--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, 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. WuRLilzER: the music people Compiled by Lloyd E. Klos
This index refers to major items which have appeared in THEATRE ORGAN during 1974. No attempt has been made to list the thousands of Chapter Items, Concert Reviews, Nuggets, Vox Pops etc.
ATOS MISCELLANEOUS Month Page Month Page ATOS TrJed to Save Atlanta Fox ...... Oct. 5 Detroit Theater Or gan Club ...... Apr. 12
Australia Granted First International ATOS Charter...... Aug. 46 New York Paramount ...... Ap r. 4
Chapter Chairmen and Secret aries ...... Apr. 62 Toronto's Casa Loma Organ ...... Feb. 5
Detroit's Convention Plans ...... Feb. 33
Detroit's Convention Schedule...... Apr. 32 HOME & STUDIO INSTALLATIONS
Detroit Convention Review ...... : ...... Aug. 25 Pat Fucci's Robert Morton ...... Dec. 43
ATOS Library Gains Permanent Location ...... Aug . 44 Lee Hohner's Robert Morton...... Apr. 35
ATOS Library Moved ...... Oct. 39 Mark Kenning's Robert Morton and Barton ...... Apr. 12
San Francisco Convention Preview ...... Dec. 9 Lawrence Weid's Wurlitzer...... June 27
West Penn's Workshop...... Apr. 14 INSTALLATIONS (Other Than Homes & Studios) BIOGRAPHICAL Buffalo Church's Hope-Jones Organ Rebuilt ...... Oct. 11 Baker, Don...... Feb. 12 Chicago Theatre's Wurlitzer Would Not Die - Part I ...... Aug . 4 Hope-Jones, Robert - Part 1...... Feb. 26 Chicago Theatre's Wurlitzer Would Not Die - Part 2 ...... Dec. 32 Hope-Jones, Robert- Part 2...... Apr. 16 Detroit Theater Organ Club ...... Apr. 12 Jolles, Harold ...... Dec. 27 Erie's Gannon College Tellers Installed ...... Dec. 35 Men Behind the Dowager Empress ...... June 34 Hawaii's Theatre Organs ...... Dec. 10 Muri, John T...... June 15 Kingston, Ontario College Gets Theatre Organ ...... Apr. 37 Winkler, Max ...... Feb. 23 New York's Carnegie Hall Gets Giant Electronic ...... Aug. 19 Zajec, Adolph ...... Feb. 24 New York's Radio City Music Hall...... Aug. 14 Zamecnik, John S...... Oct. 29 Hotel El Panama Wurlitzer Removed ...... June 8
Sacramento Fire Destroys Grant Union Console...... Feb. 20
BOOK REVIEWS Sacramento Arrests in Grant Union Fire ...... June 17 Jesse Crawford, Poet of the Organ ...... Oct. 28 Sacramento's Golden Bear Playhouse ...... Dec. 11 Reginald Dixon, Mr. Blackpool ...... June 41 San Diego Plans Five Theatre Organ Locations ...... Aug. 12 The RTOS Story ...... Dec. 44 Toronto's Casa Loma Wurlitzer...... Feb. 5
Toronto's Casa Loma Wurlitzer Dedicated ...... Apr. 25
IDSTORICAL Vancouver Rescues Its Orpheum...... Dec. 5
Birth of the Cue Sheet ...... Feb. 23 Wichita's Century II Center...... Oct. 9
FEBRUARY 1975 ( over) THEATRE ORGAN SUPPLEMENT MISCELLANEOUS Month Page Month Page The Future Looks Good! ...... Apr. 13 Broadbent, Ernest - Sounds Like Blackpool...... June 39
Head Bros. Circus...... June 18 Chadwick,Doreen-Oh,LadyBe(,ood! ...... Feb. 17
Home Organ Festival Announced ...... Feb. 35 Chapman, Keith -The Grand Court Organ (Wanamaker's). Apr. 41
Home Organ Festival Review...... Dec. 21 Dalton, Bill -Ohio Theatre, Vol. 1...... Feb. 18
In Trembling Hope...... Dec. 18 Dell, Helen -At the Mission Playhouse ...... June 37 Harry Ingling Joins Newport Organs ...... June 41 Ellis, Don Lee- From the Top (E) ...... Dec. 41
Respect For Music...... Oct. 34 Erwin. Lee -Sounds of the Silents ...... Aug. 23
Treasure Hunt for Old Music...... Oct. 43 Erwin, Lee - Rosebud ...... Dec. 38 Organ Transplant in California ...... Oct. 33 Fenelon, Tony- I'm On My Way...... Oct. 38
Pipe Piper List of Organs in Public Places ...... Apr. 60 Gaudion Melodies (Roll Player)...... June 41
Subject is Roses (Honoring Organists etc.) ...... Feb. 34 Holstein, Loretta - Organ Hits by Loretta (E) ...... Oct. 38
Iverson, Bud - Playing the Conn 650 (E)...... June 40 OBITUARIES (Closing Chord) James, Dennis & Heidi- Puttin' on the Ritz...... June 37 Barton. Dan ...... June 42 James, Tiny& EverettNourse-Memoriesofthe Fabulous Fox. Oct. 36
Brite. Joseph L...... Dec. 13 Jebson, Peter- Faces of the Future...... Apr. 39
Cagle, Dewey...... June 42 Koury, Rex -At San Sylmar ...... Oct. 37
Dilworth. Robert...... Dec. 13 Langdon, Verne - Circus Clown Calliope ...... Feb. 19
Dunstedter. Eddie...... Aug. 20 Langdon, Verne- Music for Magicians ...... Oct. 35
Ford. Eddie...... Aug. 20 Langford, Bill - I'll Be Home for Christmas ...... Dec. 41
Mason. Albert T...... Aug. 20 Larsen, Lyn -Out of a Dream ...... Apr. 40
Melgier. Arthur W...... Aug. 20 Nordwall, Jonas -Jonas in Australia ...... Dec. 39
Posey. Robert P...... Aug. 20 Nourse, Everett&TinyJames-MemoriesoftheFabulous Fox. Oct. 36
Rosing. George ...... Aug. 20 Ogden. Nigel - Faces of the Fifties...... Apr. 39
Shaw, Gerald ...... Aug. 51 Olsen, Frank - Plays the Riviera Wurlitzer...... Feb. 17
Trout. Ralph III ...... Dec. 13 Rawle, Len -Goes North ...... Aug. 24
Rossi, Frank -Opening Night ...... Dec. 39 ORGANISTS' ACTIVITIES Shepherd, David - Melody on the Move ...... June 38 Gaylord Carter Ends New Mexico Season...... June 26 Stock, Tommy - Love Story (E) ...... Apr. 41
Lee Erwin to Record for Angel Records ...... Feb. 35 Thompson, Don -New England Ragtime...... Apr. 40
Lee Erwin and the Joys of Recording ...... June 5 Thomson, Michael - Faces of the Future ...... Apr. 39
Lee Erwin Gives Muskegon a Full House ...... June 30 Walls. Ron - Montage (E) ...... June 40
Rex Koury and Dennis James Score Showboat ...... Aug. 53 Wright, George- It's All Wright ...... Feb. 16 Billy Nalle, Wichita's Gain ...... June 29 Don Thompson at Roswell, New Mexico ...... Apr. 20 TECHNICAL Taming that Roaring Blower ...... Aug. 7
Theatre Organ Reeds, Part 1 ...... June 11 PLAYING INSTRUCTIONS Regulators and Their Tricky Valves...... Dec. 14 Playing the Film - Part 1 ...... ,· ...... Apr. 21 Marr & Colton Symphonic Registrator...... Oct. 21 Playing the Film - Part 2 ...... June 28 West Penn's Workshop...... Apr. 14 Playing the Film - Part 3 ...... Aug. 45
THEATRE INTERIORS RECORD REVIEWS (E=Electronk) (Pictures) ("An Acre of Seats" Series)
Bock, Fred - Fifty Songs of Ralph Carmichael ...... Dec. 40 Chicago -Sheridan Theatre...... June 4
THEATRE ORGAN SUPPLEMENT FEBRUARY 1975 co~'er- photo ... San Francisco 's vaulting skyline is seen here from Treasure Island east of the Embarcadero . Highrises from leh are the Pacific Gas & Electric , Aetna (dwarfing the Ferry Building) , Wells Fargo behind Mutual Benefit, Continental Insurance , Union Bank, Hilton , Russ , Hyatt on Union Square, Security Pacific, Bank of America World Headquarters , Alcoa, Hartford , Transam e rica Journal of the American Theatre Organ Society (pyramid) , Mark Hopkins and the Fairmont Tower Buildings . See page 9 for conv e ntion plans. (S.F. Visitors Buerau photo by George Knight/ Volume 16, No. 6 December, 1974
