Quoted from jeffspinballpalace:I agree there is at least one good story left that is not well documented which would make a Fucking Awesome documentary. During the years between the announcement of BBB and its production, a lot of shit went down at Illinois Pinball. Some was related to BBB directly and other stuff to IPB's practice of running a family owned business. Bumbling incompetence, parts inventory thefts, multiple parties training volunteer labor force to build BBB games for free or low wages, back stabbings, office gossip, under the table deals. There is really some aspect about the story for everybody in your family to enjoy.
To uncover the treasure ... you'll need first hand interviews with people that interacted with IPB. There probably are three dozen individuals, rgp'ers, operators, suppliers or,disgruntled employees who know it and lived it (life with IPB). Of course all the good stories are hearsay and unprovable. You probably guessed by now that Illinois Pinball & BBB stories are intertwined. Without first understanding IPB, you won't be able to see the real BBB story imo.
For those who don't know Gene Cunningham or Illinois Pinball, this would actually make a great episode of American Greed.
Last I heard, Gene and his wife are living in a shithole of a rental unit Gene owns. The only reason they're there and not on the street is it's in such tough shape, the bank didn't want it.