A passion for pinball

I think I may have a problem. A pinball problem.

On May 15, the Oakland Underground Film Festival hosted a screening of two movies in its summer series of films at Jack London Square: Remembering Playland and Special When Lit.  But the problem actually started before the movie began.

Inside the venue (the former Barnes & Noble) were ten or so pinball machines. They were there for guests like us to play. For FREE! It was as if I had been transported back to my teenage years. From the minute I pulled back that plunger and the ball was engaged into play, I was mesmerized. Watching the ball bounce around...bumper to flipper...from one bank to the other...spinners and lights ablaze. I could tell this was going to be a problem. I was hooked. I'm quite sure that I could have stayed there playing pinball all night, but there were movies to see...

We watched Remembering Playland. It was an entertaining tale about the renowned seaside amusement park that was located along San Francisco's Ocean Beach between the Cliff House and Golden Gate Park until 1972. A friend who had joined us for the film recalled a childhood visit to Playland for a schoolmate's birthday party...his memories consistent with some of the images and personal stories told in the movie.
 
We didn't stayfor the second movie, Special When Lit, but it looks like it will be released into wider distribution soon - hopefully also to Netflix - and we'll be watching it, I'm sure!  See the movie trailer here.

For now, I'm seriously on the lookout for a classic pinball machine. I think it would be a great addition to our home. As one friend commented, "every home is 23% cooler with a pinball machine."  I think he's right.