ATOS National Membership is $10.00 per calendar year , which includes a subscription to THEATRE in this ••• ORGAN , the official publication of the American Theatre Organ Society. Single copies $1.25. Make Features check or money order payable to ATOS , and mail to P.O. Box 1314. Salinas. California 93901 . 5 Vancouver Rescues Its Orpheum ...... George S. Francis
Editorial Address 9 It's San Francisco in '75 THEATRE ORGAN P.O . Box 1314 10 Itinerant Pipe Organs of Hawaii ...... John Jenkins Sal inas , California 93901 11 The Golden Bear Playhouse ...... Carroll F. Harris Advertising Address ATOS Advertising 14 The ABC's of Regulators ...... Bill Exner 2231 North Burling Street Chicago , Illinois 60614 18 In Trembling Hope ...... John Muri Office of the President 21 West Coast Organfest Clicks ...... Hal Steiner DR . PAUL M . ABERNETHY Box 2480 27 Harold Jolles, Veteran Theatre Organist ...... Lloyd E. Klos Burlington. North Carolina 27215 Telephone (919) 584 -8651 32 The Wurlitzer That Would Not Die ...... Bill Rieger National Headquarters ATOS 35 One Man· Saves Organ ...... Christopher Thorn P.O . Box 1 002 43 A Robert Morton Plays Again Middleburg , Virginia 22117 Telephone (703) 554 -8321 National Officers Departments Paul M . Abernethy , President Russ Evans , Vice President 8 Dinny's Colyum 38 For the Records Jean Lautzenheiser, Secretary Erwin Young , Treasurer 13 Closing Chord 42 Letters to the Editor National Board of Directors W. " Tiny " James Allen R. Miller 20 Nuggets from the Golden Days 44 Book Review Jean Lautzenheiser William Rieger Snippets from England 44 Chapter Notes Richard C. Simonton Duane Searle 25 Judd Walton Robert Van Camp 26 Hollywood Cavalcade 62 Classified Ads Erwin A . Young, Past President
Curator Barry Simmons P.O . Box 1021 Elon College , North Carolina 27244 pr-esident~s messaae ... Past Presidents Richard Simonton Feb . 1955 - Oct. 1958 Judd Walton Oct . 1958 - July 1961 Hello from National Headquarters. Our society con Tiny James July 1961 - July 1964 tinues to grow with two new chapters being chartered Carl Norvell July 1964 - July 1966 Richard Schrum July 1966 - July 1968 since convention time. Our total membership now Al Mason July 1968 - July 1970 Stillman Rice July 1970 - July 1972 exceeds 5300. Erwin A . Young July 1972 - July 1974 I would like to encourage all chapter chairmen and
Honorary Members secretaries to make sure that we receive a list of all 1959-Jesse Crawford 1967-Erwin A. Young your new officers' names, addresses and phone numbers 1960-Farny Wurlitzer 1968-R ichard C. Simonton by Jan. I. 1961-Mel Doner 1969-Judd Walton 1962-Leonard MacClain 1970-Bill Lamb '75 convention plans are well under way for San 1963-Eddie Dunstedter 1971-George and Vi Thompson Francisco. Make your plans now to meet us there. 1964-Reginald Foort 1972-Stu Green Preliminary plans for '7 6 in Philadelphia are also 1965-Dan Barton 1973-AI and Betty Mason 1966-W. "Tiny" James 1974-Lloyd Klas under way. Keep up the good work and keep passing on any ideas that you have regarding theatre organ to the EDITORIAL STAFF Editor - George Thompson President's office. Associate Editors - Lloyd E. Klos, Peg Nielsen Sincerely, Editor-Emeritus - W . "Stu" Green Photographer - Bill Lamb Publisher - Betty Mason Editorial Assistant - Don Lockwood Advertising Manager - Len Clarke Circulation Manager - Vi Thompson
THEATRE ORGAN (title registered U.S. Patent PA UL M. ABERNETHY Office) is published bi-monthly by the American Theatre Organ Society, Inc ., a non -profit organi zation, Dr. Paul M. Abernethy , President. All rights reserved. Entire contents copyrighted 1974 by ATOS, Inc., Office of publication is P.O. Box 2329. Livonia, Michigan 48150 POSTMASTER: Second Class postage paid at Livonia, Michigan. IF UN DELIVERABLE, send FROMTHE ENTIRE THEATRE ORGAN MAGAZINE STAFF form 3579 to ATOS Circulation Department, Box 1314, Salinas, California 93901. TOS DECEMBER, 197 4 THEATRE ORGAN ARCHIVES/LIBRARY 3 THEMEDIUM SIZED ORGAN WITHTHE MOST MANUALS
I ( (
.,,.,,..,.-,:r""- ✓__, i~ f, No other organ in its range hasas many manuals. The new YamahaDK 40 has two four-octave keyboards, a portamentomanual, a solo man ual, an octave of pedals, and a section of upper presets. The portamentomanual fea tures exotic synthesizer tones which extendover two and a half octaves.(You can slide, zoom, or play individual notes.) The thirty-seven key solo manualhas four penetratingpre set voices (violin, clarinet, trum pet, saxophone). And new upper presets in clude Hawaiian guitar, accor dion, banjo,and piano. While you're busyon the DK 40's many manuals, you may want to make use of some of its automaticsfor additional sound, texture and color. Including the new Yamaha ABC System (Automatic Bass Chord), built-in Auto Rhythms, percussion, and effects I ike at tack wah-wah,vibrato, and glide. The A.B.C. System's bass and chord accompanimentpat terns can be activated by simply playing a chord. Auto Rhythmsnow number fourteen different beats,which vary from waltz to jazz rock. All rhythms can be mixed and layeredtogether for special timbre and pulse. Try the DK 40's variety of manualsand automaticsat your nearestYamaha dealer. No other organ its size can give you as much to do, or can do as much on its own. -YAMAHA 6600 Orangethorpe Ave., Buena Park, Calif. 90620
4 THEATRE ORGAN i~\\~~~'\ ~~ \\~~~~~~ \\~ ~~~\\~~\\\
by George S. Francis
"Watch the eyes of a child as he enters the portals of one of our great theatres and treads the pathway to fairyland. Watch the bright lights in the eyes of the tired shopgirl who hurries noise lessly over carpets and sighs with satisfaction as she walks amid fur nishing that once delighted the hearts of queens. See the toil-worn father whose dreams have never come true and look inside his heart as he finds strength and rest within the theatre. " George Rapp Thus did one of the USA's great theatre designers justify, the ornate movie palace of the '20s. His words sum up the general attitude toward the often rococo houses of the "golden age." They provided an escape from reality. Forty-seven years later reality was even grimmer, but escape to the the atre was no longer in vogue, especially
Orpheum Theatre , Vancouver B .C ., which hopefully has been saved through the diligent efforts of Vancouver citizens and ATOS members of the area. Note marquee billing and autos in this 1928 photo .
