Machine Description

The Moulin Rouge pinball machine, released by Bally in 1975, captured the glamour and allure of Paris's famous cabaret establishment. This electro-mechanical pinball machine represented one of the last great examples of the EM era, before the industry's transition to solid-state electronics in the late 1970s.

The machine's artwork and design elements celebrated the iconic Parisian nightclub, featuring can-can dancers, elaborate costumes, and the distinctive red windmill motif of the actual Moulin Rouge. The playfield layout typically included multiple pop bumpers, drop targets, and spinning targets that were common for machines of this era. The scoring system utilized the mechanical reel score displays characteristic of EM machines.

As one of many entertainment-themed machines of the 1970s, Moulin Rouge exemplified the pinball industry's strategy of capitalizing on popular culture and exotic locations to attract players. The theme resonated particularly well in Europe, where the actual Moulin Rouge remained a significant tourist attraction. While production numbers aren't definitively known, the machine is considered moderately rare today, with surviving examples being sought after by collectors for both its historical significance and artistic design.

The timing of Moulin Rouge's release, near the end of the electro-mechanical era, makes it particularly interesting to pinball historians. It represents the culmination of mechanical pinball engineering before the revolutionary shift to solid-state electronics that would forever change the industry.