal and flash,
you'll figure out what the damages are, I'll
out-grossed every other type of amusement
write a check to cover."
device except guns.
By the time he had arrived at the bar,
Will bowling games continue their hold
order had been restored and tempers had
on the public?
cooled. The operator went directly to the
"Operator's take-away receipts have been
owner, pulled out his check book and wrote •
averaging better than ten dollars a week
out the required amount.
on those old jobs," a veteran bowl-gamer
"I'm awfully sorry about this," he said,
said. "Some of them are tottering, decrepit
"and I'll take the game out right away.
models hauled out of basements during
My truck is out front.''
.
the war. Do you think gross is not going
When the operator rose to go, the owner
to rise with new machines? I'll go you one
cleared his throat. "Well-just a minute
further. I say if a location doesn't take in
now. That machine has been in here for
at least $30 a week, the machine should be
months and nothing like this has ever hap-
taken out. There are plenty of locations
pened. It probably won't happen again.
that will do better than that-much bet-
Why don't you leave it here on trial and
ter."
we'll see?"
The operator thanked the owner, checked
To any coin-minded man who wants to
the game to see if it was in proper me-
realize more than $400 a month clear and
chanical order, and departed.
pay off a $5,000 investment in one _year by
operating only ten games, the bowlmg field
is worthy of consideration.
New machines cost around $450 each,
The story related above is a good ex-
f.o.b. shipping point. This means that by
ample of why many operators shy away
the time the operator has paid for freight,
from this highly lucrative coin branch.
sales tax, license fees, and hauling to loca-
"Loose balls and drunks. They just don't
mix," a pin gamer said.
- - - - - - - - - T U R N PAGE
• • •
REFINISHED
MECHANICALLY A-I
RECONDITIONED
BALLY GAMES
GOING STRONGER THAN EVER!
Immediate Delivery
Thorobreds
. $279.50
Longacres
279.50
'41 Derbys
169.50
Club Trophys . . 169.50
Pimlicos . . .
1,95.00
Dark Horses
119.50
Blue Grasses
119.50
Super Bells,
Sc FP and PO
Mills Jumbo,
late FP ..
Mills Jumbo,
Comb.
179.50
Come in Today!
PAUL A. LAYMON
DISTRIBUTOR
GOTTLIEB
Improved Deluxe
CiRIPSCALE
Consistently Best
Since 1928
D. GOTTLIEB & CO.
1140 N. Kostner Ave.
Chicago 51, Illinois
Member CMI
CO IN
MACHINE
REVIEW
13
FOR
NOVEMBER
1946