LEGENDARY POOL SHARK `ATTACKS' IN JACKSON

Trick shots are a big part of "Fast Eddie's" show. He tells the audience what balls are going to go where. He once won $30,000 from a rich Kentucky playboy. Light on his feet, he plays pool like Fred Astaire danced.

In the 1961 classic, "The Hustler," Paul Newman played "Fast Eddie" Felson, a roustabout pool shark who hustled games for big money across the country. The movie ends with "Fast Eddie" mashing "Minnesota Fats," played by Jackie Gleason, in a series of fast-paced, bourbon-drenched 9- ball games that last until dawn.

The movie launched a lucrative show business career for Fast Eddie. He has made TV commercials, appeared on TV talk shows and starred in his own TV series where he competed with other top pool players in places such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

Fast Eddie was in Jackson Wednesday night where he cracked crisp and sizzling pool shots at Lloyd's Tavern for several hours. About 70 people watched in amazement. Out of retirement at age 64, he's touring the country -- promoting the game of pool.

Tuesday night he entertained in Joplin, Thursday night he was in Neosho. He's booked in 49 cities in Missouri and does about 250 shows a year nationwide.

"We're trying to hit some small towns these days," said Fast Eddie, whose real last name is Parker -- he used to hustle pool under aliases. "There are almost 40 million people playing pool now and a lot of them are in small towns.

"And there's been a big increase in the number of women playing pool because of an increase in television coverage."

Born in Springfield, Mo., in 1931, Fast Eddie began playing pocket billiards at age 9. While a teenager living in Kansas City, he was tutored by the late Benny Allen, a three-time world champion. Allen convinced him he could succeed as a "money player."

After a stint in the Navy in the early '50s, Fast Eddie hit the road. It was while playing pool in Kentucky that he earned his nickname. Also at that time, two exploits from his rambunctious life were told to a young author named Walter Tevis.

In 1959 Tevis wrote the book, "The Hustler," which was made into the movie two years later. Besides Newman and Gleason, the movie starred George C. Scott and Piper Laurie.

"About 30 percent of the book was based on fact and the rest was Hollywood fiction," said Fast Eddie, laughing, a sweet-smelling stogie hanging from his lip as he knocks six balls into six different pockets.

"I met Tevis in Lexington, Ky., at the old Phoenix Hotel. I told him about the finger-breaking incident and the big money match in the Kentuckian's home. He changed things a bit for the book."

Fast Eddie said the book and movie have him getting his thumbs broken by three guys he had hustled in a tavern in Indiana. But the truth is they broke his right index finger.

"Normally I would let a guy win three games of 9-ball and I'd win four, then I'd let him win two games and I'd win three ... I'd ease him out of his money.

"But this guy started mouthing off and saying he was the best there was, and I had an upset stomach and didn't feel well -- I decided to end it quickly.

"So I ran nine straight racks of 9-ball without a miss. Then they knew they'd been hustled. Two guys grabbed me and the other broke my finger."

Also in "The Hustler," Fast Eddie is said to have played a three-cushioned billiards match against a rich Kentucky playboy and won $12,000. In fact, he won $30,000.

"The right amount is $30,000," said Fast Eddie, drawing on his stogie, dressed in a black tuxedo with white shirt a black bow tie and shiny black loafers. "I had a stake horse then -- a financial backer -- he took $18,000 and I took $12,000. It was a good night."

Fast Eddie, whose mother was born in nearby Bloomfield, he lives in San Antonio, met Paul Newman in a Beverly Hills restaurant prior to the filming of "The Hustler." He recalls Newman as being "very personable."

He has also traveled the world -- Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Japan, Mexico -- demonstrating his pool prowess.

He holds the unbroken record of pocketing 22 balls in one shot. During his show at Lloyd's Tavern he made 12 balls in one shot, made masse (behind the back) shots and generally had the que ball dancing on a string.

His show consisted of audience participation -- Teresa Hornbeak of Jackson attempted the Evel Knievel shot; comedy -- if he missed a shot (on purpose), he'd toss his wallet on the green felt and make the next one; and a clinic -- he showed people how to read and play off the diamonds on the top of the table's bumpers.

During the show he talked about his hustling days with "Minnesota Fats" and Willi Mosconi while cracking jokes. After the show he signed autographs for free and sold autographed photos.

"I love meeting the people," said Fast Eddie, signing an admirer's pool que, drawing on the stogie. "I'm having a good time."