·- Theatre.Oruan Bombarde

JOURNALof the AMERICANTHEATRE ORGAN ENTHUSIASTS

APRIL, 1967

------._-=-i.._ - - - • ·------..I presents

PAUL BEAVER Master of Many Moods playing the Kearns-Carson 3/26

Wurli Tzer Theatre Pipe Organ in a superb stereo album titled

PERCHANCE*TO*DREAM

~ Selections include : "I Had the Craziest Dream"-Lhe really BIG Unit Orchestra sound with lots of exciting brass and toe-tapping Pedal cymbals. "I Will Wait for You" from Umbrellas of Cherbourg--a theatre pipe organ recording premiere of this flowing melody. Listen for the novel percussion registrations in the interlude! "Our Song"-a rhapsodic ballad composed by the artist. Its imme­ diate enthusiastic acceptance by other musicians and concert audiences alike ensures its place in the permanent repertoire. "Lullaby of the Leaves" in a subtle, mystical setting. Hypnotic. "Dancing on the Ceiling" contrasts the two pianos, adds vibraphone in a salute to George Shearing .. "Star Dreams"-magic music-box waltz as played by the composer. "What Is The re to Say " has that great theatre pipe sound. Intense, yet tender. " 'Round Midnight"-truly a modern standard featuring the haunting stereo sound from two sets of chimes to evoke an unearthly carillon. This is alternated with seven scintillating sets of strings singing surrealistic harmonies.

~ Technically, this is a most unusual recording. You hear this gorgeous instrument as it sounds in its home setting. All the actual volume and spatial contrasts have been beautifully captured, then accurately transmitted t o prime quality virgin vinyl with utmost care.

~ As you may have gathered from the review in the prior issue of this magazine, this is a collector's item for the connoisseur.

)f Prepaid shipment will be made rapidly to you upon receipt of $5 (foreign add $1) for each copy. Simply order No. 11111 from Rapture Recordings, 2825 Hyans St., Los Angeles, California 90026 AMERICANTHEATRE ORGAN SOCIETY ARCHIVESLIBRARY

THE COVER PHOTO TheatreOrgan Volume 9, No . 2 Detroit Fox Theatre's Wurlitzer 4/36 Crawford Special organ which will be featured at the Na­ tional ATOE Convention in Detroit July 1, 2, 3 , 4. Boffibarde Volume 4, No. 2 Photo Courtesy Manning Bros .

A.T.0 .1:.. ational Membership 1s )6 .00 per year, which includes a subscription to Thearre Organ 80111- barde . the official publication of the American The­ atre Organ l:.nthusia ts. Make check or money order TAKING AN OVER-ALL payab le to A.T.0.1:.. and mail to P.O. Box 7404 VIEW OF THE Bitter Lake Station. Seattle. Washington 98133. ALL MATERIAL FOR PUBLICATIONS NATIONAL PICTURE!! SHOULD BE SENT TO THIS ADDRESS. * * * WELCOME NEW CHAPTERS! A.T.O.E. Officers Dick Schrum President Erwin A. Young, Jr. - Vice President Two new chapters have been added to Dorothy Mac Clain - Secretary-Treasurer our roles, indicating the growing en­ Marilyn Schrum - National Secretary thusiasm for the Theatre Pipe Organ A.T.O.E. Board of Directors as well as the constant growth of the Carl Norvell - Chairman A.T.O.E. Dorothy Mac Clain Howard Da y The Mid-America Chapter, Wichita Kansas, was inspired by the late Ray­ Don Hall W. " Tiny" James mond Shelley and carried through by Chairman Bob Foley originating as an Richard F. Kline, Jr . A.T.O.E. chapter. Dick Simonton The Sierra Chapter, Sacramento, California, was originally the Theatre Or­ Judd Walton Erwin A. Young, Jr. gan Enthusiasts of Sacramento. Chairman Lawrence Weid and his group have spear-headed the affiliation with A.T.O.E. A.T.O.E. Honorary Members 1959 - Jesse Crawford Let us take this opportunity to salute the chapters of A.T.0.E. The strength 1960 - Farny Wurlitzer of the National organization is in its chapters, which are now 27 in number. 1961 - Mel Doner Let's keep growing! 1962 - Leonard MacClain 1963 - Eddie Dunstedter Note: There are six nominees for Board of Directors this year from which 1964 - Reginald F oort four will be elected. (BALLOTT ENCLOSED!) This is in contrast to 1965 - Dan Barton 1966 - W. "Tiny" James twelve that were submitted last year. The nominating committee was abolished by the Board in New York on Feb. 4, 1967 to allow all nominees to appear EDITORIAL STAFF on the ballott. Remember, the Board of Directors is the governing body, and Publications Director - Bill Peterson is your chance to have your say. THEATRE ORGAN Editor - George Thompson Note: The March 15 cut-off date for dues does not mean that A.T.O.E. closes Associate Editor - Ray Brubacher its membership after that date. It is never closed. However, we did need a date THE BOMBARDE by which to gauge our budgeting and publication planning. It is requested that Editor - W. "Stu" Green as many dues as possible be remitted at the first of the year. Early payment Associate Editor - Peg Nielson also assures you of receiving all of your magazines as scheduled. Advertising Manager - Dewey Cagle SEE YOU IN DETROIT! * * * Theatre Organ Bombarde (title registered U. S. Patent Office) is published bi-monthly by the American Theatre Organ Enthusiasts, Dick Schrum, president. All rights re­ served . Entire contents copyrighted 1966 by A. T.O. E. Inc. Office of publication is 565 N . Portland Blvd., Apt. l Ol, Portland , Ore­ gon 97217 .

Dick Schrum, President POSTMASTER: 2nd Class permit paid at Portland, Oregon. If U DELIVERABLE, send form 3579 to ATOE Circulation Dept. Box 1314, Salinas, Calif.

"ORGANize your fun in the Motor City in '67"

1 theatre organ I bombarde AN ACRE OF SEATS IN A PALACE OF SPLENDOR

By Bill Peterson NUMBER 3 IN A SERIES

THE NEW YORK PARAMOUNT THEATRE The "Mother" Paramount opened on Times Square in Nevv York City on November 19, 1926, and vvas designed by C .W. and George L. Rapp . The capacity of the auditorium vvas 3664 .

This theatre vvas the flagship of the Paramount Publix fleet , and vvas the origin of the famous Publix stage shovvs that vvent out on the ci r cuit . The theatre occupied the lovver portion of the Paramount Building, a tovvering office building topped by a clock tovver and vvorld globe .

Jesse Cravvford designed the 4 manual 36 rank Wurlitzer organ, and vvas featured along vvith his vvife Helen at the tvvin consoles. Subsequent organists to preside at the Paramount vvere Reginald Foort, Don Baker , George Wright, Bill Floyd, and Bob Mack . In the mid-thirties, the Paramount svvitched to a name band policy featuring Benny Goodman, the Dorseys , et al. It became the No . 1 haven of th e bobbyso x ers . Frank Sinatra reached the peak of his popularityvvith the youngsters here . In 1966 the Paramount vvas stripped out of the office building to make vvay for more profitable ven­ tures . The Mighty Wurlitzer is novv ovvned by a group of Los Angeles enthusiasts , although at present it is in storage avvaiting a nevv home . april 196 7 2 \ George E. Missbach Mr. Missbach was ~ born in New York City, and now lives ·n Atlanta, Georgia. He and Mrs. Missbach Editor are the proud par­ ents of four children. I • George of He is the sales man­ ager in Atlanta for Theatre Organ Morehouse Cowles Thompson Inc., a firm based in Los Angeles. He has • long been interested in pipe organs, and has a Henry Pilcher ATOS two manual thirteen rank instrument ABCBIVES/LIBRARY equipped with an Aeolian Duo-Art, fully automatic, two roll player. His other hob­ bies include clocks and watches, fore . edged books, Japantse swords, guns, and paintings. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dr. Phillip C. Olson Dr. Philip C. Olson was a member of the original Los An­ geles Chapter, ATOE, and was its sec­ NOMINEES ond chairman. His interest in theater or­ Ballots are enclosed for your vote. Please return by May 15th . At the Board gan began when he of Directors meeting in New York City on February 4, 1967 it was decided to as attending Poly abolish the nominating committee . This change provides that all candidates Technic High School are listed on the ballot. in Los Angeles. He tu died Pipe organ all through his high The following men have been nominated Allen W. Rossiter born in New York City, school years, gradu­ lifetime resident of New Jersey, attended ating just as talking Allan Rossiter Union College, served in the U. S. Navy pictures came on the New York Chapter from 1942-1946, and for the past 21 years George Missbach an electronic field engineer for the Bur­ scene. He turned his attention to Veteri­ Southeastern Chapter roughs Corporation. nary Medicine and graduated from Wash­ Paul Abernathy (Dr.) In the last 4 years as secretary-treas­ inton State College in 1940. His first love, Piedmont Chapter urer of the New York Chapter he has Phillip _Olson (Dr.) been largely respon­ the theater organ, was never far from Los Angeles Chapter sible for the many his heart-he spent every day off in a theater or studio that boasted a pipe or­ Erwin A. Young Jr. outstanding programs gan. Phil's devotion to ATOE is well Potomac Valley Chapter in the New York me­ known in Southern California; any organ W. "Tiny" James tropolitan area. Un­ concert or organ activity will find him Northern California Chapter der his leadership the in the cheering section. tremendous growth in Please use the ballot that is included with numbers (from 14 to W. "Tiny" James has had a long and this issue, and mail immediately. The 267 members) and enthusiasm has in no illustrious career as a theater organist deadline is May 15th. A shor etch of small measure attested to his abilities and beginning with his grammar school days each man that has been nominated fol­ interests in,the theatre organ world. A fre­ playing the 9 rank Wurlitzer organ at the lows. quent contributor to Theatre Organ-Bom­ Strand Theater in Alameda, Calif.ornia. barde, member of National A.T.O.E. for He was staff organist * * * * * l O years, member of Delaware Valley for at the Oakland Fox, IO years, member of the New York Chap­ Oakland Paramount, Erwin A. Young Jr. ter for 5 years, and member of Connec­ and San Francisco 9024 Beatty Drive ticut, Niagara Frontier and Potomac for Orpheum theaters. Alexandria, Va. several years. He is a recording Wife Joyce (I-Daughter) artist having record­ 2-6 Wurlitzer playing ed on both the San Has flown with United Air Lines for 22 Paul Mc.Bee Abernethy Francisco and Oak­ years, has been a Captain with United for Born Avondale, N. C. May 18, 1921 land Fox Wurlitzer pipe organs. His lat­ 16 years. Is now a Lt. Col. in the Air B.S. Wofford College, 1941 est series of albums, "Farewell to the Force Reserve, flew M. D. Bowman Gray, 1943 Fox", was made with Everett Nourse on as fighter pilot in Diplomate American the late San Francisco Fox Wurlitzer. WW II. First Chair­ Board of "Tiny" is a charter member of the man of Potomac Val­ Opthalmology A.T.O.E. and has served both as Na­ ley Chapter. Appoint­ tional President (three times) and as ed Eastern Vice 1st. President of Publication Director. He was made an Pres. in 1961. Elect­ Piedmont Chapter honorary member at the 1966 National ed National Vice A.T.O.E. Convention in Portland, Oregon. "'Tiny" Pres. in 1963. Has served as Vice Pres. lives in Alameda, California with his wife, since 1963 through 1967. Was acting Pres. Owner of Ida, and their two children. He is an at 1967 convention in Portland Ore. a 2/5 Wutlitzer auditor for Alameda County.

3 theatre organ I bombarde HISTORICAL PHOTOS OF THE CHICAGO THEATRE CONSOLE,Courtesy L. R. Clark.

Milton Charles when he played the Chicago BE SURE AND KEEP US NOTIFIED theatre. Now a resident of Hollywood, Cali ­ OF ANY CHANGE IN YOUR ADDRESS fornia.

Membership cordially invited - USA - $3 .00 per year, includes a regular news magazine containing news items, record reviews, articles on electronic organs and specifications of theatre organs in all States of Australia. Authur Gutow-one of the better organists -taken in the early 20's at th Chicago thea­ Address all communications to THE tre console. HONORABLE SECRETARY, T.O.S.A., 10 Caloola Road, Wentworthville, N.S.W. JOHN MITCHELL, theatre by PAUL E. ENG LE organist Three of the largest theaters in the Pitts­ goes back to the time when he played the burgh area supporting organs were the two manual Moller in the Manor Theatre Loew' Penn, the Stanley and the En­ in Squirrel Hill, a section of Pittsburgh, right, located in the East Liberty section and then to the Stahl Theatre, now the of Pittsburgh. The latter of these had the Leona, in Homestead, Pennsylvania. La­ largest seating capacity. The Loew's Penn ter Johnny moved to the Sheridan Square boa ted of a Robert Morton, the Stanley Wurlitzer and then on to the Enright in

The same console as it is today . At the bottom of the pit covered by the extended stage .

Johnny Mitchell, at the Leona Theatre Kimball console ; taken in July 1964 . of a Wurlitzer, and the Enright of a 3-13 East Liberty. His stay there only lasted a Kimball. When all three organs were in short time due to a local musician's full sway they were played by Dick Lei­ strike. However, because of a contract bert, Bernie Armstrong and Johnny Mit­ with Warner Brothers, he was moved to The Slave or second console. Designed for chell, respectively. Both the Loew's Mor­ Erie where he played the Warner Wurlit­ and used by Helen Crawford . The console ton and the Stanley Wurlitzer were lost in zer for two years. In 1932 he returned to is still connected but now out of sight hid­ the historic l 936 flood. The consoles of the Enright where he originated with the den back stage. When Mr. Siegel used this both organ , as well as the switches, re­ very popular Walter Framer of Strike It console on stage he was only permitted to lays and blowers were completely under Rich fame, a very popular organ program play two songs-Silent Night for the water. Neither of the e organs were reac­ Christmas show and-The Rosary on for Warner Brothers called Footlights and Easter Sunday . tivated . The Kimball was unaffected, how­ Stardust. This program went on the air ever, for the Enright was situated well daily until the house went cold in 1952. out of the flood area. This organ remained Many fond memories exist for Johnny in use until 1952 under the capable artist­ at the Enright for it was here that John­ "ORGANize your fun in the ry of Johnny Mitchell. ny met and worked with the late Dick Motor City in '67" A TOE member, Johnny Mitchell, has a Powell. Dick was just starting then, and history that dates back to the early days of the theatre organ . Johnny's history ( Conrinued on Page 7)

april 7967 4 Ifplaying a theatreorgan is a hobbyor youravocation, be sureto hear andtest the ConnTheatre Organ.

The modern self-contained organ that puts the • Two 61-note independent manuals • 62 vari-colored illuminated coupler and wonderful world of theatre organ music at your • 25-note pedalboard control tabs • 60 watts total distributed power fingertips-everywhere . • Fun-Master built -in • Four families of tone THE CONN THEATRE ORGAN FEATURES: • Solid state keyers CONN ORGANS/CONN PIANOS • Stereo Expression Control • Independent tone generation Conn Organ Corporation • Elkhart, Indiana • Two separate built-in speaker systems including • Sustain on manuals and peda _lboard Made by C. G. Conn, Ltd., world's largest manufacturer 2-speed Leslie • Chorus Control of band and orchestral instruments .. . since 1875 • Rhythm Section built-in • 26 speaking voices (including chimes)

5 theatre organ I bombarde THE USE OF CONTRACTS while being officially enthusiastic

by DON HALL

The fun of working on a pipe organ in a theatre and bringing it back to life is great ; however , a misunderstanding can sometimes spoil the fun and create some pretty hard feelings. In order to keep our mutual hobby as pleasurable as it should be, I am suggesting the use of some type of written agreement that outlines what work wilJ be done and who is responsible for what and to whom. This more busi­ nesslike approach to the restoration of Contract for the Removal theatre organs was prompted by Danny or the Robert Morton Organ in the Schultz, one of our Rochester , N .Y . Old Center Theatre

members , who wrote to me suggesting Durham, N. C. I lions that getting something in writing would Both of the parties whose names appear below, re p resenting their respective organ za • not only be a good idea legally but also put our club on a more professional foot­ to the following tcrm11: ing. agree1 The Piedmont Chapter of lhe American Thualre O rg-,10 Enlhu11lasts (to be referred to here- I had a chance to try this idea out when the 2m 8r Robert Morton organ in the . Piedmont Chapter) will remove the organ from lh e Center Theatre and load It onto after as C k N C Once the organ, or any parts Center Theatre in Durham, N.C. was truck11 lo btl supplied by Campl>Ull College, Buius reu • . • given to nearby Campbel] College. (The ·k il 111lho re11pun11lhillly uf Campl>Ull College. picture story on the removal of the organ thuruof, Is on lhu true II, • co11l11connected with removal will appear in a coming issue of TO BB.) 2' Campl>Ull Cullol{U 111ru111>0n11ihlu lo Piudmonl Chapter for Huch

The president of Campbell College called · I u or HupplloH and malurial11 Inc 1u di ng, hul nut limited to: tape, me to ask if Piedmont Chapter of ATOE of lhe orl(an a11 runlal ur pure m11 I d within would be willing to take the organ out. ro11ln, pac kl nl{' and ,..u• 1ckinl{ hoxuH and loluphunu call11. ThUHU COlllll are lo be relm ,ur11e

I said that we would if he would agree to r I lllin1o:-hv lhu Piudmunl Chapter chairman.

a few terms and then went on to name :IU day11 o > • Cha lur Is lo he purmltled them. The president allowed that they 3. Oncu th,· Ul'l{an haH huun HUI u I> · uul IH in plavinl(· cund Ilion, Piudmonl p were aJI right and arrangements were frue UHU of lho ur14an and huildin14 in which il h1 hou11ud foa· aH !uni( :111il remains properly of made to get a written contract signed be­ fore removal work started. A copy of that Camphull Cullol(o. lluurH u( UHl' Hhall l>U muluall .v cunvuniunl. UHu uf lhu orl(un will include con­ contract folJows this article. ll H ·111d l'l'ho 111·H1ll I I"'" lu:ull1114 111th1 •H1' uvunlH. It also seemed a good idea to protect l'UrlH, chaplur "" '" 1114' ' , IL mu11L lhun ho pul up ' •1111,hull C11llul(1' l>Uforu Sopluml>Ur o( I !lhH, us from ourselves, so al] the members of 4 . If lhu orl(an 111not HUI up al ( ., I l>U inleruslod ·In the removal work crew signed a release l'ot' Halo. Pludmonl ChapLol' wilt, II. nucoHHa1,v,', ·1id in ruachinl( parlle11 who mil(hl

which too is reproduced here. Jim Lowe , ,.. l'rol'IL l'ro111 llw m •14a11'HHalo, aflur duducllon of 11hlpplnl(, crallnl(, lhu purl'lrnHu u( Lhu 11r14,111. Ch • tor a friend of mine and a good lawyer , looked over the contracts and noted that 11dvurli11ln14 UXl>UllHl!Hand lhu liku an• dudu1 •l11tl, IH Lo hu dlvldud equally l>Ulwuun Pludmonl ,lfl they appear to be in order , but were ob­ ,uul Campl>UII Collu140 . viously not drafted by a legal hand . By a. l>ue Lo llw laHL-mlnuLu nature ul thlH prujm:l, l'iudnwnl Chaplur iH In no w:1.v ruHJ>OnHlhle if this I think he meant that they were in English that ordinary mortals could read tho url{an nn11oval w11rk c:11111111ho c11111ph•Lud. and understand. Jim changed some word­

ing around and removed rather meaning­ 1'11r___ __,.--,------less words and sentences; I think that (Namu)------'------(

others who might be engaged in similiar for ____ ~-:------projects might be able to use these ideas (Namu)------(Orl(11nl1.al111n) to come up with their own contracts to serve their own special situations. For good measure, I have also included (WllnUHII) (Datu) a contract like the one I would have writ­ ten when work was started on the restora­ tion of the Center organ, if I had been thinking along more professional lines. apri/ 1967 6 JOHN MITCHELL, continued (Continu eJ fro 111P age 4) it wasn 't long until he was moved to the Rele&ee Form and Stanley as MC of their stage shows and MaD-HOIII' SUJDID&l'Y I will not bold Piedmont Cbapuir of the American 'J'beatt8 Organ EnthuaiaBU or any of iU then on to Hollywood and Stardotn. John­ ny also had a very successful kiddie show memben iD any way reaponaible for iDjurle• which I may euatain ineidental to removin& the every Saturday. This show became the springboard for many youngsters who orpn from the old Center Tbeatn, l)urba.m, M. C. (Bounl Wortred) went on to success and stardom . Johnny likes to talk about these kiddies and the good times he had with Dick Powell in this house of stars . The Enright Theatre was torn down when it became evident that the area had changed and would no longer support a house of this size. The Kim ball was sold. It is understood this organ is now in stor- age in Cleveland , Ohio. Johnny , unlike man y artists of the si- lent movie days, has not deserted his first love. The organ has been and is his life. Contract for the Restoration Today , Johnny is engaged in a whirlwind of the Robert Morton Orpn In the of activities. Currentl y, he has been play­ Center Theatre, Durham, N. C. ing an organ in the new huge Civic Arena in McMurray, Pennsylvania , holding down Both of the parties whoae names appear billow' repreeenllnic their re• agree to the following terms : pecllve organizations, a church organ position and keeping pace with a grueling teaching schedule. For seven years he held sway in a popular 1. The Piedmont Chapter of the A mer I can Theatre Orl(an Enlhuala•t• to after as Piedmont Cha l ) ( be referred to here- night spot where the young and old timers P er will furnish thu lalx> r nuceHary to restore the R loved to go and hear his special style . In the Cunter Thealru ha oberl Morton organ • O ur m, N.C. to 1(00<.ipla •V I nl( condition . Thure 1hall be His instrument was always rigged with all types of gadgets designed by Mitchel\ ­ lhl1 service which I ■ onu of lh I no charge for o n11l on11l l(Olli ■ of thu Amurlcan Thoatru Organ E h strings, guitars, surf , percussion and 2, Thu Center Theatru will nt furnl ■ h ■ uch nuw part ■ 111 lh11 or1<11n uala ■ ll, m any more sounds nightly echoed forth to pr11111nt part• cannot bo I may r11qulr11 provided that the the glee of the patrons . Johnny is also on ru JUULor •ub1lltuL011 c11nnol bu found · than S60,00, total. ' nuw parts ■ hall not cost moru the selling staff of Pittsburgh 's largest Hammond dealer . With all of this , one would really wonder how you could get an 3. Thu restoration work will IIll con d uctud nl 11mutually convunlont llmu such 111 durln thu affirmative "Yes " when you ask Johnny mornlnl( hour ■ and tlftor tho la•l show al nll(hl. I( if he would like to go and pla y "The

4. Aa lonl( Ill tho orl(an r1111111ln11I 11 th ti pl'OHOlll tho11lro hulldln" ,., Pl oumont., Chaptor mu h Pipes " . This is how he affectionately re­ fers to the theatre organ , "The Pipes ". ua11 of tho orl(un 11ml hulldlnl( nl no churl(U fur fr ou concurl11 nnd 11100Un II 11 y avu He will tell you there isn't anything like hours, If admh111lon l11 •h IC l mutually convunlent c url(od lo tho concorl 11, oxpon11011IUHI pr oflt11 will ho dlvldod o 11 "The Pipes ". " Most important of al\," quips John , "I just want to keep my l111tw11onPlodnwnt Ch11plor 11nd th -,ontor,, .fhuntro, qua y 0 hand in so I never lose the touch ." 5. U tho orl(an h1 uvor to ho dlH Im11 Ul I of, l'lod111011l Ch11ptur and llH mo111hur11h11 vo Time permitting, Johnny will go any­ on tho 11cqulllltlun of It If ti flr11l option where , any time , to play a theatre organ. • 10 or1,tan IH not wnnlod h_v tho Pludmont Ch may then ho cll11pm1odof In a llplor or lt11 momhora, IL Last year he revisited the Erie Warner n.v w11.v Hoon flt hv tho Contor Thontro where Johnny warmed up the Wurlitzer.

