DECEMBER, 1973
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN THEATRE ORGAN SOCIETY The .~) greats' one. THEWURLITZER ELECTRONICPIANO. The one electronic piano chosen by so many all-time greats. The overwhelming choice of talented musicians like Richard Carpenter, A&M record ing artist Pete Jolly, Pete Fountain's pianist Godfrey Hirsch, Mel Torme, Duke Ellington, Ario Guthrie, David Clayton-Thomas, Marian McPartland, Paul Revere and the Raiders. What makes the Wurlitzer Electronic Piano the greats' one? The unusual effects that come from built-in vibrato and volume control. Portability And, most important, that dependable Wurlitzer sound. It's something you can share with these all-time greats. Simply visit your Wurlitzer dealer and ask for the greats' one. WURLllZER leads the way
DECEMBER, 197 3 COMPILED BY LLOYD E. KLOS
Month Page This index refers to major items which have appeared in Harold Lloyd Museum Plans Ben Hall Memorial ...... June 4 THEATRE ORGAN during 1973. No attempt has been made Introducing the 1972 Rodgers-Morton ...... June 39 to list the thousands of Chapter Items, Concert Reviews, Howard Vollum's Wurlitzer ...... Feb. 27 Nuggets, Vox Pops etc. INSTALLATIONS(Other Than Homes & Studios) ATOS MISCELLANEOUS Month Page Birmingham's Alabama Theatre ...... Dec. 5 A Member's Tribute to ATOS ...... Oct. 51 First Pizza Organ Built ...... June 23 A Few Words From Our Attorney ...... Dec. 11 Hammond Castle's Austin ...... •...... Apr. 13 Are You Represented? ...... •...... Dec. 10 List of Scotland Installations ...... Feb. 38 Chapter Chairmen and Secretaries ...... Apr. 51 Good News From Louisiana ...... Aug. 15 Davenport Premiere a Sellout ...... Aug. 47 Theatre Organ Restored in New Mexico School ...... June 28 Hall of Fame Procedure ...... Aug. 40 New Mexico Military Institute ...... Dec. 49 Hall of Fame Roster ...... Aug. 41 San Francisco Orpheum's Morton Sings Again ...... Oct. 49 How to Get Information For ATOS Library ...... Feb. 9 The San Sylmar Museum ...... Feb. 13 Lists of ATOS Library Books and Music ...... Feb. 10 Schnitzelhaus Mit Wurlitzer! ..... : •...... June 31 1973 ATOS Convention in Portland ...... Aug. 23 State Theatre in Springfield, Ohio ...... Dec. 35 Theatre Organ Magazine Circulation ...... June 26 Times Square Paramount Dedicated in Wichita ...... Apr. 23 West Penn Chapter Event in Maryland ...... Feb. 21 MISCELLANEOUS BIOGRAPHICAL Status of Four Canadian Organs ..•...... June 11 Charles, Milton - Part 1 ...... June 14 How to be a Critic .. , ...... •...... June 25 Charles, Milton - Part 2 ...... •...... Aug. 12 Dramatic Value of the Theatre Organ ...... Aug. 10 Clubb, Mildred G •...... Oct. 11 Home Organ Festival ...... Dec. 14 Dodge, Hugh J...... Dec. 18 Keeping the Record Straight ...... Apr. 18 Fitzpatrick, Mildred M...... Apr. 4 Pipe Pipe~ List of Organs in Public Places ...... Apr. 52 Hope-Jones, Robert - Part 1 ...... Dec. 21 The Pizza Organ (Humorous) ...... Dec. 49 Torch, Sidney - Part 2 ...... Feb. 31 Radio Announcers Spread Theatre Organ Gospel ...... Oct. 26 Torch, Sidney - Part 3 ...... Apr. 46 Silent Film Music in Talking Picture ...... Apr. 45 Wickham, Luella E ...... Oct. 32 The Social Bond .....••...... Dec. 36 BOOK REVIEWS Too Much Success? ...... Oct. 35 Wichita Ends First Season With a Sellout ...... Oct. 36 The American Ree FEBRUARY 1974 ( over) THEATRE ORGAN SUPPLEMENT ORGANISTS'ACTIVITIES Month Page Month Page Colin Cousins Tapes Odeon Carlton Farewell ...... Dec. 17 Larsen, Lyn - At the Organ Loft ...... Aug. 44 Lee Erwin Discovers Little Known Morton ...... Dec. 13 Liversidge, Reginald & Peter Jebson - Double Touch, Vol. 2 Feb. 36 Shirley Hannum Goes West ...... Apr. 26 MacDonald, Robert - Noel ...... Dec. 39 In Search of the Phantom With Tom Lockwood ...... Oct. 18 May, Ed & Carol - Take Back My Heart, I Ordered Liver (E)Apr. 20 Dr. Parmentier Returns to Pipes ...... June 12 McClain, Leonard - Golden Years of the Theatre Organ ... Apr. 19 Yamaha Winner Ronald Pedley Bound for Japan ...... Aug. 51 Million, Bill - Once in a Million (E) ••.•••.•....• Apr. 21 "Our David" Scrimenti ...... Apr. 34 Nourse, Everett - Memories of the Fabulous Fox ...... Oct. 23 George Wright's First British Concert ...... Oct. 30 Pearl, Hal - Memories of the Aragon ...... Oct. 24 Phantom of the Organ at Monster Catacombs ...... Aug. 45 PLAYING INSTRUCTIONS Ralston, Bob - Playing Movie & Show Themes (E) ...... Oct. 25 Rapf, Kurt - Classic Organ Bach in Linz Cathedral ..... June 21 "Alles Was Dubist" Review ...... Apr. 30 Simmons, Don - Swingin' Pipes ...... Oct. 24 Care and Feeding of Organ Soloists ...... Feb. 12 Smith, Dick - Velvet Sounds ...... Dec. 38 Cueing a Silent Movie ...... Feb. 5 Swinnen, Firmin - The Art of FS in Longwood Gardens . Aug. 43 Lists of ATOS Library Material ...... Feb. 10 Torch, Sidney - At the Theatre Organ ...... Feb. 35 Playing in the Picture Houses ...... Feb. 11 Watters, Clarence - Trinity College Chapel Organ ...... Dec. 40 Registration and Relativity ...... Aug. 42 Wright, Simon & Gerald Shaw - A King & Queen ...... June 20 RECORD REVIEWS(E=electronic) STOP LISTS AND CHAMBER LAYOUTS Baker, Don - Returns to Brooklyn Paramount ...... Dec. 37 Tom Hamilton's Rodgers-Morton ...... June 41 Briggs, Noel - Opposite Ranks ...... Oct. 25 San Sylmar's Wurlitzer ...... Feb. 20 Carter, Gaylord - Fifty Years of Chasing ...... Feb. 36 Howard Vollum's Wurlitzer ...... Feb. 29 Cole, Karl - This is Karl Cole ...... Aug. 44 Del Castillo, Lloyd - Salute to America ...... Apr. 19 TECHNICAL Der Wurlitzer Orgels ...... Apr. 36 Positive Control for Wurlitzer Tremulant ...... Apr. 15 Dumser, Peter - Theatre Organ Encores (E) ...... June 21 Erwin, Lee - Plays Ben Hall's "Little Mother" ...... Dec. 39 THEATRE INTERIORS(Pictures)("An Acre of Seats"Series) Hannum, Shirley - Shirley! ...... June 20 Detroit, Mich. - Fox .....•...... Oct. 2 James, Tiny - At the Orpheum ...... Oct. 22 Los Angeles, Cal. - United Artists ...... Feb. 4 ~oury, Rex - Meets the Rodgers Style 260 (E) ...... Apr. 20 Oakland, Cal. - Paramount .....•.••...... Dec. 2 • FEBRUARY 1974 THEATRE ORGAN SUPPLEMENT cover- photo ... The 4/20 Crawford Special Wurlitzer, Opus 1783 in the Alabama Theatre, in Birmingham. See "The Showplace of the South" page 5. Journal of the Amer ican Theatre Organ Society Volume 15, No. 6 • December, 1973 ATOS National Membersh ip is $10.00 per calendar year , which includes a subscr i ption in this issue ... to THEATRE ORGAN, the official pub li cat ion of the Amer ican Theatre Organ FEATURES Society. Single copies $1.25. Make check or money order payable to ATOS , and mail 5 The Showplace of the South ..... Alleen Cole to P.O. Box 1314, Salinas , California 93901 . 10 Are You Represented? ...... Erwin A. Young Editorial Address THEATRI::: ORGAN 11 A FewWordsfrom Our Attorney ...... Charles A. Rummel P.O. Box 13 14 , 13 Lee Erwin Discovers Little-Known Robert Morton . Ted Creech Salinas , California 939 01 Advertising Address 14 Home Organ Festival ...... Stu Green ATOS Advertising 17 Canadian Artist Tapes Odeon Farewell .. Robert L. Payne 223 1 North Burling Street Chicago , I l linois 6 0 6 14 18 The Hugh Dodge Story ...... Lloyd E. Klos National Headquarters 21 Homage to Robert Hope-Jones .. Stevens Irwin ATOS P.O . Box 100 2 26 Theatre Organists on Radio ... . .Lloyd E. Klos Middleburg , Virginia 22117 Phone ( 7 0 3) 55 4 8321 35 Wurlitzer Gets New Lease on Life National Off icers 36 The Social Bond ...... John Muri Erwin Young , President Duane Searle , Vice President 47 The Wurlitzer of John Koczinski Jean Lautzenheiser , Sec . Treas . Nina Young , Executive Secretary 49 The Pizza Organ - a satire ...... Fred Hermes National Board of Directors 49 Military Institute Features Hillgreen-Lane Mary A . Bowles W . " Tiny" James Albert T . Mas o n Jean Lautzenheiser Al len R. Mille r Richard C. Simonton DEPARTMENTS R icha r d H . Schrum Judd Walton Stillman Rice . Past President 4 Acre of Seats 41 Vox Pops Librarian 20 Closing Chord 46 Book Review Mary A. Bowles Route '2, Hopewell Road 31 Hollywood Cavalcade 48 Letters to the Editor L o st Lake, Marlton , N.J . 08 0 53 Phone: (6 0 9) 983 1535 34 Nuggets from the Golden Days 50 Chapter Notes Past Presidents 37 For the Records 63 Classified Ads Ri c hard S i monton Feb . 1955 - Oc t. 1958 40 Dinny's Colyum Judd Walton Oc t. 1958 - July 1961 Tiny James July 1961 - Ju l y 1964 Carl Norvell July 1964 - July 1966 R ichard Schrum July 1966 - July 1968 Al Mason July 1968 - Ju l y 1970 Stillman Ri c e July 1970 - July 1972 Honorary Members 1959- Jesse Crawford 1967- Erwin A. Young, Jr. 1960- Farny Wurlitzer 1968- Ric hard C. Simonton Whatever else be lost among the years, 1961- Mel Doner 1969- Judd Walton 1962- Leonard MacClain 1970- Bill Lamb Let us keep Christmas - 1963- Eddie Dunstedter 1971- George and Vi Thompson 1964- Reginald Foort 1972- Stu Green 1965- Dan Barton 1973- AI and Betty Mason Its meaning never ends; 1966- W. "Tiny" James Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears, EDITORIAL STAFF Editor - Geo r ge Thompso n Associate Edito rs - Ray Brubacher Let .us hold close this day - Lloy d E . Klos Peg Nie lsen Edito r- Emer i tus - W . "Stu" G r een Ph o t o gr apher - Bill L amb remembering friends! Publis h er - Al M aso n Editorial Assi stant - Do n L o c kwood A dv er tisi ng M a n ager - L en Cl arke C irculation M ana ger - Vi Th o mpson THEATRE ORGAN (title registered U.S. Patent Office) is published bi -monthly by BEST WISHES the American Theatre Organ Society, Inc., FOR a non -profit organization, Erwin A. Young , Jr., President. All rights reserved . Entire 1974 contents copyrighted 1973 by ATOS, Inc ., Office of publication is P.O. Box 2329. fro m Livonia, Michigan 481 50. NATIONA L POSTMASTER : Second Class postage paid at Livonia, Michigan.IF UNDELIVERABLE, HEADQUARTERS send form 3579 to ATOS Circulation De partment , Box 1314, Salinas , California 93901. DECEMBER , 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 3 An Aoref Slats in a Palaoef Splendlr Photo by Gabriel Moulin Studios - San Francisco, courtesy of OSOA By BillPeterson - Number30 in a series PARAMOUNT THEATRE - Oakland,California This interesting theatre is an example of the style known as "Moderne". It opened on December16, 1931, and was designedby the San Franciscofirm of J. R. Millerand Timothy L. Pflueger.The originalseating capacity was 3408. This house is now the new home of the OaklandSymphony, and it has been completely and faithfully restoredto it's originalcondition. New carpeting,seat fabric, and drapes have been installed all created in the original patterns. The restoration reduced the seating capacityto 2998. The WurlitzerPublix No. 1 organ is now playing in the Melody Inn Restaurant in Los Altos, Calif. Mr. Jack Nethercutt of Los Angeleshas donated another Publix No. 1 to the project, and it will be installedin the theatre soon. 4 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER , 197 3 by Alleen Cole ur story begins in late 1927. One night, Norville went to visit $1,500,000 Christmas Gift in Alabama There is a buzz of activity on Mr. Blackman after closing the Strand. Theatre". This two-page article an 3rd Avenue between 18th Mr. Blackman was all smiles as he nounced the official opening of the and 19th streets in Birmingham, Ala- motioned for Norville to follow him theatre on December 26, with brilliant bama. This city of 217,500 anxiously down near the orchestra pit where programs and an elaborate ceremony. awaits the opening of the Alabama stood a huge crate marked "Wur At last, the theatre had opened. Theatre, the newest and most fabulous litzer". Mr. Blackman got a hammer The throngs entered the theatre theatre to be built in Birmingham, and crowbar and together they pulled through the double box office with now nearing completion. some planks loose, just enough to get a automatic ticket seller machines de Material for this theatre had been peek at the huge four-manual red and signed to eliminate long waiting lines. coming from all over the world; Italy, gold console. Norville's first impres The lobbies were planned to avoid France, Belgium, Tennessee, Alabama, sion was that it was awfully gaudy and drafts on those seated in the theatre Wisconsin, Florida, Louisiana, Minne the most monstrous instrument he had and also to eliminate any crowding of sota and Ohio. ever seen. He was familiar with the patrons going in or coming out through The theatre was built by the Publix five-manual Kimball in the auditorium the use of several spillways. Theatres Corporation of New York in Memphis, but somehow this seemed The design and construction of the City with the Thompson-Starrett Com bigger. Norville couldn't even touch theatre is basically Spanish; with a pany, builders of the famous Para the keys or stops. The boards were fusing of the Western European or mount Theatre in New York City as carefully replaced to keep the console Christian art with Asia tic, African or general contractors. Charles F. Hutch safe until time to complete instal Moorish art. The design was not con ings was the su perin tendan t in charge lation. fined to any one particular period, but under the personal direction of A. G. A long week passed. Finally, Nor an effort was made to use the most Moulton, Thompson-Starrett's vice ville walked into the theatre and there pleasant motifs and those that would president. sat the console with all the fancy lend themselves most attractively to Watching all this construction was decor surrounding it. Now it seemed the modern adaptation of the style. young Norville Hall. He was seventeen beautiful. Gaudy? Yes, but rightfully The building is in general a replica of and an usher at the Strand Theatre, so. He was almost overcome as he the Paramount Theatre in New York, the number one Publix Theatre in the looked at the spectacular sight. He sat and has been recognized as the finest, city. During the construction, Norville at the console and wistfully fingered most artistic theatre in the South, thus became acquainted with a Mr. Black the keys, but still could not play it. winning it the title, "Showplace of the man, overseer of all properties of the The night the organ was completed South". theatre. It didn't take Mr. Blackman Norville was the first to try it out. Entering the ticket lobby, the pub long to realize that Norville had more Later he recalls that this was probably lic then passes through the Hall of than a young boy's curiosity about the greatest musical moment of his life Mirrors, a high two-story marble big construction. He was keenly in as he had played until the wee hours walled room. The sides and ceilings are terested in the objects of art, the many of the morning. composed of a series of paneled mir beautiful pieces of carved furniture, On Christmas morning, the Bir rors. At the far end of the room, a pictures and statues going into the mingham News-Age Herald featured stairway leads to a spacious balcony theatre. headlines "Birmingham Gets above the grand lobby. The long side- DECEMBER, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 5 walls are divided by pilasters of rose sets of lines for handling hanging managed the Metropolitan Theatre of tavernelle marble with verde antique scenery. Boston. dies and bases. Iron gates separate the As the throngs milled around this The formal opening, which began at lobby from the auditorium proper and "Pa lace of Splendor" on opening day, l: 05 P.M. on December 26, 1927, form the initials of the theatre name, the house lights were on, and in spite featured Esther Ralston in "Spotlight", combined in such a way as to form an of all the dazzling beauty of the a Paramount Picture with Neil Hamil effective pattern. In passing through the atre , there was nothing to compare ton. There was also a stage play, these gates, one enters the auditorium with the beauty of the Mighty four Banjomania with a brilliant array of foyer. manual Wurlitzer console perched Broadway entertainers. Ralph Pollock The auditorium, which seats 2527 majestically on an elevator lift, being was master of ceremonies. The Ala in upholstered spring seats , is deco played by a gracious young lady bama Grand Orchestra was also pre rated in Spanish motif - with simu named Lillian Truss. (Mrs. Truss play sented with Bruce Brummitt, con lated windows indirectly lighted on ed a two-hour concert prior to the ductor. Joe Alexander was at the each side. Highly ornamented plaster ope ning ceremonies.) Wurlitzer and played a medley to show treatment is intensified around the The theatre opened under the off the organ. He had been featured organ grills and proscenium arch - management of Mr. Sidney Dannen organist at several Chicago Theatres with indirect light on a dimmer system berg, who had come to Birmingham before coming to the Alabama. to lend color and emphasis. When only two years prior as manager of the Mrs. Truss and Mr. Alexander seated in the last row of the top Strand and Galax Theatres, both Pub shared the limelight at the Wurlitzer balcony, the viewer is 147 feet from lix houses. Mr. Dannenberg had pre for about a year with Mrs. Truss doing the screen. The proscenium opening is viously managed the Criterion Theatre the picture work and Mr. Alexander 42 feet wide. There are a total of 50 in New York for many years, and later the solo work. When Mr. Alexander left, Mrs. Truss did the solo work for another year. Then the "talkies" came, and Mrs. Truss, as well as the or chestra, was given notice. It was several years before the organ was again used ju~t for solo work. Records pertaining to the organ ists are no longer available, and all information had to be obtained through correspondence with the several organists still living today. One of the first was Orville Erwin, who eventually became known as Lee Erwin of the famed Arthur Godfrey shows. Mr. Erwin is known to ATOS members for his continued work with silent movies. Time marches on, and a parade of stars played the Wurlitzer. Those best remembered are Gladys Lyle, Malcom Tate, Randy Sauls, Jessee Walker, Marie Elliott, Stanleigh Malotte and Charlie Cox. Like Lee Erwin, Randy Sauls has continued his organ work and his name is well known to ATOS mem bers. Randy now lives in California and is teaching in the Los Angeles School District and Pasadena City Col lege. He says that of all the organs he has played, the Alabama is his favorite. Probably the best remembered to Birmingham audiences is Stanleigh Malotte, brother of the late Albert Hay Malotte - another well-known theatre organist and composer of the famous setting to the "Lords Prayer". Charlie Cox, another well remem bered artist, played at the Alabama for about 14 years. He is particularly remembered for his performances at the Miss Alabama pageants during DECEMBER, 197 3 those years. Mr. Cox has retired from of needed materials but all labor playing, but continues his interest in would be contributed by members of organ through his ownership in -music the Southeastern Chapter of ATOS. stores in Orlando, Florida. Mr. Patten prevailed upon Mack This brings us to Jay Mitchell, the Watson of Atlanta to head up a group present organist at the Alabama. Jay to rebuild the organ. In early April, was appointed organist in 1971. He is 1968, work began. First efforts were no novice, having studied with Stan concentrated in "chasing" dead notes leigh Malotte in his teens and then in the organ and generally cleaning out going on to New York City where he the relay and blower room in the studied for several years. He has done basement which was filled with many night club work, concerts, church years accumulation of coal dust. They work, is a teacher, and presently is found many dead magnets in the relay associated with a music store in Hunts and switch stacks. ville, Alabama. His style is very much In mid April, 1968, the South like that of Stanleigh Malotte, and like eastern Chapter had a meeting at the Malotte he is able to coax the very Alabama. Atlanta's Bob Van Camp best from the old instrument. and Birmingham's Charlie Cox played As did thousands of theatre organs a program, and as a result of their across the nation, the Alabama Wur struggle to get through the program, it litzer seemed destined to deteriorate was decided that a total rebuild of the through lack of proper maintenance, console would be undertaken. All of Draped balcony window in the main lobby is the manager's office. - (Billy C. Evans and infrequent use. It was through the the "innards" were taken to Atlanta Photo) efforts of ATOS that this famous leaving behind only the combination organ was granted a reprieve. The basic action setter boards and the stop re-felting the entire console. Every idea of restoring the Alabama Wur action windchests (each having many part was refurbished right down to the litzer was that of the late Ben Hall. As dead magnets that needed replacing). replacement of the rubber treads on a result of an inspection of the organ Assisting Mr. Watson was Blake the swell pedals. by Mr. Hall and Joe Patten of Atlanta, Braley, Robert Hill, Clay Holbrook, Because of personal expenses in permission was given the Southeastern Charles Walker, and Arli Southerland. curred by these people both in time as Chapter of ATOS by Mr. Norris Had Every square inch of the console's ex well as money, it was decided to try to away of the Wilby-Kincey Company, terior was painstakingly repainted by find someone in Birmingham to take operators of the Alabama and the Mr. Walker. over the project. Jay Mitchell expres Atlanta Fox theatres, to perform a The console was completely rebuilt, sed a willingness to take over and gave limited amount of refurbishment. It including the recovering of manual freely of his time during the last few was understood that the Alabama The keys, complete re-wiring, re-tubing the visits of the Atlanta group, their last atre would purchase a modest amount pneumatic air supply, re-leathering and one being in February, 1971. The Alabama Wurlitzer is a 4/20 Crawford Special, Opus 1783 shipped 11/11/27. The highly decorated console in a Moroccan motif, was an early effort to match the decor of the theatre - Theatre (Photo by Billy C. Evans) Showplace Pipes Candid shots of pipework in the famous Alabama "Crawford Special" Wurlit zer. (Photos by Billy C. Evans) tainly would have slowed to a crawl. He has been very ably assisted by Frank Barksdale, Travis Cavnar , Don Cole, Ellis Dunnivant, Daniel Liles, Cecil Prescott, and Bruce Rockett. Norville Hall has tuned the organ. Riedel West and Alleen Cole have even joined the crew. We cannot end our story without mentioning that the two stars who first played the organ are very active members of the Alabama Chapter of ATOS. In addition to picture work, Mrs. Truss was organist at the Bluff Park Methodist Church in Birmingham for 38 years. Now in her 73rd year, Mrs. Truss has not forgotten how to coax music from the old instrument. Norville Hall gave up a chance to become organist at the theatre in order to continue his music education in Chicago . An organ technician, he owns and operates Norville Hall and Associ ates, Organ Builders. His ability to handle the instrument has not waned over the years, and his playing reflects Jay, assisted by Allan Norton and his feeling that there is still no other to same fate as many other movie houses Jerry Adcox worked many hours both compare with this gaudy but beautiful in Birmingham and across the country at home and in the theatre. As time organ. but for the able management of Mr. went on, Jim Harris, Daniel Liles, The Alabama Chapter today is Cecil Brown who came to the Alabama Chuck Hancock a.nd Larry Donaldson active and enthusiastic. It is rapidly in 1969 to manage the Wilby-Kincey joined the work crew. growing under the capable leadership Theatres. In the theatre business for In February, 1973 , the new Ala of Riedel West, Jay Mitchell and Al 31 years, Mr. Brown started as an bama Chapter of ATOS was formed leen Cole . usher and worked his way through the (See June, I 973 issue of THEATRE Many tourists whiz by this city of ranks. ORGAN) and a new work crew organ 300,000 and never know the Alabama Mr. Brown's own personal interest ized. Because Jay Mitchell had by this exists. But to the citizens of Birming in the restoration and preservation of time moved to Huntsville, Alabama ham, the huge vertical sign with the the Mighty Wurlitzer, and his whole and was not always available for work word, "Alabama" equally impressive hearted cooperation with ATOS has sessions , Larry Donaldson headed up by daylight or aglow with lights at been responsible for making this organ the new crew. night, rises like a monument to the available to theatre organ enthusiasts Few people are as dedicated to any glories of the past. Its ageless design in Alabama, who might otherwise project as Larry has been to the blends with the present, and will be never get a chance to see, hear, or play restoration of this organ. Without him equally impressive in the future. the last remaining theatre organ in the the work might have stopped or cer- The Alabama could have met the state. □ Charlie Cox at the Alabama Wurlitzer in 1969. He played there 14 pr-esident~s messaae ... Are You Represented? by Erwin A. Young ARE YOU REPRESENTED? ... A ATOS is a member organization. It frequently asked question when the is not a Federation. In the latter form, subject of By-laws is mentioned! Read an organization has as its members on and you will agree the answer is other organizations , such as Chapters, "Yes." This article will explain the incorporated or not. It does not have reasons for the changes, the history of individuals as members. A member ATOS organization structure, and the organization has as its members the legal background which governed our individuals or families of individuals as course. defined in our By-laws. Each member Thanks to a group of dedicated has certain rights, such as the right to members who formed the By-laws vote, access to the records, etc. You Committees of ATOS, the three year cannot mix up the two! Under this long job of By-law revision is com form of corporate organization Chap pleted. At the meeting of the Board of ters as organizations cannot be mem Directors held July 25, 1973 in Port bers. Therefore it was necessary to land, Oregon , the final draft of the rewrite and clarify this concept once proposed amendments was adopted by and for all. This has been done in our unanimous vote. new By-laws. When A.T.O.E. was organized in There seems to be concern on the 1955, Articles of Incorporation and part of a few that Chapters do not Erwin A. Young, President By-laws were adopted to take care of now have representation. As entities the needs of the fledgling upstart. bility and also provides an ensurable they do not for the reasons stated They were drafted at that time for the entity. All this is a highly desirable above. However, every member of orderly operation of A.T.O.E. as it was state of affairs! every chapter has representation as an at that time envisioned. As we grew, However, while these actions solved individual and a vote to elect the eight the By-laws were amended as it some problems, they created others. A directors. With this in mind, and with seemed appropriate to take care of major one was the apparent creation the rejection of the delegate body changing conditions. As a result, and of a federation where none in fact concept, it was still felt desirable to quite naturally, ambiguity and contra existed. In the concern for chapter have some type of symposium for diction began to be evident. Further, representation, the By-laws had been Chapter Officers in which official corporate requirements were changed amended to make Chapter Chairmen Chapter Policy could be expressed for by federal and state law. Thus it soon members of the ATOS Board of Direc the benefit of the Board of Directors. became evident that a complete review tors, with right of proxy in the event This concept was established to give and rewrite would be necessary to they were unable to attend meetings. recog111t1on to the importance of bring order and conformity and consis Unfortunately, this is contrary to the Chapter activity on the local level, and tency to our "rules of conduct," so to law. A member of a Board of Directors to give credence to these organiza speak. of a corporation in any state cannot tions' needs, complaints, suggestions In the beginning, for instance, chap have a proxy. and the like. Therefore, while not ters were organized on an informal Recognizing that this fact would necessary to so provide for in the basis. Today, many are incorporated eliminate Chapter Chairmen as ex By-laws, a meeting of chapter repre separate entities, with others preparing officio members of the Board of sentatives will be held prior to the to do the same. These actions are Directors , a plan was devised that Board of Directors meeting at each needed to provide a solid organization would establish a delegate body consis Annual Convention. Chapter Chairmen base for such projects as owning and ting of Chapter Chairmen and other together with other chapter represen installing theatre organs, sponsoring chapter delegates as an official policy tatives thus will meet for this purpose. concerts, providing scholarships and making body. This proposal was unani The meeting will be attended by the other related activities. Corporate mously rejected by those chapters that members of the ATOS Board of Direc structure provides protection for the responded to the suggestion as being tors and will be chaired by the ATOS individual members from personal lia- too cumbersome and unnecessary. President. Resolutions emanating from 10 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 197 3 this meeting will be considered by the members far removed from other gested that the country be broken up Board of Directors at their meeting members, as well as those who live in into areas from which a given number which will follow immediately after close proximity, shall have a medium of nominees could be nominated, this adjournment of the Chapter Represen through which to communicate, to to "insure local representation." This tatives meeting. With this plan, Chap have fellowship and social activities on would have meant "quartering the ters will have the same opportunity to the mutually pleasing medium of the country," a more complicated election be heard as before. Theatre Organ, whether they are chap proceeding, and the possibility of not ·while it must be recognized that ter members or not. providing the necessary eight nominees some of the members who also belong A new provision of the By-laws each year as now required. Further, to some of our larger chapters may provides for a nominating committee this theory overlooks the fact that feel that they have been disenfran whose duty it will be to present two once elected, each and every director chised by the provisions for represen nominees for each director to be elect is a representative to each and every tation in the new By-laws, it must be ed in that year, all within a definite member. Provincialism, a dividing remembered that nearly half of our time frame. The main purpose of a force, thus cannot flourish when nomi members do not belong to chapters. nominating committee is to insure that nees