DECEMBER , 197 4 When the plan to carve up the cavernous Orpheum into "pup" tents got to the Vancouver City Council, there were rumblings which got to the office of Mayor Art Phillips. Didn't the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra need a better showcase than the Queen Elizabeth theatre, with its limited seat ing and poor acoustics? Hadn't a study been made which indicated the city would have to spend around $23,000,000 to build a suitable the atre complex from scratch? The answer, in both cases, was an un equivocal YES! Meanwhile, other quarters were heard from. Theatre organ buffs, among them Stanley Haddon (retired organ maintenance man), Ken Hodgson (who has serviced the Or pheum's 3/13 Wurlitzer for some years), Bill Hale, Ted Holmes, Ivan Ackery and George Francis, some of The 340 -bulb chandelier highlights the dome of the auditorium . The stage is 50 feet wide and them ATOS members, got together to 34 feet deep . see what they could do to save the Orpheum. And representatives of the if the neighborhood had deteriorated since its opening in 1927, although its symphony got word of the rescue to the point it wasn't safe to walk the style 240 Wurlitzer hadn't been heard effort and resolved to help acquire a streets at night. That's another type of by the public for 22 years. It seemed new home for their big orchestra. But reality. One by one, the wonderful old to the citizens that the Orpheum was what would the cost be? landmarks became liabilities and be part of Vancouver, a cultural asset The price was high - a staggering cause theatres are a business the/ had which shouldn't be subject to vagaries $5,900,000 to purchase and re to make way for other land uses - of financial fluctuation any more than condition the venerable theatre! often simply parking lots. One of the perhaps the statue of Lord Nelson in The enormity of the cost never first to go was the famous New York Trafalgar Square, London, or the fazed the disparate groups now Roxy, a real shock to theatre buffs. Washington Monument in the Capitol joined in a "SA VE THE ORPHEUM" The Roxy was only the starter. In the of Canada's neighbor to the south. 1974 campaign. The first thing to do decade since actress Gloria Swanson was to gain public support. posed for her photo midst the rubble of the Roxy, every large city in the Side vie~ _of the Vancouver Orpheum as it appeared at the age of one year (1928) . The five story bu1ld1ng has actually nine floors , counting from the bottommost cellar . USA and Canada has witnessed the destruction of theatre landmarks. For a time it seemed that all large houses would eventually succumb to the blows of the wrecking ball. Then, slowly but certainly, a re action set in. This is the story of a vaudeville/movie palace saved for posterity through the concentrated effort of local citizens. In Vancouver, British Columbia, "The Grand old Lady of Theatre Row", the Orpheum, was about to undergo surgery, to be lobotomized into seven "pup" theatres by its owners, Famous Players. To them, there was no other way; the 2874-seat house was a financial liability. It was rebirth as a litter of "pups" or de molition. When word got around the citi zenry, things started to happen. True, they had taken the $1,000,000 Or pheum for granted. It had been there
6 ing night. Citizens already knew about the dome chandelier 10 feet high and · 16 feet across with its 340 candle lamps which even now requires four workers to relamp, working all night. This in addition to three somewhat smaller chandeliers in the Main Foyer and three more above the grand stair way. At its opening the new Orpheum was hailed as a "triumph of beauty, e~egance and luxury." The style was described as 'conservative Spanish renaissance." It was well endowed with columns, colonades, pilasters, rich hangings, tapestried walls, ter razzo floors, stone balustrades, dec orative marble and gilding. The afore mentioned crystal chandeliers were im ported from Czechoslovakia. The audi torium tapestries had felt backing for acoustical deadening. Three large Chinese wall hangings were placed above the mezzanine stairway. On Stanley E. Haddon helped install the Orpheum's 3/13 Wurlitzer in 1927 and maintained it until opening night no less than 12,774 light recently. Haddon was an organ maintenance man for 43 years and is now retired . bulbs illuminated the large vertical "Orpheum" sign, the marquee and the A schedule of Saturday tours of the Slickers, dancers Chaney & Fox and roof sign. Orpheum was set up. Citizens were songstress Ethel Davis. The million dollar house opened invited to inspect what some of their Retired Famous Players executive under the Radio-Keith-Orpheum aegis tax money would be buying. During Maynard Joiner was then the Or with a staff of 75 which included each of the tour days, the Wurlitzer pheum's assistant manager. He recalls organists, orchestra, stage crew, pro added its theatrical voice to the oc that opening night was something of a jectionists, about 22 ushers, cashiers, casion as the citizens were conducted nightmare because the theatre wasn't managers and a cleaning crew of about through the auditorium, backstage and ready. ten broom weilders. The featured or through the dressing rooms, offices, "We were letting people in one side ganist was Sydney Kelland who had lobbies and mezzanine. Local en and still laying carpet on the other," arrived in Vancouver six years earlier thusiasts did the playing. This went on recalls Joiner. to play a Karn Warren organ at the for months because there was more Interest in the new theatre had Capitol Theatre. His appearance at the than the people's tax money involved. been building for months before open- Orpheum's style 240 Wurlitzer ap- A lottery had been initiated and citi zens were being urged to buy tickets Ken Hodgson gives the Orpheum Wurlitzer a workout . He has been active in the rescue project to help "Save the Orpheum" - and now maintains the instrument . Canada's last remaining major theatre with a pipe organ. To the credit of Famous Players, the chain agreed to sell the theatre to Vancouver for circa $5,000,000, in stead of performing the "seven dog house" surgery. Then the group ap proached the Canadian Government in Ottawa for funds. But just what would Vancouverites get for their five million? Let's take a closer look at the Orpheum. The present Orpheum, the third Orpheum built on the site, opened its doors on Nov. 7, 1927 with a vaude ville and movie show. The opening film was The Wise Wife starring Phyllis Haver, but the real attraction was the vaudeville acts which included Toto the Clown, Maria White and the Blue
DECEMBER, 197 4 pa ren tly needled the competing of 197 4. The provincial government mometer at 80 degrees, but I guess I Capitol into importing Oliver Wallace (British Columbia) donated $333,000. still got enough Eastern blood in me to to play the Capitol's brand new Wur And the lottery netted $300,000 dol think they ought to be snow at Xmas litzer style 260. But Wallace remained lars. The City Council plans another time. Why, we used to get a gang only a short time, then returned to his lottery in 1975 and it is hoped that a together and go around and sing Xmas style 285 Wurlitzer in the San Fran further grant will be forthcoming from carols at different houses back in cisco Paramount. Syqney Kelland, the Federal or Provincial Government. Boston and sometimes we'd get invited now in his eighties, recalls the events With this much cash in the coffers, in for some punch or cookies, but that of 1927 with a smile. the Vancouver group has redoubled would seem kinda silly out here with The dignitaries flocked to opening efforts to raise the difference - and people gain around in sport shirts. ceremonies, including Mayor Louis B. chances are good because plans have Seems more fittin somehow when you Taylor - but the fate of the theatre been expanded. In addition to the have to keep a muffler around your was already sealed - a month pre sounds of the mighty Wurlitzer, the neck and blow on your fingers and viously Al Jolson's soundtracked Jazz symphony orchestra and opera, plans stamp your feet to keep warm. Even Singer had been released. are underway to include perhaps a the bells that the Salvation Army After the advent of "talkies" and community theatre group, ballet and people ring to get you to put some the demise of vaudeville, it was a slow youth concerts, all of which adds up money in the pot dont sound quite the to a cultural center in the Orpheum. same. Sidney Kelland , who opened Of course, it's all in the future. The And still another thing. Seems to the Orpheum Wurlitzer, was sale and transfer will take place in July me when I was a kid, people really much in demand as a theatre 1975. Then the restoration/renovation enjoyed Xmas. I aint so sure they still organist before the demise of will require another year. do anymore. You go into the big silent pictures. Unfortunately, But Vancouver is determined to see stores and they is loud speakers blarin no photographs of Mr. Kelland the project completed, thus setting an away Xmas carols and Jingle Bells and at the Orpheum Wurlitzer exist. example for other communities with White Xmas and Winter Wonderland With the coming of talking threatened theatres worth saving. and songs like that there, but the pictures, he left the theatres and Vancouver is proving it can be people is millin around and grabbin at was engaged as a full time organ done. □ bargains and everybody getting kind of ist at St. Andrews Wesley mad because the prices are so high and United Church for sixteen years, they cant find what they want. And at the First United Church of then you go out