"The Showpeoples committee to ¥8)( P8PI Save RCMH." We wish them well. Most everyone knows that the has come on hard times over the past ten years or so. The big events for the 6200-seat house were the Christmas and Easter shows which drew thousands. The remainder of the season was light, attendancewise. However, there was one factor which kept the theatre going in recent years - charter ex­ cursions. Following conductor Ray­ mond Paige's death, his widow, Mary, traveled up and down the east coast, publicizing the "Showplace of the Nation." This activity paid off as Conducted, by Stu Green tours from Connecticut to Philadel­ phia swamped the streets surround­ ing the Hall, and $300,000 weeks Readers are encouraged to submit in­ were common, from Thanksgiving teresting sidelights on the organ hob­ through New Year's. Of course, the by (exclusive of chapter news items) big drawing cards were the famed material they believe will be of general Nativity Pageant on stage ,the Rock­ interest about local organ activities ettes (reduced from 36 to 30), and the and installations and the people who pit under Will Irwin, the work at the hobby. We know "there's only theatre to have one in daily use. VOX POPS in them there chapters" Though the "Grand Organ " was no and it only requires a 9c postcard to longer heard in half-hour concerts get it to VOX POPS Editor, Box 3564, before the opening each day, and for Hector. He found the 'Mad e in Britain ' trademark Granada Hills, Callfornia 91344-. If the playing out the last show at night, in in Jamaica. ( 811/Lamb Photo! contributor can afford a 13c stamp, recent months, it still was used in why not include a black and white also 'Discus." Guess that's the solo numbers and with the orchestra photo which need not be returned. blower." Mystery solved. We must by Ray Bohr, John DeTroy and Cecil admit to ignorance of that brand of Benz. unified organ although the Discus Veteran California organ enthusi­ blower is not uncommon. Hector ast Chard Walker sent in a clipping listed the stops as Open Diapason (8' from the Union, New Jersey, Star­ James ("Jimmy") Boyce, after and 4'), Lieblich Gedeckt (16', 8', 4' Ledger, which recently devoted an years of playing the ex-Radio City & 2'), Dulciana (8', 12th & 15th) plus entire page to the announced closing Center theatre's unenclosed 4-deck a 3-rank Mixture. No reeds. The of the Radio City Music Hall and the for roller skaters in the pipework is in a swellbox and there's resulting impact on New Jerseyites Alexandria Rink, is entering the con­ a Crescendo Pedal and a light tremu­ associated with the showplace. Of cert ratrace. One of his initial en­ lant. Olivera added that despite one course, there were photos of yummy gagements entails quite a journey dead pedal stop, it was in good Rockettes and ballerinas, but also from Virginia. He's set to play for shape. There's a story there. How did shown were organ maintenance man the San Diego ATOS chapter. a conservative English organ find its Ron Bishop, inspecting a rank of way to the Jamaican Ocho Rios Bap­ pipes, and Ray Bohr at the console of tist church? the 4/58. The text expressed both past pleasures and future uncer­ In the year end issue we ran a Vox tainty about the 6200-seat house, on Pop about Hector Olivera discover­ Those who have been long-term the part of employees. Ray Bohr ing a "Discus" organ in a church in devotees of the Tonight Show on spoke for many: "I don't know what Ocho Rios, Jamaica. during "shore television, recall when Lyle "Skitch" I'll do. Nobody hires a 58-year-old leave" from a Caribbean cruise. No Henderson served as pianist and musician." The Wurlitzer has been one had ever heard of a Discus organ conductor. He was originally a studio his companion for 30 years. The so we dug deeper and discovered that organist in the days when radio sta­ showgirls were apprehensive, for all a tape had been made. It bore not tions had pipe organs. On a recent their glamor. They discussed various only some of Hector's music played Mike Douglas talk show, Skitch ways of keeping the house open, such on the ancient organ , but also a com­ mentioned his experience when he as getting the government to declare mentary by the South American or­ subbed for organist Paul Carson on it a historical landmark, so it ganist. In Desi Arnaz accents he de­ One Man's Family for a week. Dur­ wouldn't be taxed. The ballet corp scribed the instrument: "There's a ing dialogue on one live show, he in­ dance captain has organized many of plate on the console which says 'Wat­ advertently brought his elbow down the theatre's 440 employees into kins and Watson, London' - and on a manual with a "wrrump!" So,

APRIL/MAY. 1978 43 he turned off the organ blower. But awhile back, has returned to playing when the director gave the split before audiences. On January 20, he second cue to Skitch for mood music, was scheduled to play for the New he came down on the manuals to no York State Bar Association's annual music! As he stated, "I was way dinner in the Grand Ballroom of the down the list of studio musicians New York Hilton. The NYBA had even before the week started." written Local 802 for permission for Skitch, of course, went on to greater him to perform, and the request was fame as a top pianist and conductor. approved unanimously.

