This black and white 1941 theatrical short film produced by Columbia Pictures features billiards champ Erwin Rudolph in a demonstration of his skill with a pool cue that also offers tips and tricks for the novice. Numerous trick shots and novelty techniques of the pool hustler are demonstrated in slow motion analysis photography (TRT: 8:55). Featured player Erwin Rudolph (1893 – 1957) was a four time world champion billiard ace. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio. One of his great feats was running 125 points in 32 minutes (now eclipsed). In his later years, he worked for the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company, best known for their boats, bowling balls, and billiards tables.

Opening titles: “Rack ‘Em Up with Erwin Rudolph, World’s Pocket Billiards Champion” Credits: Commentator Bill Stern, Photographed by Charles Harten, Edited by Harry Foster (0:06). A studio set filled with well-dressed extras centers on a billiards table (0:17). Erwin Rudolph applies chalk to his cue stick while wearing a tuxedo (0:25). A closeup illustrates proper form for the left hand finger loop when lining up a shot during a game of billiards. Proper grip of the right hand follows (0:41). Erwin indicates a shot for the 1 ball into the corner pocket, then aims high on the cue ball for top spin. The shot is executed, leaving the cue ball in position for the next shot (1:22). Aiming low on the cue ball for backspin keeps it in the center of the playfield while knocking out targets (1:50). A single shot sends a ball into every pocket (2:19). A closeup on the billiard balls. Erwin picks the 1 ball out of a cluster. A bird’s eye view of the trick (2:30). Shooting a moving target, the “wing shot” (3:08). A four ball shot, with each target falling into a different pocket. A fifteen ball “around the world” shot. A three ball “drawer shot” (3:28). A high spin sends a cue ball on a 45 degree angle (4:05). Shooting toward the camera, the cue ball jumps an obstacle. Another shot sends a ball along the rail. A bank shot that also involves a jump. A trick using a rack as a goalpost (4:40). An elaborate pair of tricks use a ramp of cue sticks to sink the final ball (5:39). A woman wearing long black gloves hides a pair of balls underneath a handkerchief. Even still, Erwin Rudolph makes the shot (6:31). A jump and reverse spin trick. A cue ball “kisses” the rest of the pack (7:10). A direction-changing “screwball” (7:42). A climactic fourteen ball combination shot in slow motion (8:14).

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com