and start up the old Vancouver for four more years bus and pretty soon some smart Alexk and at Shaughnessy United is blastin you with his horn or glarin at Church (Vane.) for another you because he wants to go faster seventeen years until his re than you do, and you wonder what in tirement in 1970. During these tarnation has happened to the Spirit of years many of his church con Xmas. certs were broad cast over radio I aint much of a churchgoer but it stations CFDC, CKWX and seems to me that maybe you get a CNRV. little more of the Spirit of Xmas there Now 84 years old, Mr. Kel than any place else. The choir sings land retains his health and Xmas music and the organist plays vitality and still performs oc Xmas music and the minister gives casionally. Xmas sermons and then they have I dunno where in tunket the time extra services and extra music and downhill journey for the Orpheum, goes. Seems like I jest about get all the they get a chorus together to do the which managed to survive the '30s Xmas bills paid up when the ads start Messiah and you come out feelin well with stage presentations, operettas and acomin out about get your Xmas maybe they is somethin more to Xmas musical shows. But movies alone were presents early and get your Xmas cards than jest gettin presents that most never enough to keep the sea ts filled. at a discount and we start again everybody goes back to the store the Yet the Orpheum had its moments. through the whole danged thing all next week to get exchanged, or else Retired Orpheum manager Ivan over again. Now mind you, I aint agin puts them in the closet sos they can Ackery recalls one, the opening of Xmas and I like to get presents as well give them to somebody else the next Gone With The Wind, near the end of as the next feller, but jest the same Xmas. the '30s. they's a limit to the number of hun Well, I aint ready to give up yet. We He says, "The 'Wind' premier was drets of times I can hear Jingle Bells still got the Santa Claus Parade every the first time we sold refreshments - and O Come All Ye Faithful. December, and I have to admit all the bottled Coca-Cola - in the mezzanine. And they's another thing. I love lights and decorations they look real Every night of that run I wore a tux." California and I wouldnt live no place pretty, and I even got a bang when So much for history. Back to the else if you paid me, but jest the same they put up tin Xmas trees on Holly present. Xmas out here aint quite the same wood Bullyvard. But I guess that what The appeal to the federal govern thing as it was in Boston where I come I wish is that at Xmastime maybe they ment bore fruit. Canada came through from. It's swell to get out and lay could be a little less takin and a little with two million dollars in the Spring around in the Cal. sun with the ther- more givin. □
8 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 197 4 ATOS 20th NATIONAL CONVENTION
Celebrate 20 years of theatre organ 3-manual Wurlitzer are on the ticket; history next summer in San Francisco, as is the 4-manual Orpheum Robert "everybody's favorite city!" You'll Morton, one of the largest and most hear Gordon Kibbee at Joe Chad unique progeny of California's only bourne's "Myrtle," recreating the real organ builder, and the last theatre sounds of our very first national meet organ on Market St. A journey inland ing; and visit the incomparable "Pizza will include Grant Union High School, Joynt," where a whole theatre organ where will debut its famous Wurlitzer tradition was born. Pizza organs of all with an all new Balcom & Vaughn kinds are featured, including an instru replica console. ment built only this year. At Grace Cathedral, a special pro But don't think we haven't any gram will present the fabulous John in-theatre organs in these parts! San Fenstermaker at San Francisco's most Francisco's standard-bearer of the exciting organ, the 5-manual Aeolian silent screen, the Avenue, and its Skinner, personally voiced by the
An Orient -bound cargoline puts out through the Golden Gate. Seen here from the San Fran cisco shore, the Golden Gate Bridge stretches 1 .7 miles toward Marin County . Originally the world's longest single -span suspension bridge, it rises 746 feet from high tide to towers' top . /Photo courtesy of San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau)
If you like seafood and sea air , Fisherman 's Wharf is the place . San Francisco crab bubbles in sidewalk cauldrons . The Pacific 's bounty is dished up in dozens of view restaurants . Bay sightseeing boats put out from Pier 43 ½. Telegraph Hill's Coit Tower watches over this whole tantalizing bowl of cioppino . /Photo courtesy of San Francisco Con vention and Visitors Bure au)
legendary G. Donald Harrison. This event alone would make a trip to San Francisco worthwhile. But best of all - better than Morton, better than Wurlitzer, better even than a "Pizza Joynt" pizza - will be San Francisco itself : "the Paris of the West," "the city that knows how," "the cool grey city of love," to list just a few appraisals. It's a city of contrast, where last century's cable cars run but a few feet from BART, the subway of the future; it's a city for walkers, where your own two feet are your best transportation; it's a city of romance, where the streets of Chinatown still teem with the mystery of the Orient ; and it's the "air conditioned city," where summer temperatures seldom rise above 65 degrees, and the fog is your constant companion; but most of all, its a city for having fun. And fun is what you'll have seeing San Francisco like a native, with the help of a unique guide being specially prepared for this convention.You'll find shops, restaurants and attractions un known to the average tourist, and to many natives. So come early and stay late! Come for music, for friendship, for superlative food, for great shops, in short, for the time of your life!! THAT'S IN SAN FRANCISCO JULY 15-20, 1975 □
9 The Robert Morton, lying many months backstage in the Hawaii The atre, was eventually installed in the empty chambers by William Blunk, with the understanding that Aloha ITINERANTChapter would maintain it. Main tenance has been an on-going project of the chapter ever since. A 3/10 Buehler theatre pipe organ PIPEORGAN~ was installed in Honolulu's Kaimuki Theatre around 1925, moved in 19 54 to a church, and recently was acquired in part for installation in a private Of HAWAIIHonolulu residence. The briefest installation was in the Kalihi Theatre, formerly known as the by John Jenkins Star, where a 2/4 Wicks was installed about 1928 and sold in 1932 to a The year was 1921. The place was were collections of statuary, fine arts mainland mortuary. Van Nuys, California. Two 4/16 pipe and paintings collected abroad by the This tale of itinerant Hawaii theatre organs were being readied in the owners. The Hawaii Theatre still has organs would not be complete without erecting room of the Robert Morton over the stage proscenium a large a dramatic note about the 3/7 Robert factory before shipment to Honolulu, painting of Diana and her entourage Morton installed about 1925 on the Territory of Hawaii. consistent with the Greek theme. "Big Island" of Hawaii in the city of Both organs, siblings in design, were Later, both theatres were acquired Hilo's Palace Theatre, and later moved being built for two new theatres about by Consolidated Amusement Com to the Hilo Theatre. The theatre and to open in downtown Honolulu. While pany, a local corporation which now console were badly damaged by a tidal the organs were almost of similar operates a large chain of movie the wave, but surviving were the pipe specifications, the theatres for which atres in the Islands. works, now installed and played from they were intended were operated by The Hawaii Theatre remains in its a Wurlitzer console in a private different owners and were of dis original decor, somewhat faded and Honolulu residence. tinctively differing design. worn, but retains all the elegance of Pipe organists in Honolulu Theatres The Green Brothers' Princess The the great silent movie period. included: Edwin Sawtelle, Don atre on Fort Street and Cohn's Hawaii Consolidated Amusement Com George, Alice Blue, Josephine Lude Theatre on Bethel Street opened in pany's new Waikiki Theatre on the mann, Gertrude Moffat and John October 1922 as show case motion local world famous Waikiki beach DeMello. Mr. DeMello, staff organist picture palaces with sumptuous ap opened in 1936 with the new Model A for Consolidated Amusement Com pointments equal to the finest on the Hammond plug-in which the company pany, plays the Waikiki Theatre mainland. Each had pipe chambers replaced with the pipe organ from the Robert Morton as a regular feature built in on both sides of the stage and Hawaii Theatre. As the Waikiki was during intermissions at the Friday and each had facilities for stage per built without pipe chambers, two were Saturday evening performances. formances and vaudeville, as well as added later above the "rainbow The Robert Morton in the Hawaii motion pictures. proscenium", now partically covered Theatre is played almost daily at The large auditorium of the Prin by a "wide screen". matinees for appreciative audiences by cess Theatre, capable of seating many A few years ago the Princess The Aloha Chapter members and Mr. hundreds, was amphitheatre in design, atre fell under the wreckers' ball, a DeMello. It is frequently heard on with illuminated fountains below the victim of downtown urban develop Sunday mornings before show time, organ grilles and even live models ment, but not before a determined featuring guest artists or silent movies. posing amidst greenery. The Hawaii group