WIZARD OF THE ... The EddieHorton Story

by Lloyd E. Klos

Eddie Horton, theatre organist, He went to Camp Curry in Yosemite known throughout Australia and New National Park as pianist, and program Zealand, as well as in this country, director until September. He then comes from the Nebraska corn country, journeyed to San Francisco to play having been born in Grand Island on the Wurlitzer at the Strand Theatre, April 7, 1893. and later, the California Theatre on He started eight years of Market Street, also having a Wurlitzer. lessons in 1901. In 1908, he opened While in California, Eddie made the first picture show in Grand Island, the first player rolls for silent pictures providing the piano accompaniment for . He also drew the for the silents. A year later, he played specifications of over 100 Ro be rt his first organ music for a picture, Morton organs while in San Francisco. using a parlor pumper for The Passion Then came Los Angeles again in Play. 1922, to play the Kinema (now Cri­ Eddie then toured the state with terion) Morton. During Eddie's tenure small shows until 1911. "I went to at the Criterion, Victor Herbert, the Denver, and in walking up 18th Street famous composer-conductor, had a to Laramie St., heard a Eddie Horton at the Allen three-manual two-week engagement. He was very in front of a nickel theatre. Asking if organ in Albuquerque Civic Auditorium on impressed with the instrument, and they had a piano inside ( they did), I April 21, 1970, "The biggest day in my expressed the hope that "it will be I ife", says he. - ( Horton collection) shut off the player, and went to aud­ one of the features of the programs, ition for the manager. His name was play the Kimball in the Sun Theatre for an organ so remarkably equipped Jack Becker, an operatic baritone. on Farnam St. is bound to be enjoyed by the patrons." who came from the Whitney Opera In May 1917, he left Omaha in a The Criterion was operated in direct House in Detroit. Scripps-Booth roadster for California. competition to Grauman's Million "I played, he sang, and he gave A faded clipping from the Omaha Dollar, and although Jesse Crawford me a job for $25 a week. A month Sunday Bee announces the start of the was solo organist at the latter house, later, I went up Curtis Street to the trip. "Mr. Horton has become quite "Horton At the Morton" was em­ Iris Theatre.* The owner bought me famous with the speed stunts he has blazoned on billboards about the city. a nine-foot Decker piano which I pulled off with his Scripps-Booth eight, In August 1924, Eddie Horton sailed played in the lobby, dressed in an and it will be recalled that a couple for Australia where he began a 10-year Eaton boy outfit." months ago, he made a trip from stay "down under". He opened the In 1912, Eddie Horton left Denver Fremont to Omaha (38 miles) in one Prince Edward Theatre, "The Show­ for Cripple Creek, Colorado, to play hour and 10 minutes, through six place of Australia", in Sydney on theatres there. In 1913, he went to inches of snow and mud." Fast cars November 22, 1924. He also played a Omaha to play a Seeburg orchestrion, always had an appeal for Eddie Horton. command performance for the Duke and was billed as "The Seventh Wonder On the way to California, he stopped and Duchess of England in 1924 at of the World," at the Princess The­ off in Denver, and played at the Iris Sydney Town Hall. atre on Douglas Street. Theatre, subbing for the vacationing For about a year, Eddie played In 1914, it was on to the Starland Henry B. Murtagh. Associate organist New Zealand houses, then he returned Theatre in St. Paul, Minn. In 1915, it was Henri Keates, later to gain his in 1925 to Sydney for five years at the was the Princess Theatre in Des Moines, fame in Chicago's Oriental Theatre. Prince Edward. Faded clips refer to and in 1916, he returned to Omaha to Eddie arrived in California, and him as "The Wizard of the Wurlitzer". *Editor's Note: played the Miller Theatre in Los He literally became a musical insti­ There were two theatres in Denver with Angeles, sharing his duties with Carlo tution in Australia's largest city. similar names. The oldest house was built in Elinor. Then came work on the big Early in 1928, Eddie had an en­ 1889 as the CURTIS. Several different names Austin in Clune's Auditorium. Next, gagement in Auckland, New Zealand. were applied to it over the years. In 1911 it was known as the "IRIS". A larger house he opened the 5-manual Robert Morton Though he played a Wurlitzer, a daily called "ISIS" was built in 1913. This theatre in the Kinema Theatre at Seventh and paper once referred to the instrument had a large 4/28 Wurlitzer, installed in 1915. Grand, playing until April 19, 1918. as a "Mangelwurlitzer." When he wasn't

