JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN THEATRE ORGAN SOCIETY Orbil ID™e eclronic 1yn~e1izer f?UJ lJ-featured 1pinel orqon equo1...
the newe;I woy lo mo FEBRUARY 1973 THEATRE ORGAN SUPPLEMENT cover- photo ... The former San Francisco Paramount 4/32 Wurlitzer in stalled in the Howard Vollum studio in Portland. The instrument has been enlarged to 49 ranks and will be heard Journal of the American Theatre Organ Society during the National Convention in July. See story on page 27. Volume 15, No. 1 • February 1973 (Claude V. Neuffer, Photo) ATOS National Membership is $10.00 per calendar year, which includes a subscription to THEATRE ORGAN, the official pub in this issue .•. lication of the American Theatre Organ Society. Single copies $1.25. Make check or money order payable to ATOS, and mail to P.O. Box 1314, Salinas, California 93901. Editorial Address: FEATURES THEATRE ORGAN 5 Everything You Always Wanted to Know P.O . Box 1314, About Cueing a Silent Movie and How to Salinas, California 93901 Get the Information . . Esther Higgins and Mary Bowles Advertising Address ATOS Advertising 12 The Care and Feeding of Organ Soloists John Muri 2231 North Burling Street Chicago, Illinois 60614 13 San Sylmar ...... Stu Green ATOS National Headquarters ATOS 21 A Happening at Thurmont . . Bob Mitchell P.O. Box 1002 Middleburg, Virginia 22117 Phone (703) 554-8321 23 "Little Mother" Makes the Trip . Bob Stratton ATOS National Officers Erwin Young, President 27 The Howard Vollum Studio Wurlitzer . Dennis Hedberg Duane Searle, Vice President Mary Bowl es, Secretary -Treasurer 31 Sidney Torch, Part 11 .. Judd Walton and Frank Killinger Nina Young, Executive Secretary ATOS National Board of Directors Mary Bowles Allen W. Rossiter Gaylord Carter Dick Schrum Al Mason Richard Simonton Allen Miller Judd Walton DEPARTMENTS Stillman Rice, Past President ATOS Librarian 4 Acre of Seats 35 For the Records Mary A. Bowles Route 2, Hopewell Road 11 Closing Chord 38 Letters to the Editor Lost Lake, Marlton, N.J. 08053 Phone: (609) 983-1535 11 Hollywood Cavalcade 39 Vox Pops ATOS Past Presidents Richard Simonton Feb. 1955 - Oct. 1958 26 Dinny's Colyum 43 Chapter Notes Judd Walton Oct. 1958 - July 1961 Tiny James July 1961 - July 1964 34 Nuggets from the Golden Days 55 Classified Ads Carl Norvell July 1964 - July 1966 Richard Schrum July 1966 - July 1968 Al Mason July 1968 - July 1970 Stillman Rice July 1970 - July 1972 ATOS Honorary Members 1959-Jesse Crawford 1966-W. "Tiny" James 1960-Farny Wurlitzer 1967-Erwin A . Young,Jr. pr-esident~s messaae ... 1961-Mel Doner 1968-Richard C. Simonton 1962-Leonard MacClain 1969-Judd Walton 1963-Eddie Dunstedter 1970-Bill Lamb "Our Manners Are Showing" by John Muri, 1964-Reginald Foort 1971-George and Vi Thompson which appeared in the December 1972 issue of 1965-Dan Barton 1972-Stu Green THEATRE ORGAN certainly is worthy of EDITORIAL STAFF thorough study by all of us and could serve as an Editor-George Thompson Associate Editors - Ray Brubacher excellent guide in our relations with fellow ATOS Lloyd E. Klos members. Peg Nielsen One point which was not covered is our as Editor-Emeritus - W. "Stu" Green Publisher-Al Mason sociation with owners or managers of buildings Editorial Assistant - Don Lockwood that house theatre organs. In the past there have Advertising Manager-Len Clarke Circulation Manager-Vi Thompson been numerous occasions when a well-meaning individual has handled these relations in a manner THEATRE ORGAN (title registered U.S. Patent Office) is published bi-monthly by that was thoughtless of the majority and which the American Theatre Organ Society, Inc., resulted in poor or negative relations between the a non-profit organization , Erwin A. Young, Jr., President. All rights reserved. Entire person in control of the organ and ATOS. It is well known that this coin has two contents copyrighted 1973 by ATOS, Inc., sides to it; but let us always strive to act in a manner that is beneficial to all and Office of publication is P.O. Box 2329. Livonia, Michigan 48150. which will guarantee that the wrong side of the coin will not carry the letters ATOS. POSTMASTER: Second Class postage paid at Livonia, Michigan. IF UNDELIVERABLE, send form 3579 to ATOS Circulation De partment, Box 1314, Salinas, California 93901. DECEMBER, 1972 THEATRE ORGAN (Photo courtesy the Helgesen collection) By BillPeterson - Number28 in a series. UNITED ARTISTS THEATRE- LosAngeles This house was designedby C. Howard Crane, and opened in 1928 with a capacity of 2100. Cranedid the Detroit and ChicagoUnited Artists theatres in much the same style as this one, a style that is really Spanish, but could also be called "Stalactite and Stalagmite".The theatre had a 3/18 Wurlitzerwhich was removed to become Buddy Cole's famous recording organ. The instrument is now installed in the Cap'ns Galley restaurant in Campbell,California. 4 THEATRE ORGAN FEBRUARY , 1 973 Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Cueing a Silent Movie and PART I. How To CUE; A SILENT Movrn How by Esther Higgins to hile browsing around in our cold and cluttered attic , W1searching for an odd size Christmas box recently, I came across Get e,.ij~~~~• an old cue sheet. I had thought all · my old cue sheets were in the George ~- ....~--- Eastman House in Rochester , N. Y., but somehow this was left behind the in the shuffle. Notwithstanding the cold temperature and the brutal fact Information that I had many left-over duties to tackle, I sat down on my husband 's old sea chest and started to read the cue sheet. The more I read, the more interested I became and soon I was transported of[ to a magical place called Movieland . Immediately I want- ed to get going and cue the show in my own way. I read at the top of the 2. Title - Why Are People Always 15. Action - R.R. President shakes page: Leaving? . . . "Rush Hours" - hands - "I Want What I want, Thematic Music - Cue Sheet 1¼ min. (I have this tune - a when I want It" - V. Herbert William Fox Film Production vivo tempo depicting rush hours, - ¼ min. - last 4 measures Victor McLaglen and Leatrice Joy as on a Fifth Ave. bus or the - these are on cue sheet. in N.Y. Subway .) 16. Action - McLaglen leaves office "STRONG BOY" 3. Title - Strong Boy - Baggage - "Big Boy " - 1 min . Compiled by Michael P. Krueger Smasher . . . McLaglen Theme, The timing is based on speed of 12 17. Title - "Morning" - "A Pleas "Big Boy - 1 min . (Ager) This minutes per reel. ant Argument" - Beece - 3 min. is the McLaglen theme by Milt Who can forget Leatrice Joy? You What's ever pleasant about an Ager to be copied on a small must remember that : exquisitely dress argument - I'll substitute "In piece of manuscript paper and ed lady with the sparkling brown eyes tensely Dramatic Scene" by J .S. pasted on a piece of Shredded and the lovely gray coiffure, who ap Zamecnik. Wheat cardboard and placed to peared and spoke in person at Loew's Someday , I'll cue a show with the side where it can be grabbed 175th St. Theatre at the New York Con only J.S.Z's works and, believe quickly. vention in 1970. It was that memorable me, there is a million of them. After playing the show 18 evening when Lee Erwin scored and times, the music was committed 18. Action - Electric baggage car played ''My Best Girl" with Mary to memory, awake or asleep. seen - comedy theme - I like Pickford and Buddy Rogers. "Comedy " by Walter Simon then My first thought was to keep the 4. Title - "Get Busy Boys" - segue into "I've been working on music in its proper place, as to the "The Jesters" . . . Comedy the Railroad" - 2¾ min. years in which the picture was made. Theme - 2½ min. a lively tune 19. Action - Man trips - "Little No "Mrs. Robinson", "Aquarius" - con brio - will substitue Cutie" - Scrawley - ¾ min. or Bacharach tune here. So down the "Village Clown" and not use I believe there is a child in chilly attic steps I went with both a comedy theme, as I like variety this scene so I am anxious to use arms full of old movie music and a and will use only a Love Theme a favorite here. resolve to start cueing this show before and "Big Boy" . "Children's March" - Gra the telephone rings or an unscheduled 5. Action - Baggage car passes inger. pupil is standing at the door with - repeat "Big Boy" - 1 min. books and excuses. The odd but 20. Title - "Gee, Mary, Kid's are wonderful part of doing a thing like 6. Action - McLaglen goes to news great" - 1 min. this is that the years fall magically stand - LOVE THEME - 1 min. "Sleep, Baby, Sleep" - Tucker - pop tune - 1 min. into the background it actually seems 7. Action - Exterior of Railroad as if one had done this very thing Station - "Much Ado About 21. Action - Man with monkey yesterday. Nothing" - Scrawley - 1 min. - repeat comedy - but I have As many of you know, the cue Will substitute "Thrills" by not used a comedy theme so I'll sheet directs us either to the title or Sanders. put in "Panic" by Edmond Varn the action and this is in heavy print ier (Aren't all monkeys a panic) to the left of the sheet. There is also 8. Title - "A good job, Mac" - - 2¾ of fun. a direct cue where the music or the "I've been working on the Rail 22. Action - Men playing cards - title is shown directly on the screen. road" - 1 min. - never sub- "Babillage" by Del Castillo - 4 Woe to the organist who substitutes stitute. min. ( copyright 1917 - can this "Horses", "Frankie and Johnnie" or 9. Title - "William, do you mind"? be our Del?) "Running Wild" when the screen shows - repeat "Big Boy" - ½ min. 23. Action - Mary and Father - "Your Eyes Have Told Me So." Last 8 measures. Then the cue sheet shows eight or "Mighty Lak A Rose" - Nevin nine measures of the number suggested 10. Action - "Trunk falls on child" - l¼ min. - "Excitement" - Briel - ½ min. to best fit the action or mood and on Do Not Substitute Will substitute - "Dramatic the right side of the page the time of Allegro" .- Domenico Savino. 24. Action - Child prays - "Sleep, the scene, varying from about¼ minute Baby, Sleep" - theme - 1 min. to four minutes, is indicated. Some 11. Action - McLaglen walks away I'll use "Prayer" - "Hansel times the scene is so short, it is best - "Big Boy" - 1¼ min. and Gretel". to improvise. There is always a love 12. Title - "That trunk ain't no 25. Action - Three men in bed - theme, unless there are no females in permanent decoration" - 45 sec. "Comrades" - (Old) - ¾ min. the cast. So let us try our hand at cue I'll improvise and segue into a-la-burlesque. ing Strong Boy, following the cue sheet and substituting here and there. 13. Title - "6 P.M. Daylight saving 26. Action - baggage room - "En time" - "Intermezzo Giocoso" tr' Act to Comedy-Axt - ¼ min. l. At Screening ... LOVE THEME - Egener - l ½ min. I'll improvise 15 seconds. I'll use "Toddling" by Rapee "What Are You Waiting For 27. Title - "I'm sorry I was mean Axt. Mary?" - ½ min. (That great to you, Bill" - LOVE THEME old song featured by Jesse Craw 14. Action - McLaglen at office - 1 min. ford.) door - "Big Boy" - 1¼ min. I'll substitute "I'm sorry, 6 THEATRE ORGAN FEBRUARY, 1973 s't"ll-oNG -soY-111,.001'0£ s1'i,.st\E"II- .... fOll'ftot Dear" for - 1 min. I'll use "Dramatic Agitato" love theme, a villain theme and a few - Zamecnik. hurries, misteriosos and dramatic bits 28. Action - Mary leaves Bill you are set to go. And always im "Game of Tag" - Trinkaus 41. Action - Train leaves - make a provise - improvise - improvise! Never l ¾ min. train effect for 5 seconds. let your eye stray from the silver screen, I'll use "La Piquante" - 4 2. Action - Lost and Found Room lest you miss a cue, such as someone Rappe-Axt. - "All Alone" - Berlin in bur hiding behind a door, a flickering 29. Action - Station Gate seen - lesque - ¼ min. eyelash about to burst into tears or an "Glad Rag Doll" -Ager - 2 min. 43. Action - Train scene - "Hurry Indian behind a rock. Take a deep If child in scene - "Doll No. 2 Simon" - A great Hurry breath, play a miniature fanfare and Dance." - ½ min. jump into it, hoping that you have 30. Action - Men chase monkey - E.S.P., imagination and average luck. "Don't Hold Everything" - Hen 44. Action - Hold up in Baggage The first 3000 films are the hardest! derson - 2 min. Car - "Misterioso Eccitato" - Make a mental notation of 30 or 40 A chase is a chase - no pop Becce - 2 min. appropriate numbers that you will song here - try "Panic" again. Will use "Conspiracy" - assemble immediately on arriving home, Domenico Savino. grab your dinner and hurry back for 31. Title - "My Poils" - Last half the next show. Mentally you have of "Glad Rag Doll" - Ager - ¼ 45. Action - Engine starts off - made your own cue sheet. An article min. "Eccitamento" - Retlaw - 2¾ on the methods and the musicians I get it now - she really wears min. who worked out these cue sheets glad rags. A long chase so I'll use "Hurry No. l" - Zamecnik and "Furioso would be of interest to many of our 32. Title - He's done me a service - No. 3" - Otto Langey. members. Who out there among our "Happy Ending" - Becce - ¾ readers has this information? Please min. 46. Title - "Better hurry back to the contact us at the address listed at the I'll improvise here. Queen" cue says to play one end of this article. minute of "Hurry No, 2" but I So by the time you have played 33. Action - Mary and Bill - Love detect a bit of sarcasm in Mary's Theme - last half - ½ min. three shows a day for six days, you remark here so I'll try to sub can almost play the show blindfolded. 34. Action - Two assistants and stitute that good old popular But then the whole thing starts all child seen - "Collegiate" - Jaffe standard "Jealousy" - 1 min. over again on Monday, only this time - ¼ min. 4 7. Action - Insert of telegram - you have a cue sheet. What a welcome Sounds like a football scene repeat "Big Boy" - 1 ¾ min. sight to see the manager approaching - I loved the old Collegiate you with a handful of cue sheets for serial we ran Saturday Matinees. 48. Action - Mary walks over to "Coming Attractions." Bill - "Fruhlingsliebe" - Paster When a direct cue or actual music 35. Action - Mary reads newspaper nack -.1 min. - "Ardmore March" - Floyd - was shown on the screen, it was really I do not have this but it a challenge at times. If you did not 2 min. smacks of Spring and Love so Any march will do - I've a know the song or anyone in your I'll substitute "Rapture" by dear family could not whistle or hum it million of 'em - will use. old Zamecnik. I knew he'd come "Thunder and Blazes" (fortunately my Dad knew most of thru. them) you really called around town 36. Action - "Queen Seen" 49. Title - I've been silly about to beg, borrow or steal it, or have "Princess Enchanting" - Hadley those White collars" - "Love someone sing it over the phone. I re -½min. Theme" up ff for - ½ minute. member so well as a young girl I was Sorry Henry - I'll substitute Lights up - I'll repeat the playing the 6 p.m. show. The audience a few measures of "Debutante" "Love Theme" all thru, as the was very small and scattered through - Rapee-Axt. first show is concluded - and out the theatre. There on the screen 37. Action - Railroad engine seen house is cleared for the next was the entire music of a West Point - "I've been working on the stampede. I'll take a deep breath song. I read as fast as I could and Railroad" - 1 min. - turn the music back to num fumbled madly when the music was 38. Action - Back to Queen (May ber one; and, after a few short gone. Then a young man came down be a Campus Queen?) selected subjects, do the whole the aisle and said "As an ex-West "Porn p and Ceremony" thing all over again. Pointer, I'd like to hum that song for - Scrawly (play softly) - (Why?) This how we did it away you." And he did. As soon as I could - l½ min. back when. Any questions - ad I grabbed a pencil and jotted it down I'll use "Pomp and Circum ditions or corrections - if not in time for the co-organist on her next stances" - Elgar. - the show will go on as show. There are countless bits of scheduled. music written on napkins, backs of 39. Action - Medal is pinned on And now what to do when you do old envelopes scattered all through "Triumphal March" - W. Simon. not have a cue sheet for the film you my music boxes that have helped me 40. Mary walks over to Bill . . . are going to accompany. Usually one with my film work. How about that "Lover's Quarrel" by Baron - knows the stars, the locale and the - John Muri - am I right? Little did l½ min. period of the film. So - armed with a I think these valuable old cue sheets 8 THEATRE ORGAN FEBRUARY, 1973 of mine would elude me for years only to turn up at the George Eastman Musical Setting for HELEN FOSTER in House. But that is another story to A A CHESTERFIELD ZIVELU MUSIC CUE tell. ATTRACTION "CIRCUMSTANCIALEVIDENCE" SHEET It is interesting to remember that Arranred by JOSEPH E. ZIVELLI LU CY THEME : ·:she"• • Mean Job" ( Remick). BRIEF STORY: Jean (Helen Fo•ter) obtain ■ po ■ alion with her I had a cousin in Hollywood who was t~iiTi~~;~el~~cmember, I Love You' ' ( MilJ.) ., / brother·• cmploycer, Henr y Lord. The brother (Benton) ia inter • eated in h one, and Lord', " woman," Lucy . Bentoo forges Lord ' ■ a fine musician and teacher. He used Namu in ( ) aTe the publi•hcra. b" / l _ ....,<_ .A. 1 nome to a check and facea arres t, Je a n goe• to Lord 10 intercede For any further information writ e: __,.-,- ~: .t__,., Jr~1 fo r her brother . Lord i• found murdered . Jean ' ■ •weethC:art, t~~!\:i!l!,d,l~~Oy~aatlcton Avenue,· j: _ ;•--t ;,. Row land, auumes guilt to .ave Jean . At the tri al the truth i1 told to play in a group right on the silent :y -Lucy ia th~ guilty one. Jean and Rowland arc reun ited . movie sets to make the stars emote No . TIME CUE /J SELECTION TEMPO I a bit more realistically. Perhaps this 1Vi D-at screening- Ball~dc ,\Joti:rnc, Drnnctt (Harms) 4/4 Mod. Con Mato I '') T-Thc "'affair" of th e 1110111e11t LUCY TIID1E slo w "vamp" Trot bit with music for the movies ran in l ¼ D--director's met'ting- 1-:~c3pac!(', ~Touton ( ~tanus) 4/4 · Intermezzo Mod . the family. 1½ T-A good secretary- Ll 'C Y TIID!E More and more young organists D-fadc to Jean on table ~inct'rity, Byford ( Ho!-lworth) 4/ 4 ~!ocl. And. ½ D-Row laucl cntcrs- Lo,c Lhat (Harm!-) 4/4 ~fnc!. Allegr(' IIO are cueing the silent films and college 1¼ T-Pleasc don't t~kc 1hi~ 1.0\'E THDIF. 4/ 4 Pop. Tlallad audiences are rediscovering what fine ¼ D-Lucy :111d Lorcl- Lt.;CY Tl!F.~IF. 1 ½ D- J can and Rowland- I O\'E TIi i•:~! E entertainment these films offer. Comic IO I}~ D-Lorcl at desk- Sihcr ~ancl,il~. '.\ft."IOrC"(Church) 4/-i '.\for!. \irazioso commercials are using hurries and II I¼ D-Jean leavcs- l' inil·.ttn S<'rc11:i.d,.:, ll, ·l111und (F:schcr) 2/4 A lk ·;rello Susptnst 12 ~~ D-Jean typing- :Xrn•C'lt·llc.Gaclc {A,chcr) 2/ 4 Allq~rt'llo chases in their TV work. So we find 13 D-1.ucy secn- I.I" Y TIID!F. TO AC"TIO:-J a rebirth of interest in this art form. 14 2½ D-sw:mmin~ pool- Stray SunLt·:i.ms, Jlncrtl'r (SdPnnC'r) 4/-4 ,\lh.~p:rc-llo IS 0--Rowland secs Jean in ponl- Dram. A nti. :Xo. 4Q, .· oyes ( ll.1 \\kt·~) 4/ 4 Tl'IHiC .\nd . How fortunate we are that the 16 I¼ D-ladc to Lucy- Ll'CY TIID!E older organists have held onto these 17 D-fadc to Jean- Clair ~h1i11. \r".°a1Hljt·an C~f:l.1111~) 2/-t ~f od 1.r,::gic-ro The Thn;ouQhlm.·cl (\\.i1mark). -~·· precious cue sheets and movie music 18 ¼ T-30,000 peoplc- 6/8 ~f :lfch• Trio 19 I¼ D-racc- \\ .hid wi1ul r.alop, C:a:-!ar ( l!i'rl '.n) Galort to share with ATOS members. Violet 20 T-"Rivcn·ic,,·• ,,as- l'a c;;;o;ion·,.Sl:i,·c. Jacqm ·I (H\·rlin) 3/ -1 S,:rr11ade ~u-.ptn~(' (,1,l('ll l'P Jlld li~h d y) Egger a former theatre organist and a 21 D-fatle to D<"nton- Dram A11r:1i.s!onata, Ci~:tn<'ri (lhlwin) 4/ 4 Ill:.~~!. CO:-/ ~fOTO 22 2½ D-fade to Lucy- Serenade Ro111anti1p11..·, Rath {J;tcflh~) .l/-1 ~""fll•ll"C .\nd. ( Play pp and fine musician startled the ATOS world liehtl;) when she answered the phone and said 23 T-Can I help you- The Cri~is. Pastl·rnadc ( Rt•rlin) .1/ -1 Dram . Su~pcn,;e: " 'The score to The Phantom of the 2-t D-Jcan smilc~- Ynu T1111k:\clv:rnli'lgt• of Z\tc ( 11:irm~) 4/ 4 Por. Chorus 25 D-Jcan cscares- J'uursuitC'. Fosse ('.\fanus) 2/ 4 Allrgr~ Opera?' Why, Yes - I have it!" But 26 2½ D-Jean ~ehind tree- Fru!inK,lidJc, P:istc-nr.ick (r.crlin) J/4 ~rrrn;ult" Mod . To .\ c1ion tracking down that elusive score is 27 1 Vi T - You were right- LOVE T H E~!E also another story. It would be very 28 2~~ D-ladc to Mr. Lord- Dram. Tt·n5 ion I\'o. I. Le\'y (Berlin) 3/~ Suc;;;peno;cthen Dram. 29 ~~ D-Jean and Rowland- LO\'E TIIHIE interesting to have ten or so organ JO ¾ D-Lucy and Benton- LUCY THE~!E Plar Dr:imalic J I 2 D-officc- Euphonious Agitato, Pintcl (Berlin) 3/ 4 Tl ·n!>c \nn Ueno ists , young and old, cue a film and (open pp) compare their choices of numbers. Or 32 I¾ D-Jean and brother- F.mo1ional Andante., Axt 11/ 8 And. Con ~Iota 33 1½ D~ircctor's mceting- .\utumn Gold, KafTt?y ( Bclwin) 4/-t Jntermcno Con 1(010 an article written by an organist who 34 D-clock- Rcnc.kz\'ous D'Amour, Etlw:i.rds (llt: lwin) 4/4 ~loci. Lr1u:i FEBRUARY, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 9 Dr. Russell Van Norman sent us lists Music Co., Boston, Mass., 1920. Re we have found thus far. of music indexed as to publisher which printed by Arno Press. were of great help in tracking down Mills, May Meskimen, "The Pipe LIST OF BOOKS AND MUSICTHAT and knowing what had been published. Organist's Complete Instruction and CAN BE PURCHASED Walter Mahns loaned us his original Reference Work on the Art of Photo Erwin, Lee, Editor, "The Mighty copy of Erno Rapee's "Motion Picture playing". Published by the author in Theatre Organ" Original organ solos Moods for Pianists and Organists." Phila., Pa., 1921. in Theatre Organ stylings by outstand Six hundred and eighty pages of music! Tootell, Geo., "How To Play Cinema ing organists. 1969 Ed. Marks Music And to top it all off, Dick Simonton Organ". Paxton, London, Eng. Corp., 136 W. 52 St., N.Y. 10019, donated Jesse Crawford's copy of Charles, Milton, "Organ Interpre $2.50. Borodkin's "Guide to Motion Picture tation of Popular Songs Including Jazz "The Professional Touch", Special Music." Breaks and the Trick of Playing the arrangements by premier organists, Don Now just a word about your ATOS Glissando", Robbins, New York, 1927. Baker, Charles Cronham, Lee Erwin, Library and how it will function. It Baker, Lacey, "Picture Music" Vol. Jerry Vincent and Lew White. Ed. will be primarily a mailing library. In I and II. We have reproduced a two Marks Music Co., Address above, $3.00. this way materials will be available to page article in Vol. I. "Some Remarks Erwin, Lee, "The Eagle, Oveture all members. This ATOS Library will on Picture Playing." H. W. Gray Co., for Theatre Organ", General Music be quite unique. There are other New York 1919. Also included is a Publishing Co. Inc., New York, 1969, libraries across this land that have col list of the music in these two volumes. $3.00. lections of this material but in the vast All of the selections are available in Baker, Don, "A Study in Theatre majority of cases, the books and music music stores. Organ Style", Peer International Corp., are classed as reference material and Folio containing mood music by 1619 Broadway, New York 10019, are not available for circulation. Now, Zamecnik, Rapee, Axt, Berge, Borch, $15.00. Background information plus we will need a few rules and regulations Parmentier, Velazco, Langey, Lake, ten arrangements, including "Granada", by which this Library will function. Minot and others. "El Cumbanchero" and others. These are printed below. Scores to The Phantom of the Opera McMains, Wm., "Vintage Theatre ATOS LIBRARY REGULATIONS - Piano score - Broken Blossoms - Styles" Four volume series published Piano score and orchestrations for 55 by Pointer System, $3.50 per volume. 1. ATOS Library material is mailed piece symphony orchestra. See ad in April 1970 THEATRE OR at "Library Rate." If "Special Piano score -The Three Musketeers. GAN, page 47. Handling" or "First Class Mail" Original score - Birth of a Nation. Barnes, Bernard, "From Piano to is desired, there will be a charge Ra pee, Erno, "Motion Picture Moods Theatre Pipe Organ", Originally pub for the additional postage. for Pianists and Organists", 680 pages, lished by Belwin in the Twenties and 2. Circulation period is 3 weeks Schirmer, New York, 1924. Reprinted used by Lew White in his teaching. from the date of receipt of by Arno Press. Reproduced in 1971 by Vestal Press, material. Fine for overdue mater Ra pee, Erno, "Encyclopedia of Mu 3533 Stratford Drive, Vestal, N.Y. ial is 25¢ per day for each book sic For Pictures", Reprinted by Arno 13850, $5.00. based on the date stamp on the Press, Belwin, N.Y. 1925. Hofman, Charles, "Sound For Si returned package. Barnes, Bernard, "From Piano to lents", DBS Publications, Inc., 150 3. Please Insure material when re Theatre Pipe Organ", Bel win, N.Y. West52nd.St.,NewYork,N.Y.10019, turning it to ATOS Library. Recently reproduced by Vestal Press. $10.00. See review in December 1971 THE The following three books have 4. There is· a $5.00 deposit on ATRE ORGAN. Copy donated by been reprinted by Arno Press, 330 Library material, which will be Vestal Press. Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10017. refunded when material is re Erwin, Lee, Editor, "The Mighty Rapee, Erno, "Encyclopedia of Music turned, less any overdue fines or Theatre Organ" Marks Music Corp., for Pictures", $15.00. mailing charge. New York, 1929. See review in April Ra pee, Erno, "Motion Picture Moods 5. The ATOS Library is for the 1970 THEATRE ORGAN, Page 31. for Pianists and Organists", 680 pages use of members only. Erwin, Lee, "The Eagle" Overture of silent movie music, light classics and 6. Should you have any suggestions for Theatre Organ, General Music selected pieces adapted to fifty two for improving ATOS Library Publishing Co., New York, 1969. moods and situations, $30.00. service, please send them along. Carter, Roy, "Theatre Organist's Lang and West, "Musical Accompa Secrets", Published by Roy Carter, Also, should you know any niment of Moving Pictures", $4.00. Los Angeles, 1926. Reproduced and sources of additional material, Higgins, Esther, "Introduction, donated by Tom B'Hend. please advise. Breaks, Fill-Ins and Endings, Part 1, A small collection of cue sheets. No. 18. Ultimately we hope to offer a large "More Introductions, Breaks, Fill LIST OF MATERIALS AVAILABLE collection of these. So if you have Ins and Endings, Part 2, No. 40. FROM ATOS LIBRARY some cue sheets, we would be delighted Hansen All Organ Series, Hansen Pub., Beynon, Geo., "Musical Presentation to receive them. $1.95 each. of Motion Pictures", Schirmer, New Hofmann, Charles, "Sounds For Franklin, Joe, "Classics of the Si York, 1921. Silents", DBS Publications, New York, lent Screen", 1959, No. C-225, Citadel Lang and West, "Musical Accom 1970. This is the only contemporary Press, 222 Park Ave., N.Y.C.10003, paniment of Moving Pictures", Boston book on the music for the silents that $3.95. 