Under the Christmas Mistletoe was an adventure in high-powered OHIO VALLEY CHAPTER wassailing which seemed more like a vigorous dance accompaniment. Presents ... GAYLORD CARTER The team of Carter and Day ( Gay­ The Jerome Kern medley opened lord and Jim that is) arrived in with Why Do I Love You? and Cincinnati, Ohio the afternoon of closed with Old Man River at full October 18th, girded for the Ohio flood tide, a roaring, raucous stream Valley Chapter's presentation of on a rampage, which quieted down SAFETY LAST, starring Harold to soft Tihias a few moments before Lloyd, on Sunday evening October a smear glissando brought us hack 20th, at Cincinnati's famed RKO into the main stream of rapids for a ALBEE Theatre. big ending. The audience, a little They were met at Greater Cincin­ over 750 strong, loved every note of nati Airport by Jack and Joan Stra­ it. der. As soon as the film cartons were What happened next is what they pried loose from Jim Day, and safely raise "goose humps" on all within once called "one for the hook." Dick salted away, we were off to Hamil­ hearing distance. fumbled with his program notes, ton, Ohio and dinner at Shady-Nook For the interim, a Baldwin theatre dropped them, picked them up and Steak House, owned by Stan and electronic provides the musical en­ dropped them again. In despair he Virginia Todd. Both Gaylord and tertainment, and with tone cabinets decided to abandon his prepared Jim were amazed to see the theatre­ located in front of the open chamber program and take requests from the type addition to the steak house, areas, the acoustical results are most audience, an adventure only for the which will soon ring with the unmis­ impressive. Following a steak dinner, bravest of organists because it's a takable sounds of the mighty W ur­ and a little encouragement, Gaylord form of throwing oneself to the litzer. A former pupil of the late tried his hand at the console; as wolves. In a moment the quiet audi­ great Jesse Crawford, and profes­ could have been anticipated, the ence became a many-headed mon­ sional organist of many years, Stan restaurant fell silent, as Gaylord of­ ster, roaring out titles of long for­ will delight the hearts of theatre or­ fered a brief preview of the kind of gotten flops among the standards gan huffs when the installation is music that could he expected at the most audiences are heartily fed up completed - the sooner the better! ALBEE on Sunday night. His efforts with. There was Dick, seated before It is indeed an impressive sight were acknowledged by rounds of the maw of the huge Kimball, calmly to see the former Chicago Theare applause, following which Jim Day writing down titles when he could console, mounted on a took to the console, turning out make one out above the horrisonant lift (just behind the large curved several popular selections. Thus the eructations issuing from hundreds bar) which will rise up to stage team of Carter and Day made their of throats, ... Holiday for Strings! . . level, and/ or points in between. The premature appearance at Shady­ .. St. Louis Blues! . . Chloe! ( him, Solo and Main chambers form the Nook Steak House in Hamilton, again! ) ... Finlandia ! ... Tenderly! rear wall of the stage, with a hallway Ohio, prior to the big event in Cin­ .... 76 Trombones! in the center, leading down to the cinnati. blower, relays and chamber doors, On Saturday evening, October Dick played them all as though he etc. The addition to the restaurant 19th, the Straders were hosts to a had just finished rehearsing them; which houses the above, is graced by party in honor of Gaylord and Jim; even Chloe. His Blues was dirtier a high, cathedral roof, guaranteed to this was Jim Day's first visit to the than usual for a Liebert arrangement Queen City it might he noted, and ( he knew he was among friends), Lorin Whitney style, for the most we doubt that he will ever forget it, and his off-the-cuff Holiday spark­ part, with The Church's One Foun­ what with the short nights and long led. Tenderly was a hit oddball and dation standing out, also Doxology hours devoted to meeting people, he marched the full brass hand up and the rousing Onward Christian preparation for the show, etc. Among and down the aisles for a stirring Soldiers closer. Then Dick bowed to the guests were Chapter chairman Seventy-Six Trombones, the finale. acknowledge his well-earned ap­ George V. Eaglin, hoard member But his audience wasn't ready to plause and walked away from the Jack E. Tarr (both of whom came let him go. He thought a moment still raised console. He appeared mo­ well equipped to photograph the and asked if they'd like to hear a ments later to meet his fans and well events of the evening for posterity), medley of favorite hymns. Their wishers in the lobby. Mayor Lindsay Spencer Avery, Albert Meyer (chair­ heating palms said "yes." So, Rich­ couldn't have sent a more appro _pri­ man of the event), Glenn ard Leibert closed his program with ate musical ambassador to the west Merriam, Bill Busse and Edmund S. a set of hymn tunes played in solid coast. -G. Bandini, Hollywood Wuest. (Continued on Page 36)

