This is the story of Skee-Ball—a unique game, patented in 1908 by a long forgotten inventor living in Vineland NJ: Joseph Fourestier Simpson. The film explores the era in which the young inventor grew up, as the industrial revolution created the new middle class, and the explosion of amusement parks that allowed them to flee their crowded industrial neighborhoods for a few hours of pleasure.
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Review by Victoria Angelique:
Skee-ball is a familiar arcade game seen across the globe. The documentary, AND THE BALLS ROLL ON: THE REAL STORY OF THE BEAUTIFUL GAME OF SKEE-BALL tells the emotional rollercoaster it took for the game to become a staple of amusement parks, while intertwining the invention of Skee-ball with American history.
The voice over is enthusiastic, really painting the picture of the landscape that Joseph Simpson grew up in the late 1800s and early 1900s. His story is one of resilience, Simpson never let failure stop him. He would always move onto the next venture, hoping that it would finally bring him fortune. Joseph Simpson really gives a great message of never give up, even when all hope seems lost. He kept trying, even after the game was sold and he was forbidden to make more games.
Intertwined with the story is American history throughout the past century. This shows that Simpson’s struggles were not unique to him, but the entire nation. Skee-ball kept the spirit of competition alive. Tournaments gave people a reason to come together from all walks of life, advertising to both the rich and the poor. Tournaments that have evolved throughout the decades, still bringing people of all ages to compete in good spirit for a trophy to prove they are the best at the arcade game of Skee-ball.
The combination of a historical biography and American history makes this a unique documentary. It keeps the audiences interested as the film seamlessly transitions from one period to the other by displaying historical events alongside the evolution of Skee-ball. The only thing missing is advice on how to win tickets when playing Skee-ball, but as the tournament competitors would attest to, practice makes perfect and that would be the only way to truly learn how to play.
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