"My sister wore her hair in flats Illn most issues of THEATRE around her head with a huge dog­ ORGAN magazine, I read fas- cinating biographies of former HARK! ear bow of ribbon, fastened at the back. She wore an especially-made theatre organists, and very often, pink dress, made of the latest ma­ mention is made of someone with terial, decorated in pink rosebuds. whom I have worked or been associ­ She wore high-top, black buttoned ated. During the 1972 ATOS Con­ Ten shoes. Today, she wouldn't be caught vention in the Potomac Valley area, dead in such an outfit! I wore a dark there were many of my friends and Thousandblue suit with knee pants, white former associates there, and some shirt, and a large bow tie which whom I had not met previously but stuck out so far I could hardly see who approached me and said, 'Well, Vox the piano keys! Billy Barnes! I've often wondered "To get to Hanestown, we went in whatever happened to you! What a Model T Ford, owned by my teach­ have you been doing all these years? Humanas er's daughter, and replete with You look just as you always did.' "Of course, that was the remark isinglass curtains. We were cramped like sardines as there were others who which impressed me most. After a • went along. To top it off, it poured lot of explanation, many of them rain! There weren't too many paved said, 'Why don't you write up all of roads, and the car was covered with this for the ATOS magazine?' So, THE mud by the time we arrived at the having given it a lot of thought and with a lot of urging from my friend recital hall. BlLLYBARNES "The program included other and ATOS member Wallace W. students in the area, and the teacher Baumann, a native of Knoxville, STORY thought the event would boost her Ten., I'm going to tell you in my reputation, but after hearing us, own way what a wonderful life I've I have my doubts! My sister and I had as an organist for over SOyears. • Transcribed played 'Pure As Snow,' the teacher I've had opportunities thrown my and edited sitting beside the piano, counting way (and a few eggs, I may add!), by time with a stick. However, that have met people and visited places I Lloyd E. Klos recital was my undoing, for that would never have enjoyed had I not night, I realized I was a ham, and been an organist. come what may, vowed to be a mu­ "There is no better place to start sician. The taste of the applause than my home town of Winston­ was too great and it was like a shot Salem, North Carolina, where I in the arm. landed into the world on September "It wasn't long after this that my 11, 1906 in a most unmusical family. teacher turned me over to her son However, after I had gained some who had returned home to live. He modicum of success, my mother was an excellent pianist and or­ claimed that my talent came from ganist, having studied with a fine her side of the family, while my English organist - strictly classical father insisted it came from his side! and church. But he soon found that Be that as it may, I'm glad I received I was not one to confine myself to it from one side or the other! one type of music. "When my sister was nine, my "Meanwhile, we moved to a house father bought her a piano. I was five which was on a corner where the then and from the beginning, I was streetcars stopped to unload the obsessed with the idea of learning local baseball players, and I soon to play it. After my sister had lessons found I could work a gimmick. Our for about a year, her teacher decided parlor, which housed the piano, to give me a try. It was no time at all had a window, almost at ground before the teacher realized I had level. As the ball players walked some talent and, although my father past this window enroute to and discouraged the idea, I was allowed from the ball park, I timed my prac­ to continue the lessons. tice periods, playing loud when they "Never will I forget my first recital, came by. They stopped to listen, a duet with my sister which was held and eventually I got free passes to in a small schoolhouse in Hanes­ the ball games. town, 12 miles from Winston-Salem. "Some of the players would come The preparation for, and the trans­ into the house so I could play their portation to, the recital still are the favorite numbers. One was an ex­ basis of great merriment in our In the fifties, Billy spent several years touring the pert on the harmonica, and we played family. I was six then. Sheraton Hotel circuit . (Barnes coll ./ 29 DEC.1975-JAN.1976 THEATRE ORGAN duets. This was a lot of fun! How we roll, playing the 'Barcarolle' from Picture Library which consisted of used to go to town on some of those The Tales of Hoffman for every hurries, agitatos, mysteriosos, love old-time tunes! scene, over and over and over! But themes - something for every mood. "I began hanging around the hearing the pianists was an inspi­ The names of Zamecnik; Berge; sheet music counters in the five­ ration for me to practice. I felt sure Savino (who also wrote under the and-ten-cent stores, and listened to that is what I wanted to do, having name of Onivas - Savino spelled the girl pianists demonstrate the visions of the kids' envy at school backward); Lutz, whose son is still latest songs. I guess they felt sorry because I'd get to see all the movies carrying on in the music business; for me, looking so longingly at the free. Gabrielle Marie, a French Com­ piano, for eventually they let me sit "So after meeting the afore­ poser; plus others, were on every in. mentioned pianist, she allowed me cue sheet. "My first job in music was at to sub for her. She had one room "When this music was being used, Woolworth's behind the music fixed up backstage where she could I was playing piano during the last counter. I'd go there after school and relax during her breaks. I found out year of grammar school, and the play until 6 p.m., and all day on that when I'd relieve her, she'd go first two years of high school, and Saturday. The pay was $3.50 a week to her room and instead of taking a all this time, continuing with piano which was a huge amount to me nap, she'd take a nip - or two. lessons. It wasn't long after taking then. With my first week's pay, I Many times, I'd have to get her back over for my nipping friend, I got a bought my mother a dozen red roses, on the job when my stint was over. better job at a vaudeville theatre and spent the rest of it on chocolate­ Ironically, the management found in town which ran five acts on a covered cherries, on which I became out what was happening, fired her, three-day run. There was a small ill. I never have looked at another and gave me the job. He would have orchestra which played the vaude­ chocolate-covered cherry since! found out earlier if there