A THEATRE ORGAN FEATURE BOBVAN CAMP PILOT of the MIGHTYMO by Ray Brubacher Photos by the Author

THEATRE ORGAN has carried in a past Upon entering Duke University at casually suggest that they could see the issue, a vivid and exciting description of the Durham, North Carolina, Bob soon dis­ remainder of the film following the stage forty-two rank Moller organ in the Fox The­ atre, Atlanta, Georgia. Concert Recordings of covered that the campus student theatre show broadcast. Mr. Whiteman com­ Lynwood, California, is now in the process of had a three-manual, ten-rank Wurlitzer mented on Bob's competent handling of releasing the first recording of this unique which it had purchased from a Washing­ a very delicate situation and suggested and exciting instrument, played by its com­ ton, D. C., theatre. (Ed. Note: Presuma­ that radio offered a career for his com­ mander-in-chief Bob Van Camp. During a bly the Avenue Grand Theatre, Wash­ visit to Atlanta this past October, I was in­ bined talents - an entry into the field deed fortunate to be able to interview Mr. ington, D. C.) The many years of jam­ which was accomplished over Station Van Camp and now would like to give ming with the Germans had paid off; he WSJS where Bob's first interview was THEATRE ORGAN BOMBARDE readers a was appointed the theatre's organist. The with ... Paul Whiteman! glimpse into the present life of this rarity of university soon took steps to correct his rarities - a working theatre organist. While at Duke, Bob also found time Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Bob lacking theatre organ education by send­ to continue his studies with Bill Dalton, as is the usual custom, was subjected to ing Bob to New York for three one­ who was at Loew's Richmond at the piano lessons at an early age, and it did week periods to study with Lew White. time. When Dalton left Loew's and went not take him long to become fascinated It may be of interest to know that Bob up West Cary Street to the Byrd, Bob with that unusual instrument, the theatre studied and practiced on a three-manual, followed suit. organ. If Bob was not in school, he could ten-rank Wurlitzer in the New York stu­ As the Duke University Theatre or­ usually be located at the Poli Theatre, dio of that firm. White was then at the ganist Bob heard and played for many front and center, entranced with the art­ Center Theatre playing the four-manual, famous theatre organists, including Jesse istry of Lena Webster or other artistes thirty-four-rank Wurlitzer. Crawford who called upon him while on who performed on the Poli's organ. At this point, Bob got into radio work a Hammond Organ tour. Asked to play As a freshman in high school, Bob at the suggestion of the "King of Jazz," the Wurlitzer, Bob recalls hearing the soon took his first professional organ­ Paul Whiteman. As Bob tells it, all net­ "poet of the organ" utter the immortal playing engagement at a German church work radio at that time was live, and words, "Dear Rudolph, I knew him well." in Scranton. Bob took on the job with Whiteman's network program for one Bob still feels slight tremors when re­ a rather uneasy feeling because for one week originated from the Duke Univer­ calling that Crawford asked him to play thing, he did not know how to play and sity Theatre. Following the first broad­ some of his arrange m en ts so that he for another thing, could neither speak cast, Mr. Whiteman was most generous might listen from out in the theatre. nor understand German. However, the with his encores - in fact too generous, Following Duke, Bob became a Ham­ four -and -one -half rank theatre-sty le in­ and the feature film that followed the mond artist for Station WSJS, Winston­ strument offered ample opportunity to stage show broadcast went on so late that Salem, and played on Friday evenings in jam in what Bob describes as "early Ger­ there was not time enough to complete a theatre in Winston-Salem that had a man square." This position lasted the showing of the film before the re­ Wurlitzer but, due to the appeal and through the rest of his tenure in high peat broadcast went on three hours later n e w n e s s of the Hammond, one was school, although there is reason to won­ for the West Coast. In 'desperation the placed on stage and the pipes were for­ der what the clergy of the church must theatre manager commandeered Bob to gotten. From Winston-Salem, Bob moved have thought of the mixture of Bach and explain to the capacity audience just why back to Scranton where he played a three- boogie! the feature film was being halted and to (Continued on Next Page)

