YJEIJE YJEID)JMIJEYN §TORY by Lloyd E. Klos

Ted Meyn, a theatre organist whose work took him to several areas of the , was born in 1901 in Kansas City, Kansas. From his debut in show business in 1907 until his retirement in the sixties, his life was one adventure after another, but all so interesting that Ted agreed to work with the writer in preparing his biog­ raphy for publication in "THEATRE ORGAN." Ted Meyn's introduction to en­ tertainment began at the tender age of six, on the stage of one of his father's six nickelodians. It was not at a piano or organ, but as a participant in an amateur night, and in the most daring fashion. Tom Daley, a tight-wire acrobat and escape artist, attempted to dem­ onstrate his skill with a machete in splitting a potato atop a volunteer's head. Having seen the performer prac­ tice this feat on a block of wood, Ted leaped to the stage. The potato was placed on his head, the audience sat Ted Meyn at the console of his one-man-trio instrument with which he made appearances throughout the east in the late fifties and early sixties. Third manual controls the Wurlitzer in deathly silence, until one swish of electric piano. - (Meyn collection) the blade split the potato. Ted bowed to the audience which went wild over butcher, selling peanuts, popcorn, stead of "Hearts and Flowers " while his bravery. Daley got first prize, a Cracker Jack, and chewing gum, up little Eva was dying, he would have $5 gold piece, but Ted merely got a and down the aisles. become a target for over-ripe fruit , pulled ear from his reprimanding In the meantime, he was given for showing such heartless disrespect mother. lessons on the piano. Since his three for a dying female. In 1909, Ted helped his father by brothers were cranking the Edison It mattered not whether the pianist "bicycling" the re_els of film from one projectors, and a sister was selling were an accomplished musician, an ear showplace to another. When one reel tickets, it was felt that he could join player , or faker, as long as he could was finished at the Phototorium, he the family at work by playing for the express the emotions and tempos prop­ would deliver it on his bicycle to the silent films . erly. When a drummer was added , Liberty, 7 blocks away. Then he'd In 1911, to gain experience, Ted the pianist's status did not change. race back for the second, while inter­ would relieve the regular pianist during But, when a violin , cello (which could mission at the Phototorium was tak­ the supper hour; the time of day when really draw the tears) , flute , cornet ing place. The patrons either would the audience was smallest - mostly etc. were added, only an accomplished have to pay another 5¢ or leave, a drunks sleeping it off. However, this pianist could qualify. bouncer being employed to evict re­ experience soon taught him that music Ted Meyn, at 12, was far from luctant ones. Thus, Ted's father had could set any mood called for on the being an accomplished musician - one the advantage of -booking at screen, and he, the musician, became who could sight-read rapidly . Even the cost of one film. as much a medium for the success of though he could by improvising, make "Bicycling" was eventually elim­ the movie as the players themselves. a silent picture live and breathe with inated by the film distributors. When All were at his mercy. However, if he emotion , he was out of business for this occured, Ted became a candy had played "Turkey In the Straw" in- several years.

