Andy, I have watched this many times and still love it. You've done a great job showing the good, and bad, sides of his legacy. I am proud to be able to call him my father!
Haber epitomizes what handball is all about: Bad temper,impulsive reckess behavior,free spirited,ambitious ultra competitive,living on the edge,feeling alive and releasing passion.mixed with emotion. The handball arena became his eeal life stage his playwright........😮🙏😮
I watched Haber play the San Diego city handball champion in a spot match, in San Diego, in the early 1970's.. When I walked in the club, Haber was at the front desk handing out towels; I think he was working at the club. I was sitting around after a lesson with Steve Strandemo (a past racquetball great) and onto the court comes Haber. I think he spotted the his opponent 15 points. Haber kept going to the ceiling with his opponent with perfectly placed ceiling balls. His opponent got to 20-25 points over the course of a 30 point spot match (that's the way it was set up). Haber won; he was unreal - uncanny gets and placement. He simply wore his opponent down - completely flummoxed the guy. Haber's ceiling shots were perfect - one after another - sometimes 8 or 9 in a row - all hugging the left wall with very little clearance between the ball and the wall - almost impossible to return. It was awe-inspiring to see someone with that much control and natural talent. After the match, someone at the club told me that Haber had just come off a few days of heavy drinking...leaving me speechless.
That was at Mel Gorham's club at 960 Turquoise St. in Pacific Beach. The building is still there, but it's a gourmet French bakery now. I also saw Steve Strandemo (ranked #3 in the country in 1974 when I was introduced to Gorham's), and Paul Haber managed the club. I wasn't into handball anymore, so I didn't know what a big shot he was. I do remember him playing Dr. Bud Muehleisen in the famous Hands Against Racquet challenge. Amazing!
I met Paul Haber when I was 13 years old. He came to a handball tournament in Fresno Ca. in 1970. I’m 63 years old now. He use to bum cigs from my dad between games. I remember him as a very energetic wild man, but people were definitely attracted to him. I also met Jimmy Jacobs, and Stuffy Singer. Saw them all play. Jimmy was head and shoulders over everyone else. My father was good friends with Stuffy, he asked him how many points he (stuffy) would get with Jacobs if Jimmy was serious, Stuffy said 10 tops. I really admired Haber’s style. Paul had a wicked back wall shot, either hand, I mean that ball rolled out flat. Also his left hand deep to the right wall front wall wrap around kill shot was unbelievable. I would watch him warm up by bouncing the ball behind the serving line and killing it in the right corner time after time after time. He was like a dam machine. I would like to remember him through the eyes of that 13 year old kid. Thanks for posting! One of his sons, (Paul Haber Jr. I think) goes to the L.A. fitness in Oceanside and plays handball. Small world.✌️
Of all the American Handball champions I'm aware of, few were as physically gifted, and none were as controversial and troubled, as Paul Haber. While the definitive film on Haber has yet to be made, Andy Hollan deserves credit for his unbridled passion for - and commitment to - a genuine handball legend
Viewers of Paul Haber: Against the Wall learn there's simply no one more qualified,patient, or captivating than HabyBaby when it comes to anything related to handball. Playboy Paul was a teacher, a celebrity,a champion, and a valuable asset to the great sport of handball.
As a handball and racquetball player, I found this documentary extremely interesting. Paul Haber's story is one of the archetypal bad boy in sports. You have it all: the money, women, cars and alcohol. The fact that he resorted to all kinds of tricks and "cheating" only adds fire to his character. One of most intriguing aspects of this documentary is the ease with which Haber plays the game. It really is beautiful to watch just how effortlessly he moves on the court and hits the ball with such graceful strength.I can only imagine having that kind of skill. It's great that this documentary is out. Haber's contribution to the game of handball must be chronicled.
+Homer Quintana What needs to be chronicled is his abusive nature, his abandonment of his several families and children. You are just another being conned by the groupie Andy.
Homer Quintana's comments on Haber are right. Paul brought media coverage and interest to a sport which got little publicity.Haber was on the front page of The Wall Street Journal,Argosy,Ace, in the 70's because of his domination of handball.How many top handball and racquetball players from any era can say that.The film documents with very interesting photos and footage Paul Haber's unusual life.