10 THEATRE ORGAN FEBRUARY, 1973 Everson, "The Films of Laurel and Hardy", C-301, Citadel Press, 222 Park Ave., N.Y.C. 10003, $3.45. "Dennis James At the Photoplayer", a record made on Harvey Roehl's Photoplayer of silent movie music, featuring an original accompaniment to The Great Train Robbery, $4.88 Directed by Lyle W. Nash Postpaid. Vestal Press, 3533 Stratford Drive, Vestal, N.Y. 13850. All of this is just the beginning. We plan to add continually to this BY CHRISTMAS1975 you may be CONTRIBUTIONS, comments or collection, acquiring additional scores able to buy a copy of your favorite criticisms are welcome. Send them to to silent films, cue sheets, mood music film in full color and play it on a P.O. Box 113, Pasadena, California and reference books. From time to laser beam record player through your 91102. time the new additions will be listed TV set. MCA recently demonstrated in THEATRE ORGAN magazine so its new Disco-Vision process which we can keep you up-to-date on the records films on LP discs. A film such Library. Should you be able to help us as Airport would require five LP discs. WHO JS WHERE ... Ruth Taylor, add to our ATOS Library, please con MCA has a library of 11,000 feature the gorgeous blonde who starred in tact us at the address below. Also all films to use with the new process. Paramount's 1928 "Gentlemen Prefer requests for Library materials should Prices for a single LP disc would be Blondes" prefers the Palm Springs sun be sent to this address. $1.99 and range up to a $9.95 for a shine to the slush and snow of New We are still assembling the col full feature's film such as For Whom Yark winters . . . Hollywood hosts lection of tapes made by the theatre the Bell Tolls or All Quiet on the hunted in vain for Josephine Dunn organists of that wonderful era. These Western Front. Seems that organ music for a big holiday bash . . . Victor tapes have been made by these artists, would be a natural for use with vintage Frisbee says Ralph Graves was well commenting on their careers, where silent films. And present high prices and happy when he talked with him they played, their training and the for old feature films might be reduced this summer in Santa Barbara ... Neil sources of their music. When we have by the legal method of owning a Hamilton and Esther Ralston watched a more extensive collection of these Disco-Vision film. the Pasadena Rose Parade in person tapes, there will be an article in THE THIS new electronic concept seems along with the Distinguished Guests. ATRE ORGAN on the tapes and how close to the ultimate in home enter you can arrange to hear them. tainment. Mary A. Bowles, ATOS Librarian "THE CINEMA of Edward G. Rob Rt. 2, Lost Lake, Marlton, N.J. 08053 IF YOU remember when Douglas inson" by James Robert Parish and Phone: 609-983-1535 □ Fairbanks, Jr. began his career in the Alvin H. Marill is recommended read 1923 film "Stephen Steps Out", then ing. Probing research, the hallmark you have been around 50 wonderful of worthy biography, en chances this years. work along most every page. After enjoying this book, one will under ctelo~ingctCborb stand why EG R is now making his QUESTION: A friend swears Loretta 101 st film in 50 years. The filmography Young was in films in 191 7. I say is excellent. LEO A. ARNDT of Van Nuys, that's wrong. Do you know? Answer: California passed away October 31, Well, no less a star than Jack Mulhall 1972 in the City Of Hope Hospital. says that he played with Loretta (she He had been with the Hoffman Elec was four) in 1917 in a Universal film TITLE writing for silent films was tronic Company of El Monte, California Sirens of the Sea. an art farm that constantly suffered for over 20 years as head of the from front office meddling. Expert quality control dept. He was born in Harriette Underhill once wrote about Springfield, Minnesota on June 1, 1909. ONE of the memorable Hollywood a maiden getting engaged and telling He became interested in music at an parties of 1972 was the Paramount her mother about it in this title: early age and this lead to an interest On Parade affair hosted for the film "Embrace me, mother, I am be in the pipe organ and he was an active contemporaries of Esther Ralston. At throthed. " Another time a lady of member of the San Gabriel Civic tending the happy event in the Richard wealth dismissed her maid one night Auditorium Organ restoration crew. Simonton home in Toluca Lake were with the title: "You may extinguish Besides his wife Mary of Van Nuys, such film notables as Charles Buddy the lights, Marie, I will await the dawn California, he is survived by a FEBRUARY, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 11 business reasons. The player has a whole evening's entertainment resting ThE CARE ANd FEEdiNG on his shoulders. Business and socializ ing can come later. Every intrusion upon a player's solitude is likely to detract substantially from the quality of ORGANSoloisTs of his performance. I suppose there are a number who don't need or want to by John Muri be left alone. Let those people make the decision; don't make it yourself. Make it clear to them that they are Some of the conditions under which the organ upon him unless there are free to choose company or privacy. traveling organists have to play are some unusually wild gimmicks on the Let your soloist know when he is incredible. How can a management console layout. A short demonstration to be introduced, and don't delay that wants its soloist to do a good job of this kind may be necessary, but then beginning for more than a few minutes throw obstacles in his way or fail to let the visitor take over. Especially - certainly no more than ten - with provide even the necessities? I have don't confuse him with suggestions out making some kind of emergency soloed in theatres where I have had to like "Play some loud things" and announcement to the audience. change clothes in the projection booth "Play soft", etc. If you shoot a number Don't let people go backstage at and wash and shave in the public of these exhortations at him, he may intermission. The soloist is only half men's toilet. I have slept on lobby get worried, and the music he plays through, and the critical part is yet to furniture and on floors. So this month will reflect it. Above all, don't ask come. You might offer to bring him we shall offer suggestions for the him to do "Happy Birthday" during some hot coffee or a cold drink - but benefit of committees inexperienced the show. It may please the celebrants, no booze. at sponsoring concerts. but it's a bore to everybody else. Leave After the concert, allow no one to Make sure all arrangements of ar him alone for as long a practice period sit or play at the organ until the rival and departure are understood, as he specifies, but make a schedule of soloist has left the building. I did a together with the details of the per practice time with him, after which concert recently where a youngster formance and the fee. If you have you can set up piston-changing and started playing while I was still talking programs frequently, send the artist tuning schedules. with people at the orchestra-railing copies of recent programs so that He should be provided with a dress and the house still unemptied. He he may avoid duplicating pieces that ing room, backstage if possible, with ruined the effect of my big emotional others have recently played for you. hot water and the following items: a finish. Be sure to meet him at the airport few comfortable chairs, a long mirror, With all the work and the tension or station and see that he gets to good lighting, several clothes-hangers, over, the player may be happy - in wherever he is going to stay. It is a clock, a water pitcher (with an ice fact, anxious - to get something to proper to make reservations for the bucket and tongs optional), drinking eat. Playing a concert uses up a lot of player at hotels, etc., but ask him if glasses, paper napkins, soft drinks energy, and the artist can get quite he wants you to do the advance work, (Coke, 7-Up, Pepsi, etc.), orange juice hungry as he relaxes. Some groups for he may pref er to do it himself. for those who require it, drinking off er parties supplied with enough If the artist is agreeable, he might straws, sugar, a box of matches, a table-goodies to make up for the be asked to appear on local TV or knife, spoons, a box of band-aids, earlier fasting. There may be an oc radio stations on the morning or the anacin or aspirin, and some hard candy. casional boozer or socialite who has afternoon of the program, and he A sign should be posted in the room: to be watched and corralled (par might play a couple of tunes on a "All guests must leave this area five ticularly to insure concert-time sobri studio electronic, furnished either by minutes before program time." ety) and you'll have to follow him the station or a local organ dealer. No one should be allowed to sit or around and tactfully keep him out of It's good publicity and it sells tickets. play at the organ during the hour harm's way. However, don't keep the organist run preceding the program for any reason When he leaves town, make sure he ning around all day. Be sure he is free other than the most urgent repairs. gets to the airport or other point of after 4 p.m. to get ready for an 8 p.m. No tuning or regulating should be done departure on schedule. By this time, show. If he wants to rest during the on organs before a concert while any the program chairman is usually ready afternoon, see that he is left alone. of the audience are within hearing to throw up his hands and say, "Thank Some organists get the butterflies - distance. There should be no pre God, it's over!", but if he has taken that is, pre-concert nervousness or program music, particularly recorded care of the organist's needs, if he tension - that destroy appetite. One tapes. They can destroy the whole has been handy even when leaving the might intrude to see if he would take a aura or anticipatory atmosphere of a artist alone, if he has not planned light snack before the show, but it musical event. The theatre should be events without the artist's consent, if should not be pressed upon him. kept in silence until the opening an he hasn't worn out the player with Don't schedule any dinners before a nouncement or the player's first notes. excessive socializing, ifhe hasn't twisted concert. Artists should not be approached the artist's arm to do all kinds of When you take your soloist to the by anyone during the hour before extras, he will have done everything theatre for practice, don't inflict your the program in the "green room" or he can to provide a good show with a local star who wants to demonstrate anywhere else, either for social or for happy ending. □ 12 THEATRE ORGAN FEBRUARY, 1973 theorgan inthe fabulous ... musEum by Stu Green Every man at some time dreams of private museum in Sylmar, California close examination one can still see owning his castle, a secure place to Gust outside of Los Angeles). traces of the cracks the big temblor of enjoy and protect his earthly treasures. The building is impressive for its 1971 left in the tops of the sandstone Many achieve that goal to various height even during the approach. In colored structure's side walls. Actually degrees, but few make it to the degree this area prone to earthquakes where the building, then still under construc of opulence which strikes the visitor tall buildings are discouraged, San tion, came through the earthquake upon entering San Sylmar, the name Sylmar reaches nine stories into the with very minor damage, despite its chosen by J.B. Nethercutt for his sky, the tallest building in sight. On proximity to the quake's epicenter. To enter San Sylmar, one must obtain a pass from the security guard San Sylmar. The top floor (with balcony) houses the Nethercutt's penthouse. at the employee's entrance (the ele vated grand main entrance is opened only on special occasions) and sign in. The security setup is impressive; every interior floor and area outside the structure is visible to the guard on duty via closed circuit television. During my visit guards on patrol were observed making their rounds, often checking in by waving at the numerous TV cameras. There's a good reason for the precautions; inside is treasure. I was given a badge and assigned a pretty girl guide who ushered me through a large salon which exhibited part of the Nethercutt antique car col lection. We headed for a wide, deeply carpeted winding stairway which led to a mezzanine. I nearly stumbled in the deep pile as I ogled the huge chandeliers which light the slickly PHOTOS Peg Nielsen and Stu Green 13 restored old autos (all of which are in top running condition, and finished like new). To put it mildly the tasteful beauty of the richly finished interior is overwhelming. The outside of the building is Spartan-plain; there is no hint of the opulence within and the sight of the antique auto salon and its ornamented furnishings is an eye open er. At the top of the winding stairway is a mezzanine which overlooks the auto salon. "That's Mr. Nethercutt's desk" said the guide, pointing to a high-backed desk of generous propor tion and with about the most lavish gold-flecked Louis the 14th decorative design one could imagine. A smaller desk with the same design a few feet from the boss' desk, was occupied by a lady with glasses, obviously his secre tary. The trip to the music room was completed by means of a small ele vator which had padded walls lining it. "The padding will be removed when the work here is completed," explained my guide, "It's here so the workmen don't mar the elevator wall decoration." A decorated elevator yet! Even a small crystal chandelier over head! The elevator doors opened on one of the most fascinating rooms I have The Music Room. The organ console is located in a fenced pit. The glassed-in Solo Chamber ever seen. It is huge, roughly 100 feet may be seen in the distance (above the console). Parts of four grand pianos are visible, also the Hupfeld Orchestrion (behind left pillar). Note: "leaves" in carpet. square. The deep carpet feels like turf underfoot and that impression has manual console resting in a sunken pit room and its array of musical instru been amplified by large raised green near the center of the room. The con ments. The side walls are formed as "leaves" at regular intervals to give the sole faces the West wall but there is no alcoves which house an array of auto effect of walking in a field of clover. sign of grilles or chambers - yet. At matic music makers. The wall ahead of The item which will catch the organ this point the guide left me, saying the console is heavily draped and in phile's attention immediately is the that Mr. Belt would be along shortly. I the center is a huge Hupfeld "Excel s po tligh ted double-stoprail, three- took the opportunity to explore the sior-Pan" orchestrion housed in a case easily ten feet tall and over twice that measurement in width. Its special fea ture is that among its several sets of pipes, reeds and percussions are two visible accordions which play as though invisible hands were pumping them. The left wall alcove houses a large Mortier automatic and a Popper orchestrion which boasts about ten ranks of pipes. Further back along the same wall is an alcove of "nickel grabbers," more modest instruments: a Welte "cottage" orchestrion, a Wurlit zer "LX" piano (a type once common to saloons and other popular gathering places), a glass-encased Wurlitzer harp, a Mills "Virtuoso" violin (a real violin, played by small resin-flaked discs ro tating against its strings), a Glocken spiel and a banjo (both glass encased). They all work, just as they did when they caught nickels in public places in FEBRUARY, 1973 those long ago pre-jukebox days. The opposite wall has a continuing display of ancient music makers in a single rather long alcove which may be concealed by drawing floor-to-ceiling accordion blinds together. This alcove houses two medium-size Wurlitzer orchestrions and a 1910 Welte "Wotan," named for the top god in ancient German mythology (the Greeks had another name for him - Zeus). Outside the alcove is a Weber "Maestro" standing alone. Some of the instruments along this wall can be cir cuited to play pipework in the Wurlit zer organ, I learned later. Up to this point I had seen no sign of the pipes which just had to be connected to that intriguing console in the carefully fenced pit. The instruments listed by no means exhausts the number of restored automatics in the room. There are many more. Another matter of interest is the four pianos in the music room, two of them with automatic players of the type which is rolled up to the key board so its "fingers" can play on the keys. All four are highly ornamented, with perhaps the red and gold Chinese decor of one Steinway being the most striking. There is also a 7' Mason & Hamlin with gorgeous tone. A larger Steinway piano is equipped with its own "Vorsetzer" player. But the most 15 Tibia, second Diapason, Flute Celeste, Moller Posthorn, second Solo String and Celeste, Brass Musette, Unda Maris, Dulciana and second Vox Humana. More additions are planned. All this was revealed by Gordon Belt as we stood in the exquisitely appointed dining oval of the music room. But I still hadn't seen any evi dence of chambers or pipes. Gordon sensed my puzzlement and motioned me over to a cabinet across the aisle from the Weber "Maestro" orches trion. He pushed a couple of buttons on a lighted control panel and a tape one half inch in width started moving from reel to reel. Simultaneously the sound of an organ issued from the curtained West end of the room. Gordon touched another button and Console closeup. The Hupfeld Orchestrion accordions may be seen in the distance, above curtains in two widely separated areas the console. of the wall started folding upward and imposing instrument is the huge (10') Georgia. After the usual story of there were two chambers behind piano made by the Ehrbar Piano Co. neglect and disuse it finally was pur double acoustic glass with swell open of Vienna for Emperor Franz Josef I, chased by Nethercutt and moved to ings above. The sound improved as the the beloved monarch of Austria, be Dick Villemin's organ shop in Porter curtains disappeared overhead, a fore the turn of the 20th century. It is ville, Calif., about 5 years ago. Ville majestic theme from Richard Rodgers' ebony-hued with a gold trim design, min 's crew enlarged the instrument to "Victory at Sea" suite. and is equipped with a Hupfeld "Dea" 25 ranks in the process of refurbishing "Who's playing that?" I asked. player which is similar to the Welte it (including releathering throughout). ''That's Dennis James," replied Vorsetzer, an instrument of majestic Among the added ranks are: second Gordon, "He dropped by to try out tone worthy of a Liszt or a Paderewski. At the rear of the music room is a raised oval large enough for a medium size orchestra. But a climb up the two steps reveals a long dining table, com plete with high back chairs. I was admiring the painting which covers the ceiling of the mirrored oval dining area, an angel-studded sky mural which would intrigue a Michelangelo, when a voice behind me asked, "How do you like the dining room, Stu?" It was Gordon Belt, "J.B.'s" Pro gram Director for San Sylmar who is also in charge of the installation. Gordon came on the scene as one of Dick Villemin's organ installers. This project was started four years ago, shortly after the structure was raised. Gordon remained as an employee of the museum when the organ had been installed. He has been supervising maintenance and planning expansion of the instrument ever since. He is thoroughly familiar with one of the mo st extraordinary pipe-pl us computer arrangements imaginable. He has to be; he may be called on to make repairs in a pinch. The basic organ started life as a 3-manual, 14-rank (style 260) Wurlit zer in Keith's theatre, Atlanta, 16 been newly wired with the same type of cotton covered cable wire used by the original builder. Chambers are divided in to two levels, with the floors of the upper levels near the tops of all chests. Con cealed in the lower level are the some times nc,isy regulators and chuffing tremulants. Thus the music-making parts of the organ are acoustically separated from what might be distract ing action noise. "The organ hasn't been tuned thoroughly since February," said Gordon, "Dick Villemin is sending in tuners this morning." Just then two young men appeared with a small tool kit. They were the tuners and they set to work immediately, while Gordon The Nethercutts are pictured among the cherubs in the Michelangelo-style ceiling painting continued the revelation of wonders above the oval dining area. on other floors. The nine story build ing, due to the high ceilings, has only the organ when he was in town for a impulses generated by the ten-volt six floors. There is one room full of concert recently." keying potential as the organ is played. antique pianos and reed and electronic "But I don't see any perforated Impulses from every keying contact, organs (including one roll-playing rolls moving." combination and switching action are Aeolian Hammond) and another one "You won't. All the impulses re broken down into digital bits of infor with row after row of shelves con quired to reproduce all aspects of an mation and recorded on the computer structed specifically to store the thou organist's performance are on this tape. This could be done with the sands of rolls collected to play most of digital tape." blower off, provided the organist the automatic instruments. Provision is "A tape recording?" could play without hearing his music. being made to store 40,000 rolls. "No, not in the usual sense. There Only the keying voltage is required. Manufacturers never fully standardized is no modulation on the tape, only When the tape is played back the com the roll perforation parameters and the computerized impulses which play the puterized impulses energize the organ's number of functions the perforations organ exactly as the recording organist low voltage circuits (keying, combina triggered, so not all rolls are inter did." tion and swell pedal action) exactly as changeable. Eight of the automatic Belt then provided a brief rundown they were put on the tape; the com orchestrions use the pipework of the on the radically different method of puter merely reads the tape. This is organ, but draw only those ranks they recording developed specifically for perhaps an oversimplified explanation were originally equipped with. The the Nethercutt instrument by Dick of a very complex recording system rest are self-contained. Peterson of Worth, Illinois, who is but I don't want to get into such re The top floor penthouse of the San known for his Peterson Chroma tic lated areas as computer programming, Sylmar building is the "J.B." home Tuner. digital data processing, memory cir away from home, the place Mr. and In short, the tape records magnetic cuits, data checking, data decoding and tape reading. Let's keep it simple. Gordon Belt operates the digital tape player, Wall decoration in the dining area. The There may be one interesting paral brain center of the theatre organ automatic lel; the final stage of the playback facility. circuitry, the circuits which control the organ's IO-volt keying potential, must be roughly similar to the GENII Processor developed by Marvin Laut zenheiser to control his 3/11 studio Wurlitzer in Springfield, Virginia (THEATREORGAN, October, 1972), as the function is the same. Most of the electronic switching circuitry for the Nethercutt organ is located in a large, 2-deck relay room located be tween the left Main Chamber and the Right Solo Chamber. Needless to say, there are boards loaded with diodes, transistors, printed circuits and capaci tors operating traditional Wurlitzer switches and relays, all of which have 17 Mrs. Nethercutt escape to rather than upper manual, the bottom manual don, "It comes right through the floor, Palm Springs when they want to get being a piano. It also has some pneu clear and crisp." away from their Beverly Hills home matically controlled sound effects for At this point confusion took over; I for a weekend. cueing silent films (as opposed to the had absorbed so much mind-boggling The floor directly above the big type energized by pull cords), includ input concerning the flexibility of the music room houses a theatre, the ing a bird chirp, snare and bass drums. organ and the various devices which Cameo, which can show 35 and 16 I tried a few chords and noted that the are wired to it, I asked Gordon if there millimeter films and project slides Vox Humana was especially fine, but was any simple way to state how many from a completely modern projection the effect marked "Horse Hoofs" ways there are to play the organ. booth which also has switches to con sounded like chattering false teeth. "Sure," replied Gordon, who is trol screen bordering devices and the To the left of the Filmplayer is a obviously used to the wonderment of various stage lights, effects and cur Wurlitzer style 210 console on an ele amazed visitors, ''There are eleven tains. For wide screen movies a special vator which draws its pipework from ways to play the pipework in the two motorized screen is rolled down in the 25-rank chambers directly beneath chambers in the music room: the eight front of the little theatre's gaily deco the SO-seat theatre, the sound being roll players, the digital computer and rated proscenium arch. There are two conducted to the theatre via a very the two consoles. It's really quite consoles in the Cameo's pit. One is elaborate electronic sound transfer simple." between two Seeburg "Filmplayer" system. Perhaps to Gordon, but not to the swell boxes which house four ranks of "We don't really need the sound casual visitor who wanders in from the 61-note voices played from a 61-note system for the bass," explained Gor- sleepy little town of Sylmar to find ... . .