6, Pled111011tCh ',..·1nt or w Ill not hold tho Contor Th oa. l ro ro11ponHlhlo . for porHon11l I He played there and reacquainted himself

meml>orH on official hu11lne1111In tho thoatro IUld ti C . njurlea lo ll11 with the theatre manager who has a wide Cha • 10 entor fhoatro will not hold Piedmont eyed and thrilled young usher back when

ptor ro11µon11lhlo for an.v accldontnl du11111I( u to u ny µnrt of tho thonlro hulldln • o I Johnny would rise up with the Wurlitzer equipment. J.t r t11 under the spotlight. Recently , in Richmond , Virginia , John 7. Tho orl(an 11111y l>o u11od only with the knowlodl(O nnd c oruwnt of tho Plodmont Chaptor. thrilled to the touch of the three Wurlit­ zers- the Byrd, Mosque, and Loew's, and reveled to the famous hospitality of the (N(Naa~m~c))______for organ enthusiasts there . He went also to ~(((O>rri1::u111it:tzwa:i'it1~11n;;-i):------see Jimmy Boyce and experienced that spine tingling sound from Jimmy 's big

(N~a;m;;;u))------for ((OOrir1:~•amnI;i;,::?i'aUlhm>nii)______4-43 Wurlitzer at the Rink in Alexandra, Virginia. All in all, Johnny is one of the truly great organ enthusiasts who never

(Dale) could forsake the love, thrill and feel of the king of instruments. "No Siree ," quotes Johnny , "There just isn't anything like 'The Pipes ' ."

theatre organ I bomb arde 7 While engaging in research relative to the Theatre Organ course which was es­ such appointments) and enjoying a lucra­ tablished by the Eastman School of Music in the 192O's, Rochester ATOE mem­ tive private practice. My eye had been con­ ber Lloyd E. Klos came across a very interesting textbook. This book, one of stantly on the cinema; I saw from the first, the artistic possibilities to the musician , es­ the few in existence, was written about 1926 by an Englishman, George Tootell, pecially to the organist, and had quietly the first British Cinema Organist. Through the generous cooperation of Dr. Ruth studied the whole question from every con­ Watanabe, Librarian of the Eastman School of Music's Sibley Music Library, ceivable point of view and formulated my Mr. Klos has been able to extract portions of the book, and thereby make them methods. I intended to be a cinema solo­ available to Theatre Organ readers. It is hoped that much of the material will organist, and when my opportunity be of benefit both educationally and entertainingly to ATOE members. should come, I intended to be ready for it. But I intended also to have a genuine cin­ ema organ, and up to this time no cinema HOW TO PLAY organs had appeared in Great Britain . The First Genuine Cinema Organ. A few years later , I received my first offer, THE CINEMA ORGAN as a solo organist, of_a cinema appoint­ ment through the late Mr. Easthope Mar­ A Practical Book by a Practical Player byGEORGE TOOTELL tin, the well-known songwriter, and de­ clined it because I did not consider the organ to be either suitable or adequate for Doctor of Music, University of Durham, Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, Solo organist solo work. I realized from the first that the of the Stoll Picture Theatre, London; The Palace, Accrington; The Coliseum, Glasgow; The Pic­ ture House, Douglas (Isle of Man) ; The West End Cinema, Birmingham; etc . cinema required a special type of instru­ ment and that the ordinary type of church or concert organ cou Id never succeed in INTRODUCTION high-class cinema), shouting the old form­ the cinema. But it was not long before the ula; which shows that in one feature at opportunity for which I had waited and Early Recollections. It seems but yester­ least , some cinemas have not advanced hoped came to me, when I was offered the day that , as a small boy, I tood gazing much in 23 years. position of solo organist at The Palace, with awe-struck eyes upon a gorgeous in­ My next impression is of a raveling cin­ Accrington. Here, the organ, constructed dividual , arrayed in a frock coat suit and ema show visiting the local town hall with by Jardine & Co., was built under my su­ top hat, and armed with a large cigar and a film called "Our Navy," which com­ pervision and embodied most of my own walking stick, who stood at the top of a pri ed pictures of our warships and naval ideas as to what a cinema organ should flight of steps leading to the entrance of a men doing wonderful things. This film be. This organ was the first genuine cin­ traveling show, shouting "Walk up , and was accompanied by a pianist who played ema organ built in Great Britain , and is see the moving pictures." In between his "A Life On the Ocean Wave," "Rule still one of the finest examples of cinema spasms, a wheezy mechanical organ la­ Britannia," "Jack's the Boy ," etc., and organ in this country. The remarkable boriously croaked "God Save the King," also by effects such as the splash of water success of this organ , not only from the thi procedure being carried out until the and the bang of the guns. After 20 years, artistic but also the box office point of tent was full of people. Having paid my effects are now reintroduced into the cin­ view, gave impetus to cinema organ­ modest penny for admission, I viewed, ema, so once again, we are apparently building in England, but unfortunately with wonder, films of about 400 feet in back at the starting post. other builders did not profit by the exam­ length , chiefly of "interest" subjects, I pa s on a year or two, and now find ple, with the result that a number of or­ which were shown in silence, the only ac­ a cinema established as a permanent local gans were buiit for cinema purposes companiment being the remarks and ap­ entertainment. Feature films have grown which were never quite suited to their pur­ plause of the audience. After about half to greater length , and Mary Pickford has pose, being purely church organs. Never­ an hour of this, everybody was turned appeared in barnstorming dramas. A pia­ theless, we are now seeing organs erected out, the imposing individual reappeared nist is installed to provide a musical ac­ which are more genuinely cinema organs; on the front , and you were invited to pay companiment, and this pianist impresses if the introduction of the Wurlitzer organ another penney and see it all again. It me . He is not only a good player, but is into this country from America has only seems but yesterday, and yet this hap­ very clever in the way in which he follows illustrated to British builders the neces­ pened 23 years ago! the action of the picture with suitable mu- sary design for cinema purposes, it has Incidentally , but a few short months sic. I am in my teens, and though I have served a valuable purpose. have elapsed sin e I saw a cinema mana­ gained my FRCO diploma, am still busy In 1921, I accepted the position of solo ger arrayed in top hat , frock coat, knitted with the study of harmony, counterpoint, organist at the Stoll Picture Theatre , pull-over , navy serge trousers, tan boots, and all the rest which is included in an ac­ Kingsway, London, when the large 3- and a large bu ttonhone, standing at the ademic training. This pianist gives me manual Jardine organ was erected there. entrance to his theatre (presumably a ideas as to the possibilities of music in This instrument, again built under my conjun ction with the photoplay, and I re­ supervision, was the largest and most alize the enormous possibilities of an or­ perfect cinema organ which had appeared gan of the right type in the cinema. up to that time; it is still one of the largest 1967 Strange are the workings of fate! In organs to be found in a British cinema. Nation a I A. T.0. E. November 1925, I gave demonstrations on a large Jardine cinema organ in Glas­ Convention gow, and this very pianist who inspired INSTALLMENT NO. 2 JULY 1 ,2,3,4 me with my first cinema aspirations, called WI LL APPEAR IN Detroit upon me at the theatre where I was appear­ THE NEXT ISSUE OF ing to apply to me for an appointment! THEATRE ORGAN Michigan I pass on a few more years, and am now BOM BARDE comfortably installed in a good appoint­ ment as a Church organist (my third of * * * april 1967 8 WHAT- NO "CONSOLE LIGHTS TO PEDAL" COUPLER? Sorry, Virginia. Not on the new Schober Theatre _Or­ Schober's famous step-by-step instructions. gan. There are forty-eight colored stop tablets which Write for our 16-page descriptive booklet. It gives the control sensible organ functions, but there's not a trick whole story, from prices to details on kit assembly. A switch in the lot. small plastic sampler record is included, or you may Stop-board space is valuable and we've filled it with send for the 12-inch Schober Organ Demonstration an honest stop specification designed to fill the needs of Record (SOC-7, $2.00 postpaid.). an exacting professional organist. But it doesn't take a professional of any kind to as­ semble a Schober Organ. You can do it by following SPECIFICATIONS Solo (Upper Manual) Pedal Tibia 16' Dulciana 16' Cello 16' Tibia 16' Stentorphone 16' Diaphone 16' Tuba Mirabilis 16' Tuba Profunda 16' Viola d'Amore 8' Bass Flute 8' Vox Humana 8' Tuba 8' Solo String 8' Clarinet 8' Couplers Tibia 8' Solo to Solo 16' Oboe 8' Solo to Solo 4' Diapason 8' Solo Unison Off Brass Trumpet 8' Solo to Accompaniment 8' Violina 4' Tibia4 ' Controls Tromba Clarion 4' Power (On-Off) Piccolo 2' Manual Balance (Ace-Normal-Solo) Fifteenth 2' Pedal Balance (Min-Normal-Max) Flageo let I' Vibrato (Min-Med-Max) Fife I' Vibrato (Ace-Both-Solo) Accompaniment Precussion Group (Optional) (Lower Manual ) Celesta Tibia 16' Chrysoglott Dulciana 8' Orchestra Bells Vox Humana 8' Orchestra Bells (Reit) Tibia 8' Piano Orchestral Strings I I I Harpsichord Diapason 8' Xylophone Harmonic Tuba 8' Mandolin Harmonic Flute 4' Octave 4' SCHOBERTHEATRE ORGAN Tuba Clarion 4' Other Options Basic Kit Price $1,350. Options extra. Combination Action LSS-5 self-contained REVERBATAPE Unit speaker system Transistor Power Amplifier Leslie Organ Speaker

For more information on Schober Organ Kits write Dept. TO-2, THESCHOBER ORGAN CORPORATION 43 West 61 Street, New York, N.Y. 10023

9 theatre organ I bombarde shrink. With the best will in the world we PIPES-AND POPS!! can do little to prevent this. A few will go on building organs and carrying out repair by E . R . P . CRAWFORD and maintenance work on existing ones. Weybridge Surrey, England More will enter the electronic field and 'improve the breed' as many have already done, such as Compton and Wurlitzer­ ~OR rather more than a year I have er types. These are characterised by stop and some, though we hope very few, will lf' followed with amazement the effort of tabs and 'horseshoe' consoles, unification, take up other professions. organists to kill the organ as an instru­ instrumental voicing, total enclosure etc. In the future therefore, there will be lit­ ment, however much they may be under Electronic and electric organs fall in both tle demand for pipe organs, if only on the impression that they are prolonging categories. grounds of first cost, and the fact has to its life. May I be allowed to say some In the modern world - and for goodness be faced that many of them are now be­ words which, though possibly controversi­ sake, let us look at the modern world, not coming beyond repair. al, are sincere. the world of even ten years ago, a good The Theatre Organ Club, Cinema Or­ Ever since I can remember I haveloved pipe organ is bound to cost from 5,000 to gan Society and Theatre Organ Preser­ the instrument unreservedly, and I am do­ 40,000 pounds according to size and com­ vation Society are doing a really splendid ing all I can to preserve it. Maybe all of us plexity, and the equivalent electric organ job of rescuing organs from the breaker's would do better to take a practical look at much less, relatively. Let us think for a yard and the scrap heap and reviving the future, rather than looking nostalgical­ moment what this means, regarding the them to play again. They renovate them ly over our shoulders at the past. These potential market for the pipe organ in ei­ not only to playing order, but to first-class words are a plea for commonsense to pre­ ther religious or entertainment categories. order, for example at Buckingham, Os­ vail and introduce some sense of propor­ The pipe theatre organ as such, is dead sett, Andover and Windsor. In each of tion into our view of 'things organic'. I and there is now no demand at all for these places pipe organs have been instal­ wonder whether this is a pious hope? them in cinemas. How many churches will led where none existed before FOR THE Broadly speaking I would divide organs be able to install any but the very small­ BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC. More im­ into the classes religious and entertain­ est pipe organ, and how many civic com­ portant still,. they are doing all they can ment. In the former are all church, cathe­ muni ties will spend that amount of the to interest the public in the instrument and dral, chapel and some concert instruments, taxpayer's money on it? I would say, not to train future organists to play them un­ characterised by draw stops on the con­ many. A minority of people now go to der first-class instructors and musicians. sole, non-extension, non-enclosure and so church and people rarely go to the Town And the public is responding, membership on, though there is some overlapping of Hall for their entertainment. What is like­ is constantly increasing and many con­ course. In the entertainment category are ly to be the result? certs have almost a capacity attendance. theatre and cinema organs and home, club The population of organ builders in the This proves that public interest in the in­ and pub instruments as well as many oth- future, and their craftsmen, is going to strument is not only not dead, but very much alive and increasing, thanks to the efforts of the all-too-few enthusiasts. The thought occurs to me that as in the entertainment world, so in the Church - why should not these interested in the organ do the same, led by the or­ ganist and/or the vicar? They could in­ deed rescue many an organ from total ruin. Some would say it is technically not possible. I would say that technically it most certainly IS possible, as these Clubs have already proved. The layman is often an engineer, cabinet maker, electrician, plumber or just enthusiast who can pick up the rudiments of restoration in a sur­ prisingly short time. Properly led he can do a good job and, more important, with­ out harming the instrument. In any case he has little to lose if it is otherwise des­ tined for scrap. So often little more than thorough cleaning and re-leathering is re­ quired, and both can be dealt with it just depends on how much you really want to doit. So far, so good, and I am sure few or­

Leonard H. Clark at the console of the 5 manual Robert Morton, circa 1926. ganists would disagree; where they do dis­ agree, they are divided into the same cate­ This organ at the Kinema (later renamed Criterion) on Grand Avenue at 7th, Los gories as their instruments, but there is Angeles , was originally 3 manuals when installed about 1918 , and located in two little or no overlapping! Unfortunately the chambers on the left side in front of the procenium . In 1921 a solo organ in a third venom directed by organists against their chamber above the other two was added, all on high pressure : also a four rank echo fellows appears to be entirely one-sided. It comes from the one place it should not organ in the balcony center rear and this 5 manual console . come from - the church. My own experi­ Other organists featured here over the years were Earl Abel, Irma Falvey, Eddie Hor ­ ence with organist friends in both camps ton, Chauncey Haines. Jr .. Herb Kern. Ann Leaf, etc . ( Continued on Page 16) april 7 967 10 ~S THE CHAMPION of SILVER, ~ William Jennings Bryan, earned _a A MOON OVER MIAMI little gold by orating on the mira~le ?f Mi­ ami saying, "This is the only city m the by G. W . GERHART world where you can tell a lie at break­ fast that will come true by evening," and It was in 1922 that the Leach 's joined also conducted the world's largest outdoor forces with Famouse Players-Lasky of u Bible class on Sundays , the Florida land New York to form Paramount Enterprises boom had practically reached its peak on of Miami with the Leach's enjoying about the way to becoming a milestone in the a 51 % majority. Publix wanted into Mi­ annals of Americana . Promoters were ami while other majors seemed to shy pointing the way in a niagara of ecstatic away, and in reviewing many situations prose to the tropical paradise they were around the country this seems to have creating in the southeast corner of the been a Publix procedure wherein an inter­ USA. The Florida boom had begun tot est was maintained while the "home folk" form in l 921 and by early 1925 the pace outwardly ran the place . Some years later Publix would own all of them outright

anyway. James Barnett Olympia house manager With the movie palaze craze sweeping since 1952 . the country it was only natural that a an open-air operation covered with wire crowning achievement should now be re­ netting, dome-shaped like a bird cage to alized by Harry Leach and Paramount En­ hold up canv as that was rolled out in the terprises of Miami. Plans were begun event of rain. Originally the theatre was through the New York group with Robert going to be named M 1AM I, but the r~al Hall and John Eberson collaborating in estate leaseholder held out for something the construction and design. A one and a more "dignified " out of which came half million dollar OL YMPlA THEA­ OLYMPIA. TRE· Miami's "ne plus ultra," sprang The 2100 seat edifice turned out to be up at' the height of the land boom in 1925. Miami 's largest , naturally, and is a genu­ The ten story theatre and office building ine Eber son atmospheric, being the first Stanleigh Mallotte at the Olympia console rose in downtown Miami on the site of the in the South to have controlled weather bv during 1933. old AIRDROME theatre . This had been Carrier. Without a doubt the OLYMPIA was unbelievable. Everyone was encour­ is truly an inspired setting in a city that is aged to "come on down." symbolic of the outdoors , of sunshine and Ten years prior to all this real estate climatic salubrity. Upon opening it set the halocaust a gentleman by the name of pace for the entire South - the final word Harry Leach arrived in Miami ~nd in as­ in theatre com fort , convenience and en­ sociation with his father , a sister and vironment. brother, acquired half interest in the F~­ The auditorium was done according to TOSHO operation. In time the Leach in­ John Eberson 's finest specs. It could be terests would assume full control of the described as an Andalusian Courtyard , FOTOSHO and be on their way, in the Spanish style architecture with Italian in­ grand manner of the forthcoming boom, fluence. Design held a bold departure as to becoming the movie entrepreneurs of each side was different rather than sym­ Miami as several film operations were to Alys DeMuth Swords was associate organist metrical. The left is a reproduction in min- be opened. at the Olympia when it opened in 1926. ( Continu ed 0 11 nex t page)

11 theatre org an I bombarde the movie palaze craze and A Moon Over Miami. . .

(Story Starts on Page Eleven)

across the firmament with drifting billows ment world gracing the OLYMPIA of cloud, the curtain was withdrawn from stage. Names like Sophie Tucker and a typically picturesque stage and two Jackie Gleason , backed by Les Rohde 's trumpeters dressed in Spanish costume ap­ stage band , were not uncommon until Oc­ peared at each side , their bugle calls for­ tober 1954 when OLYMPIA vaudeville mally opening _ the program, leading into departed this earth. It was one of the last the overture. along with New York and Chicago . The The overture ended , Harry Marx acting house closed three months pending negoti­ as M. C. brought on Mayor Romph who ations for coming back as a first-run film introduced dignitaries and spoke at length situation which it remains to this day. of Miami as the promised land . The 0- Since that time there have been special L YMPIA 25 piece symphony orchestra road-show appearances by the likes of El­ under direction of E. Manuel Baer then vis Presley and Julius LaRosa on the stage got under way with the 1812 Overture and once in a while a fleeting appearance during which lighting effects fitting in well by the star or stars of a premiering movie. John Steele, organist and G. W. Gerhart with the tone harmony were used. Follow­ An extra special effort to bring back live console weight. ing this the WURLITZER Concert Pipe stage frolics was made for one week in Organ was featured with C. Stanleigh December 1964 when a Latin-American iature of moorish Spanish style with tur­ Mallotte playing Verses From Brook & revue presented itself in colorful and rets and towers while the right side top­ Wave by Longfellow set to music with fit­ sprightly array. Despite this brilliant try­ ping a tier of canopy covered boxes, re­ ting scenes being shown on the screen. A out along with a second-run film the inde­ flects Italian influence. The proscenium very special entry followed as Baroness pendently produced stage show resulted in arch has been referred to as an entrance Lavrova Royce-Garrett, coloratura so­ financial disarray and is now a loving to a Transylvanian courtyard framing prano, literally took the house by storm memory in the OLYMPIA scrapbook. the "curtain of a thousand jewels." At the after which Paul Whiteman and orches­ Mr. Al Weiss , veteran OLYMPIA man, rear of the balcony arched French doors tra made this one time only appearance. has always prided his organization in hav­ resemble the upper windows of a castle Whiteman was currently appearing at ing booked their own vaudeville shows, while directly above a huge arched per­ nearby Coral Gables Country Club. The never having been part of any traveling gola is hung with swinging lanterns. On indefat igueable news weekly went next circuit arrangement. Mr. Weiss, who was the mezzanine floor the foyer promenade followed by the feature movie which house director when the theatre opened in has a balustrated open well in the center rounded out a very liberal opening night 1926, can be given credit for the theatre with the usual statuary and paintings program. In the boxes, orchestra and being maintained in essentially the origin­ about the walls. One statue, located on the balcony soft lights from hidden windows al decor. His regional position today has upper right side of the main auditorium had shed their lustre on the hundreds of allowed him a voice in opposing "mod­ is unique in that it claims title to "Goddess faces glancing eagerly indeed from stage ernization" of the OLYMPIA auditor­ of Amusement" done in a sitting posture to interior. It was heralded as the most at­ ium. These up-dating gestures usually in­ holding a tamborine and Florida orange. tractive social function of the season. Mi­ dicate use of huge quantities of cloth, solid Opening night arrived February 18, ami hasn 't seen anything quite like it coatings of flat paint or both. In 1966 the 1926. The golden hour was at hand. Ad­ since. OLYMPIA still reflects the grandiose de­ vance tickets went to the public at $5 per Conditions were bound to run their cade from whence it came. Spot facelifting and then there was the usual horde of lo­ course and 1926 was the year the big Flori­ has therefore been the guideline. In the cal and visiting dignitaries. Outside , the da boom burst like the proverbial bagful! early fifties the 65 foot corner sign was re­ spired boxoffice of antique wood trim and of water , with the coup de grace being a moved from outside the building due to a silken hangings was sparkling along with very famous hurricane which sent a hotel city ordinance , the old boxoffice was mod­ the immense vertical corner sign (65x 12) flagpole through the OLYMPIA roof and ernized and the current marquee is its which shown ever so bright as Who 's also twisted the huge $14 ,000 vertical sign third. Inside , some palm branches and Who of the movie and theatre world ar­ into a $50 piece of junk. All was replaced miscellaneous shrubbery have disap­ rived for one of Miami's showiest nights. and the OLYMPIA continued to operate. peared over the years along with the moon Since February was and still is the height A Deluxe show policy went into effect and clouds, but stars twinkle busily in the of Florida 's tourist season they were ALL follow ing opening night consisting of still deep blue sky and all around re-lamp­ there enmasse including Adolph Zukor , straight screen presentation with, of ing is a regular thing. There is also pop­ Jesse Lasky, Flo Ziegfeld, Billie Burke , course , the symphony orchestra and or­ corn in paradise. Arthur Hammerstein, Dorothy Dalton, gan and continuing in this manner until Coming on the heels of the Publix trust­ Marcus Loew, Ben Lyon, Sam Katz , Sam talking pictures arrived. The OLYMPIA bust an organization known as FLORIDA Harris, E. F. Albee , Tom Meighan , Al did not subscribe to Publix stage revues STATE THEATRES operating former Jolson , Johnny Hines , Philo McCullough , at any time. In 1929 a policy of vaude­ Publix interests was formed on paper with F . F. Proctor , John Hertz of Chicago and ville and screen show was adopted with the OLYMPIA continuing as the south Mayor E. C. Romph plus Miami society the organ featured in novelty spots. The Florida flagship . This group is a wholly in a body. Harry Marx, director of Pub­ organ was to be dropped in the mid­ owned subsidiary of American Broadcast­ lix physical operations, had brought thirties as were stage shows for a while. ing Companies . Walter Lloyd of Chicago here to train The years sped by with Publix assuming The Wurlitzer Company heralded this the theatre staff of 40 on the floor . full control of the Leach interests in all installation as "the grand Olympia organ As the audience was seated in this Ven­ their Miami operations. Stage-screen re­ -the owner's choice, our pride. America's etian court beneath a deep blue sky with vues re-entered during January of 1939 deluxe organ for deluxe theatres." Opus twinkling stars, a moon moving slowly with the biggest names of the entertain- #1198 , a 260 (3/15), was shipped from april 1967 12 Both Jesse Crawford and Eddie Dunstedter are supposed to have made guest appearances at the OLYMPIA. Crawford in­ sisted that the console be hiked up during his stay in order that everyone be able to see as well as hear. Audiences on the orchestra floor are unable to see any footwork in the normal console position.

vas cover and railing . There is an abbrevi­ ated type sub-basement directly under the front stage where two doors allowed musi ­ cians access to the area . A small side room contains the organ blower. The brigaide of organists here started with Stanleigh Mallette who , along with Alys DeMuth Swords as associate , opened the organ and continued for some year s with spotlighted novelties and movie ac­ companiment. Mallotte 's wife Fern also played occasionally. A typical novelty by Mallotte might have been entitled A u R e­ voir But Not Goodbye or Back From The Cold North while Mrs. Swords would Keep Smiling. Mallette had been around Miami for some time as a prominent mu­ sician whereas Mrs. Swords had recently arrived from New Orleans where she ap­ peared at the Strand and before that at the Chicago Lake Shore. Auditions were held for Olympia second organist at an­ other theatre which contained next thing to a straight organ. It was here that Mrs. Swords played Nola and won over 26 others. The person holding the audition never had heard anything quite like it on an organ! Mrs. Swords held second posi­ tion at the Olympia for about two years when a family addition forced resignation. After this was properly cared for she con­ tinued in substitute service at various thea­ tres around Miami as her style was and John Steele at the console, shown with Jerry Conrad organ crew member. still is much in demand . Her deft ear for modern music and appreciation of life in general have left an indelible imprint on North Tonowanda on November 6, 1925 to and building of theatres there was a defi­ those who are fortunate enough to know Paramount Enterprises of Miami. Charles nite lack of coordination between various her. This graduate of the American Con­ Holchek of the New York office did the in­ interests, mainly building designers and servatory is today busy as ever playing stallation for Wurlitzer. organ builders. Here at the Olympia where Hammond and piano and instructing the Out of more than a dozen theatre organs much room was provided the main cham­ young folk. installed around the Miami area the Olym­ ber very little was allowed the solo on top. pia Wurlitzer was distinguished in being Space is lacking for sufficient tone open­ Stanleigh Mallotte stayed at the Olym­ the largest and most deluxe in all respects . ings since the swells, aside from being ab­ pia for several years , left and came back The inclusion of piano and 32 ' Diaphone breviated in height, are at floor level again . Later he played elsewhere in Mi ami and eventually left apparently for good. section was special enough, but what which is to say reservoir level. This took turned out to be slightly more unique was place due to a back slanting front wall Indications are that he had a stay in Bir­ the installation of Main and Solo cham­ which starts about four feet above the floor mingham for some time. bers stacked on the left si<;ie,console on the and was done due to design of the outside With stage and screen shows going right. These settings are when looking facade, i.e. , the grill , turrets, etc. So for strong in the early thirties organ son g­ from orchestra to stage . The Capitol in the sake of a proper looking minaret and fests or novelties were a popular item at Washington, D.C. was identical but in re­ grill the solo organ was "botched." Aside the Olympia. Mallotte , Don Miller and verse order sans piano and 32's . As in from seven ranks of pipes the solo room Roy Parks were oumoing the Wurlitzer at different times. During World War II many installations elsewhere , the piano also is cr'ammed with the toy counter and years the Dr. I. Q. radio show made a few and 32' section are not under expression at relay racks . broadcasts from the Olympia at which the Olympia with the piano being behind a The Olympia's proximity to sea level time the Wurlitzer breathed anew under wall, uncovered , to the left of the prosceni­ and therefore vulnerable location discour­ control of Clark Fiers, staff organist for um and next to the main chamber the aged the builders from incorporating WIOD radio, the NBC affiliate. Clark 32's in the ceiling to the proscenium ~ight the usual pit and elevators for in-front­ was no newcomer to theatre organ , this and directly above the console. of-stage activities. Instead, the floor was being another story by itself. Other than There are some who would label this in­ slightly depressed accommodating the these bursts the only billed appearance stallation as a partial transgression against symphony and a console in a stationary from the thirties to this day was for Larry good organ layout as "soloing " at the manner. This area has long been "seated Leverenz , a Philadelphian , who had a nov- Olympia doesn ' t quite reach expected over" but the console is quite prominent heights. In many cases during the design in its right side position protected by can- ( Continu ed on nexl page J

