by Lloyd E. Klos

One of the nicest personalities in her own ways of handling me. plicated mystery novels whose web­ the world of the theatre organ is John "My first school experience was work plots fascinated me. Later, I T. Muri. The author has known Mr. unhappy. Bewildered and bashful, I sat moved on to better authors, and now I Muri for several years, having heard under a kindergarten table for some am a fan of Lord Monboddo of Scot­ him perform four times. Each perfor­ time before I was encouraged to come land and James Joyce." mance was a testimony to the man's out and mix with the other children. I It should be emphasized that Mr. capabilities as an organist, and as an was always afraid of teachers, particu­ Muri's reading proclivities stood him in artist in the accompaniment of silent larly one shop teacher who kept a good stead for the years ahead. One need only to read one of his columns films. 3-inch leather strap handy for disci­ "I was born on October 4, 1906 in plinary purposes. in THEATRE ORGAN to realize how Hammond, Indiana in a fairly large but "Outside of the usual childish fears, reading helped him gain an extensive modest home, situated 35 feet from school life was relatively peaceful. I vocabulary, coupled with excellent the Michigan Central Railroad tracks. passed my classes, but never distin­ grammatical construction. Constant (Thus Mr. Muri is one of the many guished myself. I found great content­ reading of good material will do this. "I took to the piano without urg­ theatre organ lovers who are also ment in reading books, particularly ing, very early. I first learned to play railroad enthusiasts). Both my parents Pinocchio, Thornton Burgess ' animal by ear without instruction, and as a were immigrants from Switzerland, my series, the Oz books, and Lear's Non­ result, it took a great deal of hard father coming from Bern, my mother sense books. As time passed, I pro­ work and tough words by my teachers from Lucerne. They first met in Chi­ gressed to more mature reading. As a to get me out of the bad habits I cago at a meeting of a local Swiss freshman in high school, I'd go with­ developed in the early years. singing society. out lunch so I could purchase the "I took my first piano lessons at "As a child, I was a willful young­ weekly Detective Story magazine on the Cfifford Conservatory of Music in ster, but I do not recall ever having Friday. When 15, I became a fan of Hammond, Ind., did a little study in talked back to my father; he was too Sax Rohmer and his Dr. Fu Manchu 1923-24 with Claude P. Ball, who big, and had a hot temper. I didn't books, and at 17, discovered Chicago taught theatre organ at Chicago's Kim- disobey my mother much for she had author, Harry Stephen Keeler's com- 15 JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN ball Hall. Theory and advanced piano I mares of falling. chairman of the English Department took at Sherwood Music School in "A few months later, I learned of of Gavit High School. In 1964, I Chicago, and advanced organ with an opening at the Hoosier Theatre in · joined the faculty of the northwestern Arthur Dunham at the Chicago Tem­ Whiting , Indiana, applied for it, and campus of Indiana University at Gary, ple in 1925-30. got the job which was good for three where I taught English on a part-time years. basis. In 1968, I resigned from both "One of my best teachers was a "In 1927, I received an off er to institutions and retired to Detroit on man who didn't realize he was teach­ become organist at the Indiana The­ an Indiana pension, after 31 years in ing me, Arthur Gu tow. From 1923-26, atre at Indiana Harbor. The theatre the Hammond school system. I would go to the Chicago Theatre, had a nice 3/10 Wurlitzer which is still For 27 years, Mr. Muri was organist week after week, to hear him give his there." The Indiana patrons evidently at the Hammond Civic Center, playing morning concert at 10:45 and his liked Muri's work, because he stayed for wrestling matches, basketball playing of the current film, then hear at the Indiana until the talkies put games, pancake breakfasts, music festi­ Jesse Crawford do his solo. organists out of business. The organ vals, flower exhibits, and dog shows. "Sometimes, I stayed over to hear remained unused until 1966, when, On one occasion, he provided the sole Mr. Crawford play the movie for the after a period of restoration by Chi­ musical background for an entire in­ second show, but often I would leave cago ATOS members, Mr. Muri rededi­ door circus for a week. The instrument the Chicago at 2 p.m. and go over to cated the instrument. It