13 bombarde Wright - Baker San Diego Fox Morton Gaylord Carter (Continued from Page 5) (Continued from Page 6) at RKO ALBEE (Continued from Page 13) The Aahmes Temple auditorium a brief trip through the organ's solo Also among the guests were Dr. is a large hall with a high ceiling, a stops ( a bright Clarion stood out) and Mrs. Jack M. Watson ( Dean of good place for music. At the appoint­ while the volume built slowly for a the College-Conservatory of Music of ed hour, Don and Bud march~d to mighty finish. Bob's appearance was the University ·of Cincinnati. Dr. the twin consoles and played their limited by the proximity of his after­ Roberta Gary, well-known concert overture, a duet of Galloping Co­ noon appearance with the post band, organist, attached to the organ de­ medians. Then Don stepped to the so he had to quit after three tunes. partment of the College-Conserva­ microphone. The instrument is now in good tory, was introduced to The Big shape with a sound not unlike that "I'm certain that you in the audi­ Chase and other assorted silent film of the smaller San Francisco Orphe­ ence have noticed quite a difference organ scores by Gaylord. Bach was um Morton, and the theatre is plan­ in our ages. In deference to the older never like this! Dr. and Mrs. Watson ning a series of public concerts with man, I'm allowing Bud Iverson to were taken back to earlier days, the help of the group which repaired play first." Don sauntered into the when they resided in Hollywood, the instrument. The group, as yet wings, leaving Bud looking some­ and had listened to Gay lord when he unnamed, has a firm agreement with what nonplussed. But he recovered was staff organist at Grauman's Mil­ the theatre management and owner quickly and went into his first med­ lion-Dollar, Egyptian, Hollywood, covering the future use of the in­ ley, which was rich in tunes by Fritz and others. WKRC-T.V. News Direc­ strument, public and private. No Kreisler, an Iverson specialty. The tor Bob Jones and his charming wife organ club or ATOE chapter is being organ sounded big and full and there Janet were present and accounted planned. Concerts will start as soon was a lot of registration variety. for. Bob has become identified as as the restoration is complete and Then Don Baker appeared for his the MC for the Ohio Valley Chap­ some name organists have been first medley. Those familiar with the ter's annual silent film presentations booked. Baker style appreciate the emphasis over the past four years at the RKO Don puts on phrasing and shading -Peg Nielsen, San Diego ALBEE. Bob prepared a "special" in his arrangements. He often brings related to the Flicker Fingers offer­ the volume level down to a whisper, ing, which was aired on his 11 :00 then builds slowly to a thunderous P .M. news program, one week prior level, and back down to a whisper grand), and the finale, There's No to the show WKRC T.V. camara again. Halfway through his first Business Like Show Business. crews went down to the ALBEE, and medley, sounds from a Shriners' Don scored with his arrangements filmed Bob coming up on the big event in a nearby banquet hall of Blusette, Shadow of Your Smile, band car elevator; from this impres­ started interfering with the auditor­ Born Free, Mame and that power­ sive position, Bob gave his viewers ium show. A combo with an ampli­ house Baker arrangement of Chero­ some background on our beautiful fied vocalist and a glockenspiel pene­ kee. Iverson played memorable ver­ Cinema Palace, as well as on Gaylord trated the soft passages of organ sions of two originals, Berenice and and the film SAFETY LAST. Our music. It was most distracting to the C onn-f etti ( pure apple polishing! ) , Chapter, as well as persons every­ approximate 700 present but there By the Time I Get to Phoenix, Stars where who share an interest in thea­ was nothing to be done; there just in My Eyes and the descriptive tre organ, are indebted to people wasn't enough separation between Ferde Grofe piece with which he such as Bob Jones for their warm­ the two halls to maintain acoustic made solid points at the 1968 Home hearted cooperation and assistance isolation. It was a bad scene during Organ Festival,_ On the Trail. For­ in line with the cause. light passages. tunately, no one "called for Phillip Other guests included Mr. and Of course both organists brought Morris" this time. Mrs. Walter Barnett and Mr. and up volume levels to cover the inter­ Don and Bud closed their well­ Mrs. David Sonenshein of Barnett ference hut the penetrating power received program with an expansive Organ & Piano Company .. to whom of that glockenspiel was maddening. but brief chorus of Show Biz, took the Chapter is grateful for providing their well-earned bows and posed for The program consisted of pops the Gulbransen Rialto theatre model press photos. "Gosh, I feel impor­ and standards, expertly registered for the show. tant" said Don, as the flashbulbs on the Conn's transistors, performed Sunday, October 20th, was a beau­ blinded him for a moment. Bud in two medleys by each organist be­ tiful day in Cincinnati . . . made-to­ dido 't say anything. He was too busy fore intermission, and two afterward. order for a Flicker Fingers presenta­ signing autographs for a bevy of Besides the overture, two other se­ tion. By 6: 30 P .M., the crowds had pretty girls. lections were played as duets, Deep started to gather out front and in the Purple ( with Bud at the concert - Stu Green & Peg Nielsen gorgeous ALBEE lobby. Stanley-

