Williams’ 1957 classic, *Hollywood*, stands as a quintessential artifact of the mid-century arcade era, showcasing the architectural brilliance of industry legend Steve Kordek. With art by George Molentin, this two-player electromechanical machine captures the glitz and grit of show business, stripping away the complex ramps and digital gimmicks of modern pinball to focus on pure, kinetic precision. It is a rare find, with only 550 units ever rolling off the assembly line, making it a prized centerpiece for collectors who appreciate the tactile, rhythmic clatter of real score reels.
The playfield layout is a masterclass in Kordek’s minimalist approach, relying on a balanced geometry of four pop bumpers and four passive bumpers to keep the ball in constant, unpredictable motion. The action centers around a signature swinging target that demands perfect timing, forcing the player to calculate rebounds against the slingshots and standup targets. Perhaps the most daunting elements are the two gobble holes; these “death traps” force a high-stakes style of play, as the player must navigate the board with enough control to avoid losing the ball prematurely, all while chasing the high score in either three or five-ball configurations.
Mastering *Hollywood* requires a disciplined touch rather than brute force. Because the game lacks the safety nets of modern outlane ball saves, the key to a tournament-worthy score lies in controlling the ball’s momentum off the slingshots and using the passive bumpers to set up clean, repeatable shots at the swinging target. It is a deceptively simple game that rewards the patient player who learns to read the board’s unique geometry, proving that even with a modest feature set, a well-tuned EM machine can offer a challenge that rivals the most complex modern tables.