13 theatre organ I bombarde BOB VAN CAMP (Continued) became general manager, he brought in soft notes on the left side of the theatre Eddie Ford and Stanley Mallote, trying played. The words "Listen Very Care­ to revitalize interest in the organ. How­ fully" appeared on the giant screen as ever, when their engagements ended, the two wispy notes on the right side were m i g h c y Fox organ became a sleeping sounded . Then as the m i g h t y console giant for ten years. began its ascent with Bob p 1a yin g In the winter of 1962, ATOE entered "Georgia On My Mind," the legend on the rather dismal scene in the persons of the screen proclaimed that the mighty Tiny James and Erwin Young. After Fox organ was again in full voice ten several conferences with Mr. Arnold, an years after its silence to delight the thou­ agreement was reached on February 14, sands of Atlantans who remembered, as 1963, that the organ could be inspected well as the thousands too young to re­ for the possibility of restoration. The de­ member . The response to the organ was tails of the restoration of the organ have chat of overwhelming enthusiasm. already been reported in the association's Bob is still very much on the air, hav­ journal. By the Fall of 1963, the organ ing served as musical director and chief was in first class condition, thanks to the announcer for WSB radio for t w e n t y manual, eight-rank Kimball at the West­ capable administration of Joe Patten and years. His Monday-through-Friday morn­ side Theatre, and broadcasted over Sta­ the many chapter members who worked ing six-to-nine program is an institution tion WGBI. with him, and Bob one day received a in Atlanta. However, he still finds time The war found Bob fighting the battle telephone call and still recalls that the to augment his very hectic schedule by of Wright Field behind a desk in Day­ words spoken over the phone were, "The frequent concerts and pub Ii c appear­ ton, Ohio. During this period he man­ Fox organ is going to be used for a show ances. He has been very active in A TOE aged to broadcast over WHIO, Dayton. and you are going to play ic." So began affairs with concerts in Chicago, Detroit, Following the war Bob r e t u r n e d to a busy schedule of working out arrange­ and Richmond, and when the idea of re­ Scranton , working for a brief period as ments, and by November 2 2 all arrange­ cording, for the first time, the mighty organist for a roller rink on a Hammond. ments had been completed for the great Moller at the Fox was suggested, there It was this instrument that brought him golden console to rise from the orchestra was an immediate conclusion that no one co At I ant a in 1947 to play on WSB pit when the tragic news of the assassi­ else except Bob could put the instrument radio. Bob lose no time in discovering nation of President Kennedy was re­ on wax. One must live with the instru­ the Fox Theatre and upon starting there ceived. It was decided to delay the open­ ment as he has done to fully understand as organist found the magnificent instru­ ing until Thanksgiving Day, an opening it. Having heard the master cape, I can ment in a sad state of repair . At that that would be a complete, unannounced endorse it as a recording to be consid­ time the organ was used for brief peri­ surprise. That opening went like this. ered truly a monument to the arc of the ods, usually to get the movie screen In the darkened theatre there appeared theatre organ and to the artistry of Bob raised or lowered. When Noble Arnold on the screen the word "Listen" as two Van Camp. ~ IDQriayn nf Nliur auelinn.en .it "Good afternoon! This is your organ­ ing the beloved songs of the G.I.'s as ist and host, Bolton Holmes, with 25 Ernie would walk through the aisles gra­ musical moments at the console of the ciously accepting payments for the Grand organ of the Lincoln Theatre in bonds. ( Ernie got his stare in show busi­ downtown Trenton." ness at the Lincoln .) The tune of "I'll Always Be In Love Following the wartime use the organ With You" came through the radio. This was forgotten until 1948, when the great show always made Sunday afternoons a Moller was given back its voice. It con­ little nicer. It featured Mr. Burton tinued to be played for the next few Holmes at the console of the 3 / 16 Mol­ years by Mr. McConnell, until he passed care of. The behemoth is st i 11 played ler in the R-K-O Lincoln Theatre. The away. At this time, Bolton Holmes car­ every Saturday and Sunday before the great show has been recently taken off ried on the duty of bringing the movies matinee. the air. to the silver screen and sending them The Lincoln Moller seems to be the Not many organs have a history such off with a majestic chord. Mr. Holmes sister organ of the 3/ 19 Moller from as the Lincoln's Grand Moller. A 1928 has been organist at the Lincoln for 18 the Sedgwick Theatre in Philadelphia. vintage giant, the big ivory and gold years. During this period, the "Lincoln The consoles of the two organs are ex­ console had a tragedy happen at its key­ Rockettes" ( actually the Lincoln Step­ actly the same. boards. When the Lincoln first opened pers) were accompanied in their dance The Lincoln Grand Moller has had in 1928, the man who put the first breath routines by the organ. He also helped three generations of tuning and repair. into the magnificent Moller was an or­ the "Ballet Rouge" flutter back and forth A Mr. Ben Lenore from Philadelphia ganist named Stanley Rhodes. At one of across the stage. In addition to all this, first worked on the organ. His son-in­ the first performances, Mr. Rhodes died there was a symphony orchestra to add law took over and carried on the work. at the console. to the spectacular sound and stage show. Now Ben Lenore 's grandson keeps the After this tragedy, an organist named Unfortunately, that is all past. The organ monster in shape. ( What devotion! ) Charles McConnell took over the job of still fills the theatre with sound from the The writers have come to the conclu­ playing the pipes. Just before and dur­ "Golden Era" under the guidance of Mr. sion that this organ is not an antique, ing W.W. II, the theatre was used for Holmes' adept hands and feet. Since cold but an historical monument to the "Days War Bond rallies. Mr. McConnell helped weather has come, quite a few ciphers of Wine and Roses." the late Ernie Kovacs sell bonds by play- are evident, but they are being taken -by Charles Balogh and Harry Schroeder

f eb ru a ry 1968 14