hadn't ville and part of the picture, and "None of the motion picture been a long curtain between pianist then I'd relieve them. The music was houses in Winston-Salem had an and audience. put in front of me and I had to play organ then, but used a feature piano "If memory serves correctly, some it - wonderful sight-reading ex­ player and an assistant. After my of the pictures I played were Polly of perience. Again, I had to sit in many success at Woolworth's, I decided to the Circus with Mae Marsh (1917); times for the orchestra pianist who get into the movie-playing business. Orphans of the Storm with Dorothy was also a nipper! I used to go to the Saturday evening and Lillian Gish (1922); Way Down "I made many friends who were shows at one theatre which had oc­ East with Richard Barthelmess and in vaudeville and who have become casional stage reviews, and sit be­ Lillian Gish (1920), and vamp pic­ famous names on radio, TV and hind the woman who played, doing tures with Louise Glaum and Theda records. The vaudeville in this part this before the Woolworth job, but Bara. The Birth of a Nation (1915) of the country was booked out of when working, spent my lunch hours was presented as a road show with its the Keith office in New York by and Saturday supper breaks at the traveling orchestra, but later releases Jules Delmar. Hence, tours were theatre. I became acquainted with were played by the pit pianist. I have called The Delmar Time. Delmar the pianist, remembering her name often wondered if they realized what was married to a performer, Jean­ well, but for reasons coming up, they had started by using 'The Per­ nette Hackett, and in the late twen­ prefer to keep it to myself. Let me fect Song' in this picture as a love ties, the two produced a marvelous digress a moment. theme, which everyone in later years Broadway show called Delmar's "When I was a youngster, the credited to Amos 'n' Andy. (Organ­ Revels which starred Patsy Kelly, movies were in their infancy, and I ists Dean Fossler and Gaylord Carter Bert Lahr and others on their way do mean 'infancy.' The first movie played it on radio.) to success. I remember was presented in a place "Few persons realize the excellent "The Lincoln Theatre had been with no roof, but had an enclosure music which was used in the scores built in Winston-Salem in which on three sides with the screen in of many of the movies in those days. was installed a one-manual Wur­ front, no doubt a forerunner of the The Tschaikowsky 'Humoresque' litzer player organ with traps and drive-in movie. We sat on rough, was used as a theme in Way Down pedals. I used to walk three miles backless benches to watch the flick­ East for the two old women's gossip­ to this theatre in the early morning ers thrown onto the white screen. ing scene. Incidentally, when in before school, two or three times a And they were really flickers! The Richmond, Va., recently, I was in a week, to learn all I could about this characters jumped around as if they music store and heard a recording instrument. I thought it just great - were on a hot stove. The entire of this fine piece of music being the living end! presentation was such an apparition played on a high-ft, which I hadn't "During my summer vacation, that it scared me to death and I had heard since I played it for the pic­ after my second year in high school, to be taken from the theatre, (If it ture. 'The Raindrop Prelude' and when I had an offer to play the organ could be called that!). I sure wish I the overture to the third act of Lo­ in the Strand Theatre in Ashville, knew what that movie was. It's prob­ hengrin were used in the Four Horse­ N. Car., I at least knew how to turn ably being shown today as a classic. men of the Apocalypse, starring one on and had a pretty good idea of "Later, the movie theatres began Rudolph Valentino. how to cue a movie. Also, the 450- using player pianos, in some places "One of the first things a pianist seat Broadway Theatre in Winston­ as a relief for the feature pianists, did after being hired for a movie Salem had installed a Wurlitzer and how well I remember the piano house was to purchase the Belwin 105 on which I practiced before ac-

30 THEATRE ORGAN DEC.1975-JAN.1976 cepting the Ashville job. The Rustle of Silk (1923). (About schooling in Richmond. One factor "When the organ was installed in 1953 while playing the Sheraton was the opportunity to study with a the Broadway Theatre, an organist, Hotel chain, I met Betty Compson fine organist, Flaxington Harker of Mrs. Grant E. Lynn, was brought in and told her of my playing this pic­ St. Paul's Episcopal Church. He is from Washington. She and her hus­ ture. She laughed heartily and said still remembered for his fine com­ band were organists in the Earle 'You must have been a babe in position 'How Beautiful Upon the Theatre in the nation's capital, and arms!' I mentioned the coat, trimmed Mountains' which is from one of Mrs. Lynn played the opening of with fox fur which she wore in the his Christmas cantatas. this fine theatre organ. I learned a movie, and she explained that it was "Harker was interested in running lot from her in the short time she was her's, not the wardrobe depart­ an academic school as well as an in Winston-Salem. A short time ment's. Betty was connected with organ school and that was just what later, a theatre in Salisbury, N. Car., the House of Hollywood Cosmetics I was looking for. I could learn and installed a larger organ and Mr. and and she looked wonderful. She was play at the same time. He was a very Mrs. Lynn went to live there per­ very kind and invited me to spend fine man and I learned a lot from manently. some time in Hollywood with her him, but unfortunately, his academic "In mentioning Washington's mother and her). school was not successful. Earle Theatre, I am reminded of the "Before going to my next job, I "After a week at the Class B Isis 1922 disaster, five blocks away, at had a few days free during which I Theatre in Richmond, I was sent to the Knickerbocker Theatre, one of visited a very fine pianist whom I the beautiful 1500-seat Colonial the finest theatres in the country, knew, Joe King, of Terre Haute, Theatre, a very plush movie house. with a large orchestra and a tre­ Ind. Joe in later years became a the­ Marion Davies, Buddy Rogers, mendous organ. There was a big atre organist, but at that time, was Richard Arlen, Louise Brooks and all snowfall which deposited tons of playing piano in the Indiana Theatre the wonderful stars from the Para­ the white stuff on the roof. The or­ in Terre Haute. Also, I visited two mount Acting School paraded across ganist came in to relieve the orches­ movie theatres having organs which the screen in those days to my ac­ tra, and the vibration of the rum­ increased my desire to be a theatre companiment. We had an orchestra bling bass notes caused the roof organist. and a two-manual Robert Morton, to collapse. There were 98 killed, "About the end of my summer made by Wicks. 