~ Oliver Wallace was famous as a ATOS member Lawrence Bird­ west coast theatre organist from song describes himself as "surprised whom several other top organists, in­ and pleased" to hear the names of cluding Chauncey Haines and Jesse Frederick Kinsley (1973) and Bernie Crawford, got ideas for improving Cowham (1977) announced as en­ their playing. Wallace's prowess as a trants to the Theatre Organists Hall composer came to public notice after of Fame. "Fred frequently substi­ his theatre days when he composed tuted for Bernie, and I had a chance music for Walt Disney cartoons and to try the Riverside Church's Hook & live feature productions in Holly­ Hastings (before the Skinner was in­ wood. But his most famous composi­ stalled), where Fred was organist. In tion remained the early '20s "Hindu­ 1939, I asked Bernie where I could stan." Ollie had a humorous side, get a Howard Seat. He didn't know, too. In 1942, he composed "In Nutsy but promised to will me his. Which Walter Strony Land'' for a Donald Duck cartoon. he did. and upon his death in 1949, Walt Disney changed the title to I received a letter from an attorney. Walter made use of the newly arrived "Der Fuehrer's Face," and it was re­ stating the seat was mine." Moller Post Horn (two months ahead corded by the late Spike Jones and of schedule). The stop richly com­ His City Slickers. In a very short plements the other voices but is not while, it sold 1½ million 78s at a time Since the RTOS was founded in overbearing. Keep your eye on this when the country needed a morale 1964, the club has been fortunate in developing personality! He has since boost after several military setbacks. having to cancel only two concerts. replaced Lyn Larsen at Organ Stop It also made "Spike Jones" house­ The first was in April 1975 when a No. 1 in Phoenix, Arizona. hold words, as his zany musical in­ freak April blizzard prevented Low­ terpretations swept the country for ell Ayars' leaving Philadelphia. The ten years afterward. Now his records second occured a few months ago Hall of Farner, Dr. C.A.J. Par­ are being reissued by RCA, and once when Walter Strony was scheduled ment ier, who was incapacitated more one can hear the immortal on January 26. This time, the artist "Chloe" being sought by her rough­ was in town, but the forecast of "the neck lover with ''Where are you - worst storm of the century" (which you old bat!" never materialized in Kodakville) caused the closing of the Auditorium Theatre hours in advance. Fortu­ We have a rather sketchy report nately, the following Saturday was that the Tennessee Theatre in Knox­ open and 859 concertgoers were ville, was scheduled to reopen as a saturated with some pyrotechnics classic film house on March 15 with which proved that the 22-year-old the 1936 film, "Grand Hotel," star­ Strony is on his way to becoming a ring Lewis Stone, Wall ace Beery, star in the concert spectrum. His Jean Harlow and a supporting cast of program was heavily featured with MGM contract stars. Our source modern works plus a sprinkling of says the Tennessee's organ will play some oldies. High points were Wal­ a major part in the '30s style pro­ ter's famous rendering of "Varia­ grams. tions on a Theme by Oscar Mayer," the hot dog wheel, which brought the ~ inevitable chuckles from the assem­ Alert ATOS member, Matt Smith blage, and a flashy up-and-down-the of Sullivan, Wis., believes he has manuals interpretation of "In the found another in a the­ Mood" which evoked memories of atre. He was in the Ironwood (Mich.) dancers in the aisles of the N.Y. Theatre last summer and spied a

Paramount when the Glenn Miller 'Cass' Parment ier. Back on th e org an bench again. console, draped in the pit. He be­ band pla yed there in the thirties. /Bill Lamh Photo) lieves it to be a Barton as it has a 4-