has been was a highly amplified Hammond. McVicker's Theatre where W. Reming­ profusely used since, including a fea­ "In 1962, I was invited to play a ton Welch or Albert Hay Malotte was ture presentation by Mr. Muri during concert for the Detroit Theater Organ playing. It was during this time that I the 1969 ATOS convention. Club, the second person to play a full met Al Carney, second organist at "In 1933, I became musical direc­ evening's program for that group. McVicker's. He was very kind to me; tor of WWAE in Hammond. However, From then on, my concert activities he recommended me for good jobs, I sensed the demise of the organist on expanded." which I never took. I insisted upon radio, so I worked to achieve my He is adequately prepared for any remaining stuck in the Calumet region, bachelor's degree, which I received at type program, having several hundred south of Chicago. the University of Chicago in 1937. I hours of motion picture material have my employers at the station to which he can use to illustrate the work "When I visited the organist at the thank for having made my radio sched­ required of a theatre organist years Temple Theatre in Hammond in 1924, ule fit my programs at the university. ago. He has hundreds of slides, mostly I discovered that the player was E. R . In 1940, I received my master's degree complete sets of solos. And, he has Howard, famous for his invention of from Indiana University. Wayne State many thematic cue sheets and com­ the Howard Organ Seat. He asked me University has recently awarded me a plete musical scores which came with immediately if I'd take his job, as he second master's. some of the bigger films. had become tired of traveling from "My bachelor's degree enabled me "I have been teaching English at Chicago to Hammond every day. Thus, to take a position teaching English at Wayne State University and Highland I had my first job handed to me at the Hammond Technical High, where I Park College for the past several years. age of 17, playing a 2/6 Wurlitzer. stayed for nine years. Then, I trans­ I also lectured on music for the silent Every rank sounded bad, and the ferred to Hammond High School, film ( using slides I made of old movie console, perched up in the ceiling which was the college preparatory music, both American and European), above the pipes, gave me regular night- school in town, and in 1965, I became at a Silent Film Festival at Kent State &A • IP 8A&&. On the 22nd of January, 1974, a great silence was heard across the Isthmus of Panama. The mighty Wurlitzer 3/27 had thundered its final performance. With the possible exception of Radio City, no theater organ anywhere has been enjoyed by more world travelers than has the Hotel El Panama's Wurlitzer. "Panama Viejo" (Old Panama) is the only stereo recording ever made of this fabulous instrument, and there will never be another! Recorded under natural conditions, Jon Fisher care­ fully chose selections, including both Latin and American favorites that best demonstrate the special qualities of this unique installation. The album liner notes detail the his­ tory, installation, and specifications of the organ. Truly a collector's item that can never be again.

SEND $5.50 p.p. CHECK OR M.O. to: LTA RECORDINGS, 9 CHURCH ST., WALTHAM, MA. 02154 (MASS. RES. ADD 15¢ TAX)

16 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 University, April 1971, accompanying no less than seven full-length features Arrests in Grant llnion Fire in two days' time." Mr. Muri has played for ATOS The Sunday, March 10 edition of at $100,000. In arraignment hearings Conventions in Detroit and Chicago, the Sacramento Bee carried the follow­ bail has been reset at $4,000 and and only an airlines'strike prevented ing two column headline: CITY $2,000. Charges have been dismissed his playing at the 1966 convention in YOUTH AID, 3 OTHERS AR­ against two of the nine . One of the Portland. He has toured many installa­ RESTED IN SCHOOL ARSON. This remaining seven has pleaded guilty to tions in the Middle West and East, has was the first of several similar stories arson, and three remain in custody, a recording to his credit, and is a to appear in the next few days. On unable to post bail. It should also be regular contributor to THEATRE OR­ March 14, the Bee carried the head ­ said that all those arrested are resi­ GAN magazine, expressing the organ­ line: NINTH ARREST MAY BE LAST dents of the Grant High neighborhood. ist's viewpoint on facets of the hobby. IN ARSON CASE. The headlines and One suspect, still in jail at this writing, "I have assumed 20 acres of