are selected from the entire Some states have barely enough mem there will be nominees for each posi nation and at random. I will state bers within their confines to form a tion for whom the members may vote. emphatically that every director must chapter (it takes ten), let alone the Without this, it is possible that an feel a distinct and clearly defined duty ability to travel the distances that organization could find itself unable to to be responsible to every member in would be required for them all to meet perpetuate itself. It further provides the decision making process, based not as a Chapter. Thus, compromises must that no member who desires to be a on emotion, but on fact, debate and always be made in order to insure that nominee will be refused. Some sug- reason, irregardless of where he hap- (continued on page 12) A Few Words from Our Attorney by Charles A. Rummel personal responsibility of individuals Attorney at Law who voluntarily wished to belong to ATOS. The second was to provide a The first hope of a lawyer who is reasonably workable method of gover requested to represent a nationwide ning the organization and electing to non-profit membership corporation is the board of directors men who had to discover that the individuals who the time, talent and funds to be board are to benefit from the effort are members of a national organization. reasonably equally dispersed through The third was to do the overall task out the area in which they are located, without disrupting the continuation of or better yet, that the various individ its operations, within the limitations uals belong to incorporated entities of available funds and volunteer assis (chapters) which are themselves of tance. The fourth was to provide some nearly equal size and strength. It was reasonable procedure by which all of evident that the above considerations, the members could have equal repre for well understood reasons, did not sentation (one man - one vote), and exist. Moreover, it was learned that to the extent of their interests and there were many individuals, who, for funds, could make their wishes known many reasons, did not belong to any from time to time. The fifth was to organized group ( chapters) either by insure that the organization had feder choice or because of geography, but al and state tax exemption and that who wished to be associated with donors to the organization would be ATOS, believing in its principles and sure that donations to the organiza purposes. tions were tax deductible. Having determined that ATOS was The task was not easy nor was it in fact an organization of individuals quickly accomplished. Fortunately and family members, not equally dis due to the understanding of the prob persed throughout the 50 states and lem the changes have been made with countries, five principal guidelines a minimum of difficulty. All five of were followed in amending the bylaws the objectives have been achieved. This to meet the conditions confronting does not mean that changes will not those who were responsible for the have to be made in the future because changes which were to be made. ATOS is a living, active organization of Charles A. Rummel The first was to definitely limit individuals. D DECEMBER, 197 3 THEATRE ORGAN 11 pens to live. factory answers to these many ques vidual members interested in the While we are at it, let's discuss and tions, answers that might make a ATOS structure as determined by the eliminate the inference that ATOS is a national scholarship program feasible, Articles of Incorporation and the "California organization" without con it can then be reconsidered by the By-laws, it would be impossible to cern for other parts of the country, Board of Directors and adopted by write these documents so that each run by Californians, etc., etc., etc. resolution. and every member would find his ideas Now, ATOS happens to be a California Student Memberships have been a adopted. The very best that the com Corporation because it was started and subject of discussion for some period mittee and the Board of Directors could is incorporated in California. Had it of time. This, too, has been a difficult hope to do was to recommend and to been organized elsewhere that memo matter to resolve, so far as the By-laws adopt, respectively, the By-laws that rable night in February, 1955, it could are concerned. It would be rare, in would best provide for rules and provi have been incorporated in another deed, to receive a suggestion for By sions that meet the basic needs of a state. The point is, it has to be a law consideration that did not have majority of our members. Those corporation of one of the states. The some merit. In this case there is a lot whose suggestions were not included, fact that it is in California, versus, New of merit, but inherent are also many, while they may feel frustrated, should York, Minnesota or elsewhere, is of no many problems. This proposal in recognize these facts; should recognize legitimate significance - it does not cluded a provision for a reduced that the action was taken following "belong" to California. It belongs to amount for dues. It also included a long established legal processes which all the ATOS members everywhere! provision that a copy of "THEATRE have been proved by time and ex peri The same false charge could be made ORGAN"be included with each student ence. no matter which state it might be. membership. The irrepressible problem There was yet another problem to One of the suggestions the commit of finances immediately comes into resolve. In the attempt to provide tee received was for a nationwide play, as well as the identical rights of Chapter participation in the Board of ATOS Scholarship to be established in all members to the same treatment on Directors, Chapter Chairmen were the By-laws. This was not done, and a reoccurring basis. A member could declared to be ex-officio "members" for sound and basic reasons. First, legitimately ask, "lf a student gets the of the Board of Directors, with right should it have been determined that it magazine for a reduced fee, why can't of proxy. Such action, while founded was a workable idea, it would not need I?" The Honorary Member theory is with good intent, is contrary to law - to be included in the By-laws. It could also questionable in this regard, but is the laws of any state. This is based in have been done by resolution of the a different concept in that it is a one two concepts of corporate law. First, Board of Directors. It was determined time thing and involves NO dues for members of a Board of Directors of a that it would have been an extremely only one year. In our attempt to corporation cannot have proxies - difficult program to operate on a resolve this, we turned to other organi they, and they alone, are personally national basis. Questions asked that zations who had tried to work out an responsible for actions of the Board, could not be satisfactorily answered equitable plan toward the same objec being elected by the membership to included, "How could a meeting of tive. We found none that had been their respective positions. If a proxy nationwide Scholarship Committee be successful, and all of whom had finally were permissable, the directors when paid for?" "Who would pay the costs rejected the plan as unworkable on a called to answer for an action of the of the Scholarship applicants to attend broad base. Again, it was found local board, could say, "I'm not responsible selection committee and audition units can better handle this proposal - I wasn't there - my proxy voted meetings?" "Would distance to travel, on a much more controlled and sound this action which is being questioned!" if cost were to be paid by applicants, base . For these reasons, the proposal Obviously, such a possibility is not eliminate some from competition?" was not included in the By-law amend reasonable. Hence the prohibition "Inversely, how would committee ments at this time. But it would seem against a proxy. Directors only are members' expenses be paid if they desirable to have a national committee accountable to the electorate. Second, were to attend selection auditions in appointed to work on this one item as new chapters were formed, the various parts of the country?" "What exclusively toward conceiving a plan ex-officio member provision meant advantages are there to a National which would be workable with a mini that the new chairmen were also a Scholarship program that would be mum of problems. member of the Board of Directors, unavailable to Chapter Scholarship The By-law section rel a ting to thus increasing the number of mem programs?" "Inversely, are there dis Chapters was removed in its entirety. bers automatically. The law provides advantages to Chapter Scholarships This was shown to a matter better left that the number of members of a that preclude a successful program?" out of the By-laws and handled by Board of Directors, as stated in the The more this idea was researched, the Board Resolution, and they adopted a bylaws, may be changed only be more it became obvious that the ad resolution covering this item. The new amending the bylaws and such action vantages of Chapter Scholarship Pro regu lations include most of the sugges may only be taken by a meeting of the grams far outweighed a National tions received from Chapters to pro members of the corporation, duly Scholarship program, including fund vide a better relationship and a better called and noticed that such action is ing, expense control, auditions, award understanding of these relationships to be considered. While it is provided selectees, distances to travel, to men by all parties. New procedures for that the Board of Directors may tion nothing of the many, many prob handling grievances have been estab amend other sections of the bylaws, lems that could result from a scholar lished and for adjudicating areas of after due and proper notice of such ship selection that a local group did jurisdiction. pending action, they cannot amend not agree with. If time provides satis- Obviously, with the number of indi- the article and section which states the 12 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1973 number of directors - only the mem bers can do this. Therefore, this had to be changed back to the original bylaws provision to this effect. From the foregoing it can be recognized that the new bylaws provisions were, in fact, mandatory to bring them in to con formity with the statutes. The By-laws amendments could not have been completed without the assis tance of two committees who were appointed by the ATOS President; The first committeemen were, in aJphabeti cal order, Bill Exner, Los Angeles, CA; Claude Newman, Minneapolis, MN; Stillman Rice, North Haven, CT; Duane Searle, Aurora, CO; Judd Walton, Vallejo, CA; and Erwin Young, Alexandria, VA. The second committee consisted of Dr. Paul Aber nathy, Burlington, NC; William Bene dict, Chicago, IL; Jack Bethards, San Francisco, CA; Allen R. Miller, Glas tonbury, CT; Ron Wilfong, Tulsa, OK; Judd Walton, Vallejo, CA; and Erwin Young, Middleburg, VA. Walton Lee Erwin with Alabama Theatre manager Cecil Brown during his 11 program tour of the East served as chairman of both commit and South. tees. The committees were of great help in surfacing ideas and opinions in the field to the basic concepts being con sidered. Most of this activity occurred Lee Erwin Discovers with the first committee operating during 1971. The second committee's contacts were on a lesser scale as most Little-known Robert Morton of the work involved in the project was on the legally technical aspects of by Ted Creech the many facets being considered. We are all indebted to these members for When last Spring the ABC theatre in the console and twelve Trumpet their time, effort and concern to have chain booked Lee Erwin for the latest pipes which had their reeds carelessly served during the three year period of his frequent tours of their southern strewn about the chamber floor! A required to complete the project. theatres scheduled for this fall, they few hours work, a bit of tuning, and Our counsel throughout has been suggested adding the Saenger Theatre the Morton was ready for the first Mr. Charles A. Rummel, a corporation in Pensacola to the list of theatres with show. attorney with lifelong experience in instruments in playable -condition. Lee Lee Erwin's tour (11 programs in the field, especially where income tax readily agreed, but when he began to 14 days) included a "pops" concert on exemption status is involved. His inquire about the condition of the a very straight Shantz pipe organ in the experience with the internal legal organ, no one but NO ONE, it seemed, Trinity United Methodist Church in structure of member organizations, had any information to offer. Chilicothe, Ohio; the Tennessee The federations, cooperatives and stock When Lee was playing for the At atre in Knoxville; the Fabulous Fox holder corporations has been enor lanta International Film Festival in in Atlanta; and the Alabama Theatre mously helpful, especially during the September at the Fox Theatre, he in Birmingham. past year when it became necessary to finally talked with the manager of the Lee was most enthusiastic about finalize and prepare the By-laws Saenger Theatre in Pensacola and was the sound of the Wurlitzer at the amendments in a form ready for pres informed that the organ was in good Alabama Theatre in Birmingham: "The entation to the Board of Directors. As condition and that everything worked organ is perfect for the theatre and new laws are passed that may affect except the Bass drum and the Cymbal! the theatre perfect for the organ." us, Mr. Rummel will continue to serve Just to make sure, Lee took along He was also enthusiastic about the as counsel to help keep us on a sound some work clothes and scheduled the management of the Alabama: "It's and straight legal course. tour so that he would have three extra no wonder that Cecil Brown is called My thanks are extended to the days to work on the instrument if 'number one' by the ABC folks down committees and individuals who necessary. Much to his surprise the south; if we had Cecil Browns in movie worked with me throughout this ex organ WAS in good condition, with houses all over the country, the the tensive project. □ the exception of a bit of strange wiring atre business would be thriving." □ DECEMBER, 197 3 THEATRE ORGAN 13 he 14th stanza of the Annual Home Organ Festival held at Asilomar, Calif. (Sept. 18-22) attracted well over 1000 attendees to the sandy knolls of the Pacific Grove Conference Grounds, a seaside state park, to hear fourteen brands of elec tronic music and music-related effect makers in the bright sun (and occa sional overcast) of a Calif. autumn. While there was very little shown HOmfORGAn ffS TIVAl which could be considered "new" in the electronic organ field, there were refinements apparent in the tonal re sources of most models played in concert over those of the same or similar models heard previously. But Story and Photos the term "tonal refinements" refers to by Stu Green electronic tone generation; sorry to report that very little, if any, progress toward the emulation of pipe-gener ated voices was noted. The large manufacturers seem to have side tracked research and development toward making their electronic sounds closer to those of the parent instru ment in favor of: 1) sound distorters e.g. the "chopper" which turns the entire instrument into a re-iterating Marimba, 2) automatic rhythm, which serves well as a metronome. Both of these addenda appear to have beome standard equipment on most models whether the customer wants them or not. The third diversion from the search for true pipe tone is the prob ably mislabeled "synthesizer" (isn't the electronic organ at its best a synthesis of a pipe organ?) ARP and the Concert Co. would seem to have the idea most acceptable to organ buffs; if the extra brass, reeds and non -organ "mod" sounds are desired, they may be purchased separately and p.layed from a short manual mounted on the organ or on a stand at the organist's elbow. Thus, those not in terested in producing pear-shaped "bloops" and "bleeps" are spared the additional cost of a syn the sizer in tegrated into an organ console. For those who do like "Argh", "pfumpf', "urp" and other variable pitch effects in their music, there are models avail able with the machinery built in and operable from the console. Speaking from the theatre organ viewpoint, the major brands sounded very much like they did last year. Conn has included a piano with its 3-deck 651, Lowrey has an amazing battery of aids in giving the "country sound" to music ( or was it the skill of John Kemm?), Hammond's horseshoe DECEMBER, 1973 "Regent" is now in full production and being advertised as equivalent to 28 ranks of pipes ( with 28 speaking stop keys and two manuals!), Yamaha has developed a very effective jazz organ and Thomas continues with its line of medium-priced but of ten the atrical spinets and console models. The Wurlitzer model demonstrated by lovely Fran Linhart is able to make like a coloratura soprano, either serious or in a comedy vein. The Rudolph brand has made one some what astounding revision by removing its Tibia from the rotary (Leslie-type) tremulant. There were a couple of pleasant surprises. For the first time the Artisan organ was heard at the Festival. Made by a small company in southern Cali fornia, the 3-manual horseshoe model shown was satisfyingly effective as played in concert by Tom Gnaster. The other pleasant discovery was the new Saville organ, as reconstituted by organist/tonal designer Tom Cottner. Last year we witnessed Porter Heaps playing "Ride of the Valkyries" prac tically as a Bourdon pedal solo on a small Saville moved in by a nearby dealer. This year the factory got in volved, to the credit of Saville and all concerned with its promotion. Cott ner's organ is both gutsy and sweet, although built along straight organ lines. However, Saville informs us that both the 2 and 3-manual horseshoe entertainment models are in the works. Allen has come out with a 3-manual Richard Purvis is congratulated eastern straight organ console which also has visitor Shirley Hannum on his Festival some theatre organ voices. Where preem'd "Suite for Two Organs." Shirley's Saville has been able to build an record album was a best seller at the Festival Music Shop. effective dual purpose instrument, Allen, which in years past has demon Longtime Festival attendee Bob Zadel strated a well-constituted straight or (Conn) indicates his devotion to mice and dogs while exploring the park grounds. gan and a fair to middling theatre model, would seem to have consider able R and D work before their "com puter" model equals the firm's past product tonally. Before its major con cert presentation, the Allen's bottom manual went dead. Organist Larry Yannucci played his concert on the two remaining manuals after some last minute registration revisions, with no audible evidence of the handicap. One trend noted this year was the introduction of the instrument that does everything but play the melody. Designed obviously for the home put terer, the instrument provides a har monic and rhythmic setting for any melody one-fingered on its manual. Of THEATRE ORGAN course it could have been made en tirely automatic by simply adding machinery to supply the melody, but that would have eliminated the custo mer who gets his kicks by observing what a fine organist he has become by playing a melody surronded by canned orchestration. It gives the putterer the impression that he is contributing some thing to the music, a very neces sary sales feature. It hasn't been on the market long enough to determine whether it will inspire greater learning effort or encourage prospective organ ists to cease all efforts beyond one finger soloing. It certainly will not be welcomed by teachers whose goal is to develop musical talent. But there's always the possibility the melody player will eventually "trade up" to a more legitimate instrument. A coterie of more than 30 organists manned the showrooms and played concerts. Their ages and skills ranged from silent film veterans to junior contest winners, and they played music to satisfy every taste, or lack of it. Some of them were (with sponsor indicated): Axel Alexander (Ham mond), Mildred Alexander (Ham mond), Mike Brigida (A.R.P.), O'lyn Callahan (Yamaha), Lloyd del Castillo (staff), Donn Clayton (Concert Co.), Thomas Cottner (Saville), Frank Denke (pianist-staff), Sherry Emata (Yamaha), Rocco Ferrante (Yamaha), Tom Gnaster (Artisan), Tom Hazleton (Conn), Porter Heaps (Saville), Ario Hults (staff), Jeff Humphrey (Gulbran Bound for the Costume Competition, these sen), Bill Irwin (Yamaha), Carol Jones "Romans" stage a preview of their orgy (Conn), Bud Iverson (Conn), John Organists which culminated in a light-generated burn Kemm (Lowrey), Byron Melcher O'lynn Callahan (Yamaha), Hal Vincent ing of Rome, complete with Nero and (Baldwin) talk it over with visitor John Seng fiddle. (Thomas), Jonas Nordwall (Rodgers), between shows. Everett Nourse (staff), Gus Pearson Heaps at the (Wurlitzer), Richard Purvis (Rodgers), Veteran theatre organist Eloise Rowan, a Paul Quarino (Wurlitzer), Tommy protege of Eddie Dunstedter, was an inter Stark (Gulbransen), Bill Thomson ested visitor at the Festival. She teaches in San Francisco. (Rodgers), Shay Torrent (Hammond), Larry Yannucci (Allen), Hal Vincent (Baldwin), Harry Wach (Thomas) and Wayne Wilkinson (Baldwin). Styles of music heard included rock, jazz, night club, gin mill, classics, pop standards, ragtime, theatre inter mission, silent movie, and two and three organ "jamming" during the nightly after-concert dance . In fact, some of the best fun music was heard during the late night jam sessions, mostly played by visiting professionals who were there as guests. These ses sions included the talents of Tiny James, Shirley Hannum, Gordon Tucker, Claudia (Kennedy) Ashley, THEATRE ORGAN Debbie Lynn (14), and Dick Bailey. They were sometimes joined by other instrumentalists: Neil Graham (banjo), "Menlo Joe" Dimock (piano) and Stu Green (Tonette and Jawharp ). There were colorful extras such as a fashion show, a concert by Pacific Council for Organ Clubs' amateur members (P.C.O.C. is the Festival's sponsoring organization) and a cos tume competition, which used to be a more effective costume ball. If anyone got short shrift it was the P.C.O.C. Last year our closing remarks sug member clubs' reps. The "Clubs on gested perhaps golf carts to help over Parade" program was a technical disas the-hill reporters get around campus to ter, wHh a stage full of organs tripping all events and showrooms, as continual up the already nervous amateurs by "climbing the dunes" can become some going sour in mid-selection, or tiring. The suggestion was considered not working at all. and this year there was a mini-bus Something different in the talent available to ferry the corpulent, lame lineup was added this year by Festival and lazy to events. It's a small matter Chairman Tiny James - variety acts but it's indicative of the sensitivity of performed by artists not connected the Festival Committee to suggestions with any organ manufacturer. The made by Festivaleers. They aim to staff artists performed mostly musical please, and their aim is improving. □ specialties but there was one comedy sketch lampooning the TV medical shows done entirely in pantomine. Musical specialties were performed by teams of veteran artists. Richard Purvis and Bud Iverson premiered Purvis' Suite for Two Organs. One team, con sisting of Franke Denke (piano) and Everett Nourse ( organ), recreated by Ronald L. Payne many of the selections from their hit album, "Who?" Another team con On September 9 and 23, the organ sisted of silent movie era organist/en of Toronto's Odeon Carlton Theatre tertainers Arlo Hults and Lloyd del spoke in its true glory for the last Castillo from southern California. time, until its new home is found. The Concert Prexy Bill Johnson (left) meets Saville's Tom Cottner. Both are comedians as well as musi organist was 19 year old Colin Cous Their resemblance to one another caused cians. Their humorous patter, fine ins, of Hamilton, Ontario. His style is many a case of mistaken identity during the organ duets and solos added much very reminiscent of true theatre organ Festival. pizazz to the first night show, espe playing. When Colin sits at the console Larry Vannucci looks a little edgy following cially their "mangled march" duet. of one of the mighty instruments, he his concert because his bottom manual conked out just before showtime. The Such novelties break the pattern of commands immediate attention from continual concerts and the reception all those present, as borne out by given by audiences indicates this enter testimonies of theatre organ greats tainment area will be enlarged next Harold Jolles and Don Baker. year. The tapes made at the theatre are The 1973 Festival provided an of excellent quality, thanks to the opportunity for the professional or efforts of Dave Granger of Mississauga, ganist to learn what technical and and the organ sounds totally unlike musical trends are surfacing. For the the 3/19 Hillgreen Lane, that it is. The non-pro it was a grand week to soak organ was babied into playable con up both music and the sylvan atmo dition, and the ciphers silenced by sphere of the park and the adjacent organ-expert John Holywell of Union Pacific. For all it was a sojourn away ville. Colin's sincerest thanks go out to from Watergate, "Impeach the Presi these two men. dent" moves, wars and the usual bad The organ itself has a future that is news. It was also a good place to shop very much in doubt. It may go to for and sell organs; nearly all 1973 Kingston, Ont., or out to British Co exhibitors signed up for the 1974 lumbia. Hopefully, though, it will be Festival in order to hang onto their playing again soon, as it marked the showrooms, which are in short supply. end of organs in theatres in Ontario. □ THEATRE ORGAN 17 ~r.-,e 1-IUGI-I DODGE by Lloyd E. Klos s~rORY Hugh Dodge at Rochester's first Hammond in the Peacock Room of the Odenbach Restaurant in 1935. here have been a number of Rubinstein. But, for the hell scene, he atres, Mr. Dodge one day hopped theatres in the United States gave them the "Anvil Chorus". As aboard a Buffalo, Lockport & Roch which have boasted more many of the immigrants had been to ester interurban trolley car, and head than one console for their pipe organs. LaScala and other homes of opera, ed for Buffalo. He first visited Shea's The Roxy in New York had a triple they vented their displeasure over the Hippodrome where Albert Hay Mal console Kimball; the Denver Para choice of music. The series ended after otte was presiding at the console ac mount, New York's Radio City Music only four performances! companying a Harold Lloyd picture Hall, and Rochester's Piccadilly, dual At the age of 15, Hugh was hired to involving a haunted house. Malotte's consoles. This is the story of an play the piano for the dinner hour in playing of "The Funeral March of the organist who manned one of the con Lockport's 1752-seat Rialto Theatre. Marionettes" instead of the familiar soles in Rochester's Piccadilly Theatre The house had a 4-piece orchestra spooky music to capture the mood - Hugh J. Dodge, one of "The Con which accompanied the silents. demanded on the screen, made a last sole Twins", as he was known in the The Rialto management eventually ing impression on the young organist. late twenties. bought an organ which added a new This piece, 40 years later, was to Mr. Dodge was born in the attrac dimension to motion picture playing, become the theme of the television tive little village of Lockport, New and was a boon to the small theatres series Alfred Hitchcock Presents. York, west of Rochester. He was the because it replaced the more expensive Mr. Dodge next visited the Lafay only musician in the family, and stud orchestras. Far more important, there ette Theatre where the master show ied piano at an early age. In his first was a greater variety of music obtain man-organist, C. Sharpe Minor, would year of high school, he organized, able from an organ, instead of the take his place at the 3/ 15 Wurlitzer in directed and played in his own dance pianos and nickelodeons which pre full dress suit, white tie and white band. ceded them. No matter what the gloves. "There was truly a trick organ Because of his experience with the make, if it imitated a single violin ist. He could make the organ snore dance band, Hugh was hired by an one minute, or a thundering cavalry with clever use of the Vox Humana, or Italian impressario in Lockport to ac charge the next, gee, Dad, it was a take a popular song like "April company first-run foreign films. A lot Wurlitzer! Showers" and make a real production was rented in the Italian section of the Dusty Rhodes was the first organist number out of it. He created a picture village and chairs took up every avail at the Rialto, and Hugh Dodge served of a milk wagon making its early able square foot of space. The piano as his substitute during his supper morning rounds by employing the was placed behind the screen, so our hours or whenever Dusty was inclined xylophone for clanking milk bottles, hero saw the action in a reverse fash to take time off, which was often. and wood blocks for the clop-clop of ion. Some of the pictures which Hugh the horse." The first production was Dante's remembers working, were the original Minor would station a violinist in a Inferno, with Italian subtitles, and Peter Pan with Betty Bronson, Mad chamber, who, at a prearranged signal, considerable nudity for a 1919 vintage ame DuBarry with Gloria Swanson, would play a solo, while the organist picture. There were hundreds of extras, and Charlie's Aunt with Sidney Chap would simulate the playing at the and the acting was of very poor lin. console. As the 'stage-door Janes' quality. For the love scenes, Mr. Desirous of hearing some of the gathered about the showman after Dodge played "Romance" by Anton organists who were playing other the- wards, they would be lavish in their 18 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1973 praise of Minor's artistry. He didn't McLaglen and Edmund Lowe , Safety Console Twins." object to this one bit! Last and Grandma's Boy with Harold When the Piccadilly reopened on An artist whom Hugh Dodge watch Lloyd, Huckelberry Finn, Laurel and February 9, 1929, it featured the first ed carefully was Henry B. Murtagh Hardy epics and a documentary-type serious all-talking screen drama to be who played the Lafayette around film , Nanook of the Frozen North. presented in Rochester, Interference 1922. Up to that time , Hugh had had Nanook had plenty of drifting snow starring William Powell, Evelyn Brent, no formal training so the impressions and gale-like winds and Mr. Dodge Clive Brook and Doris Kenton. The which these artists made on him were featured both preludes and fugues of movie ads exhorted the public to great. Bach. His background music resulted "Hear Them Talk". However, the big About 1923 while he was substitute in favorable mention for the "movie names on the marquee were those of organist