-...... -. .... lllllllilllllllllll II i 111111 .... ,,,,;;,,,,. 111111&1■1111111111 - ~ - ~- - Registration for the eight orchestrions may Housed in these cabinets are the roll players be selected from these stop keys. which play eight of the orchestrions, the 25 ranks of pipework in the Music Room ones which utilize the theatre organ's pipe theatre organ downstairs. work. himself in a Xanadu of beautifully so the concept of a museum loomed unabashed flag waver. restored relics of more graceful eras, gradually. One of his factories is next door to whether musical or automotive. As we said, the museum required the museum and, as we have men How is it possible? Obviously, the considerable money. J.B. Nethercutt tioned, his office is on a balcony over museum required a lot of money. It has been very successful in business looking his auto salon, so he may be has been financed 100 percent by Mr. (he manufactures the Merle Norman seen around the museum much of the Nethercutt. It all started many years line of cosmetics). He credits the U.S. time, either conferring in his office or ago when he started collecting old cars form of government with much of his guiding little knots of bug-eyed visitors and restoring them as a hobby. Then good fortune; this republic provided among the wonders. he expanded to include automatic the opportunity he could not have It's a private museum, all his, but a music makers. The collection became enjoyed under any other system and museum is a place to see things. Does so large that storage became a problem he is grateful to the extent of being an J.B. Nethercutt intend to reserve the museum for his own private wonder ment? Not if past performance is any indicator. While the museum is not open to the public, there are ways of gaining admission. Being an ATOSer helps. Recall that J.B. opened his then unfinished music room to attendees of the ATOS mini-convention held in Los Angeles in February 1972 for an elec trifying concert played by Rex Koury. At that time J.B. addressed the visitors and stated that the organ would sound much better if visitors would come tries out the Seeburg "Film- back to hear it when the room had been completed. He added that while it was a private museum, any of his friends were welcome to return, and THE SAN SYLMAR WURLITZER that he considered the ATOS members CHAMBERANALYSIS in the audience his friends. Quite a number have already taken advantage 25 ranks playing: 2 ranks will be added of that invitation, as have a large num in the Main chamber; seven in the Echo ber of organists. We noted digital tapes chamber. in the library marked with the names of Lyn Larsen, Rex Koury, Randy SOLO ECHO MAIN Sauls and Eddie Dunstedter, to name a Brass Saxophone (to be completed) Brass Musette very few. Brass Trumpet 4-Rank Vox Chorus Viol d' Orchestre Tibia Clausa (large scale) 16' Vox Unda Maris When carpeting was laid in the Quintadena 8' Vox Viol Celeste music room, much of the organ's bril Oboe Horn 8' Vox Celeste Dulciana Solo String liance was absorbed. That possibility Orchestral Oboe 4' Vox Kinura Viole Pomposa Flute had already been considered and a Vox Humana Viol Celeste Flute Celeste multi-channel reverb system, including Solo String Tibia Vox Humana an echo room under the building, now String Celeste Tuba maintains the liveness required for the Tibia Minor (small scale) PLANNED ADDITION Diaphonic Diapason English Posthorn Tibia Clarinet best in organ sound. It is now a con Horn Diapason Tibia Celeste trolled liveness which can be increased or decreased, to compensate for any size audience. We have already mentioned the ment which helped make his fortune a malcy of the street outside where elaborate TV-augmented security reality? automobiles still spewed out pollution system which protects the building While pondering this intriguing and the hum of civilization continued and its contents. How about such im matter, I was brought out of my day as always. Then I looked back at the personal destroyers as fire? The possi dream by the voice of Gordon Belt: big gate which is the main entrance to bility has been anticipated, especially "See that blank spot up there by the the Nethercutt Museum. It just didn't in the area of the pipe chambers and Solo Chamber? We have a seven-rank seem possible that such grandeur of relay room. Should a fire start there echo organ to install up there - in other eras could be contained within the increasing temperature would cluding a Vox Humana chorus. Then, those stark walls. Yet, I'd just seen it quickly trigger the release of a massive later, we'll install a four-manual con all. I couldn't help but think that in cloud of Helon gas to neutralize the sole so more unification will be possi comparison, Kublai Khan must have oxygen on which fire feeds. Mr. ble on the stop rails." been a piker when it came to building Nethercutt is taking no chances. With a feeling of "will wonders what he called "pleasure domes." J.B. What will be the fate of the mu never cease!" I retreated to the nor- has a much better idea. □ seum in the far future? Will J.B. will his treasure to children or relatives, or leave that part of his estate as a legacy to the public and the form of govern- For particular people HITE-a-Matic Organ Seat The strikingly handsome, pro EFFORTLESSADJUSTABILITY WITH Rex Koury gave the theatre organ its initial HYDRAULICTOUCH CONTROL ATOS workout during the February 1972 fessional HITE-a-Matic organ mini-convention in Los Angeles. seat gives each artist the best AVAILABLEAT YOURORGAN DEALER in performing-height adjust OR SOLDDIRECT. ment. The legs span 25 note $198.00Delivered (check with order) and 32 note organ pedals. The swivel back-rest seat is easier to use and restful dur ing long periods of practice. It is the most recent major development in organ artist seating. Try it now! lhaF©DIVISION ~ THE MANUAL ARTS FURNITURECOMPANY 347 6 BEEKMANST. CINCINNATI,OHIO 45223 20 FEBRUARY, 1973 Jl~Al'Pe4iNGAT TNDRMaiir by Bob Mitchell On Sunday, October 15, 1972, 6, Philadelphia; Miss Shirley Hannum, served as hostess for the event. Dick Kline of Thurmont, Maryland, organist at the East Lansdowne The hosted the West Penn Chapter, Pitts atre; Mr. Thomas Landrum of Rich West Penn's program chairman, Bob burgh, Penna. at his studio/residence mond, Va. (Mr. Landrum is organ "Kingfish" Mitchell planned and ex ecuted a most interesting and varied complex. The day's schedule began maintenance engineer of the Byrd, Mosque, and Loew's theatre organ in program which marked the end of this with a luncheon at the Holiday Inn in year's "Caravans for theatre organ Frederick, Md. Members and guests, stallations in Richmond, Va. He was presented a special Potomac Valley sound", highlighting Mr. Larry Ferrari numbering one hundred, included Mr. Chapter award at the 1972 national at the Wurlitzer 4/28, Mr. Rey Gal Erwin Young, President ATOS; Mr. convention for his efforts in this field); braith at same, Mr. Dave Knell at the Steinway Concert Grand, and Dick John Hose, Vice President Moller Or Mr. Wilson Bruggert of the Akron Kline at the Weber Duo-Art! gan Co. and his wife Augusta; Mr. Civic Foundation, Akron , Ohio, ac Max Mogensen, President Hesco En companied by a number of co-workers Larry Ferrari's ability to play for graving and his wife, Marjorie; Mr. from the Akron Civic Theatre. Mrs. his audience and not to them was Larry Ferrari of WPVI, TV, Channel Robert Flowers of West Penn Chapter much in evidence. This, coupled with Among those with West Penn at Dick Kline's. Left to Right : Larry Ferrari, Shirley Hannum, Erwin Young, Max Mogensen, o ' ! If_I ·; . his amiable personality resulted in a prised the group with an encore which to meet a president of the National highly professional and entertaining required a change of attire to that of ATOS, nor hear his message directed program. a trolley motorman. This set the mood to them in person. Cap Young came Rey Galbraith of West Penn Chapter for a fast rendition of the "Trolley through with "flying" colors. He "zero in his own special way took the Song". ed in" with an interesting review of the audience back to the nostalgic days Dave Knell, a music student of formative years of ATOS, followed by of early radio with selections from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh de words of encouragement for an even popular programs of that era. He also lighted the audience with a program of brighter future. His brief "flight" at demonstrated his ability to recreate piano classics on the Kline Steinway Thurmont "United" four new mem the styling of Jesse Crawford with the Concert Grand. bers with the West Penn Chapter. So, "Forgotten Melody" theme. Rey sur- As a complement to the music Flaps up Cap 'n and keep 'em comin! portion of the day's events, Bob Mit West Penn Chapter wishes to thank chell called upon several notable guests all those who participated in the to present some aspects of their "Happening at Thurmont", particularly particular endeavors relating to organ Dick Kline, Jr. and his gracious mother, building, restoration and maintenance. Mrs. Richard Kline, Sr., for their Not the least of these was John Hose, hospitality. of Moller Organ Co. He is widely Past even ts for this year have in recognized as one of the leading classic cluded programs at the Lamplighter organ tonal consultants in America Inn at Columbia Park, Olmsted Falls, today. Did you know that the Post Ohio with hosts Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Horn relates to its classic counterpart Brookins; Stan Todd's Steakhouse at known as the Spanish Trumpet en Cincinnati, Ohio with hosts Stan and Chamade, or that the buzzy little Virginia Todd; The Akron Civic The rascal , the Kinura, boasts relation atre with host Wilson Bruggert and ship with the classic Regal? Mr. Hose his friends who have dedicated many so enlightened the group. Max Mogen hours in preserving such early theatre sen, of Hesco engraving presented a memorabilia as a Wurlitzer 3/ I 3, a bit of history on the manufacture and Brenograph, an atmospheric ceiling, design of Wurlitzer stop tablets, and and the general control systems for the major breakthrough affecting Wur staging and projection. The name litzer organ buffs in July 1970 (See "Kline" is a well oriented sun in the THEATRE ORGAN, August, 1970). firmament of the theatre organ world. President Erwin Young was pre West Penn was indeed fortunate to sented to the group and overwhelmingly once again gather under its friendly received. Many members and guests warmth as the finale of this year's present had never had the opportunity "Caravans for theatre organ sound." □ THEATRE ORGAN FEBRUARY, 1973 ··Little Mother~~ makes the trip! by Bob Stratton A Los Angeles Chapter ATOS Hall Memorial Fund, would write a and were led by a security guard Board Meeting was held at the home letter to John lnganamore, owner of through two locked doors; and there of the late Harold Lloyd, screen star, the Mediterranean Towers - the apart was our new 5-ton friend who would on August 14, 1972 to make plans for ment building where the organ was be our constant companion for the the moving of the Ben Hall organ from stored - to release the organ to us. next nine days. Ft. Lee, New Jersey to Beverly Hills, An hour later we were on our way After looking over the many parts California. In addition to the board to Ft. Lee, where we settled in our we would have to pack, the 24-foot members, those present included motel. We walked over to the Mediter truck, which we had not yet seen, al Richard Simonton and Gaylord Carter, ranean Towers for our first look at ready looked too small. The grand both National ATOSboard members, "Little Mother," the affectionate piano with the Duo-Art Player caught and long time friends of Harold Lloyd. name given by Ben Hall to his 2/5 our attention. John and I with all the John Hoffman, L.A. Chapter member Style 150 Wurlitzer pipe organ, which bracing we could get from two con and excellent pipe organ technician was shipped from the factory as Opus crete walls could not budge it - no was also present at the request of the 2095 with 5 ranks. way - much less lift it. Board. Security at the apartment building We kept two phones busy; one in Richard Simonton, a trustee of the was very tight with a door man, guards the room and a pay phone right out Harold Lloyd Foundation, indicated and TV cameras and monitors every side. While John made arrangements that plans called for the complete where. Mr. Santora, the manager, was for lumber cut to size for pipe cases renovation of the handball court into a most cooperative, having had a call and for packing materials, I called the 150 seat theatre. The interior will be from John lnganamore which paved U-Haul truck rental in Montclair, N .J. done in the grand style of the fabulous the way. We asked to see the organ and was told that we could only have twenties, complete with film projector and mini-stage. Gaylord Carter will conduct seminars on silent picture scoring and theatre organ playing tech niques. In addition a museum is planned and memorabilia of the silent screen days will be displayed includ ing, occasionally, Ben Hall's Moxie col lection ( a popular soft drink of the early 1900's) and other items from his personal collection. Various ways and means were dis cussed as to how to get five tons of pipe organ from one coast to the other. It was decided the most economical way would be to fly two people to the East Coast, rent a truck, pack the organ and drive back across the country. John Hoffman and I offered to donate our labor in the name of the L.A. Chapter ATOS to the Harold Lloyd Foundation and, through Richard Simonton, the Foun dation would cover all reasonable expenses. Twenty-four hours later we were on a flight to New York. WEDNESDAY,AUGUST16 Claud Beckham of the New York Chapter was most helpful. He offered directions to Ft. Lee, New Jersey, and said Lee Erwin, Chairman of the Ben FEBRUARY, 1973 6 blankets instead of the 100 we the movers left we breathed a big sigh; or with us. A number of the tenants ordered! Several calls to U-Haul offi the two of us could load the rest of it went out of their way to open doors cials produced no better result. We ourselves. for us and otherwise be helpful. were also turned down by four piano The "Grand Parade" continued as movers who felt the job was too small, FRIDAY , AUGUST 18 the storage room became empty and but finally got one to agree to look We were too busy to take notes for the truck full. The last item to be over the situation the next day. this day, but here is the way I remem loaded was the organ bench, wrapped Meanwhile John's problems were ber it. The organ was stored approxi in our last blanket and placed in the mounting. The lumber company didn't mately 100 yards from where the last available floor space. know what time they would deliver truck was parked. It was all on the the next day, and shredded newspaper same ground level, but there were 7 SATURDAY, AUGUST19 for packing the pipes was nonexistent. doorways to traverse and six corners We checked out of the motel at Lee Erwin and I finally made con to navigate. There was some tight eight in the morning and I was told nection. He had a busy schedule that maneuvering which slowed down the that Friday night the rates went up by week, doing shows and recordings 12 loading. Most of the untuned percus $3.00. We paid this and received 31¢ - hours a day. We discussed our plans sions were loaded in the cab overhang. all that was left of a $15.00 deposit we and Lee was very interested in every Blankets were wrapped around the had given the telephone girl. We had aspect. He had headed the Ben Hall parts and everything was placed to made over $14 .00 worth of local tele Memorial Fund for over 18 months gether and tied with rope to keep the phone calls since Wednesday, not and, along with Richard Simonton, cargo from shifting. After each major counting the calls from the pay phone. was instrumental in the donating of section was loaded we stopped and At 9 o'clock we pulled up beside the organ to the Harold Lloyd examined it to insure that it would the Rahway Theatre. Claud Beckham, Foundation. ride. his lovely wife Aline, and Allan In the storage room with the organ Rossiter, New York Chapter Secretary, THURSDAY,AUGUST 17 were two supermarket shopping carts. were the welcoming committee. In a It was another beautiful day in New We commandeered these and used truck that was almost full we managed Jersey. We rented a car and while John them as dollies. All of the organ was to load 1100 piano rolls in boxes on went to get the packing material , I transported from the storage room to top of the pipe trays, on top of the stayed at the Mediterranean Towers to the truck in this manner. The route organ console, and on top of anything wait for the lumber and plan the took us through the main lobby where else that was flat. These were all packing. John and the lumber people we had to compete for space with secured in one way or another. Among arrived simultaneously, and after the people , baby carriages, children, dogs, these rolls was a rare one indeed: lumber was unloaded, we were off to other market carts , porters with suit "Rhapsody in Blue" played by George Montclair to pick up the U-Haul Truck cases and the never-ending security Gershwin. There was also the Moxie and 48 blankets which they had people. collection and several boxes of glass managed to find. On the return trip I Our shortage of blankets was solved slides. These things were the personal drove the truck and I thought I could when in one of the janitorial rooms property of Ben Hall, and will be dis see the U-Haul personnel taking bets John discovered 25 or 30 4-foot stacks played at the Harold Lloyd Estate on whether I would make it out the of newspapers. Permission was ob along with other items from the era of driveway - much less to California. tained from the management to let us silent pictures/theatre organs, to help Back at the apartment building the take all we wanted; so the New York recreate those days when the "silents" actual work finally began, 26 hours Times became moving blankets and were king. The Moxie collection was after we had first seen the organ, as we the loading continued. The motor was put on top of the piano rolls and started the initial phases of packing. put in front of the grand piano and roped in. The glass slides went be After building and packing the first wedged in with blanket and news tween the tuned percussions and the two pipe boxes, we were already out papers. The tuned percussions were truck wall - on top of the relay. We of packing material. We were to pick upended and wrapped in blankets, up the balance on Friday afternoon. It stacked and secured next to the con Bob Stratton and friend - U-haul delivering "Little Mother" to Harold Lloyd estate. took about a pound of nails for each sole; flute and tibia were nested and two boxes and we soon ran out of wheeled out on our make-shift dollies. them, too. The metal pipes were packed in seven The piano movers came a little after pipe cases, stacked in the center front 5 PM and were astounded when they of the truck between the console and beheld the Player Grand. In a little the grand piano. They just fit after over an hour they had loaded and many newspapers and part of the secured one Steck Grand Piano with ground frame was carefully placed to Duo-Art Player, one Wurlitzer Style prevent any movement. The blower 150 Console (all panels that could be housing and fans were put in back of removed were, and it was laid on its the piano. end and dollied out), and the five-rank People who commented to us in the chest. The switch stack and relay were lobby couldn't believe that anyone tied together with a 7-foot cable and would want to take this pile of "junk" each unit was put on a dolly and all the way to California. Many just wheeled to the truck in tandem. As smiled - I don't know whether at us 24 THEATRE ORGAN grandmotherly ladies. Their house was WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23 done in the style of the mid-thirties - This day was a vacation for us. warm and very homey. It reminded me Texas and New Mexico were gorgeous of a movie set. In the parlor, beside a and John , being a railroad fan, kept fringed floor lamp, stood a pump me posted as to the trains we saw. He organ! John had to fix a cipher, but has memorized the entire passenger we spent a couple of delightful hours and freight schedule of the Santa Fe playing for a most appreciative R.R. both East and West, and even audience. informed me which train would be TUESDAY, AUGUST 22 coming along next - long before it At 10 AM we were in Wichita, came in to sight. ironically the new home for the for In Arizona at the inspection station John Hoffman takes time out at Rahway mer New York Paramount organ, the we had to pay $8.00 because the truck Theatre before trip to California with the "Mother" organ, after which "Little was not licensed for that state. Our Ben Hall Wurlitzer. Mother" was nicknamed by Ben Hall. true story just didn't work here as it had left this space because we felt it It is a 4/36 Wurlitzer, and it is sound had in Kansas. As I opened the back was safe from falling objects in case ing very good. We each had a turn at door for the inspector , a reflection the load shifted. It was also very the console. Nice ... Many thanks to caught my eye. One of the packing heavily padded. Our suitcases and Dave Bernstorf and Mike Coup's Dad. boxes filled with piano rolls and also tools barely had room to sit on the The afternoon was spent worrying containing the top octave, had broken floor as the rear door was closed. John about the low oil pressure ( the needle and the little tibia pipes were lying all and I looked at each other and smiled. spent more and more time on zero) over the floor. No damage was done; The first phase was over - only 3,000 and stopping at truck scales in Kansas, the smaJl metal pipes were retrieved miles to go! Oklahoma and Texas. At the border and rode the rest of the way in the The Beckhams asked if we would inspection station in Kansas the officer cab. The cardboard box was fixed with like to inspect the Rahway Wurlitzer. wanted to charge a tax of some kind masking tape and the piano rolls A key was produced and we were per on our cargo. I told him my "truth-is repacked. mitted to play. The Beckhams were stranger-than-fiction" story about our We spent the night in Winslow, very kind; they stayed in the theatre project. He looked at me incredulously Arizona and calls were made home, and listened, but Claud couldn't resist and shifted his gun belt. "Now wait ," I alerting our families and the unloading coming down to the console now and said nervousJy, "If I wanted to lie to crew. then and changing registration for us. you, surely I could make up a better THURSDAY,AUGUST 24 The time passed too quickly and we story than that?" He scratched his Our last day on the road was good. were forced to bid the Beckhams and chin. "You're right," he said, and While talking to a man in a U-Haul Al Rossiter goodbye and headed west. waved us on without a fee. I really did depot in Flagstaff we mentioned that like Kansas! ! we seemed to be having trouble with SUNDAY, AUGUST 20 The oil problem was still with us, the oil pressure. "That's right," he re California here we come! At 6 AM but nothing appeared to be hot so we sponded immediately. "It's the gauge. we were on the road. The driving plan drove on. The truck took its first quart The company has recalled a good per was to change drivers every time we of oil in Oklahoma. We made Ama cent of its equipment for that prob stopped for gas. This worked out to a rillo, our scheduled stop for the day, lem. Nothing to worry about!" turn every 2½ hours. Top speed was just before it poured. Crossing the California desert the 60 MPH (governed) and the mileage Unloading the console. L. to R. Gene Davis (back to camera), Neal Kissel, John Hoffman and was just over 5 MPG. We did notice Chuck Lander. - (Photo by Dennis James) that the oil pressure looked a little low, but being Sunday decided to con tinue after checking the level and find ing it OK. Plainfield, Indiana (20 miles west of Indianapolis) was host to the pipe organ that night; we had covered a little over 500 miles. MONDAY,AUGUST 21 It was bright and early and another beautiful day. The oil pressure prob lem cured itself and Illinois and Missouri were green and lovely. A couple of hours out of Topeka we hit 30 minutes of rain. A call was made to some friends of John's and we had our second free night of lodging. A most wonderful evening was spent in the company of two gracious FEBRUARY, 1973 realized. A shrine for ATOS with his Variety where the riter says: When all Wurlitzer organ as a focal point has the stops is pulled out on the powerful been assured. Passacalua (yeh, that's the way he ATOS President Erwin Young has spelled it, even I know better than scheduled meetings with Dick Simon that) the walls and seats litrally quake ton and the other Harold Lloyd estate as screen explodes while a spotlite trustees to finalize plans for official on the revolvin ballroom cristal above ATOS participation. □ brakes into 1000s of lites dartin all over the hall - an absolootly incred ible mindbender in total. Well, that's the way I felt too, if I had the gift of gab to put it like that. Anyways it was one heck of a concert and I hope this Mr. Fox lives forever, and the way he looks and temperature cooperated by staying in acts he just might. Then they is the mid-90's. The truck responded by another organ player