70's Gottlieb Pinball Art

Summary

In this video, the host explores the quirky and fascinating artwork of Gottlieb pinball back glasses. From the cheating aliens in *Asteroid Annie* to the mystery of the two planes in *Sky Jump*, the host uncovers strange details and hidden surprises in these iconic designs. He also highlights an error in the *Hit the Deck* back glass where a diamond card is incorrectly colored black instead of red. The video celebrates the unique artistic choices of Gordon Morrison, emphasizing how the artwork adds soul to pinball machines, making them stand out as both playable and visually captivating.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker discusses Gordon Morrison Gottlieb's artwork, specifically focusing on backglass art and oddities in various pinball machines.
• 😀 The backglass of 'Asteroid Annie' contains a poker game with alien characters, some of whom are cheating, creating a sense of strangeness in the artwork.
• 😀 In 'Asteroid Annie,' there's a focus on a poker game where the assumption is that Annie has four aces, but the alien characters are involved in cheating with their cards.
• 😀 One of the aliens in 'Asteroid Annie' is trying to cheat by peeking at the other player's cards, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the artwork.
• 😀 The backglass of 'Sky Jump' depicts two planes, which is an oddity as it suggests the need for two planes since the characters are jumping out of one while another appears in the background.
• 😀 'Sky Jump' includes a unique detail with the tail number on the plane, which is actually the tail number of Wayne Nanes's son's airplane at the time.
• 😀 The colors on the plane in 'Sky Jump' seem unusual, with blue, green, and purple fields, leading the speaker to joke about the potential contents of their drink.
• 😀 The 'Hit the Deck' backglass has an artwork error with a nine of diamonds card being shown as black instead of red, which was pointed out to the manufacturer.
• 😀 The 'Hit the Deck' game has a European version with an altered, topless version of the character, adding a touch of controversy to the artwork.
• 😀 The speaker highlights the role of artwork in giving pinball machines their 'soul' and how great artwork, combined with a good playfield, can make a pinball machine very appealing.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The video primarily discusses the artwork of Gordon Morrison Gottlieb, focusing on specific back glasses and some interesting details and oddities in his designs.

What strange detail is mentioned about the 'Asteroid Annie' back glass?

The back glass of 'Asteroid Annie' features a poker game, where there are strange things happening, like a poker-faced Annie holding an ace, and various alien characters trying to cheat or learn the game.

What oddities are associated with the alien characters in 'Asteroid Annie'?

The alien characters are seen cheating during the game. One alien is trying to peek at Annie's hand, while another alien is holding an ace, despite the assumption that Annie has four aces.

How does the artwork in 'Asteroid Annie' represent aliens?

The aliens are portrayed with exaggerated features, like large heads, possibly implying that they possess great brain power. Some of the characters also exhibit strange physical traits, such as a nose with grapes or hemorrhoids.

What is unusual about the back glass of 'Sky Jump'?

In the 'Sky Jump' back glass, two planes appear to be involved, which creates an inconsistency since one plane cannot logically drop parachuters from different locations. The strange scenario also includes a person looking back at a second plane while jumping.

What detail was personally added by Wayne Nines in 'Sky Jump'?

Wayne Nines, a designer for many Gottlieb games, had Gordon Morrison add the tail number of his son's airplane to the 'Sky Jump' back glass. This personal detail is found on the airplane depicted in the artwork.

What visual elements make the 'Sky Jump' design stand out?

The design of 'Sky Jump' includes unusual blue, green, and purple fields in the sky, which are not typical in real-world airplane depictions, suggesting that the artist took creative liberties for visual effect.

What error is noted in the 'Hit the Deck' back glass?

In 'Hit the Deck,' there's an error in the card design, where a nine of diamonds is shown as black, which is incorrect because diamonds should be red. This was pointed out to the creators, and they appreciated the feedback.

What unusual version of the 'Hit the Deck' artwork exists?

An alternative version of the 'Hit the Deck' back glass from Italy exists where the female character is depicted without a top, making it a more risqué design.

What is notable about the 'Hit the Deck' playfield design?

The 'Hit the Deck' playfield features a creative integration of fish elements in the pop bumpers, along with typical card designs. There are no significant oddities in the playfield artwork compared to other Gottlieb machines.

What is Gordon Morrison's perspective on pinball artwork?

Gordon Morrison is quoted saying that the artwork of a pinball machine gives it its 'soul.' He believes that compelling artwork plays a key role in attracting people to the game, especially when combined with good gameplay.

What is the significance of the video to pinball enthusiasts?

The video provides insight into the quirky and creative details found in Gottlieb's pinball machine back glasses, offering a deeper appreciation for the artistry and design choices that make these machines unique.