13 theatre organ I bomb arde opening in 1926 that Dan Papp was instal­ Occasional private concerts are held, ling a Style E in Ft. Lauderdale (for Wur­ with Dr. Steele presiding, for those of us litzer) that he accompanied Tom Brown, poor souls who need to hear the wind a Publix serviceman, to the Miami Olym­ turned on once in a while. In any event pia for some touchup tuning after which Mr. Barnett, our manager, is certainly to he returned to New York to assume a 40 be lauded as protector of the Olympia or­ year stay with Publix at the Times Square gan .His cooperation is always tops toward Paramount. those of us who have the interest of the In later years the "faithful followers" organ at heart. He is of the rare breed have appeared on the scene to try some­ who appreciates his environment as well thing in the way of organ maintenance. as the boxoffice reports. One such invasion left the second touch Meanwhile, the fabulous Olympia is now action completely removed and over the "over 40" and the Miami moon shines year magnets have been removed from intriguingly tonight as that night in 1926 the pizzicato relay to serve as replace­ when a star was born on Flagler Street. ments in pipe chests. Console fanciers wou Id have seen the original black turn to * * * Main chamber, (lower chamber) gold with loss of builders plates, followed Complete specifications are available under any by a billious white as it stands today. Gen­ Wurlitzer style 260 listing. erally speaking the console is most deca­ Actual ranks will be given here. dent and in contrast the pipework appears MAIN CHAMBER (LOWER) to have been installed today. Preservation 16' Boudron-flute in the loft has been remarkable. 16' Tuba A few years ago a concerted effort to 16' Diaphone bring about a decent sort of rehabilitation 8'Violin was tarted by organist/technician John 8' Celeste Steele along with Gerry Conrad and joined 8' Solo String occasionally by the writer and sundry oth­ 8' Clarinet er vi itors from time to time. Emphasis 8'Vox was placed on replacing dead magnets, Chrysoglot releathering and general cleaning, etc. The sordid details won't be gotten into here as SOLO CHAMBER (UPPER) this is usually the crux of every organ re­ Brass Saxophone habilitation article ever written. Actually a Oboe Horn goal was at hand here since the house TibiaClausa manager Mr. James Barnett had sanc­ Orchestral Oboe Solo chamber-(upper chamber) . The top of tioned use of the organ for public perfor­ Ouintadena the swell frame is shown on the left. mances during the 1962 holiday season. Brass Trumpet elty along with the regular stage-screen Work progressed on the organ at a fe­ Kinura show for exactly two weeks some time dur­ verish pace until Mr. Barnett was ad­ Marimba ing the big war , or occasionally a member Entire toy counter vised by his superiors that arrangements Upright piano not under expression . of Les Rhode's stage band would manage cou Id not be made for use of the organ 32' Diaphone section not under expression. an impromptu stint at the console. during public performances. Naturally, in­ Organ maintenance in the early years of terest lagged, and now except for tuning course belonged to the Publix staff. It was and maintenance, very little work has been CARTER'S BEACON several months following the Olympia's done. THEATRE CONCERT REVIEWED IN Pub I ished quarterly in London ''Bl LLBOARD" by The Theatre Organ Club (President: Robinson Cleaver) Of interest to all A TOE Chapters, partic­ ularly those that have working arrange­ Annual Subscription $1.50, ments with theatre managements for use of organs still in theatres, is a full two Post Free or $3.00 for two years. column review of Gaylord Carter 's recent THEATRE New York concert at the Beacon Theatre. brings you illustrated features on famous The excellent writing appeared in Bill­ organs and organists, . news items, record board Magazine, the trade journal of mo­ reviews, and reports of meetings tion picture exhibitors. Written by Jim enjoyed by theatre organ enthusiasts in Watters, the article tells of the 2000 per­ ORGANGreat Britain. sons that attended, and told of the weeks of work that the New York Chapter of Subscription Agent A TOE had spent on the restoration of the for U.S.A. and Canada Wurlitzer organ. Mention in the article ROBE RT CLARK, JR. was also made of MC Ben M. Hall's REVIEW opening comments that traced the history 939 Green Street N.E. of the Beacon Theatre, and a complete Orangeburg, South Carolina 29115 QUARTERLY review of the excellent program which fol­ lowed.

april 1967 14 Ticketsmay be obtainedfrom any of these ConnOrgan Dealers

AN Escondido OUTSTANDING Reese'sMusic Shop EVENING OF San Clemente ORGAN MUSIC Houseof Music FEATURING •••• Santa Monica Touchberry Pianos Inglewood Stan FeherMusic Anaheim GouldMusic Company Glendale GouldMusic Company Pasadena GouldMusic Company West Covina GouldMusic Company Whittier Gold-RhoneMusic Co. Van Nuys LarryDuel Pianos& Organs Los Angeles Reed'sMusic Store Torrance Niki Music Studios Long Beach St. Aubin Organs& Pianos Hawthorne MelodyMusic Company Tuesday,May 2, 1967-8 p. m. San Fernando Shrine Civic Auditorium Cassell'sMusic 3228 Royal St., Los Angeles San Bernardino General Admission $290 Welk Music Center Riverside Swinging Pop Tunes Cheney'sMusic House Superb* Classics Santa Barbara Old Favorites ConnOrgan & Piano Ventura Concert sponsored by ConnOrgan & Piano Southern* California San Diego Conn Organ Dealers and the Ozzie'sMusic Conn Organ Corporation Barstow Victor Music Store Redlands CONNTHEATRETTE ORGAN, MODEL 550. Sliger's To be awarded the night of the concert. Winner must be present.

15 theatre organ I bombarde PIPES AND POPS, continued from page ten has proved this to be true. Many and va­ tiful these organs were, and are, but life veloped with the genius of a Hope-Jones ried are the sneers I have heard directed advances and no two of the old instru­ allied to that of a Bach? I make no apolo­ against the 'V ox Human a' , ' Bells and ments were the same - why try to achieve gy for mentioning both men in the same Drums ' 'Sinking to the Infernal Regions' , the impossible. If we do this, we can only breath. Both advanced the organ immeas­ 'Fruit Jellies ', and so on. Never once have judge an instrument by how much it is urably in his way, and both were forward­ I heard this kind of sneering directed by a like another one, not on its own merits. looking. But unfortunately nobody of the theatre organist against his church coun­ What a disappointing comparison. By this stature of a Bach was in evidence to en­ terpart. Is there a moral somewhere ? And yardstick we should be designing organs courage Hope-Jones and he had to turn to do the sneers really bear inspection ? with hand blowing, crude design and no the entertainment world. The wheel went Whether we like it or not does not alter swell boxes - even the gas engine would be full circle and in spite of every kind of the fact that Hope-Jones revolutionised the suspect! One asks oneself, which way is discouragement, Hope-Jones improved church organ as much as the theatre. progress? ALL kinds of organs . Yet we still try to Electric and electro-pneumatic action , tab One of the main attractions of the organ stifle progress . stops , double-touch , orchestral voicing , to­ is that no two instruments are exactly the Turning to the electric organ, whether or tal enclosure are all largely due to him , same. To say that any particular compos­ not we like it is largely immaterial at the but were devised mainly for the theatre. er wrote for one particular organ is obvi­ present time. The fact remains that it is Yet such appears to be the hatred of or­ ously rubbish.No two organs he knew him­ an exciting instrument which is here to ganists for one of the greatest benefactors self sounded the same. Beauty the old in­ stay - and it will prolong the life of the the organ has ever known , that one is al­ struments had and modern ones have, but organ indefinitely. It is in fact helping most led to believe it is a crime to install i! we ever succeed in copying the old in­ greatly to re-create the popularity of the a horseshoe console in a church. And one struments exactly, we shall achieve noth­ instrument in all its many forms. is treated to the farcical sight of seeing ing but mass-production and will kill the This instrument is still in its infancy, but the country 's leading organists playing instrument on those grounds alone.Frank­ those of us who can look back and remem­ one of the country 's leading and most re­ ly it depresses me to read of a new instru­ ber the gruesome noises made by pre-war cently-installed instruments with someone ment being hailed as a good copy of one models can realise just how far the thing standing beside him , not to turn the pages , built around the turn of the century . For­ has progressed in a very short time. We but to draw the top stops which are out tunately the nature of the beast is such have newspaper arguments as to whether of his reach! To cap it, I am told that that it cannot exactly copy its predecessor. or not so-and-so can tell in every case the mechanism of the draw stop costs The great composers were progressive which is playing, pipes or electric. What­ about l more per stop th an the tab- on men - which was a measure of their great­ ever the answer may be, the problem an instrument which is already falling by ness- Bach was obviously a do-it-yourself proves one thing conclusively - the electric the wayside on account of first cost. To type as well! Each of them realised that organ has progressed so much that some what heights can the foily of prejudice the organ, and its music, cannot stand people cannot be sure all the time that it reach? still , cannot rely on its past glory. Each of is not pipes, and find it hard to differen­ We read too , that every effort MUST them wrote for the modern day and mod­ tiate under some conditions. Give it an­ be made to voice the modern instrument ern life as he knew it, and each was suc­ other few years and even people with a exactly as the baroque or romantic organs cessful through appealing to a MODERN really experienced ear will find it diffi­ of the past. Yet this is not the past. Beau- audience - the audience of his day.What­ cult - or impossible to tell the difference. ever the motives stated in print, each com­ In the future , therefore, the electric or­ poser wrote for the pleasure of hearing his gan is going to replace pipes. More im­ work performed - in other words , for the portant it will sound exactly like pipes. same reasons as artists through the ages Manufacturers like Compton, Wurlitzer to the present day. In a religious age, and Baldwin are well on the way to this when much of the work was commissioned already. So before long the electric model NOW for the church , it would be politic to write will be capable of replacing pipes com­ AVAILABLE it for the 'Glory of God'. But the Al­ pletely in most locations , and of perform ­ mighty would still have to put up with ing any kind of works , classical or other­ what pleased the composer 's ear most ­ wise. Would Bach and the rest have ig­ an exact such is the nature of things. nored such an instrument , which has all duplicate So we have to accept - and why should the makings of a musical adventure ­ of the we not - that the great composers wrote worse still , wou Id they have tried to modern music for the modern age. They 'knock ' it? Of course they would not. They wrote music which they intended to be would have been quick to realize its poten­ FAMOUS popular with the public they aimed it at, tialities and to use them for their own and they hoped it would bring in the cash ends- just as organists ought to be doing HOWARD as well. This may state it rather baldly now, and some indeed, are. but it is a fact if we are honest enough to But in general, what do we find? Letters "WONDER" SEAT admit it. I am sure the composers would to the Press decrying it because - well, be­ do so, as most people of such stature in cause it IS NOT a pipe organ. Letters pro­ the arts are also very human people - they claiming 'OF COURSE I can tell the dif­ $160 00 DES M~;~:S, IOWA have to be, to be sensitive to their public. ference ' . And the Royal College of Organ­ Also Howard seat replacement cast ings In his own way each of the great com­ ists, to the best of my knowledge , (though and Wurlitzer Black Cap magnet coils . posers was an innovator or inventor , and I am open to correction and hope I am I feel sure that Bach and the rest would wrong), ignoring its existence altogether ­ KEYBOARD ENTERTAINMENT have accepted the innovations of Hope­ (Hope-Jones was not exactly encouraged). PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING CO. Jones and turned them t.o excellent ac­ I would say that the latter body should 2117 40th St., DES MOINES, IOWA 50310 count to further their own efforts . To what by now be taking the electric organ to its standards might the organ not have de- heart, working with it, using it, shouting it

april J 967 16 IN THE FUTURE, THEREFORE, THE ELECTRIC ORGAN IS GOING TO REPLACE PIPES.

from the house tops. If the instrument can can be made a most enjoyable event, just T.O.C. concerts the console lights are left 'deliver the goods', what difference wheth­ as easily as one in a cinema, with no dis­ on at the end of the show, to encourage er it is driven by electricity, air, steam or respect to the object of the building. Per­ the public to look at it and be interested in nuclear energy? And make no mistake, the haps the description of a similar recital, it. An organist who shuts the console and electric organ will be capable of deliver­ or concert in a cinema will prove this. disappears home before his public has got ing the goods in no uncertain manner, At a Theatre Organ Club or Cinema Or­ out of its seat has only done half a perfor­ alongside its piped forbear, before long. gan Society concert, the thing is always mance. He loses nothing by personal con­ As for declining audiences at recitals, well attended and many people have trav­ tact and he gains much, as theatre man­ the attitude of many organists appears to elled many miles to be present. They are agers were quick to realize. They put the be 'the public ought to like us'. WHY, for often held at inconvenient times - like over organist on a lift and spotlighted him, but goodness sake? If we turn out an indif­ lunch time on Sunday, due to house (the­ not for fun! ferent performance, or give music above atre) opening times, yet the people still Again I hope nobody will take this out the heads of the man in the street, why come along. So you go along with a bar of of context. I do NOT advocate using spot­ should we expect him to come back for chocolate instead of lunch. You go in and lights at church recitals, though it might more. If we expect that, we are insulting have a look around the building and can, not be a bad thing at that! And by all his intelligence. Conversely, how many if you wish, view the console in the pit. means let us have the great works played, church organists would go to more than Just before the show starts, the M. C. ap­ but give people something to hum on the one concert at which nothing but 'beat' pears and you sit anywhere you like. The way home as well. The object of the thing music was played? - the same argument is M .C. then welcomes you and explains any is to make people enjoy hearing the mu­ valid. points of interest in the building, the pro­ sic- in other words, to give them a good If we want the public to listen to the or­ gramme and so on, ending by introducing time, and there is nothing irreligious in gan we must do several things. We must the organist, who then starts to play and that. If you do not do so, they won't come make the public welcome; reallywelcome, qrises into view. He remains in full view again and they will probably stay in bed not just tolerated, we must give the best all the time he is playing. At the conclu­ on Sunday morning as well. possible performance and we must play sion of his first piece or signature tune, he Finally, what about each of us doing a what the public wants to hear. After all, faces his audience and greets them and in­ little more to further the cause of the or­ nobody will waste time listening to what troduces the next piece, with any neces­ gan, whether classical or entertainment, he does not want to hear, though the truth sary explanations - and proceeds to give pipe or electric. For it is not an instru­ of this has not apparently struck some of of his best. ment we should keep to ourselves. I have us. Only if we do this will the man in the Now not all the organists are top-notch an electric organ, and am an extremely street educate himself to higher standards players yet, though the majority of them bad player, kind though some of my of musical listening. Yet organ recitals do are, but they have one thing in common ­ friends are in their comments. But I can not always provide the fare he needs. they 'hold' their audience the whole way and do ask those friends who can play, to Put yourself in the place of someone through. They demonstrate the organ and do so for the benefit of others - people like walking into a strange church to hear a play music the audience likes and can un­ to be asked to come along and hear some­ recital. You walk into a large and solemn derstand - anything from Bach or Elgar to one play if he is reasonably good. Some­ building, dimly lit and austere, where you Dusty Springfield and the Beatles, and times the player is a church organist, are completely ignored. You may, or may careful arrangement of the programme en­ sometimes a theatre one. Sometimes we not find a leaflet giving the programme ­ sures that there is something to suit most can have a 'jam' session and everyone a succession of titles and numbers inter­ peoples' taste, whether classical or popu­ can have a go. spersed with exhortations more suitable to lar. In other words, the organist takes I have noticed that people who are sub­ a funeral than enjoyment. They may be ti­ trouble to make the listeners enjoy them­ jected to this 'softening up' process sud­ tles to a beautiful piece of music, but they selves, not just to show off his own virtu­ denly become aware of the organ as an look pretty cold unadorned in print.Unless osity. Do people like being treated as instrument, where they did not even think you know the composer and are a lover of adults in this way, or do they prefer the about it before. Why? - because it is fun as music already, this would almost put you more usual attitude in church recitals of well. And music should be fun, unless it is off before the show begins. You start to being 'talked down' to? The attendances specially composed for a solemn occasion. feel part of the congregation and forget all give the answer. And which of the two So instead of bemoaning vanished instru­ about enjoying yourself. types of performance will attract the lis­ ments and vanishing audiences, what a­ The performer may, or may not appear teners? Yet the cinema performance is no bout doing something ourselves to bring in person. He then disappears from the less and no more religious than the church them back again! They will come back face of the earth and the music begins one. and I am sure that we are on the verge of when you aren't quite ready for it. It may The choice of music will vary according a great revival of interest in the organ. It or may not be above your head, accord­ to the location, but is there any valid rea­ seems as if, once again, the entertainment ing to the performer and the individual, son why tuneful light music should not be people are setting the pace; and jolly good but at the conclusion, well, you just walk performed in church? Please do not imag­ luck to them! It cannot be just coincidence out! The organist has disappeared, the inethat I think the Beattles music need be that the Swingle Singers rendering of Bach console is invisible (even in our post-war performed at every church recital, but became a best seller for modern youth. Let churches this applies), and you might as there is plenty of tuneful, catchy classical the rest of us do our bit, too. well have been listening to a tape record­ music. An entire recital of classical music ing. You cannot help having a vague feel­ by the lesser-known masters is all very ing of having been somewhat let down. Un­ well if your audience is composed of mu­ NATIONAL ATOE less you are a great lover of such music sical people, but in most instances this is CONVENTION or a very keen churchgoer, you won't go unlikely to be the case. DETROIT to the next one! Why should not the publi~ be treated to The size of audiences tends to bear this contact with the organist - if he is worth JULY 1, 2, 3, 4 out. I submit that a church organ recital hearing, he is worth seeing as well. In the

17 theatre organ I bombarde sive collection of theatre organ records (also featuring American cinema organ­ ists Bill Floyd , George Wright, etc .) as well as practically all records made by Reginald Dixon on the Wurlitzer organ in the Ballroom/Blackpool. Before the war , there were about 30 cinema-organs operating , all over the country (particularly in the Western and Southern part of Holland) , but after World War II , only 6 organs were left. LATE The other 24 organs were dismantled and replaced by electronic installations or sold to local organ builders . MODEL The actual position of "live " organs is as follows: THEATRE 1) AMSTERDAM, Tuschinski, 4/14 Wurlitzer 2 ) AMSTERDAM, City Theatre, 4/17 Standaart ORGAN 3) A VRO Broadcasting, HILVERSUM, 4/22 Compton 4) VARA Broadcasting, HIL VER- DISCOVERED IN HOLLAND S UM, 3/13 Standaart 5) NRU Broadcasting, HILVER- by MR . T . A. TIEMERSMA SUM, 5/27 Moller (ex BBC organ)

Mr . Tiemersma is regularly featured on the 4' 74 Wurlitzer at the Tuschinski Theatre . These six organs are in perfect condition A late model theatre pipe organ was re­ The pipe orga n was then forgotten. For­ and are regularly tuned (mostl y every cently discovered in Leeuwarden , Hol­ tun ately Mr. T.A. Tiemersma succeeded week). land. This organ was constructed in 1952 in purch asing this jewel in early 1966. In Radio Hilversum is regularly present­ by the famous Dutch organ builders , April the orga n was removed from the ing theatre-organ programs (2-4 times a Messrs. C.A. Standaart & Company of nightclub and installed in his home . week) from different organs , but most of Schiedam. As far as is known , this is the The entire organ is housed in one cham­ them are broadcasted from NRU Broad­ very last cinema pipe organ erected in ber with the console in the living room , casting Organ at Hilversum . Some Holland . At first, this organ was instal­ and , rest assured ... it is singing happily! names of famous Dutch theatre organists led in a dancing/nightclub in the city of Mr. T iemersm a is now looking for an­ are : Pierra Palla (A VRO) , Johan Jong Leeuwarden, but since its installation in other , larger , detached home , for he in­ (VARA) , Rene de Rooy (Tuschinski­ 1953, the organ was used very little and tend s to add 2 addition al ra nk s to his or­ Amsterdam), Jan Mekkes (Tuschinski­ in 1957 the organ was completely silent ga n, viz. a clarinet and a gemhorn. Amsterdam). The city organ has no res­ because the owner bought an electronic Thou gh a church organist himself , Mr. ident organist available for the moment, organ which he thought was more suit­ Tiemer sm a is also very keen on cinema­ but the organ is featured every evening able for the club. or ga n (and playi ng). He has an exten- by Rene de Rooy and Mr. Harry Klompe.

SPECIFICATION "STANDAART" CINEMA-ORGAN built in 1952 by Standaart Organ Works Ltd., Schiedam, Holland.

GREAT Piano 2 2/3 ' Castanets PEDAL St. Trumpet 8' Glockenspiel Concert Flute 16 ' Sleighbells Subbass 16' FOOT PISTONS Xylophone Tibia Clausa 16' TC Chinese Blocks J azztrumpet Steamboat Whistle Accord eon Vox Humana 16' TC Xylophone Trombone 16' Railway Engine Celesta Tibia Clausa 8' Celesta Trumpet 8 ' Snare Drum (tap) Diapason 8' Octavecoupler 4 ' Piano 8 ' Octavebass 8' Crockery Smash Chimes Strings 8' SOLO Flute 8 ' Triangle Violine 4' ACC . Concert fl. 16 ' Strings 8' Klaxon Jazztrumpet 8' Bourdon 16 ' Flute 8 ' Choralbass 4' Thunder/Surf/Rain Flute 8' Flute 8 ' Tibia Clausa 8 ' PEDAL EFFECTS General Crescendo Stopped Trumpet 4' Vox Humana 8 ' Violine 8' Bassdrum/Kettle Drum Tremulants ON/OFF Vox Humana 8 ' Tibia Clausa 8 ' J azztrumpet a· Cymbals Flute 4' Diapason 8' St . Trumpet 4' Tibia Minor 4' Strings 8 ' Vox Humana 8' SECOND TOUCH PEDAL Octave 4 ' Salicional 4' Tibia Clausa 4 ' Piano 16' Quint Tibia 2 2/3' Jazztrumpet Tibia Quint 2 2/3 ' Piano 8 ' + (' balanced swell pedal Flute 2 2/3' Kinura 8 ' Flute 2 2/3 ' TREMULANTS 1 balanced G .C. pedal Piccolo 2 ' Octav .e 4' Piccolo 2 ' Vox Humana Forestflute 2' Flute 4 ' T ierce 1 3 / 5' Tibia THE ORGAN IS HOUSED IN General Tierce 1 3/5' Piccolo 2 ' Glockenspiel ONE CHAMBER Septieme 1 1 /7' Snare Drum Cathedral Chimes SECOND TOUCH ACC . Piano 8' Tom Tom Piano 8 ' Tibia 8' Piano 4' Tambourine Septieme 1 1/7' Crash Cymbals

april 7967 18 show, an evening like none I've known since coming to New York. • Billy Na/le New York ClassifiedAds Words of praise coming from concert and FOR SALE Books : Whitworth 's Cinema and recording organist N alle carry consider­ -~- Theatre Organs $15.00 . Wurlitzer Hope-Jones able weight (he's hip!). He sums up Unit Orchestra $3.95. Wurlitzer Unit Organs ~ the feelings of many correspondents who ~ ~ $4.50. Wurlitzer Theatre Organ Fact Book, ...... took the trouble to write about the ex­ $2.00 . Audsley 's Art of Organ Building, two cellence of the Anniversary weekend. volumes, $15.00. Postpaid . Organ Literature ~ I Foundation, Nashua, New Hampshire 03060 . TTT--;rTTT * * * FOR SALE Modern Harmony for Organ. Free FOTO FOLLOWUP ON A BIG WIND brochure . 17410 Gilmore St. , Van Nuys ,' Calif. Letters to the Editor concerning all as­ 91406. pects of the theatre organ hobby are en­ Mr. Editor: FOR SALE Theatre Organ Tapes - Send for couraged. Send them to the editor con­ In a recent issue you replied in detail to my inquiry about the very high-pres­ list. H.J. Jenkins, Box 343, Pacoima , Calif. cerned, Box 7404, Bitter Lake Station, 9133 l. sure 4-17 Wurlitzer theatre organ in the Seattle, Washington, 98133. Unless it's Sou them California Roosevelt Park ceme­ FOR SALE Dorsett Electronics Theatre Organ, stated clearly on the letter "not for publi­ tery ("LETTERS ; Dec. 1966). Some pho­ cation," the editors feel free to repro­ three manuals , chimes , all-transistor , with one tographs were mentioned in your reply Dorsett tone-cabinet and one Leslie tone-cabinet, duce it, in whole or part. but none appeared . If they were omitted two years old, walnut finish . $2500 .00 Mrs. by mistake I'll risk being considered Andy Hickman, 1018 N. W. 35th , Oklahoma somewhat persistent by requesting that City, Okla. 73118 . Telephone (405) 528-5454 . they be published in a later issue . I find WANTED Three manual Wurlitzer horseshoe AN ECHO OF OUR TWELFTH organs designed for the use of high wind ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION console with double stop bolster in any condi­ pressure fascinating . The pipe scal­ tion. Either complete or top half only. Mainly ing must be immense for 50 inches! interested in top half for rebuilding . Robert Dear Stu: H.J. Canby, Gadsden, Alabama Koch, 2158 N. French Road , Getzville, New The "Carter Caper " at the New York The photos, which were supplied by Jim York 14068. Beacon theatre (Feb . 1967 TO/BB) pro­ Lewis, weren't left out by mistake; we vided my first opportunity to see a silent FOR SALE 2 manual 11 rank Wurlitzer The­ ran out of space. Here they are. The cap­ film accompanied by a theatre pipe or­ ater Pipe Organ with complete percussions in­ tions are self explanatory. gan. What a difference! It was also the cluding piano and toy-counter . Installed and playing, console and piano in matching black first time I'd heard Gaylord "have a and gold rococo style. Excellent condition, go " at films and it must be said he $6000. R.S. Mowry, 166 Garland Way , Los gave a memorable performance. The eve­ Altos, Californi a 94022 . (41 5 )-948- 5925. ning was exotic with Gloria Swanson pres­ ent and looking like a million. When the FOR SALE 2 manual 7 rank Wurlitzer The­ lights went up at intermission I found atre Org an with Chime s. 2HP single-phase myself surrounded by a covey of AGO blower. $2500. Judd Walton, 227 Texas St. , "greater lights " which proved they also Vallejo, Calif. 8-4:30 PM (415)-TH 3-9600 ; knew where to sit! Searle Wright 's great 5-6 PM (707)-642-0636 . laugh could be heard above any others. FOR SALE Allen Custom 3 manual Theatre The organ crew pulled a miracle in ac­ Deluxe Electronic organ , complete with full complishing what they did on the 4-19 traps and tuned percussion , 5 general presets Wurlitzer in the actu al working time they and toe studs , 5 speaker cabinets with 200 watts had. Hardly can I say how much I ad­ of audio power . All solid state electronics. Less mire Gaylord and all who had a hand in than 2 years old with 3 year warranty left. Price producing this 12th ATOE Anniversary $10,000 . E.C. Field, Sherwood Farms, Char­ lottesville , Va. 22901 Two views taken in chambers of Wurlitzer 4/17 at Roosevelt Park Cemetary Gardena, WA TED Wurlitzer "electronic sideman " or Calif . similar unit , plus Mass Row chimes . W.S. Grau, 109 N . Elm St. , Prospect Heights, Illinois 60070

FOR SALE Wurlitzer pipework - 8' Clarinet (61 pipes) $125, 8' YOO (85 pipes) $75, 8' Viol Cel. (73 pipes) $75, 8' T.C. Salicional (61 pipes) $90, 16' Tuba Horn (73 pipes) $250, inc. 16' octave chest , also Kimball 8' Vox (61 pipes) $65, Kimball 8' Clarinet (73 pipes) $100, Mor­ ton 16' Flute (97 pipes) $175, inc. 16' octave chest , 8' French Horn (73 pipes) $300, and Mor­ ton 20 note Chime with action $125. Dennis Hedberg 746 S. W. Evans St. Portland , Ore . 97219 .