44 THEATRE ORGAN APRIL/MAY. 1978 poster lift. The 1051-seat house did American Grammophone Co's first have a 2/7 Barton originally. Matt release of his cuts made at the Chi­ made several trips to Ironwood but cago theatre's beautifully restored was unable to talk to the manager. 4/29 Wurlitzer will be available "According to a few of the locals," about the time this issue arrives in Smith says, "it had been played up your mailbox. George says he is to a few years ago. Perhaps a change thoroughly satisfied that the direct­ in the managership had something to-disc recording system (eliminating to do with it. This might be a good tape) is the way to go. "It's like being opportunity for the Wolverine Chap­ in the Chicago theatre while the or­ ter to add another playable organ to gan is playing," says George. The the ranks of the Pipe Piper list." company disced enough tunes for three releases. Meanwhile, George is ~ getting more deeply into the concert Then there's the case of the un­ scene. One engagement is an April willing organist, the fall guy, who be­ 30 concert in England, playing the cause he's tops in another line of mu­ Gaumont State (Kilburn) 3/16 Wur­ sical endeavor, gets pressed into ser­ litzer. vice when the featured organist doesn't show up. It happened to or­ For those who have been wonder­ chestra conductor Werner Janssen ing about the whereabouts of the when he was assistant conductor at mysterious Koria Pandit, the After the New York Roxy during its salad Nightfall column in the San Fran­ days. Janssen, who was given "Show cisco Examiner had him playing for Business" magazines 1977 Award two Sunday concerts throughout "for superior artistry is the world of Werner Janssen. No more subbing. February at the Pipes and Pizza in entertainment," was assistant to Serramonte, Calif. The column, con­ such baton wielding luminaries as throughout the musical world and his descriptive composition, "New ducted by "The Owl," reveals that Emo Rapee, Charles Previn and Koria is a grand nephew of Nehru's Joseph Littau. Rapee knew that Years Eve in New York" won him the Prize of Rome. sister, Madame Pandit. For those Janssen had studied classical organ who missed the February stint, catch in Paris and Leipzig so one evening "But no more organ subbing, please," begs Janssen. Koria at the Baldwin on Saturday when the featured organist didn't evenings at Captain Anchovy's Pizza show up for his solo and the assis­ ~ in San Leandro. The turban gets tants couldn't be located, Rapee George Wright, whose "Wright around. pointed to Janssen, said "You're On" record release is reviewed in this IT!" and handed him a copy issue, informs us that the Great of "I'll See You in My Dreams" be­ How many readers living in the cause that was what was on the pro­ Denver area remember theatre or­ gram. ganist Zoella Kees? She played for "I climbed onto that five manual 's KOA radio from 1935 console, and up it went as I read the to 1945, five times a week on a 15- music from the piano copy. It was a minute program, Midnight Melo­ full house - all 6000 seats taken ... dies. I'ts been 32 years since she I don't think the audience was 'con­ was making $150 a week, and also soled' by my imprompto rendition - playing the organ for vaudeville meaning 'to tear asunder."' shows at the Denver Theatre. Now Once wasn't enough. "It hap­ living in a Dallas apartment, she pened again at the Strand when plays for friends on an electronic. manager Joseph Plunkett demanded When in Laguna Beach ,CaL, she that I solo a novelty tune called taught organ at Leisure World, and "Itching Fingers" on the organ be­ has a plaque from pupils addressed cause the regular man didn't show." to "The World's Greatest Organ Janssen would not disclose the Teacher." As for teaching again, she names of the organists for whom he says, "Honey, I'm 81. I played "Over subbed. There" on Armistice Day in 1918." As a lad, Janssen accompanied si­ lents on the small organ in his home town theatre in Great Neck, Long Is­ Not much has been heard from land - "Until I got fired." Reflect­ Stan Kann along the pipe circuit ing on these unnerving experiences, since he moved from St. Louis to Los Janssen says he decided to stick to Angeles. A two page spread in the composing and conducting. These Jan. 14 TV Guide made no mention areas of music won him acclaim George . Like being in the theatre (Stuf oto/ of his musical prowess but concen-