THEATRE ORGAN APRIL, 1972 7 Then Wurlitzer , the world's greatest maker of carousel organs and saloon bandboxes, began making devices called Duplex Orchestras, consisting of an upright piano with a large box on each side. One box contained flute pipes , the other , drums, bells and sound effects. The pipes were played from the keyboard; the drums and sound effects by striking the feet on a series of piano pedals. There was also a roll player. Now, Ted was a one-man orchestra, and he did such creditable work that Wurlitzer offered him a job as dem­ onstrator of their several models. So, he advanced to this position , perform­ ing after school and on Saturdays in the Wurlitzer showrooms on McGee Street near Twelfth in Kansas City , Mo. Small theatre owners, for whom the instrument was intended, came from miles around to hear its possibilities . Many were sold, and Ted Meyn became a "boy wonder" in this field. When his schedule permitted , he played the Ted Meyn at Loew's Jersey 4 / 23 Robert Morton, one of the five "Wonder Mortons" opened in the 1929-1930 period in the Metropolitan area. Ted played all of them. opening program in theatres which (Meyn collection) had installed the instruments. A doctor in St. Joseph, Mo. pur­ horse hooves, train bell etc. A 6' x 12' Feeling that the young musician chased an instrument for a small theatre x 1O' chamber housed the pipes, and could handle a Wurlitzer 285, Famy he operated. Knowing Ted's father, he the ranks were Flute , String , Vox had two openings. One was in the got permission to keep Ted as a player Humana and Trumpet. Royal Theatre in Sydney, Australia ·, for a week . The doctor , also a col­ Ted had the instrument mastered two preformances a day , Sunday off, lector of antiques , provided room and within a day , and it was imperative at $ 75 a week. The second job was in board, and to Ted's surprise , was that he learn quickly because the Paramount's Missouri Theatre in St. privileged to sleep in a room , com­ motion picture owners of Kansas de­ Louis , where Stuart Barrie was leaving pletely furnished with Jesse James ' scended on the city for a convention , for the nearby Capitol Theatre. memorabilia - his bed, his wash basin, especially to hear the new instrument. Not wanting to go to Australia, Ted his comb and brush , yes , even the pot A dozen were sold , which rewarded went to St. Louis. The Wurlitzer store under the bed. What young man Ted with grand openings of these manager arranged for a tryout , and wouldn't leap to take advantage of devices. while passing thru town, C. Sharpe Jesse James' pot in those days? The As he was eager to progress as a Minor, one of the leading showman memory of that famous outlaw was musician , he accepted an offer to play organists of all time, stopped at the still fresh in the region. the 2/6 Moller at the Orpheum Theatre store and gave Ted some advice in At that time , Wurlitzer had in­ in Leavenworth , Kansas. In a few handling the Missouri 's 285 . "Be sure stalled only two Hope-Jones organs weeks , Fred Broder , Wurlitzer store to take notice of how Stuart Barrie in the Kansas City area. One was in manager , engaged Ted , at double wages , employs second touch. He plays the the Isis Theatre in Kansas City, Mo., to play the converted band-box at the melody on second touch, the accom­ and played by Carl Stallings , the Mayflower Theatre in Florence, Kansas, paniment on first touch, both on the greatest ever , in Ted's opinion . The and then a similar instrument in the first manual with the left hand, thus other was in a theatre in , Kansas Theatre in Wichita, this theatre leaving his right hand free to play Kansas , played by Gene Moore. being converted from a shoe store . any of the other three manuals with Whether or not the territory was In less than a year, having quit his variations and such. The guy is the ready for Wurlitzer to install a Hope­ job in Wichita, Ted was back in Kansas best in the business with that trick." Jones unit orchestra in its Kansas City City, determined never to play a band­ Stuart Barrie introduced Ted to the showrooms, was debatable. What they box again. Since there were no theatre 285 the night before Ted's audition. did install was a converted saloon organs installed since he had left town , This occured after the last show, and band-box. It consisted of an upright he was advised to write Famy Wur­ Ted, upon taking his place on the piano with full keyboard , a second litzer in North Tonawanda , N.Y., who organ bench , "almost died from fright!" keyboard to play the pipes , a full was known for placing organists. He There were six swell pedals, dozens compass of organ pedals, a swell pedal. wrote Ted that he had been highly of toe studs, combination pistons, and and a knee-operated arm to effect recommended , and that "there is no rows of stop tabs which "seemed to piano sustain. There were buttons to question that Wurlitzer owes you from coast to coast." The third control a train whistle , bird whistle , something." and fourth manuals seemed too far