FOR SALE 4 rank Pipe Organ and Horseshoe console, not completely set up . A.M . only. Appt. The Roosevelt Park console is in a sunken requested. SHANNON, 10524 Tantau Ave. , cubicle, 75 ft. from the chamber building. Cupertino , Calif.95014 .

19 theatre organ I bombarde A. T. 0 . E. FINANCIAL REPORT 1966

CASH BALANCE JANUARY 1, 1966 S 5,704.58 Receipts: 1965 dues S 13.00 1966 dues 15,382 .26 1967 dues 1,730 .25 $17,125 .51 Bock issues sold 235 .50 Advertising income 2,441 .20 Postage received from members 5.85 So le of rosters 3.00 ••••••• ••••••• Bonk charge s paid by members 7. 15 Overpayments on dues 87 .00 Northern Calif. Chapter -repaym ent on loon 500 .00 Travel refund 52 .65 V~&"\...V Potomac Volley Chapter - loon payment 2 l 3.36 Sole of office equipment 100.00 20,771.22 WiCHAPTERNEWSiii TOTAL RECEIPTS $26,475.80 Be sure you mail all Chapter News to: Disbursements: A.T.O.E.-P.O. Box 7404, Bitter Lake Sta­ Office supplies 967 .27 tion, Seattle, Wn. 98133 Postage 1,652 . 15 Telephone 1,475 .56 SOUTHEASTERN CHAPTER Travel 1,874 .07 Theatre Organ Bomborde and Circulation operating expenses 1,030.54 Those members who attended the January Office op erating expenses 1,200 .00 meeting of the Southeastern Chapter of Publication - THEATRE ORGAN BOMBARDE 15,249 .60 ATOE are truly grateful to our chairman , Advertising expense 419 .99 Jack Trimmier , and his fine family for a Enterta inment 83 .89 marvelous time with much fun and enter­ Shipping 36 .91 Equipment 460 .22 tainment following a fairly brief business Misc. (refunds, bank chgs. etc.) 245 .68 meeting was "cocktail time " and dinner. 1966 Annual Convention - Oregon Chapter 677.00 Everyone had a feast of Kentucky fried Loon to Potomac Volley - East. Regional 500 .00 chicken . After dinner was over , a good TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS $25 .872 .88 old jam session commenced . All of this , so far would have made a great evening , Cash Balance December 31, 1966 S 602.92 however , a silent film entitled You 're Darn Tootin ' with Laurel and Hardy was pre­ sented and accompanied by Mac Watson . regular teaching schedule . The remainder many members on this installation. The movie was followed by a sing-along , of the 2 year term will be filled by Neal CHICAGO CHAPTER led by another member and organist Ned Parkinson , as selected by the rest of the Marshall. board. CA TO E's 1966 Christmas party was held In April a chapter-sponsored show is ST. LOUIS CHAPTER on the evening of December 9, 1966. being planned for Rivoli, no regular meet­ Heavy snowfall cut heavily into the movie The 4/18 Kimball from the former St. ing set for April. Betty Roch has consent­ show attendance at the Montclare Thea­ Louis Theatre, has been given to the St. ed to continue as chairman of chapter tre. Quite a few ATOE 'ers seated them­ Louis Chapter. sponsored shows at the Rivoli. Cooper­ selves shortly after midnight to witness a The St. Louis Symphony has purchased ation in all preparations for these events different Christmastime performance. A the building as a symphony hall , and have is to all members advantage. respectful minute of silence in memory of donated the instrument to the ATOE Member Tom Ferree is sponsoring a Arsene Siegal , preceded the evenings festi­ group. The relay , console , and lift , and show at the Rivoli to earn money which is vities. Reginald Foort then sight read an some other material from this organ a­ what it takes to put more pipes in the Solo Arsene Siegal composition before begin­ long with another organ that was pur­ chamber, including more relay racks. The ning his own concert on the Montclare chased by the Chapter will be used for the first addition will likely be a Posthorn Barton. A Laurel and Hardy silent film club project in the Kirkwood, Missouri rank. Tom was over 8 months installing with accompaniment by Mr. Foort and Auditorium now under construction by the uniphone in the Rivoli and appreciates a Sing-A-Long slide program were in­ the city of Kirkwood. efforts and long and odd hours put in by cluded in the evenings festivities. A detailed story will be featured in a fu­ ture issue of Theatre Organ Bombarde , on ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• this project. MAKE IT A SAN FRANCISCO CONVENTION - VACATION! CENTRAL INDIANA CHAPTER HEADQUARTERS,FAIRMONT HOTEL gional New memberCharles Tumey has cheerful­ 7 ly accepted the important job of setting up Western Re 19-23, 196 monthly chapter meeting places. All chap­ June ter members are expected to off er their suggestions, also to help him learn what $37.50 includes all concerts, lectures, and most meals organ is where and previous meeting place . (Including $9 Opening Banquet at the Fairmont) Board member Doris Stokes has re­ REGISTER BY MAIL OR GET INFORMATION FROM: Esther L. Johnson, 438 Spruce St. signed from the Executive Board due to Berkeley, California 94708 the press of long working hours , and an ir- •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

april 1967 20 CATO E's Officers for 1967 are: zer organ in the State Theatre. The or­ Love which Karl said did not convey the Chairman Fred Kruse gan has been restored to gleaming finish full effect without the words. The final Vice Chairman Roland Frase and faultless sound by members of the numbers were Moonlight on the River, Secretary Geannie Nachtwey chapter. Birdseye View of My Old Kentuck y Home Treasurer Tom Yannitell The concert was a solo effort by Grant. and Stars Are the Windows of Heaven all Board Members Tony Tah/man He is a veteran of local theatre pits , both Jesse Crawford numbers. Karl then ex­ Bill Rieger movie and vaudeville . It too was an all plained that for a number to use while Brian Durack request program, that ranged from the descending into the pit, whjch he chose Sousa march, Stars and Stripes Forever, to call a "sinker " some highly dramatic A John Muri concert at the 5 rank Wur­ which opened the program to old favor­ number was usually played; however, he litzer in the Capital Theatre in Racine, ites like The Lost Chord, The Old Re­ had chosen to do something in a lighter Wisconsin was held recently. John Muri frain and as a bow to the Beatles, Yes- vein and went down into the pit to Toot­ outdid himself on the small organ. The or­ terday . Selections from three of the Toot-Tootsie , Goodbye. iginal 5 rank unit was augmented by a most popular musical snow of the past Nadine Benton , Secretary metal diaphone for the show and further decade were included: The Music Man, Publications Editor: additions to the organ are anticipated . My Fair Lady and the Sound of Music . The CA TOE also announces that the Many of the numbers were particularly The club asked me to send you the fol­ Patio Theatre pipe organ , a 3 m. l 7 r. appropriate to silent films, Indian Love lowing information for publication in Barton, is now in playing condition. Call, Serenade, and Melody of Love . some available spot. Tony Tah/man The silent film was "Help Wanted" "The Valley of the Sun Chapter meets starring Charles Puffy with Elsie Tarran. RED RIVER CHAPTER the 4th Sunday of each month at JO A.M. Song slides with the audience joining in, On Sunday , Januar y 15, the Red River at the Paramount Theater, Phoenix, Ari­ had the audience singing several well Chapter held its first meeting of the new zona. Visitors to the area are welcomed known favorites, Smiles , When Irish Eyes year at the studios of Hammond Music to attend these meetings. If they desire are Smiling, and Peggy O'Neil among Company in Fargo. On hand to demon­ additional information they may call the them. strate the Rodgers electronic theatre organ following: was the vice-chairman of the chapter and Adelbert Jakeman, a member of the Pine Tree Chapter was master of cere­ Rodgers representative, Ralph Kratzer. He 964-7820 monies . Howard Rowe opened the program in a vacant store with 275-8432 Karl Warner a medley from The Sound of Music. (The VALLEY OF THE SUN vacant store is used for demonstration pur­ NIAGARA FRONTIER poses to give the Rodgers a more reverber­ CHAPTER CHAPTER ant sound.) His demonstration was most Following the regular meeting of the Val­ enjoyable as the members and guests ley of the Sun Chapter on Sunday morn­ Niagara Frontier Chapter is pleased to asked for many encores. Along with the ing, February 26, 1967, Karl Warner, im­ announce officers elected for the year gold and white theatre console was the mediate past chairman took his place at l 96 7. Re-elected as President was Her­ three manual church organ which was used the 3/13 Meisel-Sullivan/Wurlitzer for bert Schmit , Mildred Jerge as Vice Pres­ for one number to demonstrate the Bach his first formal program for the organi­ ident (President in charge of vice, as Prelude and Fugue in D Minor. The con­ zation. He first explained some of the She prefers), and Joseph Thomas as cert was made even more interesting as history of theater organ music including Treasurer. Elected as Secretary was Ralph spoke briefly between numbers as "Riser" numbers, then came up from Fred Kucera. Directors elected were he explained what registration was to be the pit to the strains of You Do Some­ Harold Hontz, Robert Flierl, Alfred used. Following the concert a short busi­ thing to Me. He mentioned among the Jerge, Thomas Leithner, Bernard Venus , ness meeting was held. Lance Johnson re­ many style developers of the era, Ann and Stewart Duncan. ported that there had been very little in­ Leaf , Don Baker, Eddie Dunstedter, and December 18, 1966 found the chapter terest shown by neighboring chapters in of course the great Jesse Crawford, fol­ having a concert at the Riviera Theatre holding a regional convention in Fargo­ lowed by the playing of Eddie Dunsted­ in North Tonawanda , a suburb of Buffalo, Moorhead and Bismarck . A few chapters ter 's theme song Open Your Eyes. After a noon 'till show-time affair which al­ remarked that they could not see any commenting that among the theater or­ lowed members to stay and see the mov­ reason for traveling such distances for ganist 's many duties was the playing for ie if they so desired. Featured artists only three organs. It was unanimously Sing-Alongs, he played a typical Sing­ were John Egerton, who has played decided that more effect would be made Along number, By e Bye Blues. Karl also many theatre organs in England, and to establish closer relations with the sis­ explained the different type organ voices now residing in Canada and doing work ter chapter, Land'O Lakes in Minneapo­ as he proceeded through his program. on an electronic at a Toronto club. Allan lis and that at least one joint meeting Calling attention to the fact that many Ross was the other artist , who is popular would be arranged annually. Ralph Krat­ vocalists of the day influenced theater in the Rochester area. Both artists did a zer reported that there is now a remote organ music, he played the theme song terrific job on the 3 manual, l l rank possibility that the Wurlitzer in the Far­ of Helen Morgan, Why Was I Born. which Wurlitzer installed there. go Theatre may be made available to the he followed by a Fanny Brice number If A home instanation day planned for chapter. As the last order of business it You Want the Rainbows, You Must Have Sunday, January 29, 1967, features these was announced that the Red River Chap­ the Rain. Next was a number made pop­ installations for other members to visit; ter had grown 100% in membership in 12 ular by Ruth Etting , who now lives in Herb Schmit, with his 2-7 Link with per­ months . The next meeting is still pending Las Vegas, It All Depends on You. An­ cussions, Joe Thomas, with his 3-6 Marr for a joint A.T .O.E. and AGO meeting. other Helen Morgan number Can 't Help & Colton Theatre pipe organ, John THE PINE TREE CHAPTER Loving That Man of Mine and another Spalding's 3-10 Marr & Colton theatre Ruth Etting number I'd Rather Be Blue pipe organ , with player, Bob Sieben with The Pine Tree Chapter of the ATOE re­ Thinking of You Than Happy With Some­ a marvelous sounding 2-3 Sieben special, cently enjoyed a concert by Sandy Grant. body Else led to a final Fanny Brice and Earl Gilbert , who owns a WurliTzer It was the fourth concert on the Wurlit- number Cooking Breakfast for the Man I (Continu ed on next page)

21 theatre organ I bombarde Chapter News, continued and radio stations and members started Greer Inn (Morton 4/ 16), Grant Union Organette, with not one but two players to join. Although the organization Theatre High School (Wurli 4/21) and the River attached. Mr. Gilbert is also proud to Organ Enthusiasts of Sacramento (TOES) Mansion (Morton 3/11). Among the announce he purchased a 2-6 WurliTzer was an independent unit not affiliated membership are eight home installations theatre organ from the Utica Theatre in with A TOE, the actual founders were that are either in being or process of in­ Utica New York. The organ being a late ATOE members and the goal was ATOE stallation. In October 1965, Phantom of model 165 (divided) and has the extend­ affiliation in the form of a chapter. The the Opera was presented at Grant Union ed tibias. It is complete and in excellent decision to eventually join A TOE was in or­ with George Seaver at the console, to over condition. He intends to make it a 2 der to support a National unifying organ­ 800 people. Lilac Time will be similiarly chamber installation when he builds the ization. The organization has over 100 presented in April 1967. Future plans in­ new home for it in the spring. members and has made caravan trips to clude trips to "The Piazza Joint" in Negotiations are now in progress to re­ the California theatre in Santa Rosa Hayward, with a tenative varied itinerary sume work on the Loew's Buffalo Wur­ (Wurli 2/ 7), Joe Chadbournes Barn to at later dates. All of the latter to be un­ liTzer organ. Mr. Sidell, owner of the hear Myrtle (Wurli 2/9), home installa­ der our new banner of "The Sierra Chap­ building, is very enthusiastic, and hopes tions , and regular meetings at the Carl ter ATOE. " for an early contract is in order. Future plans include a concert at Skatehaven Roller Rink in February Skatehaven sports the 3-15 Wurlitzer re­ moved from the Seneca theatre in Buf­ falo. Featured artist will be Harvey El­ seasser, who made local fame as a Church organist and played many con­ certs for this chapter. Work is progressing nicely on the Ha­ vens Organ installed in Klauder hall, St. John the Baptist Church. The organ is owned by the chapter, and is used by the club for concerts, and, by the parish for recreational purposes, that is, for dances, parties, and other social affairs. On Sat­ urday, January 21, the Neuman Guild at the parish held a Monte Carlo night and used the organ for background music. Secretary Fred Kucera, and Past presi­ dent John Spalding attended this affair and enjoyed themselves by both forms of entertainment. A concert is being Console at Grant Union High School. Sierra Chapter Officers March 5, 1967. Names reading planned at Klauder hall for either March from treble end of console : E. Stu Nascske, H . A. Sommer, Larry Wied, Don Zeller, R. E. An­ or April of this year. derson, Dick O'Neel. Cathy Zeller, Bob Longfield. George Seaver seated at console (white shirt Respectfully Submitted and tie). PholO by Art Sherman Norman F. Cheddarvox Prospective member NFCATOE. P.S. Mr. Cheddarvox is interested in the Niagara Frontier Chapter, and is rather shy with other people. He insists on hav­ ing his name printed the way it is below his signature, and secretly told me he has a crush on Martha Lake and Effie Klotz . . . Hope word doesn't get around . . . Fred Kucera, Secretary

SIERRA CHAPTER HISTORY

In November 1964, at the Carl Greer Inn, a group of twelve theatre pipe organ en­ thusiasts met at the invitation of Bob Longfield and Clyde Derby. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the possi­ bility of founding a club, in the area, for this instrument. The idea was enthusiasti­ cally received and a recruitment of mem­ bers was begun as well as formulation of organizational plans for implementationof such an organization. A governing board Left side of console, left to right: Victor Rork, R. W . Frensley, Pete Leendertse, Tom Cusick, was appointed, with Bob Longfield as Sylvia Williams, Dorothy Higgins, Kathryn Moore, Bob Foley. Right side of console, left to president, notices inserted in local papers right : Betty Frensley, David Dillon, Dorothy Rork, Cina Leendertse .

april 1967 22 Hoit, THE@TH ANNUAL MEETINGand CONVENTION

P10g,a111(TENT A nvEi

MASTER OF CEREMONIES - BEN M. HALL

Friday JUNE 30 7-10 p.m. Registration at Pick-Fort Shelby Hotel 7:00 p.m. 'r, Meeting - National Board of Directors, Pick-Fort Shelby Hotel (✓' 12.. I ,iiP•' Saturday JULY I 9-5 p.m. Registration at Pick-Fort Shelby Hotel 1-3 p.m. Senate Theater (Home of Detroit Theater Organ Club) Artist: DON MILLER 3:00 p.m . Chapter Representatives 7:30 p.m . Senate Theater - Artist: MARK KOLDYS Sunday JULY 2 8:00 a.m. Fox Theater - Artist: JOHN MURI 9:30 a.m. Fox Theater - Chapter Representatives 1:30 p.m. Senate Theater -Artist: LEONARD MAC CLAIN 3:30 p.m. Senate Theater -Artist: BILL BUSWELL 6:00 p.m. ATOE Banquet - Ballroom of Cobo Hall 11:00 p.m. Fort Street Presbyterian Church -Artist: HARRY BUNNELL Monday JULY 3 9:00 a.m. Redford Theater-Artist LOWELL AYARS 10:30 a.m . Redford Theater - Chapter Representatives 1:30 p.m. Arcadia Skating Rink -Artist: VIRG HOW ARD 2:30 p.m. Arcadia Skating Rink -Artist: LOWELL AYARS 3:30 p.m. Arcadia Skating Rink - Chapter Representatives 4:30p.m. ~ Arcadia Skating Rink -Artist: BILL HOLLEMAN 7:30 p.m. /)Yvw.11I Senate Theater - Artist: ASHLEY MILLER Tuesday JULY 4 8:00 a.m. Fox Theater-Artist: KAY McABEE 9:30 a.m. Fox Theater-Chapter Representatives 1:00 p.m. Senate Theater-Artist: ALLEN MILLS 3:00 p.m. Senate Theater-Artist: DON BAKER rfuml ~ FUNintheSUN!

A list of home installations available will be published at Convention time.

23 theatre organ I bombarde ATTRaCliO~s CF THE DETROIT AREA

S HOPPING f= ENTERS

INDUSTRIAL I / TOURS •-'/ -

CULTURAL CENTER

, DETROIT HISTORICAL

MUSEUM - 5401 WOODWARD AT KIRBY

DETROIT INSTITUTE 0 F ARTS - 5200 WOODWA RD

CRAN BROOK INSTITUTIONS ART GALLERIES , SCIENCE IN ST ITUTE

' HENRY FORD Don Miller , honorary member of Motor City Chapter . A 4/57 romantic . concert organ t hat has undergone MUSEUM Organist at the Fisher Theatre for many years . Now many changes since 1876 . GREENFIELD VILLAG E semi -retired . Pharo counesy Racz Studio

PLAN NOW TO " ORGANize" YOUR FUN IN THE MOTOR CITY IN '67 T THE 1967 NATIONAL ATOE CONVENTION. DETROIT, MICHIGAN u ' CONVENTION SOUVENIR R JULY 1-2-3-4 Not only will you want one of these ash trays - N but two-since they are made in such a way that they can hook together by means of a replica of a OFFICIAL HOTEL -Pick -Fort Shelby , 525 Lafayette Blvd. Phone 3 73-963 -7 700 Wurli stop tab, to become candy or nut dishes . If p you think you might like one or two (made up in PRE -CONVENTION REGISTRATION -Register early by mail and save time . Your convention packet will be held for various colors) make your wants known on your A your arrival. Don't waste time by standing in line to register . Send enclosed registration card to Mrs . registration card . G Holley Prim, 20285 Westbrook. Detroit, Michigan 482 79. E

april 1967 24 25 theatre organ I bombarde VACATIONFUN for yourfamilyH

BELLE TRIPSTO ISLE WINDSOR, CANADA

AQUARIUM One of America's finest

CHILDREN 1-S ZOO

Awonderful experience for children and adults alike , the Mother Goose theme of ex­ hibits makes it colorful and attractive . DETROIT CONSERVATORY zoo Always a flower show at the Conservatory. Open through tout the year. 9 am until dark . Admis ­ sion free .

BOAT DEE-CEE CRUISE, 3308 JEFFERSON BOB-LO, FOOT OF WOODWARD, STATION A pleasant 3 -hour sightseeing trip down the Detroit One -hour cruise on the Detroit River in 65 -foot boat River to the Canadian island amusement park. Bob ­ TRIPS with 6 -passenger capacity. Five shceduled trips daily. Lo . JlospitableCanadians sau "Jli /Veigltbor,come on over"

DETROIT - WINDSOR INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM FESTIVAL "Freedom is a Happy Thing" The annual Detroit-Windsor International Freedom Festival, June 25 - July 4th celebrates the independence of both the United States and Canada . Fireworks above the Detroit river light up Detroit's skyline and new Civic Center .