of pipe organ enthusiasts moved The silents were most often ac with its broad auditorium was equally the organ three blocks away to back companied by Honolulu's "Mr. Pipe huge and boasted of a two-level stage of the Hawaii Theatre. This Organ", John DeMello, who has the cantilevered balcony, two lobbies and group called itself the Hawaii Theatre distinction of being actively employed stageside boxes with wicker chairs. In Organ Club, later affiliating with the as a theatre pipe organist for more Grecian architecture, it was like an American Theatre Organ Society and than 50 years. opera house. is now known as Aloha Chapter. As a young man Mr. DeMello Both organ consoles were installed Mention should be made that the started out in the theatre with a piano, stage center in orchestra pits; the one Waikiki Hammond was moved to the a Photoplayer and moved up to the big in the Hawaii Theatre being on a lift, Liberty Theatre where it was played showcase pipe behemoths. Without while the one in the Princess Theatre regularly until Consolidated Amuse him there would be no pipe sounds in rested on the floor. ment Company leased the house to an Honolulu's theatres today. The Hawaii organ had a "slave exhibitor who showed only Chinese The Hawaii Theatre Robert Morton console" but it was removed and movies. The Hammond was then is heard each week on Monday nights returned to the factory. moved to Aloha Chapter's club room over radio station KNDI, featuring Of great interest in both theatres in the Hawaii Theatre. Aloha Chapter members and guests. □
10 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1974 The Balden Bear Playhouse by Carroll F. Harris
She talks again, and she is in a theatre too - it is not the original theatre and it is not a large theatre, but it is a theatre. Let 's go back to late 1924 when Wurlitzer Opus 939 , a 2/7 Style E, was shipped to the San Francisco Wurlitzer store. From there it was taken across San Francisco Bay to the city of San Leandro and a theatre that was known at different times as The Leandro and The Palace. This author knows nothing about the organists who played her in the the atre, and he doesn't have the date she was removed and installed in a Rich mond , California church, but from November, 1968, we can tell you all about it. Larry Weid purchased the organ in November, 1968, for installation in his Sacramento , California home. His wife Annette went along with the affair and had no illusions about regaining use of the family garage (for the reasons garages are usually built) when the Sierra Chapter purchased the organ early in 1974. The instrument was to be reinstalled in The Little Theatre of California's State Fair and Exposition. It was to be the fulfillment of a dream, the group's own organ, and above all it was to be a memorial to their late first vice chairman/treasurer, George A. Seaver. Removal from the Weid residence and re-installation were under the di rection of Harvey M. Whitney. Plans were to have the little jewel playing for the 1974 edition of California's State Fair. The daily schedule of the Fair showed: "Organ Concert, 5: 30
I Workmen erect framing and walls around the single 12' x 16 ' x 20' pipe chamber in the Golden Bear Playhouse . Wall studs are metal ; walls are ½ inch sheetrock filled with spun glass insulation . So far ther e have been no "sympathetic vibrations " to disturb the fine sounds of Sierra Chapter 's Style E Wurlitzer . (Bob Moor e Phot o!
1 I P.M. - Golden Bear Theatre - Free", and from opening day, on August 23, through September 4, a sign had to be posted on the entrance doors: "No Program Today - Organ Still Under Construction." Finally, on September 5, after 27 working days (and long days they were), Sierra members took to the plaza in front of the theatre carrying signs: "Free Organ Concert Today." Long time Sacramento or ganist and Sierra member Emil Martin played the opening concert as well as the next day's concert. All this time Harvey and his crew continued work ing. Saturday, September 7, Bob Hart zell filled the bench for the evening concert; the closing concert was played by Mary Ann Mendenhall. Fair goers enjoyed every minute of the concert although the chapter's organ experts were not satisifed that they had a perfect installation. There were many casual workers, and they were not limited to the male members of the organization. There were many donors of funds who helped to make the dream possible, not to mention the State Fair officials who gave Opus 9 39 a perfect home. California had moved its State Fair to a new site on the American River a number of years ago with the idea that it would become the "Disneyland of the North." A change in political situations found it lacking funds and lacking the support of those who make State Fairs, State Fairs - the agri cultural community. Finally common The Golden Bear Playhouse in Sacramento as viewed from the position of the single chamber sense won out and the California State during construction . Wrapped console is at far left . An idea of the height of the theatre can be Fair and Exposition was given new life seen by comparing the light fixtures with the two workmen. (Bob Moore Photo - Sacramento Union) when it was placed under William Penn Scale model of California State Fair's Golden Bear Playhouse, designed by Dr. Paul R. Waldo Mott's Department of Parks and of Sacramento State University, the new home of Wurlitzer Opus 939, owned by Sierra Chap Recreation. A new manager was ap ter. The instrument is known as the George A. Seaver Memorial Organ to honor the chapter's pointed, a man with imagination who first vice chairman / treasurer who passed away early in 1973. The theatre is predominately brown, with red wall panels framed in gold and bright red seats and carpeting. surrounded himself with more men and women of imagination. Larry Jenkins sparked the reno vation of the nondescript so-called Little Theatre into the Golden Bear Playhouse. Dr. Paul R. Waldo of Sacra mento State University did the design work. Flat seating was replaced with "raked" seating; the bandstand sized stage gave way to one designed for almost any type of production. It was "baptized" with a show ideal for the house: Vaudeville Tonight, an ab breviated version of a successful vari ety show done in the style of days gone by. Dr. Gerald Larson, professor of Theatrical Arts at Sacramento State University directed some 50 of his students in the performances. There
12 was an excellent orchestra in the pit, formance was exceeded in duration but too many broken wires in the perhaps only by those in Radio City main cable prevented use of the the Music Hall. atre pipes. He was a member of the Rocky The Fair is long over but Harvey Mountain Chapter of the American Whitney and his crew continue their Theatre Organ Society of Denver. One tuning and refinement of Opus 939 to of the finest home-installation con put it in as near perfect condition as certs ever enjoyed by Chapter mem humanly possible for its formal debut. bers was that played by Joe on Beck On April 20, 1975, barring unforseen and Edith Maddy's Wurlitzer (formerly difficulties, the chapter intends to of the Mayan Theatre of Denver). formally dedicate their instrument to An article on his career, It's Brite in the memory of George A. Seaver. He the San Luis Valley, appeared on page had played the instrument in Larry 13 of the April 1970 issue of THE Weid's home, in fact a TV film pre ATRE ORGAN. sentation featured both several years Kenneth Tillotson ago. Plans call for a 2 P.M. pre sentation using the same artists who had gathered in the dining room of Robert Dilworth, Mr. and Mrs. Sacramento's Sheraton Inn at 2 P.M. Robert E. Dilworth's 16 year old son on April 16, 1972, to again play the Joe Brite died suddenly on November I, 1974. type of music George liked. (George The boy had apparently been ex had passed away the previous month Colorado for the past 37 years. He perimenting with plastic bags and ac and had previously requested no fu passed away several days after ab rutal cidentally suffocated. neral, no formal services, but indicated beating during an attempted holdup of A Memorial service was held on if his friends wished to do something it the Rialto Theatre which he managed. November 5th at the Second Baptist should be around a theatre pipe organ He was 71 years of age. He had Church. In lieu of flowers the family with some of his favorite artists.) studied theatre organ at the Chicago suggested contributions in his name to Clyde Derby, Sheraton Inn house or Musical College. He had played in the Rev. Malcolm MacQueen Memorial ganist , W. "Tiny" James and Emil several Chicago Theatres, and at some Fund of Second Baptist Church, 2800 Martin were the concert artists in performances had played with Milton Silverside Road, Wilmington, Del. 1972, and Jim Hodges, Sacramento Charles. Following his move to 19810. (A perpetual scholorship fund radio personality, did the intro Alamosa in 1937, he played daily for theological students). ductions. All ATOS members, and radio broadcasts on the Wurlitzer in Robert had spent many hours with theatre pipe organ music lovers in the Rialto Theatre for 28 years. He his father working on the Dickinson general, are invited to attend in April. played the organ during intermissions Theatre Pipe Organ. The Kimball was A word of advice is in order - be between movies. This was one of the originally installed in the Boyd The early. Capacity of the Golden Bear few theatre organs in the nation used atre, Philadelphia. Playhouse is 325 persons, for fire and daily. His record for continuous per- Betty J. Kouba safety reasons. □ Wichita1'beat re Organ,Inc.