APRIL/MAY, 1978 THEATRE ORGAN 45 mas TV special in which he, the S.O. over the 3/31 Wurlitzer. "Bill did a Choir, and the 3/15 Wurlitzer were great job accompanying a silent featured, was highly successful. The movie, and I was permitted to play a PBS station in Springfield, Mo. used few numbers for my very young its new mobile equipment, the first grandson, Todd. The piece-de-resis­ time such appratus was used in that tance was our dinner at Larry Bray's area. With originality, the techni­ 'Organ Loft.' Joann Harmon came cians used shots taken above the on at nine for dancing, and what an console, close-ups of Bert's hands on organist she is! Accompanied by a the manuals, fadeouts and fadeins fine drummer, we had three hours of etc. The show began in Bert's study real dancing pleasure and good fel­ at home, showing his wife Denice's lowship. The instrument is perfectly minia ture nativity scene; a 1½-min­ balanced, absolutely in tune, and in ute segment which took over three the hands of this great gal, it sings hours to film. Reception to the show forth like a junior N.Y. Paramount Stan Kann. His future is on the tube. (Stufotoi was good, and most were of the dowager. Salt Lake City may not opinion it was better than many have quantity, but it sure has qual­ trated on his gadget gathering and commercial Yule shows on TV. If ity." your local PBS station is desirous of TV talk show gigs. An interview in ~ running a first-class Christmas pro­ the Feb. 1978 Keyboard World by May 27, the Saturday of Memorial Bob Rubenstein is more revealing. It gram next yuletide, get in touch with the School of the Ozarks at Pt. Look­ Day weekend, will provide a big seems that Stan has switched profes­ night for organ fans in Wichita, sionally from music to comedy built out, Mo., and the wheels can be put in motion for a tape of the show. Kansas. At 8:00 p.m. Billy Nalle will around his collection of ancient play a genuine theatre organ concert vacuum cleaners, apple corers, ~ on the 4/37 "Dowager Empress" mousetraps, wringers or what have Our correspondent-at-large, Doc Wurlitzer in Century II Center. The you. His target is TV talk shows, and exuberant Billy has rated high with perhaps a show of his own. Another Bebko, is at it again. Around New Years, he and Mrs. Bebko flew to past audiences there. No doubt he'll reason for his absence from the pipe do it again. spotlight is also revealed. Salt Lake City and while there, Doc Said Stan: "I find I've suddenly sampled the sounds of three installa­ grown rather tired of the theatre or­ tions. First, he attended the farewell gan. because I've played it so long recital of Dr. Alexander Schreiner at When Hollis R. Upson of Batavia, ... When you play it for 20 years or the Mormon Tabernacle. "I first N.Y. attends a theatre organ concert, so, and you have to play it, it's just heard him in 1927 on CBS when our which is often, he does so with a very not the same ... It seems to me now family got our first RCA 'dynamic discerning ear, both as to the instru­ that all theatre organs sound alike. I speaker,' and have listened to him ment and the artist. Back in the can no longer hear anything exciting over the airways ever since. The twenties, he worked for an organ coming out of a theatre organ." He governor of Utah declared December maintenance firm which was respon­ added that his big thrill now is play­ 30 as 'Alexander Schreiner Day.' I sible for keeping the Schine Theatre ing the electronic organ with orches­ also heard concerts by the other Tab­ organs in the Rochester area in tune. tral accompaniment. ernacle organists: Robert Cundick, He rem em hers that the bulk of the Roy M. Darley and John Longhurst. instruments were either 5-rank Marr ~ It was a dream week." & Coltons or Style D . Bert Buhrman reports from the Another day saw Doc at the Pizza "The Riviera, however, had a 3/11 School of the Ozarks that the Christ- & Pipes where Bill Hagey presides M&C, and we tuned that one for Tom Grierson about 1925." Hollis further states that he joined national ATOS independently as Batavia has no chapter. "THEATRE ORGAN Magazine is well worth the money and is very necessary. Competing or­ gan magazines print a variety of material, but are no substitutes for THEATRE ORGAN."