Terry Muck not Stuffy Singer won his only USHA singles title in 1973 when Haber was jailed in Austin, Texas. Stuffy Singer won in 1968 when Haber staggered through the tournament before defaulting after getting numerous stomach shot injections by Doctor Stan London for horrific rib pain. This was Singer's only title. Great short film. Unfortunate how people comment without correct facts.
Paul managed the first racquetball-handball club on the west coast. His personality and skills influenced Americans to enjoy these 1,3, and 4-wall court sports. Fitness,fighting obesity,reduction in stress,and making new friends from playing racquetball and handball are some of his lasting legacies.
Paul Haber managed Mel Gorham's Sports Club at 960 Turquoise Street in Pacific Beach. Today it has been converted to The French Gourmet Bakery, but the upstairs viewing area is still there, as are the six 20x40 rooms. Back in the 1970s Gorham's was famous, and so was Paul Haber. I went to there on my first date with a guy I met at the Southwestern College racquetball courts who I eventually married. All the pioneer racquetball pros played there. Haber was at the front desk, but I'd already "graduated" from handball, so he wasn't as exciting to me as Charlie Brumfield, Jan Campbell, Steve Strandemo, Craig McCoy and others who were there.
Intro is why too slow. Should be more like 30 seconds and not two minutes. If Paul Haber was a PGA player, why isn't his name in the player's database: www.databasegolf.com/players/playerlist.htm Most interesting character. I think half of the things people say about him are questionable, but the other half is enough for an interesting book! My favorite story was about the deputies taking him into custody before a nationals match in Texas. Something about not paying child support. Resulting in the only national singles title for Stuff Singer.
@@gwiz750 I agree about the intro. Halfway through it I was afraid the documentary would just be music and quick clips. I was happy when it actually became a documentary. Overall, well done, but the intro should be 30 seconds, as you said.
Andy, I have watched this many times and still love it. You've done a great job showing the good, and bad, sides of his legacy. I am proud to be able to call him my father!
You are his daughter?? My brother would be your cousin i belive ...
Haber epitomizes what handball is all about: Bad temper,impulsive reckess behavior,free spirited,ambitious ultra competitive,living on the edge,feeling alive and releasing passion.mixed with emotion. The handball arena became his eeal life stage his playwright........😮🙏😮
I watched Haber play the San Diego city handball champion in a spot match, in San Diego, in the early 1970's.. When I walked in the club, Haber was at the front desk handing out towels; I think he was working at the club.
I was sitting around after a lesson with Steve Strandemo (a past racquetball great) and onto the court comes Haber. I think he spotted the his opponent 15 points. Haber kept going to the ceiling with his opponent with perfectly placed ceiling balls. His opponent got to 20-25 points over the course of a 30 point spot match (that's the way it was set up). Haber won; he was unreal - uncanny gets and placement. He simply wore his opponent down - completely flummoxed the guy. Haber's ceiling shots were perfect - one after another - sometimes 8 or 9 in a row - all hugging the left wall with very little clearance between the ball and the wall - almost impossible to return. It was awe-inspiring to see someone with that much control and natural talent.
After the match, someone at the club told me that Haber had just come off a few days of heavy drinking...leaving me speechless.
That was at Mel Gorham's club at 960 Turquoise St. in Pacific Beach. The building is still there, but it's a gourmet French bakery now. I also saw Steve Strandemo (ranked #3 in the country in 1974 when I was introduced to Gorham's), and Paul Haber managed the club. I wasn't into handball anymore, so I didn't know what a big shot he was. I do remember him playing Dr. Bud Muehleisen in the famous Hands Against Racquet challenge. Amazing!
I met Paul Haber when I was 13 years old. He came to a handball tournament in Fresno Ca. in 1970. I’m 63 years old now. He use to bum cigs from my dad between games. I remember him as a very energetic wild man, but people were definitely attracted to him. I also met Jimmy Jacobs, and Stuffy Singer. Saw them all play. Jimmy was head and shoulders over everyone else. My father was good friends with Stuffy, he asked him how many points he (stuffy) would get with Jacobs if Jimmy was serious, Stuffy said 10 tops. I really admired Haber’s style. Paul had a wicked back wall shot, either hand, I mean that ball rolled out flat. Also his left hand deep to the right wall front wall wrap around kill shot was unbelievable. I would watch him warm up by bouncing the ball behind the serving line and killing it in the right corner time after time after time. He was like a dam machine. I would like to remember him through the eyes of that 13 year old kid. Thanks for posting!