n.cn tircm Ralph Trout III, staff organist for \IIRGIL Capn's Galley Pizza Chain passed away several weeks ago following a second heart transplant. His first transplant took place in the spring of 1969. FOX Living on borrowed time, Ralph lived ATTHE: an active and vigorous life. His wish was that any expression of sympathy be in the form of contributions to the MIGHTYWICHITA Stanford University Heart Car diovascular Foundation, Palo Alto, WURLITZE:R The mighty Wurlitzer from New York 's famous Paramount Theatre is now installed at the Exhibition Hall of Wichita's Calif. 94305. Century II Civic Center , and here's the first recording ever on this magnificent instrument. Virgil Fox outdoes himself on this "recorded live" album that includes Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer " and other great hits of yester day and today . Joseph L. Brite passed away Sep Enclosed find my check for $6.50. wh ich includes tax and / or postage . tember 17, 1974. A former theatre Name ______Address ______organist in Chicago during the silent City ______State ______Zip ___ _ Return to: WTO/"The Entertainer"/Central Ticket Agency/Century II/Wichita, Kanaaa 67202 film era. Joe has lived in Alamosa, DECEMBER, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN 13 tine ABC 's of REGULATORS and theh'" trklky vallves by Bill Exner Illustrated by the Author WHY REGULATORS? In order for a pipe organ to sound right, the wind supply to its pipes must somehow be maintained at the correct pressure. This is accomplished by means of regulators, which reduce the relatively high "static" wind pres sure supplied by the blower to the precise pressure required by the pipes. A regulator is a sort of bellows, which is held closed when the blower is off by heavy springs and/or weights. When the blower is turned on, the regulator inflates to its normal work ing condition, at which point a valve ( or system of valves) closes, shutting off the entry of any more air from the blower. The air pressure inside the regulator at this time is determined by the force provided by the springs and This article, as originally submitted, was about the several types of valves found on pipe organ regulators, their adjustment and improvement. But such a specialized technical treatise would probably be read only by organ Fig . A. REGULATOR (Right), source of many problems. This small Morton regulator is being fed by a Kinetic blower (left) . Valve opening and adjust nut are on top (center). The two weights owners suffering from valve problems, and two vertical springs are factors in the regulation process. This regulator is shown deflated we reasoned. What's a "cone valve" (blower off) . to the average reader? Yet, the in formation was so well stated that we (or) weights. As air is drawn from the Having gone to all this trouble to couldn't turn it down. Instead, we regulator, it collapses slightly. This provide rock-steady wind, the theatre contacted the author and asked him to causes the valve to open and allow the organ builder now messes everything expand it to include a discussion of up by adding a tremulant. The trem wind pressure regulators and their entry of just enough additional air to functions, to be followed by his words replace that which was used, thus ulant is a contraption which "shakes" about the valves which actually do the maintaining the regulated pressure the regulated wind pressure by in regulating. The resulting article about constant. termittently releasing puffs of air from these two inter-related areas of organ The valve (or valves) must be de the regulator. Thus, in a theatre organ, design are not only informative but signed to control very precisely the the regulator must be husky enough to they make interesting reading for all small amount of air required by a provide steady wind under all con who are interested in the inner work single small pipe, and also to handle ditions of demand, yet not so un ings of a pipe organ. Editor (WSG) the blast required for a big chord on shakeable as to prevent the tremulant full organ. from doing its job. This requirement is 14 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1974 met by the proper proportioning of springs-versus-weights, and by the de sign and adjustment of the valve system. In the early days of theatre organs, the wise men at Wurlitzer found that the conflicting demands of steady wind versus good trem action could best be met through the use of a triple valve regulator. A cross-sectional view of a typical Wurlitzer regulator is shown in Figure 1. The photo (Fig. 2) shows the actual valve assembly from such a regulator. Referring to the sketch, wind from the blower enters the lower chamber, and passes by way Fig . 1. WURLITZER THREE-VALVE REGULA TOR . Note the small cone valve (A), small flapper of the three regulating valves to the valve (Bl and large flapper valve (C) . This cutaway view shows the regulator with a ll valves upper chamber. As it does so, the closed , its normal condition when the blower is running but no wind is being used . build-up of pressure in the upper chamber forces the regulator top up mostly on some combination of "cut system. The prose accompanying this ward, against the downward force of and try", experience, luck, and black picture emphasizes the superiority of the springs and weights (not shown in magic. In general, it seems to be true three-valve regulators for theatre or the sketch). When the top of the that for a really sexy Tibia trem the gans, making it abundantly clear that regulator reaches the position shown, small flapper valve (as well as the cone nobody but an idiot would try to trem the valves close (as shown), shutting valve) should open on each trem cycle. a single valve regulator. On this point off the flow of air to the upper But is the triple valve the only nobody should question Kimball's chamber. answer for a well-regulated but trem'd right to speak, because for many years If a small amount of wind is drawn wind supply? Is there any hope for an previously they had done exactly that! from the regulator, the top drops very organ whose regulators have only one The regulators used in early Kim slightly, causing the cone valve (A) to valve? Please continue. ball theatre organs, in Weltes, and open just enough to make up the loss. occasionally in various other makes, If somewhat more wind is used, the THE THREE-IN-ONEVAL VE use a single, enormous cone valve - top drops further until it reaches the In one of the later Kimball theatre referred to most descriptively by or push rod which controls the small organ catalogs there is a picture of the ganman Bill Coffman as the "churn flapper valve (B), which then opens valve assembly from inside a Kimball dash valve" (Is there anybody else old and supplies more wind to the upper regulator, and it looks very much like enough to remember hand operated chamber. Similarly, if a really heavy the familiar Wurlitzer triple-valve butter churns?). These regulators are demand is made on the wind supply, the regulator top drops further yet, Fig . 2 . TRIPLE-VAL VE ASS EMBLY shown removed from a Wurlitzer regulator . Out of sight, on the under side of the assembly, are springs which hold the hinged flapper valves (B and C) engaging the large flapper valve (C) normally closed. push rod and opening the large flapper until the demand is met. Not shown in either the sketch or the photo is a safety valve which protects the reg ulator in the event something should go wrong with the operation of the three valves. The relative lengths of the push rods, which control the valve opening sequence, are adjustable. On Wurlitzer regulators, adjusting nuts are provided at the top of the threaded cone valve rod, and the effective lengths of the flapper valve rods are adjusted by adding or removing felt spacers at the ends of the rods. Small access panels are provided so this can be done without major disassembly of the reg ulator. The adjustment of the push rods has a great deal to do with the kind of tremolo which will be produced. Like everything else about tremolos, it is far from an exact science, and depends DECEMBER, 197 4 OK for a church organ, but the prob patience with this beast and deter lem is, if you pile enough weight on A bout the Author mined to see whether there wasn't one of them to get a halfway theatrical Bill Exner might be described as some way to civilize it. I started out tremolo, the regulator gets unstable one of the "stalwarts" of the by asking a half-dozen of the best and "selftrems" at random, un Los Angeles Chapter, having old-time theatre organ experts in controlled. served as Chapter Chairman and Southern California for advice. Their One well known organ which is in numerous other chapter-re answers were all the same: "Some cursed with these single valve reg lated official and unofficial times these dogs work fairly well, but ulators is the Los Angeles Wiltern capacities. His engineering back when they don't all you can do is Theatre's Kimball, and being a king ground is valuable in helping either replace them with triple-valves, size 4/37 organ it has king-size reg solve such technical problems as or give up trying to get a good trem." ulators. Another builder would prob the one described here. Over the They also pointed out that these reg ably have used smaller regulators and Years Bill has been active in ulators work best on low differential more of them, but that was not helping maintain and improve pressure (the difference in inches Kimball's way. The regulator which is the instrwnents which are the between the static wind and the reg the villain of this story is an outsize LA Chapter's showcases - The ulated wind). This helped explain affair, 74" x 32" x 14" high, about LA Wiltern Kimball, The Elks some of the headaches at the Wiltern, four times the capacity of the largest Bldg. Robert Morton and the because this regulator puts out 10 standard Wurlitzer regulator. The rise San Gabriel Civic Auditorium inches of regulated wind pressure from of its top from collapsed position to Wurlitzer. 