133 injured and both architect and vacation in Ashville, I had an offer "Richmond was a unique theatre owner took their lives. from the Mason-Stallings Theatre town. Within two blocks on one "Upon my arrival in Ashville, I Co. in Kinston, N. Car. The salary side of Broad Street, there were rented a room in the home of a prom­ was better - $35 a week, which seven movie houses, including the inent family who somewhat took me looked wonderful to me, so I took it. Colonial and the 1500-seat National. under their wing, and a good thing, The picture I opened at the fine Across the street, there were two too, because , three weeks later, I two-manual Robert Morton was others, a legitimate house, the Acad­ came down with the mumps, which Peter Pan (1925) with Betty Bronson emy, and a vaudeville theatre, the gives you a good idea how young I and Ernest Torrence. (I understand Lyric, which went to pictures and was to be traveling and considering that Betty married and lives in Ash­ installed a Marr & Colton organ. I myself a full-fledged theatre organ­ ville). During my one-month tenure was at the Colonial a short time ist. But, I had some good fortune, in Kinston, I helped produce and act when Bernstein sent me to the Na­ also. After a week at the Strand, I in a local stage show for one whom tional. To me, so impressionable at was transferred to the Imperial The­ I'll never forget - Marie Davenport. that age, this was the greatest! There atre where there was a two-manual "School days were iminent when I was an orchestra with Bert Hollo­ Robert Morton, built by Wicks. I received an offer from Richmond, well as conductor and a very fine worked with a very fine English or­ Va., at more pay, which was a major two-manual Robert Morton with an ganist by the name of Alderson, who inducement. My boss in Kinston echo division. I can honestly say was also the organist at the Grove was so reluctant to see me leave that that this was one of the most beauti­ Park Inn which had a big four­ he refused to pay my last two weeks' fully voiced organs I ever heard. manual concert organ. This I never salary. In those days, one could not "Greta Garbo and John Gilbert got a chance to play, because Alder­ appeal to the union for there was were making movies in those days. son guarded it with his life. But, none in small towns. I borrowed The National also had stage attrac­ the organ in the Imperial had the the money for train fare from a tions and one of the popular groups slowest action I ever experienced. friend, promised to send the board booked was Fred Waring and His We often joked that we could play a money to the lady where I stayed, Pennsylvanians. This was real enter­ piece, walk to the back of the the­ and was on my way. The money was tainment. The orchestra played the atre and hear it! soon paid to both persons. overture, the organist a solo. People "One of the pictures which stands "The theatres in which I were to came in evening clothes, the show out in my mind during that engage­ play in Richmond were owned by started at a special time, and no one ment was The Painted Lady (1924) Jake Wells who also owned the local was seated during the performance. with Dorothy MacKail and George baseball team, and his general man­ Popcorn, chewing gum and candy O'Brien. I understand Dorothy is ager was Harry Bernstein. It took were not sold. retired and lives in Honolulu. Also, a lot of persuading to get my parents' "There were a couple of intimate, I remember Betty Compson, Anna permission to continue playing in family-owned theatres in Richmond. Q. Nielsen and Mahlon Hamilton in the theatre, and to continue my One of them, the 600-seat Brook-

DEC. 1975- JAN. 1976 THEATRE ORGAN 31 land, a neighborhood house, had a What stage shows! What nightclubs! if our names were listed in order of fine three-manual Wurlitzer. This What speakeasies! What theatres! importance, I'd be at the bottom of was the envy of all us downtown And what theatre organs! the above list. It was usually my organists, for not only was the or­ "Before arriving in New York, I duty to play the last show after I gan tops, but it was played by a had planned a certain strategy. After was given the job as assistant organ­ splendid organist who became a a couple days in my friend's home in ist. favorite in that area, Carl Rond. He Mamaroneck, I ventured into the "While I was at the Paramount, has long since passed on. big city. The Wurlitzer Organ Com­ Mr. and Mrs. Crawford vacationed "It was in the middle twenties pany's building on 42nd Street had in Florida and Sigmund Krumgold that the 750-seat Capitol Theatre a small theatre with a two-manual took over the solo spot. He featured a was built in Richmond, a beautiful organ in it. They held auditions, and remarkable organ transcription of neighborhood house with a two­ the man in charge of this was named Mendelsohn's "Rondo Capricioso." manual Robert Morton. I was of­ Hunnekus. I forgot his first name, This was a novel experience for the fered the job there at more money but years later, entertained him and Paramount audiences, and to prove and again abetted myself financially. his bride in Berlin on their honey­ how much it was enjoyed, Variety I recall playing The Scarlet Letter moon. With fear and trembling, I gave Krumgold a sensational write­ (1926) with Lillian Gish and Lars went to see him. He was most kind up, and he deserved it! Soon after, Hanson. Later, I would live in the and asked me to return the next day Mr. Krumgold was no longer at the same house, Woodlodge, in Mamar­ to play for the man who was in Paramount. oneck, N.Y., where the Gish sisters charge of hiring organists for a large "One of the most impressive had lived when they were making chain of theatres. I had no idea who things Mr. and Mrs. Crawford did Orphans of the Storm for D.W. Grif­ he could be. while I was there was a tribute to fith at his studio on Travers Island. "However, the next day, I returned the Metropolitan Opera. Slides "When I was playing in Rich­ and met Morris Press who audi­ were shown, giving brief descrip­ mond, there was in another theatre tioned organists for Paramount­ tions of an Opera while they played there a fine organist, exceptional in Publix. After hearing me, he asked excerpts from the score, ending accompanying movies, but very if I ever played the organ 'across it with "The Pilgrims' Chorus" eccentric. (In this field, one met the the street,' as he