Hi Dolly

Hi Dolly, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in 1965, was a vibrant electro-mechanical pinball machine that capitalized on the massive success of the Broadway musical and film 'Hello, Dolly!' starring Carol Channing and later Barbra Streisand. This timing aligned perfectly with the peak of Broadway-themed entertainment in American popular culture.

The machine featured classic 1960s Gottlieb design elements, including a four-player configuration with standard scoring reels and the characteristic simple but elegant playfield layout common to games of this era. The artwork likely incorporated theatrical themes and imagery reminiscent of the musical, though keeping with Gottlieb's traditional conservative artistic approach of the mid-1960s.

As an electro-mechanical machine from the mid-1960s, Hi Dolly would have used relay logic, score motors, and chimes or bells for sound effects - the standard technology of its era. The gameplay would have focused on hitting specific targets and rollovers to advance scores, typical of Gottlieb games from this period which emphasized skill shots and precise aim rather than complex rule sets.

While not one of Gottlieb's most famous titles, Hi Dolly represents an interesting intersection of pinball and popular culture during the golden age of Broadway musicals. The machine serves as a testament to how the pinball industry frequently drew inspiration from contemporary entertainment to create themed games that would resonate with players.