• Thursday, June 29 9 p .m . •• •• • • • • • • • • • • • • J . L. Hudson GIANT FIREWORKS DISPLAY •Friday ,June30Afternoon •••••••••••••••• ARTISTS STREET FAIR Evening•••••••••••••••• ADVENTURE IN GREEK TOWN (Street dancing) • Saturday, July 7 70a .m.••••••••••••••••• DOMINION DAY PARADE in Windsor • Sunda y, July 2 Afternoon.•••••••••••••••• Spirit of Detroit WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOAT RACE • Tuesday , July 4 Noon • • •• • •• •• • •• •• • •• • • " LET FREEDOM RING" at Greenfield Village

april 1967 26 with Auntie "transmitting" by crystal ball and coming through the theatre horns with crisp sibilance. Auntie seemed some­ what detached as though she couldn't hear the lines Lyn was feeding her and Lyn really broke up at the admonition to "stick to the script!" After "deconjuring" Auntie , Lyn went into a dramatic version of Be My Love with the Tuba holding down the melody against String accompaniment. Then In­ termission with its usual lobbyful of or­ gangab, expensive soft drinks and clouds ------of tobacco smoke . The audience repre­ sented something of a "Who 's Who" in the LA area organ hobby and probably LYN LARSEN'S FIRST the proudest doll was Lyn's attractive mother who was accepting compliments CONCERT "ON HIS OWN" for her son by the score. Lyn 's post-intermission curtain raiser by BERT BROU I LLON WELL ATTENDED was an oldie, Song of the Wanderer, after Pasadena , Jan . 3 7 - If the ability to pull a goodly nu(T7ber of organ fans to the which he talked a little about "tributes " out -of -the -way Rialto theatre on a week night is any indication of stature , Lyn stating that "everyone knows the father of our country was Jesse Crawford - but Larsen ;s star has risen considerably since his concert last year for the LA I'm going to be different - this is a tribute ATOE chapter at the Wiltern . This time Lyn was strictly on his own , with no to George Wright." For The Lady is a organization behind him other than a little knot of friends and well wishers - Tramp , Lyn drew liberally from the G W his first venture into the hurly -burly of commercial concerts . He came off bet­ bag of tricks, including those stupendous ter than good. "rides" on the melody, accents and off­ There was no official head count because beat harmony. the ticket man's hand counter broke down Lyn concluded his Wright tribute with a before even half the crowd had filtered line which drew a laugh, " ... and every­ into the house. Never trusting official at­ one thought I couldn't play like him!" tendance records anyway, we made our The humor, of course , was that Lyn own row-by-row count just before inter­ learned much of his theatre organ styl­ mission and counted a few over 600, ings from ·listening to Wright platters , and among them some of the top hobbyists in it took him some time to break away and the LA area, including a good ATOE turn­ establish his own style, so engrossed was out. he in the obvious musical excellence of Lyn's big opener was Swanee, played in Wright. musical comedy overture style with lots of But Lyn is no longer dependent on the speed, volume and that skillful injection stylings of others, which was proved in of personality which spells "Lyn Lar­ his presentation of Sunny Side Up, La Ro­ sen." After a big hand, Lyn greeted his sita and The Way You Look Tonight . audience and mentioned that it was nice Eva" in The Singing Fool. Lyn is always generous in introducing to see his fans at night for a change (his But Lyn Larsen is by no means limit­ tunes of merit by little known composers previous concerts at the Fresno Wilson ed to recreations of the past. His treat­ and a delicious moment was evolved when and LA Wiltern were on Sunday morn­ ment of Paul Beaver's hauntingly lovely he played Helen by his friend , Paul Es­ ings) . His second tune on the 2-10 Wurlit­ Our Song was as modern as tomorrow. tes. It 's an involved tune with many key zer (style 216) was that very special ar­ Later, during intermission, we encoun­ changes but a really stunning composition. rangement of Dream which he plays with tered Beaver in the lobby, guzzling a Mr. Estes beamed from the front row . many clues in the music as to what the "Rialto Zombie" (faintly colored crushed Lyn then played Broken Rosar y and I've subconscious mind of the dreamer is cogi­ ice) and he stated that Lyn played Our Got a Fee/in ' I'm Falling, both of which tating - obviously the slow peel of a bur­ Song better than its composer. A gener­ were reminiscent of Jesse Crawford's old lesque stripper (and we thought he was ous compliment. 78s of them, and then went into his fe!'l­ such a nice young man!) Next, Lyn read off the label on the flip ture tune which was all Larsen, Bess You For a lesson in ancient history Lyn pro­ side of Me, Too, also played by Ernie is My Woman from the opera Porgy and duced a Pleistocene Brunswick 78 rpm Goldman 's Orchestra. It was It's a Won­ Bess. platter of Me, Too. He read the entire la­ derful World, After All and Lyn proceeded Summing up, young Larsen further con­ bel very carefully and thanked "Ernie to transport his audience backward in solidated his bid for top billing both Goldman and his Hotel McElvin orches­ time with a l 920's treatment which made through his finely polished and extremely tra" for the inspiration. The next few subtle use of effects and cliches usually musical stylings and also by his handling minutes were invested in a recreation of considered corny. of MC chores. His announcements were a '20s jazz band beating out Me , Too. It After giving a plug for his current re­ informative and never too wordy; he stuck was cornball but wonderful nostalgia, an cording, An Evening at Home With The to the subject and got his point across , area in which Lyn Larsen is expert. The Mighty Wurlitzer, he played a tune from no more. In brief, Lyn Larsen has be­ next une followed well, Sonny Boy, play­ it entitled I Could Be Happy With You, a come an entertainer as well as a fine or­ ed to the hilt for tear-jerking schmaltz and real show stopper. Then he had a long ganist. He could have encored with Every ­ memories of Al Jolson's grief when his distance conversation with "Auntie Agnes thing's Coming Up Roses . Perhaps next movie son, little Davy Lee, did a "little Day" (his "cover girl " on the record) time.

27 theatre organ I bombarde IO last. It was sponsored by the Heart of CONN MAN America Chapter. John Nelson has become well known in PLAYS PIPES the Midwest in his capacity as a factory representative for the Conn Organ Corpor­ FOR KANSAS CITY HEARTS ation. His Kansas City concert was made by ALLEN WHITE up of request from Conn concerts he ha ( Al White. former Notthern California given as well as the introduction of many Chairman, was recently moved to Kansas interesting numbers especially arranged City by his firm. Here's proof that it didn't for this program . take him long to get into the organ groove He opened the concert with much fan­ there.) fare, announcing "So This Is Hollywood" Missouri River or as the place where and then modulated into an exciting ver­ everything's up to date. sion of I Feel A Song Coming On. He fol­ Another pleasant surprise is the number lowed this up with Moon River and an ex­ of excellent theatre organ installations, cellently executed Take Five. At this point among them the Plaza Theatre Wurlitzer. he made some remarks comparing the The organ is a three manual, 8-ranker theatre pipe instrument he was playing which was removed about five years ago with some unnamed plug-ins. The capa­ city audience, made up of many pipe or­ John Nelson, probably Conn's youngest and re-installed in the Russell Stover Me­ gan purists, delighted at his clever hand­ Factory representative, at the 3-8 "Water­ morial Auditorium, a part of the Univer­ fall" Wurlitzer console. "Woodsheddi ng" sity of Missouri's Con ervatory of Music. ling of what is a perennial problem for on the 3-decker would pay off in the near The orga n maintenance is an ATOE Chap­ many electronics pushers. future when the 3-manual Conn electronic ter project, one of which the Chapter can Included in the program was a great theatre model is released. be justly proud . The organ speaks from sounding Roller Coaster Ride, not the Kansas City, for most people, has al­ two chambers located at the rear of the Roller Coaster which George Wright re­ ways been a city of surprises. First of all, stage area. corded but an adaptation from a turn-of­ the city is not in Kansas, but Missouri. That was the scene where John Nelson the-century piano number. It is an effec­ This is the city either remembered for presented a theatre organ treat which the tive theatre organ number and John made having an airport with runways so short town has not seen or heard for years, a it a delight. Also on the program was the that many planes have been known to special A TOE concert on the former Kan­ jazzy Tijuana Brass number, Jingo Jango . dive over the Kansas City dike into the sas City Plaza Theatre Wurlitzer on Dec. To many attending this affair, it was their first live exposure to a theatre pipe organ. John provided for them a most in­ teresting and entertaining tour of the THE MANUAL ARTS stops on the organ. This is one area that can be a bit tedious to those who have sat RE-CREATION OF through such a "tour" previously. John's approach was unusual and yet based on simplicity. His vehicle for this was Long, Long ago with his left hand fingers fro­ zen into a monumental "Pointer System Lock." He followed this up with George HOWARD TYPE Wright's arrangement of Quiet Village. THEATRE birds and all. John Nelson is among the ORGAN SEAT few concert organists who take the time to give arrangement credits, even to in­ cluding the publisher of the arrangment.

Out of the go lden era of the Mighty WurliTzer theatre organ , comes this authentic re-creation of the famous Howard Seat . Famous for design fidelity , the Manual Arts Furniture Company has remained true to the original design and function of this unique seat. Produ ced specially for theatre organ enthusiasts, as well as for the professional organist, the seat has many features that allow the organist easy access to the horses hoe style console of the theatre organ. Heart of America Chapter members and The seat is counterbalanced for maximum stability guests listen as John Nelson puts 2 -chamber while the base plate fits under the pedal box to organ through its paces. Chapter members securely anchor the seat in place . The upholstered The re-created seat comes in two models . seat is split to provide unobstructed mobility for the keep the -Wurli in top condition. Model #l-P, recommended for most pipe organist"s legs, and it swivels a full 360° for complete Credit must go to the local Heart of organs, has an adjustable seat height of from freedom of movement . 26¼ co 32¼"- Model #1-E, recommended for Further information about this authentic re-creation America Chapter of A TOE for this most most electronic organs, has seat adjuscmenc from the golden era of the theatre organ can be excellent presentation_ Not only did they of from 23¼ co 29¼" i).igh. obtained from . get the organ into very fine shape, but they also staged and presented John Nelson in THE MANUAL ARTS FURNITURE COMPANY a most effective and polished manner; the 3472 Beekman Street • Cincinnati, Ohio 45223 sound of a theatre pipe organ performed on by a most entertaining artist.

april 196 7 28 "LITTLE MORT" TAKES A BOW

by CARO LE ANG LE

It was a cool, clear morning in February 1965. when a pickup truck with a trailer and a sedan traveled east over Donner Pass in the Sierra Nevada mountains . To the casual observer there was nothing unusual , but , well wrapped in the back of the pickup , was a brand new transistor electronic organ, and a very special or ­ gan indeed! It was a Schober "kit organ, ,, assembled and destined for the Methodist Church in Lovelock, Nevada . The labor for assembling the Schober was then to be traded for a Robert Morton theatre pipe or ­ gan.

This all began a year before, when USAF the kits and that, in payment for the as­ Major H.A. Sommer and his family were sembling, the Major would have the priv­ returning from a Colorado vacation. As ilege of removing and owning the Morton. usual he was practicing his hobby of nos­ The Morton, a model 49B "Foto­ ing into the whereabouts of various thea­ player," was installed in the Lovelock the­ tre pipe organs while enroute (the family atre in the original configuration. The thought he was probing for "historical player and effects were removed upon in­ artifacts"). Noting the large theatre in stallation in the church. The xylophone Lovelock while passing through, a stop was disconnected permanently shortly aft­ was immediately declared necessary. After er the church installation due to a short which caused it to sound during a funeral. It had been installed in the theatre in Aug­ ust 1925 and retired to the church in 1942. The name of the theatre organist could not be recalled by any of the locals. How­ ever, it's possible that he left town quite suddenly . During refurbishing of the ped­ alboard a 22 caliber cartridge ( expended) and the bow from an old-fashioned pair of eyeglasses were discovered and, as neither obiect seemed to belong to the

The Morton 49 console is one of the most graceful of small pipe organ control centers once the upright piano-style cabinet that house the roll player is removed.

The "Morton 49 " is one of the finest sounding small instruments ever to grace a small movie house. It is actually a link Loading at Lovelock. The blower rests on between organ and Fotoplayer but has a the pickup truck while the console shimmers in the sunlight after being "sprung" from distinct advantage in being a Fotoplayer church. (For a closeup of the blower see the rather than a conventional 4-rank Morton October issue, p. 15.) organ. Why? Because this 3-rank Foto­ player was equipped with a Tibia while the 4-rank Morton came with a Concert talking to the local barber, electrician, Flute as did most of the other brands of lawyer , county judge and sheriff, it was es­ Major Sommer replied to the BOMBARDE's 4-ranker. tablished that, yes, some time back there request for a family photo with the above , And what a Tibia! It's of medium scale, had been an organ in the theatre and that stating he didn't have a family picture but unleathered, and usually made of sugar it was presently being used in the Metho­ perhaps this snapshot of his "loading crew" pine. The tone is just as sweet and sexy dist Church, also that the church would would suffice . It's so typical of hired organ as that of any Tibia. The 4' String (49 like to replace it with something less de­ movers, we couldn't resist running it. pipes , start at Tenor C) is a "fat" one, manding and tempermental. Time did not not unlike a String Diapason. The 49- permit contacting officials on that trip so church, it is anyone's guess as to what pipe Yox, while very small in scale, offers arrangements were made by correspond­ happened to the original organist. There that very necessary reed support to the ence for a meeting with the church organ were still some wild times in the West Tibia, which has a range from one octave committee. The condition of the organ around 1925 ! below the end of the manual to two octaves was ascertained at the meeting as "rough 1925! That was a good year for the above. The Tibia is unified 16-8-4-2 on but restorable" by Dave Schutt and the Robert Morton Company. Although be­ the upper manual but has no mutations . Major. However, all the percussive good­ set by internal strife and the continual The Tibia appears at 16-8-4 on the ped­ ies, except the unplayable xylophone, were threat of financial disaster, the firm had als while the String and Yox appear only gone. The church committee, upon hear­ more orders than it could fill. Business at 4' because they lack the 8' bass octaves. ing about the trouble-free Schober elec­ had never been better. Let's examine its tronic, agreed that they would purchase "epitome of pit organs" more closely. ( Cunlinu

29 theatre organ I bombarde A 30-bar, small scale xylophone and a single C chime were the original pitched percussion complement. The Morton 49 was designed for instal­ lation in an orchestra pit. Therefore, the silhouette was low to keep below stage lev­ el. The detached console was usually placed between two oak swell boxes circa 5' in height. The 16' octave of Tibia pipes was attached horizontally to the back of the Tibia swell box, unenclosed. The Vox, String and most of the generous supply of "toy counter" effects were cram­ med into one swell box while the great range of the Tibia filled the other. A 3- rank organ with pipework divided into two "chambers" is indeed a rarity; This series of Mortons may be the only models so divided. The finish of console and swell Draperies pulled back to show the traps and boxes was natural oak, well sanded and sound effects installed unenclosed above the varnished. The front of each swell box Vox-String box. was decorated with an artistic grillework on casters. One contains the pipes of the which concealed the small but adequate Strings and Voxes, Glock and Xylo, with swell shutters. It was equipped for auto­ the toy counter mounted on top, unen­ matic operation from rolls and had double closed. The other swell box contains the tracker bars so an operator cueing a film Tibias with the bass drum, maracas, tom­ The original 49-note String and Vox ranks could find the right spot on one roll while tom and chimes mounted on top. The ped­ and the original Xylophone (right). The another was playing - thus assuring con­ al pipes are free-standing between the two added Glokkenspiel is at upper right. tinuous music. It was quite a lot of organ as originally conceived and installed and is still tonally far superior to most brands in the pit organ class. As has been mentioned, the instrument was hardly in what might be called "mint condition" on that morning in February 1965 when the little caravan of vehicles retraced its path Westward over the Don­ ner Pass with the Morton safely aboard, bound for the Sommer home in North Highlands, California. Since then the instrument has been re­ stored slowly to original condition utiliz­ ing the 2-chamber, separate console con­ figuration it was obtained in. The console This is the view over one's shoulder from the console. Draperies conceal the toy counter effects was refinished from its original oak to an­ installed above the Tibia swell box (left) and the Vox-String swell box (right). The Tibia-Bour­ tique white and gold. Dave Schutt contri­ bon octave is unenclosed between the two boxes, straight ahead. buted a Glockenspiel and a chime action; Carol Harris, an octave of Chimes, and swell boxes. Both boxes have swell shades amount of reverb. The setting depends Clyde Derby, the complete actions for a mounted on the front side. The pressure upon music tempo. A very realistic aud­ Wurli toy counter. The Glock was com­ and vacuum wind lines enter the room itorium effect is achieved. A replica of a pletely rebuilt and four missing bars made through a vent hole in the side of the Howard seat was made of pipe fittings and added: The chime action was cut room, a total span of eight feet from reg­ welded together and covered with fiber down-for the octave of chimesand the toy ulator to chests. The vacuum line "tees" glass. The cushion is made of royal blue counter rebuilt with the necessary effects into each chamber and also to the console. velvet over sponge rubber and has a gold installed. These -latter items, of course, had The swell shades, xylophone and the in­ fringe edge. the usual "orang 'e shellac" motif. tegral relays within the console operate on The console is located in an alcove off After moving into a new home, which vacuum - as did the original roll player the main room and is surrounded by roy­ was selected with the organ installation in mechanism common to all Fotoplayers. al blue velvet drapes. Overhead and to mind, the conversion of the garage into a One and one-half inch plastic water pipe the rear are twin spotlights and a revolv­ music room began in earnest. A 220-volt is used for the vacuum line. Two toe stud ing color light for those who desire to play line was laid underground to the blower rails were built and installed for addition­ in .. living color." pad, main garage door sealed, ceiling re­ al effects and artificial echo was added. The Major is indebted to a number of inforced, light fixtures wired, floor tile in­ The echo effect is made possible through Sacramento area organ enthusiasts for stalled, wall and ceiling insulation stapled the use of a Schober transistor "Reverba­ their help. Dave Schutt, in addition to in, sheetrock attached to the ceiling and a tape" unit. There is a microphone in each aiding in the original negotiations, helped wood grain sheetrock nailed to the walls. chamber feeding into a mixer, the Rever­ in moving, gave advice, parts, help in Then came painting and cleanup, and the batape unit, an amplifier and, finally, a modifications and tuned it twice, which is organ installation started. speaker enclosed in a baffle. The Rever­ one reason why it sounds so good. Norm The pipes are enclosed in two original batape has a console selection knob of 1 Rassmussen and his son, Bill, helped with 3- 1/2 by 5- 1/2 foot oak swell boxes mounted t}lrough 9 positions which control the the moving and stood by for any assist-

april 1967 30 "Little Mort," continued "LITTLE MORT" STOP LIST Robert Morton Pipe Organ (theatre pit type), Style 498, Serial # 1005009 3-ranks. Presently installed in residence of H.A. Sommer, N. Highlands, Calif. Blower: Kinetic, # L-852, Type 8 HVM, 600 CFM @ 10 lbs. Wind pressure 50 CFM @ 30 in. Vacuum Direct Current supplied by Selenium rectifier.

PEDAL Chinese Block Chimes Tibia 16' Tambourine Orch . Bells (re-it) Bass Flute (Tibia) a· Castanets Tremulant : Tibia. Vox. String 4' Bird Chirp String (1) Flute (Tibia) 4' Maracas Expression: Balanced Bass Drum Horse Clops pedals: Kettle Drum Triangle Left -Tibia Snare Drum Tap Tom -Tom Right -Vox/String "Doghouse out back" houses the blower, Snare Drum Roll SOLO Crescendo regulator and trem . (Retouched slightly for Tom-Tom Contra Flute (Tibia) 16' Auditorium acoustic effect: clarity.). Cymbal String (Middle C) 16' Schober Reverbatape Vox Humana (Middle C) 16' ance they could render. Ray Anderson ACCOMPANIMENT Tibia 8' TOE STUDS (12) built a new harness for the Glock, got it Contra Flute (Tibia) 16' Violin (Tenor C) a· Door Bell adjusted and did 90% of the wiring besides Tibia 8' Vox Humana (Tenor C) 8' Machine Gun other things. And from afar, E.A. Bas­ Violin (Tenor C) 8' Orch. Flute (Tibia) 4' Siren sett, Waterbury, Conn., furnished wiring Vox Humana (Tenor C) 8' Violina 4' Boat Whistle diagrams and guidance from his very Violina 4' Vox Humana 4' Fire Gong similiar installation. Flute (Tibia) 4' Piccolo (Tibia) 2' Klaxon Horn There was very little static from the dis­ Sleigh Bells Xylophone Six remaining reserved for taff side on this installation. The Major, Cymbal Glockenspiel future effects installation retired from the USAF (after 25 years of it) last fall and, noting that "toge therness" is one of the pitfalls of retirement , sug­ gested that the "better half " get a job. Floor Plan for "Little Mort " That, she did. Then, he did. The reward (not to scale) when they come home now from a hard day at the office is that both play and en­ I I joy "little Mort" - who hasn't had it so I good since before "talkies" shut him off. I' Console in I _J alcove 'I _ ., i l I

I Blower, Trem, MUSIC ROOM J I' Reservoir ( was garage) I (outside) String / Vax 25' Swell Box \\ I I l I I i I I I l I I' Tibia Swell I Box I AND BABY MAKES THREE! Mary and her Major enjoy their little Morton. a J fine example of the famous "Model 49." 1-.i 20' 1111

Be Sure And Keep Us Notified of Any Address Change . The Post Office Does Not Forward Theatre Organ I Bombarde . The New A. T.O.E. National Headquarters Address is: P.O. Box 7404 , Bitter Lake Station, Seattle , Washington 98133 Send In Chapter News Be sure and keep us notified.

31 theatre organ I bombarde weirdo version of Limehouse Blues which made something of an oriental mystery of the "story of old Chinatown." Everett SAN FRANCISCO'S AVENUE enjoyed an enthusiastic round of applause, a not uncommon occurrence during the THEATRE PRESENTS TOP afternoon and mention of which we' ll dispense with at this point as needless ORGANIST "ROUNDUP" repetition. Next on the bill-of-fare was ex-A TOE by ELMER FUBB Prexy Tiny James, recording and concert artist, whose big round moving style is Seven Stars Perform at Wurlitzer for Sunday Afternoon 'Kickoff' Concert dearly reminiscent of the sound so often San Franc isco , Feb . 12- The Avenue theatre here is something very special . heard in theatres during the "golden era. " For one thing it's the culmination of a dream -a dream which coincides with Tiny milked the Tibia during Does Your the longings of organ hobbyists everwhere : a place where silent film master ­ Heart Beat for Me? (with Chrysoglott w orks m ay be enjoyed to the accompaniment of a fine theatre pipe organ. punctuation), then bounced into Your Fru ition of the dream stemmed from the joint effort of two unlikely partners , hardhe aded businessman (lithography) Vernon Gregory and volatile Edward Sto ut, w hose expert touch in the more sensitive areas of pipe organ mechanics is w ell established.

