The Tale of Texas Pool

Wow. Incredible movie from start to finish. It made the whole family feel every emotion possible in a movie. We laughed, we cried, we were overjoyed with the sports comeback story. We laughed some more.

I loved the way the movie tells the story by just using the interviews to craft the plot and transition from topic to topic. There is no narrator. Just pool hustlers being interviewed. The editing is first notch.

The characters in this movie are legendary and authentic. The probelm with most sports movies, especially about pool, is they are contrived. All the stories in this are real and authentic and just pop off the screen. Can't wait to watch again. Bravo !!!!

As a new pool player, it's cool to see these stories I hear from some of the guys at the pool hall compiled into something that will last forever. So much time, effort, dedication and energy goes into this sport, yet so many incredible players tend to be forgotten. Pool just doesn't get the recognition it deserves. It's hard to understand why, especially when you see something like this. These people led the way for some of the best players in the world right now, yet the only people that still talk about them are the guys that were there to see them play. I didn't know anything about Bob Vanover before I watched this movie other than the fact that he was the guy with his name on the Texas Open trophy the most. Now, I look up to him. This documentary gives great insight into those people, the tournaments and the stories that have made not only texas pool great, but pool in general a sport worth knowing about.

Really enjoyed The Tale of Texas Pool! It was well done and very informative. Talking about the history of the Texas State Open tournament over the past 50 years and many of the players who competed in and/ or won the event. The movie focuses on the great career of Bob Vanover, who won the tournament more than any other player. The movie also focuses on the Davis family and their touching and inspirational story. From James Ray Davis Sr. Who was a great Texas player in raised his son, Junior to play the game. The story of James Ray Davis Jr. Showcases the highes and lows of not only a career, but in life. Seeing Junior's journey to overcome all bed been through is truly inspirational.

This is a must see for any pool player!

What a fantastic job putting this movie together. Enjoyed watching the show about Texas pool and pool in general. It was good from beginning to end. Enjoyed all the stories. And the story about James Davis Jr was incredible. I couldn't stop watching. Enjoyed Input from James Davis Sr. Bob Vanover was a longtime friend. Played a lot of pool with Bob and celebrated my 30th birthday with Bob in Dallas. The cake said I scratched 30 in Texas. I played with him in the first pro tournament he played in Toledo, Ohio. It was a World Straight Pool Tournament. His second match he ran over a 100 balls. I knew then he was the real deal.

This documentary provides a very inciteful perspective into the history of the Texas Open and pool in Texas. The characters interviewed (self included) help to archive information about pool in Texas that might otherwise have been lost to myths & legends. The Director/Producer Kevin Welling did an amazing job connecting with the appropriate individuals, who really paint a vivid picture about the events and occurrences that have shaped the sport of billiards in Texas. I truly hope to see many more of these documentaries in the future, covering other states and long-running tournaments around the US and abroad.