february, 1969 36 took place in the showing of 's famous silent comedy, SAFE­ TY LAST. The house roared with laughter, as Gaylord kept pace on the organ with the action on the screen. If the old timers attending, who remembered this grand era were laughing hard, it seemed that the many young people were all but rolling in the aisles! Ages ranged from six to eighty, however the col­ lege age turnout was amazing and ~elightful to see. Front row left, Chilrles W. Huelsmiln, veteriln Albee projectionist purchased 22 tickeb for young friends By 10:30 P.M., Gaylord had play­ ilnd filmily members, some shown here with feiltured ilrtist, Gilylord Cilrter. ed the final selection for the evening Warner, RKO regional manager, Jo­ Mr. and Mrs. Robert Schopp of and an obviously well-entertained au­ seph F. Alexander was all done up Alliance, Ohio, returning home from dience reluctantly departed another in his best bib and tucker; and it a trip to Canada, came by way of Ohio Valley Chapter Flicker Fingers should be noted that he was seen to Cincinnati to take in the show. The presentation. Harold Lloyd's antics be wearing a pair of gold Wurlitzer entire organ fraternity were shocked had put a lasting smile on those console cuff links! ALBEE manager and distressed to learn of Bob's un­ many faces, and Gaylord's organ ac­ Lou Ruth and night manager Jim expected death the following week. companiment a spring in their step. Chase had their hands full handling Bob was a devotee of both classic This was Gaylord's third appearance the ever-growing throngs. and theatre organ. He headed the in Cincinnati for the Ohio Valley Charles W. Huelsman, projection­ firm of A. R. Schopp's Sons, Inc. of Chapter, and public demand already ist for many years at the ALBEE, Alliance, Ohio. Bob will be sadly building, would indicate that our had purchased a total of 22 tickets, missed and our deepest sympathies officers had best start thinking about and presented them to various young are extended to Betty and to the his fourth return. people in order for them to see the family. John ]. Strader show; a wonderful gesture for which By 8:00 P.M., just under 2,200 Ohio Valley Chapter - ATOE the Chapter is most appreciative. people had taken seats and fastened By 7 :00 P.M., the ALBEE lobby their belts in anticipation of the had become a very crowded place; coming of "Flicker Fingers" Carter. Home Organ Festival some of those present had come from The ALBEE booth was manned by (Continued from Page 16) as far away as Washington, D.C., Carl Engel and Morris Leeds. Back­ Lansing, Michigan, Detroit, Dayton, stage, Raymond Fabing, Sr. and John and threatened to return next year Ohio, etc. The visitor from Washing­ H. Hueberger were on lights and with a silent movie to cue. The other ton was a young man, all of ten years curtain, under the direction of Jim newcomer wasn't as well known but old, who was accompanied by his Day. At the stroke of eight, Chair­ she, too, scored a personal triumph older brother. He insists that his man George Eaglin welcomed the au­ - - Helen Dell, whose arrangements parents permit him to go wherever dience on behalf of the Ohio Vallep and flawless performances on the a Harold Lloyd film is being shown. Chapter, then introduced WKRC's Baldwin, Hammond and Conn (the It seems that he had written to Mr. Bob Jones. After a few well-chosen latter during jam sessions) insure Lloyd, asking where he might see words, Bob gave the cue that brought her return for many more Festivals. another of his films, and the reply Gaylord up on the band car, playing Besides, she's a living doll. came back - - "Cincinnati, Ohio on the Perfect Song in a blaze of glory Bill McCoy appeared for Thomas October 20th, at the RKO ALBEE." and applause. It was clear to be seen and enjoyed an instrument which Among the familiar faces in the lob­ that Gaylord had the audience in the has undergone many unheralded by were those of Dr. and Mrs. Walter palm of his hand, after the first five changes - - all for the better. But C. Langsam. Dr. Langsam is Presi­ minutes of Carter repartee. The Bill hasn't changed in the least; dent of the University of Cincinnati, bouncing ball sing-along was met old Gabby has always turned out and a great Gaylord Carter fan we with great enthusiasm, if not a bit top-rate performances. Both Helen are proud to say. Dr. Roberta Gary off key here and there, and this was Dell and Gaylord Carter drew con­ and her escort were seen heading for matched by gales of laughter during cert assignments on the Allen theatre the balcony, to absorb the full effect the course of the Keysone comedy organ, playing the same style instru­ of what they knew Gaylord was go­ shorts. ment which has appeared at the ing to dish out during the course of Following the intermission, the Festival for several years without the evening. event we had all been waiting for significant changes, long a good in-

37 theatre organ bombarde