If this pair seems ill-matched to bring PM), house manager Jim Murray stepped about the miracle of a showplace from to the microphone on the stage and intro­ the '20s , it should be remembered that duced the MC of the day, handsome Gene the y share an uncommon enthusiasm for Poferl, who lost no time ushering in the the organ , the theatre and the silent film first of seven top-rank organists to be --e nough to stake fortune and futures in heard. the recreation of a page from the past. Tom Hazelton had a distinct advantage This concert was by way of introduction in that he is the house organist with more to Bay Area enthusi asts that the Avenue hours at the 3-manual console than any theatre is already a going concern with of those to follow . As Tom plunged into a program of weekend silent films to be The Girl from /panema, the big curtain opened to reveal the screen , back of which SHADES OF PIZZERY . Bill Langford could be seen the swell shutters opening does a Harp arpeggio while giving the ped­ and closing and the vague outlines of pipe­ als a rest . The feet in the foreground are work played upon by work lights in the real. Phow bv Bob Churchill stage-based chambers . The lush Wurlitzer sound blended with Tom 's easy-going Heart Belongs to Somebody Else. Tiny 's style during Bidin ' My Time, a George closer was Baby Where Can You Be? with Shearing arrangement of the Gershwin a baritone Tuba lead and sizzle-String tune. Tom's MCing is a pleasure to wit­ harmony. ness; his boyish friendliness complements Bill Langford is famed for serving up his immense competence at the organ. pretty music as an accompaniment to the "We're going to play the hell out of this Consumption of pizza in that Hayward organ today" stated Tom and his final dough dispensary known as the " Pizza contribution of the afternoon bore out his Joynt. " Bill is well schooled in the use of threat . One must be in love to fully feel pipes (he plays a 3-12 mostly Wurlitzer the impact of Liebesrodt (literally "love nightly) and he also shows considerable death") from Wagner's opera, Tristan talent in the wit department. Sample: " I and Isolde. In it the composer represents The console was originally in the State Lake don 't know why I'm so shaky - oops! ­ theatre, Chicago. in music the lyric passion which the lov­ that's a bad word?" (For the benefit of ers never enjoyed in life; they sense its the unknowing, "Shakey's " is the name seen , a fine fifteen rank Wurlitzer to be magic only as life is slipping away - the of a competing pizzery.) Bill's opener was heard and an auditorium available for or­ slowly rising emotions carried in the a slow, emotion-packed ballad entitled I'd gan club meetings during non-movie peri­ Strings, the ebb and flow of the develop­ Give a Million Tomorrows for Just One ods . Therefore , we'll skip the background ing theme and finally the mighty pulse of Yesterday in tempo rubato, and followed on how the project was conceived and the impassioned finale. it with an upbeat Brazil . As a novelty he grew (that's another story) and deal with The afternoon was still young and Tom compared Jerome Kern's Yesterdays the events of Feb . 12th. Hazleton had already created a musical (from Roberta) with the Beatles more re­ Although the original plan was to pre­ moment that would be remembered . cent Yesterday and discovered that they sent just four top organists in concert, it Always popular Everett Nourse, with were closely related. So far Bill had had to be abandoned when nearly twice years of staffing at the late lamented Fox avoided playing in what he calls "pizza that number stepped forward. It then be­ 4-36 Wurlitzer to recommend him, got off style" but he broke down and gave out came the " Cavalcade of Organ Greats" , to a good start with a bouncy Who? and with a vo-do-deo-dough version of Some as Tabs 'n Drawbars dubbed it. It should followed with a subtle ballad treatment of of These Days in a tempo to pace the be made clear that all artists donated When Did You Leave Heaven ?; Anniver­ munching maws of the pasta pilgrims who their services to give the project a well­ sary Song was played as a fast waltz with frequent Henningsen's hearth. deserved send-off. a Tuba lead and descending chromatic Larry Yannucci opened with a grotesque Shortl y after the appointed hour (2 :30 embellishment. Everett closed with a Winchester Cathedral which alternated be-

april 196 7 32 tween the croaking "bee in a bottle" sists has evil designs on her Guerneville range of the Kinura and the "whistling" home, dog ("Faux Pas"), Volkswagen range of the Tibia. It was a triumph of and herself - such damp items as River arranging and registration over lack of Stay Away From My Door. At one point material , and the audience loved it. But she took off on what sounded like a silent the real Yannucci art shone brightly movie chase. And leave it to the old throughout The Shadow of Your Smile showman to save a gasp for the very end; as she took her bow she stepped off the organ platform into thin air- and very nearly took a dive into the nether regions of the pit. A hugh gasp went up from the listeners but Alice reappeared in the spot­ light and indicated that nothing more than her dignity had suffered. With a happy TH IS IS MY GOOD SIDE!. Ed Stout wave she was gone, one of the most be­ and Vern Gregory clown for the multitudes . The Avenue is their dream come true. loved and most interesting of the old-tim­ ers. Alice Blue is hard to follow at any time project and to make themselve s known to and with the drama of her near "dive " the audience. Stout gave a brief talk on still fluttering in the audience, she was organ "bird whistles " and dem onstr ate d doubly difficult to follow. It takes talent some special ones which will become a "THE VANOOCH !" Larry Vannucci like that of Emory Stevenson to cope with part of the org an, not ably the ra ucous waits for the crowd to simmer down after such a situation and it just happened that "Albatross call." Gregor y turn ed out to his grotesque 'Wind-chester Cathedral'. Emory was scheduled next , the final act be a comedian , mugging for the photog­ rapher who kept shootin g Vern 's " bad and the theme from the film, A Man and a in an afternoon of wonderful musical ad­ side," much to the Gre gori an discom for t. Woman . When Larry announced As Long ventures. Meanwhile the show had run far ln all it was an afternoon th at won't as She Needs Me with that "gone" look beyond the estimated time and six PM soon be forgotten in Bay Ar ea orga n cir­ on his craggy visage, no one present was looming. So, Emory cut it short with cles. Where else could you be served free could possibly doubt who he was playing an able version of Manhattan, Put Your intermission coffee by a coupl e of do lls it for ; Claire was sitting directly behind Dreams Away, and a Crawford-like She's like organists Lee Lees and Jun e Melen­ the console , radiant as always. Funny That Way. His encore was a deli­ dy? Larry 's "feature selection" was a fine­ cious It Happened in Monterey. There the ly registered Blusette which made good show ended. use of the organ 's Brass Trumpet, Tibia, Gene Poferl, who had performed ably as * * * * * Clarinet , Kinura and Chrysoglott Harp. the MC, bid the audience goodbye and in­ The next artist was straight out of si­ vited all to return as soon as possible. Ac­ For the benefit of those contemplatin g a lent movies - wonderful Alice Blue. Alice tually, there had been no "hard-sell" visit to San Francisco, the A venue the­ is more than a personality, she's a char­ during the entire afternoon. Several times atre is located at 2650 San Bruno St ree t acter , and a top-flight entertainer. She Messrs. Gregory and Stout had stepped to (take the Silver A venue turn-off fr om made frequent comments about what she the stage to provide some history of the Route 101). was up to over the PA system and gener­ ally made light of her efforts . However, BOB RALSTON POPULAR ON PIPES

by G . BANDIN I

California music lovers were recently der the console and play ing 12th St reet treated to four days of delightful theatre Rag on the Accompaniment manual! pipe organ music at the Carl Greer Inn in Sacramento, played by Bob Ralston of the Lawrence Welk organization. Al­ though featured on a "plug in" on the Welk show as well as during personal ap­ pearances, he did a creditable perform­ ance on pipes. This was appreciated, par­ ticularly, by those familiar with the com­ plex Morton multiple stop key, 4-manual configuration. Ralston worked up pleas­ ing combinations and was well in control Facing a phalanx of soles, Alice Blue turns of the 4-16 Morton. During certain num­ on the charm while introducting her next tune . bers, obviously Welk type arrangements, "champagne" bubbles floated out of the as a measure of her abilities, she select­ organ . Welk's borrowed bubble machine, ed Rimsky-Korsakoff 's Hymn To The Sun with a control on the console, produced the for her initial selection, and did it proud. effect. Although he is a very accomplished Next came a "Blues Hodgepodge " as pianist and organist, he demonstrated she called it, a potpourri featuring bits showmanship versatility through conversa­ HOWDY, FOLKS - l'M BOB RALSTON . and pieces of many tunes , most of them tional patter and a form of gymnastics . -Encompassed by the giant maw of the dealing with the continual war she wages The gymnastics consisted of laying on his Morton, and surrounded by eaters , Bob an ­ against the Russian River which she in- back, crossing his arms with his head un- nounces requests. (Photo by Bob Chur chil l).

33 the atre organ I bombarde "TOES" BECOME "SIERRA CHAPTER" IN A BLAZE OF GLORY

HEAR DUNSTEDTER, JAMES and NOURSE

by H. A. SOMMER

Any meeting of organ enthusiasts that is fortunate enough to have an Honorary ATOE Organist present is bound to be re ­ warded with lingering memories , but then to have two such personages present , is almost beyond description .

~ T THE FEBRUARY MEETING ~ of the Theatre Organ Enthusiasts of THE OLD MAESTRO APPROVES - Ed­ die Dunstedter (left) introduces the TOES Sacramento (TOES) at the Carl Greer concert artist, Tiny James. Inn, both Tiny James and Eddie Dunn­ From Mich., Carl Elliott writes glumly stedter were in attendance . Eddie was in sented in this area. The organ was in top that when "urban renewal" cut a path town for one of several week-end stints on condition, thanks to the efforts of Bob through Grand Rapids, it wiped out five the 4/ 16 Morton and Tiny was the fea­ Baese, many commenting that it never theatres, three of them operating and tured concert artist for the event. Don sounded better. Everett's imaginative two with operating organs. An attempt to and Cathy Zeller had just finished tuning techn ique captivated the audience and he secure the Regent 3-.7 Robert Morton for the beast when Tiny and John Gallagher was treated to enthusiastic applause at installation in the civic auditorium fell by arrived and immediately started setting the intermission, before and after the en­ the wayside for lack of support and went combinations. While they were doing so, core. An interesting note on Everett is to a private party in Lansing. Which and later when Tiny practiced, Eddie kib­ that this was the first time he ever played leaves only the Majestic with an organ itzed and supervised the operation, all in the instrument although he had attended which, Carl writes, is used occasionally. good fun. After Tiny had practiced, Eddie George Wright's dedication concert in In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, it's a more pleas­ played several selection and seemed to 1939. The audience was divided between ant story. Howard A. Burton, long a stal­ be pleased with the instrument, although Sacramento enthusiasts and those from wart in the organ hobby, continues push­ between cigar smoke, crashing dishes and the Bay Area. After the concert a short ing pipe organ music with Saturday ice clinking in glasses, I thought I heard busines meeting of the members was morning open sessions at the Paramount a comment which sounded like, "the held , the highlight being the announce­ with its lone 3-11 Wurlitzer, and uncover­ combinations aren't loused up too badly". ment of the National ATOE organization ing new talent. One recent discovery is The concert was attended by more than acceptance of TOES as the Sierra Chap­ Richard Neighbor (16) with whom Bur­ 125, some coming over 100 miles. Eddie ter of ATOE. Members then took turns at ton shared a pre-Christmas concert at the was introduced and then stepped aside the organ. Many of the enthusiasts later theatre. Burton, who has a 2-9 Geneva in­ while Tiny, the featured organist, was journeyed to the Carl Greer Inn for din- stalled in his home basement studio, was presented. Tiny was at his best and a student of the Knauss School of Thea­ played the full range of the theatre organ tre Organ Playing in Allentown, Penna., spectrum. His technique was flawless, the in the late '20s. Wonder if there are oth­ selections delightful and the members ex­ er Knauss students among our readers? uberant over the fine renditions. Although There's a story there ... Seeing the list the club was highly appreciative of Tiny's of long gone NBC radio "soap operas" concert, the high point was when Eddie which Rosa Rio supplied Hammond complimented him afterwards. George themes and incidental music for in these Seavers played a few selections after the pages brought a tinge of nostalgia to Ann business meeting and several new mem­ Leaf who was playing for CBS (New bers signed up. York) during the same top broadcasting A highly successful concert sponsored years. Among Ann's "soapers" were Ma by the brand new Sierra Chapter A TOE Perkins. Pretty Kitty Kelly and Front (formerly TOES), was held at Grant Un­ Page Farrell. She also backgrounded a ion High School on March 5, 1967. Ev­ pair of well remembered evening shows, erett Nourse was the guest organist and Easy Aces and Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost presented a two hour concert that will be Persons which were supplied a few bars remembered for some time. Playing the Everett Nourse at the Wurli 4-22. After 27 theme music, respectively, of Manhattan Wurli 4-22 to an audience of 400, he of­ years he was pleased to make its acquaint­ Serenade and Someday /'II Find You. fered some of the most meticulous and ance. . . . Bill Coffman, the organist with a flawless renditions of music, from the the­ ner and to hear Eddie Dunstedter at the quite long stretch at the Panama Hilton atre organ spectrum, that has been pre- Mor ton 4-16. Bombarde Room 3-27 Wurlitzer behind

april 1967 34 VOX POP, continued sold its 2-8 Moller to Jim Gaines. Its a ly through the efforts of a Salt Lake City drive of several hours to reach the state journalist named Dan Valentine who cam­ him will have to go some to beat a pre­ Capital and Carl's very special Inn. paigned for it via his Tribune column, vious record 13 years playing a Ham­ What do professional organ people do "Nothing Serious ." The good citizens mond at the Sirrocco Club in Wilmington , on their days off? A group which gather­ responded and provided an early "Val­ Calif. Already homesick, he has no such ed in San Francisco, consisting of Ed entine day" for the sightless students of intention ... In Holiywood, organist Paul Stout, Richard Purvis, Buzz Lindhardt, all ages. As stated many times previous­ Mickelson bought Ray Bonner's 6-rank Don Micholetti and Lyn Larsen, drove to ly, we meet the nicest people through the Morton to install in his hor.ie because the Sacramento on March 5th to mainline organ hobby . . . much larger former NBC studio organ some Eddie Dunstedter at the Greer Inn. We sure learned a lot about the various which Paul has had stashed for many It figures. makes of Brass Trumpet ranks by dis­ years is too large. But he isn't thinking Anyone remember "Wild Oscar," that playing a smattering of ignorance. Having of parting with the instrument veteran ra­ zany of the console whose musical antics never experienced another brand, we mis­ dio listeners associate with One Man's at consoles across the land left echoes of takenly assumed that Wurlitzer was the Family and I Love a Mystery. Paul, laughter as his monument? We've been sole maker - in print. No so, writes Ken­ whose forte is recording religious music trying to nail down some solid info on Os­ neth H . Knepper from Tulsa, Oklahoma, with theatre organ registration, still hopes car as the basis for a future article but who states that large Barton organs were to find a willing hall to put it in ... his memory is most evasive. Outside of equipped not only with Brass Trumpets Our spies in the great North West report being listed in the Motion Picture Herald but also Brass Saxophones which Barton that it's true about A TOE Prez. Dick we're sure of only one showplace where purchased from Gottfried. The famed pipe Schrum. Everyone suspected that he was he was seen in person, an unnamed Ak­ maker made all but the brass bells which hoarding a pipe organ somewhere but it ron theatre. There really was a "Wild were purchased from a band instrument took some super-sleuthing to find it Oscar" wasn't there? manufacturer , says Ken . He adds that stashed in the loft of the Tacoma Roller . .. Bob Baese, the man who did so Moller also had a Brass Trumpet of a Bowl , a 3-10 Morton which played origi­ much to restore the Grant Union High scale somewhat smaller than Wurlitzers nally (understage) in the Portland Orphe­ School Wurli to sound the way George (he has part of a Moller set and would um theatre prior to its rink job. Our Wright designed it many years ago, has a like some measurements from someone shamus had been tailing Dick for some 2-7 Wurlitzer in his Sacramento, Calif., who has a complete one so he can make time and finally the Prez led him to the home .. . Speaking of 2-7s, there's a fine the missing pipes). Now we are wonder­ cache , which had to be moved because the example in the California theatre, Santa ing how about Kimball, Marr & Colton, rink was being renovated prior to a big Rosa , Calif. On a recent Saturday morn­ Robert Morton, Wicks and others? Any roller skating regional competition. Our ing a bunch of A TOErs gathered to hear more brass? footpad got so inquisitive that Dick put some impromptu playing by several fine Although their articles had often ap­ him to work helping carry out the main organists (after the formal program), in­ peared in print on adjacent pages of The chests and regulators. In the course of the cluding Larry Yannucci at the organ and Hammond Times, former theatre organists blood, sweat and tears involved in any or­ a "pit orchestra" consisting of Banjo and Randy Sauls and Mildred Alexander had gan moving session our "Fosdick" Piano, with veteran silent movie organist never met. When it finally happened this learned that Schrum plans a 13-rank in­ Alice Blue supplying the obligatos on the spring, the two tried to "out-South" one stallation for which he has acquired a latter ... From the Management of the another via their respective drawls: rare Wurlitzer Tibia Plena and the Kim­ newly rebuilt Minneapolis Auditorium, we Millie: ball Trumpet and Posthorn from the late, learn that plans to import Eddie Dunsted­ Cun'I Rayandy-whar yew-all lamented Stanton theatre in Baltimore, ter for a rededication concert had to be from? plus the full Orpheum Morton. But we dropped because the huge twin-console Randy: haven't been able to learn where the in- Kimball won't be ready in time for the Ahm furn Miz-sip - way tallation will be and probably won't until formal opening. However , manager At­ daown Saouth. Whar yewall our 007 is sprung from the plaster cast in wood Olson writes, " I hope at some con­ from, honey chile? which he was incarcerated after the main venient future date to have Eddie return Millie: chest conked him. to Minneapolis and allow a free night for Ahm from Saouth Car'linuh, Speaking of the president , he's been the Organ Club to be present." The a teenie-weenie bit Nawth of seen on Seattle TV recently, playing a Organ Company is readying the Kimball. yewall. Rodgers plug-in. Wonder what the spon­ Chicago Chapterites can be proud of Randy: sor thinks when it comes time for a com­ their restoration job on the 3-10 Wurli in Dayamn Yang-kee! mercial and Dick plumps for A TOE in­ the Indiana theatre in East Chicago if let­ In Thousand Oaks. Calif , organist Jack stead of transistors? ters we've received praising the fall con­ Loren had almost enough parts gathered Ever wonder what got Carl Greer so cert played there by John Muri are a fair to go about assembling a long-planned hepped on theatre organs that he built his indicator. For Muri it was something of a theatre organ, about 8 ranks played from Sacramento beanery around one? Carl ad­ return ; he played the instrument before it a style D Wurli console he has acquired. vises that he learned to love organ music was retired by "talkies" more than 39 Jack built a 10 ranker into his Berkele y , when he used to take his girl, Jay, to the years ago. Organist Muri sure gets Calif .. home while he was still in high Chicago M arbro to hear the 5-manual around. On Feb. l l he put on a fine silent school in the mid-30s, so he knows the Wurlitzer which Byron Carlson is now movie era spectacle for Indianapolitans, ropes . installing in his Minneapolis home. Now, playing Tom Ferree's 3-10 Uniphone at Ann Leaf's sister, Esther, who used to with a 4-16 Morton in his own restaurant, the Rivoli . sit in for Ann during vacations from CBS it would seem that Carl and Jay ( long January 24th was a great day for stu­ "Nocturne" broadcasts, is still very Mr. and Mrs.) could have a diet of or­ dents at the Utah School for the Blind. On much involved with organs back home in gan music with meals nightly by just eat­ that day they heard a dual dedication Omaha. Esther now plays in church on an ing at the family inn. But it isn't that concert, classics played by Wayne Deve­ electronic. easy; the Greers live in Los Angeles reaux and pops played by Leland Lay. . . . Despite the deep snowdrifts more where dining to pipe organ music has The occasion was the preeming of a new than 800 attended the grand opening con­ been in eclipse since Chjton's Cafeteria Thomas organ which materialized chief- / Continued on next page)

35 theatre organ I bombarde VOX POP, continued much-needed overhaul by Lawrence Rich­ cert on Feb. 25 to hear the former Pal­ ardson. It will be the subject of a future ace 4-2 l Wurlitzer in the new home pro­ article. vided by the Rochester Theatre Organ So­ Notice anything strange about the 4-18 ciety, the Auditorium theatre. But none of Wurlitzer (it says ·) pictured on page 2 of those who didn't hear the Eddie Weaver the Feb. '67 TO/ BB? Reader Eric Reeve bash was news hen Rita Becker. She was did. The photo shows the interior of the really "snowed." Seattle 5th Avenue theatre and the text The Chicago (CA TOE) cats sure offer says the house is equipped with a 4-18. a lot for only $1.50 (kids 50 cents!) . On But the eagle-eyed Mi.not (No. Dakota) To avoid possible disappointment, Ann April 6 CATOE staged a show at the Pa­ "fuzz" counted only the three manuals Leaf wants it known that Vol. II of her tio theatre with Hal Pearl (remember showing and, cop that he is, wants to Concert at Lhe Los Angeles Thealre is him at the Aragon Ballroom?) at the 3-17 know who stole the fourth keyboard? avai lable in monaural only. However , Barton which was restored mainly by Bill From Indianapolis, Tom Ferree writes "That Aint the Way I Heard It" (Rob­ Reiger. In addition to the concert there that he's in the market for a set of 32' ert Morton) and SpecLacular Organ (Wur­ was a silent feature film, barbershop Diaphones and some solo reeds to add to limorton) may be bought by mail from quartet , two-reel comedy and a singa­ his 3-10 "Giant U niphone" organ in the Ann at $4.35 mono and $5.35 stero, post­ long - and 12 bits was the most ·one could Rivoli theatre. Tom chides us for stating paid. Write to 1138 Hacienda Place, Los pay to get in. In contrast, there 's a feel­ that the Rivli 's chambers once housed a Angeles, Calif., 90069. With the San Fran­ ing in some areas that the upward creep­ Barton when the long-gone organ was ac­ cisco Fox 4-36 gone and Fantasy records ing cost of concert admissions - two, three tually a 2-6 Robert Morton. For shame! running low on the tunes they recorded and even four dollars - may be dampen­ From Montreal, Dr. Ray Lawson ad­ just before it was moved, Everett Nourse ing enthusiasm. vises that he has his home-based Wurlit­ and Tiny James have been looking for an The Aragon Ballroom? It's now a go-go zer in top shape for the benefit of visitors organ suitable for the continuation of their joint called "The Cheetah." We under­ in town for the World Fair. He adds that fellow Montreal enthusiast Rosiare Hou­ very successfu l Farewell to the Fox se­ stand the most of the Wurli which Hal le's Moller installation "is in fine shape ries. They may have found it in the 4-22 Pearl once recorded for Replica is gather­ and it sounds really good." In not-too­ mostly Wurlitzer in Grant Union High ing dust there. distant Plattsburgh, N . Y., Dick Weber's School in Sacramento. If it jells, they'll That livewire Theatre Organ Produc­ double Wurlitzer in the Strand was the need a new title; perhaps something very tions crew (Pat Chambers, Mark Noller main attraction at a Feb. 15 variety show. general, such as Salute to Grant, maybe? and Dick Sklenar) which has been stag­ Billed as a "Musical Valentine, " the ing a theatre organ type of program in presentation included variety acts, the the Chicago area but with a plug-in in The major recording companies insist that Plattsburgh Male Chorus and "Canada's lieu of pipes, will soon have a pipe or­ organ records are too slow in sales for Hit Recording Artist," Leo Duplessis in gan to add authenticity to their efforts. them to bother with. Not so says prexy Pipe Organ Black Magi c all for $1.50! The group has arranged to refurbish the Bill Johnson, the guiding talent behind the Proceeds went toward the purchase of 2-11 Kim ball in the Parthenon theatre Organ of the Month Club. Not only has band uniforms for local school kids. Hammond, Indiana (near Chi) and in~ he had to move to larger quarters to meet Dr. Art Sherman ( Sacramento, Calif .) theatre presentations are planned for fall. nation-wide business demands but has al­ recenEly spent his vacacion in Hawaii and They have the full backing of Parthenon so started to have his record s pressed in managed to play both Princess and Wai­ owner William Kleige and house mana­ Australia (stereo) and in England (mon­ kiki rheacre Mortons in Honolulu , thanks ger Edna Peterson. Our most recent men­ aural only) for local distribution. Wonder to manager John DeMel/o who does so tion of the Parthenon was at the house if Bill would mind havi ng our Bombarde much to keep pipes alive in our 50th John Muri played in during the '30s in review copies sent over from England? state. ( Photo : Waikiki Morton ). our February article about Milt Herth. The independent Detroit TOC continues Niagara Frontier's program chair­ •The monkey wrapped his tail around the with a parade of top talent playing its man Bob Sieben informs us that the flagpole all right, as the old parody goes, Senate theatre Wurlitzer month after Chapter's own 2-6 Wurli in Klauder but not to the "Washington Post" March month. The March concert, held on the Hall sounded great at the Dean Robin­ as we credited Don French on his current 18th, starred talented Patti Germain, who son concert on March 10, its second air­ Organ of the Month release. It should is remembered for her performance at the ing for Chapter members. have been called out as "The National Richmond Regional A TOE meet in 1966. Emblem" March, and the monkey shown Ever hear of a Steere and Turner brand Patti followed Ashley Miller who played of organ? We didn't until one turned up in with his foot in his mouth. So impressed DTOC's Feb. 25th program at the Senate. was Johnny Seng with the sounds and an ancient Wisconsin theatre. Installed in All of which can only whet the musical mu ic which Billy Na lie produced on 1891, the instrument was recently given a appetite of the Detroit-bound A TOE con­ Johnny's Mundelein Seminary 4-23 re­ ventioneer come July . cording organ during a brief visit early this year, that Seng invited the New York­ er (by adoption) to make his next re­ .. WELCOME cording at the one time Chicago theatre to the two newest chapters console which controls his hand-picked ranks, on the spot. Which is a switch be­ MID AMERICA CHAPTER cause, as we understand it, Johnny in­ based in Wichita, Kansas tended to use it solely for his own record­ ings. But the art istry of the transplanted and Floridian must have gotten through to SIERRA CHAPTER him and he made the generous gesture. He ' ll never regret it. WAIKIKI MORTON -The hands belong to based in Sacramento, Calif. John DeMello . * * * * *

april 1967 3~ "A common attraction to the imcomparable majesty of the theatre organ" inspired them.

Based on an article written for the THE PIPES ARE PLAYING Omaha World-Herald by staffer Fred Thomas; Photos by Pat Hall and Stanley Gross. AGAIN IN OMAHA

~ VOICE from the innards of the volved in a labor of love which has al­ Another "regular" is Don Olson, a ~ darkened theatre called out from ready absorbed more than 1800 hours of sanitary engineer. Curtis Cox, a computer great distance, "Try the Chinese Gong." their time and an undetermined amount programmer at the University of Omaha, A great "Poooiiinnngg!!!" filled the of money. They have restored the Orphe­ rounds out the unlikely crew which is theatre and it must have rattled Tom um 's long-neglected organ, the last of the joined together by love for the theatre or­ Harvey's ear drums because he was great Wurlitzers in a city which once gan. standing beside the huge brass disc when boasted twenty large theatre organs plus It started several years ago when it let loose. But before its sustained tin­ a number of smaller ones in the 36 houses George Rice first moved to Omaha . Long tinnabulation had died away Harvey was in operation there forty years ago. This is a theatre organ devotee, he looked around back asking for more, "Now give me a the last playing instrument and that didn't for an instrument to play and was ap­ trumpet fanfare!" come about easily. palled at what he found. Organs were Two octaves of Brass Trumpet bells vi­ The small group of thus far unorgan­ rare and those remaining were in poor brated with the blast of a fanfare with ized enthusiasts centers around George shape. The 2850-seat Orpheum 'sWurlitzer enough majesty to serve as the introduc­ Rice, a bio-chemist by day and organ seemed like the most promising. It's a tion to an Errol Flynn movie. Down at the loft prowler by night. Walter Beaupre is a style 235 special with 13 ranks of pipes, console, George Rice smiles, "What stur­ professor at the University of Omaha including a prized Brass Trumpet. It's a dy ear drums Tom has." And still Tom while Tom Harvey teaches instrumental 3-chamber installation with upper an~ kept asking for more. music in the public schools. ( Co111inued 0 11 11ex1 page) "Bass Drum ... Horses Hooves ... Auto Horn ... Sleigh Bells ... now, slug SQUAWKERS . Tom Harvey is assigned the trying task of tuning the Kinura pipes, which seem the chimes." And George did. Each ef­ a little self conscious in the presence of the Majestic Brass Trumpet on the next rack . fect came through loud and clear from the chamber four floors above. That part of the job was finished. Tom Harvey descended the ladder, the only access to the chamber, and joined Dr. Walter Beaupre on the balcony. Find­ ing their way by flashlight in the dark­ ened house they inched toward the center of the balcony where a couple of visitors had been observing the proceedings. The two men sat down by the visitors and called out, "Play for us, George!" And

CONSOLE UP -The 13-rank Wurlitzer floods the 2850-seat house with music at a perfect volume level, so no additions are anticipated. It's the last of 20 large theatre organs which once entertained Omahans.