at Buffalo's Elmwood The organist" by the Times-Union Theatre singer Marion Harris and the late Eddie atre, the organist, Roseauz , gave Hugh reviewer , Amy H. Croughton. Peabody , the banjo king. some lessons on the Three-manual Hugh Dodge's daily schedule began Mr. Dodge recalls that the movie Wurlitzer. Quite often during a lesson, at 8:30 in the morning with class drew good crowds daily during its two he would excuse himself and be gone sessions at the Eastman School until week run. Prices ranged from 25 cents for a couple of hours , leaving his pupil 10: 30. Then, he'd walk a few blocks to 60 cents, with children admitted for extra time for practice. to the Piccadilly where he'd play until 15 cents at any time. A newspaper Even before its big neighbor to the two, then, back to Eastman for more critic's review, pasted in Mr. Dodge's west, Buffalo, Lockport had a radio classwork until about five o'clock, scrapbook, called the movie "a station - WMAK, owned by Norton returning to the theatre for the dinner thorough all-talkie , featuring a cast Laboratories which made bakelite for hour. Occasionally, he'd have a late chosen for suitability to spoken dia radio consoles. Hugh had a half-hour show at ten. Besides accompanying the logue in voice and diction." Hugh spot with a dance band. The program movie, he would often play with the further notes that the first sound was was so informal, the announcer would orchestra, giving the music more sub produced from records and not on a bring in coffee and a tray of dough stance. film track, and that sometimes the nuts while the show was on the air. The organ in the Picadilly was a 2/9 operator picked the wrong record for a The participants would stop and enjoy Wurlitzer , installed in the 2250-seat particular sequence , resulting in con the snack and no one worried about theatre in 1919. The orchestra direc fusion. The voices of William Powell "dead air". One day , however , as the tors included Arthur Newberry , who and Clive Brook were reproduced with announcer arrived with the food , he was also a violinist in the Rochester clarity and excellent quality but the tripped, fell , and food went flying in all Philharmonic, Seward Seward, and Al higher voices of Evelyn Brent and directions , the coffee pot and tray Metzdorf. Doric Kenyon did not reproduce so banging about in the studio. And , it all In late 1928 , the Piccadilly was well. That's the way it was during the went over the air! closed for refurbishing. Sound was talkies' infancy. While in Lockport, with the right coming in and the theatre was to be "The Console Twins", Dodge and atmospheric conditions, the station re-wired for the new medium. A model Baldwin, used to work up their pre could be heard in Scotland. Even 240 Wurlitzer with two consoles was sentations to perfection. Hugh clas tually it moved to Buffalo. installed ; one a three-manual, the sifies Mr. Baldwin as extremely ca After high school, Mr. Dodge en other a two-manual. Hugh Dodge and pable along these lines. Overtures went tered Rochester 's Eastman School of J. Gordon Baldwin were chosen as well for a time - "1812", "Light Music for a summer course. He was organists and became known as "The Cavalry ," and "Poet and Peasant." interested in the motion picture organ course but found he was wasting his The three-manual console from the Piccadilly. When theatre was remodeled in 1948, it was time because of his previous ex moved to the side and a picket fence erected around it. It is now in the Three Coins Restaurant perience in Lockport and Buffalo. He in Louisville, Colorado. Fate of the 2- manual console is unknown. - (Lloyd Klos collection) therefore enrolled in the classical or gan course under Abel M. DeCeaux, a man who had nothing but contempt for the "movee organ." As Hugh had to realize some in come while a student , he auditioned as a movie organist for Victor Wagner, the director of the Eastman Theatre Orchestra. As the Eastman , Regent and Piccadilly theatres were leased to Paramount-Publix, he did substitute work at these houses , the latter two having Wurlitzers , the first an Austin. In the fall of 1925, he became regular organist at the Piccadilly. Some of the pictures he accompanied during this period were The Mark of Zorro with Douglas Fairbanks, What Price Glory with Dolores Del Rio, Victor DECEMBER, 1973 Marches were also well received. In time, however, the patrons demanded DEPARTMENT OF COINCIDENCES lighter music. The remaining silents continued to be accompanied by both The February, 1973 issue of THE who was more than "a small part of organ and orchestra, as were comedies ATRE ORGAN contained three arti the golden era", also told of the latest and news-reels. However, sound was cles concerning two organists from disposition of the 3/9 Wurlitzer in the here to stay and, as time went on, the Fran klin, Pennsylvania, neither of Latonia Theatre in Oil City, Pa. organists had less to do. whom had heard from the other in 30 J. Gordon Baldwin was released as The report of Potomac Valley years. Two articles by Anson Jacobs, organist and eventually became musi Chapter's November meeting tells of cal director of WHEC in Rochester, another organist originally from Franklin, Jim Smiley. Jim writes that playing its studio Wurlitzer installed in since. In 1935, industrialist and res "Jake", as Anson was known to his 1934. Later, he left town for parts taurateur, Fred J. Odenbach, signed many friends, was the inspiration for unknown. Some say he went to Cali him to play dinner music in the Jims changing his college engineering fornia; others say he went to New Peacock Room of his Odenbach Res course to organ studies. York. If anyone knows of his where taurant, using the first Hammond or "Jake" played at the Orpheum The abouts, the writer would be most gan played publicly in Rochester. atre in Franklin on a two-manual interested. Another local organist had claimed he Seeburg-Smith organ of about 10 In 1930, the Piccadilly began a was the first, but Mr. Dodge easily ranks. Frequently, a road-show picture policy of stage shows, using the organ refutes this. would be accompanied by organ and a for solos and song slides for a year. Mr. Dodge looks back on his the small orchestra, in which Jim's father, Hugh Dodge entered the broadcasting atre days with fond remembrances. He Burt Smiley, played cornet. Needless field, first for WHEC,then for WHAM, feels his career as organist-teacher is to say, Jim and his brother always sat broadcasting from the Madison The that much richer because of this ex in the pit to admire the way "Jake" atre in 1930 and 1931. The theatre perience. He says, "To be a good conducted from the console. Nobody had a style E Wurlitzer and Hugh teacher organist, you needed, besides ever played marches with more gusto became his own announcer. The the the basic equipment of a musician, a and fidelity to voicing than "Jake". atre's coming attractions were an retentive memory and keen originality. Jim also recalls that he came to Oil nounced on this 3-times-a-week pro All these factors were necessary to be gram in the late afternoon. successful." City at the request of the owners of the Latonia Theatre to become second In 1934, Mr. Dodge became organ A gentleman with character, a musi organist when the theatre opened. A ist and choir director of St. Monica's cian of note - that's Rochester's Hugh Church, a position he has held ever J. Dodge. D quirk of application of rules by the American Federation of Musicians lost Jim the job, which was filled for a Rochester's Piccadilly Theatre where Hugh Dodge played the first all-talking picture short time by imported non-union "Intolerance". Date of picture is February 1929. organists. Later, union organists were brought in, featuring Ario Hults. Years later, Ario followed Jim in a combo at the Neptune room in Washington, D.C. where they became friends. It goes without saying that Jim Smiley is anxiously awaiting progress in the reinstallation of the Latonia organ with hopes of playing it again someday. □ John A. Holywell of Unionville, Ontario, was killed when his car smashed into a tree on November 3. John, a charter member of the Niagara Frontier Chapter ATOS, was a dedi cated theatre organ enthusiast. Always ready to assist fellow members in moving, installing or maintaining their instruments, he was working on his own installation recently. His widow and two children survive. □ DECEMBER, 1973 Hope-Jones at 35. Photo was made during his Birkenhead pe riod and is, to the best of our knowledge, seen here in print for • • • the first time. It was given to Lee HoIT2ageto Haggart by Jim Nuttall. Roberti Hope-Joqes PART I by Stevens Irwin centuries, from 14 73 to the present, OBERT HOPE - JONES Admittedly, he was more interested in tonality as a thing in itself than in since many of his ranks of pipes are (1859-1914) was the Creator still being used, even in church organs. of the Theatre Organ . His formal patterns of notes in the music, but he relieved us from hearing so The tones he created were not the genius never failed him because he was many nondescript Diapasons and first to be imitative of instruments. He able to think in terms of both the Flutes and monotonous Trumpets and and his talented voicers were able to mechanical and artistic at the same Oboes, such as existed when he was a add warmth to William Thynne's Viols time. He conceived a whole new sys and Violas, smoothness and body of tem of electrical control for the organ, boy church organist. He envisioned the organ sound as tone to Henry Willis' Tubas and Corn which Mozart so graciously called the both a symphony orchestra and an opeans, and true expressiveness to King of Instruments, and he rede organ, for he realized even in younger percussions. He changed the ancient signed every stop he used so that it keyed wooden Serpent into the louder became a highly colorful and indi years that both styles of sound were needed to play the music of some five reedy, brassy Ophicleide. To the or- vidualized timbre. 21 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1973 again limited in size due to a limited wind supply. Majesty of tone from HOMAGE TO ROBERT HOPE-JONES Diapasons and the dignity of a deep by Stevens Irwin pedal bass now came forth from the shadowy chambers. No longer need Much has been written about Robert Hope-Jones. To the con the organist limit his practice to times servative organ authorities of his time his tonal and mechanical when a "pumper" was available, or innovations often seemed like sacrilege performed against the beloved depend on many sorts of hydraulic instrument as they knew it. Others were open-minded and curious to blowers. Later in his career he used a hear or try his radically different instrument. In the days when the special type of turbine (not fan) Hope-Jones concepts were new, there was no middle ground; the blower to raise the SO-inch pressure cognizant organ enthusiast was either for him or agin' him. Hindsight for his Solo Tuba in the 14-rank Ocean has vindicated Hope-Jones. Many of his innovations are used by latter Grove, New Jersey, opus. This un day builders of straight organs, even those few to whom the word believable sound, heard by the writer "unification" still has nightmarish aspects. Author Irwin here outlines some of the developments in organ in mid l 920's, has since been revoiced on 25 inches . building brought about by the restless Englishman and his band of innovators. He has been mref ul to list the co-workers because the term Hope-Jones redesigned the wind "Hope-Jones" covers the work of more than two dozen progressive chest so that each pipe , however high organ craftsmen who were attracted to the Hope-Jones banner because up the scale , had its own valve and of the leader's interest in new and often revolutionary ideas in organ magnet. If his new unification system design. were to work, any pipe in the organ Newcomers to the organ hobby will find this three-part commentary had to sound from any combination of of special value because it will provide them with the background key and stop-action. He invented the against which the name of the theatre organ's mentor looms large. Sforzando Action, indicator lights , Editor several types of pedal and manual pistons , and Suitable Bass pistons under each manual. With the latter a gan 's Diapason, Chimney Flute, two different precious metals as rub thrust of the thumb brought on pedal Gedeckt and Gemshorn he gave new bing contacts came about without stops of proper timbre and loudness to timbres that seemed to say, "Listen to examination of other builders' actions. match each manual combination then us; we sound as individuals now; we This alone is proof that he was able to on. He made many other aids for the never were so distinctive before." sense the exact combination of ele player , some of them on just one Robert Hope-Jones was the third ments needed to make Charles S. organ. son in a family of nine children; seven Barker's purely pneumatic-valve a suc His Pizzicato Action seemed to were boys. He was 20 years old at the cess. Aristide Cavaille-Coll, Father Wil "pluck" even sustained stops by releas height of the Victorian Era (in 1879). lis, and other builders had applied ing their valves about one-sixth of a There were few symphony orchestras their own electric parts to it, but these second after contact, even though keys to be heard ( we have over 900 in were made from quite heavy ma were held down. Like Second Touch , America today), yet Robert knew that chinery and required considerable volt the stops affected were drawn on major composers such as Berlioz , age for operation. Cables were thick, special controls. Typical were solo Schumann, Liszt, Mendelssohn , many stop-actions utilized sliding stops and couplers to bring other solo Vierne, Franck, and especially Widor strips of wood under pipes , swell stops to the lowest (Accompaniment) thought out their compositions with shades were not electrically moved, manual, where this touch usually was, the gentle sound of the orchestra in and large pedal valves were still hard to as a Tuba Sonora 8', Melophone 8', mind. These and many others sensed open quickly. Hope-Jones also over Post Horn 8', Cello II ranks 8' , and the continuum of tone heard when 50 came key and switch contacts that Solo to Accompaniment coupler 8'. or more woodwinds and strings "slid" oxidized quickly, low amperage from His tremolando-type action that imi gracefully from one note to the next, inefficient batteries, cables limited in tated string players "strumming" each with a slightly different timing. length by their weight, and even pneu across strings was never popular. Some stated that they "heard " this matic tubes that leaked. The Industrial Other devices opened a swell shade singing quality in their thoughts even Revolution's new materials and meth slightly ( or closed it) at each striking while they sat alone in their rooms and ods helped him. of a key. He applied electricity to the wrote notes on paper. The abrupt Even in his own actions, for he Crescendo Pedal and invented a sepa release of the tracker action organ made several kinds, he had to fight rate electro-pneumatic motor to open with its lack of dynamic expression corrosion by atmospheric elements, and close each swell shade. He utilized held no appeal for them. Hope-Jones not to speak of malicious persons who bellows of every shape and size, each set out to give them the musical cut his wires. Another masterpiece of with its own magnet, to give flexible sounds they desired. adapt ation was his use of the rotary control to his remarkably individual Hope-Jones was not only versed in forge blower driven with an electric ranks , as he saw each rank as a sort of the theory of acoustics and electricity, motor first introduced at St. Cuth instrument. he was also a most practical man. He bert's church, Edinburgh, in 1896. He was the Stradivarius of the once stated that his invention of very From then on it was possible for Organ World. He did everything he slender low-voltage magnets ( one organists to have sufficient quantity or could to make each rank a thing of under each pallet-valve) and the use of pressure of wind, nor were organs great beauty. He thought in terms of 22 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1973 ranks , not whole divisions. He placed many on separate windchests with just the right pressure to bring out a style of tone and to make pipes sound efficient ly. There is, after all, a direct relation of tonal results between wind pressure and size and shape of the air column as a thing in itself. Some ranks sat high up on stilts , others were right behind the shades , and still others were buried deep in concrete chambers, usually with shades high up on top, not always on the sides. And he understood the reflection patterns that sound waves follow ; in one organ he made use of a masonry wall of great thickness to reflect sound upward against a wide , curved wooden roof. Here even the soft Dulciana Celeste can be heard clear to the back seats, and with shades closed! On the artistic side of the ledger he thought of each rank sounding in View of the Elmira factory erecting room, dated August 1909. The small organ being checked contrast to each other rank, even in out was destined for Portland, Maine, according to Jim Nuttall's note on the back. -( Haggart the same swell chamber. Unlike the collection) Classical (this term includes Baroque) organ , he contrasted an Oboe Horn with a Concert Flute , and a Diapason The 14 - rank organ Hope -Jones installed in the Ocean Grove auditorium in 1908 is a prototype + Octave with a Trumpet. Because he of many of the builder's innovations, including the "unit system" of separating families of tone was thoroughly orchestral in his in in swell chambers, higher wind pressure (up to 50"), unification, suitable bass , second touch, inclined manuals, all pipes enclosed (except the Diaphone) , fast electro -pneumatic action, stincts he built some of his later pizzicato touch and percussions. The problem of coastal moisture was overcome by building instruments so that Strings could fade , concrete chambers deep underground. Sound is conducted upward via large concrete ducts and or dissolve , into Horn tone , and Trom poured into the auditorium by huge horn -shaped reflectors seen above. To increase conductivity the ducts were given several coats of enamel to provide a mirror - like surface. Swell bas and Tubas could overwhelm Dia shades were at the tops of ducts. To accommodate auditorium sponsors who expected to see pasons. No one fabricated a Dulciana pipes, impresario Tali Esen Morgan had wooden display pipes made and installed in time for more silvery than his , an Orchestral Clarence Reynolds' dedication concert - much to Hope -Jones' amusement. The organ cost $26,000. Reynolds' rendition of "The Storm" was so realistic that concertgoers often jammed Oboe that sizzled with more high the exits to see if there was really a storm outside. The instrument has been rebuilt several times overtones , or a Muted Violin that but most of Hope-Jones ideas have been retained. The console shown here is not the original, which was a horseshoe. Divisions are named Foundation, String, Wood, Brass and Percuss ion , showed off more "rosin." Yet he loved each with its own swell pedal. The organ is still in use. all sorts of Diapasons and other purely organ tones. He experimented with many sizes and dimensions of chimnies in order to make all sorts of com binations of odd and even-numbered harmonics, just from one stop. How ever , like most imitative stops in the organ, rus were much louder than their counterparts in the orchestra. This was knowingly done so that under expres sion a Clarinet, for example , could sound like four ranks or a mere whis per of reedy timbre. Thus every stop might be a melody voice. For his famous Viol d'Orchestre (as he spelled it) at Ocean Grove he provided a separate swell chamber and shades with a high-pressure tremulant. With its sharp and flat Celestes it sounds like many ranks, so great is the phase-difference due to summation and difference frequency propagation. With shades closed it is not only muted but entirely changed in quality. Along with the three Vox Humanas in DECEMBER, 1973 Calgary, Alberta, who has done much Elliott went to the Robert Morton research on Cavaille-Coll, says that Organ Company as technical advisor to there is no reason to believe either design their first unit organs, and then builder influenced the other, even to W.W. Kimball in 1920 where he was though they were contemporaries. in charge of sales and was also organ Each maintained a high degree of factory manager. individuality. Each was a genius in his The Hope-Jones Electric Organ Co. own right. in England, first at Battersea and then Nor did Hope-Jones receive even in at Norwich with Norman and Beard his own day all of the credit for his (1898), built some 41 organs. Later, in inven t ions in sound. As voicer Eugene this country, he built around 38, some M. Nye of Seattle, Washington, says, of these being merely enlargements. "The so-called geniuses of organ build Suprisingly enough, most of his work ing were usually a team of men, some in England was along straight organ of whom adapted the ideas of their lines, but with some borrowing and leader, keeping them within the prac extension. As Nye states, "The unit tical bounds of engineering." Nye organ really came into being in this further states, "When Hope-Jones was country." It came from England to working full time in his Elmira, N.Y., America in 1903 when he emigrated plant, he employed about 50 men." here. Many of them had followed Hope Hope-Jones and his co-workers Jones from England. were as concerned with blend between He had the really talented James H. Hope-Jones' co-worker James Bolton settled stops as any builder. However, they in San Diego, Calif., and remained with Nuttall to develop his ideas in to stops, depended upon overtones speaking on organ work throughout his career. In this espec ially the Reeds, and to develop, just the right positions on the scale of 1961 photo he is shown shortly after his along with Theodore Ilse, the horse retirement - but always ready to help pitches for cohesion. They knew that hobbyists with the knowledge gained during shoe console. But he had other good harmonic No. 14, for example, from a a lifetime devoted to the organ. men such as Joseph Carruthers, John Tibia Plena 8' spoke on the same pitch J. Colton, David Marr, J. Meakin as No. 14 from a Trumpet 8'. Some Jones, James and Ralph Bolton, Earl exceptions might be found among the Radio City Music Hall (on 6" wind) Beach, H. Badger, Fred W. Smith, Fred pencil-thin Viols, Muted Viols, and the and the dazzling Serpent in the Los Wood and Robert Pier Elliott to make Orchestral Oboe, but these usually Angeles Wiltern Kimball, it deserves to his dreams in sound come true. When worked out to be advantages because rank with the greatest stops in the the end came for Hope-Jones in 1914, the off-pitch partials (really inhar- theatre world. And how great the contrast with the fair and band organs Rare photo of a corner of the voicing room at Hope-Jones' Elmira factory. James H. Nuttall Hope-Jones heard in his youth! Some (foreground) and G.H. Russell are voicing a Viol d'Orchestre. - (Photo is from Lee Haggart's English churches then had barrel or collect ion) gans! , ll Our favorite builder did not bring forth any basic new forms of pipes. Even his Kinura had its origin in ancient Regals such as the Trom me tenregal with inverted-conical tubes, albeit on much less pressure and with thinner tongues. Under his direc tion 1 inventive and talented voicers - E. F. Lloyd, J. W. Whitely, Carlton Michell, J.C. Hele and James H. Nut tall - so completely redesigned pipes, resonators, shallots and reed-tongues as to make them speak entirely dif ferent qualities of sound. And he worked with all forms of pipes, mak ing hybrid timbres such as his Oboe Horn, Horn Diapason, Diaphonic Dia pason, and Quintadena Celeste, each of which resembled two qualities of timbre. Was Hope-Jones influenced by the great French builder, Cavaille-Coll? After all, he traveled in the south of France in his early years. No less an authority than Stuart Kennedy of 24 ABOUT THE AUTHOR When Stevens Irwif_l was twelve years old, he was escorted by his mother through the large John Wanamaker Store in Philadelphia. As they passed under the then new organ, Mary Vogt, still remembered in organ circles, let forth with a thundering crash on many Solo Diapasons and Tubas, shaking the polished marble floor with the biggest Open Wood 32' in America, and forests of Diaphones, all on high pressure. He has never been the same! This article is one result! Irwin has written three dictionaries of organ stops, all published by G. Schirmer, New York. They are named Dictionary of Pipe Organ Stops, Dictionary of Hammond Organ Stops, and Dictionary of Electronic Organ Stops. All are heavily influenced by the Hope-Jones inventions, and list practically all of his stops. Organ authority William H. Barnes of Tucson, Arizona, remembers Robert Hope-Jones very well. He told Irwin many of the things about this genius of organ building which appear here. Stevens Irwin monies) made a variety of random music that is hard to follow unless one But in the orchestra we expect Clari- undulations that resembled surging has a thorough training in it. Rather he nets to cover up Violas, Horns to cover orchestral sounds. As Hope-Jones designed his organs for a single melody up Clairnets, Trombones to cover up broadened his pipe scales with just the line on a conspicuous stop, perhaps a Horns, and Trumpets to cover right pressures, he was assured of Solo Violin or Tuba Horn, and sup- up Trombones. In both organ obtaining true overtones, at least in ported it by any number of neutral and orchestra this provides a sen- the more obvious bottom parts of the "gray" timbres that held up the sational gradation of textures in qual- series. In all of the stop-pitches be melody but did not take attention ity as well as in loudness, both of tween the 32' and 1/2' there a re away from it. These gray timbres which are normal to Romantic music approximately 11,400 different over included the Dolce and Dulciana and . composed since around 1830 and tones, each with its proper location in their Celestes, the Muted Cellos and popular songs. Use of masses of notes pitch. His famous Cor Anglais, Oboe Viols, and Echo Diapasons and Gem- (sometimes with couplers) and all Horn, and Kinura were rich in over shorns. Unlike most current builders, sorts of "new" tone-clusters further tones that had never been heard before he appreciated the value of an incon- brought out Hope-Jones' imitative in the world of orchestra or organ, spicuous and satiny accompanimental tone qualities. In short, Hope-Jones and some of these were sensationally sound. Have you ever heard a better "heard" orchestral and operatic trans- loud, all of which provided a new sort accompaniment sound than a Muted criptions in his new sounds. Further of spatial dimension to sound, and Viola Celeste 8'? He also paid at- along this line, the gigantic John Wana- made the Hope-Jones organ a fasci tention, as did designer/builder Donald maker store organ in Philadelphia was nating new instrument in the musical Harrison, to the qualities of timbre he specifically designed to play the music world. Some overtones went up as produced at extreme ends of treble of Richard Wagner, and presumably high as harmonic No. 70 or even 85 and bass. Any one who has heard his also Liszt and Richard Strauss. How from just one pipe, even in midrange. cutting, stringy Contrabass 16' in its much Hope-Jones influenced George Up in this very high range it should be bottom octave will appreciate this, A. Audsley, who made the basic design remembered that three and sometimes because it sounds "bowed." Larry for this organ, is not known, but he four harmonics sound between semi Bray has a magnificent example in his undoubtedly influenced pipemaker tones of the scale! This extreme three-organ Wurlitzer in Salt Lake Anton Gottfried, Joseph J. Carruthers density of overtones accounts for City. (W.W. Kimball) and Herbert Kingsley much of the charm of Hope-Jones' Hope-Jones' Echo Dolce was as soft (Robert Morton) who made the most reed tones. Remember too that the as mppp, or around 11 decibels, but of the newer imitative stops. Along sensitive human ear can identify eleven his Tuba Mirabilis and Solo Tromba with the (mostly) Moller in West Point octaves of pitch. Yet, the Solo Tibia were as loud as mfff or ffff, or around Cadet Chapel and the Aeolian in Long- Clausa of this pioneer builder gave 82 decibels. His average Diapason wood Gardens, Kennett Square, Penn- forth little more than three harmonics sounded about 39 to 42 decibels, or sylvania, the Wanamaker organ is along with the fundamental ground on the borderline between mf andf In certainly the most orchestral in con- tone, which made it even purer in tone contrast to these, ancient builders had cept. But let us not forget the whole than a tuning fork or the biggest made all stops, even Trompettes and division of Trombas and Trombones in Diaphone! bass pipes, near the mp dynamic. This, the Midmer-Losh in Convention Hall, of course, was to keep any one voice Atlantic City, or its four purely String In further imitation of the "grand from covering up the combination. divisions. orchestra," as it used to be called, - To be continued - Hope-Jones thought in terms of masses In the next installment, Stevens Irwin discusses the importance of the of notes and the "pictures in sound" swell box to the Hope-Jones' organ concept, the "formant" as related that they would make. Contrasting to pipe design, improved swell shutters, high wind pressure, "nicking" moving lines of contrapuntal notes of pipe languids, "ears" and "bridges" on pipes, and "Second Touch" against each other is a concept in controls. DECEMBER, 197 3 THEATRE ORGAN 25 TH EAiriE OiGANSTS ON iA0O by Lloyd E. Klos uch has appeared in these network organi t was. Radio broad heard the program over WEAF (N.Y.) pages about the organist who casting began in November 1920, with and 26 affiliated stations on a nation played in the theatres and the Westinghou e tat ion in Pittsburgh, wide hookup by means of short-wave de ervedly so. For it was the function KDKA, providing the first big broad broadcasting." Twenty-six stations by of the theatre musician to accompany cast - the Harding-Cox election re today's standards is nothing, but in the silents, to play overtures with the l urns. However, one early program those days, it wa phenomenal. orchestra, sing-alongs, and to ride his over which an organ was featured was Perhaps the most famous network profu ely decorated console up into the Ei•eready Hour. This was the first how to use a pipe organ wa Pepso the golden spotlight in majestic grand variety how on radio, and premiered on dent's (later Campbell Soup's) Amos eur to be featured in a solo spot. December 4, 1923. It used many of the '11 'Andy. Freeman Gosden and Charles But what about the organist who star of that era John Drew, Eddie Correll debuted over Chicago's WGN played on the radio network