~ Friends of retired theatre organist, and for the past 10 years circus or­ ganist, Harry J. Jenkins will be glad to know the silent movie veteran is nearly recovered from surgery Bert Buhrman at the console , and the School of the Ozarks' chorus await a cue during filming of the Christmas wherein a faulty hip was replaced by TV special. an artificial metal one. "I can play

46 THEATRE ORGAN APRIL/MAY, 1978 Among the stars who attended were tractive auditorium on a Sunday Clark Gable and his bride, Carole afternoon to witness Carter's accom­ Lombard; Vivien Leigh; and the paniment of a frenetic W.C. Fields author, . It would auto chase; Harold Lloyd's disas­ be the greatest event in until trous trial run of his new 1923 car; the ATOS convention in July 1978. "Koko," Max Fleischer's cartoon clown, conducting the sing-along to ~ the beat of his famous bouncing This probably belongs with the ball; newlywed Buster Keaton build­ record reviews, but we can't resist ing a very non-linear house from telling readers that Readers Digest tampered-with plans, and Charlie has reissued the set of four stereo or­ Chaplin in the most memorable gan records originally released about scenes from The Gold Rush. 10 years ago when reviewers gave it Between film clips, Gaylord soloed general appr~val. The organists are at the souped-up Conn 651 with se­ Virgil Fox, Ray Bohr, Reginald Poort lections from Star Wars and Chorus and Reginald Dixon. The organs Line plus a lilting medley of Irving used are the Tower Ballroom Wurlit­ Berlin selections, ending with the zer (Dixon, Blackpool), The Radio audience singing "God Bless Amer­ City Music Hall Wurlitzer (Bohr), ica." the Kearns - Carson Hollywood So why does this somewhat remote studio Wurlitzer (Poort) and the concert, played on a plug-in, rate Royal Albert Hall and N.Y. River­ coverage in these pages? Mainly be­ side church classical organs (Fox). cause it was a test program staged by the Bay Theatre's owner. Dick Loder­ Circus organist Harry Jenkins. The man with the The "Organ Memories" set now sells iron hip . /Stuforo ) for about $14.50 postpaid from the hose, an experiment to determine mag's Pleasantville, N.Y. headquar­ how both ATOS members and locals the organ again" says Harry. Just ters. Also available on two 8 track would respond to the idea of organ wait until he tries to go through an tapes for about $3.00 more. Either concerts at the Bay. It was the local airport security metal detector with way, it's a good purchase. Seal Beach and Long Beach fans that iron hip! who responded. The point is that this show was a harbinger of a far different setup - Personable Edward C. May, "Mr. Our sharp-eyed correspondent in pipes. As many fans know, Dick Music of Miami Beach," has made Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Helen progress toward recovery of his Kiley, caught a reference to a long health following a lengthy sojurn in ago radio organist in a recent issue of intensive cardiac care. The organist the Ft. Lauderdale News and clipped was scheduled to return home the the item for us. The organist's name first week of 1978. His daughter, was then Belle Brooks. She is an or­ Carol, says it will be a long road ganist and pianist and once had her back, but knowing Eddie's spirit and own program on WHN, New York. perserverance, he will succeed. All Now the widow of vaudeville his friends, in Florida and elsewhere, and recording vocalist Irving Kauf­ are pulling for him. man (over 600 of his 78s went into re­ lease), Belle was trying to locate one ~ of the singers who had performed on Historical Loew's Grand Theatre her broadcasts, an Evelyn Bennett. in Atlanta suffered a serious fire on Belle had recently moved from Palm January 30. The 2500-seat house had Springs, Calif. to Ft. Lauderdale and become world famous on December thought she had found a clue to 15, 1939 when it was the site of the Evelyn's whereabouts. Perhaps a premiere of what may be called the reader can help. greatest movie of them all, Gone With the Wind. The 85-year-old ~ theatre which It transpired in a relatively small closed last June, was one of the city's southern California beach town on most elegant, and once housed a January 29, a concert, plus silent style D Wurlitzer. Atlantans remem­ film shorts, played on an electronic ber the festivities attendant to the organ installed temporarily in the G WTW event, amid the glitter of 430 seat Bay theatre in Seal Beach. searchlights. Over 300,000 South­ The organist was durable Gaylord erners lined the streets that day, Carter. many in period costume. Six thou­ More than 300 people, mostly A late arrival points to the good news on the mar­ sand attended the costume ball. local residents, gathered in the at- quee . /Pegpicl