George obliged with a medley of vintage oldies, Linger Awhile, Shanty Town, on Harvest Moon and War March of the Priests, to which he added a jazzy ending. "Sometimes we get so carried away with the music we don't get much work done" said Tom Harvey, his ears still ringing with the echoes of crash cymbals and bleating trumpets. These Omahans, prowling around in the darkened Orpheum theatre, are deeply in-

37 theatre organ I bombarde THE PIPES ARE PLAYING AGAIN IN OMAHA, continued

GEORGE PLAYS FOR HIS CREW-While George plays pretty ditties, his fascinated crewmen look on. These men (plus some not shown) have invested 1800 hours among them during the past four years in bringing the style 235 Special Wurlftzer back to top playing condition.

NO IMPEDIMENT -What appear to be heavy drapes over the stacked Solo cham ­ bers are actually "fish net thin" curtains. just heavy enough to conceal the swell shut­ ters. Similar concealment is provided for one-chamber Main at the other end of the balcony. Left to right. they are Donald E. Olson. Dr. Walter Beaupre, Thomas Harvey and Curtis Cox. Then , when success seemed within lower Solo chambers on the left side of who did a beautiful job of rebuilding the grasp--disaster! An organ 's worst ene­ the Proscenium and a Main on the right conso le. Many layers of paint were re­ my, next to fire, is water. There was a side. The upper Solo chamber contains moved and the surfaces finished in a flood backstage and while wiring suffered the Kinura , Trumpet and Oboe; the low­ gleaming polished mahogany . But refin­ (cutting off all power to the chambers) , er Solo houses the Tibia Clausa and Tuba. ishing was only a small part of the job-­ Starting alone, George soon started to releat hering, refelting, all stop key con­ attract helpers . One was Stanley Gross tacts replaced, all pedalboard contacts re­ placed plus a number of contacts on the manuals . And the combination action was rewired. Missing parts were borrowed from oth­ er organs, ones beyond repair. The group found theatre owners sympathetic to the project of having at least one good play­ ing theatre instrument in Omaha. They donated parts. The amount of work was "somewhat stagg ering," as Curtis Cox puts it. With more than 1,065 pipes to check, work which couldn't be accomplished in the chambers had to be lowered in a bucket and later hauled back up again to be re­ installed. The four stories which separate console and chamber caused many an aching muscle as the pipes, traps and pneu m atics made the round trip. And paint, leather and felt (all supplied by the group) had to be moved up, too. But patience won out. The group became used HE STARTED YOUNG -By the time he was 13, David Rice knew about such organ to working during odd hours when the paraphenalia as bottom boards, pneumat­ TIN KLERS ! George Rice adjusts a Glock ­ house wasn't in use, the often all-night ics and magnets, having caught the "bug" enspiel hammer . Above are the Tuned sessions playing havoc with day-time from his dad . Here he inspects the Orpheum Sleigh bells. work schedules. Tuba pipes. apr il 7967 38 the organ console was spared . The dam­ brass. Ther e are severa l additi ona l le s age has since been repaired . fa mili ar tune s, plu s the Ol sen tr ea tm ent Within the past year , great strides have of the old Scot ch tun e whi ch he has re­ been made toward " polishing " the treas­ la belelled Trippin g Throug h the R ye­ ure. The cham hers have been cleaned and which it do es in j azz tempo . A ll are a de­ painted. All pipes have been cleaned. The light from th e arr angem ent viewp oint. Th e console lift has been rewired and on the instrum ent is different ; well worth addin g console proper , the second touch action to the collec tion . has been adjusted , toe studs connected The j ack et offer s not e-s on the instru ­ and push buttons tied in. So now that ment and arti st as well a ph otos of both . everything works "all we have to do is to use it," says Rice. * * * * * The group , which is considering the for­ 101 Plus Strings - T. Mortier (Antwerp ), mation of an ATOE chapter , has noted 101 Key Dance Organ (played mechani­ the efforts of ATOE to make the theatre cally). Available on "Stereoflex" disc organ come alive throughout the country. only. Concert Recording CR-0012. Re­ They would like to tr y a silent movie leased by Organ of the Month Club. Pur­ The BOMBARD£ reviews organ record­ chasing information same as for previous show, with a "singalong " session played ings for official ATOE publications . record reviewed. by a famous organist whom the y would Manufacturers , distributors or individu ­ Here is a recording which reproduces "import. " That's for the future. Mean­ als sponsoring or merchandising theatre while , the group is happy to sit around pipe organ records are encouraged to faithfully the music of the biggest hurdy­ 1 the console and call out requests to send copies (Monaural, if possible) to gurdy we've ever seen ( 18 /2 feet tall , George Rice , who seems to know all the the BOMBARD£ , Box 5013, Bendix Sta­ 26 feet wide, and presumably loaded with tunes asked for. But if things should get tion, N . Hollywood , Calif 91605 . Be pipes and traps ). Now reposing in an sure to include purchasing information , dull, there 's a 3-19 Kim ball in storage English museum, it once supplied dance if applicable . which might fit the denuded chambers of music at European fairs and carnivals. A mechanical organ is comparable to a the Omaha theatre down the street. Now - I Frank Olsen at the Hil sdon Theatre pipe computer in that it may be programmed let's see!. organ , Picture House , Paisley , Scotland , via perforated tape to obtain the desired Co ncert Reco rding CR -00 1 I ; reg ular re­ result. The program offered here ranges lease of the O rga n of th e Mo nth Cl ub. from Strauss to sambas; the waltzes it $4.50 pos tpai d ("Stereoflex" only). A lso performs well but it seems rather uncom­ ava ila ble on 7 1 ip ta pe at $7.50. Ord er 2 fortable when the tape specifies "boog­ fro m Co ncert Recordi ng, Box 53 1, Lyn­ ie." Yet, it all comes through (mostl y in woo d, Ca lif. one key ) and sustains enough interest to Thi s 3- 10 instr ume nt, sur vivo r of two fill both sides of this LP without becom­ uni t theat re orga ns ma de by Hil sdo n, is ing tedious. If there's one sound which an origina l insta llatio n which opene d wit h stands out, its a set of stopped pipes the Picture H ouse in 1930. It was used which produce a "whooping" effect, un til 1954 and has bee n m aint a ined ever something of a burlesque of the Tibia since. Th e to ne is somew ha t stri dent sound. It's overblown and "chop-trem 'd," lac king th e lushness usua lly assoc iate d yet it adds a certain contrast when played with thea tr e inst rume nt , but the or igi na l­ against a mass of unrefined pipework ity a nd inge nuity of the ar tis t m ore th an ( "strings" and open "flutes" plus a lot off set s any rese rva tion s we m ay have of percussions which are never too loud ). rega rdin g the seem ing em ph a is on high­ Among the selections ( 18, in all! ) are er middl e freq uencies. .Je-;,ebel, Papa loves Mabo , Perez Prado's Mr. Ol sen offers 16 se lec tions, m os t with Patricia, Bot ch-a-M e, Persian Mark et, nove l arr ange m ent . T here's a lot go ing Skater' s Walt z, a samba medley, a swing on dur ing Moon R iver in th e acco mp a ni­ medley and others. This one is for a spe­ ment while an intr iguin g co m bi na tio n ca r­ cial audience and is a gem of its kind. ries the me lody, so lo sty le. Dream ge ts READY FOR A BLAST! - The prize ot for all organ enthusiasts but for those lots of ass ist from the Ma rim ha-Xy lo­ Brass Trumpet gets a check by George Rice . who enjoy the old-fashioned "corn" as­ phone which acce nts the acco m pa nim ent The rank in the foreground is the Oboe. sociated with long ago country fairs. while th e seco nd cho ru s off er a "w hist­ There's nostalgia here-and whoever gets ling" co unt er them e. the brass ring gets a free ride! Th e fir t choru of Autumn leaves fea ­ tur es a mellow reed so lo co mbin ation * * * * * CHILEAN TO plu s th e "4 -to-th e-ba r" peda l bea t which First Annual Christmas and Pop Concert, Ol sen favors for rh ythm tun es. So litu de Jim Orcutt at the 3-10 Robert Morton PANAMA HILTON m a kes goo d u e of the Tu ba C larion both thea tr e orga n in th e Ca th edr a l of th e Panama City After shopping exten­ as a m eldoy ca rri er and as a vehicle for C hri tian Cru ade, Tul sa, Okl ahom a. On 1 sively (including in the USA) , Charles me lodic va ria tions. Th e int ro to Edelweiss one 7 2 ips stereo tape, $5. 00 po stp aid Aron , General Manager of the El Panama is "b ig ca th edr a l" whi le th e ree dy Vox from Jim Or cutt , Box 145, Cowe ta, Okl a­ hom a, 444 29. Hilton Hotel , announced on March 17 that ge ts a wo rk out late r . Th e ra rely hea rd Bill Coffman's successor at the 3-27 Wur­ Wedd ing Process ional by Ri chard R odge rs Thi s is the fir st recordin g m ade on th e litzer in the "El Born barde " room will ge ts digni fied trea tm ent by thi s ofte n rece ntl y insta lled Morton th ea tre orga n in be Pepe Bustamente of Santiago , Chile. chur chly instru ment but its j ust as mu ch the Tul sa chur ch (Lorin Whitn ey wa in­ at home play ing When You Wore a Tulip. strum ent a l in the project ). It was m ade Neve r on Su nday ge ts a lively playi ng durin g a publi c co ncert playe d by th e with a co nversa tion betwee n strin gs and ( Cont in u<'d on Page 40)

39 thea tre organ I bombarde FOR THE RECORDS (Starts on page 39) THE PAUL FORSTER STORY staff organist, Jim Orcutt, on December by HIS FRIEND W. S. ("Stu) GREEN l 7 last. It's the first recording, too, of In the first installment we learned about the showmanship of Paul H. Jim Orcutt's playing we've hear d, an or- Forster in the Central New York state area where he became "King of the Singalong" in the mid-'20s. How did he reach this prominence? In this installment we'll trace some history of his early years, then continue the story of the great years, how 'Vitaphone" spurred him to ever greater efforts-the whole story, right to the present. CONCLUDING INSTALLMENT Paul H. Forster was born in Utica, New For The Record, York, in 1892 and started taking piano more than offset by Jim 's over-all artist­ lessons at 8. At 15 he was engaged as pi­ ry , and especially those smooth fingered anist at the Theatorium in Utica, a gen­ glissandos. The audience present is very uine 5 cent admission "nickelodeon" quiet except to show appreciation through which showed two reels of movies and of­ applau e (plus an occasion al cough). A fered an illustrated song, usually sung by copy of the program handed to attendees the manager. One year later he was lured is included. Here 's $5.00 well invested in away to the local Hippodrome where he tape (stereo unless specified half track. not only played piano for movies but also No disc is available). conducted the small pit band for four acts of vaudeville. He first hit the "big time" * * * * * when he was engaged by the Utica State Jim Orcutt ( Cor Steyn at the Radio Concert Or_gan). theatre to play piano for vaudeville and Imperial ILX-5003 (mono), available by also for movies using a large and very ganist whose name is something of a leg­ import from Duyvene & Remmers, N. V., "straight" organ built in the local end in the Sou th west. After hearing the Barnes and Buhl factory. It was his first tape we can appreciate the legend. Mr. encounter with the instrument which was Orcutt maintains a high level of interest to dominate his life. But he was not hap­ throughout the entire program, which py with the sound of the miscast church ranges from show tunes to a Hawaiian organ and he soon discovered something medley, from a patriotic group to a better for movies -a short organ manual "roaring '20s'' set, plus some Christmas attached to a piano which gave forth tunes. pleasant sounds appropriate to the theatri­ It should be kept in mind that these cal atmosphere. This embryo theatre or­ tunes were all recorded in one "take," a gan had been added to the piano in the procedure which is a test of the mettle of Utica Majestic theatre and the name­ any organist, especially with an audience plate on it read "Marr and Colton"-an­ present. Mr. Orcutt's approach is theatri­ other name soon to loom large on the cal although he kicks off the trems and Forster horizon. "makes like church" for a few tunes, His first meeting with a Wurlitzer was mainly the Christmas music. at the Avon theatre in Utica where he His program is an ambitious one. His \\

Paul Forster at the console of the New York Piccadilly theatre 4 -28 Marr & Colton which was later moved to the Hollywood Warner 's theatre . The con sole now lies entombed beneath a 10-inch layer of concrete. eral months learning, as he says, .. to put as a master of song slides and the War­ stalled there. I played novelties, recita b it over." Then the Marr and Colton fac­ saw firm's ace demonstrator. Then the and for movies. It was a great experience tory needed an organist to open a two real "big time" beckoned. Here's how playing along with the large theatre or­ manual installation at the Liberty theatre Forster tells it: chestra conducted by none other than Vin­ at Carnegie, a suburb of Pittsburgh. They '"In September, 1924, David Marr sent cent. Lopez with B. A. Rolph (later ra­ sent Forster for "just two weeks". He me to the Piccadilly theatre on Broad­ dio's Hit Parade conductor) on first trum­ remained at the Liberty for over a year. way, New York, to play the wonderful 28 pet. Those were the great days of Broad- By now he had become solidly established rank, four manual Marr & Colton just in- (Continued Next Page)

41 thea tre organ I bombarde THE PAUL FORSTER STORY, continued way and I am most happy to have been in on them." But Forster's Broadway days were numbered by the arrival of two men from Syracuse in upstate New York, a pair of theatre owners named Abe Harrison and Morris Fitzer. They had just completed the installation of a ten rank, three man­ ual Marr and Colton in their Empire the­ atre and they had come to the big town in search of a knockout organist to in­ troduce the theatre organ rage which was sweeping New York City to upstate movie fans. Once they heard Forster at the Pic­ cadilly, no one else would do. Forster liked life in the big city but the boys from Syracuse made an offer he just couldn't refuse. Reluctantly, he boarded a train for Syracuse. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad. After all, he was a small town boy­ and Syracuse wasn't far from Utica. That was his introduction to Syracuse. He would live there for most of the next 31 years. Forster was entering the apex of his career as a theatre organist in 1927. He was nationally known and he received lu­ crative offers from theatres all over the USA. He finally received one from Ft. FORSTER AT HOME -The Potted palms. draped piano, variegated wall design and vase of Worth , Texas, that was too juicy to let live flowers provided color in the room (35 feet long) which housed the 2-manual, double stop pass, so he resigned his console at the rail Marr & Colton console. Pipework spoke into the far end of the room . This was the scene of years of Forster broadcasts. In the late '30s it was sold and was later broken up for parts, but Empire, sold the family's belongings and here-in 1928-the little organ is in its prime.

took off for Ft. Worth. His Syracuse fans years earlier by the early Syracuse ari­ were desolate. So was the management stocracy which settled on Genesee Street. of the Empire Theatre which had depend­ Then Paul realized the dream of a life­ ed on his drawing power to bolster a se­ time - to have his own organ. It was a ries of films ranging from so-so to poor. Marr and Colton, naturally, a lovely, Actually the Empire never recovered the small scale unit organ with pipework fit­ loss of Paul Forster. The theatre made a ted into the two bedrooms Mrs. Forster valiant gesture by importing no less than relinquished to the inevitable. The swell Sandy McPherson all the way from tri­ shutters opened into a long living room at umphs in Great Britain. But Forster was the far end of which was the two manual a most idfficult organist to follow and al­ console. The ranks were Tibia, Concert though Sandy played wonderfully (even Flute, String, Diapason, Vox Humana and pedalled with both feet), he just wasn't - yup--Kinura. It was personally voiced the type of showman that the Forster by David Marr. The sound was typically image had established; he didn't remain Marr and Colton, but on a small and quite long at the Empire console. After that, refined scale, except for the Kinura, the Empire started downhill. which was a dilly. The organ was unified Hardly had McPherson left when ru­ to the hilt and had all traps, percussions mors started flying that Paul Forster and and effects. Even though the sound film his family had returned to Syracuse. had, by that time, reared its tinny voice, Within a few days it was announced by Paul Forster felt secure in adding a the management of the Eckel theatre that teaching role to his career as top organ­ J°o~ter Forster had been engaged as featured or­ ist. OflGAN STUDIO ganist at that theatre. It was explained This is how the writer met Paul For­ that Paul and family just couldn't get ster. The organist had opened his school )~ used to Ft. Worth and suffered such with typical F orsterian fanfare and the homesickness for Syracuse that the in­ students flocked to him. He was riding the 19i4 E.GENESEE5T. crease in green stuff couldn't compensate, zenith of his popularity at the time and SYltACU-SE. N .Y. so back they came. Except for a 2-month the future seemed secure. But if those 'i PI-IONE r engagement to open the 4-manual, 20- who were attracted to the showman ex­ 3()447 rank Wurlitzer at the new Loew's · State pected Paul Forster to carry his profes­ in 1928, Forster remained at the Eckel sional act into personal relationships, they until 1935. The Forsters bought a home, a were disappointed. The off-stage Forster The cover of Forster's Organ stately old two story structure of red proved to be a quiet man with natural Studio Brochure brick which had been built a good 100 wisdom and an insight into human nature,

april 1967 42 a philosopher. And indeed, philosophy has life in the form of · one Gus Lampe, the been a lifetime pursuit with him. Even so, theatre manager. Gus saw himself as a there was something pixie-ish about him. radio personality and to provide an outlet He had an ageless appearance. His pre­ for his talent he signed up for three half maturely silvered hair made him, at first hour broadcasts each week on station sight, appear older than he was, but his WSYR to plug the Eckel theatre. Paul cherubic face and darting eyes soon cor­ Forster was billed as the attraction and rected the misconception. He was ready he did manage to play a few tunes dur­ with the quip and a well developed sense ing each broadcast ( done from his resi­ of humor kept his students alert. He was dence) , but the greater part of the half a man of quick movements. His eyes hours were taken up by Gus' talking. The flashed. His face was rarely still-the fact that a major part of the mail re- moon face with the impudent little moustache ·. His hands and feet were rest­ less and that quality showed to advantage when he mounted the organ bench. If there is one thing we recall about the mechanics of Paul Forster's technique, it is the fact that he played all pops in oc­ taves, filling the harmony in between. It Peg Kimball, a brainy and talented musi ­ came natural to him, and the wrist mo­ cian, played the Empire Marr & Colton for tion involved was something to behold. silent films after Forster left. Now living in Boca Raton , Florida, she is remembered His right wrist flashed faster than the eye in the Syracuse area for "singalongs" at could follow during tunes such as Dancing Loew's State 4 -20 Wurlitzer during World Tamborine. In contrast, his wife Arline, War II. was a quiet woman albeit a charmer and one well equipped to handle the volatile were in and out continuously and family musician she had married. Paul's stu­ life went on around the student. It was a dents got to know the Forsters because pleasant experience. his teaching was done in his organ­ When Paul opened at the Schine-Eckel equipped parlor. His sons, Bob and Paul , theatre a new personality came into his

Another contemporary of Forster was Her­ bert Henderson, a British organist, at great PAUL H. FORSTER Students will be Piccadilly console . He came to Syracuse to instructed in - open the Regent's 3 -12 Marr & Colton in 1927 but didn't stay long . His repertoire Feature ORGANFou DATIONWoRK . and style were "over the head " of the Re­ Theatre Organist THEATREORGAN INSTRUCTIO gent's shirt sleeve clientele . SLIDENOVELTIES. SPOTLIGHTSciLOS. quested Gus to pipe down so Paul's pipes ,Announces the Opening TRICKEFFECTS. PEDALSTUDIES. could be heard never phased the mara­ REGIS.RATION,TONE COLORING. of thon talker in the least. His spring re­ REPERTOIRE. MODERN ORGAN STUDIOS mained wound up for several years of INSTRUCTIONIN PLAYINGOV ERTURES "Paul and Gus". Incidentally Gus Lam­ WITHORCHESTJI.A . at pe is still very much in show biz as a PLAYINGOF BALLADSIN MODERNSTYLE. talent impresario for Los Angeles and 1924 East Genesee Street i POPULARMusIC IN ALL ITS FORMS. Las Vegas hotels, and a very successful SYRACUSE, N. Y. HARMONIZINGFROM V10LIN PARTS OF ORCHES­ one . TRALScoRES OR .. LEAD-SHEETS... There were other popular organists in - IMPROVISINGAND TRAN POSING. Syracuse in those days - Carleton James, There has long been the need of a studio of Peg Kimball, Therese LaJuett (now this sore in Central New York, indicated by - Johnson) , Ernie Mills, Gladys Beardsley, che lack of trained theatre organises tO fill The organs used are of the latest Jesign, the numerous positions created by the built especially for the FORSTER ORGAN Lew Baker , Bart Wright, Thelma Mc­ astonishingly rapid growth of picture thea­ STUDIO from special .. mo vie" specifications Neill (Curren to name a few. The four tres, and the present featured exploitation of with the most important traps and devices . last named worked "opposite" Forster, their high salaried organists. MARR AND COLTON STUDIO ORGAN meaning they alternated with him during The demand for schooled theatre organists, installed . trained for the multiple duties of the theatre the i 2, or more, hour silent picture day. Individual and class instruction. has far exceeded the supply. All four went on to become featured, or It is co help remedy this situation, and Classes in actual screening including the solo organists in their own rights. Not one augment the ranks of trained phoroplay organ cueing and syncronizing of news reels, oddi­ ties , scenics, comedies and feature pictures. of them tried to imitate the Forster style. applicants, that chis studio is instituted. Bart Wright, who replaced "opener" Arrangements can be made whereby the Summer Classes . Rates on request. Herbert Henderson at the city's largest student may use the studio organ for practice. Your inspection invited . Plans are being made for the installation of Marr and Colton at the Regent, had a an additional organ for practice purposes. Phone 3-9447 big, broad "Viennese" style. Gladys Beardsley , a holdover from blood and thunder nickelodeon piano days, played the organ exactly as she had the piano, The goodies available in a Forster instruction course were just too tempting for the budding thea­ tre organist to resist-including the author, who showed up for a lesson as often as he could her pedalling restricted to a drone brass scrape together the necessary $5.00. (Continued Next Page)

43 theatre organ I bombarde THE PAUL FORSTER STORY, continued litzer organ or the piano to pay his last respects to the departed friend. The girls made with a sweet playing of Pals on strings, another played My Buddy. Ther­ ese LaJuett, Ernie ' s co-worker and deep­ ly shaken by his death, gave an amazing simulation of Ernie's style playing his broadcast theme, Until Tomorrow. But Paul Forster was the natural piece-de­ resistance and when he crawled up on Oh How I Miss You Dear Old Pal of Mine he literally "pulled out all the stops." For­ ster undoubtedly felt the loss strongly but his rendition of that all but forgotten tear jerker bordered on the bathos - the only time we ever heard him resort to "schm a Itz." Sound movies were well established by 1932; so was the depression. By then even the most optimistic organ enthusiast had to admit the change would be perma­ nent. There would be no more silent mo­ vies for organists to cue, except for re­ vivals . The depression hurried the met­ amorphosis by causing hard-pressed the­ atres to fire organists they might have kept on duty for novelties. One by one the Syracuse houses silenced their organs. The first to go was the Temple theatre. When it was remodeled as the Para­ mount , the little 7 ranker's chamber open­ ings had been bricked up and the console stored backstage. Others followed. The Marr and Colton console which had fig­

Therese LaJuett (now Johnson) played the style E Wurlitzer at the main -drag Temple theatre in ured in so many Forster "organlogues" Syracuse until it became the Paramount and the organ was plastered over . She also played op­ at the Empire was removed from its ele­ posite Ernie Mills on the Strand Theatre style 240 . Therese was a frequent visitor to the Forster vator and shoved unceremoniously to the home in the old days and values their friendship highly . She is frequently heard playing an elec ­ narrow left end of the orchestra pit , its tronic at events in the Syracuse area . pedals up-ended to squeeze it into the in­ adequate space . The big Marr and Colton E flat. Chic Thelma McNeil was a many­ was presented there . The memorial was in the Regent was junked when the the­ faceted musician who later went to radio broadcast, appropriately , from the Strand atre was remodeled about 1935. Forster where she met and married announcer­ following the late show shortly after Er­ left the Eckel in 1935. The organ was producer Jack Curren. Lew Baker had a nie's death . Many of Ernie's organist partly destroyed by fire in the late '30s long career as a theatre organist in Syra­ friends were present as well as members and the remainder junked. Syracuse the­ cuse, playing well into the '30s at Loew's of the Strand's all-girl orchestra. Each atres were organless. State, the last theatre to present organ took his turn at the style 240 (3-12) Wur- Then one day, walking by a small features - with one notable exception. We' ll explain that presently. The one time we heard Paul Forster go too "far out" was during a memorial broadcast for Ernie Mills, the handsome and brilliant organist at the Strand whose bright career 'came to a tragic end in the crash of a small aircraft. Ernie had been popular among his fel­ low organists . They used to hold what would later be referred to as "jam ses­ sions" at Forster's home after hours. Paul liked the personable young man with the slicked-back hair and horn-rimmed glasses and he was heartbroken when Mills died of his injuries after lingering a few days to give hope that he might re­ cover. The film playing at the Strand the week Ernie died was Submarine with Jack Holt and Ralph Graves. Its theme song was an innocuous little tune called In 1928 the author was just getting into the act. "Talkies " had already invaded the downtown Pals which became a sort of theme for theatres but the Regent would be silent for another year, and its 3-12 Marr & Colton sounded Strand broadcasts as long as live music wonderful. Bart Wright was the Regent's solo organist .

