AT 'S CASA LOMA

by Lloyd E. Klos - photos by Karl Leutner

All the aurora, glitter and excite­ fellow responsible for bringing the ment of a theatre opening in the diverse elements together to make the l 920's were in evidence the evening of project possible, Horace Lapp. Mr. February 12, 1974 when 325 notables Lapp played the organ in its two were invited by the Toronto Theatre previous locations - Shea's Hippo­ Organ Society and the West Toronto drome and , and is Kiwanis Club to attend the dedicatory now playing it as official Kiwanis concert of the ex-Shea's Hippodrome organist. The grand lady of Toronto Wurlitzer in Casa Loma, with Dennis theatre organ history, Kathleen (Kay) James at the console. Stokes was introduced to spirited ap­ The amber floodlights never shone plause, and to this writer , one of the more brilliantly in illuminating the evening's dividends was to have the exterior of the magnificent edifice opportunity of conversation with her. atop the hill which commands a total She sat near the console, her eyes view of the Queen City. The beaming glued to every action of the organist. hosts, serving as ushers and guides, Others introduced included the fel­ The opening night crowd starts filling seats were constantly but courteously low who cracked the whip over the in the Great Hall. answering endless questions con­ installation crew and kept the project cerning the castle, and the organ moving, Roly Webb; organist Ron night crowd included noted historian whose installation took 3½ years of Padgett; Ray Gould and Wally Thurs­ of the theatre organ , H. Clealan solid, hard work. The term "Wurlitzer ton who played the Wurlitzer when it Blakely , daughter Mary Lou and her Widow" applies in the ultimate degree was in Shea's ; Tom Clifford, repre­ husband "Slim "; Tom Lockwood , here, as we are told the endless months senting the Mayor's office ; Harold representing the Rochester Theatre spent at this project were responsible Wooding, representing the City of Organ Society; Kenneth Trelford and for four divorces! Et Tu Wurlitzer! Toronto; Randy Piazza, president of Bill Caldwell , representing Heintzman However , the fair sex were much in the Niagara Frontier Chapter , ATOS; & Co., leading music store of Toronto ; evidence opening night, and the audi­ Elwood Glover, who hosts a popular and numerous radio, press and TV ence was sprinkled with a sizeable TV talk show in Toronto ; and the representatives. number in floor-length gowns. Flowers writer, representing THEATRE OR­ A reception with light refreshments decorated the console. Kiwanis and GAN Magazine. followed . TTOS officers scurried about to make Others in the glittering opening The organ really speaks out! The sure all details were handled properly. At 8 P.M., the lights in the Great Hall were dimmed, and to the micro­ Dennis James gets in a few hours of practice before his concert. phone, situated near the console, stepped the imposing figure of Ron Sclater, Public Relations Co-ordinator of the Kiwanis Club of West Toronto. Ron wisely kept his opening remarks brief and to the point, and with the audience's appetite for good music at fever pitch, he introduced Dennis James. The young American launched into a very inspiring and spirited rendi­ tion of Canada's National Anthem "Oh Canada", and from the crowd's rising for the auspicious beginning until it rose twice in standing ovations at the end of the concert, Dennis was in supreme command. Following intermission, Ron Sclater provided an added touch to the eve­ ning's festivities by introducing some of the luminaries present. Getting some of the heartiest applause was the

APRIL, 1974 photo of the H-G chamber . which •ex P8PI shows a chandelier above the rows of pipes. Mark explains that the chamber used to be the family dining room.

There may be a widespread public reaction arising about the destruction Engaged in news-gathering is Theatre Organ of '20s theatres which are no longer Associate Editor, Lloyd Klos (ctr}, con­ profitable as film houses. The Pitts­ versing with radioman John Carey (2nd burgh symphony orchestra is now ,', i,,':· . from rt.), who runs a theatre organ program heard in an ex-movie palace and a film in Kingston, . - (Karl Leutner theatre in St. Louis has been converted Photo) into an elegant concert hall. The Ohio Grand Hall is 60 feet high, the cham­ Theatre in Columbus is now a per­ bers are situated, one above the other forming arts center. Next may be the at one end, and the entire organ is on 2400-seat Majestic in Dallas, Texas. 18 inches of wind. The crew admits The theatre was closed recently for Conducted by Stu Green that there will be a period of regu­ lack of movie attendance. Now the , I lating; the piano has to be hooked up entire building, valued at $2,000,000, and the English horn can be made Readers are encouraged to submit has been offered free to the City of more strident. But these problems are interesting sidelights on the organ • :1• :· hobby (exclusive of chapter news Dallas by the Hoblitzelle Foundation, minimal compared to the challenge of items) material they believe will be of trustees of the 1921 theatre's builder, installation. general interest about local organ Karl Hoblitzelle, for use as a per/ or m­ What impressed this writer was the activities and installations and the ing arts center. The city council is people who work at the hobby. We complete spirit of harmony and co­ draggi.ng its heels because it would operation exhibited by the men of the know "there's VOX POPS in them there chapters" and it only requires require 1 ½ million to restore the organ crew. Working right up to con­ an 8 cent postcard to get it to VOX Majestic to its original opulence - a cert time, there was no evidence of POPS Editor, Box 3564,Granada Hills, condition of the trans/ er. Chances are salty language, bickering or in-fighting California 91344. If the contributor good because a study revealed that a which can cause friction. A huge can afford a 10 cent stamp, why not include a black and white photo proposed performing arts center would wreath of laurel to each and every which need not be returned. cost 20 or 30 million, according to the person connected with this remarkable Dallas Times-Hearld. project! And thanks are due to all con­ ~ cerned for the courtesies extended the And plans are afoot to convert writer during our stay in the Queen Omaha's 2975-seat Orpheum Theatre City. into a performing arts center. Mayor What sort of day was February 12, Zorinsky has sought a $250,000 grant 1974? A day like all days, filled with from the Kresge Foundation which events which altered and illuminated has made previous grants to the arts. the renaissance of the theatre organ. The Orpheum has been closed for 2½ And we ... were there! • years, although a couple of organ Horace Lapp and Kathleen Stokes, who concerts were held during this period, played the organ in its previous locations, using the 3/12 Wurlitzer. pose at the console following the concert. - (Karl Leutner Photo) Don't believe all those media re­ CHANDELIERS and SHALLOTS. The chamber was a dining room before the pipe ports about the closing of the Harold invasion. Lloyd estate in Beverly Hills, Calif, a project in which ATOS has a stake. ATOSer Judd Walton, who keeps Estate trustee and ATOSer Dick track of Wurlitzers, will be interested Simonton assures us that the closing is to learn that Publix No. 1, Opus 1148, temporary and that the estate defi­ originally in the State Theatre, De­ nitely will open again to the public. troit, is destined for an eventual home Several factors were involved in the in Dallas, Texas. Mark Muntzel, Jr. decision for a temporary closing at this reveals that the senior Muntzel has time: ( 1) the energy crisis which cut purchased the instrument from Roy into tourist business, (2) Sanitation Davis of McMinnville, Tennessee, and Department demands for immediate will move it shortly - but not into the updating of the plumbing and ( 3) the Muntzel residence in Dallas because a popularity of the estate as a setting for 3/9 Hillgreen-Lane is already en­ TV and movie filming. sconsed there. Mark Jr. sends along a "The estate can take in up to

THEATRE ORGAN APRIL, 1974