who kind of not heating up and the oil pressure reminds me of Mr. Fox and that is Mr. stayed on zero the whole day. Gaylord Carter who does these Flicker We were home! Finger concerts a-playin silent pitchers. After notifying Neal Kissel, Liaison I heard him do one awile back and on Chairman of the L.A. Chapter, of our concert part of his show he put to arrival, it was early to bed. Only 30 gether a bunch of hurries like he more miles to the Lloyd estate, and plays in the chase scenes and it was a "Little Mother" would be in her humdinger and his fingers and feet fourth home since leaving the factory. they was a-flyin as fast as Mr. Fox in On acct. this here colyum dont some of his numbers. And then I get a FRIDAY, AUGUST 25 come out every month, this is the kick out of the concerts some of We were at the Harold Lloyd estate first time I can say Happy Noo Year. these kids that are comin along so at 9:00 AM. Neal Kissel (Mechanical I dont know why I say it anyways, great like this Lyn Larsen who comes Supervisor of the estate), Chick when it comes to that. It dont seem compleet with dimples, and Tom Hazle Lander (Chairman of the L.A. Chap to me like things is goin very good. ton who comes compleet by the yard, ter), and Gene Davis were there to I dont seem to be able to get up and dolls like Donna Parker and Carol greet John, "Little Mother" and me. much enthoosiasm about the elecktion Jones and Shirley Hannum to say Walter Dymond, Chief Grounds Keep or the govment or the hippies or the nothin of the old timers like Ann er since I 931, along with Dennis way things is always costin more. But Leaf who dont come by the yard on James arrived shortly thereafter, and at that I guess I ruther be here than acct. she is the Mighty Mite. And we had our unloading crew. in Rosshia or Havana or Palestine or besides organ players come by the The organ is stored in a garage on places like that there, so how about foot. the grounds just across from Lloyd's rememberin some of the things I But it aint only organ concerts I two Rolls Royces. I figured that if the liked pretty good like the weather in get a kick out of. They is simphony garage was good enough for the Rolls Calyfornia or the movies and musicals concerts when I can see guys like it would be all right for a temporary and concerts and quit thinkin about Lenny Bernstein or Zubin Mayta storage for the Wurlitzer. In 2½ hours wars and earthquakes and floods and bouncin up and down on there toes the organ was unloaded, the grand hi-jackin and muggins and gang killins and usin up energy like Mr. Fox and piano was in the main house, its legs and joovenile delinquince and stuff like Mr. Carter, and now a noo young were back on, and Dennis James was that there. feller name of Michael Thomas who on the bench playing ''The Maple Leaf First off on acct. this is a organ acts crazy the same way, and then Rag" - Wow! magazine I got a big bang out of some they is the wild musicals like Jesus My last duty was to return the of the organ concerts, and may be the Christ Superstar which has got rithms truck to a U-Haul dealer in Beverly biggest bang was the one Virgil Fox and crowds a-yellin all over the stage Hills. You know that oil gauge read 60 give that he called Heavy Organ. I like I never heard before, and operys lbs. of oil pressure all the way there! aint goin to say much about it on like Suzzana by a guy name of Charlile The fabulous Harold Lloyd estate is acct. I rit it up in the colyum just Floyd with a lot of talkin and yellin now the permanent home of the late before this one, but he sure sold me in church and square dancin, and Ben Hall's prize possession, "Little on how excitin a organ concert can balletts like Cinderella by a Rooshian Mother", a Wurlitzer pipe organ. be when he gets together with old riter and then singers like Miss Joan ATOS has been invited to participate Bach, Revelation lites or no Revelation Baez and Miss Arutha Franklin and in the perpetuation of this instrument lites. I notice in all the noospaper Mr. Neil Diamond and I could keep through donations, advice on the peaces I read about his concerts they a-goin on like this but all I started to planning of the theatre to house it, all of them say they got as much of a say was they is a lot of good things to technical planning and future kick about his talkin between peaces lissen to that takes your mind off the maintenance. as with the peaces theirselfs. I got bad things, so I guess this is a pretty Thus Ben Hall's dream will be to give a qwote from the Weekly good place to live at that. □ 26 THEATRE ORGAN FEBRUARY, 1973 A CONVENTIONPREVIEW ... 11fllHl111E llHll(0\\\VAllR~JID) \V(O JILJIL llU~\11[ SllfllUJID)111(0 \\\VllUllR~JILJllllfZJIEllR~ by Dennis Hedberg At the 1973 National ATOS con mount Wurlitzer was a whopping 25 H.P. and 10 H.P. direct current vention, in Portland, one of the instru 60,200 pounds! motors. These motors were replaced ments to be featured will be the The first problem after the organ with 3 phase units of the same horse Howard Vollum studio organ. The was shipped to Portland was to find power rating. A problem did develop foundation for this instrument is the some place to keep it for the rebuild though. It seems that the blowers 4/32 Wurlitzer originally installed in ing process and for storage while its originally turned at a somewhat slower San Francisco's Paramount Theatre in new permanent home was being built. speed than that indicated by the name I 921. At the time of that theatre's After all, it is not every day that 30 plate. Not knowing this, the new demolition, Mr. Voll um was successful tons of Wurlitzer is dumped at your motors turned the blowers at the rated bidder to purchase the organ. Ten days door step! With this obstacle over speed with the result that the highest from the date of purchase , the theatre come, the tedious releathering process static pressure was nearly 50"! One building and all fixtures were to be began. All power pneumatics in the rotor was removed from the large come the property of the demolition chests and console were recovered blower thus bringing the wind pressure company. Therefore , there was no with Neatsfoot Oil treated leather. to a more realistic figure. time to lose in getting a crew together The organ had two Orgoblo blowers While the console pneumatics were to remove the organ. connected in tandem and powered by being recovered and the keyboards The crew consisted of six laborers who climbed about the plaster facade in front of the chambers with cutting torches, hammers and wrecking bars making openings where needed so the various components could easily be removed. Then, four riggers were em ployed to hoist the many heavy pieces to the auditorium floor. At times, as many as six movers were on the scene just to carry the myriad of parts to waiting trucks. A San Francisco crate builder shipped his entire output to the Paramount for five days. That amounted to about 70 crates. The actual organ crew of seven men was made up of both professional and amateur organ technicians. Among them was the well known San Fran cisco organ technician, Ed Stout. When the organ was finally entirely out of the theatre it was noted that somewhat over a ton of wood excel sior was used. Five large vans made up the caravan to bring the organ to Port land. Everyone was surprised to learn that the crated weight of the Para- Photos by Claude V. Neuffer FEBRUARY , 1973 Solo chamber showing E.M. Skinner strings Main chamber showing from left Viol d' chamber showing from the left : Or and Gottfried Vax Humana. Flute Celeste Orchestra, Concert Flute, Clarinet, and Oboe chestral Oboe, Brass Trumpet, Quintadena, and 15" Tibia are at extreme right. Horn. and Brass Saxophone. Not visible on this chest are the Kinura and Musette. were being rebushed and recovered, repaired and new pieces were milled in minimum length and width are about the console shell was taken to the the Rodgers wood shop. 44' by 37' and whose height is over Rodgers Organ Company where count As the rebuilding work continued, 24'. The five organ chambers proper less layers of paint were removed. plans for the organ's new home were are made entirely of poured concrete Since there were several bad scratches being drawn and construction work with surfaces ground smooth ... not in the woodwork, it was decided to begun. Seldom has so much been done plastered. refinish the console in antique white for a theatre organ. The studio is lo As the organ was being installed, and gold rather than try to strive for a cated adjacent to Howard Vollum's modifications and additions to pipe natural wood finish. Even at this, some home and overlooks lush forest land. work, chest work, percussions, and of the console woodwork could not be It provides a listening room whose unification were made in accordance with Mr. Vollum's desire to expand Brass chamber with author showing Gottfried French Trumpet and 4' Clarion. 32' Diaphones the resources of the instrument so that are at extreme left and right. some types of classical music might be played with a fair degree of authentici ty. This brought the total number of ranks to the present count of 49. Most of the added ranks are installed in the typical theatre organ fashion but there Foundation chamber showing from left : Vax Humana, Harmonic Flute, Gamba, Gamba Celeste, 1 O" Tibia Clausa, So Io THE VOLLUM WURLITZER CHAMBERANALYSIS FOUNDATION SOLO PRINCIPAL/PERCUSSION Diaphonic Diapason Kinura Fifteenth Solo String Orchestral Oboe Twelfth Tibia Clausa Musette Octave Gamba Brass Trumpet Principal Gamba Celeste Ouintadena Mixture IV Ranks Harmonic Flute Brass Saxophone Nazard Vox Humana Tibia Clausa Baroque Flute (un-nicked) Flute Dulciana Flute Celeste (Ten C) Dulciana Celeste Vox Humana Celesta Aeoline Xylophone Aeoline Celeste Marimba/Harp Viol Glockenspiel MAIN Viol Celeste Chimes Tuba Horn Horn Diapason Salicional Vox Humana (Ten C) UNENCLOSED PERCUSSION Horn Diapason Harp Viol d' Orchestra Xylophone Open Diapason Piano Viol Celeste BRASS Steinway-DuoArt Concert Flute Double English Horn Sleigh Bells Oboe Horn Tuba Mirabilis Chrysoglott Clarinet French Trumpet Chimes Accompaniment Traps Clarion Miscellaneous Solo Traps is a complete diapason chorus playable music this simulates the un-expressed Great division. from the Great manual and is made up Brass chamber showing 8' Tuba Mirabilis of eight ranks including an untrem'd A second set of movable shutters and 8' English Post Horn on upper level. four rank mixture. The diapason are mounted over the chamber open Note sound proof enclosure around chest and shutters mounted in ceiling. 16' Post chorus blends in well with many of the ings with the exception of the Princi Horn offset is at extreme right. typically theatre organ registrations pal/Percussion chamber. This tech and the mixture adds the same kind of nique reduces the overall volume of able from the Great and Pedal divi clarity to the full organ ensemble as it the high pressure ranks to a more com sions. In the new setting, the Echo does in the classic organ. For addi fortable level without noticeably alter division could not be justified and was tional variety, there is the Baroque ing the timbre. Furthermore , this therefore eliminated. Its components, Flute which is actually an un-nicked reduction in volume allows the lower however, were added to the Solo divi Rohrflute voiced for maximum chiff. pressure diapason chorus to satis sion and its stops unified throughout The diapason chorus is installed in the factorily blend with the remainder of the organ. percussion chamber whose shutters are the instrument. After rearranging all stops on the wired so they may be locked in the Originally the Paramount Wurlitzer console so they follow the basic pat- open position. In playing classical had an eight rank Echo division play- Foundation chamber showing 16 ' Tibia offset and 16' wood Diaphones mounted FLOORPLAN 52'-J" UPPER CHAMBER PERCUSSION LOWER CHAMBER MAIN 13'-6" 44'. J" UPPER CHAMBER SOLO LOWER CHAMBER FOUNDATION BEDROOM BATH MECHANICAL ROOM ENTRY S'-0"..,__ __ 36'-0" le' O" 21'-0" SCALE 1/12" I ' 0" MECHANICAL ROOM KITCHEN BENEATH CONSOLE LOWER LEVEL UPPER LEVEL RELAYS. HE.~TING AND AIR CONDITIONING BLOWERS. ELECTRICAL PANELS. DOTTED LINES ARE SHUTTER EQUIPMENT RECTIFIERS. SHOP AREA , RELAYS OPENINGS FOR BRASS CHAMBER FEBRUARY, 1973 29 tern used in the Publix #1 Wurlitzers it was found that the combination action was no longer suitable. The pneumatic ATOS stop actions were retained but the CONVENTION combination relays and setterboards JULY 25-28 were replaced by specially designed Portland, Oregon units manufactured by the Rodgers Organ Company. The only significant additions made to the organ since its installation in Portland are the Musette formerly in George Wright's studio organ and a Steinway Duo-Art Reproducing Grand Piano. The entire project, from the dis mantling in San Francisco to the present installation in Howard Vol Principal/Percussion chamber showing Di lum's studio, took 4½ years to com apason chorus with mixture in foreground and independant 2-2/3' Flute at extreme plete, was totally under the super right. Note cone tuning. vision of the author. D Hit of the A.T.O.S. C~nvention! 'Jfu one and only !Jnfrrnationaffy aacCaimed ~outh c:lf-mnican o7-9anij,t ... HECTOR <.:Pnfoi..min9 at a c1.utom dHi9ned tfnu. manual OLIVERA 07.9an compfex <11/ednHday th7.ou9h c::£undayat ■ Tropical garden-spot paradise for that get away week-end ■ Home of The Irish Pub - enclosed mall with retractable roof ■ Indoor - outdoor swimming pool - health spa - putting green 3550 Wm. Penn Highway ■ Lodging for over 500 people - special week-end packages Pittsburgh , Pa. 15235 Phone (412) 824-6000 ■ Prime Omaha International steaks prepared to perfection ______, ______ CONCERT BOOKINGS & RECORDINGS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH ... WALT MOLT MANAGEMENT· 364 AVENUE "F" · PITTSBURGH, PA. 15221 - PHONE (412) 823-3163 30 THEATRE ORGAN FEBRUARY, 1973 Sidney Torch All photos in this article are from the Sidney Torch collection - Courtesy of Frank Killinger. THEATRE ORGAN magazine is and new as if played yesterday. It can indebted to Judd Walton and Frank honestly be stated that his style and Killinger for this exclusive interview approach was 30 years ahead of his with England's outstanding theatre or time. ganist, Sidney Torch. The entire conversation was re Although Mr. Torch stopped play corded in May 1972 and no attempt ing and recording in 1940, his record has been made to alter or soften ings of that time still sound as fresh Mr. Torch's opinions. PART II (T) Is there the market and is point I'm trying to make. You (T) suppose you've got to judge there the opportunity today? see, in the day I played this it by the context of what happens You see, when I played it, it was an asset - it meant some every day. But I think myself, was at the peak of popularity. thing. People went because some that most people made up for The cinema organ was something body was playing the organ at talent with sheer noise that they for which people actually came a specific place. But today they loudly passed as a substitute. to the cinema. They came to won't do this. Therefore, it is (K) Yes, I am sure a lot of them see the film, but if two cinemas very difficult, if not impossible, did. had the same film, they would certainly unfair, to compare the (T) We used to have a man in this go to the one in which Sidney two days. country who used to play him Torch was playing. Not because (T) I have had many, many years of self up to the top of the lift and it was Sidney Torch but because people writing to me and say, turn around and say "Good it was a cinema organ - it was "Play again, record again." But evening Ladies and Gentlemen, an added attraction. But is this I don't believe myself that that I'll play anything you like" and a true thing today? People go to justifies the concept. I think before anyone could open their see a film because there is vio it is probably better to be a mouth he'd say "Tiger Rag, yes, lence or sex or sadism. legend in somebody else's mind that racks me." And this went on (K) But, strangely enough, even to and I think if they heard me for many, many years. day if we get a top-rank organ, today they wouldn't think as You know, there's very little like the Fox Theatre in San much of me as they did when difference, you're using a dif Francisco a 5,000 seat house, I was there. Of course, it's some ferent hammer to hit the same we might fill it. George Wright thing I won't buy. I don't sub nail. One has to express what gave several special performances scribe to it, I don't think I was one wishes to say, refined with there at which that house was good. I think I was disappoint taste or unrefined through lack packed. ing. Mind you, I've got gray of taste. No matter what you (T) Yes, forgive me though, but this hairs now and I'm not perhaps as used to do this, the same is ap is a special occasion, the spe sharply defined, I feel, and this plied.You can be a vulgar pianist, cialized taste, but if he were is what in retrospect I see as you can be a vulgar singer, you running three performances or missing. But then I was young can be a vulgar anything. But, four performances a day, seven and my only excuse is that I'm not trying to say that I days a week, and George Wright because I was young I didn't haven't got a vulgar streak in appeared every day, would this have the right idea. me, certainly I have, but I try mean a difference? That's the (K) Well, you had the right ideas all and keep it under. Whereas I right, because as Judd said, they think that the cinema organ Part I appeared in the December were so far advanced than any tended to make people more 1973 issue of THEATRE ORGAN. thing else we made at that time. drunk! FEBRUARY, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 31 (T) And they became vulgar because of this. It was so easy to be vulgar, it is so easy to be loud. (W) The organ became their master instead of them mastering the instrument. This happens today. (T) Well you know, it's very, very true the second loudest noise you can make is silence. If you have a terrific crash the next loudest thing is to stop entirely and make everybody wait for it - and then silence, the impact is almost as great as the loud sound. (W) They don't know when to take their hands off the keys. You may have a point, sir, that the people of today have no theatre to go to hear an organist play. But, we feel that there is a medium in which people can enjoy the theatre organ or or chestral music or what have you. And that, of course, is the beautiful quality LPs. And I think that this has brought a resurgence of interest in music generally. Especially in stereo - it is now broadcast 24 hours a day on some of our FM stations. In San Francisco we have serious music stations that broadcast only classical music 24 hours a day. There are two of those. And we are trying to introduce to them many of the beautiful organ classics that are available in the classic sets. There are Sidney Torch at the Wurlitzer organ, Regal Theatre, Kingston. The third manual was a coupler then, the stations who play the manual with only six stops. These models were built by the Wurlitzer Company only for export to England after the theatre market had dried up in the United States. junk music. We find that music such as you are doing in your conducting we don't have an fore, the initial cost of making (T) Yes, they had a recording van opportunity to hear in recordings. tapes of orchestral music is ex which they would bring around We wish we could get some of ceptionally high. And no com and go up on the roof. With a them in the States. It is in this pany will set up to do this un bit pf rope, they would hang a area that there is a tremendous less it is assured of a reasonable microphone, let it dangle down audience potential, and cinema risk in getting at least a return and trust their luck. If it didn't organ records are going over and at the best a profit. Now, go right we would all break for on these stations. They don't as you must know (you are in the a half an hour while the rope play them all the time, maybe recording business), classics are was shifted to another place. one every few hours. duds, as you buy a subsidy. It's This happened on every session. (T) Which is the same as our pattern the subsidy on the pop records No one ever found the right here. that pay for the other side and place for the microphone be (W) Right. My word, we wish we in the end it's all a figure in the cause it entirely depended on had some of your orchestral books, isn't it? It depends on what you were playing and the music available. which side of the ledger you are registration. (T) Yes, well you see, these things going to put these things on. Of course, I am not an ex are a matter of commercial as (W) That's right. pert on microphones although sessment, in the ·first instance. (K) How did they record your organ I've spent my life recording, but The rate of pay for orchestral records? I understand they had it seems to me that we have musicians throughout the world a van that went around to the lost this thing of having one is very, very high now, so there- theatres. microphone balance the sound 32 THEATRE ORGAN FEBRUARY, 1973 as it is played in the studio or in ers came in while we were re but it requires good players. the home, from the viewpoint cording and dropped a pail). (W) Your work on the State Kilburn of one pair of ears. After that I People used to come in the was marvelous. am fully in accord with boosting middle of a record and say, (T) Well, that was the highest point this or boosting that for the "Hey, where is the gas meter?" I reached, really in technique, purposes of getting something Or the electric meter. but it still was unsatisfactory. mechanical to sound as if it were (K) How many takes, may I ask you, It had a terrific lag, you know. live even the sound as if it were did you have to do on the average The distance from the console altered, but wanted - you are number? to the chambers was something trying to do something. Today (T) Very difficult to say. You see, like, about 80 or 90 feet. The they have 27 microphones. Every in those days, we used to make lag was such that it was quiet a body has a microphone. But at the most three waxes in a second or two, so you had to there's no one microphone that four hour session. Frequently play purely by touch. You didn't gives you the overall sound. This we only got two. Shall we say listen. is the one thing, of course, we that the van carried perhaps (K) When we recorded the Fox in used to try and do with the twenty waxes?? San Francisco, we put cans (head cinema organ and once you've (K) Probably, Yes. phones) on the organist. played you could never achieve, (T) So you might get perhaps six (T) Very unsatisfactory. because if you played quietly or eight, or even ten takes, fre (K) Yes, it was. But it was the only it was too far away; if you play quently you would only get the way they could keep their tempo. ed loudly it was too near. If you first half a minute and the batter (T) No, I don't believe it is the only used the reeds it was too violent; would go. "Sorry, the needle way you can keep a tempo. You if you used the flutes it was too jumped." must learn to keep tempo de mellow. You were always in (K) Something would happen - at spite it. For a stranger it can be trouble, the engineer was always once. terrible. But then it is part and coming to say "Can you boost (T) The wax has got a pop in it, you parcel of the technique of play bar so and so; can you take down know, a bubble or something ing this instrument. If you are bar so and so. You never played like that. You might touch some not prepared for a lag in sound as you really wanted to, because thing. A cinema organ can be you shouldn't play the cinema in those days we didn't have very difficult you know, you organ - or any organ. It is an the ability to record four bars touch it with your cuff, some instrument that lags behind the and cut it in. It was all wax and thing squeals. It has to be play actual execution. It's very nature you had to start from the be ed like that. It has to all be done is such. And over the distance it ginning to the end, what is more, away from the keys. travels from where you actually when the van came out there was (K) Because I listen to those, and I touch the keys to where the only storage space for 70 waxes never know a clinker, I never pipe speaks and to when it and the hot cupboard. As you knew a wrong note. comes back to ears. This is what know, the waxes had to be kept (T) Well, the whole point is you is so frightening about electronic at a set temperature. So that don't expect to hear a wrong organs today. They are quicker you would get this thing; the note or a click or something then you can play. Everybody telephone would ring, the record on any other form of recording. can play fast now. The thing to ing engineer would say to you, You choose to comment upon do is to play fast. "You had better be good this the cinema organ in this way I don't think you should con time because this is the last because you are used to hearing fuse good playing with technique. wax!" If you didn't get that one that performance and you hear It's rather like confusing good right your session was over and clinks and long notes and driving with speed, you know? you got nothing. As you didn't stumbles that you shouldn't hear. I mean, just because you drive make anything except royalties, There is no reason at all why the fast you're not a good driver. it was up to you to see that it thing shouldn't be played well, - TO BE CONTINUED - was in the can. How you manage today is quite a different matter. You go in there for the whole day and you record four bars at a time and then you fake it out. You would have what, seven channels, eight channels. We had one chan nel and the wax and the diamond NOW BOOKING CONCERTTOUR would tut it like that. We used to blow the needle, blow away the surface wax, and FORSPRING AND FALL1 1973 off you'd go. And if someone PersonalRe,:,ruentitive : HENRY W. HUNT, 415 S. Main St., "oyal Oak, Mi 41067 came in to the theatre