14 JUNE, 1972 THEATRE ORGAN bought a Model A Hammond, and played night clubs for several years . In 194 7, he came to Albuquerque, New Mexico as a guest of his former partner, John D. Garvin , manager of the Alvarado House. He brought his Hammond along, and stayed three years, playing in the dining room. He liked the beauty of the New Mexico area so well that he purchased property and made his home there. Eddie has become a leading per­ sonality in Albuquerque. He was at the Golden T Lounge for five years , at the console, Eddie could be seen and it wasn't long before a new musical and had tenures in other establishments. early mornings or evenings in his "Hot contraption was adorning the front of He has been affiliated with station Devil", a rakish automobile with a the sporty Buick. KOAT-TV , and had his own show , blue-striped hood and big electric bell. Eddie's next engagement was six playing requests. After his years at the Prince Edward, months at the State Theatre back in In 1969 , he opened the new Holiday Eddie Horton went on tour of some of Sydney. Then, on to the Ambassadors Inn Motel, and in 1970, the East the major cities in Australia. He had a Theatre in Perth in 193 2, then the Holiday Inn. lengthy engagement at the 3-manual Regent Theatre in Adelaide and the However, Eddie admits that his Christie in Roxy's Spanish Theatre in Regent in Melbourne. biggest day came on April 21, 1970 Parramatta, New South Wales in 1931. Mr. Horton returned to San Fran­ - "Eddie Horton Day", proclaimed While here, Australian Prime Minister cisco in 1933. As the depression was by the mayor of Albuquerque , Over Scull, accompanied by members of the in full force, jobs were scarce. He took 1,100 persons turned out that evening Australian Parliament, made a special a position with Ringling Brothers' at Civic Auditorium to hear a pro­ journey from Canberra to give Eddie a Circus, and later was public relations gram by the honored guest, consisting special award for his entertainment and radio director for the Al G. Barnes of eleven numbers, a sing-along, and proclivities. Circus. his accompaniment of The Gold Rush By this time, Eddie still a lover of In September 1934, he began a with Charlie Chaplin, all played on the sporty automobiles, had a sweet-look­ stint at the Fox Miller Theatre in 3-manual Allen electronic. ing Buick roadster. The engine was Wichita, Kansas . While here, he broad­ "I an now semi-retired , and have chromium-plated. Reports said it "has cast from station KHF, presenting a amassed several items of income, " he a remarkable turn of speed, over 80 30-minute program each Thursday says. "So I fish, travel, and enjoy the MPH easily accomplished. Everyone morning. Requests were played , the blessings which have been bestowed knows when the car is approaching by requesters sending their choices to the on me and my lovely wife of 35 years. the musical notes which issue from theatre. He remained at the Miller She was an aerialist with the circus. trumpets at the front of the car." until April 1935, when he returned to "A cheerful 'hello' to any old One evening, Eddie was visiting his San Francisco to head advance work timers of my era. Would surely enjoy mother-in-law, when a miserable for the circus. hearing from them. My address is 408 bounder removed the trumpet assembly With work in theatres for organists Penn S.E. in Albuquerque, and my and made off. The horn was insured, in 1935 practically non-existent, Eddie phone number is (505) 255-0688." □

PRE-CONVENTION AWARDWINNERS ... CONCERT Of added interest to anyone travel­ ing to the ATOS National Convention in Washington, D.C. is a concert planned at John Dickinson High School in Wilmington, Delaware. Organist Glenn Hough and pianist John Reading will present a concert of semi-classical and popular music using the 3/28 Kimball theatre and a nine foot grand piano on Saturday, July 8 at 8:00 P.M. The program is sponsored by the John Dickinson High School Organ Eleanor Weaver of Connecticut Valley Chapter presents awards to the winners of the 1972 Society and tickets are $2.00 reserved Annual Scholarship Contest. From left to right: Albert Rohe, Kathy Roberg (2nd place), Janet and $1.50 for general admission. Hassel (1st place), John Hadburay (3rd place), Linda Lovallo, Gerry Bilak and Sandy Barnes.

THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1972 15