You may have seen this sports story done several times before, set in the world of boxing, bullfighting, rodeo, roller derby, or where-have-you. You may have figured that the low-priority slowness with which Hollywood has gotten around to the world of bowling is a fair indication of its worthiness as a cinematic subject. You may be right. But the credits-sequence photo montage on the history of bowling, and the opening scene of the hero, as a child, working as a pin-setter for twenty-five-cent tips may plant a seed of doubt about the subject's mythic possibilities. Directed by Noel Nosseck, this little quickie has no time really to pursue those possibilities, but it has the right ideas. The most fully realized element in it is Susan Blakely's role as a bowling alley cashier who is getting huffy about playing second-fiddle to her boyfriend's bowling ball. She is so perfect in the details of her makeup, hairdo, and dress, that almost no additional acting seems to be required. But she also, in her voice and her face and the tilt of her head, occasionally brings to mind a younger Sheree North -- a high compliment. With Tim Matheson, Jack Warden, and Matt Clark. (1979) — Duncan Shepherd
This movie is not currently in theaters.