shows? Cantor, Will Rogers, Elsie Janis, Weber in the Drake Hotel on January 12, What were some of the programs which & Fields, Irvin S. Cobb and many 1926 as Sam & Hcnr_,,. When the are remembered for their organ music? others. The January 1929 is ue of show moved to Los Angeles and In the following, I hope to twitch the The Diapasun stated: "Mr. Lew White, changed networks, it was not per memories of the older readers and to founder and director of the White mitted to use the original title. So, it give the younger generation an idea of Institute, had the honor of broad was changed to A nws '11 • A 11<1_1•and the extent that organ music was heard casting an hour of organ music on that name premiered on March 19, on the air waves of yesterday. Christmas Eve from his studio for the 1928. Several organists did the show It is unknown to me who the first Eveready Hour. Ten mill ion per ons during its lifetime, but the mo t famou Perhaps the most famous radio program to use pipe organ music was "Amos 'n' Andy". The was Mr. Flicker Fingers himself, organist on that program from 1935 to 1942 was Gaylord Carter, pictured here at Rochester's Gaylord Carter, who played it every Auditorium Theatre Wurlitzer - (L. Klos collection) weekday night from 1935 to 1942. The theme was "The Perfect Song" which was written for the score of the 1915 classic movie Birth of a Nation, and Gaylord played it twice a night; once for the eastern part of the country and later for the west. He says, in retrospect, that his mother always advised him to open his con cert with a piece he knows. So, at all his appearances, "The Perfect Song" is played first. Who can forget the an nouncer of the show with the peerless diction, Bill Hay, introducing "the boys" with "here they ah!". Of course, the immortal Jesse Craw ford was known for his program Royal's Poet of the Organ, sponsored by Royal Typewriter on Sunday evenings in the early thirties. The broadcasting was DECEMBER, 1973 Larson, played the theme for several years. You older readers remember the Wurlitzer's accompanying announc er Pierre Andre who sang: Who's that little chatterbox? The one with pretty auburn locks? Whom do you see? It's Little Orphan Annie! There was more, with the Wur litzer's simulating the bark of Annie's dog, Sandy, at the precise moment. How we youngsters faithfully drank our Ovaltine so we could send the inside seal of an Ovaltine can for a shaker or decoder ring! How we loved the organ music for Tenderleaf Tea's One Man's Family. It was played by Paul Carson from Jesse Crawford at the 4/21 Wurlitzer in the N. Y. Paramount Studio. This organ was heard by more persons than any other broadcasting organ. - ( L. Klos collection) Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll, the famous Amos 'n' Andy. Theirs was probably the most famous program on radio to use organ music. done using the 4/21 Wurlitzer in a studio on the 14th floor of the Para mount Building in New York. That organ, now the property of ATOS charter member , Dick Loder hose, was heard by more people than any broadcasting organ. Fred Feibel, Ann Leaf, Winters & West, Fats Waller, Don Baker all used it. Feibel played it for 7½ years on his Organ Reveille show. Ann Leaf for a time, opened and closed the CBS network with her Ann Leaf At the Organ and Nocturne shows. It was also featured on the program Three Consoles - Ann Leaf, Eddie Dunstedter over KMOX in St. Louis, and Milton Charles in Chicago. This program was revolutionary for remote-control radio. There was a network show, origi nating in Chicago during the thirties , which went on the weekday air at 5 :45 PM, EST, Little Orphan Annie. The organist, a big Swede, Larry DECEMBER, 197 3 organ, for the good doctor always voice whetted the sweet tooth, and used organ music to open and close Lew Valentine (later Jimmy McClain), the show. enriched winning contestants' pockets. Who can forget "the Iittle monument In the thirties, the Philco Super Het to memory, the thought-twister" or erodynes and the Stromberg-Carlsons the ''biographical sketch of a famous (there were nothing finer) were pick personality." Through assistants with ing up "Claire de Lune", the theme port able microphones stationed of a program out of Cincinnati's WLW, throughout the theatre , silver dollars "Moon River" which featured organi t went to "that lady in the balcony" or Lee Erwin. The program began in 1933 Snickers , Mars Bars, Milky Ways or and lasted until 1944. The station had Forever Yours and "two tickets to three Wurlitzers and Lee worked with next week's production here at the the DeVore Sisters, Doris Day, Rose Capitol Theatre" went to "that gentle mary and Betty Clooney and Andy man on my right downstairs." An Williams. nouncer Alan C. Anthony's syrupy It was a program of songs and THEATRE ORGAN FEATURED... Most people do not realize that Thomas "Fats" Waller also played the pipe organ very well. He used the N. Y. Paramount studio instrument for some of his broad Atwater Kent, a great name in early radio receivers, used the theatre organ sound to casts. promote their new (1929) electro-dynamic radios. The ad reproduced on this page was taken from the Rochester, New York, DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE Sunday issue of February 10, 1929 by Lloyd Klos. 1932 to 1951. "Destiny Waltz" was The ad copy says, in part: "Whatever music any instrument is capable of playing the first theme until Carson wrote - it's reproduced by the new Atwater Kent Electro-Dynamic ... even the grand "Patricia" which was played from organ, which has the widest range of all" ... The ad goes on to say that the lowest to 1941 to 1959. Another fine announc highest notes are not omitted or exaggerated. er, Frank Barton , still active on TV, The console pictured closely resembles the New York Paramount Wurlitzer and was used. When Carson left the show , properly so since the Paramount Studio instrument was no doubt the leading he was succeeded in turn by Sybil broadcast organ in those great radio years. Chism and Martha Green. There were Thousands of Atwater Kent, Fada, Zenith, Spartan, Majestic and Radiola radios 3,256 episodes, involving 134 books , helped greatly in bringing national fame to Jesse Crawford, Ann Leaf, Fred Feibel, all "dedicated to the mothers and a nd others on the national radio networks. fathers of the younger generation and to their bewildering offspring, " written by Carl ton E. Morse. From his home in Jalisco, Mexico, I received a note from Paul Carson not long ago. He says that although he is retired , he is still busy. "I gave two recitals in Seattle in July 1967. Those will be the last." Carlton Morse apparently liked or gan music, for it was used to introduce another of his shows,] Lo ve A Mystery, featuring the adventures of Jack Pack ard, Doc Long and Reggie Yorke. The organist was again Paul Carson , and the lovely "Valse Triste" by Jan Siebel ius was the theme. When Carson was on vacation, Gaylord Carter would substitute for him. In the thirties , quiz shows were becoming popular on the networks. Information Please, Quiz Kids, Profes sor Quiz and Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge were well known. But , Dr. 1.Q., the Mental Banker was a favorite from a theatre organ stand point. The show toured the country , appearing for several weeks in a major city at a large theatre having a pipe 28 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 197 3 The Mighty Mite of the Mighty Wurlitzer, Ann Leaf at the New York Paramount Studio Paul Carson who played "One Man's Wurlitzer. She opened and closed the CBS network for a time with "Ann Leaf At the Organ" Family" and "I Love A Mystery", both and "Nocturne". - ( L. Klos collection) originated by Carlton A. Morse. - (L. Klos collection) music for easy nightime listening. The When Laurens Hammond introduced Gart on Bright Horizon. Perhaps the announcer, of which there were several his electronic in 1935, it presaged the two busiest organists in those days were during the show's run, opened with end for pipe organs in radio broad Ann Leaf and Rosa Rio. these words: "Moon - River, a lazy casting. And with it, came the soap Ann Leaf, who had to run several stream of dreams, where vain desires opera, with all the networks devoting blocks a couple times a day for CBS forget themselves in the loveliness of their daily prime time to them. Some and NBC commitment , played for sleep. Moon River, enchanted white organists would run from studio to such shows as Lorenz o Jones, Easy ribbon, twined in the hair of night, studio to provide the themes and Aces, Vic & Sade, Pretty Kitty Kelly where nothing is but sleep". Later, background music. and others. Rosa Rio, also helping Erwin served as organist on the Arthur Radio City Music Hall's Jack Ward the profits of Goodyear, did such Godfrey shows of many years. Now, played for The Magnificent Montague shows as Between the Bookends with he is a free-lance arranger, writer and which starred Monty Willey. "Aunt Ted Malone, Cavalcade of America, concert artist. Jenny's" theme was done by Court of Missing Heirs, Myrt & Marge, Canada was not without its broad Elsie Thompson . Dick Leibert was a The Shadow and others. casts which utilized pipe organ music, fixture on Rinso's Big Sister, John Who can forget the Lassie show and there were several which lasted beyond World War II. Roland Todd had a Saturday night program which Eddie Dunstedter at the console of WCCO organ in Minneapolis. When he was in St. Louis, followed the famous Memory Music Eddie was one of "Three Console" artists. - ( L. Klos collection) Hall, ho ted by Gerald Peters on a Toronto station. If memory serves, it was CBL. Katherine Stokes had a daily stint on The Happy Gang. Quentin Maclean broadcast from Shea's The atre in downtown Toronto, using the 3/ 15 Wurlitzer which was recently in stalled in the famed Casa Loma. Mac Lean's theme was "When the Lights of London Shine Again,'' and his an nouncer was the man with the highly resonant voice, Don Sims. I have been talking about shows which were beamed to the networks. Of course, there were hundreds of local organ shows, and it would be a super-human task to Iist all of these which featured the mighty Wurlitzers, magnificent Marr & Coltons, silver voiced Kilgens or the golden-voiced Bartons. DECEMBER, 1973 entire life of the program. Bulldog Drummond - "Out of the fog, out of the night and into his American adventures comes Bulldog Drummond." Perhaps a number of readers re- iding in the metropolitan New York area recall a program, aired on a local station, called Famous Fathers in which a celebrity would be interviewed. Pro viding the mu ic was organist Eddie Baker, now western New York's fa vorite theatre organist. "That was quite a production", he recalls. "Subjects in cluded aviator Clarence Chamberlain, Harry Carey, Lowell Thomas, Morton Downey, comedian Harry Langdon, Eddie Cantor, Ozzie Nelson, Nick Kenny and Lauritz Melchoir. Admiral Byrd recounted his adventures, and was an easy man to talk with." Carlton E. Morse, creator of "One Man's For seven years in the forties, the Family" and "I Love a Mystery" programs Jack Berch Show, advertised as "The which used organ music exclusively. - ( L. Klos collection) Shortest 15 Minute in Radio" and ponsored by Prudential Insurance, was aired daily. It included announcer net works today is young Bob Ralston Jimmy McClain (left) and Alan C. Anthony Eddie Dunn, singer Jack Berch, ac who gets ample exposure each week get ready to do a broadcast of Dr. IQ in Rochester, October 1944. - (L. Klos col cordionist Charles Magnante, guitarist on the Lawrence Welk Show. Wunaful! lection) Tony Mottola, and a talented organ The radio shows mentioned are not ist George Wright. Theme song was but a memory now to those of us who with John Duffy playing the music, "Are You Listening?" grew up during that wonderful era. or Mr. Keen, Tracer of lost Persons, Following World War II until the There were other , of that I'm sure. with John Winters at the console. advent of television, a few organists But how much more enjoyable and The Road of life and Young Dr. continued to be employed by the memorable they were because they Malone had Charles Paul as organi t. network . Lew White provided all the utilized the arti try of the experts Smile Time used the artistry of Skitch background music for Inner Sanctum. with manual, top tab and pedal. □ Henderson. Yes, Skitch was an organ Who can forget the squeaking door ist long before his work on the To and "your host Raymond (Raymond "Now everybody ready for Oxydol's own night TV show. Edward Johnson) welcoming the Ma Perkins , America's Mother of the Air" said the introduction on radio. Here i~ Here were a few other shows which Ii teners with that eerie voice of his. Virginia Payne, who played the starring role utilized organ music for themes and The ½-hour program was aired on during the entire life of the program. background: Monday nights. Adventures of the Falcon with Les When he returned from naval service Tremayne. "Yes, this is the Falcon where he played Hammonds for the peaking ... Sorry, I can't make it troops stationed on Adak in the tonight, angel ... " Aleutians during World War II, Gaylord House of Mystery with Roger Elliott, Carter returned to the net works in a the mystery man. daily program called Bride & Groom. Valiant lady with Joan Blaine. It was Gaylord's duty to play wedding Tom Mix and his Ralston Straight music, playing it "low and grin". John shooters. Nelson was the announcer who directed life Can Be Beautiful with Chi the couple "out the door to our Chi and Papa David. chape l in the garden" under a shower Boston Blackie - "Friend of those of gifts. who need a friend; enemy to those When television came, it ended who make him an enemy.'' many, if not most, of the radio pro The Guiding light grams with live mu ic. Some of the Mark Trail organists were retained. One was ATOS Against the Storm conce rt favorite A hley Miller, who Backstage Wife still provides the background for Search Nick Carter, Master Detective For Tomorrow, a daily soaper. George Lorenzo Jones Wright is featured on ABC programs Ma Perkins with Virginia Payne em inating from the west coast. Perhaps who played the title role during the the most popular TV organist on the 30 THEATRE ORGAN - I~ Directed by Lyle W. Nash FEW movie greats loved the industry more than William S. before its delivery to her mother ... Remember John Carroll Hart. When he died ( 1946) he left all his earthJy possessions the singing bandit of the MGM films of the 30's? John is to the people of Los Angeles County. Now his 330-acre well, wealthy and wise enough to make a new film in and ranch is open to visitors daily but Monday. Admission and around Rubonia, Florida. A Ride in a Pink Car is the title of parking is free. Newhall, site of the Park and where Hart the film which might be in release when you read these lines. filmed many of his epics, is about 40 miles from Hollywood, easily reached by Freeway. Visitors can see the corral, the barns, the ranch house and his pet cemetery. Frequently visitors enjoy seeing a blacksmith applying his trade with the WILLIAM WYLER the authorized biography by Axel horses now a part of the ranch. Madsen (Crowell, $9.95, 456 pages) is an in depth probe of HART'S home, called the Hill of the Winds , perched on a what made the great director tick. It is loaded with facts, hillside, offers a magnificent 360 degree view of the rolling anecdotes, behind the camera battles and to a degree an hills and Santa Barbara mountains. Most of the original inside view on the operation of Universal studio in its glory furnishings and art objects are just as Hart left them. Hart days. Madsen constantly interjects foreign phrases when his had the designers keep in mind the view from various rooms English fails and some of his research is less than gospel. The of the Spanish type home. In the living room, about 20 x 36, filmography is extensive and the illustrations excellent. Wyler Hart's elegant saddle sits, polished and ready for instant use. spent half a century in the film industry. History will regard EIGHT Charles M. Russell masterpieces blend beautifully him with the same respect as it does John Ford and with the general western theme of the home. There are scores D. W. Griffith. Good reading. of original paintings and sketches of James Montgomery ~ Flagg and Frederic Remington. Other interesting items include his extensive gun collection and framed letters from IN a recent TV outing for 1932 WBros. One Way Passage many notables. Particularly fascinating to me was a 1928 Kay Francis asked William Powell: "Is it late?" He replied: RCA radio-phonograph which was in A-1 shape and ready to "Does it matter?" Later in the film she said: "Where shall we play at the touch of a button. Operation of the Park by the dine tonight?" Came the same old reply "Does it matter?" Los Angeles County Parks Department is excellent. The staff Director Tay Garnett told me recently that OWPwas still one enjoys meeting visitors and are well versed in Hart history. of his favorite films. HART, more than any other actor, created the concept of the western hero that was to (and really does today in clean films) be the prototype of good guys. He was an accom EXECUTIVE ACTION is the name of the new contro plished Shakespearian actor before his film debut at the age versial film about the murder of President Kennedy. It will of 40 in 1914. He wrote at least two books and perhaps be in release before Christmas. In the first three years after more. For the dedicated movie fan, especially those who the assassination some 18 material witnesses died. The odds remember the early film era, a visit to the William S. Hart on these witnesses dying that soon, an actuary says, is one Park is a heart warming experience. hundred thousand trillion to one. If you believe there is more about the Kennedy killing than has been told, this may well ~ be your type of film. RETAKES ... George O'Brien's 1937 "Windjammer" held up very well when shown on TV recently ... Janet Gaynor ~ had another art display of her paintings ... One time child THE 1973 critics can be tough at times. About the new actor Billy Butts is now a minister in La Canada, California Trader Horn, MGM, they said among other things: ... Horse wrangler William Trow, 82, died last month, after " ... laughably insane ... childish ... banal script ... card being in films since 1919. He appeared in many of the John board perils ... a mangy cur ... all mixed up ... a dog ... Ford films . .. Organist-lawmaker Frank Lanterman says his unbelievable." installation of the Fox, San Francisco 4/ 36 Wurlitzer sounds quite pleasing . .. "Movies are ministering to the lowest pa.ssions of children ... are wholly vicious ... hopelessly WALTER Pi,dgeon, 76, told an interviewer recently: "ff I bad." That's what the Chicago Tribune trumpeted in 1907. were just starting in films as in 1925, I'm not sure I would Wonder what they think about Deep Throat? stay in films. It is tough now. Haven't seen any new films in years." ... In the pa.ssing of Crane Wilbur, films lost a great ~ talent. He was a great writer, director, actor and producer When Betty Compson signed her first Christie comedy ... Comments, questions and contributions to HC are contract around 1916 she sent the good news home on a post welcome. Send to P.O. Box 113, Pasadena, California, card - knowing very well that it would be read and re-read 91102. DECEMBER, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 31 e WorldAt :Your Vienna. \ Project the soaring string sound associated with great music here by using the new individually I Venice. tunable tone generators. The gondoliers' mandolins are at your fingertips, with a Repeat feature that has continuously Rio de Janeiro. variable speed control. Hot and cold South American bossanova is one of fourteen Auto Rhythms, which can combine for exotic Budapest. rhythmic effects. Hungarian violins cry and sing with expressive vibrato sound. So can you, with Munich. the E-5'sTouch Vibrato. The resonance and clarity of world famous grand halls can be emulated with the E-5's continuous Reverb control. Nairobi. Savage percussion fresh from the jungle, along with less savage (and even delicate) New Orleans. percussion sounds -all built-in. The E-5's Wah Wah brings Basin Street flavor to organ jazz and Dixieland. Hollywood. Avant-garde California electronic music influenced the new Yamaha Portamento, Honolulu. with its synthesizer-like sounds in Recapture moonlit tropical Waikiki five different timbres . nights with the Glide control/ Hawaiian Guitar effect. London. Incredibly real English Baroque harpsichord upper preset tones are an E-5 exclusive New York. (along with piano, guitar, banjo, The massive, quick change characteristics vibraphone and chimes). of giant theatre organs are an integral part of the E-5. Its drawer-type preset board gives you split-second big sound shifts. Paris. The Yamaha Upper Flute Split separates flute sound from other sound and directs it through a rotary speaker, for brilliant cathedral-like acoustics. The New YamahaE-5. 32 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1973 DECEMBER, 197 3 THEATRE ORGAN 33 also teach theatre organ at the school, WNAC, Boston on 650 Kilocycles. NUGGETS is organist at the Vitagraph, a north Aug. 1928 (D) At the Vermond side house. Knauss School of Theatre Organ Play from the Oct. 1926 (J) F. LOUIS FRE ing at Allentown, Pa., a 2-manual and GOLDEN CHETTE plays a mean Wurlitzer at the a 3-manual Kimball and a Wurlitzer are La Petite Theatre in Kankakee, Ill. He used. The school was established in has just completed a course in ad 1924, and contains all facilities for vanced organ with FRANK VAN turning out players ready for theatre DUSEN in Chicago. organ work. Jan. 1927 ( J) FRANK MEL Apr. 1929 (D) LEW WHITE has GARDE of the Barton Organ School is returned to the Roxy Theatre in New kept busy with a large class of stu York as head of its organ department. dents. He is also broadcasting from the He had been granted a leave of absence Barton Studio at Wabash & Madison to found his organ school, the White streets in Chicago. Institute. He broadcasts each Saturday Jan. 1927 (M) RALPH WALDO and Monday evening over WJZ. EMERSON,who conducts the largest Apr. 1929 (AO) The $85,000 motion picture organ school in the studio of C. SHARPE MINOR has Nuggets prospected by Lloyd E. Klos country (15 available organs), reports been closed through legal proceedings, This time, we have found some a very good business outlook for the and the 2-manual and 3-manual nuggets pertaining to the schools season and seems to have all the Robert Mortons installed there are which had, and organists who taught, students he can handle. reported for sale. Mr. Minor is now courses for theatre organists. Refer Jan. 1927 (J) HAROLD J. LYON is playing at the United Artists Theatre ences were American Organist (AO), solo organist at the Legion Theatre's in Los Angeles. Diapason (D), Jacobs (J), Melody (M) Robert Morton in Marshalltown, Iowa. magazines and local press (LP). His teachers were FRANK VAN GOLD DUST The graduates of the Mar. 1926 (AO) FREDERICK DUSEN, EDWARD BENEDICT and atre organ instruction played all over KINSLEY, teacher, and organist at AMBROSE LARSEN of Chicago. - in the big cities and the small towns, New York's Hippodrome, performed Harold recently opened the new Hi/ as this memory-twitching list will for the New York Society of Theatre green-Lane organ in the Capitol The show: 10/20 HOWARD Z. LONG, Organists recently, giving a demon atre in Ottumwa, Iowa. Lyric Theatre in Reading, Pa .... 7 /20 stration of various organ styles, start Dec. 1927 (D) ELWYN OWEN, OLIVER WALLACE, Liberty's Wurlit ing with organ repertoire and ending formerly the organist at the Garden zer, Seattle ... 12/20 LOVE DA VIS, with a slide feature. Theatre in Milwaukee, has opened a "The Dixie Girl", in Liberty Seattle ... Oct. 1926 (J) CLAUDE V. BALL, school for movie organists and reports 12/23 EDWARD A. HANCHETT, Vic who was demonstrator at the Cincin good enrollment. tory Theatre, Fayettville, Ark .... 12/24 nati and Chicago offices of Wurlitzer Mar. 1928 (J) The Emil Velazco EDWIN LYLES TAYLOR, Chattanoo for over nine years, is engaged in Organ Studios at 1658 Broadway in ga's Tivoli ... 1/25 ARTHUR private teaching in the Kimball Build New York are being advertised as G UTOW, Chicago (Ill.) Theatre; ing in Chicago. He has specialized in "America's most modern theatre organ MILTON CHARLES, Chicago's the theatre organ and is doing very school." "Interviews and komedy Tivoli ... 2/25 GEORGE LEE well. cartoons" are studied as part of the HAMRICK, Birmingham's Strand; Oct. 1926 (J) HENRY FRANCIS course. EMIL VELAZCO is currently a CLAUDE HARTZELL, Memphis' PARKS, formerly of the Pacific Coast, Columbia recording artist and broad Loew's Palace ... 3/25 FRANK Minneapolis, St. Paul, Louisville etc., casts on "The Witching Hour" on RATH, JR., Denver's Rivoli; MILTON has signed a five-year contract to head WOR. SLOSSER, St. Louis' Missouri Theatre classes in modern theatre organ play June 1928 (LP) LLOYD DEL ... 4/25 ALBERT F. BROWN, Fore st ing at the Chicago Musical College. CASTILLO broadcasts from his organ Hills, N.Y. Theatre ... 5/25 OTTO CHARLES H. DEMOREST, who will school each evening at 7:30 over F. BECK, Washington's Tivoli ... 6/25 M€RRY I C-HRIST~S. MOTORCITY CHAPTER 34 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 197 3 JOSEPH STOVES, Birmingham's Tem ple ... 7 /25 GEORGE ALBERT BOUCHARD, Shea's Hippodrome, Buffalo; JOHN HAMMOND, New York's Piccadilly; HAROLD RAMSBOTTOM and FRANK STEWART ADAMS, New York's Rivoli ... 10/25 FRED C. VOSS, Newark's Branford ... 12/25 FRANK RATH, Jr., Denver's Isis ... 4/26 HENRY B. MURTAGH, Buffalo's Lafayette ... 7 /26 HENRY B. The 3/7 Wurlitzer MURTAGH, New York's Rivoli; J. at the State Cinema in Springfield MILLER SMITH, Newark's Mosque is alive and well. Theatre ... 8/26 FRANK E. WOODHOUSE Jr., Colonial in Gillespie, Ill.; LEO HEIR, Rialto's Bar ton Gran de, Kankakee, Ill.; ROBERT WILSON ROSS, Liberty WURLITZERGETS NEW LEASE ON LIFE Theatre in Carnegie, Pa.; LEONARD For many years, the Wurlitzer pipe things that other theatres didn't. The LEIGH, Capitol in St. Paul, Minn.; organ at the State Cinema in Spring organ, Opus 1754, is a Special Style FREDERICK SMITH and WALTER field, Ohio has been silent. "E", 3 manuals and 7 ranks. Instead of WILD, Brooklyn's Mark Strand When Bob Cowley and his family just being 2 manuals, they added ... 9/26 FRED MC MULLEN, Grand moved to Dayton, Ohio, Bob remem another to make it a 3 manual. Opera House, Pembroke, Ontario, bered the Wurlitzer and decided to The first portion of the project Canada; MELVIN OGDEN, MISS investigate to see if it was still in its involved the console. After three WHITEHEAD and MRS. PERKINS, original home. layers of paint were removed and alternating at Atlanta's Howard; H. B. Upon contacting Mr. Mike Chakers, hours of sanding were done, the con HARPER, Troy (N.Y.) Theatre; owner of the theatre, Bob found out sole was ready for a new finish, an ELSIE THOMPSON, St. Paul's that the organ was still there, but due tique white with gold trim. Full credit Capitol; ROBERT J. BERENTSEN, to the death of Mr. Nickals, organist must go to Bob's wife for without her Rochester's Eastman; C. SHARPE and manager from 1923 to 1970, the help on this project, the console would MINOR, Newark's Mosque ... 10/26 organ had not been played very much. not be nearly finished. She releathered HARRY WILSON, Castle in Blooming Time and neglect had taken its toll on the stop tab pneumatics and helped ton, Ill.; TOM GRIERSON, Shea's the Wurlitzer and after Bob had played replace broken contact blocks with Buffalo ... 11/26 L. V. TANGEMAN, it for about a half-hour, he knew there new ones. After the console was com Coldwater (Ohio) Theatre; QUENTIN was only one thing to do: Rebuild the pleted, she recovered the bench with a KINGSBACK, Palace in Petersburg, organ. As Bob found out, the last time foam rubber padding and covered that Va .... 12/26 RICHARD TWEEDY, any major work had be~one was with red velvet. Troy (N.Y.) Theatre; MARGARET around 1963, when the solo chamber Next came the chambers and after WATKINS, Washington's Colony had been worked on due to water burning a lot of "midnight oil", they ... l /27 CHARLES KUSSEROW, damage from a leaky roof. No work were finally back in shape. All the Racine, Wisc. State Theatre; ROBERT had been performed on the main dead notes came back to life after K. HALE, Varsity's 3-manual Reuter chamber or the console during this burned out magnets were replaced. in Lawrence, Kansas; STUART time. After the water damage occurred After several tunings, the Wurlitzer BARRIE, St. Louis' Ambassador in the Solo Chamber, the plaster had sounds and performs just as good as ... 9/27 CEDIL TEAGUE, St. Louis turned to powder and continued to when it was first installed 50 years Theatre ... l 0/27 MARTHA LEE, drop on the chests and relay. ago. Strand in Cumberland, Md .... 