put it. I questioned from Tannhaeuser, with Mrs. Craw­ unusual and eccentric as well as him about it and he said he was re­ ford doing the rhythmic work on some very fine people). A friend of ferring to the organ in the Para­ her console and Mr. Crawford play­ Francis X. Bushman, he had started mount, the Queen Mother of all ing the tremendous melody line on years before when Vitagraph 's Wurlitzers! This was almost un­ the main console. It was just the studios were in Jacksonville, Fla. believable! I was to go to the theatre greatest! When a coming movie was announc­ and practice a few days to acquaint ed, he'd ask for the stills from the myself with the instrument. "John Murray Anderson produced picture and would practice forweeks, "During this period, I played the glorious stage presentations in studying the makeup of the leading silent movies at the Rialto Theatre those years which were nothing short lady! When he played the movie at the corner of 42nd Street and of sensational. How one man could (and this is the truth!), he never sat Broadway. The 1960-seat Rialto think of so many ideas for each at the console unless he was made was still a fine movie house in spite week's show, I'II never understand. up as near as possible to the lead­ of the competition with the Para­ Not only was there an orchestra in ing lady! mount, Roxy and Capitol. The or­ the pit, but there was a stage band, "In later years, this organist did chestra there was directed by Joseph directed by Lou Kosloff until Paul an act, using hats and wigs similar to Littau and the organ was a 3/ 15 Ash came from Chicago to lead it. the leading ladies in the movies he Wurlitzer. One of the ushers was Those were the days of real theatre. played: Mary Pickford with the curls, Robert Weitman who is now one of "Pauline Alpert, the wonderful Norma Talmadge and her extensive the biggest names in the motion pianist (heard on so many player makeup, etc. He'd play the themes picture industry, having his own piano roIIs) was featured in a stage from the movies and reach over to production company on the West presentation at the Paramount don wigs or hats! Coast. A feIIow organist was Tom which was caIIed The Phantom "Every organist's dream was to get Borsa who was a fine musician and Piano. The instrument was sus­ to New York. We all read the writ­ whose name I've never seen men­ pended by cables and covered with ings about the glorious Paramount tioned in the magazines. aluminum paint. With all the house with the Crawfords, Milton Charles "After the last show at the Rialto, lights out, the effect was just fan­ in Chicago and countless others. But I would go to the Paramount for a tastic! Pauline wore gloves, covered New York beckoned to me. I had midnight practice period. Several with the same material. Once, a met a woman who lived there and times, Mr. Crawford would be prac­ tragedy almost occured when a who was a great encouragement ticing, which meant I'd get up early cable broke! Fortunately, the others to me. So it was arranged that I the next morning for my sessions. held. should give up my position in Rich­ There were Mr. and Mrs. Jesse "I should make mention of the mond and visit her, pending my Crawford as featured organists; fabulous 4/21 Wurlitzer which was landing an engagement. The young Sigmund Krumgold, an excellent installed on the ninth floor of the people nowadays can't imagine the organist and musician, played the Paramount Building for practice, glamour in New York in those years! movies; and Egon Putz. I suppose recording and broadcasting. It was

32 THEATRE ORGAN DEC. 1975- JAN. 1976 an unusual installation. The two the first musical Bing Crosby was in. theatres - one downstairs and one consoles were strictly skeletons; Many of the first talking pictures upstairs. When I played Loew's there was no wood work around the were produced in the Paramount State, there was a theatre building manuals, and you could see all the Studios in Astoria, Long Island. like this between 44th and 45th innards. But, it was a fabulous and ''While at the State Theatre, I streets called Loew's New Yorker. wonderful experience to hear this broadcast on WP AP and WHN. On Upstairs, Mr. Ernest Lutz and his organ. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford Sundays, deviating from the popular assistant, Carl Von Lawrence cued practiced their duets there. music, I usually had a guest artist. all the music for the pictures run in "By the end of the twenties, the One broadcast I remember had Loew's theatres. There was also a talkies were making inroads in the Beatrice Posamanick, a concert conference room for meetings with movie business and great changes pianist, and we did the Grieg A­ the chain's organists. One can't were taking place. Orchestras were Minor Concerto. I played the or­ envision the acres and acres of music being let out, and organists were chestra score on the organ while which were stored in stacks in Mr. either good enough to be soloists, whe did the piano solo part. A very Lutz's department, requiring a lad­ or were called only when the theatre popular composition then was der to reach some of it. But it was so needed background music for short 'Rhapsody in Blue.' Variety was wonderfully arranged and indexed subjects. Luckily for me, I was of­ very kind to me, saying that 'the that they could get any piece within a fered the soloist spot at the 3327- organ in the State Theatre has seen couple minutes. I've often wondered seat Loew's State Theatre, a top a lot of usage, but this fellow, Billy what happened to this immense vaudeville and picture house on Barnes, is certainly something of collection of music. It astounded the Broadway. This was in 1928. a pip, and we all enjoy him.' imagination!" "Before I went into the State, "About this time, rumor was that In the December 1928 copy of Loew's had an emergency in Harris­ Earl Carroll was going to produce a Around the Town, published in New burg, Pa., and I was sent with great Vanities show with seven organ con­ York and Chicago, appeared the ballyhoo to the 1600-seat Regent soles in a spectacular scene on the following: "Bill Barnes, one of the Theatre. I played a 2/7 Wurlitzer stage. If this had been in the days of youngest organists in the country, for a 3-week special showing of the electronic instruments, this is featured at the Loew's State The­ Ramona with Dolores Del Rio, and rumor might have had more foun­ atre in New York. Barnes plays only I'll never forget the party the stage dation. However, every organist on restricted, high-class numbers, has manager gave me the night before I Broadway had visions of appearing personality and is a great artist. He left. There was everything