Yet another impartial observation...!
Yet another impartial observation...!
Dick, I think a point you are missing is that there have been a few pool movies with big stars, yet there is only one Fats. He's the only player that had sufficient combination of playing skills and genuine character qualities to parlay himself to icon status. Case in point -- even Ronnie Allen, as great a player and character that he is -- even though he adopted the 'Fast Eddie' nickname; clearly he never got any significant traction as a real celebrity outside of pool -- i.e. even he was unable to capitalize on his chosen movie character in any way shape or manner in comparison to Fats.
Steve,
Do you REALLY think I missed that obvious point. I have seen both of their acts many times, and my observation is this....
They were both world class woofers and sharkers, and each had his own style of creating action. Can you imagine how successful either would have been, had they directed that energy to, say buying or selling stocks, or real estate, or anything high $$$ ?
Obviously, I knew RA, much better than Fat's, and let me say, I honestly don't think Ronnie could have EVER have done what Fat's did, with HIS lucky break. While they had very similar persona's in a pool room, Fat's didn't drink, and always had much more ambition than Ronnie.
I know of many offers RA had, (to become much more successful in life) that he just sloughed off, with his drinking and gambling habits (aka the horses,etc) Sadly, Ronnie never got much "traction" at anything, but hustling pool, and NOT working !..
(which he did well)
I have heard Fats had some weaknesses in those areas too,..But he didn't have to deal with them, through a haze of alcohol. He was simply much better prepared to deal with ANY life changing opportunities...But even HE, needed some prompting (ie. the Jansco's)
If you gave them both an IQ test, in their prime's, I would imagine they would be pretty close to a tie. That being said, I believe Ronnie, could give Fat's a ton of weight, in the "story telling" department. Neither were very well educated, but I understand Fats was basically illiterate. That is possibly why most of his quips, are one-liners, (albeit, some real classics) surrounded by a constant stream of braggadacio. It was only his colorful personality, and unpredictability, that kept people hanging on his every word.
Ronnie could mix in some (not much) self-depracation, and tell a long story, and really make it interesting, and very funny, to almost anybody, in or out of a pool room. (except in a pool room, we all forgave his very obvious penchant for 'exageration'..to the max)
Hard to hold that against him, as a LOT (I mean a LOT) of good "storyteller's" have that same affliction..(some even have Beards..
)
Bottom line, they were both very good at self promotion...There is no doubt, who was the much sharper one, at taking advantage of it. As to who was the best player, at their best,...Conversely, I don't their should be much doubt, as to who was the best at one pocket...Billy I. hit it pretty close when he said, "Fatty's game was about 8/7 under Chris Gentile"...I rest my case...again !