8 APRIL, 1972 THEATRE ORGAN to reach. What were they there for? until 2 A.M., sharing the "Night paid off. Song pluggers, traveling out When the big moment for his au­ Hawks" program with the Kuhn­ of Chicago, talked about Paul Ash, the dition arrived, the Missouri was packed, Sanders orchestra, emanating from Master of Ceremonies at the McVickers the management stood by critically, the Muehlebach Hotel grill room. The Theatre, who with long, wavy hair, and Krazy Kat jumped onto the screen. announcer was Leo Fitzpatrick, known was standing them outside in lines Ted froze in sheer terror, so confused as the "Merry Old Chief." Ted is four a breast. was he. In a flash, Barrie was at his credited as being the first to play an Ted says: "The permanent wave side, Ted eased off the bench to let organ over radio. machine was introduced for the first the master take over. Broadcasting from the theatre, Ted time in Kansas City at Woolf Bros., an Ted was heart-broken; he had failed, had only one line to the station thru exclusive men's store, which,· with the but it was not because he wasn't made a pick-up mike. He employed ear­ introduction of the machine, hoped to for playing the big organ. It was phones of a crystal set, using the brass attract the patronage of women. The simply that he had not the experience rail around the orchestra pit for an store was having no luck with the necessary to handle the large instru­ aerial. Requests from listeners through­ women, who were more modest then, ments. He returned to Kansas City, out the middle west poured in, which (You've come a long way, baby!). went into seclusion, but not for long. resulted in many personal appearances. "Working with the theatre and store The 1500-seatDoricTheatreon Wal­ It was at the Pantages where Ted managements, I let my hair grow until nut Street had closed because of bad Meyn conceived the idea of the "organ­ I was ready for the machine. Photo­ business caused by the theatre chains' logue", a live illustration of the song graphers from the Star and Times hogging the best pictures. The Doric being featured. When "Moonlight and were present, three attendants worked had a 3/20 Kimball, and Ted persuaded Roses'' was introduced, a long ladder, over me. The resulting publicity in the the management to allow him to prac­ coupled to a railroad baggage truck, press, plus my statement that 'I wanted tice on it as much as he pleased. This was employed in a crude version of a hair like Frederic Chopin', was like was the training ground so necessary to boom device. An electrically-lighted a sensation. Theatre patrons stormed his future success. Here, he could work quarter moon hung from the boom, the Pantages in droves to see and hear out combinations, blend voices, prac­ and inside sat a girl with an armful of Ted Meyn." tice Barrie's second touch trick, employ roses. Everything else was blacked out During this run of good fortune, the toy counter and traps. He admits for the effect. As the device was drawn the director of stage presentations of that the failure in St. Louis was the across the stage, the girl threw roses to Loew's Theatres, Louis K. Sidney, best thing which could have happened the audience. called on Ted, saying: "Get a haircut, to him - it gave him time to stop, Ted's organlogues were so successful join Loew's, grow with us, and I take inventory of himself. that Pantages cut an act in his theatres promise you that one day, you'll play While his training sessions were and replaced it with this feature. Ted the organ in New York's Capitol going on, various persons were tipped also ran community singing, termed a Theatre." off as to the young man's growing songfest, not a sing-along. Whether Bill Dalton was premier organist artistry. One day, Walter Finney, man­ he were the first to do this is un­ in Columbus, Ohio. Sidney wanted ager of the Pantages Theatre, sat in on certain, but some old song pluggers him to open Loew's Ohio, but Dalton one of Ted's practice periods. Con­ insist that he was. wanted too much money. He had vinced that what he had heard was Toward the end of Ted's fifth year "to be cut down to size", was how true, Finney offered Ted a job at the at the Pantages, competition with other Sidney phrased it. Sidney planned to Pantages, which he accepted. theatres drastically increased. The New­ open the Ohio's 4-manual Robert The Pantages, a 2,800-seat house, man installed a 3-manual Wurlitzer. Morton with Henry B. Murtagh, and was a combination picture and vaude­ The Main Street had a 3-manual Kim­ Ted Meyn at Loew's Broad 3-manual ville theatre, housing a 2/ 18 Robert ball, its console on an elevator. Two Kimball. "That will put Mr. Dalton Morton . The organ was installed be­ neighborhood houses put in Wurl itzers. right smack between the two greatest neath the stage, because Alexander The plush, 4,000-seat Loew's Midland novelty men in the business. I'm willing Pan tages believed all music should was being constructed, a place which to match whatever expense you've