possible in Carroll's Vanities at one of these and 'Skeet' Haithcox have recently to eat and too much to drink. But the consoles. Maybe that well-known composed a number titled 'Drifting thing which stands out at this ban­ over-the-door slogan might have Along.' The piece is handled by the quet (and that's what it should be been changed to 'Thru These Portals Clarence Williams Publishing Co. called) was the limburger cheese Pass the Most Wonderful Organ­ and will soon be released." and German rye bread they have in ists in the World,' instead of 'Thru "In those days, pipe organs in the Pennsylvania. It was really wonder­ These Portals Pass the Most Beauti­ homes of the wealthy were status ful! ful Girls in the World.' But like so symbols. Through one of the Rialto "Loew's State in New York had a many Broadway rumors, this was musicians, I made contact with four-manual Moller which wasn't only a dream. There were plenty of William K. Vanderbilt who had a bad. Very few people realize that organists who applied, including three-manual Aeolian player organ Moller, Kimball and several of the myself. in his Mediterranean-style villa in present church organ manufacturers "At this point, I believe credit Greenlawn, Long Island. He agreed had built very good theatre organs. should be given to several organists to let me synchronize my theatre In turn, Wurlitzer made some good who did so much for the silent movie work with playing in his home, but church organs. There was a pit or­ and theatre business in New York sometimes I had to engage a sub­ chestra for vaudeville in the State, who have rarely been mentioned in situte for the theatre. I'd take the conducted by a fine musicain, Ruby these pages. At Loew's Lexington Long Island Railroad to Greenlawn, Zwerling. The organ was played for was the excellent Marsh McCurdy. where a chauffer drove me to the the solo spots and with the orchestra He came from Chicago, eventually home. I'd play, then the process was for the overtures. returning there and has passed away. reversed. This was wonderful ex­ "During those years, Remick George H. Latsch had a fine repu­ perience, and made possible only Music Co. employed Cliff Hess, who tation in the New York area. At one because of my theatre work and a was a master of writing special of the small uptown theatres, there great love of what I was doing. The material. (I wish I had some of the was Bess Shugart, a fine musician home is now a museum and the clever slide solos he made for me, who in later years became a good lawns and gardens are a public but they were all smashed in ship­ church organist. Fred Feibel was at park. ping). Cliff did a lot for organists, the Rivoli, Arlo Hults at a theatre in "In 1929, a friend who had great had time to listen to our complaints Long Island and John Gart, an ex­ success in Australia as a singer, etc. When the movie producers cellent musician and arranger, was invited me to visit his family in started making 2-reel shorts and playing in Loew's Metropolitan. England. I arranged a leave of most of the musicals, more and more "It is very interesting to me that absence from the State Theatre to of Cliffs time was taken by this may of the big theatres are being make the trip. Rose Diamond fol­ work. If I'm not mistaken, he wrote 'modernized' and made into double lowed me into the State, being a

DEC. 1975 - JAN. 1976 THEATRE ORGAN 33 friend of Ruby Zwerling, the musical It was in Berlin where I found the the two-manual Wurlitzer, Opus director. Since I was an employee pot at the end of the rainbow. Walter 2019, in the Ufa Palast Am Zoo. of Loew's , I had access to their office Pierce, who had the Wurlitzer fran­ The Ufa was Berlin's leading moving in London. The personnel there saw chise for all Europe, I'd hoped to picture palace with an orchestra, that I had a wonderful time, and I meet in London , but luckily met in organ, stage shows, etc. When the was invited to play the famous Berlin. He made me an offer to re­ organ was installed, the theatre gave Empire Theatre's four-manual main in Berlin which was too good to a series of Sunday concerts, fea­ Wurlitzer in Leicester Square. turn down. On the Unter den Lin­ turing the organ (or 'orgel' as it is ("At the 1972 ATOS Convention, den, between the famous Adlon and called in Germany), the orchestra many of us went to Miller & Rhodes' Bristol hotels, was a small, unique, and great artists. For one concert, Tea Room in Richmond to hear but beautiful cinema, Die Kamera, the entire program was turned over Eddie Weaver play. There was a which Wurlitzer used as a show­ to a fine pianist, Adam Gelbtrunk, party of about 14, seated near us, case. Installed was a two-manual and myself at the organ. We did the who were from England. I made my­ Wurlitzer, Opus 2015, and every­ 'Hungarian Fantasia' by Liszt, the self known to them, and learned that thing about it was excellent . This Greig 'A-Minor Concerto' and the Leicester Square Wurlitzer I had was still a silent movie house which 'Rhapsody in Blue,' among others. played 43 years previously is now in we'd call a 'classic cinema.' Pierce The program was well received. the home of Len Rawle, son of one sold a number of organs as the result ("Moving to Paris during those of the English couples present.) of Die Kamera's installation. fatal years in Germany, Adam "Being in England was just great. "During these years, Berlin was a changed his name to Adam Garner, My friend had a place adjoining glorious city. It was full of enter­ where he organized the First Piano the estate of the Duke of Northum­ tainers from every country, and there Quartet which came to the United berland. It was June, and the beauty were many innovations introduced States and was featured on radio, of those English gardens is impos­ into the night clubs and theatres records and tours for more than 30 sible to describe. While in London, I at that time. The Femina Restaurant years. Adam and I remained close had an offer to work for B. Feldman and Nightclub was the first to have friends until his death in 1970). and his music publishing house be­ telephones from table to table. The "When I first went to Berlin, cause of my showing him some of my 'ladies of the evening' could all be Walter Pierce was in the process of compositions. I have often wondered identified by their white fox fur installing a four-manual Wurlitzer what the years would have brought pieces; that is, the better breed ladies in the home of a very fine gentleman, had I accepted the position. of the evening. Know what I mean? Werner Von Siemens, one of Ger­ "Subsequently, I went to Paris. "I was in Berlin awhile before re­ many's leading industrialists. The There was some talk of