farm accompanying stories related to the is the son of a man who has worked land in Michigan near Port Huron on destruction, on December 9/10, 1973, diligently through the years for the which I plan to have 10 cottages of the boys' gymnasium and the con­ community to have the use of the pipe surrounding a small lake, and a recrea­ sole of a beautiful theatre pipe organ organ . tion hall in which I can install one of at Grant Union High School. Balcom and Vaughn of Seattle, the two Wurlitzer organs I own, and Washington have been selected to The suspects ranged in age from 19 show silent movies with music for the build the replacement console . It is to through 4 7 years . The alleged ring­ summer cottagers along Lake Huron be completed early in 1975 . George leader was an employee of the City of between Port Huron and Lexington. Wright, a Grant alumnus, has volun­ Sacramento, a "pillar" of the com­ We have planted vegetables, trees, teered to play the rededication con­ munity, and a pastor of a church. A corn, fruit, etc. and hope to have a cert, having been one of a trio of simplified version of their motive was: substantial operation going soon. artists who dedicated the instrument "To get some money into the com­ " For fun, I am currently research­ in 1939. Emil Martin, one of the other munity to improve conditions." ing movie history of the period dedicatory artists, is a member of Nothing more can, or should, be said l 9 I 3-1916, using a Recordak micro­ Sierra Chapter, and had been playing at this time because of legal con­ film viewer which I purchased for use the instrument for Sierra Chapter siderations . with materials which I get from the activities . Howard Scott, the third Library of Congress, material which is Initial bail on the suspects was set dedicatory artist, is now deceased. • not available in even the great city libraries of Chicago and Detroit. I have three major projects currently in re­ search: (1) The silent serials of 1916, You~re Invited ... (2) The history of the earliest days of theatre organ, and (3) the Brenkert The THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA invites you to family of Detroit." GET INTO THE ACT by attending its fifth annual Convention in As if the above weren't enough to Detroit on July 7, 8, and 9, 1974. Convention headquarters will be the keep him busy, Mr. Muri is also getting Sheraton-Cadillac Hotel, located in the heart of downtown Detroit. ready two recordings; one on the Detroit Theater Organ Club Wurlitzer, The many interesting and magnificent theatres of the "motor city" will and another on the Detroit Fox 4/36 be visited during the course of the Convention and once again, you will Wurlitzer. be able to thrill to the magnificent pleasure palaces that made Detroit His concerts have been going very famous: the magnificent MICHIGAN THEATRE, the Auditoriums of well. "We were sold out for the con­ the worlds' largest MASONIC TEMPLE, famed ORCHESTRA HALL, cert at Cedar Rapids, Iowa in April the stunning FISHER THEATRE remodeled from a movie palace of old 1971, a week ahead of time - 2,000 into the foremost legit theatre in the midwest, the MUSIC HALL seats. They printed "sorry - sold out" CENTER and many others including the fabulous Detroit FOX, still the ads in the newspapers in May 1971 in second largest movie palace in America with 5042 seats in an Detroit for our concert in the Royal oval-Byzantine auditorium. Oak Theatre, 1700 seats sold out a week in advance there. The crowds The cost of the Convention is $15.00 per person and $3.00 for spouse outside were so large two hours before and each child. Registration material and hotel information can be concert time that they decided to sell obtained from Frank Rossi, 3178 Hollywood St., Dearborn, Mich. standing room tickets in violation of 48124. Bus tours and a copy of the Historical Theatre Guide to Detroit fire rules, and contemplated doing a will be included in the registration fee. second show . How sweet it is!" It is his feeling that the theatre In addition, the Detroit Public Library Main Branch in cooperation organ has entered a new era which will with the Theatre Historical Society will host a huge display, running the see a tremendous popularity for that entire month of July featuring the theatre buildings of the great Detroit instrument. Thanks to John T. Muri architect, C. Howard Crane. Many rare, original photographs, plus and others of similar dedication, that sketches and original blueprints will be on view. era will be a long and brilliant one. D

JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN 17