12/27 Bob contacted the Cincinnati Chap The theatre organ is coming back to URBAN DEGER, Cincinnati's State; ter for help, but they were already in life in Springfield and several silent JOHNNY BERTRAND, Montreal's volved with a rebuilding project and films and shows are being planned by Verdun Park Theatre; H.B. HARPER, would not be completed with it until the theatre. So that the public will Rochester's State. early "74". Bob, being a member of the realize that the organ is still there, That should do it for now. So long, Motor City Chapter in Michigan, knew every Friday night the organ is used sourdoughs! that he could not gain help from them before and after shows. During the since a five hour drive was out of the holidays, it will be used three nights question. out of the week, just to provide that Not wanting to wait until a later silent era, "live theatre organ music." date, Bob and his wife, Linda, started Without the help of Mr. Chakers, Mr. MERRY CHRISTMAS the major overhaul on the Wurlitzer Chuck McBee, manager, and the the AND organ. atre staff, all of this would not have HAPPY NEW YEAR! As many know, Wurlitzer made a become possible and a real theatre lot of modifications on their different organ might have been lost from the Jason and The Old Prospector styles as some theatres needed some public and the music world forever. □ DECEMBER, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 35 then, can we be thankful for in this holiday season? Well, first our thanks go to all the people in our chapters ThESociAl BoNd who get the organs into shape during long and many nights of dirty work; to by John Muri the people who get out the advertising, make the arrangements, sell the tick ets, and handle the money. Often they ~-~ nyone who concerns himself that our eclectic tastes are more than don't get very much of a "thank you"; with music is involved in romanticizing and nosta lgic drooling. they have to do everything on their atters of the spirit. You Ours is a movement dedicated to the own motivation. Their only satisfac can't eat music or build anything with conservation of a valuable art-form. tion is that the affair went well; it. It is an ephemeral human product, When theatre music was virtually si sometimes they have to put up with disappearing as soon as it is physically lenced forty years ago the general less than that. Soloists who get to bask created. Only the memory, or tapes, public did not know that a significant in the spotlight and receive the ap records, and the printed page can hold social change had occurred, a change plause and money might well give it in a sort of suspension in time. that carried in it the possible extinc some Christmas thought to what has Music is primarily for the mind, al tion of something that could be re gone into making such appearances though it can stimulate or depress the vived only with increasing difficulty possible . The workers' contribution to human organism, physically and with the passing of time. The Saturday our social bond is large. psychologically. Evening Post, the New York Para Second, we need to be grateful that A serious weakness in our national mount Theatre, and the Wurlitzer or fresh young talent is joining our ranks spirit is the widespread dedication of gan were not fossils that deserved to of players as oldsters drop out. It is a popular music to the sensual and the die; they were institutions that people blessing that no generation has ever hypnotic. Since the new music does concerned with humane values should had a monopoly on talent and genius . not adapt well to the organ, ATOS has have supported. When the Post died, The new people coming into the the not been much affected by the move one of its editors said that "a system atre organ field will have a harder time ment and we stand apart as we play that favors the loss of an irreplaceable getting recognized than the generation and hear varieties of music largely part of our national past is fundamen of the twenties, but really good play ignored by television, AM radio, and tally antipathetic to the requirements ers will find appreciative audiences. the movies. ATOS members are the of civilized life." Some quite ordinary players with in only people in the United States that There is no question in my mind flated reputations in the twenties have the opportunity to hear an ex that the motion picture producers and wou ld have to do a good deal of ceptionally wide variety of styles in a exhibitors were a large element in the practicing and studying to meet to relatively inexpensive environment. destruction of the social bond in the day's competition. For the young new There are those who would ridicule United States. For many years their comers we should wish steady nerves, our taste, but their limited views of theatres were community meeting endurance under the ardors of rigorous the nature of music-pounding rhythm, place where people laughed and cried practice, and opportunity to make a little or no melody, monotonous or together, places to which people came good living at the organ. Their task meaningless lyrics - display only the to unconsciously re-affirm their sense and contribution are to cement the simplicity of primitivism, and we of responsibi lity and community. This bond between the past and the future. haven't much chance of convincing was especially true on holidays like Third, we need to hold some kind them that our preference for interest Christmas and New Years, when the though ts for our friends who prefer ing rhythm, pleasant melody, and vari atres were filled and special shows and play electronic organs. Some of us ety in registration is in keeping with were offered. The current sparse holi feel toward them the way church aesthetic laws of beauty. day attendance proves that the the organists looked at theatre organists I submit that we have the better atres are not offering much of a social years ago. Theatre people had a bad viewpoint. Most of us refuse to equate service. reputation with the church-AGO loudness with goodness, and we affirm In the face of these losses what, crowd, and we had frequent testimo- happy SEASONSfrom MARTIN M. WICK holidays GREETINGSPresident, Wicks Organ Company from NIAGARA FRONTIER CHAPTER and RIVIERA THEATRE 36 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 19 7 3 nies of their contempt for our use of HOMECOMING - DON BAKER RE the tremulant, the Vox, and the-Tibia, TURNS TO THE BROOKLYN PARA and our use of transcriptions of every MOUNT. No. CR 0113, stereo. Avail kind of music, vocal or instrumental. able at $5.00 postpaid from Concert Maybe everybody n~eds to feel su Recording, Box 531, Lynwood, Calif. perior once in a while , but we ought Far 90262. not to be haughty with organists who are making a living providing whole The Much compressed air has passed some entertainment in social rooms through the regulators and chests since that we had no chance of performing Rea:ards Don Baker's last previous pipe discs , in long ago. A fine player can make "Sound Showcase" and "The Para any instrument sound good. I have mount Comes Down". After several listened to dozens of dreadfully bad years of concertizing for Conn (plus an church organists; I have heard some occasional pipe date), the ex-N.Y. exceptionally good electronic organ Paramount organist permitted the re ists. We can afford to be gracious to lease of portions of a tape made during the electronics people; basically they his concert at Long Island University are on our side. gymnasium , which , as all aficionados As one grows older, values change know, is the former Brooklyn Para and worldly aims become less impera mount , complete with 4/26 Wurlitzer. tive. Meanings get more elusive. One Don Baker is one organist who can questions the worthwhileness of keep make a large organ in live acoustics ing up repertory and technique, of both swing and sing. His arrangements Manufacturers, distributors or indi engaging in the competition for excel off er much variety in registration , viduals sponsoring or merchandising lence and acclaim. There is ample theatre pipe organ records are en justification for physical and psychic couraged to send pressings to the slow-down in one's later years. A little Record Reviewer, Box 3564, Granada melancholy nostalgia might even be Hills, California 91344. Be sure to good for the nerves, but for a musician include purchasing information, if to give way to apathy or defeat at the applicable, and i( possible a black loss of vitality or youth is to insult and white photo which need not one's life-forces. We have often been be returned. told of people who retire and quickly decline; so our fourth wish is that all living organists of seasoned experience A slap on the wrist to our printer have continuing health and desire to for deleted words and typos in the pursue musical excellence, with oppor October column. On page 25, first tunities to demonstrate that excel column, line 10, the second sentence lence. should start "While this is a quite Getting back to the theatre entre different applica.tion." Same page, preneurs, our (fifth) New Year's wish second column, line 19 should read "if for them is more brains, less greed, the Post Horn were used less." That better taste, cleaner minds, better "less" makes a world of difference in showmanship, less TV competition, meaning. Same column, line 34, the safer streets, better transportation and parking, and better-behaved custom line should start "a tremendous clam" Don Baker is off the three-weeks-on -and (which is a musician's term for a one-week-off concert circuit and is now the ers. Then they might have a chance to chief of the organ department at Music City, assume a respectable place in Ameri clinker, sour note or dissonance, and San Jose, Calif. Shown here in his main hardly represented by the printed showroom, Don says, "I'm a happy man!" can society and help keep us together The i n-stru ment shown is a Conn 651. - as a nation. □ "ca.Im" (Stufoto) Seasoq's to al I our friends Grreefiqgs from TO ALL OUR ATOS FRIENDS Cedar Rapids Area Theatre Organ Society Jason and the Old Prospector DECEMBER, 197 3 THEATRE ORGAN 37 tempo, dynamic levels and even in theatre organ to the high school audi melodic embellishment. Most have torium. been heard during his electronic organ "I Should Care" and a Craw tours, because Don's arrangements, fordesque "Kentucky Lullabye" con once worked out, remain fairly con tinue the "late night broadcast" aura stant (he writes them out in full detail, but the Side 1 closer is an upbeat "So then memorizes them). Some have Rare" on full combinations. Side 2 been recorded previously e.g. Theme opens with another tune with strong from The Apartment and "The Con "JC" overtones, "This is Heaven," and tinental," but never with more bril continues with a purely Dick Smith liance , drama, and verve. What a thrill version of "Getting Sentimental Over to hear them played on a fine pipe You." "Wonderful One " seems slightly organ by this master of theatre organ flawed because of melodic inac sty lings! curacies, which may actually be em The playing was done before an bellishment , of another treatment audience and we are all familiar with D ick Smith. A mature performance . strongly influenced by Crawford. Don's preference for 3-tune (or more) Lush Tibias carry much of Dick's medleys. Both conditions can pose THE VELVET SOUNDS OF DICK original "At Dawn" , a striking com technical problems. SMITH; played on the 3/10 Wurlitzer position in the theatre organ idiom. Fortunately, the only noise from in Downers Grove High School (near Less effective is Dick's closer, "In the the humans is applause, which is Chicago) CFS-3249, stereo. Available Mood," mostly because it's a re quickly faded out. Fading into med at $5.50 postpaid from Doug Chris minder of the less subtle Dick Smith leys between tunes is accomplished tensen, 301 West Goebel Drive, Lom of yesteryear - surface values played neatly, and there is no fading out bard, Illinois 60148. on usually full organ. before the end chord. Of course a But that's a small point and is by recorded public performance does not Last time we witnessed a Dick far overshadowed by the dominant permit the luxury of retakes and the Smith performance (several years ago) entertainment and musical values pre resulting polish. Yet there's a certain his console deportment tended to de sented by a mature Dick Smith. The live show vitality which balances the tract from the quality of his music. sound of a well-maintained Wurlitzer few rough spots. Dick seemed to be suffering from a with excellent tonal qualities has been Don takes all the time he needs to case of adolescent diaper rash and his effectively captured. Our review press make his musical points ( e.g. "Days of body english (which he then staunchly ing was pocked by some clicks in close Wine and Roses" - 5 :02 min.) except defended) while playing may have proximity but that's most likely a in the case of tunes arranged back in tended to draw attention away from one-pressing fault (we invariably get 78 rpm days ; these run about 2:30 his music. A previous so-so recording the noisy one). Packaging provides minutes to fit a 10 inch disc running didn't help matters. So much for past some notes on the instrument and about 3:00 minutes top. Yet Don impressions. organist. For some time we've wanted invests 7:43 minutes in "Dancing in the With this recording we must forget to say something nice about Dick Dark" coupled with "Buckle Down growing pains and acknowledge a Smith and this record provides the Winsocki," the latter with that curious much more mature musician. The opportunity: we enjoyed it thor intro and surround featuring ethereal jacket notes describe Dick as an enter oughly. In these grooves he's quite a fanfares Don often uses for big pro tainer. The evidence produced by this guy. duction numbers such as "Great Day" recording reinforces the claim. Besides ~ and "I Love a Parade." His Indian being an entertainer Dick is emerging We have received many requests for Medley ("Totem Tom-Tom," "Indian as an organist whose recorded work is information concerning the availability Summer," "Indian Love Call" and his to be taken seriously. Except for of the recording made by Eddie Dun gasser "Cherokee") runs 10:43 min perhaps a little over use of the Craw stedter on the then Carl Greer Inn utes. Other inclusions are a bright-eyed ford idiom, Dick's arrangements show 4/ 15 Robert Morton organ in Sacra and bushy-tailed "Lover," a fast-paced much originality. Especially interesting mento. It was released several years "Chicago" and a strangely subdued are Dick's intros; they are subtle and ago and it is Eddie's most recent "Little Orphan Annie," which leads us generally set the mood for the selec release. We have learned that there are to believe Don was thinking more of tion. a limited number of pressings available the late Ben Hall than the redhaired Although the Harry James orches of "Eddie Dunstedter Plays Requests" cartoon moppet at the time he played tra is cre dited with the inspiration for and copies may be ordered postpaid at the tune. Ben delighted in amusing "Velvet Moon ," Dick Smith's arrange $5.50 from Eddie Dunstedter, Box ATOS audiences with his version of ment is pretty much his own. Vintage 1314, Salinas, Calif 93901. "Annie," and this just might be an soap opera fans will enjoy the One unannounced tribute to him. Man's Family theme, "Patricia," and Coming... l ,~ ,~ There are a few rough spots but Crawford fans will approve Dick's d recording is generally good. The organ, treatment of "June Night." "THENOTE-ABLE NINETEENTH" in its current basketball court acous The medium-size Wurlitzer responds _ ~ 1974 b tics, sounds wild and wonderful. beautifully and CATOE members are e::! NATIONAL CONVENTION • Welcome back to pipe recordings, to be congratulated for their excellent DETROIT - JULY 11-15 ., Don! transfer of the former Lima, Ohio 38 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1973 including some upbeat tunes with rosonic No. CS 7232, stereo. Available tonal percussions e.g. "Flapperette," at $5.50 postpaid from Riverside "Tootsie Oodles" (an Erwin original), Church Records, 490 Riverside Drive, an entirely non-Crawford "What Are New York, N.Y. 10027. You Waiting For Mary?" and "El Here is a Christmas program ably Condor Pasa." ln the modern mode played on two organs which will be there's "Windmills of Your Mind." remembered by those who attended Although the record isn't intended as a the ATOS, "fabulous fifteenth" con tribute to Ben Hall , two of his favor vention in New York, the 4/208 ites are included; "Little Orphan Aeolian-Skinner in the Riverside Annie" and "Just a Memory." Church and the 23-rank "Wonder Mor Producer Claud Beckam's jacket ton" in Reverend Ike's United Palace notes !; '1 far beyond the usual in theatre-turned-church. The church or presenting history, background and gan is majestic and massive but never anecdotes aL0ut the instrument and Lee Erwin . He had a date with "Little at the expense of clarity. The miking is tunes. The ove :-all result shows what Mother." good. Selections played on it are the good results may be obtained from a traditional carols which sound well small organ in good shape when played LEE ERWIN PLAYS BEN HALL'S registered on classical voices. One off by an organist of Lee Erwin's stature. 'LITTLE MOTHER' WURLITZER. beat selection is Purvis' "Carol Rhap The next time "Little Mother" CR-0075, stereo. Available at $5.00 sody." MacDonald, who is Associate sings, it will be a continent away from postpaid from Concert Recording, Box Organist at the church, proves his the site of this recording. It is scheduled 531, Lynwood, Calif. 90262. capability of spreading Christmas for installation in the planned Ben Hall cheer on theatrical pipes on the flip theatre on the Harold Lloyd estate in Here's audible proof that a fine side which bears the more popular Beverly Hills, Calif. artist can conjure up very listenable type Christmas music e.g. Anderson's music from only five ranks of pipes. "Sleigh Ride," "Let it Snow," "Home Lee Erwin could record on any of the for the Holidays," the ubiquitous big ones but this challenge was some "Rudolph" (still rednosed), "Silver thing special - to preserve the sound A CHRISTMASSUGGESTION Bells," "Winter Wonderland" of the late Ben Hall's style 150 home NOEL. Robert MacDonald at the organs "Frosty" etc. The Morton sounds installation , and without gimmicking of the Riverside church and United great and MacDonald handles it like a the sound with added reverb or other Palace Theatre in New York. Mir- pop-oriented veteran. "enhancement." The result is a small organ delight. Remember, the style 150 Wurlitzer is only a Tibia away from that colorless 4-rank Style B, Wurlitzer's predecessor to the 2-1 Hammond! ( excuse us, we "broke in" long ago on a particularly crude Style B). For this recording, Lee Erwin and Randy Gilberti did considerable touch ing up , tonally and otherwise. Some of the selections are very reminiscent of Lee's WLWMoon River broadcast style , particularly "My 7 1:- Ship," "Just a Memory," "These Fool -._:;;,..• t .,., ··1.• . •• ~ ish Things," "Secret Love ," "My Blue ,,•r.•,11-•· ... 11· ' •••• '• : Heaven" and the two themes from his '•...,.. ·-... original score to the final Gloria Swan ' I •1 I ... ::"•• • ••l'••;•lf•._.,·l'ftS' :: • • • son silent, Queen Kelly. All are nicely ~··.•.,• '•• ...... ~. phrased and played in languorous ,, ••,, . •'=• •••••• ••••••••••• ••••••""'~ • tempos. ....,.... ""' The "Little Mother" (Hall's af ...... fectionate term contrasting his little '•.. ' Wurlitzer with the N.Y. Paramount's ...... ' "Dowager Empress" or "Queen ... Mother") provides a satisfactory Tibia/ ....., Vox mix and a good Tuba. These voices dominate and Lee uses them with skill. Due to the size of the instrument (and not as much un ification as one might expect), variety in registration is limited. Yet Lee never allows dullness to set in. One way is by Robert MacDonald at the 4/208 Aeolian-Skinner brings Christmas cheer. DECEMBER, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 39 -THE CLASSICALCORNER toscope, which was just a kind of a peep show before Mr. Edison the THE TRINITY COLLEGE CHAPEL inventor invented a way to perject the ORGAN. Music from the Inaugural pictures onto a screen. But anyways Recital on the New Austin Organ the Great Train Robbery was such a played by Clarence Watters. SM 225, success that they tried to imitate it stereo. Available at $5.00 postpaid just the same way that they do today from the Austin Organ Co. Box 365, when they get onto a hit, and pretty Hartford, Connecticut, 06101. soon they had out the Great Bank A TO Sers will take special interest Robbery and the Great Stage Robbery in this instrument because it reveals and some more like that there and by another facet of a prominent ATOSer. that time I was hooked and I went to For years readers of this publication all of them. have profited by technical articles At the start they wasnt any sound written by Allen Miller covering such except that later on they got a lot of varied areas as how to tame a too loud junk they had back of the screen to home installation, how to releather, Some guy writ me and says, why do give the sound effects, but pretty soon how to add a string Celeste without you hafta live in the past. Well, kiddo, they saw they had to have somethin to adding a chest etc. - all useful and when you get to be my age you got a liven things up and that's when they practical information for T.O. owners. lot more past than anything else so 1 started to get piano players who would It's probable that not many readers guess thats why you live in it. I certainly bang away in the dark and try to fit outside of Al Miller's Connecticut seen a lot of it. I can remember when I music to the picture. I remember Valley Chapter know he's a "veep" lived in Cambridge Mass years ago oncet goin to the B. F. Keith Theatre with the venerable Austin Organ Co. when I was a kid going to my first and seein a movie on the screen which Al is justifiably proud of the "new movie. It was just an old hall with was on a drop in the front, and they Austin sound." The 3/78 instrument is seats and most likely not much more was a little square hole cut out of the described as "Neo-classic"; it is built than a bedsheet hung up at one end. front of the drop under the screen, on the best principles established dur Anyways I can still remember they and they was a phonograf horn fitted ing the organ's 300 years of history. was a animated cartoon which showed into it with some guy behind it puttin Clarence Watters offers a varied a dinasour walkin in and drinkin a on records to kind of have appropriet program of two Bach selections; one little lake dry and I thought that was music for the picture. But mostly I by Watters' teacher, Marcel Dupre; a really somethin. Then I remember a remember the piano players and how Watters original and a portion of place in Coney Island or Revere Beach they would also have a drummer who Widor's 5th Organ Symphony. Wat I forget which and they had a long would put in all the shots and horse ters' playing is clean and warm. The narrow shack fitted up to look like a hoofs and bells and so forth. Of course recording is excellent. There is none of R.R. car and they showed the Great they wasnt no theayter organs then, so the usual bass attenuation, so the 32' Train Robbery. when the theayter owners wanted to Bombarde, heard on three of the I read a book last month by a guy put on the dog they would use an selections really gives the woofers a name of Bruce Stewart who gets into a orkestry and some of the little the workout. This is recommended to long winded explanation of how the ayters would have- only three or four those who appreciate an unusual clas Grea t Train Robbery made in 1904, musicians with the leader sawin away sical program played on a fine-sound and I guess that shows you about me on his violin, but the big theayters ing classical instrument. livin in the past all right, was the first began to have pretty big orkestrys and Selections are: "Toccata in D movie where they didnt just stay in then pretty soon along come the the Minor" (Bach), "Adagio from the D one place like on the stage, but like he ayter organs like the Wurlitzer and Minor Trio-Sonata" (Bach), "Vari says, the camera could go off-stage like next thing you knew they was put on ations on A Noel" (Dupre), "Veni, showin what was happenin back at the elyvaters so's they shot up into the Creator Spiritus" (Watters) and depot while the robbers was jumpin spotlite and then the big chains like "Allegro Vivace from 5th Organ the train. They didnt even call them the Publix Theayters they added big Symphony" (Widor). □ movies then, they was called the Kine- travellin stage shows and, like the 11&10~1 fillllTl~(il JOE from the BRIT£ WESTERN AT THE MIGHTY WURLITZER Nightly (except Thursdays) RESERVE RIAL TO THEATRE (all membersof W.R.T.O.S.,Inc.) Alamosa, Colorado 81101 ATOS Members Welcome to Stop By if traveling thru Colorado 40 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1973 feller says, Lo, They Was A New Era. "Organist Eddie" doesn't deny the Well, this was a pretty long way rumor that there may be a new Dun from the Nickolodeon days when you •ex P8PI stedter record forthcoming. If re could get in for a nick.le. Or for that leased, it will be selections made dur matter the Penny Arcades where you ing a rehearsal for a pipe concert taped could put a penny in a slot, I guess it a few years ago. Eddie has been ailing musta been a penny tho I don't really during recent months and has "done remember, and you could look time," as he puts it, in the hospital. through a open.in and see a short movie and some of them was pretty racy. But the biggest kick was in one of them R.R. cars with a picture called I think The Empire State Express where they had a train comin right at you so big that people use to get panicky and try to get away from it. They even had what they thought was a dirty picture because they was a big busty actress name of May Irwin who Conducted by Stu Green had a long kiss and the bluenoses got up on there ear and called it a Lyrick Read ers are encouraged to submit m of the Stockyards. teresting sidelights on the organ hob by (exclusive of chapter news items) They say there aint nothin new material they believe will be of general Eddie Dunstedter. Maybe another pipe re under the sun and I guess its true. So interest about local organ activities cording. - (Stufoto) there was what they call a sexpicture and installations and the people who today and then pretty soon they was work at the hobby. We know "there's "No, it's not the ticker," says VOX POPS in them there chapters" censor in pictures just like today, and and it only requires a 6ri postcard to Eddie," the pacemaker is working fine. then along come the cereals like The get it to VOX POPS Editor, Box But when one reaches 76, the ma Perils of Pauline , and way back around 3564, Granada Hills, California 91344 . chinery doesn't function like it used nineteen oh five they was song slides /f the contributor can afford an Bri to." The prospect of a new pipe release for the audience to sing, and then we stamp, why not include a black and has brightened Eddie's recent days, as white photo which need not be got movie stars like Mary Pickford and returned. have the hundreds of "get well" cards Charl'ie Chaplin and Doug Fairbanks he's received. Those wishing to add and all them Barrymores and then in theirs may address them to Eddie another ten years the organ players Don Baker , long a touring artist for Dunstedter, 6545 Wilbur Ave., Reseda, was usin the song slides for there organ Conn, has abandoned his "on the Calif 91335. solos and the orkestrys was real sim road" activities and settled in San pony orkestrys up to nearly a hundred Jose, Calif., where he is chief of the players and the theayters got to lookin organ department at Music City, a Delaware Valley chapterite Dotty more and more like cathedrals and retail outlet. Don is kept busy with Whitcomb reports that Andy Kas about that time the radio was comin classes, store demonstrations, and a parian has started a long engagement along and the organ players was playin concert each Sunday afternoon. He's at the Wurlitzer in the Suburbian radio shows along with playin in the happy in his new work and he's restaurant, Wanaque, N. J. Also that theayters and they was long lines of looking forward to doing more pipe Tommy Wayne is the current house people waitin to get into the Roxy and concerts than his travelling years al organist at the Surf Hotel, Surf City, then BANG it's 1929 and you know lowed. N. 1., playii;ig the Wurlitzer Ted Camp what happened then. Well, that's how bell and Leroy Lewis installed years it goes, as they say. □ ago. Merry Season's Greetings Christmas to our many wonderfu I friends in ATOS BOB Judd and VerleWalton mACK DECEMBER, 197 3 THEATRE ORGAN 41 Organist Fred Feibel reports that intrigued by colored lights which veteran organist John Cart now lives in shone when each note of the exposed Winter Haven, Florida, adding, "John xylophone was played. "Jonas was is a great guy. He still plays terrific doing his usual top-notch job, and organ." alternating lively numbers and bal lads." A lighting desk has been set up to the left of the console and the The Wurlitzer plant in North Tona organist may change lights for each wanda has resumed the manufacture number. A bubble machine is installed of electronic organs. The factory had on a shelf near the ceiling. A bubble been making juke boxes as a principal machine?!!! product and thus gets back into the field it left in the late fifties when the electronic production line was trans There has been such a demand for ferred to De Kalb, Ill. Approximately the recordings on which George Wright 700 are employed in North Tona rode to fame in the mid- '5 Os, that wanda where the factory once pro Doric Records has secured releasing duced over 2,200 Wurlitzer pipe or rights to the extinct Hi-Fi label gans. masters George made on the Robert Vaughn ( ex-Chicago Paradise) 5/21 and the San Francisco Fox 4/36 Wur The Odeon Carleton Theatre in litzers between 1955 and circa 1961. Toronto closed on September 27, with The music will be repackaged with Colin Corbett playing the final notes new jacket notes by Dewey Cagle and Millie Alexander. The Georgians gave her the full treatment. - (Stufoto) on the 3/ 19 Hi/green Lane. The To Stu Green. The first release includes ronto Theatre Organ Society has such memorable G W spellbinders as Spell and Jimmy Frazier, are con joined other clubs and individuals to "Roller Coaster", "Stars & Stripes verting the termite-infested l 940's Jeff delay the theatre's razing until the Forever", "Mood Indigo", "Dancing Davis theatre in Hazlehurst, Georgia organ can be removed. It was offered Tambourine", "Strike Up the Band" (population 4,065), from a closed free to the Province of Ontario if it and "Toot, Toot, Tootsie." movie house to a Victorian Era legiti could find a place for it. At press time, Incidentally, Dorie's manager, mate theatre. College freshman Frazier no home had been found. R. M. Penberthy, has announced a and high school teacher Spell pur mutual merchandising arrangement chased the theatre in January and had with Amberlee Records Limited of it ready for a play in May, although Bob Wilson visited the Organ London, England. This will make redecorating continues to the present Grinder Pizza in Portland during selected A mberlee organ pressings time. Renamed the Crystal Palace, the September, and found the establish available in the US from Doric at 600-seat house is the only indoor ment doing a land-office business. The prices comparable with US releases. auditorium in Hazlehurst. A com three parking lots surrounding it are The first album to be distributed by munity theatre group is in the mill and black-topped and every space was oc Doric is "Oh Lady Be Good" with between such ambitious productions cupied, as were the streets for two Doreen Chadwick at the 4/ 14 Wur as the successful student-produced blocks around. The audience listening litzer in the Manchester Gaumont. shows, A Funny Thing Happened on to Jonas Nordwall at the Wurlitzer was the Way to the Forum and Hello Dolly, the boys hope to start re In January 1971, Jimmy Paulin couping their borrowed $80,000 in appeared in concert in Rochester, N.Y. vestment by leasing the hall for con and while there evinced a determi certs. One such renter was Millie Alex nation to "go on the concert circuit". ander's concert sponsor in Hazlehurst. About the same time he released a Millie was ecstatic over the very lovely recording. Since then, Jimmy seemed stage setting, professional lighting and to have dropped from sight. But on effects the boys brought into play for September 20, Doc Bebko's wife, her plug-in demo concert. Stella, attended the opening show at "That treatment certainly brought Radio City Music Hall and there at the out the best in me," said Millie. She Wurlitzer was Jimmy, who capped his added that Spell and Frazier plan to half-hour prelude with a bow to the install a pipe organ eventually. Mean audience, something which was ver while they are building a local appetite boten back when Doc played the 4/58. for organ music by including music played on an electronic in their pro ~ grams. Millie Alexander submits a clip from the Jacksonville (Fla.) Times