my playing turning to the United States to play Siemens family were very charming, the organ in the Gaumont Palace for my sister's wedding. Then, I got entertained lavishly, and at their Theatre, but this didn't materialize. a cable to return to Berlin to open home, I seem to have met everyone of importance who visited Europe. I Billy Barnes and Adam Gelbtrunk (L) check score for con cert in the Ufa -Palast Am Zoo in Berlin . Gelbtrunk played there often for teas, musicales later changed his name to "Garner " and organized the First Piano Quartet which acquired nationwide fame through tours , records etc . The organ here was a Wurlitzer style 200 special. (Barnes coll./ and all types of events. The ha11 in which the organ was located was an addition which Siemens had built to his already spacious mansion. I asked his 16-year-old son how large the house was. His reply was, 'We live in only 30 rooms unle~s we're entertaining.' "The organ console sat on a plat­ form at the rear wall of the concert hall. On either side of the console were four concert grand pianos, one a Steinway and one a Beckstein with single keyboards and the others a Steinway and a Beckstein, both with multiple keyboards, a Moore invention. Having an organ in one's home is a luxury, but imagine having two! In the drawing room, there was a two-manual Christie, and I rather looked down my nose at that! "The pipes for the Wurlitzer were housed in four rooms, two on either side of the console and rising two stories. This organ was severely damaged by fire in July 1962 and was rebuilt by Pfc. Marvin Merchant, a

DEC. 1975-JAN. 1976 GI stationed in Germany. (See THE­ God rest their souls, were great complaint from neighbors about the ATRE ORGAN, Summer 1964) friends of the organists. Harry and dust. Also, the demolition crew was If Mr. Merchant reads this, he will a group of us organists formed the asked to save the mural. After climb­ be interested to know I was the first Noonday Club, signing a charter ing into the rafters and probing with person to play the organ after in­ which hung in his office. a chisel, the wrecker said that the stallation. "Harry made a specialty of col­ mural could not be saved because "Herr von Siemens was a fine lecting musical material and news, it was 'painted on the plaster.' How­ conductor and on occasion would and acting as a clearing house for ever, when the ruins were sprinkled lead the Berlin Philharmonic. There those organists seeking employment. to control the dust, the mural were many times when he would If you were out of a job or needed dropped to the ground, having been have the entire orchestra from Die music or slides, you could wire painted on canvas instead. It was Stadtz Opera at his home and con­ Harry. Ask him for 'Sand In My sent to an outstanding artist in duct a private concert for his friends. Shoes,' and he'd know you'd mean Washington who reconditioned it. "As all good things come to an 'Love Letters in the Sand.' One So the valuable and beautiful paint­ end, and the German Government day, Harry told me he had a call ing, depicting the people of Win­ would not extend my stay, I was from a Frank Boucher in Win­ chester appealing to George Wash­ invited by a friend in Austria, who chester, Va., who wanted an organist ington for food, was saved and wrote for the movies, to visit him as for the Capitol Theatre during the is now a tourist attraction of the he thought I'd have an opportunity Lenten Season. I had no desire to Shenandoah Valley. Thus, a part there. Through him, I secured an stay in New York and spend the of a once-beautiful theatre lives on.) offer to play the Apollo Cinema in money earned in Europe, so I went "While in Europe, I had con­ Vienna which had a two-manual to Winchester to see the organ. tinued my classical organ training Christie organ on an elevator. This "The 1000-seat theatre, operated under several fine teachers in Ger­ was strictly a solo position as the the­ by Warner Bros., and a dream of a many and Austria, so in Winchester atre showed sound films, one of showplace, had a two-manual Rob­ my classical training was put to good them a German version of The King ert Morton in excellent condition. use. I accepted a church job as or­ of Jazz with P~ul Whiteman. There (The theatre has been replaced by a ganist and choir director, opened was a stage band under Karl Kroll bank, and the beautiful hand painted my own music store, and had a class to accompany vaudeville acts, mildly mural which graces its back wall of pupils at the Berryville High resembling those at the New York once covered the proscenium arch School. There was no depression for Paramount. of the theatre. When the Capitol me! However, theatre business in "While in Vienna, the Kiba Film was being razed, there was a great the thirties was very bad and every Co. decided to convert the Johann Billy Barnes was the first organist to play this Wurlitzer 250 special in the Von Siemens home in Berlin. Later Strauss Theatre into a plush cinema, extensively damaged by fire, the console was restored by a G.I. stationed in Germany. (Barnes coll.) and I was chosen to play its Kilgen organ. The three-manual console was installed under the stage, and as it rose, the stage sections parted and the organist sat on a level with the stage band. After a month, the authorities would not permit me to ascend with the console for fear that the stage mechanism would fail and I'd be crushed to death. Having no desire to be called 'HAMburger Barnes,' I made my entrance from the wings. The refurbished theatre opened with Lillian Harvey, Willy Frisch, Conrad Veidt and a host of stars in Die Kongress Tanzt which was a great success and the organ brought much favorable comment. One magazine ran a story saying I came 'from the land of the tobacco plants in North Carolina!' "The thirties were precarious times to be in Germany or Austria and eventually I thought it wise to return to America. Upon arriving in New York, I found things very bad, musically. However, a new face had sprung up, working in the of­ fices of Shapiro-Bernstein, Harry Blair. Harry and his wife, Adele,

