…As interesting and surprising as all that is, to me, the best tidbit I discovered while researching this write-up is that NASCAR’s first commissioner was Erwin “Cannonball” Baker. It’s the best because when I was a kid, I loved the movie Cannonball Run (which was named for Erwin and based on an actual race!). Talk about an all-star cast! Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuise were magic together. I think they were the impetus for showing bloopers during the end credits. Dom’s laughter was contagious. The movie had Dean Martin in one of his last roles, with none other than Sammy Davis, Jr. as his teammate. Classic and absolutely hilarious. An equally funny duo was Terry Bradshaw and Mel Tillis. I felt guilty laughing at Tillis’s stutter, but everyone else was, so when in r-r-rr-r-rRome. I think I used to see him on Hee-Haw (my Dad made us watch it) and he sang beautifully and stutter-free. Farrah Fawcette was in it at the height of her popularity. Hubba hubba. It was also the first time I’d ever seen Jackie Chan. And, in a weird twist, Roger Moore basically played James Bond in the film. I didn’t realize this, but June Foray provided the voices for a few of his lady companions. That’s significant to me because she did the voice of Magica De Spell in the game DuckTales: Remastered, which I produced. Whoopee for me, right?

By Greg Fielden

Published 2011

Repurposed 2020

Book Size: 9 1/4″ x 12 1/4″ x 1 3/4″

Playfield Size: 9 3/8″ x 15″

Checker Size: 3/4″

Features:

-Magnetized boards for maximum mobility (coupled with the following)

-The checkers are washers for maximum replaceability (they often go AWOL)

-Considering the above, they’re perfect for travel abroad…conveniently play backgammon or stow your passport, etc. (room safes are targeted more frequently than books)