and Phone: (313) 547-3446 dropped a pail ( one of the clean- FEBRUARY, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 33 The romance, courtship, marriage, the house, the more he turned. He NUGGETS and the arrival of Miss Jessie Darlene didn't miss a thing, until one day, the have been events which the public management decided it wanted an from the considered their property, and many organist to play the picture and not GOLDEN charming slide special ties have been the audience. created and performed in the Chicago Have you ever noticed the one who on these topics. plays with elbows crooked out and all Mrs. Crawford, besides her other sorts of motions, including shaking activities, is quite a successful com his finger on a key? Wonder if that is poser. Her recent ballad, "Prison of supposed to increase the tremolo? My Dreams", has been included in the And haven't you just been worn out Forster Music Publishing Company's watching the hard-working fellow with catalogue. lights all over the console and pedals? Mr. Crawford thinks very highly He just works himself to death; tears of Mrs. Crawford's ability to play the stops up and down, and kicks his jazz, an estimate with which Chicago feet around so that you can't find time ans agree. In this respect, they make to watch the picture. an admirable contribution, for Craw Then, how quiet and restful is the Prospected by Lloyd E. Klos ford handles the classic variety of fellow who slips onto the bench, turns music beautifully, particularly in the on a soft light, and plays with the modern idiom. She will, of course, be picture. The one who knows one In our annual February Valentine with him in New York to open the pretty stop at a time, once in awhile, salute to the hard-working gals of the much talked-about Paramount Theatre, and depends on quality, not quantity ATOS, we change our format and re and Gothamites are assured of a rare in an organ, is appreciated. print two stories which appeared back treat in listening to this gifted and One organist must have opened in the good old days. The first was in attractive couple. swell shades and crescendo and pumped the November 1926 issue of Jacobs The second item appeared in the out everything in the organ in one Magazine, and is about Mrs. Jesse September 1925 issue of Melody Mag theatre I was in, for it gave such a Crawford. azine. It was written by Irene Juno, crash I actually jumped right out of This charming lady and talented Washington organist and correspondent my seat. Then, with no warning, he organist, Mrs. Jesse Crawford, has been of that periodical, following her visit dropped to a soft stop, and to my playing in Chicago since a child. Of to several Washington theatres to ob chagrin, I heard myself shouting at musical parentage - her father played serve her contemporaries at work. my companion, trying to tell her what piano, though now in the advertising ORGANISTS! How do you appear it was all about! Organists who jump business - she started her musical to others when you play? How many from FFF to ppp should have warn career at the age of three. At ten, she types of organists are there? Have you ing signals and not embarrass the played piano sufficiently well to oc ever thought ·of yourself as you play? patrons by sudden changes. casionally relieve her father at his Visiting a few theatres in the city we And the girls - God bless 'em! theatre. Later, she turned to the organ found one young fellow who made Who hasn't seen the cutie who puts and played quite a while for Ascher his appearance by leaping onto the down a stop, glances at the picture, Bros. At the time Balaban & Katz organ and then to the bench from then into the side mirror, and fluffs took over its management, she was some dark opening on the stage (it up her permanent wave; and the candy organist at the Roosevelt Theatre and was the morning show). After a little eaters who play with one hand and was retained there as head organist. while, he stuck a small stick or match eat with the other, and rattle the Romance came along about a year between two keys, which held them paper for accompaniment. later, when she met Jesse Crawford, down, did a few notes with his feet The organists are very much in the world-renowned movie organist. Short while he lighted a cigarette, took a public eye and are all yelping for ly afterwards, they were married. Then, couple of puffs, put it out, removed salaries in the One-Hundred Zone, Sam Katz conceived the two-console the match and once more, some tunes but until they see themselves as others idea for the Chicago Theatre, and came forth. see them, they will fall short. It's the both Crawfords were featured there A visit to another theatre disclosed worker, not the one who just plays for over a year and a half, until the an organist who popped up from the or shows off, who gets the good job. Chicago was placed on the circuit rout pit, put on the light, tilted the mirror GOLD DUST: These members of ing with the Upton and the Rivoli last so he could see all of the front rows the Los Angeles Theatre Organists winter, when Mrs. Crawford went to of seats, adjusted his grin, all set for Club were playing LA theatres in the McVickers. On December 13, 1925, action and then go up and down the 1925: HELEN DUFRENSE, Jensen's another organist arrived, Miss Jessie keys, turning page after page of music, Melrose; LEILA ELLERY, California Darlene Crawford, from whom much but his eyes never left the front seats, in Alhambra; EMILY HOFF, Strand is expected, and not entirely without either via the mirror or directly. in Pasadena; KATHERINE FLYNN, reason. I heard papa Crawford say, It's a wonder one organist, who Pasadena's Florence; ELLA MILLER, "We think the baby is musical because used to play downtown, didn't get a Bard's Crenshaw Blvd. we can easily put her to sleep with cramp in his neck. He kept his head That should do it until next time. record-playing." She prefers jazz piano crooked around so he wouldn't miss So long, Sourdoughs! records! a trick in the house, and the bigger LLOYD & JASON 34 THEATRE ORGAN FEBRUARY, 1973 technical ability to carry out the often complex orchestral ideas. If there is anything missing in the Torch concept it is warmth. He seems much more concerned with pyrotechnics, so the Far majority of the tunes in this set are ones which permit dazzling rhythmic The improvisation. Even when he tackles a selection generally classed as a ballad, ReEards he is apt to change it to a quickstep loaded with jazzy riffs. An example is "When Day is Done", from which Crawford milked the last iota of sen timentality. The Torch concept is more "Nola"-like, played upbeat (ex cept for a schmeary verse), sometimes with interesting variations in 3/4 time, then with overtones of the Paul White man recording, but always bouncy. If the Torch forte is in organ jazz, Manufacturers, distributors or indi viduals sponsoring or merchandising - then he is both the pioneer and master of that style. Whether he is stating Sidney Torch - mus1c1an, arranger, artist. theatre pipe organ records are en (Parlophone Co. Ltd.) couraged to send pressings to the a theme or "taking off' on it, his Record Reviewer, Box 3564, Granada bright arrangements tend to enhance blower while still playing for a slow Hills, California 91344. Be sure to even the more mundane tunes. All of wheeze-out. include purchasing information, if the arrangements are Torch's except Tunes which US listeners may re applicable, and i( possible a black for the Dorsey-like treatment of "Song call are "Jeepers Creepers," "Remem and white photo which need not of India." Some may sound very dated ber Me," "A Tisket, a Tasket," "You're be returned. to today's ears but they were "right a Sweetheart," "Where are You?" , on" in their times. Despite what ravages "Bugle Call Rag," "I Hadn ' t Anyone passing time may have imposed, there 'til You," "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen," SIDNEY TORCH AT THE THEATRE are no dull moments in Torch per "Twelfth Street Rag" and "There's ORGAN, a 2-record set of Columbia formances. Even so, Torch often re Something About a Soldier." The reissues made between 1932 and 1939, stored to the "razzy-ma-tazz" approach others are selections of no less merit in simulated stereo. No's. DO(S) 1211 to put some life into an otherwise dull which were intended for home con and DO(S) 1211. Available from Doric tune, including bird-whistles, honks, sumption, among them, "The Flying Recording, at $9.95 postpaid, 1516 slide whistles, train effects, and an oc Scotsman," "Dance of the Blue Mar Oak Street, Suite 320, Alameda, Calif. casional schmear glissando ( our apol ionettes" and the Torch best-seller, 94501. ogies to Vic Hammett when we tended "Hot Dog." to blame him for the latter during his The double jacket includes eight So much is currently in print about Doric recreation of the Torch style; photos from the Torch collection and the organist and the circumstances Vic was just being accurate). One of three pages of very pertinent notes pertinent to the release of these records, his special skills is in his use of the prepared by ATOSer Judd Walton, who we'll try to avoid repetition. Despite Posthorn for jazz emphasis effects; in was deeply involved in the release of their age, this is the first release in the this genre he is a pioneer on re this set. USA for most, if not all, of these 24 cordings. He was doing it when or As mentioned before, the transfer sides. Better 40 years late than never ganists elsewhere were concerned with from 78 rpm's (EMI's file copies) to because the Torch technique is mag stressing the "soulful" side of their tape to 33 1/3 rpm is very successful , nificent. The quality of the dubbing instruments. There is little more than with only one concession to today's is first rate and some cuts reveal a a hint of this style in the Torch tunes. stereomania; the music has been given British 78 rpm recording technique He prefers almost brittle registration, "separation," a studio process which that was far superior to that heard on and he doesn't seem to mind an organ fakes a stereo effect. This in no way US-made discs of the same vintage. which may be slightly out of tune. interferes with nor lessens the impact The music is played on a variety of Another area of excellence in the of the music, nor does it enhance it. British theatre Wurlitzers and Christies, Torch style is his novel use of percus Wisely, no phoney echo has been plus one on an 8-rank studio Compton. sions. added. Other instruments range in size from There are many surprises in each We are much indebted to Dorie's 12 ranks to the now gone Christie in cut. For example, during "Butterflies president Frank Killinger for making the Regal Marble Arch, Europes largest in the Rain" don't be surprised if this labor of love a reality, for taking theatre organ (36 ranks according to there's a sudden change to "Spring such pains with a release that, at best , the jacket stoplist). Torch's strength Song" with "fillers" Mendelssohn will find a market among organ buffs. is threefold; his orchestral imagination, wouldn't recognize. And to make "The He hopes to recover his investment his ability to translate his orchestral Merry-go-round Broke Down" more in it, the profit being the fun he had ideas to the theatre organ and his realistic he closes by turning off the doing it. FEBRUARY, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 35 As a parting shot, we can't help tunes on the disc. Included are Victor wondering how organ stylings in the Herbert's "Habanero" and Vaquero's USA would have shaped up if the Song," Albiniz' "Tango in D" and Torch 78's had been available in this Byrne's "Lolita My Dove." country to influence budding organ The Kid Brother is represented ists as the Crawford records did during musically by "Oh Harold!," a lively the golden era. Interesting thought. pop tune of the mid-'20s which came Summary: Top drawer sample of out just in time to identify Harold what England was enjoying from '32 Lloyd in another of his comedy hits, to '42 in an inviting package. First The Freshman. There's a big thud in rate nostalgia and an introduction to the course of the music, and the the engaging style of Sidney Torch for jacket notes tell us Harold fell out of most of us on this side of the pond. a tree. Recommended. The closer is the title selection, a wild single "take" melange of chase and near chase music, linked in mostly FIFTY YEARS OF CHASING, Gay lickety-split tempos which pass in vio lord Carter playing the Bob Carson lent review so quickly it's difficult 3/26 studio Wurlitzer. Malar No. MAS to identify them all. We did fairly 2019 (stereo). Available postpaid for well, catching sixteen of the nineteen $5 .SO Malar Productions, Box 3104, musical fragments from "Poet & Pe as Glendale, Calif. 91201. ant Overture," Gaylord's "Big Chase" (as previously recorded), "William Tell Gaylord This one will be of special interest Overture" (finale), Offenbach's to those who have witnessed a live best version. Another repeat is "Diane" "Gaitie Parisienne Can Can," "Indian Carter film accompaniment perfor from "Seventh Heaven," his best one War Dance" from Victor Herbert's mance. Five of the titles are those of yet. The remaining offerings are group "Natoma," "Pony Boy", Fucik's silent films which Gaylord has ac ings of cue music according to Gay "Entry of the Gladiators," Widor's "5th companied during his frequent concert lord Carter. The first is a selection Symphony Toccata," Wagner's "Ride odysseys across the land. Theme tunes from his "Thief of Bagad" score during of the Valkyries," "Hungarian Rhap and incidental music with which Gay which he replaced the now lacklustre sody No. 5," Von Suppe's "Light lord scores his silent film shows com original cues with such goodies as "Oh Cavalry Overture," "Charge!," "Stars prise the groupings. For the benefit Moon of My Delight" for a love theme, and Stripes Forever," "I've Been Work of purists, Gaylord's scoring is not and "Procession of the Sardar" to in ing on the Railroad" ( or "Eyes of often in accord with what one finds on dicate the courtly formalities which Texas," for Lone Star staters), "Swanee remaining cue sheets prepared for the Doug Fairbanks, Sr., reduces to a River" briefly counterpointed with films. Often Gaylord's choice is more shambles in the course of the film. "Dixie and a rousing "Battle Hymn effective. His selections always fit the The Phantom of the Opera selection of the Republic" finale. It simply scene and there are no dull moments includes waltzes and "Wine or Beer?" leaves one gasping - and laughing on this record. In our opinion, this is from Faust and a couple of highly at the wet noodle ending. Gaylord's best recording to date, and dramatic visual cues which the jacket Dick Stoney's miking is excellent. he's got some good ones to his credit. notes identify: the crash of the huge This one is a must for silent film Yet on the RCA Victor release of some chandelier and the honorific unmask aficionados. years ago ( concert performances of ing of the Phantom played by Lon movie themes) Gaylord didn't take Chaney in necrotic makeup. An eerie DOUBLE TOUCH VOLUME TWO, advantage of the great tonal contrasts thriller which includes the "Dies Irae," SIDE BY SIDE, Reginald Liversidge available on the Simonton organ. The the devil worship "black mass" theme. and Peter Jebson at the Manchester monochrome registration was further "Ella Cinders" is an "all Gaylord" Gaumont 4/14 Wurlitzer. Acron label devalued by masterers unused to score which brings musical references No. CF-215 (stereo), available postpaid handling organ music. A more recent to Ella's (Colleen Moore) adventures in from Mr. Cyril Castle, 61 Athlone Ave release had Gaylord playing the San Hollywood of the '20s, including a nue, Astley Bridge, Bolton, Lanes. Diego Fox organ before its resources tinseltown Indian war dance and a England, at $5.00 (US) by sea mail or were ready to meet his considerable "triumphal march" which, according to $5 .63 by airmail. Checks drawn on US demands. But this disc re-unites Gay Malar's nutty jacket scribbler, "shows banks are accepted and should be made lord with his one-time Amos & Andy how virtue always reigns supreme, and out to The Lancastrian Theatre Organ CBS Studio organ, now superbly main how good girls always make good!" Trust. tained in the Carson studio in Holly Indeed! wood. Again Gaylord has recorded Almost half of side 2 is devoted to This is a very late Wurlitzer, de "The Perfect Song," this time more themes Gaylord has applied to Doug livered in 1935 for the theatre's open leisurely than previous ones which Fairbanks' Mark of Zorro, obviously ing, and recorded here in its original tended to recreate his "all quarternote" one of his favorites. The music ranges understage chambers. This is the second console riser accompaniment. This from lively fiesta cues, to chase se volume of the "Double Touch" series rendition is less hurried though still quences, to love themes in accents through which the Trust (non-profit) shy of many note values, but easily his Spanish; some of the most appealing organization hopes to realize funds 36 THEATRE ORGAN FEBRUARY, 1973 to finance the rescue of some of on the continent, and almost wholly Britain 's remaining theatre organs. This unfamiliar to U.S. denizens. Well play volume introduces two British artists ed light opera for the Romberg-Lehar until now unfamiliar to US ears, and Herbert-Friml fans. both worthy of a hearing. Side 1 be On side 2, Peter Jebson opens with longs to Reg Liversidge, a man born a lively console riser, "Theatreland," too late for the golden era but who, then tackles an equally bright "Knights nevertheless, has played in English bridge March" by Eric Coates and cinemas during most of his life. Open plays it in the bravura style it merits, ing with a few bars of his radio with plenty of Posthorn in the many signature ("Desert Song"), he sails fanfares. "Heyken's Serenade" is one into a sometimes corny pizzicato of those neutral intermezzos organists "Darktown Strutters Ball" and con used to play when nothing was happen tinues with a lively "Kiss the Girls ing in a silent film, although it never Goodbye" in the same vein, with happened to Peter (he wasn't born plenty of Posthorn frosting. The until 1950). Lots of charm but not melancholy "Anniversary Song" is play Liversidge and Jebson much substance for this side of the ed simply but effectively. Then come pond. Next we go to spaghettiland two "Mary's"; one, according to the atrical programs, and this can enrich for a bouncing "Funiculi-Funicula," voluminous jacket notes, being organist the concert. Reg's offering is operatic, played with humor and molto reg Harold Ramsay's theme (he prepared the "Intermezzo" from "Caval istration changes, then to an upbeat the organ spec) played partly on far leria Rusticana." He plays it straight Gracie Fields medley of three tunes. away chimes, followed by a chorus but with theatrical registration. Next "Pedro the Fisherman" apparently gets of the familiar George M. Cohan a rhythmic novelty tune, "Midnight in married, judging from the untrem'd "Mary" in a popular styling. Mayfair." The Liversidge closer is en nuptial march included (we regret being Because all British organists must titled "Lilac Time" but has no re so ill-informed regarding English pops). first become "straight" organists be lationship to "Jeannine." It's varied The medley which follows "Pedro" fore being allowed to touch a theatre selections from a musical show with includes "Side By Side," "Heart of My console, many feel moved to mix in strong Schubert overtones, possibly Heart" and "Home Town" played in their classical prowess with their the- the operetta known asDreimaderlhaus good British pop style, mostly on .\i:::::::::::::::::::::::::•,:::::::::::::::::n::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::,,•••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • •-.:·-~-•··-~~::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::••· ...... ~-·..• •...:: ·-.-.~..• 1:::::•··•···•·•·· A nn o un c1n. g. . . .------· :::::.·••··1.... ···•·· ··••·: ••···· -----...... ··•·····•·· ••·······•····••·· ENCORES ··•··· ···•··••···· ··•··· li~~ll···•·· UNLIMITED,INC. :!~~ii··•··· 1::::: AN AGENCY SPECIALIZING IN THEATRE ORGANISTS :::::1 ···•·······~ ··•····•··: ••·•·····•··•••••· LOWELL AYARS CONTACT ··••••·•••••····•• 1:::::···•·· MARY A. BOWLES :::::1··•··· ••·•··•••••· DON BAKER Rt. 2, Hopewell Road ••••••··•·•• •••• •· Lost Lake ·••••: ···•··•••••· Bl FF CLAFLIN Marlton, N.J. 08053 ·•••••··•·· 1::::: REPRESENTING Phone: (609) 983-1535 :::::1 ••·•·· KARL COLE ····•• :··•··••••·· OR ··•···••••: 1::::: SHIRLEY HANNUM ROBERT E. DILWORTH :::::! •••••· 2012 Wildwood Drive •••••• •••••· W00 di d P ·••••• an ark ·••••• I••••· CA■ ■ J■ PARMENTIER Wilmington, Del. 19805 ·••••• •••~·;. Phone: 302 998-2803 ::•••• ···•··-·:·...... ( ) ··••·· •..····••::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;••··· -;•.···· ••l•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••~••••:::::::::::::::::::::::;;:u:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;;. FEBRUARY, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 37 large combinations (Peter has a liking hous es were locked up , out of business, The organ was mastered by many for lots of high register most of the or demolished. during the concert , but none like the time, so the Piccolo, Fifteenth, Twelfth , However, this summer I found new guest of the evening, Hubert Selby . and Tierce rarely go unused) . The life in the cinema organ world in Hearing this artist play I could only closing tunes are "Now is the Hour " Scotland. I enjoyed two wonderful think how worthwhile my 3,000 mile and a martial "Goodbye" new to us. trip had been. If ever a guest organist The organ sounds Wurlitzer-good, is to be invited from Britain to play and the trems (Tibia, especially) have in the United States, I would say that been set to the slower , sexier U.S. the "organ enthusiast" will not be let preference. Both artists offer represen down or disappointed. This gentleman tative examples of their musical abil and the organ are one. ities with Mr. Liversidge giving the I was welcomed to Edinburgh by more restrained performance to Mr. two of the reconstruction crew of the Jebson's bolder approach, adding up to Playhouse and Bangour organs, Gordon a balanced program. Recording is good Lucas and Mike Beattie, who tell me and the detailed jacket notes provide they will be happy to show all instal a visual stoplist, a history of the organ lations in and around Edinburgh to and biogs on both artists. □ any member of ATOS. They gave me the following list of installations available in Scotland. Hilsdon 3 / 35 , Scotland . • Organs at Present in Playing Condition concerts in one day, details of which in Scotland .~. are enclosed. The Playhouse organ is, I. Paisley - 3/ 10 Hilsdon of course , in its original "home" and Paisley Picture House (Bingo) though I am told it is a ''beast" to used Saturdays. ~ play and sounded very much concert ~ ~ 2. Edinburgh - 2/4 Ingram ...... organ , it does have unusual tones and Astoria Cinema used during Sum is used twice weekly in a theatre that mer. ~ I seats , 3,000 which has been partly re seated and completely redecorated - a 3. Edinburgh - 3/35 Hilsdon TTT--;rTTT healthy sign in the 70's. Playhouse Cinema used contin uously. Letters to the Editor concerning all aspects of the theatre organ hobby 4. Aberdeen - 3/ 10 Compton are encouraged. Send them to the Capitol Cinema used Saturdays. editor concerned. Unless it's stated 5. Aberdeen - 3/10 Compton clearly on the letter "not for pub- Powis School ex Astoria Cinema 1ication,,, the editors feel free to used continuously. reproduce it, in whole or part. 6. Bangour near Edinburgh - 2/9 Address: P.O. Box 1314 Salinas, Calif. 93901 Christie. Bangour Village Hospital ex A.B.C. Cinema Carlisle used con tinuously. Dear Editor: Note: (Sadly) Some time ago I wrote to you re No Wurlitzers survive in Scotland in garding the feature, "Snippets from spite of a dozen or more installations. England" and the fact that Scotland Trusting that you will give Scotland was never mentioned. Christie 2 / 1 0, Scotland. I should imagine it was because its rightful place in publishing some Scotland had little to offer at that The "Christie" organ installed in of this information, I am time and on a visit in 1966 to the the auditorium of Bangour Village "Odeon" in Glasgow, I was just in Hosp ital is a most unusual installation. Sincerely yours, time to see the Compton Organ ready This is a fair sized hall with a large James C. Donald, New York Chapter for moving to England; its pipes spread stage, but the organ has been built into □ out on the stage and the console al a recess at the opposite end of the hall. ready on its way to New Castle on The console sits on the floor ( on a Tyne. small platform) under the three shut A round-up of other theatres proved ters , but the great "power of sound" PLAN AHEAD.·· to be fruitless. "Never knew we had come s from the fact that the organ is an organ", said the young manager of built beneath a domed ceiling that 1973 CONVENTION one movie house. "Yes we have an runs the entire length of the hall. No JULY 25 - 28 organ, but it has not been played in matter where one sits in this audi PORTLAND, OREGON 40 years" , said another. Other picture torium , the 10 ranks sound like 110. 