DEC. 1975-JAN. 1976 avenue of approach was tried to WROL, made some radio trans­ the music, service, and excellent improve conditions. criptions and did background music food, but also because of the hotel's "Warner Brothers had a man for a number of silent movie shorts proximity to the Great Smoky working out of their Washington for a man in Knoxville who had his Mountains. office, John Fernkoess. He, with own studio and did a lot of film ("When I was playing at the Hotel Tom Baldridge, the manager of the work for the Hollywood companies. Sheraton in Chicago in the fifties, Winchester Capitol, and I began "When I arrived in Knoxville, I was approached three times by a producing small stage presentations the Hotel Andrew Johnson was hav­ later manager of the hotel, Esmond which toured the Warner theatres ing money troubles and had been Braswell, strongly urging my return­ in the Shenandoah Valley. Tom and taken over by a New York bonding ing with the admonition that if I I would go to Reading, Pa., and company, Prudence Bonds. Luckily didn't the Johnson Hotel would be other cities where there were noted for me, they sent Harold Archer, a closed. I was under contract to dancing schools, and also to Balti­ trouble shooter, to manage the hotel. Sheraton and couldn't oblige Bras­ more and Washington, talking to I had lived in the New York hotel well. To my sorrow, it was closed, booking agents who might supply this man managed when I played and I always felt it my fault. At­ talent. It was remarkable the big Loew's State. He, his wife and I tempts have been made to refur­ names we hired for a 'song' in those became great friends. One night, bish the hotel to its former grandeur days. Among them were De Carlos my telephone rang and it was Archer, but to no avail). and Granada, the dance team who saying that Leslie Sefton, president ''In March 1942, I enlisted in the created the Carioca in the movie of Prudence Bonds, was in town Air Force, saying nothing in my FZving Down to Rio with Ginger and they wanted me to come to the enlistment papers about being a Rogers and Fred Astaire; Frank hotel for a talk. musician. But my first morning at Bernard and Marion Rich who had "They told me of tentative plans the induction center, I was sent for just returned from an engagement to open a new dining room, the by the captain whose girl friend had at the Follies Bergiere in Paris. project to evolve around my playing. been writing the scripts for a radio (I worked with Frank and Marion The idea was that I entertain as if program I had been doing. He as­ when I went to Hamburg, Germany, I were in my own home, informally signed me to a Special Services to open the Wurlitzer installed in greeting the guests, and in other group where I did the Easter Ser­ the UFA Theatre). words, doing a musical public re­ vices in post chapel, cooperated in "Our little stage shows were as­ lations job. Out of this idea grew two broadcasts for the induction sembled and rehearsed in the Acad­ the famous Johnson Hall dining center, and helped produce a show emy Theatre in Hagerstown, which room which was a success from the for the boys. After ten days, I was had a three-manual Moller. Then, start, not only for its beautiful decor, sent to Sheppard Field, Texas, for we'd open the revue at the Tivoli Theatre in Frederick, Md., having a Billy Barnes at the 3/14 Wurlitzer in the Tennessee Theatre , Knoxville . He played here betore and after his 2/ 8 Wurlitzer. (This organ was given army service in World War 11. / Barne s coll I a real workout in 1972 during the ATOS Convention with Hector Olivera knocking us all for a loop with his tremendous renditions. Fabulous!). I MC'd our stage shows from the organ console. When the revue hit the road after the Tivoli, I would leave it and Tom and I would start building another. John Fernkoess' help plus our idea saved the day. The theatres began running in the black for a change. "Eventually, the minister of the church where I was playing, got a call to go to Knoxville, Ten., and he asked me to go along as his organist and choir director. A few months later, I joined him and as luck would have it, they needed an organist across the street in the J984-seat Tennessee Theatre which had a 3/11 Wurlitzer on a lift. It was possible for me to start a church service or prayer meeting, run to the theatre, do my stint, and get back to the church before they could say 'Amen'. It took some minute timing! "I broadcast from the theatre on i 36 basic training. Transition School which was eventu­ I also played a year at the Hotel "I was there three days when they ally sent to the Aviation Cadet Alms. Just after finishing at the started casting for the first army Center in San Antonio where I re­ Alms, I was asked to sub for the show Three Dots With a Dash. mained until discharged. organist in a very beautiful suburban Jeanne Madden, formerly of the "Returning to Knoxville, I re­ eating place, just outside Cincinnati, movies, sang in the show. We used sumed my position with the Ten­ named Martinelli's. The owner two pianos, one on either side of the nessee Theatre, the hotel and the knew that his organist had some­ Service Club stage, played by Jimmy church. In 1949, the Sheraton Hotel thing else in mind, so on that first Rogers Kelley (of Paul Whiteman Corp. took over the Park Central night came to me and said: 'If you fame) and myself. There was a large Hotel in New York, renaming it want this job, you can have it the orchestra, many of whom later the Park Sheraton. Knowing Helen rest of your life.' joined the Glenn Miller Air Force and Stanley Melba who were book­ "It almost turned out that way. I Band, and a line of chorus girls. ing talent for Sheraton, I was asked was there twelve years! During this The show was written by A.E. Hotch­ to come with the first group of en­ time, I was teaching 46 organ pupils, ner, known as Eric to us, but later tertainers to the Mermaid Lounge. playing every night, Sundays in a became famous for his book on There were Cy Coleman of 'Hey, church and part-time on Sunday Ernest Hemingway. Eric was aided Look Me Over!' fame, the Dar­ afternoons and evenings at a Coun­ and abetted by a most capable GI, denelle Trio and myself. After a try Club, and still had my financial Bud Bankson. The show was a great short stint back in Knoxville, I re­ interest in the organ studios. Using success, touring Texas, Oklahoma turned to the Sheraton chain for my tried and true musical-public and other points in the Southwest. years of happy engagements which relations tactics, my job at Mar­ Much of the talent later went into included most of their hotels east of tinelli's was a joy and again I am Broadway productions. It was great Chicago: Providence, Boston, Syra­ sad to relate that not long after leav­ fun except when having to make an cuse, Rochester and Buffalo. Some ing the place, it was sold. The owners all-night jump from one city to of them I played three and four had phoned long-distance serveral another in a GI truck which was times: the shortest engagement times, saying that if I didn't return, more than a little rough. was six months and the longest two they'd have to close or sell. I hope "In Muskogee, Okla., we had a years each in the Chicago Sheraton this doesn't give the impression