The Fans Speak Out - Brief Article

Bowling Digest, June, 2001

* Film rolls

As a huge fan of movies (and bowling), I couldn't help but add to your list of bowling-themed movies ["News, Notes, and Quotes," April 2001].

Here are some that you might not be aware of:

* The 1930s and 1940s saw a plethora of bowling shorts starting guys such as Andy Varipapa, Ned Day, and Joe Falcaro. Our museum has the classics "Set 'Em Up," "Bowling Kings," and "Five-Star Bowlers" (and others), all full of trick shots and fun.

* The 1940s saw the rise of what has been termed "bowling noir." Fred MacMurray's "Double Indemnity" in 1944, "Criss Cross" with Burt Lancaster in 1949, and the unforgettable "Road House" from 1948 (which dealt with a love triangle set in a bowling alley!) each utilize bowling.

* Who could forget when Robert Mitchum followed Gregory Peck's family to the bowling alley in the original "Cape Fear" movie?

* Michael J. Fox had a turn as a pro bowler in "Greedy."

* And, of course, you can't forget John Goodman as Fred Flintstone and Rick Moranis as Barney Rubble tolling their granite balls for the Water Buffalo team!

F. Travis Boley
Curator
International Bowling Museum
St. Louis

Apparently we forgot about Robert Mitchum in "Cape Fear"--and all of your other interesting observations. Maybe in the future we'll follow Hollywood's lead and do our own sequel: "Bowling and the Movies II: The Wrath of Bohn. "

I enjoyed your article on bowling and the movies, but how could you have left out "Greedy," a film staring Michael J. Fox as an unsuccessful pro bowler and Kirk Douglas as his rich uncle? There are even cameos from Parker Bohn III, Mark Roth, and other pros.

Mick Mikolajczyk Wilmington, Del.

I thought of another movie with a bowling theme: "Greedy," a 1994 Universal release, which features Michael J. Fox as a bowler. Early in the movie, Fox's character has a chance to win a tournament if he can pick up a spare on his fill shot in the 10th frame. He ends up throwing it in the gutter--and the film takes off from there.

Roger Goodman Huntington, W. Va.

"Dreamer" is the best bowling movie ever made. "Kingpin" really stunk. I didn't like it at all. I thought "Greedy" was going to be a bowling flick, but it wasn't.

I also want to thank Mr. Parker Bohn III for taking the time to take a picture with me in August 1998 in Reno. I stopped by the National Bowling Stadium on my motorcycle trip across the States upon retiring from the Army. I saw Mr. Bohn and asked him to take a picture with me, which he did. Unfortunately, I lost the photo, but I held on to the memory.

Thanks again for a good magazine.

George Smith Via e-mail

I have seen the movie "Dreamer" and I consider it the best, if not the only true, bowling movie.

Bill Gerth Via e-mail

* Poor taste?

I am displeased with AZO's decision to produce bowling balls named "Fat Man" and "Little Boy." After seeing an advertisement for bowling balls named after the atomic bombs used against the people of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, I was appalled and downright ashamed to call myself an American and a bowler. I find it difficult to believe that someone would try to make a profit from such a devastating event in human history.

Clifton A. Ziems Jr. Midland, Mich.

* Rules of the game

I've been an avid bowler for eight years and was elected as a league officer lin 2000. There is a lot of bickering in leagues, and this upsets bowlers. Some of them do not return the next season. Part of this bickering is because although there are ABC/WIBC rules, they also have "unless the league has its own rule" clauses. This is a sport with a set of rules from its governing body that allows the league membership to create and edit its own rules! Incredible! Membership will continue to decline and bowling will never become considered a tree sport until the governing powers write and enforce one set of rules to cover any league that wants ABC/WIBC affiliation.

Terry Hicks Annville, Pa.

* Live and uncut

I agree with the person who wrote about ESPN's lousy television coverage ["The Fans Speak Out," April 2001]. Not only are the camera angles lacking, but ESPN also replays shots while live action is going on. You would think that ESPN would have learned something from its sister station, ABC, which did a great job for years.

Gary L. Green Mount Clemens, Mich.

* Get in the rings

I can't understand how trampoline can be a new Olympic sport but bowling is not. I've only been a bowler for a little over a year now, but I have noticed that bowling is one of the only sports in which if you do well, even your opponent gives you a high five or says, "Great shot." This type of sportsmanship is a good influence for players and fans. If the Olympics need a sport that can be embraced by all nations and shows true sportsmanship and the need to be physically fit, bowling is the only way to go.

Shawn Schober Huntsville, Ala.

BOWLING DIGEST welcomes letters from readers. Name, city and state must be included. Mail to: The Fans Speak Out, Bowling Digest, 990 Grove Street, Evanston, IL 60201-4370, or e-mail at bowl@centurysports.net