38 THEATRE ORGAN FEBRUARY, 1973 From Geneva, N. Y. A TOSer Louis Klein submits a clipping from the New •ex P8PI York Daily News, the "Dream Street" column of Bob Sylvester with a letter from Father Cormac A. Walsh, cha~~ain of Clinton Prison, Dannemora: We have an old theatre organ given us by the Brandt theatre people years ago. It's a magnificent piece but it got broken down. We pondered how to get it in shape again. We asked an organ company, they wouldn't touch it for less than $1500. Then a miracle hap pened - Smokey appeared. Smokey ROSE DIAMOND - Manhattan adventure turned out to be an expert organ man. with memories. - (Bob Hill Photo) He started at the pedals and is almost to the chimes. All it's costing is for and had some eye opening adventures. parts. Now for the bad news; Smokey In the old Automat, across from Loew's Conducted by Stu Green was up for parole, a sure shot to be State where Rose once played, she released. But he told the Parole Board, viewed the floor show (floor show in the Automat?!); enjoyed the New Readers are encouraged to submit in 'I can't leave yet. I've got weeks of teresting sidelights on the organ hob work left on the organ. ' This is the Jersey hospitality of Mary Bowles and by (exclusive of chapter news items) first man I've ever known to refuse "never saw one New Jersey mosquito"; material they believe will be of general caught Bud Taylor on his last day at parole." interest about local organ activities the Surf City hotel Wurlitzer; took and installations and the people who work at the hobby. We know "there's in Leroy Lewis' performance at the VOX POPS in them there chapters" Lighthouse restaurant at Barnegat Light, If Smokey seems like a solid organ and it only requires a 6i postcard to N.J. ("he's fabulous!"); ogled fan, so is correspondent Lou Klein, get it to VOX POPS Editor, Box the bumps and grinds of the topless 3564, Granada Hills, California 91344. who "commuted" 640 miles each week beauties through the open door of the ff the contributor can afford an Brt end (Geneva, N.Y. to Baltimore, Mary New York Metropole; took in two stamp: why not include a black and land) to help with the restoration of white photo which need not be performances at the Music Hall, one the 2/7 Wurlitzer Roy and Dolores returned. as the guest of organist Jack Ward Wagner were installing in their Glen and another through the courtesy of Arm home. The Potomac Valley Chap We try to leave national politics to the Hall's chief projectionist who guid ter's October '72 newsletter, The Static the dailies but the theme tune Harry ed her to the Rockefeller's private Regulator, summed Lou's help in three "Pipes" Miller suggested for the pres viewing booth near the projection words: "This is devotion!" ident's gadabout emissary seems so room; had lunch at the Music Hall's appropriate, we can't resist: "I Wonder commissary; saw two shows, No, No Who's Kissinger Now?" Nanette with "forever young Ruby Keeler", and Prisoner of Second A venue ~ From Picton, Ontario, Canada, ("an absolute riot"). But it was the ATOSer Clea/an Blakely faced a sit Music Hall which aroused the most uation with which organ enthusiasts memories. Rose recalls seeing Roxy are often confronted: the need to during rehearsals before the Hall open move out an organ before the building ed seated in the dark auditorium is razed. But in this case, the ware (s~orting a green eye shade) and barking house where Clea/an had stored his commands at the Rockettes on stage. 2/17 had been sold so a quick mov,e Rose was then rehearsal pianist for the was indicated. The trans[er to Clea/an s Center theatre. What memories she partly finished new home was man~ged must have! with the help of friends and relatzves, ~ and the organ parts are now piled high in the new chamber, hinde:inf It seems to be happening for youth installation work. But Clea/an zsn t ful Shirley Hannum; after several years complaining. He has managed to ex of near stagnation (outside of her change and horse-trade most of the home area of Philadelphia where her straight ranks for theatrical ones. He music is much appreciated), her con plans a 2/11 with Harp and Chimes. cert engagements started to pick up, due, says Shirley, to a change in ~ "packaging." For the past seven years Organist Rose Diamond made she has been playing as the "little another sally last fall to the scene of gingham girl" of the organ, implied her Broadway T.O. career in New York if not stated, and programmers weren't - New York Daily News (she now lives in southern California) buying. This despite the fact that FEBRUARY, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 39 ignorant in this area, than now. Savoy, Music Hall (ex-Metropolitan) Outside of a totally incorrect state and two in the Bradford Hotel. ment credited to the 1972 LA chapter chairman about his wanting to bar ~ homosexuals from ATOS, the worst While making his annual Thanks error is THE ADVOCATE'S upside giving trip to Milwaukee, Doc Bebko down photo of the Radio City Music accidentally came by the "Schnitzel Hall console. haus Restaurant" wherein is housed Was Hope-Jones really "gay"? His a 3/11 Wurlitzer. Doc was given a close friend (and long time chief chance to play it, and though it is voicer), Jim Nuttal, said no. But who not finished, "It is a marvelous in really cares whether the answer is strument; beats anything installed in yes or no? Nothing that can be revealed a restaurant for hundreds of miles at this late date can add to nor detract around." The organ is to be augmented from the great legacy the genius of by a 3/ 15 which has arrived from Robert Hope-Jones left us all - nothing Syracuse. On the restaurant's menu Shirley Hannum. She's a new woman. less than the theatre organ as we know is "Wurlitzer's Pipe Dream" - a turkey, it. ham and Swiss cheese sandwich, dipped during the same period (starting at 16) in egg and fried to a golden brown to she was staff organist at a Philadelphia the tune of $ 1.7 5. There will be more suburban theatre. "But I guess I did Jim Gaines' "Echoing Antique on this installation later. seem a bit dowdy then," she admits. Shop" in Los Angeles is no more. The But it's all different now, and shop gained recognition in the late Shirley credits her new image. No '50s due to the IO-rank mostly Wur longer the "pigtail prodigy," Shirley litzer organ antique dealer Gaines as appears now as a vivacious young sembled from several theatre organs woman, as her latest photos indicate in the Los Angeles area, plus the and a favorite tune, "I Enjoy Being a 3-deck console from the Indianapolis Girl," now comes through in a more Circle theatre (an earlier 2-deck con sultry manner. Along with the girl, sole now controls the Roger Angell the repertoire and technique have home installation in Hawaii). Many grown with a suddeness which even club concerts were played on the in startles Shirley, whose new Malar re strument over the years. A few weeks cording was cut on the Bob Carson ago Jim received a blunt eviction 3/26 Wurlitzer while she was in Los notice; the building is to be levelled. Angeles for an ATOS-sponsored Wil He had to move fast so he decided on tern concert in January. an auction . . On January 7, among Now Shirley hardly finds time for vases, statues and chandeliers, the bid ding started at $ 1500 and went up her hobby, organ journalism. Besides DEL CASTILLO reminisces. - (Stufoto) being the Delaware Valley chapter's rapidly to $6000 - where it stopped editor/scribe for their local THE LIFT, cold. The buyer is Art Aslesen of The Nuggets pertaining to the New and for the chapter's news in this Pomona, Calif., who will store the England area in the October issue publication, she recently took on organ until he finds a suitable place contained fond memories for ATOS another writing assignment, Eastern to install it. John Scott did a nice "Hall of Famer" Del Castillo. "/ wonder correspondent for Bill Worrall's THE job of demonstrating the organ's ca how many are left," he says. "Martel ORGANIST. pabilities to the full house of antique and Frazee are gone. Earl Weidner "It all seemed to happen at once," enthusiasts and kibitzers. was an assistant at my school. Roy says a dazed but delighted Shirley. Frazee, Sally Frise, Chet Brigham, Eva Langley and Harry Jenkins were ~ The Boston Herald-Traveler ran an all associates of mine in Boston the The December 1972 issue of THE illustrated story on doings of the atres. Gladstone Kincaid, Eddie Lord ADVOCATE, which is addressed to Eastern Massachusetts ATOS chapter and Roland Pomerat were graduates "gays," ran an extensive biographical on Nov. 22, '72. Highlighted was the of my school, and Ollie Strunk was piece on Robert Hope-Jones, who the chapter's project of installing Boston's assistant organist with me at the New writer hailed as a "gay genius". The ex-Loew's State Wurlitzer in Babson York Rialto. " article is well researched and well College's Knight Auditorium. Several written with accurate historical data on ATOS members were mentioned, as Hope-Jones 'accomplishments. Nothing well as Al Winslow, for mer theatre Mabel McGuire of Doylestown, Pa., new to organ bu[fs in this area was organist and now house organist at a former theatre organist, is bursting revealed but the writer, Ed Jackson, the John Hays Hammond Castle in with pride since learning that her dealt very frankly with H-J's problems Gloucester. He designed the console nephew, Karl Cole, will be performing with the authorities concerning his platform and built the pipe chambers. at the RTOS Wurlitzer on March 16. alleged "gay" activities in an era much There are five sporadically played the "I personally feel honored and pleased less tolerant, and considerably more atre organs in Boston: The Paramount, that RTOS has asked Karl to appear 40 THEATRE ORGAN FEBRUARY, 1973 ''Ask not what ATOS can do for you, but what you can do for A TOSI" Pleasesubmit a short resume and photograph of any qual ified member who would be willing to serve on the Na tional Board of Directorsof ATOS. Karl Cole Mailto ... during the 1972-73 season which in ATOS cludes such nationally known artists NATIONAL as George Wright, Rex Koury, Rosa HEADQUARTERS Rio and Gaylord Carter. Mrs. McGuire Post OfficeBox 1002 has fond memories of her days at the Middleburg,Virginia 22117 Eastman School of Music and re members Harold Osborn Smith, Robert Berentsen, J. Gordon Baldwin and Beatrice Ryan, all having played the MUST BE POSTMARKED BY APRIL 20, 1973 Eastman's big Austin, which was re moved during the recent renovation. ~ and the Wurlitzer theatre instrument. $4500 for expenses of hall rental , Those attending the July convention Bert Buhrman, the resident organist, orchestra, stage hands, and ushers. It in Portland will not have the op says: ''It was a revelation to see the was something which Annibale had portunity to hear the Photoplayer in reaction to the Wurlitzer. A church desired for a long time, though realizing the bar of the Hoyt Hotel. The hotel organist who is also conductor of the the financial risk. However, 2,400 was closed a few months ago due to Jefferson City Symphony, loves the showed up at $4.00 a ticket, which lack of business. An auction was theatre organ sound. I have never had meant a neat profit for the organist scheduled and among the effects were a nicer letter of appreciation following promoters. The music played was 150 oil paintings; antique furniture; the visit. Kansas City and Oklahoma popular, and popular versions of sym 85 Tiffany lampshades and a movie chapters of ATOS have written for phonic numbers. Two standing ovations locomotive, the "Hooterville Cannon visiting dates following our return resulted. They attributed the success of ball." from Europe, and there have been the venture to advance publicity by numerous calls and visits from in the local media . dividuals. " When Martha Mitchell served as a Incidentally, the school's Wurlitzer gadfly in Washington and made all may boast the only steam locomotive RTOS, competing with the Ice Fol those nocturnal telephone calls, did whistle in a pipe organ instalation in lies and "Kiss Me, Kate", drew 1,000 you know that she was taking music the country. It is the Terrell whistle, to the Auditorium Theatre on De lessons from one of the theatre organ named after R. G. Terrell, a 40-year cember 5. Featured were Dean Robin concert circuit's glamorous members? employee of the Southern Pacific Rail son and Doc Bebko. The farmer rode Yes, the wife of the former U.S. road, who established a maintenance up the 4-deck console dressed as Santa Attorney General was a student of fund for the whistle. It should furnish and played Christmas music for 15 Rosa Rio, and the "Queen of the colorful accents for such tunes as minutes, with a 35-colored light sim - Soaps" sent Martha the printed pro "The Wreck of the Old 97" and"Casey ulated Christmas Tree on the contour gram of her RTOS concert of last Jones." curtain in the background. The tree October. ~ was the creation of Don Hall, who Blind organist Carlo Annibale, in has produced these spectacles for the duet with fellow organist Dorothy four December programs. The audience The School of the Ozarks at Point Grainy, performed on two electronics loved it and rewarded Don with a Lookout, Missouri, has become a big in concert with the Buffalo Phil burst of applause. visitor drawing card through the three harmonic Orchestra last November 27 Following Dean's remaining part pipe organs installed there. In Septem in Buffalo's Kleinhans Music Hall. This of the program, Doc Bebko accompa ber, the Central Missouri A GO saw was a novel undertaking; the organists nied Harry Langdon 's comedy, "The the Skinner, the Wicks practice organ were their own "angels," putting up Strong Man". FEBRUARY, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 41 ~ From the Bay Area of California, both organist Warren Lubichand Doric Composer and former theatre or Records' Prexy Frank Killinger give ganist, Anson Jacobs, a recent ATOS similar reasons for the paucity of joinee from Franklin, Pa., likes THE public pipe organ concerts in San ATRE ORGAN . "I read and re-read Francisco and environs: too many all contents and do enjoy it so much! places where one can mainline pipe The magazine sure covers many places, music for the price of a beer or a things and people with whom I was pizza. With pipe installations in bars, familiar in the 'golden era'. It is good restaurants and pizzerias in nearby to read about all this after so many San Raphael, Redwood City, Santa years have passed, because I was a Clara, Campbell, Los Altos, Hayward, small part of it." Martinez, Fremont, Vallejo and San ~ Francisco proper , it's difficult to at tract audiences to pay concerts - un less it's something exceptional and offbeat. Such a show was Gaylord Carter's 1972 Halloween presentation of The Phantom of the Opera which bagged more than one thousand paying Bl LL THOMSON among varied treasures. customers. Pupil Julia Jackson offers congratulations after the Power residence concert. (Stufoto) Remember our account of the Lyn Larsen/Bill Thomson concert on the Bob Power very special "style 260" Rodgers organ a few issues back? At that time we predicted a repeat per formance due to the high degree of in terest generated, and invited those who would be interested in travelling to the Power Camarillo, Calif., home for a JOHN BECK at his 2/7 Wurlitzer - 'Good future audition of the greatest theatre night - sweetheart'. electronic to send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to a P.O. box address In Dallas, Texas, ATOS chapter FRANK WOODE practicing for his ATOS for the date. Enough did to merit a re chairman John Beck said a fond adieu stint at the San Gabriel auditorium. peat of the arrangement and Lyn and to his 2/7 Wurlitzer, the instrument (Bob Hill Photo) Bill, playing on separate weekend days for which he had built a vaulted roof Remember Frank Woode? He's the (afternoon and evening concerts), en church-like structure of generous di projectionist-organist who was largely joyed an enthusiastic turnout for their mensions in his backyard. It had been responsible for focussing organ en recent "twin bill." a fine organ but it was time to be rid of it, so John sa,t down and ployed thusiasts' attention on the South ~ Pasadena Rialto Theatre's 2/ 10 Wur himself a concert of farewell tunes - From L.C. Merrifield of Wellsville, litzer after John Curry had rescued it "Goodbye Forever", "We Just Couldn't N. Y. came the October issue of GOOD from a dozen soakings in the '50s and Say Goodbye", "Farewell Blues". "So OLD DAYS magazine which ran an early '60s (we recall one 1959 story Long, Oolong" and "Who Put the excellent feature on the theatre organ, headlined "Wurlitzer Wetted, Warped, Overalls in Mrs. Murphy 's Chowder!" written by a Harry Wilkinson. Ob Wrunied, Wrescued, Wrehabilitated! ''). (that last one, although not fitting viously a resident of the Boston area Frank Woode was the first to play a for the occasion, is a favorite of during the golden days, Mr. Wilkinson public concert on the instrument. It John's). Why would an airline pilot emphasized the organists who played was a well-attended show MC'd by the with everything going for him give the theatres in the bean-town area: Rialto 's manager, Don Boxwell, and it up a fine little instrument, one he had Al Forest, Lloyd Del Castillo, Roy proved a forerunner of later concerts taken great pains to install so neatly Frazee, John Kiley ( still going strong by Bill Thomson, Gaylord Carter, Lyn that it would be sure to rate the at 59 ), Arthur Martel, Francis Cronin Larsen and George Wright. Of course, legendary Walton-Bethards seal of ap and Frank Simpson. Eight excellent fire ended the Wurlitzer's career (what proval should that team ever drop in photos illustrated the article including was left was sold for parts) but Frank for a look-see? John had a very good one of Esther Higgins, still active as Woode is still projecting in the area, reason; the little 2/7was being displaced a teacher and concert artist. There was currently at the Fox Theatre in Covina. so it could be replaced by the 3/15 mention of New York organists Jesse He's still playing, too. He did a cameo Wurlitzer from the El Paso Plaza The Crawford, Lew White, Dr. C.A.J. Par spot during a recent LA chapter event atre which he had bid for successfully. mentier, Ann Leaf, Dick Leibert and in the San Gabriel civic auditorium. He sold the 2/7 to an enthusiast in the Don Baker. A plug for ATOS was also Dallas area and as soon as it had been re ~ given. moved the process of redesigning the 42 THEATRE ORGAN FEBRUARY, 1973 chambers for the 3/ 15 was started. This included a plan also for a 3rd chamber way up near the arched ceiling to ac commodate the 3/ 15's percussions. In rebuilding the chambers John used the experience gained during the 2/7's sojourn. He had learned that wallboard makes poor reflective surfaces in a chamber so he settled for hard plaster this time, after lining the walls with eHAPTERNOTE~ sturdy metal screening on which to hang the plaster. Work is progressing under the watchful eye of veteran or gan builder Weldon Flanagan, whose experience includes re-installing the BEEHIVE into the spotlight at the Cedar Rapids Dallas Paramount 4/20 Wurlitzer in (Iowa) Paramount and greeted another On November 26, 1972 , Beehive his own suburban home. capacity audience of over 2,000. Ray Chapter members were treated to a knew that the crowd had come to see very special meeting at the newly and ~ear Lee Erwin, so he quickly decorated and beautifully refurbished Hall of Farner Fred Feibel is now a explained what ATOS is all about and Organ Loft. Surrounding the 5 manual member of the Senior Musician's As then introduced Lee. console are many yards of red velvet; sociation. He has been a member of For the next 2½ hours Lee Erwin the walls have been covered with red New York local 802 since 1928. Writing again displayed his great talents to velvet wallpaper, from the ceiling hang from his home in Vero Beach Florida Cedar Rapids and the Paramount's huge crystal chandeliers . Red and black Mr._ Feibel says: "I now thi~k of m; mighty Wurlitzer. carpet adorns the floor and a wooden active career as a marvelous fulfillment There was eighty minutes of Buster dance floor replaces the old tile floor. of my innate desire to create music. Keaton 's The General with Mr. Erwin's The organ never sounded better. It It has been my great pleasure to be accompaniment vibrant with sounds had been tuned and re-voiced . Lyn the choir director and organist for characteristic of theatre organ. Like Larsen, recorded on this beautiful the First Presbyterian Church of Vero the best of the film scores of the organ last fall, and his new album Beach for the past 10 years. And it is vanishing symphonic era, Lee kept "Lyn Larsen At The Organ Loft "'. a privilege to pass one's later years in sound effects minimal. Because he is was released in December. such a happy and rewarding way." good and silent films are the remark After the meeting, members were This organization is the one to which ab_le medium that they are, nobody invited to play on this magnificent Don Baker, another Hall of Farner missed the lack of dialogue. join~d two years ago, and now proudl; Wurlitzer. This was Lee's second appearance, Christmas decorating had begun on carnes a Golden Card, symbolic of and again he kept the capacity crowd the building and I think everyone his 50 years as a professional musician. thrilled with his great organ melodies went away with a little bit of the Doc Bebko will get his card in 1975. and outstanding movie accompaniment. Christmas spirit starting to show. Thanks Lee, and a special thank you ~ New officers for the chapter were to the Kyle Mills who were hosts to elected: Walter Schofield, President ; Anson Jacobs informs us that George Lee while he was here. Shaw of Franklin, Pa. has purchased Clarence Briggs, Vice President and Pat Marshall, our secretary, wrote for $200 the 3/9 Wurlitzer which was Maxine V. Russell , Secretary-Treasurer. "These shows don't just happen by installed in 1928 in the Latonia The MAXINE V. RUSSELL themselves. They are the result of a atre in Oil City, Pa. There were some lot of hard work by many people, in pipes missing and the organ needed CEDAR RAPIDS cluding membership and mail order re-leathering. The instrument is now On November 9, 1972 at 8 p.m ., ticket sales, record sales, taking tickets, being installed and renovated in the Ray Snitil, our vice chairman stepped ushering, watching doors, handing out Big Red Barn on Route No. 322, where it is planned to show silent movies with Anson Jacobs at the console. The organ won't be entirely unfamiliar to Anson; he played it for REMEMBER a special program in 1935. Anson also tells us that there is a COPYDEADLINE ~-manual Robert Morton quietly sitting 'te m a 730-seat theatre in Meadville, Pa. FOR THEATRE ORGAN MAGAZINE More on this instrument later, in the All material to be published must be received at form of an old picture of the organ P.O. Box 1314, Salinas, Calif. 