come out of the orchestra pit. So, a would "glow in the mid-west as a required in the past, and that's what smaller console had to be installed in flower in a weed patch, so beautiful I told Murtagh. I'll be needing you in the meager space provided. and large would it be." It was to house Cleveland in 10 weeks, but I'll get The back of the chamber faced a a 4/19 Robert Morton, its console on Dalton, one way or the other." Ted hall, along which were the actors' and a rotating elevator. P. Hans Flath, accepted this most generous offer. musicians' dressing rooms. Joe Jackson, organist and director of Wichita's Miller Before heading east, Ted had lunch famous pantomimist, appearing Theatre, was signed to play it. one day in the Nance Cafe with a man on stage the same week as "What Business at the Pantages was off, who was destined to be world famous. Price Glory", a World War I picture, simply because the chain houses were He was the artist at the Newman remarked "Ted sure knows how to getting all the good pictures . The Theatre, painting beautiful lobby dis­ give an example of what Sherman booking agents were saying: "There play posters and drawing art for news­ said: 'War is Hell'. Another week of ain't enough people out there to keep paper advertising. The man's name: this, and we'll all be shell-shocked!" themselves warm if they bundled Walt Disney. Ted remained at the Pantages for together." Walt sensed the importance behind 6 years. Radio station WDAF, owned Publicity stunts became common, the introduction of sound movies, by the Kansas City Star and Times, and if the stunt were original and big starting about 1928. "You realize," broadcast him nightly from midnight enough to the papers, it always said Walt, "tha t sound is going to put

THEATRE ORGAN APRIL, 1972 9 a lot of people out of work, especially in Brooklyn, it was a flop. Sound was attempt later to get him back, but the musicians. But, the guy who goes with in full bloom, and Loew's pulled the Cleveland office wouldn't release him. sound is going to stay in business.'' stage shows and went for pictures By the spring of 193 2, the depres­ Walt explained that he was heading only. With the musicians' contract in sion had set in. The era of the live for the west coast soon, to produce a force, the orchestra was kept, but to theatre musician was fast bowing out. sound cartoon of a mouse caricature, play only the overture. P. Hans Flath Loew's cut vaudeville, orchestras and and in time, other features. "That is turned to radio, Ted was called for, organists; everything in theatres be­ where you come in, Ted. I want but the Midland remained a white came mechanical. In May 193 2, he sound effects. Anybody who can elephant. heard from Louis Sidney with two produce organ sound effects for Krazy J. R. Vogel, managing director of all propositions. Because of his loyalty Cat as you do, can supply such ability Loew's Theatres, and Louis Sidney (two big salary cuts), the brass liked to the background for any caricature. asked the Midland's manager what him. Ted was offered a job in Denver's Are you interested?" could be done to make it a success. Paramount, but if he could afford to Ted hesitated a moment, but re­ "Take the gold braid off the ushers, take a vacation, he could become plied in the negative. He had his ticket takers and footman, forbid the solo organist in Loew's Jersey sights set for the east, and that's where musicians from wearing formal dress, in September. he thought the opportunities lay. get some cow manure from the stock The latter was his choice, and fol­ That was the last time Ted saw yards and spread it about. You'll do lowing vacation in Kansas City, he Walt Disney in person. Carl Stallings, big," was his reply. opened at Loew's Jersey, featuring the Kansas City Isis' organist, went The Midland, years later, became songfests. As there was sound, he west and became director and com­ a most beautiful repository for bowling would pass the microphone around poser of sound effects for Looney­ alleys. so vocalists could hear themselves sing. Toon cartoons. Bill Livernash, organist At the end of the musicians' con­ Among those were Monk Berkewitz, of the Warwick Theatre in Kansas tract, Ted went east again, this time to John Ryan, and a sliver of a kid named City, also went west. "If Disney took Jersey City to open Loew's Jersey, a Frank Sinatra. Monk eventually was him, he took the greatest," says Ted. 3 ,200-seat house, with sound pictures, featured as a singing guitarist with Also from Kansas City, Leo Forb­ hourse orchestra with director Don Meyer Davis' society orchestra; Johnny stein, orchestra director of the New­ Albert, Master of Ceremonies Teddy became affiliated with Sammy Kaye's man Theatre, went to Los Angeles to Joyce, stage shows direct from New band; and everyone knows what hap­ join Paramount. His brother, Louis, in York's Capitol Theatre, a line of 24 pened to "Frankie". a similar post at the Royal Theatre Chester Hale girls. The organ was a After Pearl Harbor, New York's and