Jonas Nordwall thrills his "Organgrinder" Union & Journal, a feature story In the April VOX POPs, organist audience. - (Stufoto) telling how two young men, Glenn Leon Berry wondered what was the 42 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1973 name of the Chicago-based radio soap LA Claremont Methodist church, and opera which had a character named in 1955 were about to be junked when "Rose Kransky" and used Aphrodite, he got wind of the opportunity and a tune heard on Leon's currenf"Leon rescued the pipes. Like all owners of and the Lion" recording, as a program huge home installations, Doc Hostetter signature. He said that the name "Rose spends much time on maintenance. All Kransky" was the only 'guiding light' he had to say about the present to identity. Well, Leon, Old Prospector condition of his instrument was, "It Klos thumbed through scores of pages needs tuning." in radio reference books, and here it is: Rose Kransky, played by Ruth Baily, ~ appeared in The Guiding Light, the Seattle's chapter chairperson (I) story of Rev. Ruthledge, "a kindly Margaret Sabo, reports that work on cleric who showed people how to live Genny Whitting's custom-built hybrid a good life through patience and un pipe organ continues apace. Recently, derstanding." So the answer was in a new set of relay boards was installed, Leon's question, all the time. necessitating re-wiring, and she has The radio series, heard daily, fea replaced an antiquated Hope-Jones tured some well-known actors during chest. When this installation is fin its life: Mercedes McCambridge, Mar ished, Genny will have one of the vin The Millionare Miller, Raymond premier home installations in the Edward Inner Sanctum Johnson, Will northwest. She has been blessed with assistance from friends who frequently ard Gildersleeve Waterman and Bret spend long periods on the project. The Shadow Morrison. Music was played on a pipe organ, probably in ~ Karl Cole. He didn't stay long enough at the the WGN studios in Chicago. Fair, but the air conditioning was great. - Clealan Blakely "had a great time" (Tom Anderson Photo) in Chicago, attending the Theatre Historical Society's fourth annual con antly surprised to get a standing Peter Piliero advises that the Cook clave, as did over 200 others. "They ovation just for accompanying Laurel still have some beautiful movie palaces label is re-issuing its early hi-fi Reg & Hardy in Love and Hisses plus a Foort organ discs played on the Rich left. We saw the Chicago, Uptown, sing-along. All this from a non theatre Oriental, Granada, Avalon and the mond Mosque 3/17 and NY Para organ-oriented audience. " Karl adds mount 4/36 Wurlitzers, and the restoration of the Auditorium Theatre that the recently added piano also is really something! We heard Dennis Aeolian-Skinner in Boston Symphony fascinated his listeners. Hall. Also Bill Floyd's NY Paramount Minear play the Oriental Wurlitzer, 4/36 platter. These discs were first and it sounded great. They told us that released in the early '50s and are said the Chicago Wurlitzer (Jesse Craw While poking through a bargain sale ford's organ) would soon be ready. I to have been instrumental in helping of organ parts, we happened on a revive interest in the theatre organ. got a few moments at the 3/28 Kim veteran west coast organ aficionado, ball in Milwaukee's Center Theatre, Drop a card to Sales Manager, Cook Dr. Orrin Hostetter. His name brings a Laboratories, 375 Ely Ave., South but it was in poor shape." By the time twinkle of recognition to well-weather CATOE hosts the 1977 convention, Norwalk, Connecticut, for an infor edhobbyists but Doc hasn't been active mative brochure. there will be a wealth of new instal in the hobby organization area in lations and rebuilt originals to hear: recent years. Yet, he was one of the Schnitzelhaus in Milwaukee, Coronado first hobbyists. As far back as 1930 he in Rockford, and Chicago Theatre. From Dallas, Texas, John Beck secured and moved a 4-rank hybrid advises that his 3/15 ( ex-El Paso Plaza) from the KOI radio studio to his ~ Wurlitzer home installation has hit a mother's home is Highland Park, Calif. T.0. Staff er John Muri has a suc labor snag and its completion seems Years later he installed the style 216 cinct way of stating things which is far off at the present time. John says Wurlitzer from the LA Lincoln theatre especially piquant when he's on the he hates to disappoint all the visitors in his Burbank home. warpath. Part of his April article took who come through hoping to give it a Later, as a practising physician (he television to task for its neglect of workout. used to give Buddy Cole anti-tetanus theatre organ music, with special em shots when Buddy would sustain a cut phasis on both tepid and misleading during organ moving), his ambitions film accompaniments heard on TV Of his autumn New York State Fair loomed larger and in 1956 he bought which are used for "titillation, excite engagement at the 3/ 11 Wurlitzer, Karl and moved the 4/ 17 Wurlitzer from ment and background noise." Having Cole, reminisced, "The week was a the Santa Barbara Granada Theatre to set the scene, Muri then drives home very enjoyable one - partly because his Pasadena, Calif., home, where he his one liner indictment of TV pro the auditorium is the only air con has gradually enlarged it to 29 ranks, grammers: "Any institution that reg ditioned room on the fair grounds - mostly Wurlitzer and including a set of ularly cuts off music in the middle of a while the temperature outside hovered original (Elmira-built) Hope-Jones phrase must be made up of tone-deaf around 95 degrees. Then I was pleas- strings. These were originally in the personnel." Neat! DECEMBER, 197 3 THEATRE ORGAN 43 when that firm went bankrupt in Salt Lake City. Thus ends this col 1914. umn 's initial experience as a non-com When in need of a VOX POP we Mr. Saunders visited Dan Barton missioned organ broker. can always depend on our "Hall of durin g one of his visits to Oshkosh ~ awhil e back , and ATOS members will Farner," Lloyd del Castillo. Del ad Happy (late) Birthday (Sept. 13) to be glad to learn that their Honored vises, "I am now on my second ten Chicago organist Mildred Fitzpatrick, Member of 1965 "is just as chipper as thousand words of an autobiography now 81. Organist Kay McAbee and ever." that I was prodded to write by a friends came to wish her well and play literary agent - who just happens to a few tunes on her electronic. Kay is be my daughter. She has an encouraging one of Mildred's solid boosters. He nibble from a New York publisher. It Bill Gage, who was organist in used to come to the Chicago Ice Arena will be called "50 Years on the Organ theatres in New Jersey, became an to soak up her music. Bench." electronics and radio technician in the 30's and 40 's and now is back in the ~ theatre organ business in Newark's Old-timers in the Washington, D.C. A Johannesburg, South Africa, Center of Italian Culture. Bill wants to area probably remember Gertrude newspaper ran the following ad: "Or hit the T.O. concert circuit. It was he Smallwood (Mockbee) who was staff gan lessons. We guarantee you'll pay in who played the last concert at the organist and pianist at WRC. She ten weeks. " Brooklyn Fox prior to its razing. played organ in duet with Dick Lei bert , and performed at the old Wash ington Auditorium. Gertrude is still an Tom Lockwood , Rochester , organist and has been especially en N. Y. 's only working silent film organ thusiastic since her church replaced its accompanist, went "on the circuit" well-worn electronic with a 2/7 Moller during August 24 , 25 and 26. He a few months ago. She lives in Poto played the 300-seat Marietta (Pa.) The mac , Maryland. atre's 28-rank mostly-Page, doing The Phantom of the Opera. Despite cer ~ tain problems ( out-of-tune organ , Hot line from Chapter Publications: crescendo pedals being wired into the In Con Va/Chap's October DIA expression pedals, addition by sponsor PHONE, Allen Miller clarifies a some of an hour-length comedy before the times foggy area concerning the limi feature, making the show too long) tations of the "unit orchestra": response was good. Total audience for "Hope-Jones envisioned playing the the three-night stand was 625 with a organ like an orchestra, but this is not Saturday sellout. practical, even with second touch, unless you have several hands and a ~ brain capable of keeping multiple lines Potomac Valley ATOS members of music going in different directions Leland J. Prater and William McMains at the same time. Only a couple of are collaborating on a new series of organists even approach this type of Vintage Theatre Organ instruction ability with two hands. The rest of us books, aimed at the intermediate or Mike Ohman. Omen of an organ moving must be content to compromise." ganist. M cMains has recorded some of west. ... Delo.ware Valley Chapter's Sep the arrangements on the Whitney 4/26 tember LIFT throws a paean of praise WurlitzerMorton in Glendale, Calif. The Dean Robinson's Cipher Hill instal in Eddie Weaver's direction which was new books will have impressive covers; latio n at Himrod, N.Y. (THEATRE generated by staff writer Tillie Tyler's photos of the facades of some of the ORGAN, Aug. '72) is no more. We impressions gained during Eddie's re famous theatres which featured pipe first heard about if from purchaser cent concert at Detroit's Redford The organs in their heydays. Prater has Tom Davies of Ambler , Pa. , whp asked atre. Tillie sums up Eddie with a gone through many a vintage photo via phone if we could suggest a possi mathematical formula: "Master Musi collection searching for the most rep ble buyer. We could, and did; Dr. cian + Radiant Personality = Prof es resentative marquee shots. Conrad Jensen called from Salt Lake sional Performer," all above a line City about the same time , wanting to which in math indicates division by ~ buy a 3-decker. Jensen sent Mike whatever is below the line - in this Old timers continue to surface with Ohman to Ambler in September to case Tillie Tyler's byline! The LIFT pleasing regularity. R. J. Saunders , inspect the disassembled instrument also contains a schedule of silent clas pipe voicer in Milwaukee, once worked and Mike purchased it before Davies sics being shown through Dec. 10 by a in the Midmer-Losh Organ Co. in even had a chance to unload it from Philly TV station (WTAF, Chan. 29) Merrick, Long Island , and later for the his van. The instrument started as a on Mondays at 8:00 p.m., some with Barton Organ Co. in Oshkosh, Wisc. 3/ 11 Wurlitzer in Loews' State , Nor organ sound-tracks e.g. Lee Erwin's His father was also in the business, folk , Va. in 1926. Robinson acquired score for The Eagle. Seen during Octo having been on the staff of the William eno ugh additional pipework to pump ber and November were What Price Scheulke Organ Co. in Milwaukee it up to a 3/15. It's future will be in Glory?, Buster Keaton's College, The 44 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1973 Iron Horse and Way Down East. The real attraction which will house his what offbeat; there's a Post Horn but series concludes with Phantom of the many antique autos, and assure re no Vox. It's all in one chamber which Opera ( Dec. 3) and Hearts of the habilitation of the organ. More on this is equipped with glass swell shades. World (Dec. JO). A bank spo_nsored project as it develops, and it just might These are high in the visibility depa.rt the shows . .. In the September issue get interesting. For example, we can't ment but don't provide the range of of Stu Hinchcliffe 's EASTERN (Mas help wondering why the occupants expression called for. Everything on sachusetts) PIPES , Scott Smith, with moved out 15 years ago (if they did!) the instrument is brand new and every an assist from articles by John Muri and why no one else moved in. And thing works. Percussions are mounted and the MOTOR CITY BLOWER's did Lon Chaney's phantom wraith ever outside the chamber in typica,l pizzery Don Grimshaw, discusses concert audi play the organ? Has Vic got the fashion. Bud reports that the pipes are ence manners, with special brickbats makings of a haunted house with drawing in plenty of customers. Judd for the few disrupters who all too organ? Walton supervised the installation. often prevent full enjoyment of organ concerts. Scott classifies disrupters as (]) Mr. Kinura (he hums the tunes of This item is not news, but the all selections in his nasal baritone}, (2) almost poetic writing style of Mary The Whistler ( like Mr. Kinura, he Martin of Warrenwill, Illinois, makes it knows 'em all, and wants you to know worth the reading. In almost mystic it), ( 3) The Talkers. Scott breaks this terms of wonderment Mary expresses heading into three ca,tegories: ( A) The her feelings about an organ renovation. Explainer ( he knows all about the She titled it "The Quiet Group." organ being played}, (B) The Joke "From the topmost corner of the Teller (he awaits a soft pa.ssage to Chicago Civic Opera House it's easy to cause audible laughter, but we rarely hear - everything! The "quiet group," hear the punch line), (C) the Gossip who are working on an unusual project ( need we amplify?). There's also ( 4) for theatre organ lovers - the grand The Clatterer (he drops his cassette sound of purely classic organ. These recorder or ca,mera, or she fumbles in quiet men have been working in the her bag for those extra hearing aid great chasm that is the opera house batteries). There's one classification with the benevolent feelings of the Scott missed - the Snorer (bless his president, Mr. L.N. Christensen, and Bud Taylor at the "Red Vest." A brand new ca,llousedadenoids!). But no one seems pipe organ. - (Stufoto) the Lumberman's Mutual and Kemper able to explain why all of these charac Association, the owners. ters choose seats within a 10-foot When in Monterey, Calif., be sure "They work up and down, from radius of your VOX POPPER! ... The to drop into the Red Vest pizzery and console to pipes, in the usual fashion; September issue of the MOTOR CITY hear Bud Taylor play a rarity- a brand but in the unusual, they work around BLOWER (Detroit) unleashes this hor new theatre style pizza organ. Built by the opera company practice sessions, rendous play on words: "Heinz has Wicks, the 2/B's pipes were built to the need for roller skates to get from 20-20 vision. Forsyth is almost blind. Wurlitzer pipe scales. It has been in one chamber to another, and the huge This proves that Heinz sight is better operation for several months and we feeling of a cavern that may swallow than Forsyth." ... The Piedmont had heard some bad reports about its up any or all of them at any given Chapter's REEDS & STRINGS in tone qualities. However, the bugs had moment. cludes a cut from a 1934 advertise appa.rently been ironed out by the "After hearing the natural voices ment dillgramming the Austin compa date of our visit in September: it carry from the orchestra pit to the ny's "universal chest," a pipe chest sounded really mellow, if a little on uppermost balcony, it only leaves one large enough for a maintenance man to the loud side, as pasta organs appa.r with feelings of amazement. enter and work on, even while the ently must be. The stoplist is some- "This gang, consisting of John organ is playing. Peters, George Smith, James Well wood, Jack Smith, Norman Martin and others, have taken apart and added to Vic Hyde of Niles, Michigan, about a great Diapason sound and made it whom we wrote a couple issues ago, even grander. travels 100,000 miles a year as an "Even though the instrument has entertainer, and always asks if there been used {for the Mahler's Eighth are any antique cars or theatre pipe Symphony with a 150 piece orchestra organs hiding in old barns. As a result, and a chorus of 800) this group has he recently came upon a rare make of been working on improving it to make theatre organ, a Cozatt. It was located it really sound it's best in the huge off the beaten path in a three-story cavern. house which hadn't been occupied for "It's hot, dusty and different be 15 years. A 4-manual console was cause of the classic quality of the E.M included. Rather than remove the or Skinner three-manual machine, but Through the shutter glass. Pipes are clearly gan, Hyde bought the property, and visible through the transparent swell shut just the same, it is the love of the has ambitious plans to convert it to a ters. - (Stufoto) organ that comes first and this quiet DECEMBER, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN group shows it." accession of Elizabeth, with the earlier This organ has since suffered water group working mainly within the litur damage during a fire. Some chests are gical framework of the medieval being replaced. church and the latter with secular as well as sacred music. Restoration music (1659-1759) is seen as expanding At CATOE events, Harry ''Pipes" in many directions somewhat to the Miller may look like a walking record neglect of the organ. The death of shop. He scouts organ record bargains Mandel in 1759 is seen to mark the all over town and sells them to fans at beginning of a period of extensive organ doings. His prices are right be organ use in theatres , coffee-houses, cause his only overhead is shoeleather. concert-rooms, and private houses. The study ends with the year 1837, the □ accession of Victoria, and the death of Samuel Wesley, whose work Routh considers the consummation of a great tradition that was to degenerate on "romantic" organs in an urban-in dustrial society where organists con ceded to low public tastes. Much in this book is of interest to students of theatre organ. While Routh the instrument , going back several claims it is the music rather than the centuries and all this is fully explained. organs with which he is primarily Some of the music which was appropo concerned , he nevertheless gives con BOOKRfVIEW to the reed organ is reprinted as a part siderable attention to the development of the history. of organ mechanisms. From him we The most valuable sections of the learn about the famous and monstrous By Lloyd E. Klos book are those devoted to restoration , Winchester organ of the tenth century and the photographic directory. Every (said to be audible at three miles, THE AMERICANREED ORGAN facet of restoring a reed organ is offensive at two , and lethal at one), graphically described, backed by excel about why the earliest organ music By Robert F. Gellerman, 17 3 pages, lent art work. The photographic direc was created only for liturgical pur 444 pictures and illustrations 8½ x tory should be worth the price of the poses , how organ keyboards in the 11" size. Available through the Vestal book itself. The photos and engravings twelfth century covered only two Press, Box 97; Vestal, N. Y. 13850. are excellently reproduced , which is a octaves ; in the fourteenth, three; and Price $9.95. Vesta l Press Hallmark. A high-grade by the sixteenth, four. Of special paper is also a strong point. interest is the way notes were placed An antiquing expedition was the Summing up , Mr. Gellerman has in sequence on the keyboards; it was underlying reason why this excellent achieved two motives with publication not until the fifteenth century that the book happened to be written. Arthur of this book. He ha s documented the chromatic keyboard we now have was Gellerman purchased a 21-stop Beatty history of the reed organ , and he has devised, and it was not until 1712 that "Golden Tongue" organ , but suddenly provided a manual of procedure to Abraham Jordan installed the first became aware that there was no text those who need a definitive text on swell-box in a church in London. available on the restoration and main restoration and maintenance of this Criticism of the work of important tenance of reed organs. unique instrument. composers of each period is offered This led him to research the instru together with extensive bibliographies ments in the Library of Congress , that indicate where the music may be by John Muri Smithsonian Institution and Patent found. These constitute valuable and Office. The information obtained EARLY ENGLISH ORGAN MUSIC convenient sources. The price of the formed the nucleus of this new refer FROM THE MIDDLE AGES book is a little high, but the scholar ence work. TO 1837 ship it displays is worth the cost. To Roughly, the book is divided into By Francis Routh, 305 pages. Barnes the modern student-artist, it is indis four parts: 1. History 2. Restoration and Noble, Publishers. New York: pensable. □ and tuning 3. Stop dictionary 4. 1973. $17.50 Photographic Director of Reed Organs. Each division is fully covered, the This book is an important con ERRATA author having spent a year in intensive tribution to music history. The text Our apologies to Dr. CA.J. Parmen research. first considers briefly what is known tier, (October issue 1973 THEATRE The reed organ, as we know it, about English organs and music be ORGAN - Page 57), we listed his age achieved its biggest popularity in the tween the eighth century and the in error. C.A.J. was born October 8, nineteenth century when it was a openi ng of the fifteenth. It then treats 1897 which makes him a young 76 status symbol in the front parlors of the Tudor years (roughly 1400-1656) as and not the senior citizen status we many homes. There were ancestors to two periods separated in 1558 by the printed. 46 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1973 The console is to the right as one passes through the new glass doors on Grand piano is flanked by two sets of vertical shutters on the far wall. the former community hall. Console (not shown) is to the right, the player piano to the left. The Wurlitzer style B Special, Opus munity hall's kitchen, deducted cham 1479, was originally installed in the ber space, and the remaining 26' x 26' Grandview Theatre, Grandview, Ohio. x 1O' area became a music room. Mr. Durthaler of the Durthaler Organ VOILA! A house-around-a-Wurlitzer, Company moved the organ from the and another dream come true! theatre to the Col um bus, Ohio, home The decor of the music room is of Frew Mohr, a university professor early Wurlitzer and the organ is sur who used the organ for broadcasting rounded by the paraphernalia of a over WOSU. The 2/4 Wurlitzer's next musican. The pipe organ sits proudly sanctuary was the Washington Avenue on a low platform just inside the front United Brethren Church, also in Co door, to the right. On the left is an old lumbus. John Kuczinski, Potomac player piano and over the front door Valley Chapter member, bought the rests a single mitred Tuba pipe, mount instrument in 1966 when the church ed rifle-style. Looking straight into the purchased an electronic organ. The room, a grand piano is flanked by two percussions were separated from the sets of vertical shutters. In the exact organ before 1966. Dick Kline sup center of these swell shades is another p lied the xylophone, drums, and swell feature of the room, a spectacular shades from the Greensburg (Pa.) display of authentic organ pipes which (DgManos Theatre organ. The rest of the forms an archway to the hall and Greensburg organ is incorporated in chambers. Other decorative antique the Kline installation. items include a wind-up Columbia Once he acquired the organ, John phonograph, an early 1900's con Kuczinski set about locating a suitable certina, and a pre-1889 Chicago dJ0Glmbuilding. He found one in the Long Cottage reed pump organ, all in work Beach Community House at Chase, ing condition. John has a ukeJin and a Maryland, near Baltimore and bought zither yet to be displayed. it expressly for the organ. He and his John would like to hear from any nephew, John McCoy, who lives with readers who can provide further infor CT(!)0~ □m0~ □ him, began rebuilding and renovating mation about his theatre organ or the the hall. They built a four-room ad people who played it. (Route 15, Box dition for living space, used the com- 322A, Balto, Md. 21220) □ Long Beach Community House as it appeared at time of purchase in Former Long Beach Hall as it appears today, the residence of John February 1966. Kuczinski and the Mighty Wurlitzer. the low CCCCC. It is said by persons just how to play it. • who have heard it to sound like In short, I hope that there can be "tuned thunder." more cooperation between the A.G.0. . ~. The one in this country is in Con and the Theatre Organ Society as there vention Hall, Atlantic City, New was on October 8th. I know all in ~ Jersey. I have often looked down its volved put a tremendous effort into ~ ...... ~ deep crevasses and Bill Rosser, its the program which was an outstanding maintainer, has shouted at me, "Don't success. The organ sounded great, ~ ~ fall in any of those pipes, or we'll and, according to George, everything never get you out!" I once played worked beautifully. I just wish I could TTT-a;rTTT "The Star Spangled Banner" on this say that about the organs here at U-M. 455-rank organ with every stop and If we can ever help you out in any Letters to the Editor concerning all coupler on. The ass't. mgr. came way, please feel free to let us know. aspects of the theatre organ hobby runn ing and the 200 workmen getting Again, many thanks for a job well are encouraged. Send them to the ready for the next ice show dropped done. editor concerned. Unless it's stated their tools and no doubt any rats Sincerely yours, clearly on the letter "not for pub- around promptly headed back for the Bill Herndon, Dean 1ication," the editors feel free to reproduce it, in whole or part. nearby sea. The lowest CCCCC pipe is American Guild of Organists actually 67 feet long, and not just 64. University of Michigan Address: P.O. Box 1314 It has a beater, and not a brass reed. It Student Chapter Salinas, Calif. 93901 speaks promptly and the whole rank Organ Department - School of Music of 85 pipes is on 35 inches of wind Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105. pressure. Stevens Irwin Dear Editor, Dear Captain Young, I want to comment on the state St. Petersburg, Florida Thank you very much for inducting ment by Lloyd Klos, my friend, in me into the ATOS Hall of Fame. your April 1973 issue, Volume 15, No. To the Editor: What a pleasant surprise! I am 2, on page 22, at the top of column 3. I think the following letter that was deeply touched by the honor you He says that a "64' Ophicleide Grav written to me and the Motor City conferred on me, and it is most grat issmo" has been added to the huge Chapter would be of interest to the ifying to learn that I was elected by West Point Cadet Chapel organ - readers of THEATRE ORGAN. unanimous vote. mostly Moller - as a further enlarge David Lau Thank you again, and I am de ment of its resources. lighted that this honor was awarded me, As I frequently play this magnif Dear Mr. Lau: while I am still alive and kicking. icent "monster" and have seen its I would like to thank you and all Please accept my best wishes. well-maintained pipework, I know that the other members of the Motor City Sincerely yours, no such octave of pipes exists in it. In Theatre Organ Society for all that you f.A.J. Parmentier talking to the organist, John Davis, did to make George Lamphere's pro and the two men who so con gram on October 8th such a success. I scientiously nurse its forests of spotted think it was so wonderful that all the LONELY HEARTS metal and teakwood, I am told that people attending the Organ Confer DEPARTMENT there is no space available for such an ence here at the University had a octave of long bass pipes. chance to hear and enjoy the organ. Dear Mr. Thompson, Their published specification makes Your Society deserves all credit due Received my first copy of THE provision for a unit of stopped Bour for what is certainly an excellent ATRE ORGAN a couple of weeks ago dons at 64', 42 2/3' (the deepest rebuild of a fine theatre organ. As one since becoming a member of ATOS, Quint), 32', 21 1/3', 16', 10 2/3', 8', dedicated to the preservation of all and have nothing but praise for such a and 4'. These pipes are all in and in use pipe organs, I was most impressed with great journal! I borrowed many past except the lowest octave from the the job that has been done at the issues from a friend, and think it's notes called CCCCC up to BBBBB. Michigan Theatre. terrific that such comraderie exists There is no room for the pipes of the As Dean of the Student Chapter, I between the members ... Let's hope 64' octave (the profound low CCCCC would like to offer our services to you that more members will contribute to would make only 8.17 cycles or vibra in publicizing and selling tickets to any this fine magazine, and spreading the tions per second). of your future concerts. I am sure that gospel about theatre organs. Now where are the real full-length there are many interested students in Here I am, sitting at the typewriter, 64' pipes that don't turn out upon our department who would appreciate wondering how many young gals are inspection to be the usual "Resul knowing about your concerts so that interested in theatre organs? I am a tants" or "Vox Gravissimas?" There they might plan to attend. Also, I bachelor, and consider myself very are two of them in the whole world. hope that it might be possible for our eligible. So, if this gets published in a One is a real reed of brass and is the chap ter to come and have a crawl future THEATRE ORGAN magazine, Contra Trombone 64' in Town Hall, through the organ so that we can find I hope that some eligible (girl(s) will Sydney, Australia. It was finished in out just what makes a theatre organ respond! 