that novel experience. Arriving late one and Cincinnati's Sheraton Gibson. I'm bragging, but I believe it points Sunday evening, most of the troop The Sheraton in Worcester, Mass., out that an organist, playing in a attended the Methodist Church I played four times and the public public place, can be MORE than service. With the arrival of so many wanted to know why I didn't run just a musician. He can make it more soldiers, plus other members of the for mayor! than just a mere job. cast, the minister was a little 'shook "I was prepared to leave Cincin­ "I reluctantly left Martinelli's up,' anxious to know just who we nati for another engagement when a because I wanted to spend more time were, etc. After identifying our­ stock broker friend talked to me with my 94-year-old father and my selves, he turned the entire service about opening Hammond organ sister in Winston-Salem. Arriving over to us. We had a method in our studios there. We formed a partner­ there on July 9, 1971, I had a heart madness for we realized that after ship called Musicana Inc., and I attack one week later. Upon learning service, the calibre of food in their was named executive vice president. of the busy schedule I had been keep- homes would far exceed Army chow. When Billy played at the Sheraton Biltmore in Providence , R.I., his good friend , Roger Williams, stopped to We did this in several cities and are listen . Rather apropos, since another Roger Williams founded Rhode Island . (Barnes coll .I still grateful to those kind folk. "Returning to Sheppard Field, I was there only a short time before being sent to New York for six weeks to work with the Moss Hart pro­ duction Winged Victory. My princi­ pal duty was playing for rehearsals. This was a great experience and we were treated like kings. Returning to Sheppard, I entertained the Gl's using Hammonds and playing piano in the Service Club. (Lloyd Klos and I discovered while working on this article that we were there at the same time but didn't know each other.) The Service Club entertainment was first-rate with such people as Tony Matiin, Jeanette Mc Donald and tennis star Don Budge and others. "Then I was sent to Randolph Field where it was my duty to set up the office procedure for a Chaplain's

DEC. 1975 - JAN. 1976 ing, my doctor was surprised that it hadn't happened sooner. After 11 days in coronary care and a month in the hospital, I came out none the worse for the experience, but wiser about taking care of myself. Fortu­ nately, there was no permanent heart damage and I feel wonderful. Further, I believe I have a lot of good musical years ahead of me. "Thinking back to the silent movie era, there comes to mind a movie pianist in Richmond who used to insist that the great Paderew­ ski came often to his small theatre to hear him play the great pianist's Minuet. As I was young in those years, I believed him. However, I always felt that the silent movie player had to have a great 'under­ standing and feeling' between the artist in the film and the moods he was trying to portray to produce the music called for. The best movie musicians had to relive those scenes to play them effectively and no doubt reliving those characters week after week did have an effect on all of us. I trust mostly good effects. "The greatest thing which could Billy gives movie star Rod Cameron some pointers on playing an electronic . Cameron plays the piano well. be said of a silent movie player by (Barnes coll .) his listening public was 'he cued and played the picture so well that we they couldn't play a single selection pop singer; Clint Holmes and Com­ forgot he was there,' which was the without music. pany out of New York and Wash­ supreme compliment. It couldn't "It is wonderful what the ATOS ington; the Symphony Chorale, di­ be too loud, timing had to be per­ members have done to revive in­ rected by David Partington, and fect, and an endless repertoire was terest in the theatre organ. The myself. required, most of it from memory. enthusiasm I witnessed at the 1972 "I started the festivities in the The silent movie player could not be and 1974 ATOS conventions was hotel ballroom on an organ, later a distraction from the film. just wonderful. And, more and more going to another organ on the fourth­ "My present-day activities? There organists whom I know, who have level balcony, and then returned to have been numerous offers from never cared for theatre organ, are the ballroom. Over 2,000 tickets agents and others for me to play being won over to our side. How were sold, many from out of the engagements in other cities and fortunate for those people who have state, and there were those who came maybe I may again take such a job. these great instruments in their to me to say they had heard me in Fortunately, I invested my money homes! Chicago, Providence and Cincinnati. wisely (annuities, bonds, etc.) and "The latest thing I have done was So, I can assure you, that there is a really don't have to worry unless one of the greatest. The new Hyatt lot of pizzazz in the old boy yet! something drastic happens to our House Hotel in Winston-Salem had "I am sure that when any mem­ economic system. But 'once a ham, a formal opening, September 7, ber of the ATOS passes on to his always a ham,' so I'm sure the desire 1974 combined with a Symphony just rewards, he will find in the after­ to play will always be with me. Ball. The event was almost inde­ life streets paved with shiny bars "In 1972, I played the formal scribable in its grandeur but as one from Chrysoglotts, sidewalks paved opening of a 1uxury eating place in newspaper quoted me, 'It was like with Xylophone keys, a fanfare wel­ Winston-Salem but on the advice of Solomon's Temple and a Feast of come played on a hundred Post my doctor, did not extend the en­ the Baccanales'. Entertainment Horns and a heavenly chorus of gagement. Later, I played for the included the Winston-Salem Sym­ 10,000 Vox Humanas!" regional convention of the AGO phony, conducted by a most capable ATOS thanks Billy Barnes for on a souped-up Seville organ in the man, John Ieule; Les Elgart's Band this interesting and exciting account lobby of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in (in the Convention Center which of his life. Thanks also to Captain Knoxville, It was amazing the num­ connects with the hotel across the Erwin Young, Dr. Paul Abernethy ber of church organists who said street by an underground passage.); and his son for manning the tape they'd like to study theatre organ Larry Weiss, a fine pianist; Beverly recorder and capturing the story as ~ with me and many of them admitted Culbreath, outstanding opera and it was told. D

38 THEATRE ORGAN DEC. 1975 - JAN. 1976