18-inch static wind. So the differential normally open is a bit over four is a whopping 8 inches! inches, and its "churn dash" valve is a At one point I was discussing my full 10 inches in diameter. It supplies tenance crews have done battle with it, troubles with Bill Coffman and Bill wind to the Open Diapason, Gems always reaching an unhappy com Field, co-owners of the famous Old horn, and Concert Flute, including promise wherein the regulator was Town Music Hall and its 4/22 Wur their 8' offsets, as well as to five ranks right on the ragged edge of self litzer in El Segundo, Calif. Bill Coff of reeds. tremming, but the resulting trem still man generously loaned me a complete This monster has always been a wasn't deep enough. Wurlitzer triple-valve assembly (Fig. 2) problem. Through the years main- Several months ago I ran out of to try, and Bill Field took the time to demonstrate the effect of various valve settings on the resulting trem. My next thought was to install this Wurlitzer assembly in the Kimball regulator and, if it worked, make a duplicate of it. However, the more I studied the problem the less attractive this solution appeared. While I was trying to figure out how best to proceed, I kept studying Bill Coff man's triple valve and asking myself the question, "If I were to design a single valve to duplicate the action of this triple valve, what would it look like?" Gradually an idea began to take shape. In order to try out my idea, I had to find someone with a lathe big enough to handle the 10-inch disc. Fortunately, Dick Schroder has a Shop Smith which will convert to just such a lathe, and together we went to work. The resulting valve cone is shown in the accompanying sketch, compared to the original Kimball "churn dash" cone (Fig. 3). Note the following differences: 1. The taper of the cone is much shallower, meaning that as the valve first starts to open it will open much more gradually. 2. The entire cone is much thicker, meaning that the regulator top must drop farther before the valve opens fully. DECEMBER, 197 4 3. The cone is felted only part way up. This results in a fairly sharp increase in the rate of opening as the edge of the felt reaches the valve seat. The point where this occurs can quite easily be adjusted by cutting back, or ORIGINAL VALVE adding to, the felt. CONE" I never really expected this creation to work on the first try. All I hoped for was some sign of promise which would provide a clue as to what to try next, and I fully expected to have to experiment with the height of the felting, and quite possibly to have to change the taper. However, when ,____ t______,oh------•I Wiltern Crew Chief Leonard Worne and I installed the new valve it worked 3 J1s"3-IN-I VALVE so perfectly that the only reason we pulled it out again was to measure and CONE photograph it for the record (Fig. 4). The following comparison of the new valve with that of the Wurlitzer triple valve will make it clear why we call this the "three-in-one" valve: 1. As the regulator top starts to drop, the three-in-one valve starts to Fig. 4 . THREE-IN-ONE VALVE CONE mated with the unmodified Kimball valve seat (shown open quite gradually, corresponding to removed from regulator). This improved valve cone is a direct replacement for the original one . No other modification to the regulator is required. the opening of the small cone valve of the triple valve system. 2. As the top drops further, the three-in-one valve reaches the upper Fig. 3. THREE-IN -ONE VALVE CONE compared with the original Kimball "churn dash" cone. edge of the felt and starts to open Significant differences are discussed in the text. more rapidly, corresponding to the opening of the small flapper valve. 3. If the top should drop even further, the three-in-one valve opens fully quite suddenly, corresponding to the opening of the large flapper valve. I am certainly not naive enough to believe that this first try at a three-in one valve is the final answer to what one should look like. However, I am impressed by the fact that it did solve this particularly difficult problem without any need for cut-and-try "optimizing". For a smaller regulator with less "rise" this design would have to be scaled down, and, quite possibly, the taper made even shallower. If any of you feel inspired to try it, I'll be most interested in hearing about the results. □ Mark your Calendar Now! JULY 15-20, 1975 ATOS NATIONAL CONVENTION SAN FRANCISCO 17 the movies and at least one in the theatre organ field) will cut it out in 197 5. As for theatre audiences, they are long overdue for education in group manners, but there is slim hope as long as theatres keep operating restaurants, soft-drink parlors, and by John Muri pin-ball arcades in their lobbies while showing inflammatory films on-screen. Like birthdays, New Years reminds thefts, it is no wonder that some An organist doesn't stand much us of unaccomplished goals and of the managers have little patience. Speaking chance playing for the kinds of crowds need to get about our business. Yearly, of theft, Tom Sheen once said that if that most theat~es are attracting. our unsatisfied wishes have to be all the organ pipes that had been modified in the light of age, eco stolen were suddenly to fly back to 3. Sincerity In Criticism, Tempered nomics, and opportunity. Here are their original instruments, the sky With Kindness. In reviewing concerts, some old wishes, modified by time for would be dark for three weeks. A we ought to use superlatives like 1975: slight exaggeration, I think, but it "artistry," "master of the instru 1. Greater Effectiveness Through makes a point. ment,'' "completely captivating," Cooperation. Again in 1974 we had Another of our shortcomings, "enthusiastic reception," and "soul evidences of antipathy between mem especially with the larger instruments, stirring harmony" with care. The first bers of various chapters. Among sev is failure to have a work-schedule with two of these terms should be applied eral causes, one stands out. It is the assigned responsibilities. A big work only by critics who have earned the domination of activities by a single load cannot be trusted to chance or to right to make authoritative judge individual or group that makes de one or two persons. Sloppy emergency ments. Amateur critics can easily make cisions without consulting other mem repairs result in feelings of insecurity fools of themselves. My home-town bers. Such people offend when they in both players and maintainance newspaper once sent a musically carry on chapter activities to ag crew. A single individual will probably ignorant reporter to review a grandize themselves and ignore the have to coordinate work on our largest symphony concert. When the paper potentialities of others. When mem instruments, but he will need to keep printed stuff like "The orchestra has a bers find little or nothing to do in a in mind that while there is always good beat," "The Tannhauser March is society, they usually lose interest and room for leadership, there is small a sparkling number," and "The or quit. Each of us (especially officers) room for domination. Supervision is chestra showed good tempo," musi needs to look at himself and ask important for the safety of an enter cally-knowing people howled in whether what he is doing in the name prise, but it should be exercised with derision. of the organization is always in what tact and delegated when warranted to As for standing ovations as critical might be called "the public interest." other workers with special com testimony, they have lost their validity In the maintainance and re-building petence. The big question: "Am I able through indiscriminate use. Everybody of theatre organs, particularly large to lead other people effectively?" re gets them; a stenographer got one ones, the person in charge or with the quires an honest reply. when her boss praised her at a con greatest influence should ask himself: 2. Renewal Of Courtesy, Gra vention. I like Earl Wilson's crack that Am I competent for this job? How do I ciousness, And Social Responsibility. I many a standing ovation has been react under test conditions? Do I panic am disgusted by noisy, unruly audi caused by somebody jumping to his when the organ develops a run or goes ences, foul-mouthed performers, and feet to beat the rest of the audience to dead during a concert? Do I really show-people who think they are too the parking lot. Here again I pray for a repair ciphers or do I just pull pipes? big to receive honors from their fel return to temperance. We can afford Do I start repairing a leather-rotten low-workers. A couple of years ago, to be generous in praise but not water-soaked organ by first painting the late Hal Mohr (a veteran Holly excessive, for when we praise every the console, repairing the bird-whistle, wood camerman) exclaimed to Lois body in the same way, sincerity (if not or adjusting xylophone hammers? Wilson (a veteran movie star) and me understanding) comes into question. Such mechanics need to go study and concerning an Academy/Award re Credibility is largely based on trust, learn from experts. Organ tinkerers jection, "That guy! Who in H does he and one has little trust in the judge do about as much harm as good, think he is? Here's our Academy, the ments of someone whose reactions are maybe more. only bit of glamor we've got left in automatic. Jesse Crawford used to