APRIL/MAY, 1978 THEATRE ORGAN 47 on non-sports, including ours, will lays of flashing light bulbs, simu­ hopefully be finished this year. Ours, lated waving of the huge wooden by the way, is the only hall devoted to American flag in the front of the honoring performers on a specific auditorium while the audience sang musical instrument. More on this the National Anthem. First half of when the volume is released is prom­ the program was devoted to works of ised by our Hall's chairman, Lloyd Bach, Bingham and other classicists. Klos. Second half featured light classics ~ and popular works including those of Richard Rodgers and Scott Joplin. Rex Koury, "the Boy With Miles The "Allegro" from Widor's "Sixth of Smiles," still has a warm spot in Symphony" closed the program. his heart for a theatre organist he The organ was built by Robert met while in high school, Bill Mee­ Hope-Jones in 1907 and was among der. Recently, a friend of Rex sent the first electro pneumatic instru­ him a 1945 picture with clipping of Theatre owner Dick Loderhose stands by his lobby ments in the country. Originally 14 display while the latecomer rubbernecks . /Pegpic/ Meeder, and it turned out to be the ranks, it was enlarged to 30 by ATOS member Ronald C. Bishop. Loderhose is the owner of a 4/42 Wurlitzer pipe organ, an instrument built around, and including the New Just because he was named Or­ York Paramount broadcast studio ganist of the Year, doesn't mean that organ, Jesse Crawford's "dream or­ John Muri has been resting on his gan." Until recently the instrument oars. For example, his nine-year-old was housed in a studio on the Loder­ column in THEATRE ORGAN is hose property in New York, where it continuing to attract readers with its often figured in ATOS activities. A lucid viewpoints. "I am amazed," few years ago, Dick and his wife, says he, "to find after these years Jane, decided to move west. The that I am not running out of ma­ huge organ is slowly being moved terial. There is enough for years to west. Dick has removed several rows come." And apparently his talents as of theatre seats to make room for organist haven't abated, either, with backstage chambers, reducing the Rex Koury remembers a friend. /Stufoto/ numerous engagements scheduled seating to 430. Loderhose was encouraged by the only one of his exteacher Rex has. local turnout for his initial concert Koury says that when he moved to venture and expects more wide­ the coast and his father sold their spread support after his pipes start Cranford, N.J. home, all Rex's school perking (he is reticent about an­ things, memorabilia etc. were tossed nouncing a completion date). It's one out. of the few houses in the USA with a "It's a shame that ATOS people pipe organ going in instead of com­ never had the opportunity to meet ing out, and the house is making and know Bill," Rex says. "An out­ ends meet on the income from judi­ standing musicain in every way, yet ciously selected art films ("No, not quiet, gentle, unassuming and soft­ porno films!" roars Dick). spoken - a real gentleman in every respect. I owe him so very much. He ~ was my earliest musical inspiration John Muri . /Gorden Photo/ Last year, we mentioned in this and ideal and I'm reasonably sure I column that the Jaques Cattell Press, would not have follwed the course in this year, including a concert in Cali­ a division of Bowker Co., publisher life which I did if it hadn't been for fornia (See Los Angeles chapter of reference books, was compiling a him." News). work on the Halls of Fame in the Thirdly, John has been retained as United States and Canada. Natur­ a consultant to the Wurlitzer Co. for ally, the ATOS Theatre Organists Those who attended the pre-glow the installation of its 5/ 65 organ in Hall of Fame is to be included event of the 1976 ATOS Convention, the mammoth new complex in De­ among the musicians. While compil­ remember the playing of Robert Car­ Kalb, Illinois. He helped draw the ing the data, it was found that there withen at the Hope-Jones organ in specifications, assigned the ranks to are more than 750 Halls, honoring the Ocean Grove (NJ.) Auditorium. specific chambers, and prepared people in all walks of life. Therefore, Both artist and instrument are still music for the Mighty Wurlitzer Day the material will be compiled in doing well. Last August 17, the Mon­ last October. He says it will be quite three volumes. The first, with 1072 mouth Chapter, AGO, sponsored a a story, this "super installation" , pages on 173 sports Halls of Fame, recital there. Mr. Carwithen, thru a and we hope it will be shared with was published last year. The second, unique organ stop which involves re- THEATRE ORGAN readers. □

48 THEATRE ORGAN APRIL/MAY. 1978