93901 being played. Anson has checked out by the FIRST of the month PRECEDING publication. Titusville, Pa.; no organs there. So, the above two instruments are the Copy for April issuemust be in by March1st. only ones remaining in his area. □ FEBRUARY, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 43 programs and the many other duties at the Legion Town Club. This was showed how much talent really ex that must be performed to make a combined with the annual meeting at ists in our membership. Through the smooth running show. We greatly ap which Ray Snitil was elected chairman, skilled finger dexterity of staff organ preciate every effort made by the Craig Stratemeyer vice chairman, Bob ists Charlie Balogh and Glenn Hough, members to make our sixth show Beck treasurer, and Pat Marshall sec the Kimball proved that the king of another milestone in CRATOS history." retary. Also elected were board mem instruments does indeed reign in the Down the pike about 85 miles from bers George Baldwin, Kyle Mills, and Brookline Theatre in suburban Phil Cedar Rapids, Bob Beck, Howard John Dyson. adelphia. The many others who took Adams, and Brad Starcevich have been We think we have a great group of the superbly maintained instrument busy restoring the 3/ 10 Wicks pipe members at CRATOS as you can see through its paces also showed off its organ at the Capitol Theatre in Daven by our busy schedule of activities. Wurlitzer-like Tibias and five luscious port(Iowa)with the help of a donation BYRON F. OLSEN ranks of Kimball strings. of bass pipes by Howard Burton. After One of the outside events enjoyed his Cedar Rapids show, Lee Erwin DELAWAREVALLEY by several chapter members was a stopped by and tried it out. Lee said benefit performance by Leroy Lewis he was very pleased with the work Now that it's February, the North on an Allen digital computer organ and felt that there should be no east prepares itself for more snow and with several theatre "ranks" rigged up problem in putting on a show at the braces itself against sub-freezing tem to it. Included in the program were sev Capitol in the Spring of 1973. peratures. But perhaps it's a warm eral selections by the Cedar Crest Col In June of 1972, Ron Rhode, a thought to reminisce on the events of lege (Allentown, Pa.) girls choir. (Reve music major at St. Ambrose College in our chapter in late October and into nues from this performance helped off Davenport, played for our chapter at December. set expenses for the girls to travel to the the Iowa Theatre in Cedar Rapids. The "meeting of the minds" in late British Isles to sing in various churches Ron played a beau ti fully restored 3 / 14 October (a concert with silent comedy and schools.) Leroy explored many of Barton and gave an excellent concert. at the Lansdowne Theatre by this the potentials of this huge instrument, The restoration work on this organ reporter) made a hit with ATOS'ers and his sense of humor kept his has been handled by Howard Lane, and AGO'ers alike. The 3/8 Kimball, audience in laughter throughout the Ron Rhode and their crew. well maintained by now-New Yorker evening. On Sunday, September 10, our Bill Greenwood and DVTOS member Also, two informal opening con guest organist at the Cedar Rapids Bill Splane, gave forth with the trem certs were in store for residents and Paramount Wurlitzer was Walter ulated as well as straight sounds that TO fans in Pennsylvania Dutch country Strojny, Jr. For those who may not everyone associates with the "little in picturesque Marietta (Pa.) when remember Walter, it was he who shared monster." David Kalmbach opened his now-being the program at the giant Barton in the Thanksgiving weekend, Larry Fer restored movie house ( oldest on the Chicago Stadium during the 1969 rari played a program for us, with East Coast, built in 1908) and its ATOS National Convention. revenues going toward the installation so-far-3/ 15 Page to the public with an October brought us another en of the club's Moller, in the auditorium informal concert by John Muri, while joyable Sunday morning program at the of the Philadelphia State Hospital at this reporter played a Christmas pro Iowa Theatre's Barton with Jim Craw Byberry, the anticipated future horn e gram on it about two weeks later. The ford from Des Moines at the console. for the instrument that once graced official opening, when Dave expects to Jim was locked in the theatre in the the Sedgwick Theatre in the German have both the former Tivoli (Chicago) early morning hours whilepracticing. town section of Philadelphia. As al Wurlitzer and his Page (from the Our Perhaps this gave him more time for ways, Larry played his heart out on the Theatre in Grand Rapids, Mich.) play preparation as his performance the Conn; and his enthusiasm, especially ing in its complete 28 ranks, is set for next day was great. in his tribute to Christmas, pervaded February 9 and 10 with John Muri at CRATOS member Carma Lou Cox the audience. the console. He will accompany The played for us on Sunday, November 5, Our December open console meeting Hunchback of Notre Dame. The winter may be cold and gray (or white, even!), but we hope the cold wet white stuff doesn't make driving hazardous to keep you from f T/JeIncof!Jparable Jrtistrf attending many of the organ events that will be scheduled before the grand thaw. ofDarid List at t/Je Orpn '' SHIRLEY HANNUM STEREO L. P. FEATURING DAVID LIST AT THE HAMMOND X-66 EASTERNMASSACHUSETTS GUEST ARTIST - FLIP PHILLIPS On Saturday November 18, 1972 Somewhere My Love • 12th Street Rag • Edelweiss Granada • Bubbles in the Wine we featured Lowell Ayars at the Stone and others ham Town Hall 2/ 14 Wurlitzer. He played a varied program of favorites $5.50 Postpaid JOHN CHAPMAN Mail orders to - No C.O.D.'s - 243 North Main Street, Mansfield, Mass. 02048 including a medley from the 1926 musical Queen High. The audience 44 THEATRE ORGAN FEBRUARY, 1973 was quickly overwhelmed by his great 4 ranks played, it was enough to baritone singing during certain num spark that enthusiasm which was al bers. He had taken great time to find most lost in our chapter. With these out what was in the chambers because results, EMCATOS is really "moving" console markers are meaningless on again, and we're out of our rut now. this rare organ. The Stoneham organ The Oriental Mattapan Wurlitzer 3/ 14, has no pedal traps, but you'd never sister to Boston Paramount 3/ 14, is know it while Lowell played. He also now owned by Art Goggin. This con did a rousing accompaniment to the sole has the rare chinese treatment silent film Paste & Paper. The Stone and really looks oriental. Thus another ham organ will continue to play a organ finds a home. great role in chapter activities, even Our December meeting found us at with the Babson College coming into Mr. Pat Fucci's home in Waltham, play. The 17 years of association with Mass. A Christmas party was held the Town Hall will always remain a amidst the dominating presence of the tribute to the foresight of the Patch 4/20 Robert Morton formerly in Loews family and a living memento of the State, Providence, R.I. This organ has late Francis J. Cronin, who played it the distinction of being the second Ann at the Wiltern - (Stufoto) on WNAC,Boston. largest theatre organ in New England On Saturday, December 2, 1972, by original specifications and is cur eluded her concert with two of her Larry Ferrari played a Christmas "Gift" rently the largest home installation in own compositions, the swingin' Samba concert at the First Baptist Church in Massachusetts. Mr. Fucci doesn't play "Rio Coco" and then, as she disappear Somerville, Mass., on a beautiful 3/ 10 a single note. He just wanted the club ed into the pit, the strains of "In style H Wurlitzer. This organ came to have an organ to play and hear and Time", the theme music from her from the Olympia Theatre in Water enjoy. ATOS can be proud of people days on CBS radio when she put the town, N.Y. and was installed in a with this kind of devotion to our network to bed. It is always a privilege church in Quincy, Mass. EMCATOS cause. Several members gave the group and a great pleasure to enjoy the member John Phipps and brother holiday tunes, each in his own style. superb artistry and musicianship of Donald obtained the instrument and Bob Legon spent a week tuning, and Ann Leaf as she performs at the installed it in its present location. to his surprise ended up being M.C. magnificent 4/37 Kimball organ in Larry's great style and charm soon He presented a tape recording of the the Wiltern Theatre. had everyone purring. Larry's new last sounds of the 3/9 Kilgen at the In the afternoon following the Ann recording on the Detroit Theater Or late Embassy Theatre in Waltham, Leaf concert there was a jam session gan Club's 4/34 Wurlitzer was eagerly along with a 2 part film found in the at the Elks Building in Los Angeles purchased by many. It was great to rubble of the theatre by film en where members of the chapter main- have him back home again. thusiast Charley Clark. Although not Our November, 1972 meeting was a chapter member, Charlie frequently held at Babson College, Wellesley, supplies the films which Bob ac Mass. After the business meeting came companies at club meetings. It was the moment of truth. Member Arthur a fitting tribute to the Embassy which Goggin (Captain Midnight, as we call the club didn't get a chance to hear in him) chief crew head of our chapter its original home. organ, turned on the wind and out of tune, throat-clearing, yet beautiful music came from OUR organ at last. LOS ANGELES While perhaps not in concert shape, The final ATOS concert of 1972 nevertheless MUSIC. Although only • at the Wiltern Theatre was presented by Ann Leaf on Sunday morning November 19th. More than 400 mem Donna Parker - (Bob Hill Photo) bers and guests attended and were rewarded with a wide variety of music plus a very funny silent film. Mozart, Strauss, Borodin, Paganini, and Bizet were all heard from as well as Cole Porter, Michel Le Grand and numerous Sendyour changeof other modern composers. A highlight of the program was the C Sharp Minor addressto ... Waltz by Chopin played in the original version plus a modern version and a VI THOMPSON rock version. The film was a hilarious THEATRE ORGAN P.O. BOX 1314 comedy entitled Love 'em and Weep SALINAS, CALIFORNIA 93901 featuring Stan Laurel (before he team ed up with Oliver Hardy), Jimmie Finlayson and Mae Busch. Ann con- Ken Kukuk - (Stufoto) FEBRUARY, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 45 where Walter Freed and Walt Liebscher bert, Romberg and Gershwin. A high played a few selections on a Hammond light was John's accompaniment to organ. The 3/ 12 Wurlitzer installed in The Iron Horse, a two-reel comedy the church is a theatre instrument and about an ancient train and it's troubles was installed by Ross Farmer with getting to where-ever-it-was it was very little altering from its theatre going. days. More than 180 members and Chapter member Lee Hohner was guests attended the meeting to round featured artist at the 2/5 Wurlitzer at out another good year of ATOS ac the Punch & Judy Theatre for our tivities. chapter Christmas Party on Sunday The Board of Directors of the Los morning, December 17. Lee's program Angeles Chapter voted an Honorary was set around a Winter-Christmas Membership for 1973 to Stu Green, theme and included a number of slides ATOS National's "Man of the Year." of snowy landscapes and Yuletide SAM DICKERSON decorations. The program was an ex MOTOR CITY cellent one and well attended. Many had forgotten just how beautiful this Gaylord Carter came to town again 1930 movie house and organ really on November 13 and 14 to present are. his fifth "Flicker-Fingers"show for the Motor City membership now stands Motor City Chapter. Pipe organ and at 350, and interest in chapter ac Ross Farmer - (Stufoto) silent film fans crowded Detroit's Red tivities continues to grow. ford Theatre to hear Gaylord, now DON LOCKWOOD tain the 4/58 Robert Morton. Fernand celebrating 50 years in show business, Martel and Bob Hill presided over the at the 3/10 Barton, accompanying session while a number of the members Mary Pickford's Rebecca of Sunny NEW YORK took advantage of the opportunity to brook Farm. play a really BIG pipe organ. A busload of 50 members of the October 22 was a long but de On December 3rd the chapter held St. Clair Yacht Club were delighted lightful day for members and friends its annual meeting and election of to find that Gaylord's Tuesday evening of the New York Theatre Organ So officers at the West Culver City Baptist program at the Redford was the final ciety. The scene was Bound Brook in Church. Jack Shemick conducted the destination of their "Mystery Trip". New Jersey's rural-suburban Somer installation of the new officers for So enthusiastic was the response to set county. 1973. The 1972 Chairman Chick Land Gaylord's program, that even the the It began at 9:45 a.m. at the Brook Theatre, home of New Jersey's smallest er moved to Liaison Chairman and the atre ushers asked for their names to be active theatre organ, a Style B 2/4 new officers for 1973 are: Chairman, placed on our mailing list for future Wurlitzer, Opus 1519. Open console led Sam Dickerson; Vice Chairman, Ray concerts. Bonner; Secretary, Bob Meeker; Trea Motor City Chapter members were off the program and prospective the surer, John Schellkopf; and Program the guests of the Michigan Railroad atre organists, from elementary school Director, Deke Warner. The artists for Club, who presented John Muri in age to retirees (and many ages in be the afternoon included John Ferguson, concert at the Detroit Theater Organ tween) tried their hand. Ken Kukuk, Donna Parker, Bob St. Club on December 5. John's program The Brook was opened in 1928 by John, and Bob Mitchell. Refreshments consisted of a salute to the "Big were served in the church social hall Four" of music, namely, Friml, Her- Two of the Trio - Along with Chris Lytle, a student at Middlesex (N.J.) County Col lege, Dave Michaels (left) and Don Conover (right) are house organists for the Brook Los Angeles Chapter officers for 1973 are sworn in by former Chapter Chairman Jack Shemick Theatre. All three presented "Mini-Con (not shown). Left to right : Chick Lander ( Liaison Chairman), Deke Warner (Program Director), certs" to climax the NYTOS session with Ray Bonner (Vice Chairman), Sam Dickerson (Chairman), John Schellkopf (Treasurer) and the 4-rank Wurlitzer. Bob Meeker (Secretary). - (Chuck Zimmerman Photo) (Dave Lukowicz Photo) 46 THEATRE ORGAN FEBRUARY, 1973 the late Alexander Morecraft whose urbian's 3/ 17 Wurlitzer, were hoping family still operates it. The little in for 230 volts so that the blower could strument was restored in 1963 and be turned on. ever since then has been played each Concerned that the power company Saturday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. crew might not understand the mag During the mid-morning break, Dr. nitude of this crisis confronting his Herbert Cooley, a former NYTOS organ-loving patrons, Suburbian host director who produced the entire day's Jim Provissiero braved the storm him program, told of the theatre's history self to implore the crew to also re and of the little Wurlitzer's restoration store the higher voltage service that (in which he had quite a hand). evening - at least to his restaurant. Next came a series of three "mini He must have been convincing be concerts" on the Wurlitzer featuring Console Front and Center - Moved to the cause, within the hour, the higher center of the sanctuary so the audience voltage service did flow into his lines. the three current Brook Theatre house could watch his playing, the 3/38 Austin organists - Donald Conover, Dave gave forth a wide variety of "pop" tunes The blower was then quickly turned Michaels and Christopher Lytle. Each under the skill of Carl Weiss. His smile on to everyone's relief - and delight. here reflects those of his audience of The crew, released at that point of their programs was well received parishioners and NYTOS members. and, at the close of the morning's (Dave Lukowicz Photo) from further storm repair duty, ven program, the audience gave rounds of tured into the Suburbian to see what applause for each of the artists, for At intermission, a freewill offering could possibly have occasioned the Morecraft family and for Dr. plate was passed and the audience Provissiero's unusual plea. Cooley. was asked to place the title of their The next program was in Bound favorite tune on a white card and add Brook's Presbyterian Church. On this to the collection. "center stage" of the sanctuary was the The next portion of Carl's program, church's magnificent 3/38 Austin, Opus obviously, was unrehearsed. He simply 2462 installed in 1967. picked selections from the request The audience, comprised of the cards and, after an instant to conceive atre organ society members and church an arrangement and registration, he parishioners in nearly equal measure, took on request after request. was noteable for the number of young To top off his program, Carl staged High-Powered Meeting Rescuers - Jersey people with expectant grins on their a sing-along - minus the customary Central Power and Light Company line song-slides with Dr. Cooley at the repair crewmen (left to right), Robert Green, faces - "popular music right here in Ray Bailey and James Bryan, learn from church"! pulpit to help lead the "congregation" organist Frank Cimmino what a theatre in the singing. organ is all about. They successfully battled At 4 p.m. the church's organist, a severe storm and restored power so New Lee W. Malone, introduced the guest This concert was part of a series York chapter members could enjoy music artist, Carl Weiss of Seaford, Long of Sunday afternoon organ programs of the Wanaque (New Jersey) Suburbian which the church is sponsoring. Organ Restaurant's 3/17 Wurlitzer. Island. (Frank A. Kopp, Sr., Photo) Carl proved to be thoroughly at ist Lee Malone indicated that Carl's home with the Austin for his "After pioneering pops concert had drawn by Chapter Chairman Art Cox, fully noon at the Pops." A church organist far the largest "house" to date. aware of how they had "saved" the himself, he is also a theatre organ This lends proof to what ATOS evening, brought the trio right up to concert artist with past presentations members have been saying for years - the console where they first received at Loew's Jersey, in Jersey City, "the organ is a great entertainment a standing ovation from the chapter Loew's Kings and Loew's Pitkin, in instrument!" members. Then, House Organist Frank Brooklyn, as well as the RKO Madison When a violent, early-evening De Cimmino gave them a quick demon in Queens, N.Y. cember storm damaged nearby high stration of the sparkling Wurlitzer's Carl's ease at the console stemmed voltage lines of the Jersey Central musical capabilities. also from the fact that he is an organ Power and Light Company, New York Two of the trio had never heard a builder with a current contract for a chapter members faced the dismal theatre pipe organ before. They were three manual, 80-rank instrument in prospect of a "silent" organ meeting literally astounded over what their New York's Marble Collegiate church at the Suburbian Restaurant in power had wrought. Said one of them and a large instrument for a church in Wanaque, New Jersey. to Frank, "You mean all of those Lynbrook, Long Island. But his close A line repair crew was dispatched pipes and things operate by relays and familiarity with the Bound Brook to the scene to temporarily patch in magnets from that keyboard? Incred Church's 3/38 Austin came mostly 115-volt service to relieve darkened ible!" from the fact that he was part of the homes in the area. Battling high winds Before they departed, Frank played crew that installed it in 1967. and rain as well as a tree fire set off by just for them a high varied "mini The Austin lacks a toy counter, a damaged transformer, the crew fi miniconcert". He left no doubt in so he utilized instead a Baldwin nally managed to restore power for their minds that their special effort electronic rhythm unit with controls lighting. But nearly 150 chapter mem was for the worthiest of causes. placed beside him on the organ bench. bers, assembled in the restaurant for a And the chapter members, of course , This setup enabled him to break into membership dinner meeting and open agreed - 110 per cent! several numbers with a latin beat. console program featuring the Sub- Pedals (AGO) among the pedals FEBRUARY, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 47 brought her a round of applause. When she was done, she asked the program moderator if her six-year-old sister Melissa could also try the Morton. The answer, of course, was "Yes!" And Melissa's performance brought forth another round of applause from the 70 or more members and guests. Everyone left feeling indebted to the Mahns, and to all the performers, young and old, for a delightful after noon! ARTHUR M. COX, JR. "The following was also submitted Pedaler - New York chapter Director Roy Sharp tests out Mahns bike shop Robert Morton for NYTOS by Herb Frank. " 8-rank Foto-player. Behind the unusual console, portions of the shop's unusual collection of early hand tools decorate the outside wall of the chamber. And behind the music rack is a unique, hand-carved three-manual, one-rank organ trophy. - (Herb Frank Photo) October 15 marked Lyn Larsen's first appearance in New York City. (ABI) was the unusual setting for New Robert Mahns, grandson of the bike Long Island University's mighty fine York chapter's first official session shop's founder, demonstrated the in sounding 4/26 Wurlitzer, still on its with a two-manual Robert Morton strument's capabilities and then dash original lift in what used to be the Model 49-D Poto-player located in ed off to play for a program in a near ultra-fancy Brooklyn Paramount, had Mahns Brothers Bicycle Shop in Eaton by chapel, one of several in the Mon been worked over to perfection by town, New Jersey, late last fall. mouth county area he serves as organ New York chapter's restoration and The unusual instrument, augmented ist. At that point, his father, Walter maintenance crew under the anxious now to eight ranks and heading for Mahns, Jr., took over as the family's but capable hands of Chief Bob Walker twelve, is housed in the unusual setting official host. and his "right arm", Jim Leaffe. Final of the Northeast's largest retail-only A dozen chapter members tried tuning was under the direction of bicycle shop. Hundreds of pedals their hand at the Morton which the professional organ builder Mel Robin (American Bicycle Institute variety) Mahns family rescued from Loew's son. were wheeled into temporary storage Victoria in New York City where it Lyn's audience, consisting of chapter so that chapter members and guests was first installed in 1927. The session members plus students and faculty could congregate about the unusual may have set a chapter record for the of the university, entered the famed console and the combination of pit age span of the musicians. While youth marble-lined lobby from the old and organ swell boxes and a specially predominated, there were several per still gleaming box office entrance on built chamber, (For detailed de formers of grandparenthood status. Flatbush Avenue. Although the audi scription of this unique instrument, But the players list was capped off by ence was not large, they listened with see THEATRE ORGAN issue of Oc the appearance of eight-year-old rapt attention to Lyn's distinctive tober 1969. Even the august New Margaret Monguzzi of North Cald stylings and to his thoughtful prefaces York Times had a feature story on it well, N.J., whose level of musical to each number. in October 1972!). achievement surprised everyone and Lyn paid tribute to the artistry of fellow organist Ashley Miller ( who was unable to attend because of an engagement at Madison Square Gar den). Lyn declared that Ashley's re corded interpretation of Chopin's "Fantasie Impromptu" had motivated him towards a career in organ music; and that Ashley's rendition of Edward German's "Satyr Dance" was one of "sheer genius". He added, "If Ashley had a nickel for each time I have played that record of his, he would be a wealthy man". Lyn's program ranged from "straight" church music - a de-trem med and stately"Thou Art The Rock", to an Art Tatum arrangement of "Tiger Rag." He also made proper note of his Norwegian ancestry by playing two "Another encore? Let me think!" Lyn Larsen responds to a highly receptive audience during New York Chapter's program at Long Island University in Brooklyn. numbers by Edward Grieg. (Walter Hilsenbeck Photo) Lyn treated the audience to one 48 THEATRE ORGAN FEBRUARY, 1973 of his own compositions, a haunting NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ballad entitled "I Just Don't Under Chapter reporter has been so in stand" which, he explained, was written volved with the Orpheum and Para originally to accompany part of an mount projects ( which we will touch Easter service. Then came another on later) that several issues of THE treat, a Jesse Crawford arrangement of ATRE ORGAN have had no mention "Broken Rosary" which was released of our chapter - but we have been only in England in Jesse's day. busy, as you will see. When Lyn's program came to an Our first meeting in Campbell gave end, the enthusiastic audience demand us an opportunity to see the "Buddy ed encores and then crowded around Cole" organ in its new setting, and the console and flash bulbs popped. to hear Jack Gustafson put this Lyn mentioned that this carefully re beauty through its paces. With the stored Wurlitzer was one of the best instrument spread along the long wall sounding instruments he had ever play of the Cap'ns Galley, the best listening ed and hoped to be able to play it was in the center of the room, other again. New York chapter members wise one section of the organ would and guests hope so, too! dominate. Gustafson is a natural for a Pizzaria type operation, his rapport DAVE QUINLAN at Audy's Wurlitzer. NIAGARA FRONTIER with the audience is tops, and he seems to have a feel for what the younger "pure" anymore, but the addition of On Nov. 15 in North Tonawanda, generation likes to hear (the high a Morton Trumpet gives the little gem Chicago's Tony Tahlman performed an authority that it didn't have before. his second Riviera concert in as many The added unification of the Style 165 years. Tony is an avid railroad buff, over the earlier Style D makes for so the entire show centered around much more versatility. Who needs 40 a train motif. ranks! After his opening, which was a Next we met at the Orpheum in medley of rail and travel tunes, a San Francisco to hear former ATOS mini-locomotive (No. 97) engineered President Tiny James in a beautiful by Carol Piazza and Shirley Cole ap program. The 4/22 Robert-Mor peared onstage. A slight mishap oc ton really sounds great with sounds curred as they were going into the coming from all directions (high left, wings - the train's cow catcher caught high right, understage and over the the drapes causing minor damage. top balcony). Tiny's registrations were (You've heard of "The Wreck of the imaginative and tasty, and his style 97"? This was it!!) of playing is true-blue "Theatre style." Mr. Tahlman played many popular His counter-melody work is a real hits as well as a few older tunes. For pleasure to hear. After a short inter good measure he threw in a few train mission, there was "open console". movies: One was set to Rod McKuen's music and poetry. It was evident that JACK GUSTAFSON at the Redwood City Tony Tahlman 'trained' his audience Cap'ns Galley 4/18 Wurlitzer. to enjoy his style of playing. Frank Olsen helped us celebrate school crowd is always there when we Christmas at the Riviera on Dec. 13 have visited at regular hours). For when he presented a concert on the our members, Jack went all out to 3/12 Wurlitzer. Santa (Al Sliwinski) play the types of music us older ones Claus, in his bright shiny sleigh, and prefer to hear, and he did a great job 2 of his elves (Karen McDonald and on the 3/26 Wurlitzer-Morton. Shirley Cole) were also there to wish Then it was time for our annual the full-house audience "happy trek to Vallejo to hear Dave Quin holidays." lan at Rudy's Supper Club playing Mr. Olsen, of Ontario, Canada, had the Style 165 Wurlitzer (2/6). Since a repertoire composed of many seasonal we first heard Dave at Seattle's Lyon's TINY JAMES and the Orpheum Robert melodies and favorite children's tunes. Music Hall in the 1930s we have Morton (about 1965). Novelty pieces and Christmas carols heard none to top him for playing were played as they might sound dance music. He's the USAs answer Then to the Avenue Theatre in San around the world. to Reginald Dixon! While the members Francisco for an evening of music and This joyful concert which Frank and guests enjoyed a sumptuous lunch, comedy sponsored jointly by the chap played for us undoubtedly put one Dave kept every toe tapping. A special ter and the Avenue Photoplay So and all into the holiday mood. The treat was hearing him in a subtler ciety. Chapter Chairman Warren audience loved him. mood doing some of the great Craw Lublich started things going with a SHIRLEY COLE ford tunes. The little Wurlitzer isn't Christmas oriented program on the FEBRUARY, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 49 cepted the donation of a 4/20 Wur litzer from Jack Nethercutt of San Sylmar fame. It's not a complete organ, but will be the starting point for another great installation in an aco us tically excellent setting. This organ started life at the Capitol Theatre in Detroit. Meanwhile, the organ that started in the Oakland Paramount is singing daily in the Melody lnn in Los Altos. Three new projects are underway in Northern California: a 4 manual Wur litzer is being installed in a Sacramento eatery (Sierra Chapter members are in volved, naturally); a brand new organ designed by the WICKSOrgan Com pany is being readied in the Monterey HAL SHUTZ at the "old money