1896 and has wood tubes of great work. I think all organists should Sincerely yours, thickness, about four feet square in know how the organ plays, and not David Burke 48 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1973 THE Pizzll OR9iN - satire - by Fred Hermes With all this to-do about placing large concert size organs in pizza joints of late, the magic formula seems to be one to one hundred or for every rank over the sensible six, with percussions and monster console, each additional rank will get you one hundred cus tomers for the day's receipts. After discussing the problem with Wiscon Mr, Alva Wilson (seated, second from left) played this organ in Albuquerque's Sunshine Theatre sin's famous theatre organ builder, back in the twenties. Artist Lyn Larsen is seated, center. Credit for the inspiration for recent Dan Barton, Dan graciously agreed to concerts at NMMI goes (left to right) to Mr. Jessie Reed, and Cadets Dennis J. Alley, Stanley C. Gantz and Robert C, MacNeur. build a typical pizza organ of 65 spicy, no-holds-barred ranks. This instrument would have a real cheezy console of six manuals (at least) decorated in Mililar1 lnslilUII! plaster-of-pork, with mushroom~ and anchovies. Dan Barton's unique ability Fealures Hillgreen· Lane to build organs that are really organs will shine through. The mammoth hundred horse blow For the second time this year, just The pipe organ, belonging to New er features three sections, one to blow under five hundred Roswell devotees Mexico Military Institute, is a Hill the organ, one to grind the sausage, and of the fine art of pipe organ music green-Lane, (See THEATRE ORGAN the third to get rid of the byproducts attended the blend of silent film and June 1973.) Installed in the Sunshine of the hundred horses. We won't dis organ recital which made up New Theatre in Albuquerque in 1928, it cuss what went into the inlet of the Mexico Military Institute's second pro was donated to NMMI in 1940 while blower, however in some of the more gram of Evening In Early Cinema held Pearson Auditorium was under con lavish emporiums the intake ventilated on Wednesday night, October 10th, in struction. the kitchen, johns, and what have you. Pearson Auditorium. Larsen's mastery of the three key The percussions are entirely un The audience, consisting of nearly boards and 14 ranks was matched only enclosed and a problem presented it two hundred NMMI cadets and three by his stamina, as he played a wide self, where to place the one hundred hundred Roswellites of all ages, re variety of movements and numbers bass drums! Dan had the best idea and sponded enthusiastically to the skill during a forty-five minute pre-show suggested using them as tables with the and personality of organist Lyn Larsen concert and then recreated those beater plunging up through the floor. of Phoenix, Arizona, and were en pieces traditionally associated with the That way, all the beaters would be thralled by the viewing of a 35 mm. well-known silent classic. Larsen moved ganged under the floor eliminating air print of the original Phantom of the from some of the earliest pieces writ and action noise. Opera, the 1925 Hollywood classic ten for organ through the most con Of course there would be no organ starring Lon Chaney and Mary Philbin. temporary of jingles in his demonstra ist what with the hearing impairment For most of the audience, it was a tion of the capabilities of the Hill trends in pizza joints, but behold! a first-time experience of the cinema green-Lane model built into Pearson. dummy would gyrate at the console house shows as presented in the silent A third organ recital, under a dif and the instrument doubles as the film era. ferent format, has been set for Decem world's largest orchestrion. No usual ber 5th. At that time, Mr. Dennis James, roll of rippy paper plays this whistle the April Concert organist, will return box, it is played in the manner of a to present a Christmas season program Coming... l ,J-- ,d" disc music box by popping every 10th d of recital and short films - including pizza into the changer mechanism. "THENOTE-ABLE NINETEENTH" sing-alongs - in Pearson. James' December program will vary Any resemblance to any organ instal _ ~ 1974 ~ lation, living or dead or planned for c::i NATIONAL CONVENTION • the format at the Roswell early cinema the future is purely coincidental: Ed. DETROIT - JULY 11-15 J series to include seasonal selections in □ his "before the show" concert. □ DECEMBER, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 49 Mr. Hall dedicated his program to Mrs. Lillian Truss, Dr. Edward Eigenschenck and Dan Keil, all people who had a part in his musical training. His selections covered songs of the past to "mod" selections such as Alfie and The Apartment Theme. Some of us older members tend to think of only older songs as good eHAPTERNOTE~ theatre music, but Mr. Hall quickly changed our opinions. His originality and imagination in registration was outstanding and his program certainly proved to the members of the Ala bama Chapter that when it comes to ALABAMA Jay's program was well planned and theatre music, there is no generation The Alabama Chapter may be lack full of surprises. His quic'.<: change of gap. moods and complete change of pace ing in the number of theatre organs ALLEEN COLE leaves us a bit breathless sometimes , available to play, but we are not but the ovation of the audience lacking in talent, variety of styles , or originality in programs. showed overwhelming approval. ALOHA Speaking of surprises! Norville Hall At our Sept. meeting, we were The date, October 21; the place , came out with a good one in October. privileged to have as our guest, Mr. Hawaii Theatre; the organ , 4/ 16 He had programs printed, leaving Erwin A. Young, Jr., National Presi Robert Morton ; the artist ,?? blank lines for the first half of the dent. This was Mr. Young's second That was about all our chapter program. We were instructed to try to visit and we feel honored by his members knew when they attended a guess the names of each piece and the interest. He gave us a few highlights of recent Mystery Artist concert given show it came from, and fill in the the National Convention, and praised here by a "veteran" theatre organist. It blanks. During intermission, these the Alabama Organ as being one of the happens, however , that "veteran" ap programs were picked up and new finest installations in the Nation. plied to military service only - the programs passed out. These had the Also present at the September artist was Navy Chief Bob Brooks. answers printed on. Then Norville con meeting, were members of the South Also misleading was the announce tinued his beautiful performance. eastern Chapter who were responsible ment that he was to play a "silent", for beginning the restoration of the which meant not a movie but slides. Alabama Wurlitzer. These guests in The format was simple but effec cluded M. E. Watson, Clay Holbrook, tive : Take movie publicity photos Charles Walker, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Hill, from 1940 to 1960, add humorous Mr. and Mrs. Jim Mills, and Blake captions relating to organs or chapter Braley. members and events, have slides made, Jay Mitchell, Alabama organist, was and concoct a musical accompani the performer and he dedicated his ment. Add a cape and wig for disguise , program to these guests who were and arrange for a hired assassin to especially invited for that purpose. Jay "shoot" the organist at the end of the did a fantastic job of showing off the program to get him off the bench. The versatility of the organ, and his fre result was an often side-splitting morn quent use of the percussive instru ing of fun for the many members in ments gavl~ evidence that Larry attendance. We certainly recommend Donaldson and his work crew are that other chapters with a sense of doing a good job in continuing the Norvi l le Hall played at the Alabama Chap humor try the same. maintenance and restoration . ter ' s October meeting . Arrangements are being made for a ..- -..... holiday greetings from EDDIE WEAVER ,..,Spirit of 76 " 50 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1973 public concert on December 4 at gram was planned since Ed is in the were given by Ruth Ward , Jack Punahou School , featuring the fabu process of installing a different console Pollard ( who incidentally appeared in lou s David Kelsey. David has been in and expanding his 2-manual Kilgen. In the cameo spot on the Benson High Hawaii for several months and will fact , a number of members were fran School's 3/24 Kimball at the Conven return to the Bay area following the tically working with Ed on the organ tion), and "over enthusiastic" Tim holidays . Last March he received sev as members and guests were arriving , Needler, our president. By "enthusias eral standing ovations following a con in an attempt to get the instrument tic" I mean that Tim became so cert at th e famous Wiltern Theatre (see playing for the meeting - and they zealous that the main tremulant col T.O. , June '73). succeeded! This proves what an ener lapsed on the Geneva. Tim does play a The Punahou School concert will getic and enthusiastic group the "mean" and exciting bit of organ. This be given on an Allen Theatre Deluxe; ATOSers are! As if we ever had any didn't hinder organ playing at all and since David owns a 3-manual Allen in doubts! everyone enjoyed hearing and playing California , he will be right at home, Most of the business meeting was the Rochs 2/7 Geneva the remainder and is well-versed in eliciting sounds devoted to discussion, planning and of the afternoon. that "no one ever knew the organ was decision-making on the projects at Extra curricular activities made Au capable of. " At least such was the hand. Open console time followed the gust a big month for CIC . The 2-day remark of Dan Engelhard , Aloha Chap meeting and everyone enjoyed trying weekend trip to Wisconsin turned out ter member and Allen organ owner. out Ed's "new" instrument which he to be one of the biggest events the Dick Simonton , a frequent visitor promises will keep growing and grow club ever had and despite malfunction to Hawaii , was in town in early Octo ing. ing of the bus air conditioning system ber , and stopped in at the Waikiki The August meeting is one we in 98° weather, the trip was a superb Theatre the same morning that David always look forward to. The Rochs , one . As one member said "and we and the Waikiki's 4/ 16 Morton made Dave and Betty, have a lovely home didn't have to push it (the bus) up the their first acquaintance . After a short located in a beautiful wooded area mountain" which is exactly what a while of experimentation , artist and with a swimming pool to intrigue the group had to do on our Tennessee trip instrument became fast friends. We non-performers and a 2-manual last year. anticipate the same rapport between Geneva Theatre Pipe Organ to thrill First stop was for lunch at Marti David and his audience in December. the organists . The Geneva came from nelli' s Restaurant at Crystal Lake , Illi If you should ask "Why an Allen the old Ritz Theatre in Indianapolis. nois where there is a Wick's 2/8 when there are two 4/ l 6's in theatres Bob Cox served as co-host. theatre pipe organ. Another stop was ther e?", it ' s basically that the Mortons After the business meeting we had made at the residence of Marty Dohm need work , the chapter needs funds to another go-round at what we tried a in Madison. Mr. Dohm has the 3/12 work on the organs , and the theatres few months ago, that is, several mem Kimball organ from the Orpheum The are difficult to schedule at a reasonable bers interpreting and performing the atre in Madison and according to hour. Hence the decision to go plug-in . same selection, pre-selected and ar reports , it is one of the most outstand Regardless, there will still be the "nos ranged , of course. "Whispering" had ing installations in the country. We talgia" sound , the "now " sound , and been so much fun, it was decided to understand he built his home around everything in between , with great the do "Singing in the Rain". Renditions the organ. The big event was the atre organ stylings. Tommy Bartlett Water Show at the ROGER ANGELL It'll be . . . Wisconsin Dells on Saturday night. Beside being a spectacular show, of CENTRAL INDIANA PIPESGJ.\l ORE special interest to us was the fact that Good food , good fellowship and one of our members , Ken Double, plenty of GOOD PIPE-ORGANING lf'I '7 ii accompanies the Water Show. Ken were enjoyed by 60 members and does a marvelous job on the 3-manual Conn theat e organ which provides a guests at a pitch-in dinner meeting on NATIONAL CONVENTION Sunday , July 8 at the home of Ed delightfully , beautiful sound for the DETROIT Morris in Indianapo lis. No formal pro- background and performance music for the show. GU. ·•··•································· fr om th e Nation' s Capital • Potoma c Vall ey Chapter DECEMBER, 197 3 THEATRE ORGAN 51 The first stop Sunday morning was CENTRAL OHIO Church Organ and speaker construc at the Ringling Theatre in Bara boo , tion plus giving a quiz he had worked A four page story with pictures in Wisconsin. This theatre is absolutely out on tape whereby we could guess if the Sunday Magazine Section of the gorgeous and is a copy of a Fre~ch the organ being played were pipes or Columbus Dispatch recently , gave de Opera house. It is difficult to descnbe electronic. He told us just enough sired and timely publicity to our chap anythin ·g so fantastically elaborate and about the forthcoming Saville theatre ter. Chapter members and co-owners beautiful but anything that Mr. Ring of the Robert Morton at the Ohio organ to make us very interested in ling ever did was ultimate in detail and hearing it as soon as it is available. Theatre, Tom Hamilton and Carlos design. Ken Double presented a most Ralph and Leona Charles of Somer Parker , faced the monumental job of interesting and enjoyable program on set , Ohio continue to serve the pur washi ng the forty-plus years accumula the 3/9 Barton . Dennis James also poses of ATOS in the most delightful tion of soot and dirt from the organ played a couple of numbers and then ways. On October 7 two concerts were prior to having the reeds professionally he and his bride of a few months, presented using their Robert Morton , revoiced. Their call for help was enthu Heidi, delighted everyone by perform with all proceeds for the benefit of the siastically answered by our members ing an organ-piano arrangement of Retarded Children 's Ass'n. Maximum and the job of bathing the organ was ''Map le Leaf Rag". Dennis has seating is 200 and all 400 tickets were completed in record time with loving achieved fame all over the country sold prior to the day of the concerts. care. Feature writer , Mary McGarey with his vibrant and versatile theatre Kenny Winland of Hopewell , Ohio and Photographer Rob Rhees of the organ styling and is equally as great in played both concerts. Kenny is not Columbus Dispatch obviously enjoyed the field of classical music. Heidi is an only an accomplished organist but so their assignment , both nimbly climbing accomplished concert pianist. What a thoroughly acquainted with Ralph's the vertical ladder to the chambers , team! Morton that his concerts are always noting the hundreds of pipes being anticipated. Sunday afternoon continued to washed and observing our members Our next meeting will be hosted by provide what everyone came for - and friends in position as a human Ralph and Leona and a report of all outstanding organ installations and the chain to return the pipes to the cham that is new (and there is always some one at the next stop in the home of bers. If our efforts deserved any per thing new) with their Morton will be Fred Hermes in Racine , Wisconsin , was sonal reward it was ours when we reserved for the next issue. just tremendous. Fred has a 5-manual listened to the organ during the beauti We congratulate the New York The Wurlitzer. This tremendous organ was ful concert by Tony Fenelon in Octo atre Organ Society on obtaining their originally installed in the Michigan ber. All is now in readiness for the tax exempt status from IRS and thank Theatre in Detroit and is one of only concert by Dennis James on November them for additional details in their three 5-manual organs built by Wur 9 and the subsequent recording he will informative article in The Horseshoe, litzer. A most enjoyable program was make using the Ohio Morton. Oct. 1973. It offered valuable informa given by Fred Hermes , Jr. , who .di~ a Our annual picnic in August at the tion to our chapter in our endeavors magnificent job on this fantastic in home of Fay and George Chakeres was for tax exemption and better under strument. outst anding . Our hosts left nothing standing in that it took them three A huge vote of thanks to each of undone that could add to the enjoy years and one month to accomplish the people who so graciously opened ment of the day. Fay's Hammond their goal. The help received from New his home to such a large group so that (200 series) was placed outdoors and York and others enables us to an we might enjoy the revival of the in the lovely woodsy setting inspired nounce that our exempt status was mighty theatre pipe organs. To hear, constant use. Bill Sharp of Sharp's received during October. see and play them again brings back Keyboard Music furnished a Conn IRENE BLEGEN many pleasant memories to those of us oroanb for our use for the day. This was who were fortunate enough to have placed indoors and beautiful organ actually lived during those years, and music filled the air. it is most gratifying to know that all Sep tember's annual meeting and DAIRYLAND was not lost when the organs were election of officers was held at Pon The Dairystate was honored August silenced so many years ago. tones Music Store in Grove City , Ohio. 25th and 26th by a visit from the RUTH D. WARD Mr. Pontones demonstrated the Saville Central Indiana Chapter. After stop- ~ ~ Al and Mason SeenerState Chap,,r Betty TULSA, OKLAHOMA 52 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 197 3 ping at Marty Dohm's home to hear erated with the new group to welcome and this concert represents the fulfill his magnificent Kimba11 installation in them aboard, with Jim Carter (Dela ment of a dream, which not so long its outstanding acco ustical and visuaJ ware Valley's program chairman) serv ago was thought to be an impossible setting near Madison, they toured the ing as M. C. A special surprise was in dream , because Mills had relocated to Wisconsin De1ls area. Sunday morning store for both Saturday night early Florida. Luckily for us, his relocation the group were guests at the Al Ring birds and Sunday afterglow relaxers. was relatively short-lived. ling Theatre in Baraboo , an attractive Larry Ferrari stopped in Saturday The rage nowadays in Eastern Mass. miniature of a European opera house, evening, and Leroy Lewis tickled the theatre organ circles seems to be the where a masterpiece by Dan Barton ivories as a grand finale on Sunday rediscovered silent movie with organ resides. The group was amazed at the evening. Our thanks to the Crane's, accompaniment, thanks to Al Winslow beautiful condition of the organ and owners of the Surf City Hotel, for the and Charlie French. French furnishes the theatre, even to the silk lamp opportunity to hold this meeting the film and projection through his shades on the light fixtures. around the Wurlitzer organ at this Silent Era Foundation while Winslow At three o'clock Sunday afternoon resort on the Atlantic Ocean. provides the greatest sound in the Central Indiana arrived at Fred In early October , the fall foliage world intensifying every emotion por Hermes' where they met with Dairy provided beautiful scenery for the trayed on the screen. The pair Al and land members for a concert. After the drive to Pennsylvania Dutchland's Charlie have been very popular at Ham usual opening program with the Breno Marietta (PA). The afternoon's fes mond Castle, Gloucester, Mass., with graph, Dairylanders were given a tivities began with introductory words its 4/144 custom concert organ and at special treat - Dennis James, who from visiting national president, Erwin First Baptist Church, Somerville, made the tour into Wisconsin with his Young. Glenn Hough, house organist Mass., with its 3 /10 Wurlitzer, one of lovely wife, Heidi, played a short at the Marietta, proved through his the beautiful ones, rebuilt and instal impromptu concert demonstrating his styling that he knows how to handle led by John Phipps and the church unusual technique. Dennis also played the 3/26 Wurlitzer/Page. Chairmen parishners - all green help. at Marty Dohm's and the Ringling Galbraith (West Penn), Lautzenheiser Gilbert Parmenter, with the en Theatre. Our good fortune in hearing (Potomac Valley) , Schrader (Delaware thusiastic support of his wife Ruth , Dennis resulted from his being in the Valley) , and visiting chairman Balfour only several months ago made the Indiana area at the time of the Wis (Garden State) were on hand to spark decision to alter family life style by consin tour. this inter-chapter meeting. forsaking the electronic instrument in After the program there was open In the evening, Ashley Miller, the living room for a 2/ 10 Wurlitzer in console while visitors inspected the through his excellent use of the instru the basement; and is that a sound Brenograph and lighting equipment. ment's potential, and his musicianship, chamber - all four walls solid stone Everyone had a great time. again exemplified his ability to capture and masonry providing countless ir Many thanks to Tim Needler, presi an audience. regularly reflecting surfaces at all dent of Central Indiana chapter; Don A very successful tri-chapter day, angles! When "Gibby" strikes, he Evenson, manager of the Ringling The indeed. Our thanks to neighboring strikes lightning fast, and is already atre; Marty Dohm for use of his chapters New York, Potomac better than 75% finished. "Gibby" and Kimball; and others who arranged this Valley , and West Penn for their sup Ruth attended the national convention most successful inter-chapter get-to port in successful programming over this year for the first time and re gether. the past two months. ported to me how pleased they were FRED HERMES SHIRLEY HANNUM to meet so many gracious and wonder EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ful new friends from all parts of the DELAWAREVALLEY country. By the time this is published Allen ERIE RENWICK September and October have been Mills will have presented his 3rd con busy months of inter-chapter activity. cert Nov. 10 on the venerable old 2/ 14 LAND O' LAKES Our annual Surf City bash , for ex former WNAC studio Wurlitzer now The Land O' Lakes Chapter was ample, proved twice as entertaining located in Stoneham Town Hall. Bring privileged to attend the long-awaited this year. Garden State Chapter, Dela ing Mills back to Stoneham has been dedication of members Byron and ware Valley , and New York coop- one of this chapter's fondest desires, Lorraine Carlson's Opus 1587 5-man- MELEKALIKIMAKA Season's AND Greetings the HAUOLIMAKAHIKI HOU Lautzenheisers FROM Jean Marvin ALOHA CHAPTER Genii P.O. BOX 88012 - HONOLULU,HAWAII 96815 DECEMBER, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 53 ual, 21 rank Wurlitzer, Sunday, Octo ber 7. The Carlsons purchased the second of three ever manufactured 5 /21 Wur litzers . from the Chicago based Balaban and Katz chain MARBRO Theatre in 1959. They took great care to recon struct the chamber layout as it was in the theatre, and also spent countless hours scraping and then refinishing the huge, ornate console which is one of the most spectacular features of the installation. The dedicatory concert was per formed by Bob Arndt of Des Moines, who was responsible for wiring and bringing the Wurlitzer to its present condition. Preceding Bob, owner Byron played a short set of tunes topped off with an arrangement of "Sweet Lorraine", dedicated to his wife for all her effort Deke Warner and some of his "Stars of Tomorrow." Shown are Candy Carley, Janet Jordan, on the project. Lucille Clement and co-worker Donna Parker. - (Bill Hill Photo) Bob took over the console and led off with the appropriate "Chicago" was active in the chapter before he members and friends enjoyed a con and highlighted his concert with some moved to Chicago in 1970 and it was a cert by Rex Koury at the fabulous San Polynesian tunes and two Jesse Craw real pleasure once again to hear him Sylmar, where Mr. J.B. Nethercutt ford standards, "What Are You Waiting give the giant Kimball a real workout. houses his collection of classic cars, For, Mary", and "I Love To Hear You His program included many old favor automatic musical instruments, Or Singing". ites. Following intermission, plaques chestrions and other assorted trea Although all final touches on the were presented to Deke Warner and sures. This concert proved to be so organ have not as yet been completed, Donna Parker in recognition of their popular that two performaces were the sound was impressive to the en fine work in producing the Stars of scheduled during the afternoon to thusiastic crowd in attendance. Tomorrow show in July. Five of the accommodate members and their "stars" were on hand to surprise Deke friends. As a convenience, chartered LOS ANGELES in the midst of his announcements. buses were used to transport the con The featured artist for the Septem Donna was even more surprised when cert-goers from the Wiltern to San ber 16 concert at the Wiltern Theatre she too received a plaque. Sylmar. San Sylmar is now completed was Byron Melcher, promotion man More than 65 members and friends and its beauty really defies descrip ager for the Thomas Organ Co. Byron attended the Sunday afternoon jam tion. As we entered, the first treat of session at the Elks building. Organists the afternoon was the display of twen who tried their luck at the 4/58 ty-one classic cars in the gorgeous Robert Morton included Candi Carley, "Best of Show" salon, including a Mike Cahill, Avery Johnson, Seth Anderson, Dixie Miles, Larry Siebert, Paul Hamilton, Bob Salisbury, Shirley Obert, Edward Sprowl, Merle Bob zien and Joyce Kramer Villa. Bob Hill, coordinator for the Pay and Play plan, handled the Master of Ceremo nies chores and Dick Stoney con ducted tours of the organ chambers. Dick and his crew did extensive work on the organ during the summer and it sounded much improved. Sunday, October 14, was the day for another theatre organ double fea ture. In the morning, Tony Fenelon, a young man of tremendous talent from Australia was the concert artist at the Wiltern, and captivated his audience with his charming manner and his Bob Ralston ( left) congratulates Byron Melcher following Byron's Wiltern concert. superb theatre organ stylings. Rex Koury played Widor's "Toccata" with - ( Bob Hill Photo) In the afternoon, more than 550 the help of a computer. - (Stufoto) 54 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 197 3 Duesenberg, a Bugatti, an Auburn and adjusting trems, etc., and the organ a Cord, arranged between the marble had a full "theatre organ sound." Long columns and the giant wall mirr_or. On time church, radio and theatre organist the mezzanine we viewed the large Bob Mitchell, (now organist and choir collection of radiator ornaments and master at the church) and the Singing the Louis XIV desks as we made our Boys, provided a rich and varied pro way to the "Stairway to the Stars" gram. An appreciative audience of which leads to Cloud 99. more than 325 persons enjoyed this Upon reaching the exhilarating at first venture by the chapter into a new mosphere of Cloud 99, a number of concept in theatre organ concerts. the large Orchestrions were heard with SAM DICKERSON San Sylmar curator Roger Morrison at the controls. Mr. and Mrs. Nether MOTORCITY cutt welcomed the ATOS members Detroit's Redford Theatre was alive and then it was time for Rex Koury to with activity on the evenings of Sep open his concert with selections from tember 17 and 18 when we presented organist Eddie Weaver in a public Chairman Sam Dickerson. His buses ran on performance at the 3/ 10 Barton. In an schedule. - (Stufoto) effort to attract a maximum audience, two of Laurel and Hardy's finest, but activities during the year. Three mem seldom seen, silent two-reelers were bers were elected to the nominating shown, The Second Hundred Years committee to provide chapter officers and With Love and Hisses. for 1974. The double bill of two Laurel and Following the business meeting, Hardy films, combined with the magic members enjoyed a slide show pre of Eddie Weaver, paid off, for we sented by Mr. Chuck Zimmerman, experienced as large a house as we can who has taken some excellent color remember at the Redford, and every photos of organ consoles and concert one went away with a smile. Whether artists using available light. The open it was Eddie Weaver or Laurel and console period at the Robert Morton LA chapterites alight from a bus and enter Hardy that "hit the spot" is hard to the big bronze door which leads to the featured Seth Anderson, one of our tell, but Eddie Weaver is a top show wonders of San Sylmar museum. - (Stu "Stars of Tomorrow." Others who foto) man, and he certainly knows how to played during the refreshment period please an audience. included Gerald Nagano, Fernand Oliver followed by several of the melo On Sunday, September 23, Motor Martel, Andy Anderson and Walter dies written by the Carpenters. The City members traveled to Lansing, our Freed. dramatic highlight of the afternoon state capitol, to hear Herb Head play came when Rex left the console in the the Michigan Theatre Barton organ. middle of the Widor "Toccata" - and The program was sponsored by the the music continued - thanks to the Wolverine Chapter and attracted an digital computer which is an integral especially large crowd for a Sunday part of the organ. He had recorded the morning, due in part to good advance "Toccata" the day before and San publicity, especially television cover Sylmar Entertainment Director Gor age, of the event. don Belt activated the computer at Motor City member Frank Rossi just the right moment to create this was the artist for our chapter meeting illusion which Rex termed "a non on Sunday morning, September 30, at partison dirty trick." The 3/25 Wurlit the Royal Oak Theatre. As part of his zer sounded absolutely fabulous with program, which included music pri the superb artistry of Rex Koury at marily from the 30's and 40's, Frank the console. The audience decended entertained us with some 15 of the from Cloud 99 by elevator to the 30-odd pieces he knows with the word parking level where a dozen Rolls "moon" in the title. In addition to Royces were on display. We are very Bob Mitchell. - (Stufoto) such selections as a medley from An grateful to Mr. Nethercutt for this American in Paris and "The Ritual memorable afternoon at San Sylmar, On Tuesday evening, October 23, Fire Dance", he made good use of the the outstanding event of the year for the chapter, in conjunction with St. Royal Oak's new marimba for a the Los Angeles Chapter. James Episcopal Church, presented rhythmic accompaniment to "In The Sixty-eight members were present something slightly different in organ Still of the Night." at the Autumn General Business Meet concerts - Bob Mitchell and the Gaylord Carter was our artist for a ing at the Elks building on October 15. Mitchell Singing Boys in a theatre pre-Halloween show the evening of The business portion of the meeting organ concert at the church. The organ October 24 at the Michigan Theatre in consisted of reports by the officers on team of Les and Olive Pepiot had done Ann Arbor. The film was Lon the concerts at the Wiltern and other extensive work on the 4/32 Kimball, Chaney's The Hunchback of Notre DECEMBER, 197 3 THEATRE ORGAN 55 Dame and Gaylord's ideal accompani why a 33-member chapter hasn't been IRS situation , although with our cur ment to the movie evoked perhaps able to accomplish much for the past rent treasury it hardly seems neces more than the usual excitment for couple of months. But as we said in sary. However, maybe one of these those who were attending this type of our last meeting announcement, don't days we'll develop an adequate balance program for the first time. Hopefully look back . Let's look ahead. and will be glad we made the arrange we can create even more enthusiasm We have a meeting scheduled at men ts. We have applied for our IRS among the students as well as the Casa Manana in Fort Worth for Nov. "membership number" and once we residents of this university town. 11 which will be the first one ex get that, will proceed with the rest of Having produced an eight to sixteen clusively for the chapter. The other it. Currently we are certainly a "non page program , with paid advertising , to Casa sessions have all admitted the profit" organization, but maybe the pass