april 196 7 44 far as making a living was concerned. FOR THE RECORDS, cont. Paul considers the two months spent mending as one of the most crucial in his sounds much less theatrical than when life- and the accident a lucky one. Long Reg. Foort thundered out with Finlandia before the leg had healed Paul had a new for the RCA Victor label in the late '30s. plan . He had always been interested in The reeds are still excellent but the Tibias insurance ; why not use this time of nec­ are trem'd like straight organ flutes. essary inactivity to start something new? Thus, what we like to call "lushness" is So he studied general insurance and short­ lacking. And the registration used on pops ly after he threw away his crutch he and show tunes is of ten church-like. passed the New York State insurance ex­ However, the performance is tops. Cor amination. He opened his own agency and Steyn was a -hip musician with lots of in­ thereafter never had any economic wor­ pentiveness. He handles such tunes as ries. That doesn't mean he gave up mu­ Moonglow and Jalousie in fine style and sic. He still played on radio, TY and in Caprice Viennoise brings out the Molter's church as often as possible. big battery of brass in review. Uno per During the winter of 1956, while shovel­ Tute is 1930s swingband jazz which sounds vaguely familiar. The side closes with a In the 1940s Mr. Forster became active in ling some l 50 inches of snow from his generous medley from Gypsy played with church music once more (he had always Syr acuse property , Paul decided that he'd played for Sunday services at a Syracuse had enough of Northern winters. He'd lots of imagination and variety in regi­ church during the silent movie ear). Here he heard about the easy living in Florida stration. Although it isn't listed with the is seen at the Zion Lutheran church Ham­ and al though he'd never been there he tunes, Steyn opens and closes the record mond circa 1 950 . went indoors and broached the idea to with a lilting California Here I Come, pos­ wife Arline. She thought it a great idea. sibly his radio theme. A history of the neighborhood house not far from the For­ With sons Bob and Paul grown up and organ is provided on the jacket notes-if ster home, we heard unmistakable organ you read Dutch. rnunds. We knew the Harvard theatre well, having "broken in" on the tiny * * * * * Wurlitzer style B (4 ranks) years earlier. ONES WE MISSED the first Our curiosity aroused by these old famil­ time around ... iar sounds in a new organless era, we in­ Pipe Organ Encores, Robert Brereton at vestigated. Inside were Paul Forster and the New York Paramount 4-36 Wurlit zer, David Marr. They were trying to get the Camden CAL-591 (Mono) $1.98; also re­ miserable little instrument in good enough leased in stereo at $2.98. shape for use after the console had been When this platter was first released inundated by several summer floods. Paul several years ago it was given very limit­ had sold the manager of the 350 seat ed distribution. As an avid record bin ex­ house on the idea of organlogues to bol­ plorer, this reviewer was unable to locate ster his sagging business. Jt worked, too, a copy to review on the West Coast. As for a time. Paul filled the house the first the New York Paramount organ sinks night. Forster fans flocked to the small ever deeper into memory, each track it house from all over town and kept com­ PAUL FORSTER TODAY . The active or­ ganist lives in St . Petersburg with his wife­ recorded becomes more precious . Recent­ ing. but not in retirement . He's Minister of Mu­ ly the effort to locate a pressing was re­ lt was at the Harvard theatre (now sic at a local church. In 1966 he made a doubled. The quest led to the door of the Wescot) in Syracuse that we heard For­ brief return to the theatre console to play organist who was able to provide a review ster on pipes for the last time. Several for the closing show at the Keith theatre in other name organists "took to the sub­ Sy;acuse, New York , his first theatrical ap ­ urbs" where their skills and popularity pearance there since the early 1940s . held sway briefly, but it couldn't last. If a large first-run house in mid-town m ar ried, there was nothing to hold them couldn't afford live organ music, it was in Syracuse . The Forsters sold their be­ even less feasible that a 350 seater in the longings and moved to the St. Petersburg suburbs could do well enough for what area with the idea of retiring. They the establishment of "talkies" had bought a house and settled down. caused to become a luxury. Then Paul heard about a church which But fate stepped in before the axe could needed an organist to play services and fall; Paul Forster suffered a fall in his train three choirs . As might be expected, home and while his broken leg was on Paul H. Forster is back in the saddle, up the mend he had plenty of time for rumi­ to his ears in music as organist and Min­ nation on the big picture, which he faced ister of Music at the Church by the Sea for the first time in all its unpleasant re­ near St. Petersburg. He just can't help ality. Organs in theatres were finished, so m ak ing music. Robert Brereton has just completed his third year playing an electronic in a Santa Mon­ For the photos which illustrate the Paul Forster story we are indebted to ica , California cocktail lounge. He's a solid pipe enthusiast and is often seen at La Chap ­ Lloyd Klos, Bill Lamb and organists Luella Wickham, Therese Johnson , ter ATOE concerts. Peg Kimball and Paul Forster. copy. Pressings won't be easy to locate but it's well worth the effort, the only (Con tinu ed on Pag e 46)

45 theatre organ I bombarde "It scared the hell out of them!!" AN OLD CALIFORNIA LEGEND

by HARRY JENKINS

"It scared the Hell out of them!" is prob­ the instrument hadn't been played much. "raiders" as they scurried for cover. The ably the way Fr. Francisco de Lasuen de­ But the priest recalled that its big ·Diapa­ priest waited until the horsemen stopped scribed the incident later. On a sultry Cal­ son was so loud that it had frightened the for a brief council of war. Then he let them ifornia summer afternoon in 1798 the mission Indians. Knowing that the raiders have it. He pumped the bellows furiously Franciscan monk learned that renegades would include a number of Indians, Fr. and snapped the cylinder release. A blast were on the way to raid his Mission San Lasuen opened the windows, and none of nondescript music filled the quiet after­ Juan Bautista. How could he discourage noon (some of the pins on the rolls had them? He thought a moment. · Perhaps a lr.------11 come loose and had been driven back into loud noise. But how to create it? Then he the wood wherever there was an open recalled the huge barrel organ given to space; this resulted in some "variations"). him by a friendly sea captain six years The raiders were stupified. Nothing like earlier. The large, spiked wooden rolls this had ever before assailed their ears. It weren't programmed for church music so was unearthly. Besides, it was doing some­ thing to the horses. Two bolted, their rid­ For The Record, continued ' ers unable to stop them. Another started ' to buck and threw his rider. There was a ( Continued from Page 45 ) 'I I great whinnying and neighing from all the 'I horses which provided a somewhat psy­ record of popu Jar classics played on the 'I chedilic obligato to the already dissonant memorable Wurlitzer. I' I' I roar of the barrel organ thundering from A large portion of side one is devoted to I I Bizet's lively Carmen suite. They are the I the windows. familiar Overture, Habanera, Toreador ' Suddenly a great desire to be somewhere I' song and Gypsy dance, well played in the­ ' else descended upon the thwarted raiders ' and they spurred their mounts in any di­ atre organ style and registration (only 'I once throughout these classical and semi­ ' fection which led away from the mission. 'I When the dust had settled and the wail of classical selections does Brereton try for L,=--=-=-=--=-=-=--=-=-=-=--=-=-=--=-,...,.,_...,,,__,,,.._,,....,_...,,. __,,,.._,,....,_,...,,_..,... ______.....,:.aI a "straight, organ" sound and that's for the hurdy-gurdy had ceased, the perspir­ Trumpet Voluntary) THE LOUD ONE - Father Lasuen's bar­ ing priest went to the mission chapel and With the exception of Chopin's Polon­ rel Organ might not be just the thing for knelt in prayer. His words aren't recorded church but its raucous sound once saved the (written for the piano) all but they probably went something like, aise Militaire entire mission. of the selections are transcriptions of or­ " .. . I thank thee, Lord, for the loud noise chestral works, one of the best examples too soon. The sound of horses ' hooves thou hast sent me. It really scared the Hell being von Suppe's Poet and Peasant loomed and the mission Indians cried out of thy enemies!" Overture which gathers some new spar­ kle under Brereton's expert touch. Actually the organ is Brereton's second instrument, the first being the piano. As a pianist he is well known in longhair cir­ cles, having played with such distin­ guished orchestras as the San Francisco symphony under Pierre Monteaux. Yet there is no hint of the pianist in such of­ ferings as Elgar's majextic Pomp and Circumstance No. 1. The big finale is Khachaturians wild Sabre Dance. There's plenty of showmanship in all the selections and the "dowager Em­ press'.' has been well recorded. If there is any valid criticism of the result it may PIPE ORGAN CONCERT be that the Posthorn is used too frequent­ ORIENTAL THEATRE-PORTLAND, ORE. ly as a solo reed. But the miracle is that Brereton could handle the complex facili­ ties represented by the console at all; He's been blind since birth. {.{ ALL SEATS - $3.00, NO SEATS RESERVED. En­ "ORGANize your fun close a self-addressed and stamped envelope with your in the Motor City in '67 ticket order. Send order to -Bill Peterson, 565 N. Port­ land Blvd., Apt. 101, Portland, Oregon 97217. (No tape Reservation cards are recorders or cameras permitted in theatre). included with this magazine

april 1967 46 Nosta lgiainaFollow-up ... " HOW A WAYW ARD YOUN G GENIUS CRAS HED THE SOUND BARRIER INTO UTTER OBLIVION"

An Impudent Autobiographical Sketch

by RAN DY SAU LS

If you ever felt upon entering a strange Pensacola, Florida. The Columbia theatre and even though it was a poor imitation, room that you 've been there before you in Baton Rouge, with the same Robert the listener could at least tell what was can understand how it was to open last Morton now before me in the photo , being attempted! Luckily, I was hired ­ October's issue of Theatre Organ - Bom­ managed to have a tuning twice during although without pay! barde, the one with that nice young man, my stay of nearly two years and it was When my big opening night came it Billy Nalle at the Atlanta Fox console, from Roy that I first learned what the was noteworthy . I was permitted to play on the cover. The "jolt " was the picture term celeste in pipe organ terminology after the lady organist got off for the on page 5, showing a very familiar pro­ meant. This seven ranker (if I remember night, around 10 p.m. My first "trick of scenium arch behind a white-washed correctly) was the first I ever heard in the showmanship" was to play the Stars and Robert Morton console . I had stared at agonizing throes of being tuned. Holding Stripes Forever when the cowboys were that same arch many hours while playing keys for Roy was an education to an chasing the bandits. The tone deaf (or the same organ! Here was a warm story eighteen-year-old who had visions of one I'd never have had the job) manager mis­ about an old friend! day replacing Jesse Crawford at the New took the patriotic applause of the audi ­ York Paramount. ence for recognition of genius - so I was How could it have happened that a promoted . Pay started. musically ill-equipped student of Louisi­ Yes , the Louisiana was still doing "si­ ana State University came to perform on lents " but the "big house" down the the instrument which was the subject of street had already begun to talk . When ­ such an interesting article? In deference ever one of the two lady organists wanted to the admirable young fellows who a day off it was my thrill to play the rescued that tired console from the un­ silent newsreels and Felix the Cat car­ seemly fate of languishing in a weather­ toons at the Columbia. The other or ­ worn alley we hope you ' ll harbor a bit ganists had warned me , though , that the of curiosity. "big organ" would "get away" from me After two years at Mississippi A & M if I wasn 't careful. You see, it was divided College (now Mississippi State) in Stark­ into two chambers , one on each side of ville, Mississippi, where the local First the theatre with two swell shoes plus Presbyterian Church was kind enough to crescendo pedal! To elaborate on the off er practice time on their four rank motherly kindness of the two regular Moller, and where doubling at the local organists , Janet Milroy and Josephine cinema on an off-brand Photoplayer Byrd, would make a sentimental "thing" ( one rank of wheezy, hoarse "Ti bias," a of my formal initiation into theatre organ score of temperamental traps and an out­ playing . However, both saw the hand­ This photo of Donald May and a console of-tune piano) was responsible for a writing on the wall even if I didn't, and restored from the ravages of 13 years rather poor academic showing , my mi­ silently faded away into the sunset as weathering in an alley, stirred some al ­ gration to Louisiana State University was their salaries were lowered while that most forgotten memories in its player of understandable. The town of Baton ignorant clown from Mississippi stayed the silent movie era. Rouge had two theatres with pipe or­ on as long as they let him! They paid The title of that interesting and well­ gans. The Louisiana theatre, a small "B " enough to complete my current term in written article , It's Doomed to Silence, picture house, was down Third Street college, though! Those Crawford glis­ is the story of my silent movie career! It just a short country block from the im­ sandos educated me! I was a one-man was my adolescent good fortune to select posing Columbia theatre (now the Para­ A TOE long before the club was or­ as a profession the dubious art of ac­ mount). It was neither guts nor courage ganized! companying silent movies on the pipe but sheer stupidity that prompted my Then there was my visit to the Saenger organ for future livelihood. The innate asking the manager of the lesser house theatre in New Orleans where that huge sense of timing which has prevailed all for a job! When an audition was granted Robert Morton was played regularly by through a lifetime triggered me into this their little six rank Robert Morton John Hammond, an excellent musician just about the time Al Jolson (may he seemed larger than Wanamaker 's behe­ and teacher of many of the organists in rest in pieces) set up a graceless series of moth in Philadelphia! The manager , the smaller houses of the Saenger chain. yowls for his southern "mammy " when however, had already been briefed (by An interview with him was most en­ everyone knew he'd seldom ventured the young hopeful - who else?) that couraging. Any real theatre organ en­ South of the Mason and Dixon line. everybody up in Mississippi said he thusiast will understand my remembering The first par agraph of that article, sounded "just like Jesse Crawford. " It's to this day his exact pronouncement: though , really rang a bell when the name only a gentlemanly gesture to the two "Many of us hope that the talking Roy Gimbel was mentioned. Roy was the ladies who were already playing at the pictures are just a fad . If the musicians tuner of the Robert Mortons in the Columbia and Louisiana theatres to add return to the orchestra pits and the Saenger chain of theatres which covered that back in Mississippi I had worn out organists to their consoles, contact me all of Louisiana and Mississippi with several sets of Jesse Crawford "Ortho­ houses in Texas, Mobile , Alabama and phonic " Victor records just listening - . (Continued Next Page)

47 theatre organ I bombarde (Continued ji-0111 Page 47)

and I'll make the finest organist in the United States out of you. But if these talkies are here to stay, all I can say is that it's nice to have made your ac­ quaintance." He was most generous in his comment and I've often wondered if he'd be dis­ appointed in how I've followed through! It became evident back in Baton Rouge that Lee DeForest* had lowered the boom and there wasn't much point in becoming "the greatest." The Louisiana theatre began using the "Non-Sync," records played on a double turntable. Following a cue sheet, you could fade from one theme into another and brain­ wash the poor public into accepting . recorded music in place of the sad little Robert Morton so noble in its silence, enduring with all ·dignity its inescapable fate. The Columbia theatre, though, still had silent newsreels and Felix the Cat. The '·toy-counter," a term unheard in those days, was on hand to follow noisily the pratfalls on the screen. Huey Long was just beginning his penchant for pub­ licity and whenever he appeared in the newsreels, that clever young organist would always burst forth into the Tore­ ador Song from Carmen. Although this Randy Sauls at the Baton Rouge Para­ then made an almost miraculous comeback, saucy comment sailed over the heads of mount (then Columbia) theatre Robert thanks to ATOErs Bob Courtney and Don the "early settlers," there were enough Morton console in 1928. The little console May. Randy has done much better than sophisticated college kids who had heard suffered degradation for many years and his former mount. som(;).opera who "got it" and knew I was chiding the senator (only a state senator the antique gold proscenium. That pom­ end on a happy, humorous tone but this at that time - he hadn't yet even become pous old curtain closed on producer isn't simple when it actually brings pity Louisiana's most famous governor) for George Wince's road shows of Rio Rita, and sadness for the current crop of mop­ " throwing the bull." The Vagabond King, The Desert Song, haired, tight-trousered, bathless young­ Subsequent experience as presentation and The Student Prince, never forgetting sters who will never know the good old soloist before theatre audiences through­ the memorable Blackouts of 1929. "Show Business" as it once was. Phyllis out the south taught me the need for a Fond recollections of this sort should Diller, who has such a mountain of talent " big splash" at the finish of the act. for timeliness, was once heard to ask, Whatever was required, whether an "If this is September whatever happened American flag or the ear-splitting crash to July and August?" Phyllis actually of a huge finale chord to whack the got into show business after that spangled listener, you had to do something to curtain had closed forever! So, perhaps make him realize he's glad that you've there's still hope for the rest of us. fini hed . My "splash" is the accompany­ ing photograph at the console of the Editor's Note: In view of Randy Sauls' Columbia theatre Robert Morton re­ self -deprecatory talents it should be stated cently-revived console . Taken in 1929 by !hat the facts do not bear him out . The Ewing, Studios of Baton Rouge, it still "ignorant clown from Mississippi, " as carries a stamp on the back: Should the he describes himself, in the interim has pi cture discolor within five years return become well-known as a raconteur it with the negative and we will replace author, performer ( organ, that is), lee~ it free of charge. But, it's still perfect. lurer, wit and publisher of the " Thinking The last thirty-eight years have not Organist" series of instructor's publica­ been in vain then, if you can see the hu­ tions. His "Introduction to Modern mor in this priceless tintype. With those Harmony" ( 1961) is already in its third sparkling teeth (and I still have all of printing. His frequent articles published 'em), th at wild Spanish shawl which I by "The Hammond Times" indicate that snitched from my sister's evening ward­ either Randy has learned a lot in the past robe and those fancy English formal 30 years or he never was as musically Randy Sauls today. Looking back, he pusilanimous as he claims . But no mat­ trousers, you can't help wondering if they doesn't have a very high opinion of his si­ still have the same old curtain alongside lent era artistry. But he 's doing all right ter,· his remembrances of the "good old now, playing concerts for Hammond in the days" could be improved only if told in * Invent or of the vacuum tube which made Hollywood area . He's currently playing a the gentle "Suth'n" accents of his Mis­ .. talki es" possible . model H-100. sissippi beginnings.

april 7967 48 ATOE CHAPTER CHAIRMEN AND SECRETARIES NEW YORK ( 17) POTOMAC VALLEY (7) EASTERN MASS . (I) ST. LOUIS INC. ( 15) Chairman Chairman Chairman Chairman Claud Beckham Raymond A. Brubacher Alvah I. Winslow John C. Kloeppner 370 First Ave., Apt. 6F 1706 Mayhew Drive I Fairbanks Rd. New York, N. Y . 10010 Wheaton, Maryland 20902 Foxboro, Mass. 02035 Secretar y Marilyn Porteous Se cretary Secretar y Secretary Allen W. Rossiter Elbert W. Marlowe William L. Burke , Jr. Address: 250 Harrison St. 9505 Curran Road 21 Bertram St. P. 0. Box 13435 Passaic , New Jersey 07055 Silver Spring , Maryland 20901 Beverly, Mass . 01915 North County Branch St. Louis, Missouri 63 I 38

NIAGARA FRONTIER (8) PUGET SOUND (12) HEART OF AMERICA (25) Chairman Chairman Chairman VALLEY OF THE SUN ( 19) Herbert F. Schmit, Jr. Russell A. Evans Jerrry L. Dawson Chairman Howard Rowe 45 Evelyn Street I 5855 - 36th. Ave.NE 37 IO Jefferson 1650 E. Dana Buffalo, N. Y . 14207 Seattle , Wn. 98155 Kansas City, Mo . 64111 Mesa, Arizona 8520 I Secretary Secretary Secretar y Secretar y Fred Kucera Genevieve Whitting Dr. Robert Fray, Jr. Nadine Benton (Miss) I Delmar Terrace 1223 N. E. 108th St. 3917 West 68 St. 2803 W . Keim Dr . No . Tonawanda, N. Y. 14120 Seattle , Wn. Prairie Village , Kan . 66208 Phoenix. Arizona 85017 RED RIVER (27) NO. CALIF. (4) Chairman LA D O' LAKES (9) WESTERN RESERVE ( 16) Chairman Lance Johnson Chairman Raymond A. Taylor 91I1 23rd . St. So. Merrill E. Denenny Chairman Robert L. Bittner 821 Columbia Dr . Moorhead , Minn. 56520 17 West 15th St. San Mateo , Calif. 94402 Minneapolis, Minn . 55403 P. 0 . Box 94 Secretary Painesville , Ohio 44077 Secretary Carrol L. Smaby Secretar y W.R. Frank 321 20th. Ave. No . Irene M . Blegen (Mrs. James R .) Secreatry 1308 Eastwood St. Fargo, North Dakota 58102 16925 Linden Dr. Andrew Makee Vallejo, Calif. 94593 Minnetonka, Minn. 55343 P. 0 . Box 615 Painesville, Ohio 44077 CE TRAL INDIANA (26) OHIO VALLEY (10) Chairman LOS A GELES (3) WOLVERINE (22) Chairman Neil Dykins Chairman Chairman Albert Meyer 5027 E. 72nd. St. Robert S. Carson Fred Bayne 4280 Orchard Lane Indianapolis , Ind . 46250 6126 Carlos Ave. 4820 Briarwood Ave. Apt. 7 Cincinnati, Ohio 45236 Hollywood, Calif. 90028 Secreatar y Royal Oak , Mich . 48073 Secretary Gene Featherston Secretar y Secretary George V. Eaglin I 05 S. Bradley Ruth Skovmand Roger Hanson 16 East Walnut St. Indi a napolis, Ind . 46201 224 No . Conlon Ave, 14349 Meyers Road Southgate, Kentucky 41071 West Covina, Calif. ' 91790 Detroit, Mich. 48227 CHICAGO AREA ( 13) OREGON (20) Chairman MOTOR CITY (24) Chairman MID-AMERICA (28) Chairman Fred J. Kruse Chairman David Markworth Albert T. Mason 13 IO Littlejohn Dr. Robert L. Foley 6107 E. 21st. Ave. 15743 Edgewood Dr. Elgin, Ill. 60120 1938 Marion Road Portland , Ore . 97202 Livonia, Mich. 48 I 54 Wichita, Kansas 6 72 I 6 Secretary Secretary Secretary Geannie K. Natchwey Secretar y Dick Raupach Donald Lockwood 207 Main St. Kathryn Moore 3920 N. E. Wistaria Dr. 706 Hazelwood Evanston, Ill. 60202 2818 River Park Drive Portland, Ore . 97212 Detroit, Mich. 48202 Wichita, Kansas 67203

CONN. VALLEY (11) PIEDMONT ( 18) ROCKY MOUNTAIN (23) Chairman SIERRA (29) Chairman Chairman Mr. Stillman Rice Chairman J . Marion Martin Duane Searle 18 Ridgewood Terrace Lawrence E. Weid 206 South Madison St. 472 Quentin North Haven , Conn. 06473 7368 Willow Lake Way Whiteville, North Carolina 28472 Aurora, Colo. 800 I 0 Sacramento, Calif. 95831 Secretar y Secretar y Secretary Carmen F. Charette Secretary Frank B. Netherland Richard V. Lewis 258 Henry Street Cathy Zeller Campbell Farms 6350 Jay St. Manchester , Conn. 06040 Arvada , Colo. 80002 5223 Glancy Dr. Stuart, Virginia 24171 Carmichael, Calif. 95608

PINETREE (21) DELAWARE VALLEY (2) SOUTHEASTER ( 14) Chairman Chairman Chairman "ORG ANize your fun Maurice B. Pope Dorothy MacClain Jack Trimmier Rees Road, "Melody Hill" 776 Wilson Road N. W. 39 Highland Ave. in the Devault, Pa. 19432 Atlanta , Georgia 30318 Gorham, Maine 04038 • • Secretar y Secretar y Secretar y Motor City in '67" Robert C. Melcher Lorraine Frazier Don Quinn 16 Monroe Court 6491 Belfield Ave . 1500 Sylvan Circle, N. E. Westbrook, Maine 04092 Philadelphia, Pa . I 9 I 19 Atlanta, Georgia 303 I 9 How do you describe the Rodgers Sound? You don't. It's an experience. You feel the sweet singing tibias-the subtle tonal colorings of the strings, reeds, and brass-the one big beautiful sound that wraps itself all around you ... and you feel it right down to the tips of your toes.

P~ay it and see. Rodgers has a whole new world of musical pleasure waiting just for you.

RODGERSORGAN COMPANY Factory Showrooms: 1300 N.E. 25th Ave. San Francisco -183 Golden Gate Ave. Hillsboro, Oregon 97123 Chicago - 324 South Wabash