maker." area ( the first organ to be built es Chapter Chairman WARREN LUBICH, at pecially for a Pizza Parlor); and a 3 the Pizza Pub Robert-Morton. Then, for a Halloween Special, it manual Wurlitzer for the fourth Cap'ns was the inimitable Gaylord Carter Galley in San Bruno. This brings to at the Orpheum 4/22 Robert 19 the number of theatre organs Morton and Lon Chaney in the classic playing in public places in Northern movie Phantom Of The Opera. A California. "Who Could Ask For Any Monday night crowd of 1000 en thing More?" thusiasts made this a great success for DEWEY CAGLE the newly restored organ. Gaylord is always great - what more can we say? The Orpheum project is written up OREGON in detail in another article. So we'll only say thanks to Ron Downer November 19 found the Oregon and his crew of ATOS members for a Chapter gathered at the residence of great job in making this instrument Bob and Laura Burke in Portland for sound like brand new . our November meeting and concert. Chairman Jonas Nordwall called the meeting to order. The main item on the agenda was the election of officers for 1973. Our new chairman is Dennis Hedberg; Vice Chairman, Bill Peter BOB VAUGHN at the Avenue's Wurlitzer. son; Secretary-Treasurer , Arlene In gram; and members-at-large, Jonas 3/14 Wurlitzer followed by silent Nordwall, Gerald Duffy, Robert Burke, comedies with accompanist Bob and Dr. Gordon Potter. Vaughn, a master at picutre playing. After the brief meeting came Laurel and Hardy were selling Christmas trees again in their classic Big Business. After seeing this great spoof a good 40 times, your reporter still "broke up" at the pair's fantastic antics. Sandwiched between the chapter Gaylord "Flicker-Fingers" Carter at the meetings were some truly outstanding Fox in 1962. - (Wainwright Photo) organ events. Hal Shutz came back to pipes after too long an absence Just getting underway is a project when he appeared in concert at the to reinstall a Mighty Wurlitzer in the Avenue's 3/14 Wurlitzer. It was really Oakland Paramount Theatre. This 3500 a virtuoso performance in Shu tz seat, 1931 house, which originally orchestral style. Your reporter first housed a 4/20 Wurlitzer Publix No. 1, heard Hal in 1942 playing the Wurlitzer has been purchased by the Oakland in the Treasure Island Theatre in San Symphony Association. The house will Francisco Bay when we were both in be completely refurbished and should the Navy. Since that time, Shutz has become an outstanding show business Rex Koury puts Bob Burke's 3/11 Wur concentrated on teaching and playing center for the East Bay Area. The litzer through a workout. on the electronics. Do it again, Hal! Symphony Association has already ac- (Photo courtesy Claude Neuffer) 50 THEATRE ORGAN FEBRUARY, 1973 troduced our artist of the day, Loretta Muralt Holstein. Loretta is well known in the Portland area as an electronic organist, but can she play the pipes! As a teenager Loretta was a fine organist - now "thirtyish" and a mother of three, she is even better. The organ is the 3/24 Kimball, which will be one of the convention organs in '73. The organ performed perfectly for the concert, not one cipher or trem "fit". After the concert our soloist was overwhelmed with compliments, and no one wanted to follow her per formance on "open console". Loretta finally persuaded Gerry Gregorious to play a few tunes for us. It was a delightful meeting , and a wonderful way for us to say "Merry Potomac Valley Chapter members voted Christmas" to each other. unanimously to retain the officers who had Loretta Muralt Holstein concertising on the served so well during the past convention Benson High School 3/24 Kimball. This We hope to see all of you in year: Chairman Jean Lautzenheiser is flanked instrument will be featured at the 1973 Portland this summer. by Marjorie Lane, Secretary-Treasurer and Portland convention. Jerry Cunningham, Vice Chairman. ARLENE INGRAM (Photo by Richard Neidich) the big event of the day . . . Rex is the famous Wonder Morton that Koury in concert! There is no reason POTOMACVALLEY played all the other brands out." to go into detail to say how great ATOS National President Erwin The pipes are located in two we think Rex Koury is. Those who Young was among 120 members who spacious, neatly arranged chambers and haven't heard him should make it a attended the November Potomac speak through grills in a handsome "must" as his tremendous organ style Valley Chapter meeting at Jane and crescent curved wall. The console is and his heart-warming personality Warren Thomas' home in Gaithers placed in the middle of this curved wall captivated everyone. Bob Burke's burg, Maryland. This meeting marked and the result is a basement recreation beautiful 3/ 11 Wurlitzer (plus piano) the chapter debut of the Thomas' room/organ studio that is both very came through great, as always. three manual eight rank Robert Mor functional and good-looking. Warren On December 10, Benson High ton, Opus 2486, originally installed joined the chapter in thanking his School in Portland was the setting in the Carolina Theatre, Elizabeth crew of Dick Hartley, Norm Zeigler, for the Oregon Chapter's annual Christ City, N.C. in 1928. The original con and Paul White, then stepped up to mas pot-luck dinner and concert. Din sole was found to be seriously damaged the console and favored us with a ner was served on the large stage of the and was replaced with a console from few choice selections before introduc auditorium, and was delicious! the Liberty Theatre in Zanesville, Ohio. ing the featured artist of the evening, After dinner, newly elected Chair Warren acquired the organ in 1962, Jim Smiley. Jim opened with his theme man Dennis Hedberg opened the busi began installing it in 1969, and song "When You' re Smiley( ng)", then ness meeting. Considerable discussion estimated that those who gathered to continued to charm one and all with was given to the 1973 ATOS National hear it during the '72 Convention his program of nostalgic ballads and Convention being hosted by the Oregon formed the largest audience to hear music from the 'big band' era. Jimmie Chapter. An honorary membership was it perform since 1942. During the formerly played piano with Orrin presented to Claude Neuffer, official removal, Warren's crew uncovered a Tucker's band while in college in photographer for the Oregon Chapter. note scribbled in pencil on the chamber Chicago, came to Washington in 1935 Concluding the meeting, Dennis in- wall behind the Diapason pipes: "This and became staff organist on WJSV Need that professionalwriter's touch for your ... JULY 1973 Artist's Brouchures? Convention Brochure? SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT ATOS Biographical Material? Program Notes? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 NATIONAL Chapter Prospectus? Record Jacket Notes? 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 ,~0NVENTION You send me the raw material; I supply the polished, finished product at a price you can afford. 15 16 17 _1s__ 19__ 20__ 2_1 Portland, 22 23 24 (is 26 27 28) Oregon Lloyd E. Klos 104 Long Acre Rd. 1 Rochester, N.Y. 14621 1 (716) 266-8251 ~SPECIAL "WIND-DOWN" TRIP FEBRUARY, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 51 Approximately sixty of our mem With a little old teacher so lively and bers journeyed some 125 miles to hear quick John Muri play a short program I thought for a moment it must be a at the Marietta Theatre, Marietta, Pa. trick! on December third. David Kalmbach, Jeannette played with precision as owner and manager of the theatre is Ray's students do, still in the process of installing a A treat for the ears and a visual one, Page-Wurlitzer and his ultimate goal too. is a 3/28. We were pleased to have Ray then took his place at the 3 /40 this opportunity to hear such a fine Moller organist as John Muri, and to visit (You know the one with the nice with our good friends from the Dela Artiste roller.) ware Valley Chapter. He spoke not a word but went straight PHIL LYNCH to his work. His Susan *** turn pages, with nary a jerk. 'Twas a week before Christmas and all The sun streaming in on the organ through the house * below Not a creature was stirring, not even Gave illustrious brilliance to the star of my spouse. the show. The stockings were hung by the or His fingers; His feet! Oh just see how Jim Smiley, (seated), and Warren Thomas gan with care they fly were enjoyed via closed circuit TV by those members seated on the side porch at In hopes that RAY BRUBACHER As his music floats heavenward, up to the Thomas' November meeting. soon would be there. the sky! (Photo by Richard Neidich) The children were nestled in soft seats Ray's music: perfection; His comments: of red a joy, radio which later became WTOP. He While visions of Christmas tunes We waited and watched for the "Li'l had a midnight poetry and organ pro danced in each head. Drummer Boy" gram called Clair de Lune, and at one I in my white boots and green velvet Who finally came on the heels of time had programs on all four Wash coat "Sleigh Ride" ington TV channels. A past AGO Had just settled down for the first And we loved him until the last drum Dean, Jim, a standards engineer, is Christmas note roll died. organist-choirmaster at a Maryland When what to my wondering eyes More rapid than eagles his choruses church. Our chapter is blessed with should appear came talent; Warren Thomas and Jim Smiley But a miniature lady ** so charming They whistled and tooted; he called proved it once more. and dear; each by name. AT THE N.Y. PARAMOUNT FOR FOURTEEN YEARS! ~ N2B~ II o,,•• '""' ••• A""""" {J'RGAN SUPPLY COMPANY 1018 LORENZ DRIVE e ANKENY , IOWA 50021 Theatre Organ Concerts in His Own Inimitable Style. Chests • Consoles • Solid State Tremolos Peterson Chromatic Tuners Howard Seats Personal Representative ENCORES UNLIMITED, INC. Wurlitzer Parts Custom Built Parts CONTACT MARY A . BOWLES ROBERT E. DILWORTH Send $1.00 For Catalog Rt . 2, Hopewell Road 2012 Wildwood Drive Lost lake OR Woodland Park Marlton , N.J . 08053 Wilmington , Del. 19805 "Quality Through Pride in Workmanship" Phone . 16091 983 -1535 Phone : 13021 998 -2803 "You heard him at the Convention" 3/17 WURLITZER PIPE ORGAN IK.arllColle Now Booking 1973 Concert Tours. Frank Cimmino ORGANIST Personal Representative ENCORES UNLIMITED, INC. CONTACT MARY A . BOWLES ROBERT E. DILWORTH Rt . 2, Hopewell Road 2012 Wildwood Drive OR Subt.utbirutRfAto.ultnnt Lost Lake Woodland Park Marl ton , N .J. 08053 Wilmington, Del. 19805 Phone : 16091 983 -1535 Phone: (3021 998 -2803 BelvidereAvenue I Wanaque,New Jersey1 (201) 835-3903 52 THEATRE ORGAN FEBRUARY, 1973 The flutes were so tender, the strings the film when it was found out that for the Spring was again held at Bud's - how they sang! Harvey Gustafson was not able to play. Roller Rink for a skating party. Mem The beautiful carillon chimes rang and The scene was Bud's Roller Rink in ber Alice Harden, former Wednesday rang. Moorhead, Minnesota which has the nite organist at Bud's played for the "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Joy Barton-Johnson 3/7 theatre organ. In members and guests. Those who didn't to the World" previous years there was a short con want to skate spent the evening in the "Brickbats and Shillelaghs" he picked cert and a short silent comedy with lounge area overlooking the skating up and hurled. organ background but this year the floor so they could hear the music. Then "Under the Mistletoe" for a quick chapter gambled with a fulJ length Riny Delzer's mansion in Bismarck, kiss . .. feature with no organ concert and North Dakota was the scene for the Who ever reported a concert like this? lost! second joint chapter meeting with the A tribute in music for this Christmas The attendence was the poorest Lake O'Lakes and Red River Chapters Day on record. A survey form of 31 on Sunday, Nov. 5. With no formal To all from the talented fingers of questions was mailed to each member business meeting, the chapter organ Ray. to evaluate the chapter activities and ists took turns playing jam sessions. To the top of the tree, to the top of Spring concert in hopes of improving Chuck Welch invited the members the hall future concert attendence. The mem to play his 2/9 Marr and Col ton to Now dash away, dash away, dash away bership was in agreement that Phantom continue the weekend of theatre organ all. was a poor choice because of its length music. The tour through the organ But I heard him exclaim ere he drove and non-comedy character. Mr. Ted chambers was interesting as always, out of sight Larson of the theatre and film de especially to those who had never been "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a partment of Moorhead State College in an organ chamber. Several young good night." concurred. He remarked that this area people were present with their parents JEAN LAUTZENHEISER was not ready for this type of film which was quite a surprise to many. and that we should stick to short They all were impressed with the or *George Washington National Masonic gans and huge homes with their splen Memorial, Alexandria, Virginia comedies. What about the audience ••Jeannette Heifetz reaction? Excellent! Many people stay did decor. The Red River Chapter lost ••"'Su san Fauntleroy, Ray Brubacher's ed for a short time afterward and a few members on the way when a fiancee commented on the calibre of the pro dense fog rolled into the Valley City gram. Some old timers said that they area causing some to turn back to RED RIVER had seen it three or four times when Fargo-Moorhead. Everyone seemed to The silent film The Phantom of the it was released in 1925. Having concerts be in agreement that these Bismarck Opera was the annual feature for the at the rink poses many problems. trips are well worth the distance trav Red River Chapter last March 6th. Probably the most difficult is hauling eled as they always have such a grand Chapter Chairman Lance Johnson was chairs for every organ event. time! asked by the chapter to accompany On Wed. May 10, the last meeting LANCE E. JOHNSON HOWARD A. BURTON 3045 3RD AVENUE MANUAL - PEDAL RELAYS FDR MARION, l □ WA 52302 CHURCH - THEATRE (312) 627-5541 1280 S. LLOYD, LOMBARD, I LL. 60148 PHONE [ 31 9] 377-0846 RESIDENTIAL PIPE ORGANS . - ,-··~- ' . -- • · - ( • - , :,.,,,, ' J ':'~- • lr--'.,_._-•r. . I •• \ • . cvhlcymillc, __;.·- , • '.' a.a.g.o. . ~ . .: \~~ ,, IIIJII ,,,,,, . . ·. ' theatre and classicalorgan concerts ...- :::,,.,,- ~ -,,,, ... •o ., -~ .; . representation and management: ~- -· .,. C.:, geoffrey paterson ,. 'U ·,-..-.- ~------. ' . \."II • ..... j p.o. box 2841, station D . . . . . ottawa, ontario , canada k1p 5w8 ~LEE ERWIN (613)2'35-0T/9 ' · Management. Ted Creech, 306 East 15th St. New York. NY 10003. FEBRUARY , 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 53 SIERRA new pops and the final request for The lights dimmed, the spot picked After several very rainy days the "chase music" which brought forth up the organist and the overture was weather gave us a nice break and Rex's famous musical melodrama. Who on. Moments From Great Pictures Saturday, October 21st dawned clear needs the movies? You can easily with Will Rogers gave the audi and beautiful for our annual trip "up follow the sad and tender tail - ( oops, ence a lot of good laughs and put the hill." Its about 120 miles from tale) - as Rex tells it. them in the mood for a com Sacramento to Reno, and Interstate The Beeks' studio is quite a place munity sing led by M.C. Jim Hodges, 80 being the excellent highway it is, with wall-to-wall red carpeting and who also told the audience of the the trip is easily made in two hours. the Wurlitzer console, a Hammond many great and wonderful advantages Approximately 60 members and friends Novachord, the Wurlitzer slave piano , of being a member of ATOS. were on hand in Fred and Eva Beeks' a Wurlitzer 78RPM juke box and a studio-living room when Rex and Mary player-grand piano all mounted on a Following an intermission , Emil in Koury arrived at 2 p.m. platform across one end of the room. troduced Tillie's Punctured Romance Open console found several of our starring Charlie Chaplin and Marie Very informal, in sport shirt and members taking advantage of the op Dressler. It was a good print, and with smoking his blue pipe, Rex seated portunity to play this very nice sound Emil's fine background everyone had himself at the 3/ 10 Wurlitzer and - ing organ. By five o'clock most of us a most enjoyable hour. Emil's train explaining that his hands were a bit were on our way back down the hill ing in silent movie accompanyment sore and stiff from working on the after another organistically grand after is very evident in his playing, for he house - proceeded to play beautifully. noon. doesn't miss a prat-fall or a collision. The Koury's are building a new home Sunday afternoon, November 12, He's the kind of organist who makes at "Paradise Valley" just out of Reno; the weather was again most considerate, silent movies really worth seeing. Our and one sort of shudders when think clearing up nicely in time for our thanks to Emil Martin. All too soon ing of Rex's talented hands being used silent movie. By I p.m. the audience the matinee was over and Chapter to operate power tools and do carpen had already begun to arrive at the members received the usual questions try work, but this is his hobby. Grant Union High School auditorium, - "When will you be doing this again? The very informal concert was and by showtime we had nearly a It was great!" - or "Why hasn't this like a family Sunday afternoon around full house. Emil Martin, well known been done before?" Well, you can't the old Esty parlor organ. Rex played radio and theatre personality, received win no matter how much advertising and joked, asked for requests, and a big hand as he strolled to the con you do; and speaking of advertising, played some more; and though it sole of the 4/22 Wurli-Kilgen. A silent a great big "thanks" to Carroll Harris may all have been very informal, the movie organist at several Sacramento who did a magnificent job. Just five music was as great as only Rex can theatres, Emil also presided at the days before the show, vandals broke make it. "Rhapsody in Blue", selections 2/ 12 Robert Morton in the KFBK into the projection booth, damaged from Fiddler on the Roof, old and studios. equipment, and walked off with pro- He Opened the Roxy and Radio City Music Hall! DR. C.A.J.PARMENTIER Theatre Organ Concerts Contemporary, Classical and Nostalgic Numbers Personal Representative ENCORES UNLIMITED, INC. CONTACT MARY A . BOWLES ROBERT E. DILWORTH Rt. 2. Hopewell Road 2012 Wildwood Drive Lost Lake OR Woodland Park Marlton , N .J. 08053 Wilmington , Oel. 19805 Phone 1609 1 983 -1535 Phone : 13021 998 -2803 PIZZA & PIPES jim lcaffc WURLITZER THEATRE PIPE ORGAN theatre and classicalorgan concerts 3581 Homestead Road 821 Winslow Street film accompaniments at ( Lawren c e Expressway ) (Downtown - Off Broadway ) SANTA CLARA , CALIFORNIA REDWOOD CITY , CALI FORNI A representation and management: PHONE 248 -5680 PHONE 365 -6543 geoffrey paterson Staff Organists . .. 1690 S . Bascom at Hamilton TOM HAZLETON p.o. box 2841, station D ( Hamilton Pla za Shopping Center) JACK GUSTAFSON CAMPBELL , CALIFORNIA ottawa, ontario, canada k1p 5w8 PHONE 371 -5000 RALPH TROUT Ill (613)235-0779 DON THOMPSON 54 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1972 jection lenses. Somehow our crew purchase of this facility is the cul deavors. While the East Point Theatre managed to get replacement parts and mination of a lengthy search for "just is generally in good shape, there are project a very smooth running show. the right one." This theatre was con many areas which require the old Our thanks to Hal Wilmunder, Arthur structed in the late 30's and although "elbow grease" approach. The end Bobbs, and Ray Anderson. it never contained an organ, is ideally result of our group participation in Work on the 4/20 Wurlitzer being suited to accommodate a 12 to 15 this kind of activity will number our installed in the "Pizza and Pipes" rank instrument. Joe is now in the chapter amongst those that have a restaurant is progressing very well. As final stages of negotiating for a mint pipe-equipped theatre as home base; usual when a big organ has had several condition 3/ 11 Moller. and even more unique, an owner who homes, this one was in pretty sad General plans for the theatre in is second to none in his dedication to shape, including a console that had clude silent movies, stage shows and the goals of ATOS. been split during moving operations. a variety of other entertainment en- GORDONA. JOHNSON A large crew of Sierra Chapter mem bers under the direction of Dale Men denhall is doing the repair , refinishing and installation work. Target date for the opening of the pizzaria is December CLASSIFIED ADS 15; however it will probably be closer Classifiedads are carried at 20 cents per word, per insertion. No chargefor first ten words for members. to January before the complete organ is playing. A story and pictures of this ALL -TIME BEST-SELLER RECORDING - FREE MAIL AUCTION CATALOGS - installation will be forthcoming in a "Big, Bold & Billy" Billy Nalle , LIU Wur No. 1 music rolls and instrument, No. 2 or lit zer. From major retailers or send $5.50 gan and classical recordings, No . 3 jazz , future issue of THEATRE ORGAN. directly to Billy Nalle, 100 La Salle St. , pop, shows, etc. Please state catalog wanted. BOB LONGFIELD New York 10027 . If you have music rolls or automatic in struments to sel I, please write: Grace Friar (Mus ical No tes), 1 2 Grafton St., Green SOUTHEASTERN EXPERIENCED - organ service man and lawn, N. Y. 11740 . By tradition, our December meeting Piano technician. For branches from Miami to Palm Beach. V ict or Pianos and Organs, "No one works harder than when they was held at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta . 300 N.W. 54th Street, Miami, Fla. (305) work for themselves." If you have ability, When one looks about at this elegant 751-7502. and beautifully maintained house, it integrity, the right attitude, are a hard worker, if you can stand up under Victor's is hard to realize that its doors were FOR SALE Kimball, 16' Violin, 32 "Lombarde" type sales training. Victor will first opened December 25, 1929. pipes; Wurlitzer 16' Bourdon, 61 pipes, put you in business with a Victor Franchise Thanks to great effort on the part of reservoir and 3 chests ; Page, 8' French from Miami to Palm Beach. Victor supplies Joe Patten and Bob Van Camp, "Big Horn, 61 pipe. Total Price : $300.00 . Con the "whole thing," locations, franchise, tact: Jerry L. Meye r, 50 Hayden Ave ., service, trucks, financing and the know Mo" has never sounded better. Columbus, Ohio 43222. Phone : (614) 279 - how. Small investment required. Vic t or Bob Van Camp first took us 2211. Pianos and Organs, 300 N.W. 54th Street, on a rank by rank tour of the in Miami, Florida, (305) 751-7502. strument by demonstrating each FOR SALE - Moller Orchestral Oboe, SIDNEY TORCH - 'organ' complete col stop in an appropriate passage. early Wurlitzer Clarinet, 8" pressure, gen lection of his original recordings, in mint erally good condition, needs regulation. This included 42 ranks, percussions condition (unplayed) 60 double sided press and traps in five chambers. After Best offer, either or both. Harold Weaver, Litchfield Tnpk., Bethany, Ct. 06525. ings 1932 - 1939 - 78 R.P.M . Offers to this most interesting excursion through J. Vivian Nie , 106a Fitzjohns Avenue, Lon the 4/42 Moller, Bob played several don, England. FOR SALE - Rodgers 33E Walnut 4 Tone medleys of the 20's and early 30's cabinets excellent condition, $8.200.00. Dr. Victor Pianos and Organs Eight Warehouses standards. A short business meeting Wm. H . Whitel ey , 1015 Chestnut St., Phila., with over 1,000 Pianos and Organs of all was conducted during intermission after Pa. 19107. Phone : (215) WA 2-3760. makes for home, theatre, and church. 500 which Bob played a variety of the organs, 200 Grands and Player Grands, best Christmas standards enhanced by FOR SALE - 500 CFM 15" static - 3 300 Spinet Pianos. We crate and ship throughout the world. Vic tor Pianos and his own beautiful styling. Incidentally, phase, 220 volt Spencer Orgoblow from 2M-7R Wurlitzer. Reworked with rewound Organs, 300 N.W . 54th St., Miami, Fla . Bob plays Friday and Saturday night motor, $200 .00. Julian Wilson , 4117 N. (305) 751-7502. intermissions on "Big Mo". Cooper Lake Road, Smyrna, Ga. , 30080. New chapter officers elected for Victor Pianos and Organs - will buy 50 used organs monthly for export . Following 1973 are Bob Van Camp - Chairman, FOR SALE - Baldwin Model CT-2R trans models : Conn 305 - 643, and Strummers. Joe Patten - Vice Chairman, Gordon istorized home theatre organ with beautiful Allen RMW Theatres and Continentals . and Linda Johnson - Secretary and walnut wood console, has split manuals, ear Gulbransen 2107 and 2131. Hammonds M3- phones, percussion drawer, 13 pedal bass; in L 100 - M 100. A-100, B3 and C3. Pipers - Treasurer, respectively . Our thanks for excellent condition, is ideal for first organ or a job well done in '72 to outgoing 300 N.W . 54 St., Miami, Florida 33127. small home, $1500.00 . Stan Krider, 2978 Call (305) 751-7502. officers Melvin Hegwood - Chairman, Upton Rd. W., Columbus , Ohio 43227 , or Charles Walker - Vice Chairman, Clay call (614) 861 -4580 . WANTED - Wurlit zer pipework: Brass Holbrook - Secretary, and Nelson Trumpet and Sax, Oboe Horn, Orchestral Harris - Treasurer. FOR SALE - Wurlitzer 8 ' bottom octaves Oboe, Ouintadena, Kinura , Solo String . We are very excited about the only. Tibia, Dulciana w/ chest, Flute. 10" Also need Wurlitzer Crash Cymbal and pressure. Wurlitzer Tambourine, best offer. Action, Two Bird-whistles, Castanets, Fire acquisition of the suburban Atlanta Phil St ock, 162 Selden Hill Drive, West gong. Need Kimball Kinura. State con East Point Theatre by Joe Patten . Joe Hartford, Conn. 06107 . Phone: (203) 521- dition and price . Roy Dav is, Rt. 6, McMinn is a long time theatre buff and the 1468 , ville, Tn. 37110. Phone (615) 668-4396. FEBRUARY, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 55