Great Circus
About This Machine
The Great Circus, manufactured by Alben of France between 1958 and 1964, is a two-player electro-mechanical pinball machine and a close copy of Gottlieb's 1957 'Super Circus.' It reflects the common practice among period French manufacturers of adapting successful American designs for the European market.
Gameplay features two flippers, five pop bumpers, two slingshots, two gobble holes, and a Roto-target. A distinctive touch is the playfield inserts near the flippers that light up for high Roto-target values, alerting players focused on the flippers when a valuable shot is active. The machine also has metal cigarette holders mounted on the side wood rails — a small but telling detail of its era — and displays a maximum score of 1,999 points per player.
The Great Circus's happiness/circus-carnival theme fits its playful subject matter, though specific details of its artwork and designer are not documented. As one of Alben's circus-themed EM machines from the late 1950s, it offers collectors a window into how French manufacturers reworked American pinball designs during this period.
Images (3)
Technical Details
- Theme:
- Happiness - Circus/Carnival
- Notable Features:
- Flippers (2), Pop bumpers (5) Slingshots (2), Gobble holes (2), Roto-target (1). This game had playfield inserts near the flippers that lit for high Roto-target values so players who were looking at the flippers would be made aware when those high Roto-target values came around. Cigarette holders on side woodrails. Maximum displayed point score is 1999 points per player.