out at our recent public shows , public and were in the form of con new year's dues will ease the pain in that we have found that with inexpensive certs , with no business meetings. This area somewhat. Hopefully, when all is offset printing and the volunteer effort time we have the place to ourselves complete, we may have something to of our members to collate and staple, and have requested only members and report which will simplify things for a we have cut the expense of having a bona-fide potential members to attend. lot of the chapters, especially the printed program to almost nothing. The program will consist of cameo smaller ones. Our audiences now have something to spots by members after a business Plans are also moving for some take home that gives them more infor meeting where the main matter is exchange visits with the Tulsa and mation about the organ, the chapter, appointment of a nominating com Wichita groups. The problem at both the film, the artist and some history of mittee for next year's officers. It is the ends of the circuit seems to be that the theatre building. first time in a long time that we have everybody's theatre organ installation Excitement continues to build in had a real Theatre Organ buff type is either being updated, swapped out Detroit as plans are made for the 1974 meeting. for a larger instrument or the instal Convention. We hope you are planning Dan Bellomy , our young Casa lation not yet completed. Once we get now to attend The Note-able Nine Manana organist, has moved "up east" some installations working besides the teenth in July. and is now performing for one of the Casa installation, we'll be in a better DON LOCKWOOD "plug-in" builders. Let us know when position to entertain visitors by having you ' ll be in the area , Dan, and we'll NORTH TEXAS enough instruments to see to make an schedule some of your great playing overnight trip worth while. And an It seems like after the August meet for that Casa Wurlitzer again. We're overnight trip is necessary for the ing in Dallas , everybody ran into sure sorry that the season had to be distances involved. physical problems of one kind or cut last summer because of Casa's Despite the September slowdown, another that sort of slowed our activ internal problems, but currently every the North Texas Chapter is still plenty ities down to a real largo tempo. Pat thing is back on the track again and active and hoping to expand, install, Kohl, our program Chairman was ill the coming winter season plus the and generally enjoy our interest in for some time and also took another 1974 summer season look like they'll theatre organs. hard fall which didn't do his leg and be really great and swell. (Hey , those JOE KOSKI ankle any good after that first one that are organ manuals, not adjectives!) put him on crutches. John Scott , our The annual Christmas affair will able legal advisor , also wound up in again be a gala function, including OREGON the hospital for surgery. He's back on election of officers as well as the The Oregon Chapter is pleased to his feet now and doing great. Add to Chr istmas party. In our new By-Laws announce that our chairman Dennis that some illness, attacks of appen the new officers, elected at the Christ Hedberg, traded happy bachelorhood dicitus leading to an appendectomy , mas session will actually take over at for wedded bliss on September 29th. and some other illnesses both minor the February meeting, to give them a The victorious bride is the former and major, among the officers and little orientation time. Margaret Dickson. members , and it's understandable We have also been working on our Dennis and Margaret were married in Portland's historic "Old Church". Jonas Nordwall played the l 00 year BINDERS ... TO PROTECT YOUR ISSUESOF THEATRE ORGAN old Hook and Hastings tracker organ for the ceremony. Bill Peterson and This durable casebound cover will bind one full year's Les Lehne, chapter members, were issues of THEATR E ORGAN . Imprinted in gold on black , the binder becomes a permanent reference among the ushers. volume that protects issues from damage and keeps The wedding reception was held at them in perfect order . Magazines are held securely in the fabulous new "Organ Grinder" place and can be inserted in only a few seconds . A special pocket will enable you to easily label restaurant. Again Jonas Nordwall was and identify the year of any volume. at the organ, this time the 3/33 Wur $3.50 each (including postage) litzer. As those who attended the 1973 Make check or money order payable to : ATOS Binder. National Convention remember, this Mail to... ATOS Binder P.O. Box 1 002 organ was one of the highlights of the Middleburg, Virginia 22117 convention. It was built by Dennis. or ... ATOSBinder During the reception the bridegroom P.O. Box 1 314 also appeared at the console. While he Salinas, California 93901 played he was accompanied on the 56 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 197 3 bench by his new bride. Guests at this wedding had a rather unique experience. They had the plea sure of hearing Jonas play Oregon's oldest and newest pipe organs, both on the same afternoon. The Oregon Chapter expresses much gratitude to the many people who have written , congratulating the chapter for the great 1973 convention. We are so pleased that they feel the convention was a success. Needless to say, we tried hard , it was a lot of work , but it was worth it! DON INGRAM POTOMACVALLEY It was a beautiful balmy September evening , a Tuesday. Members left work early , grabbed a quick bite of supper and headed for the Dick Kline home near Thurmont , Maryland. Everyone Artist, Hector Olivera, chapter chairman , Jean Lautzenheiser, and organ owner, Dick Kline. - ( Roy Wagner Photo) seemed to sense that this evening would be special. Over 250 Potomac Valley Chapter members were seated ; some inside the exquisite Kline music room , and some outside the double doors on the deck by the lake. One could easily have been _ quite content to just sit and bask in the beauty of our surroundings. (This must be Shangri-La!) But once Hector Olivera was introduced, all the rush to get to the meeting was forgotten and the promise of a memorable perfor mance began to unfold into reality. From his first words and first note , Hector held his audience spellbound. His program was planned to have something for everyone , but as it turned out , every number was for everyone. Hector showed off the broad spectrum of the organs dynamic range, from the very softest to soaring, thrilling fu!J organ. The registrations were imaginative and varied , the play ing superb. Suzette Olivera is counting "uno, dos, tres, five, fourteen". She helps her Daddy build his new pipe organ in a vacant house next door to their apartment. Suzette puts Hector's tools away for It was a perfect match ; Hector's him. The pliers go in the refrigerator, the other pliers in the commode, a screwdriver inside an virtuosity and engaging personality idle blower •.. ouch! - ( Photo by Engle Associates) MERRY SEASON'S GREETINGS CHRISTMAS from your from all the member s of C.A.T.O.E. DECEMBER, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 57 plus Dick Kline's fabulous Wurlitzer. is the 3/28 Page-Wurlitzer organ of His skillful interweaving of classical which the owners are justifiably most and popular compositions was in evi proud. dence as he went from the "Toccata In the afternoon , we were treated and Fugue in D Minor" to "Sunny" to cameo artists who demonstrated and back , with yet another classical their capability with a variety of musi passage from St. Anne's on the pedals. cal fare. Glenn Hough and Ed Weimer, For comic relief "Popeye the Sailor resident organists of the Marietta, each Man" was given his lumps. took a turn followed by West Penn's During the second half of the con Rey Galbraith, Delaware Valley's Lee cert your correspondent went to the Bounds (representing the distaff side) back of the audience to sense the and "Jose" Fernandez and our own, atmosphere. Usually when people are well known , Dick Kline. in an area separated slightly from the As a "Teaser", Chapter Chairman, artist, much chitchatting goes on; not Jean Lautzenheiser, then introduced this time, all ears and eyes were busily our guest, Ashley Miller, who gave us soaking up the sights and sounds to be an inkling of what was in store for us stored in fond memories. You could with his renditions of "Put On A have heard a pin drop.Truly, Hector is Happy Face", "Autumn Leaves" and a musical genius; don't miss an oppor "Of Thee I Sing". After his teaser, tunity to hear him. Ashley was interviewed on the bench Mrs. Olivera (Lucy) did not attend by Jean and brought us up to date on "Ashley Miller at the console of the Mar the concert. She remained at home in ietta Page - Wurlitzer." - (Photo by Roy his career, his wife , Jo, and children. Wagner) Pittsburgh, where she gave birth six Currently playing the CBS show, days later to a son, Hector James. Search for Tomorrow six days a week, to play more of it. He has seen the Little Hector joins Suzette, his three he finds time on Sunday for his reawakening of interest in it and his year-old sister in the Olivera family. position as organist for the Society for talent will most certainly broaden its We have been having one successful Ethical Culture. scope. program after another this year and In his "spare time" he is available And so , "Put On A Happy Face", reached another pinnacle during our for concertizing, a fact which I'm sure we did, as we trouped through town to October meeting held at the Marietta all chapters will note. Ashley is dinner at Ye Old Railroad house where Theatre in Marietta, Pennsylvania. We "Hooked on theatre organ" and wants we dined amidst surroundings which were there in force, having invited our took us all back to bygone days. neighboring chapters, Delaware Valley, On our return , we were treated to West Penn and Garden State , to hear Ashley accompanying the silent movie, the incomparable Ashley Miller. They Peck's Bad Boy, and then his concert, came from every direction by car and which certainly demonstrated the by bus. talent of this master of the organ. His The owners of the Marietta The selections, arrangements and regis atre, Dave Kalmbach and Ray Cun tration left no room for anything but ningham, had worked hard at putting praise from his audience. together all the details required for The day was capped with hilarity in such a successful program. To begin the form of a Mae West movie, I'm No with, the town itself lent an aura of Angel. quaintness wherein everyone seems to Our chapter wishes to thank Ashley be working to preserve the old , rather for his wonderful artistry and friendli than tear down and build anew. The ness ; Dave Kalmbach and Ray Cun theatre is claimed to be the oldest ningham for all their work and "A hard working pair of happy theatre and operating movie house in continuous theatre organ owners, Ray Cunningham and preparation; and our own Al Bal use in the eastern part of the nation. lt Dav e Kalmbach." - (Photo by Roy Wagner) dino for making all the very necessary NOW BOOKING CONCERTS REMEMBER * DON BAKER COPY DEADLINE * DEL CASTILLO FOR THEATRE ORGAN MAGAZINE (West Coast Only) All material to be published must be received at *SHIRLEY HANNUM P. 0. Box 1314, Salinas, Calif. 93901 * REX KOURY By the FIRST of the month PRECEDING publication Granada Hills, California 91344 Copy for February Issue must be in by January 1st. Phone: (21 3) EM 3-5625 58 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1973 bus arrangements to get us there and back. For all other chapters a word~ Try some bus rides, they are great for chapter sociability. ROY WAGNER PUGET SOUND September 9 was Bellingham/Van couver day for the Puget Sound Chap ter. Many members made the two-hour drive north from Seattle to hear a we I I-received concert by chapter member Dick Schrum. Dick played on the Style 215 Wurlit zer (2 manuals and l O ranks) installed in the Mt. Baker Theatre. This theatre and its Wurlitzer are in immaculate condition. The theatre's manager, Mr. Roy Kastner, has seen to it that the organ is used as much as Mr. Roy Kastner, second from left, receives plaque from Puget Sound Chapter honoring his dedication to the theatre pipe organ. From left - "Buck" Strickland, Mr. Kastner, Dick possible and is very cordial in allowing Warburton, and Russ Evans. "Buck" and Dick maintain the organ. Russ organized the event. local buffs a chance to try out the instrument when traveling through Guest organist for this event was Mr. the action into all-electric and added a Bellingham. A plaque was presented to Donald Stagg. Mr. G. Herald Keefer, new three-manual console as well as Mr. Kastner at this meeting for his organist and choirmaster of the Cathe some new pipework to create this 54 devoted service to this theatre and the dral, and also the rebuilder of the great rank instrument. Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ. Members organ demonstrated some of the October 7 saw the group in Olym Dick Warburton and "Buck" Strick various stops of this magnificent in pia to hear Andy Crow (fresh from his land must also be complemented - strument. 1973 Portland Convention appear they service and tune the organ. Mr. Keefer also explained the rich ance) present an outstanding concert The outing continued by travelling history of this organ which started out on the Wurlitzer organ in the Olympic further north to Vancouver , British as a two-manual tracker built by the Theatre. Andy has kept this fine the Columbia, to hear the great organ in Warren Company, a Canadian pipe atre and organ in great shape. An the Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral. organ builder. Mr. Keefer's firm rebuilt unusual feature here is that the cham- olle1ie'~ "HECTOR" Rosa Rio aittie~ COLORFUL and EXCITING Cfhrnht: - CfaHLaa[ - q.:>ofa-ula'l THEATRE ORGAN CONCERTS Limited bookings now available for "Convention Sensation" Latin American Organist - HECTOR OLIVERA 130 Mill Street Huntington, Conn. 06484 WALT MOLT MANAGEMENT (203) 929-1652 - phone 364 AVENUE F, PITTSBURGH , PA . 15221 , (41 2 ) 823-3163 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• : •·••··· ········· ··••·••: •: :• ••••••••..... •••. ••••••··········. :-:••• •••• ••:•, ,-..•• •••••• •••.. ••,···--~~·.••,.-• •• :a•._._ • ::•1K•U...,, •1:• •••• • ••• ••••...... •" ••• ,. I•• ••••··········. •••ri ••••• • ••• ••,. •••, ••• \•. : ..1•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• '••• • •••••••••••1• • --•••I••• •••••l:I••••• •••\•••.- • •I•••••--•••• • •••~ ..1• ..•• ..•• ..•• JOHNMURI ..•• .. Theatre Organ Concerts 1735 Boston Blvd ., Detroit , Michigan 48206 ...... •• ••• ••...... •• •• DECEMBER, 1973 THEATRE ORGAN 59 bers are over the proscenium arch for (descendant of the Style 260) Opus the 2-manual, 10-rank Style F Special 2121 from the Paramount Theatre in (Opus 858). Andy is currently sharing Salem, Mass. The organ is currently the console with Jonas Nordwall at being rebuilt for installation. Portland's Organ Grinder Restaurant. TERRY HOCHMUTH The members enjoyed dinner at an Olympia eatery where a short business SOUTHERN ARIZONA meeting was conducted. The Nomi The chapter opened its winter nating Committee, chaired by Erma season at the new home of our Gain, and assisted by Dick Change and chairman, Lois Seamands and Howard Wells, brought forth their husband, Larry, on Sunday, October selections for the 197 4 officers. Their 7, 1973. Approximately 60 people recommendations were: Chairman, attended with 27 being guests. Out of Genny Whitting ; Vice Chairman, our 35 family memberships, 17 per Mahon Tullis; and Board Members Bill sons attended the 18th Annual ATOS Carson and Mark Cockrill. This slate convention in Portland. We wish to was accepted. Many members then give a special "Hello" to George and went to the residence of Tom and Oliva Wilson in East Point, Georgia Fran Solberg to hear and play their and , and Earl and Margaret Winters of newly-installed 2/9 Wurlitzer/Morton. Bremerton, Washington. This is the former Centraila, Wash Newly -elected Chairman Genny Whitting at After the business meeting our pro the console of her Robert Morton theatre ington Fox Theatre organ. Tom and pipe organ. gram was opened by Art Crowell , who Fran built their new home around the played "Swanee". He then introduced organ and are to be complimented on made a Seattle appearance with his three of his pupils, Miss Lynn Stain their fine sounding installation. "Heavy Organ" and "Revelation inger, 11 years old; Miss Karen Lund , A few members were fortunate Ligh ts". On both Friday and Saturday 12 years ; and Janice Owens , 16 years. enough to be able to see and play the evenings, popular Seattle organist Dick The three guests performed for us, 2-manual TRACKER pipe organ Kimball presided over the Granada playing numbers both classical and owned by Vi and Morry Waldron. This Theatre's 4/32 Wurlitzer to the delight popular. Each displayed good musi organ is instalJed in their living room of many ATOS'ers. cianship and they were well received. and is a classic example of the fore We are looking forward to the near Since one of our aims is the leading of runner of the theatre pipe organ. futu re opening of Seattle's version of the younger musician into the knowl The weekend of October 12 and 13 the Capn's Galley Pizza Restaurants, edge and love of the theatre organ was certainly ORGANized in Seattle. courtesy of Mr. Bill Breuer. The organ field, we in SATOS feel fortunate in Friday night, October 12, Virgil Fox chosen is a Balaban 3 Model Wurlitzer having these three young ladies as Theatre and Classical lYNL~~E:N Organ Concerts FEATURED ORGANIST Feature Silent Films 4/28 WURLITZER Piano/Organ Duets 413 S. Henderson, No. 9 ORGAN STOPPIZZA Bloomington,Indiana 47401 5330 North Seventh St.• Phoenix, Ari zona• (602) 263 -0716 (812) 336-9902 FLICKER FINGER O,gon P,m o•d Aumonn ~~~II PRESENTATIONS rc-RGAN SUPPLY COMPANY 101B LORENZ DRIVE e ANKENY . IOWA 50021 Chests • Consoles • Solid State Tremolos 9aylo12<) cauteu Peterson Chromatic Tuners Howa rd Seats th e organ and the silent screen Wurlitzer Parts Custom Built Parts Send $1.00 For Catalog 1371 PASEO DEL MAR SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA 90731 "Quality Through Pride in Workmanship" PHONE (213) 831-6360 60 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 197 3 Steve Fitzgerald, Albert Coombs and George Baird remove Wurlitzer South Florida Chairman Steve Fitzgerald and Albert Coombs move the 260 console from Guzman Hall for renovating - (Gerhart Photo) former Olympia Theatre Wurlitzer for refurbishing - (Gerhart Photo) guest entertainers and hopefully soon to the detriment of either. He is his SOUTHFLORIDA members of ATOS. "own man." The removal of the Wurlitzer 260 Ralph Cloos opened the open con Our newest member, Ray Gard console from Guzman Hall (former sole segment of our program with the played next, followed by many others. Olympia Theatre) in downtown Miami "Theme From The Summer of '42" After a buffet lunch, more music and took place on September 29th, 1973, followed by a few of his very swinging conversation followed. Our hostess' which happened to be a Saturday theatre organ style numbers which he Conn model 650 with Leslie 600 tone morning. Via rental truck, the console does so well. Having been a music cabinet and Conn pipe speakers never was swept away to suburban Hialeah educator, teacher and entertainer, sounded better and more pipe-like and storage in a garage. This location Ralph also plays 'pipes' in church as than it did, feeding into the high will provide easier access for complete well as doing popular style and doesn't ceilinged music room which allowed restoration before replacing in the make one style sound like the other, the music to expand. BOB HIGH theatre. - FeaturedOrganist on the PaulWhiteman Show - Bill Ballan THEATRE ORGAN CONCERTS INSTRUCTION IN THEATRE ORGAN STYLING HOWARD A. BURTON 3045 3RD AVENUE MANUAL - PEDAL RELAYS FOR MARION, IOWA 52302 CHURCH - THEATRE 610 Asylum Ave., Suite 628 PHONE [ 3 1 9 J 377-0846 RESIDENTIAL PIPE ORGANS Hartford, Connecticut 06105 Phone: (203) 278-5787 Cllhlcymillc, a.a.g.o. - THEATRE ORGAN CONCERTS - TORRENCE/PERROTTA MANAGEMENT 1102 Stasia St. • Teaneck, N. J. 07666 • (201) 837-7362 DECEMBER, 197 3 THEATRE ORGAN 61 Guzman Hall Miami Philharmonic a concert, or recital organ, for orches authorities are most insistant that this tral transcriptions. There are no Tibias and the tremulants are slow - there organ project be carried out to com HEAR YE! pletion. Initially, tables were turned, fore no theatrical effect. Appropri HEAR YE! i.e., the Philharmonic was too busy ately, Dr. Bray played the "Poet and getting organized in their new home to Peasant Overture", "Voices of Spring" be concerned over the stagnant music Now is the Time and "Crown Imperial" by William machine hidden somewhere in their to pay your Walton. midst. Time has now reached suf 1974 NationalDues We continue to attract new adher ficient depths that they can con ents to organ music. At a cultural fair sider their inherited orphan and sponsored October 14 by the Euclid, have formally requested that SOUTH Ohio Art Guild, organ pageantry was FLORIDA CHAPTER, ATOS "do 1974 Dues ...... s10 possible with only 12 feet of booth space. A group headed by Howard whatever is necessary" to restore the Chapter members please submit Kast had arranged for musical majesty aged Wurlitzer completely. This is your National Dues to your chap by piping tape recorded excerpts of being done through conscientiously ter treasurer. theatre organ music throughout the aggressive efforts of Steve Fitzgerald, Other members please send auditorium. A Bladwin spinet plug-in, Chapter Chairman. National Dues direct to ... The console saw its first light of courtesy of Bob Brenner Music Studio, day in almost 48 years. As Opus No. ATOS was made available for our members to 1198 this instrument was shipped P.O. Box 1314 play during the duration of the "Fair." from North Tonawanda on November Salinas, California93901 Notable, too, was our display of 100 6, 1925 and was installed for the colored photographs of the Akron Olympia 's opening night February 18, First Classmailing ofTH EATR E OR- _:· Civic Theatre Wurlitzer , the Gray's 1926. (Olympia feature article ap GAN is $4.00 extra. Total - $14.00 / Armory 3/ 13 Wurlitzer and the Lorain peared in TO/Bombarde, April 1967.) -~;':~•· ..._. .. .., ...... _. .·• •;• ; .. . •. •·-•:.-.- _.. Palace 3/ 11 Wurlitzer ... the latter G. W. GERHART which we happily credit Fred Carson, by profession, Dr. Bray is also organist for initiating restoration efforts. WESTERN RESERVE at the Parma-South Presbyterian Two "plus" highlights of our pre Dr. Robert J. Bray , an active mem Church in Parma Heights. He is deeply sentation were an exact 1/3 scale ber of W.R.T.O.S. , was the guest artist involved in organ music as an avoca model of a Wurlitzer style 240 console at our September meeting which was tion, with ties especially to the "Ro which Howard Kast devotedly built held in our downtown Cleveland Ma man tic" school. over many hours, and a small working sonic Auditorium where Dr. Bray is The 4/40 Austin (1918 vintage) model wind chest, with a Doppel the official organist. An optometrist played by Dr. Bray_.was designed to be Flute, which passers-by could play He Opened the Roxy and Radio City Music Hall! Now Booking 1973/74 Concert Tours. DR. C.A.J.PARMENTIER Karil Colle Theatre Organ Concerts Contemporary, Classical and Nostalgic Numbers Direct Contact: (315) 471-6682 Mary A. Bowles Personal Representative (315) 458-1544 {609) 983-1535 MRS. MARY A. BOWLES Rt. 2, Hopewell Road• Lost Lake, Marlton, New Jersey 08053 Suite 1410 - 50 Presidenti al Plaza - Syracuse, New York 13202 Telephone (609) 983-1535 PIZZA & PIPES oRGBlll-121111G WURLITZER THEATRE PIPE ORGAN POPULAR MUSIC 3581 Homestead Road 821 Winslow Street by at (Lawrence Expressway) (Downtown - Off Broadway) SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA C,bttaRCI181\U\lS PHONE 248 -5680 PHONE 365-6543 Robbins Music Corpor,tion, ... •••• ", Staff Organists 1690 S . Bascom at Hamilton TOM HAZLETON A complete course in Keyboard Harmony ( Hamilton Pla za Shopping Center) JACK GUSTAFSON and arranging popular music for Organ CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA PHONE 371-50 00 RALPH TROUT 111 OBTAINABLE AT ANY MUSIC STORE JOHN SENG 62 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1973 mere ly by pressing a button. our "Mr . Magic", who knows where to the epic-type movies, no longer pro O n Sunday, O cto b ~r 21, find tunes for everyone's pleasure. duced; the sing-aJongs when people W.R.T.O.S. met at Ru th and Milo October stayed awhile for the West weren't afrai d to share themselves; and Swanson's home to hear their fine 2/7 ern reserve . .. and on the 27th we the classics - com plex and beautif ul. Barton ( 1928) which they obtaine d went f~r a visit "Down Memory Lane" The silent mo vie was a comic one, from the Lloy d's Theatre in Menomi with "Cran" Hendershott as our elo Her Bridal Nightmare ( 1927) with nee, Michigan during 1967. With much quent guide . We travelJed lightly, and Colleen Moore, Helen Darling, Earl energy and care, Ruth and Milo unpacking was a snap as our suitcases Rodney and Eddy Barry . "Cran" truly stripped their 2/7 Barton down were filled only with nostalgia and took us on an enjoya ble trip and aptly thro ugh several layers of age to its enthusiasm for the older rhythms; the dro pped us off home with an encore origina l mahogany finish . Now refin TVand Radio anecdotes of another era; song memento, "Memory Lane", of ished, and in mint condition, it was the songs of a time when trave lling was course ! played that afternoon by Ken Demko, by train; the sound track melodies of BEA ROSSIN CLASSIFIED ADS Classified ads are carried at 20 cents per word, per insertion. No charge for first ten words for members. Moving - must sell - Artistan - Emperor NOEL . Robert MacDonald playing Christ FOR SALE Model Elect . Theatre Organ . Late Model. mas favorites on the 4/23 Morton at Loew's Baldwin PR-200 Ent ertainment organ. Full Solid State, Horseshoe Console, 3 manual, 5 175th Street ( United Palace) and 5/206 size co nso le plu s 2 to ne cabinets, many ran ks Tone Gens, 6 Channel Audio, Dual Aeolian-Skinner at Riverside Church. Send extras . Priced reasonably - will consider a Mag. Comb . Action, "Band Box" and Orch. $5.50 to Riverside Church Records, 490 trade. Bill Graffis , 2717 Calmer Dr. , Joli et, Bells.$ 7800.00 or Best Offer by Dec. 31. Riverside Drive, New York, N.Y . 10027. 111. 60432. Write Box 517, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133 or phone (513) 393-4120 . " THE VELVET SOUNDS OF DICK ELECTRONIC ORGAN KITS, KEY SM ITH," pure theatre organ especially for BOARDS and many compon ents . Indep en WICKS Electric action pipe organ, beautiful Tibia lovers . 3/10 Wurlitzer . Stereo LP. dent and divider tone generators . All diode cabinet with 224 pipes, 2 manual, 32 foot $5 .50 Postpaid . Doug Christensen, 301 W. keying . I.C. circuitry. Build any typ e or size pedals, detached console, motor and blower, Goebel Dr ., Lombard, Ill. 60148. organ desired. Supplement your Artisan $3,000 .00. 4111 West 220 Street, Fairview Organ . 25 cents for catalog . DEVTRONIX Park, Ohio 44126, (216) 331-3444. SETTING A NEW STANDARD for theatre ORGAN PRODUCTS , Dept. F, 5872 Ama organ recording, "Out Of A Dream", Lyn pola Dr ., San Jose, Calif . 95129 . Wurlit zer Chrysoglott, Xylophone and Larsen at the T homaston Opera House 3/10 Glockenspiel without actions . Mallets are Marr & Colton . $5 pp ALLEN ASSO F-7 Brenograph, complete, original equip available . Also Spencer 8" turbine and CIATES, 5 South Street, Plymouth, CT . ment, excellent condition. P.O . Box 2329. Wurlit zer Side Man . Contact E. Lienemann , 06782. Liv o nia, M ich igan 48150. 807A Prince Ave., Goldsboro, N.C. 27530. SERVICE Geneva 3/18 with Harp and Chimes . Also WURLITZER 2M/6R Double Touch. Has Wurlit zer Xylophone, Orchestra Bells. Chrysoglott, 25-note Chime action wired for PAUL SOBUS PIANO SERVICE , Tuning $10,000.00 buys it al I. Organ re leath ered 7 ranks, toy box, and other extras. Fair and rebuilding; Player pianos and antique and playing. H. McCord , 1214 Webster condition . Best offer . Howard Ouait, Grove instruments . Mount Airy, Md . 21771, (301) Street, Corinth, Mississippi 38834. land, N. Y. 14462 . 829-0656 . Wurlit zer 2-7 Special from Rockland T he THEATRE ORGANS AND PARTS: Barton MISCELLANEOUS 2/7; United States 3/10; Wurlit zer, Kimball, atre, restored by Wuestefeld ready to move. Gottfried parts - pipe w ork, chests, relay, Full toy counter and Chimes, tuned Bells, Still available in Music shops - Volume 1 broken set Brass Trumpet, console, blower. etc . Price $6,000.00 firm - Remote piano and 2. "Introductions, Breaks, Fill-ins and Write for list: Roy Davis, Rt . 9, McMinn presets also. Article in THEATER ORGAN Endings " by Esther Higgins - Published by ville, Tn . 37110, (615) 668 -4396. 1960 about this organ and Ray Bohr, Write Hansens. Good teaching material. for reprint . L.A. Warner - P.O. Box 3099 - Waterbury, Conn. 06705, (203) 756- 7839 ATTRACTIVE PR INT ING of folder about 3/11 GRANDE BARTON with Post Horn. or (203) 393-3913 Nights . your home pipe organ: specs, history, Top condition, easy to dismantle. Now picture - whatever you want . A nice " sou playing nightly at the Virginia Theatre in venir " to give to visitors and friends. Write Ale xandria, Va. $15,000. For additional RECORDS for description to Chr is Gundlach, 719 information call or write Woody Wise, P.O. ALL -TIME BEST-SELLER RECORD ING - Vine, Ironton, Ohio 45638 . Box 470 , Beverly Hills, Ca. 9021 0. (213) "Big, Bold & Billy" Billy Nalle, LIU Wur 278-2992. litzer. From major retailers or send $5 .50 WANTED directly to Billy Nalle, 100 La Salle St., New 200 Used Grand Pianos and 500 Organs of York 10027 . Also available postpaid : Na lie Three Manual Theatre Conn Organ, used or all makes for Home, Theatre, and Church. album only (Reader's Digest) $4 .50 ; Wizard floor sample . Emory G. Johnson, 2216 Piano and Organ Technicians wanted . Victor of Organ (Concert Recording) $5 .00; Bi ll y! Wynnewood Circle, Louisville, Ky . 40222, Pianos and Organs, 300 N. W. 54 St., Miami, (Mirrosonic) $5.50; " All The Things You (502) 425-1130 after 6 P.M. Florida U.S.A. (305) 751 -7502 . Are " ala Bach (WLP Prestige Series best seller) $1 .65 . Coming.. . l <~ ,~ d West Coast Organ Buffs Take Note : Perfle x E, 48" wide, $4 .50 per yard . P.V .C.-E Glue, Brookline, Pa. 3/24 Kimball silenced by ..THE NOTE-ABLE NINETEENTH" $1.25 for 8 oz. and larger quantities. I nfor flood . For only Stereo recording available on mation sent on request. Crome Organ Com this once-lush Theatre Pipe organ, Send _ ~ 1974 ~ NATIONAL CONVENTION • pany, 2049 N. Marianna Ave ., Los Angeles, $5 .50 to Dean Robinson , Severne Road, c._J DETROI T - JULY 11 -15 Calif. 90032, Phone: (213) 222-7078 . Himrod, N.Y. 14842 . D E CE M BER, 1 97 3 THEATRE OR GAN 63 ..'""'·-· ...., THE OLYMPIC featuring Rodgers authentic ensemble of theatre voices . r\AKlflGDlAUTIFUL r\Uf ICTOGlTHlQ! ORGAN COMPANY Hillsboro, Oregon 97123