I would have liked to acquire a modern pinball machine, but it was not financially to be (at least not yet). Then one day in October 2004 I stumbled across this Five Star Final game at a local antique dealer. It wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but it looked fun and at only a fraction of the cost of a modern machine I decided to take it home. At the time of my purchase I didn't know a lot about pinball. I had vague idea that it was a 1930s vintage machine but I didn't know much more. I knew the pinball market during the '30s had been flooded with countless pins from countless fly-by-night companies so it never occurred to me that I might have stumbled across something historically significant. I didn't know if I had paid a fair price for it. I didn't even know it was a Gottlieb. I figured it was a Pioneer Novelty machine since that was the only identifying mark. As soon as I got the machine home I began repairing and researching it.

According to the rules card, "yellow ball doubles score of that shot only". It would appear that this game was once equipped with marbles. By the time I acquired the game it was equipped with seven steel balls.


I know nothing of The Pioneer Novelty Co. of Washington D.C., however, I did acquire the game from a northern Virginia antique dealer so it would appear that this game never strayed far from the Washington Metro area.

You're probably looking at the pictures above thinking "That's not pinball". There're no bumpers, flippers or, indeed, electricity. Nevertheless, this is pinball and in 1932 Five Star Final was state of the art. In 1931 David Gottlieb developed what many consider the first commercially successful pinball machine, Baffle Ball. Gottlieb, of course, went on to be one of the driving forces in the pinball industry for the next 70 years. Five Star Final was one of several follow up games developed by Gottlieb in 1932. The game was unique in that it incorporated two distinct playfields in a figure-eight configuration. One story suggests that Gottlieb named the machine Five Star Final because he felt that pinball was just a fad and would soon fade from interest. In retrospect, that seems unlikely. The other story is that the game was named after a local Chicago newspaper. There's also an old black & white movie call "Five Star Final" about a paper of the title name. Perhaps there's a connection.

There were two versions of Five Star Final. Mine is the original table top version know as Five Star Final "Junior". A larger, free standing model was known as Five Star Final "Senior".

If you know something about Five Star Final that you don't see here, I'd certainly appreciate a communication.

A Five Star Final ad proclaims...
Unprecedented avalanche of orders and re-orders now pouring in! - Proving the inherent appeal of FIVE STAR FINAL! Order NOW to ensure quick delivery!

Never before has a game made such a tremendous impression on the operators of America! Five Star Final is crashing its way to the loftiest heights of popularity! There must be a reason for the sensational number of large-quantity orders and repeat orders. The reason lies entirely in the GAME ITSELF!

Five Star Final has been called the greatest contribution to the field! It has everything you want in a pin game! Its action is UNIQUE! - SWIFT! - ORIGINAL! - and AMAZINGLY FASCINATING!

Get on the "Band Wagon" NOW! Come along and share SUCCESS with Five Star Final! Place your order today! Orders filled in order received. Each game backed by famous GOTTLIEB MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE. Write, wire or phone!

Junior $16.50 Sample
Lots of 5, $15.00.
Lots of 10, $14.00.
Steel Stand, $2.00.
Wood Stand, $2.50.
L. - 32"
W. - 18"
FIVE STAR FINAL Junior, includes the new improved features of Senior model. Comes with 10 steel and 10 marble balls. Use either set. 1c or 5c play. Highest quality materials - finest workmanship. The peak of high values!

Senior $37.50 Sample
Lots of 5, $35.00.
Lots of 10, $32.50.
EXTRA LARGE SIZE
Lgth. - 45"
Wth. - 22"
To fully appreciate FIVE STAR FINAL you must SEE IT and PLAY IT! You must see its new, highly polished aluminum track, its double field, its Finger Tip Control Plunger, its instant Ball-lift, its vivid coloring and fine workman ship. It's a knock-out in every way! Comes with 10 steel and 10 marble Balls. 1c and 5c play. No better game built!