One of his sons, (Paul Haber Jr. I think) goes to the L.A. fitness in Oceanside and plays handball. Small world.✌️
Great memories and insight.
maybe Dennis Haber...Paul passed years ago
great documentary. I know lots of handballers just like that fella
It is an interesting story. He obviously had a natural gift for the sport.
Of all the American Handball champions I'm aware of, few were as physically gifted, and none were as controversial and troubled, as Paul Haber. While the definitive film on Haber has yet to be made, Andy Hollan deserves credit for his unbridled passion for - and commitment to - a genuine handball legend
+Ben Thum Haber was an ausive philandering drunk/
Viewers of Paul Haber: Against the Wall learn there's simply no one more qualified,patient, or captivating than HabyBaby when it comes to anything related to handball. Playboy Paul was a teacher, a celebrity,a champion, and a valuable asset to the great sport of handball.
As a handball and racquetball player, I found this documentary extremely interesting. Paul Haber's story is one of the archetypal bad boy in sports. You have it all: the money, women, cars and alcohol. The fact that he resorted to all kinds of tricks and "cheating" only adds fire to his character. One of most intriguing aspects of this documentary is the ease with which Haber plays the game. It really is beautiful to watch just how effortlessly he moves on the court and hits the ball with such graceful strength.I can only imagine having that kind of skill. It's great that this documentary is out. Haber's contribution to the game of handball must be chronicled.
Yes, I agree. Haber's contribution to the game of handball is something that newer generations should know about.
+Homer Quintana What needs to be chronicled is his abusive nature, his abandonment of his several families and children. You are just another being conned by the groupie Andy.
Homer Quintana's comments on Haber are right.
Paul brought media coverage and interest to a sport which got little publicity.Haber was on the front page of The Wall Street Journal,Argosy,Ace, in the 70's because of his domination of handball.How many top handball and racquetball players from any era can say that.The film documents with very interesting photos and footage Paul Haber's unusual life.
No eye guards!?! Incredible!
Terry Muck not Stuffy Singer won his only USHA singles title in 1973 when Haber was jailed in Austin, Texas. Stuffy Singer won in 1968 when Haber staggered through the tournament before defaulting after getting numerous stomach shot injections by Doctor Stan London for horrific rib pain. This was Singer's only title. Great short film. Unfortunate how people comment without correct facts.
Paul managed the first racquetball-handball club on the west coast.
His personality and skills influenced Americans to enjoy these 1,3, and 4-wall court sports.
Fitness,fighting obesity,reduction in stress,and making new friends from playing racquetball and handball are some of his lasting legacies.
Paul Haber managed Mel Gorham's Sports Club at 960 Turquoise Street in Pacific Beach. Today it has been converted to The French Gourmet Bakery, but the upstairs viewing area is still there, as are the six 20x40 rooms. Back in the 1970s Gorham's was famous, and so was Paul Haber. I went to there on my first date with a guy I met at the Southwestern College racquetball courts who I eventually married. All the pioneer racquetball pros played there. Haber was at the front desk, but I'd already "graduated" from handball, so he wasn't as exciting to me as Charlie Brumfield, Jan Campbell, Steve Strandemo, Craig McCoy and others who were there.
Professionally crafted but slow paced...needs more personal details of Haber's life to develop a human interest bond with the audience.
I thought some subtitles would be helpful to identify more people, places, dates.
Intro is why too slow. Should be more like 30 seconds and not two minutes.
If Paul Haber was a PGA player, why isn't his name in the player's database: www.databasegolf.com/players/playerlist.htm
Most interesting character. I think half of the things people say about him are questionable, but the other half is enough for an interesting book! My favorite story was about the deputies taking him into custody before a nationals match in Texas. Something about not paying child support. Resulting in the only national singles title for Stuff Singer.
Not every player who has entered a PGA event is listed.
@@gwiz750 I agree about the intro. Halfway through it I was afraid the documentary would just be music and quick clips. I was happy when it actually became a documentary. Overall, well done, but the intro should be 30 seconds, as you said.
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