later in the Saenger Theatre in 4/23 Robert Morton. Times Square really boomed. The New Orleans, directed orchestras in Occasionally, Albert, Joyce, and Paramount and Strand featured name west coast studios. Lou helped compose Meyn were sent to perform as a bands, the Roxy had a stage show and direct the score for "Gone With trio in Loew's 175th in Manhattan, the built around Paul Ash. Loew's, cautious the Wind." Eddie Dunstedter, wonder Paradise in the Bronx, the Valencia in at first, eventually featured live bands organist from Minneapolis, joined the Jamaica and the Pitkin and the Kings at the Capitol; Tommy and Jimmy studios on the west coast as did Oliver in Brooklyn. Readers will recognize Dorsey, Paul Whiteman, Horace Heidt, Wallace, organist in Seattle's Liberty the "Wonder Theatres" in this array. Gene Krupa, Sammy Kaye, Guy Lom­ Theatre, composer of "Hindustan" and The time is now 1930; the effects bardo, Xavier Cugat and others. "Der Fuehrer's Face", found the studio of the October 1929 stock market It was decided to raise the Capitol's doors open to him. He wrote the crash are being felt. Ted, for over a orchestra elevator to stage level. What score to Disney's "Fantasia", among year, had done very well playing the about the Estey organ console? "Cut others. Loew's houses in metropolitan New the cable and throw the damn thing Ted played 10 weeks at Loew's York. Suddenly, he was transferred out into the spillway," said Louis Broad in Columbus. Lou Sidney even­ back to the State in Cleveland. Dick Sidney. And that is exactly what they tually got Bill Dal ton after both com­ Leibert, transferred from Loew's Penn did on the spot. A junk dealer carted promised on salary. Murtagh, Dalton in Pittsburgh, to the State, was being it away. and Ted used to meet at the College brought east to Loew's Jersey. Lester B. Isaac replaced Sidney, Inn nightly following the final show, On the night of his final show at who joined M.G.M. He sent for Ted, for a friendly get-together and mid­ the Jersey, a 70-piece high school saying he was wanted at the Capitol night snack. band paraded down the aisles with Ted as an organist - a Hammond organist. Next came Ted Meyn's tenure at spotlighted on the Howard seat. A Ted was shocked, fearing the thing Loew's Park, a 3300-seat theatre in complete surprise, this was arranged would be a laughing stock compared Cleveland at 105th Street and Euclid by hundreds of fans. with those instruments in the Music Ave. The house had a Wurlitzer 235 Upon his return to Cleveland, he Hall, Paramount, and Roxy. "No one on an elevator, and Ted presided over was given a welcome night, which was will notice the difference", said Isaac. it for a year, until in 1929, he was featured by the delivery of a 4' x 8' "The console will be placed high to transferred to Loew's State, playing postcard from Jersey City, with hun­ the right of the pit, the carpenters will a 2/ 18 Wurlitzer, the console also on dreds of signatures wishing him luck. build a coat around it so it will look an elevator. At the same time, a scroll of signatures like a huge pipe organ." In the meantime, Loew's Midland was sent to 1540 Broadway in New Still with misgivings, Ted opened in Kansas City opened, but like the York, Loew's home office, demanding on the highly amplified Hammond on Mastbaum in Philadelphia and the Fox his return to Jersey City. There was an July 24, 1944, after 14 years at the

10 APRIL, 1972 THEATRE ORGAN Jersey. He lasted at the Capitol until credit for having guts; you have to feel Latin with one hand, Greek with the 1955, at which time, Loew's was break­ sorry for him, because it seems that other, kicking a wild cat in the tail ing up into two companies by anti­ it is the only way he can make a living with one foot, and mad dog with the trust action. in the music business. The first un­ other, all at the same time." He was given six months' pay, a written rule of yesterday's musician And so, we come to the end of the lump sum from the pension fund, and was 'never take a drink on the job'. Ted Meyn story, We have seen that a note that his 27 years with Loew's That rule still stands, but narcotics for over 55 years, the man devoted had terminated. The latter years of his have been added to it." his life to entertaining others. Now, Capitol tenure made Ted the only live "Other unwritten rules? My father with retirement, it is hoped he and attraction in a Times Square motion gave this one to me: 'He who resorts Mrs. Meyn will enjoy many years of picture theatre. to smut for laughs, or the flag for relaxation which retirement is designed He was 54 now, had spent 43 years bows, is no showman' ". to assure. □ in the theatre. What next? He didn't Ted Meyn and his wife, Helen, will want to teach, and there were no have celebrated their 50th wedding more theatre jobs. anniversary in July 1971 ; both are Lester Isaac contacted him. Isaac 70 years young. They are planning had left Loew's to direct the pres­ a European trip which may become a

THEATRE ORGAN APRIL, 1972 11