Ritz

The Ritz pinball machine, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in 1935, emerged during the early golden age of mechanical pinball machines. This period marked a crucial time in pinball history as manufacturers were establishing the fundamental elements of pinball gameplay that would influence the industry for decades to come.

The Ritz exemplified the art deco styling of its era, featuring elegant geometric patterns and sophisticated imagery that reflected its namesake - the glamorous Ritz hotels and entertainment venues of the 1930s. The playfield design was relatively simple by modern standards but innovative for its time, featuring metal scoring rings, rubber bumpers, and mechanical kickers that created engaging gameplay mechanics within the limitations of purely mechanical operation.

As one of Gottlieb's pre-war machines, the Ritz helped establish the company's reputation for quality craftsmanship and reliability. The machine's construction utilized hardwood cabinet materials and hand-painted artwork, demonstrating the high level of artisanship that went into early pinball manufacturing. While exact production numbers are not well-documented, machines from this era were typically produced in limited quantities, making surviving examples highly sought after by collectors.