Kanopy’s film club Big Movie Watch is almost here, this time with the true story of Roger Sharpe, GQ writer and real-life pinball wizard, who helped overturn New York City’s 35-year ban on pinball. 

Oh yes, I’m talking about the bright, colorful machines with flashing lights and pop bumpers and a silver ball you have to keep alive using flippers. If you aren’t someone who regularly plays, it might surprise you to learn pinball is having a renaissance. Arcades and pinball parlors are popping up all over, the home-buying market is booming, and competitive pinball players like me are filling our evenings and weekends with tournaments and league nights. 

This wasn’t always the case. For several decades, pinball was seen as a game of chance and playing it was akin to gambling. And many cities, including New York, banned it.  

But in 1976, one man changed the game forever by calling his shot on a pinball machine. And we can’t wait to bring the story of Roger Sharpe and pinball to you and your users through Big Movie Watch. 

So, grab your arcade tokens and popcorn and settle in for movie night! 

Don’t have Kanopy yet as part of your digital library collection? Get started here. 

About Big Movie Watch 

From September 5-16, Kanopy users at participating libraries will be able to watch the 2022 film Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game through their public library ticket-free as part of Big Movie Watch.  

Big Movie Watch is available for US and Canadian libraries on a pay-per-use program as well as those with PLUS only accounts. Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game will be added to PLUS-only accounts for the duration of the program at no cost to the library. 

Libraries looking to promote Big Movie Watch to their community can visit the website here to find a marketing kit that includes:  

  • Programming Guide  
  • Digital graphics  
  • Print materials  
  • Social media graphics and suggested post copy 
  • And more! 

Register for a live conversation with Roger Sharpe 

Join us on Sept. 12, 2024 at 12 pm ET, for an exclusive interview with the legendary Roger Sharpe as he delves into the fascinating world of pinball and its portrayal in Kanopy’s Big Movie Watch film selection Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game. Roger will be joined in conversation with OverDrive Marketing & Communications Specialist and competitive pinball player Jill Grunenwald (hey, that’s me!). 

Whether you’re a pinball enthusiast, a film buff, or simply curious about the intersection of these two fascinating worlds, this conversation promises to offer a unique and engaging perspective. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of the most influential figures in pinball history as he shares his insights and stories.  

Register today! 

Big Movie Watch Programming Ideas 

  • Coordinate with a local pinball parlor or arcade for promotion and programming. Not sure where to find an arcade near you? Search for your location on Kineticist or  Pinball Map!
  • Host a showing of Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game thanks to Public Performance Rights. 
  • Download the Programming Guide and use the suggested discussion questions to host a post-movie conversation among viewers. 
  • Encourage users to register for the live conversation with Roger Sharpe. 
  • Create curated collections in OverDrive or in your physical location featuring titles about pinball include Pinball: A Graphic History of the Silver Ball by Jon Chad (with an introduction by Roger Sharpe), Pinball Wizards: Jackpots, Drains, and the Cult of the Silver Ball by Adam Ruben, and Wind/Pinball by Haruki Murakami.

About the author: Jill Grunenwald is a Marketing & Communications Specialist on the North America Public Library Marketing Team. A former librarian, she joined OverDrive in 2015. Outside of the office she can be found writing, hanging out with her cats, collecting more Tarot decks than she has room for, and playing competitive pinball. Her favorite genre is something she calls “Murder at an educational institution that involves a close-knit group of suspicious characters.”