say, One of the surest ways to wreck a Hollywood, offering to honor him and "Never trust an orange." Even if you theatre organ project is to invite large he spits in our faces!" I pray that the could learn to tell invariably which numbers of people to visit the theatre psychological streakers who expose way an orange would squirt, you'd for frequent playing (usually just their crudity in public (there are at need to make sure that it didn't doodling) sessions, while no serious least four who have reached the top in temporarily blind you. work is done on the organ. It doesn't 4. Clear Definition Of Functions. take much to get a theatre manager The 1974 convention of the Theatre Mr. Muri's opinions expressed fed up with people poking all over his herein are his own and do not Historical Society met in Detroit. I theatre. With their worries about suits necessarily reflect the policies of noted large numbers of theatre organ for accidents, damage to equipment by ATOS or THEATRE ORGAN followers present and their desire to visitors who can't keep their hands off Magazine. have the organs played in the theatres switchboards, projectors, etc., and they visited. As two organ demon- 18 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1974 strations were given (Royal Oak and Masonic Temple), the thought came to me that we were getting some overlap with ATOS convention functions to come a week later. The fact that next year's THS convention is to occur the same week in the same city (San Francisco) with the ATOS makes me PllESEMTS wonder if some duplication of function might possibly be in the making. I'd like to see that clarified in 197 5. Since many people are members of both fine organizations, it appears important that complementary, not duplicative, relationships be main tained. LAllSEH! 5 . Improvement Of American Cultural Life. The past year has given PLAYZHD'l'HE us more than enough of shocks and MZDH'l'YWURLITZER losses to lament. We are a humorless Lyn Larsen, world renown and entertainment-starved nation. organist, plays Several important organ builders have STEREO OSP.101 ORGAN STOP PIZZA closed up shop, with one of them going into bankruptcy. There is nothing on the scene to indicate im mediate improvement. Many of the signs are negative. Our social phil osophers see only serious obstacles ahead. Lewis Mumford, one of the greatest, says bluntly that we are now in a new dark age, from which it will take two or three hundred years for our descendants to emerge. That's not so good. Well, anyway, we can be grateful for the gifts that come to us without charge year by year, dark age or bright: (1) the gift of human love and sympathy, (2) the gift of moral and ethical sense, even though it weakens occasionally, (3) the gift of memory, ( 4) the gift of beauty in vision and thought, (5) the gift of literacy, and ( 6) the gift of music, which, barring divine reve lation, is as near to God's voice as we Side One shall get on Earth. □ 1. Hey, Look Me Over 2. Organ Stop Boogie ... Lyn Larsen Side Two 3. Spanish Eyes 1. Chattanooga Choo-Choo 4. Now Thank We All Our God ... 2. Beer Barrel Polka arr. V. Fox 3. Battle Hymn of the Republic 5. Mouse of Ages ... 4. It's a Small World ... arr. Lyn Larsen 5. Nevertheless AVAILABLEfromORGAN STOP PIZZA 5330 North Seventh Street, Phoenix, Arizonia 85014 Please send me Copy(s) of "ORGAN STOP PIZZA Presents LARSEN!" Sendyour changeof Enclose check or money order for $6.00 per copy, addressto ... plus $.50 for mailing VI THOMPSON Name ______THEATRE ORGAN P.O. BOX 1314 Address ______SALINAS, CALI FORNI A 93901 City ______St. _____ Zip ____ _ DECEMBER, 197 4 THEATRE ORGAN 19 From the same magazine, we found gowns and shoes added their bit to the NUGGETS some other items relative to events oc housewife's dream which was con curing during that Christmas week. 43 tained in a heavily guarded strong from the years ago. room during the week. GOLDEN JACK WARD at the New York D. KENNETH WIDENOR, guest Academy of Music presented as a organist at New York's 86th Street recent organ solo an original con Theatre, presented a singing novelty coction. entitled "Musical Madness." called "Closeups and Shapshots ". The entire solo, which featured special Songs used were Can't Write the and regular choruses of popular songs, Words, River Stay 'Way From My met with approval, and the audience Door, When the Moon Comes Over the joined in the fun and lustily sang each Mountain and Faded Summer Love. number. Opening with a self-ex Two tongue-twisters, a special, writ planatory chorus to a popular tune, ten about slogans on billboards, and a telling the audience the reasons for "challenge" chorus gave them plenty and fun derived by singing, a regular for the comedy angle. The solo was chorus of Guilty was sung by them. In well received. Your Arms, a special tongue-twister BOB WEST at Philadelphia's Fox Prospected by Lloyd E. Klos which was not only extremely laugh Theatre, and funster on the organ, able, but very witty as well. One More called his number a "song marathon" Back in the dear old days, theatre Time, and Happy When You're Happy and received more than usual co organists took out block ads in the followed. operation from the audience. The trade magazines as a means of ex Ward uses special cartoon slides and songs consisted of simple melodies, pressing season's greetings to their gags between songs, and also ad libs including You've Brought a New Kind friends and fans. Found in the Motion the dialogue which enhances the in of Love to Me, Constantinople, Shine Picture Herald of December 26, 1931, timacy. Of course, the stage shows at On, Harvest Moon, Good Night, here are some Yuletide greetings: this house are very long, but this Sweetheart and Dancing With Corns EGON DOUGHERTY, Broad reviewer cannot understand why this on My Toes. casting Sincere Greetings for the Holi organist and his 10 minutes of real EGON DOUGHERTY at New days from Loew's Triboro Theatre, entertainment are not featured regu York's Astoria Triboro, offered a Astoria Long Island. larly. The applause at the finish cer straight community sing. Though this Season's Greetings to Louis K. tainly calls for it. type of work does not require all of Sidney, Don Albert and to all my The mannequins came to the Roxy Dougherty's ability as a musician, the friends. JOHN GAR T, organist and in New York for the past week, and as audience wants nothing other than sing music director of Loew 's 46th Street a result, the place looked like a min ing and in this way, he is showing Theatre, Brooklyn, N. Y. iature of the federal treasury. Armed himself a clever fellow in giving them Season Greetings from Mr. and Mrs. guards took command, as better than what they want. JESSE CRAWFORD, Paramount The 100 pieces of expensive fur from He called the solo "Now It's Song atre, at the Crossroads of the World. establishments along Fifth Avenue Singing Time" and gave them the The boy with ''Miles of Smiles," were made ready for the parade of fallowing to sing: How's Your Uncle? REX KOURY, extends the Season's fash ion which featured the Roxy stage Can't Write the Words, River Stay Greetings to his many radio and the presentation for the week. One sable, 'Way From My Door, Can't Stop Me atre friends. Feature Organist, RKO believe it or not, is said to be worth From Loving You, Without the Gal Proctor's in Troy, N. Y. $50,000 alone. The total figure set on and in closing, Some of These Days. MERLE CLARK extends to all his the 100 wrap-around pelts was over EARL ABEL at the Texas Theatre friends in the profession a Very Merry $1,000,000, which just isn't fair to in San Antonio, recently offered as his Christmas. Still featured organist at man or beast. Expensive evening organ solo several peppy parodies on the Paramount Theatre in Brooklyn, the following late song hits: You Call N.Y. SPECIAL! It Madness, A Cottage For Sale, and JOE STOVES, organist at Loew 's CONVENTION I'm Yours. Abel displayed a sign on Valencia, New York, extends Holiday CHARTER FLIGHT the console which read "Organ For Greetings to All. To: San Francisco Sale", and he announced that the With Heartiest Greetings for a From: Chicago house management was going to dis Happy Christmas. FRED FEIBEL, CATOEinvites all ATOSmembers to Join pose of this mighty instrument if the Junior Organist, Paramount Theatre, them on a UnitedAirlines DC-8 non-stop patrons wouldn't sing every line of his New York City. to the Convention.If all seats are filled song slides. The natives went for the One hundred miles from ole Mexico the cost to each will be about ½ the gag in a big way, and did they sing? - 'way down in San Antonio over regularfare. They did. Then the master of the station KABC comes a Merry Christ ForInfo. or reservationscontact: singfest rendered Good Night, Sweet mas to Everyone, Everywhere by IONE TEDEI heart, I Don't Know Why, Sweet and EARL ABEL. 3322Ruby, Franklin Park, Ill. 60131 lovely and Shine On, Harvest Moon. Phone:(312) 678-4339 Season's Greetings from WILL NOTE: Depositof $20.00per person That should do it for this time. So GILROY. Zoll Zein Mit Gluck. Loew's must be receivedbefore Jan. 1, 1975. long, sourdoughs! Pitkin Theatre, Brooklyn. Jason & The Old Prospector 20 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1974 WISTCOAST lllllflST CliCIS by Hal Steiner twas the best year yet for the Home Organ Festival. The annual event, held at a Cali Dfornia state park (A silo mar) near Monterey attracted 1600 attendees, the most ever. They had access to 33 concerts, 8 workshops and 8 master classes during the 5- DECEMBER, 197 4 Wurlitzer: Gus Pearson, Ray Han son. Yamaha: Bob Dove, Dennis Hin man, Danny Brown, O'lyn Callahan. About half of the organists listed were veterans of at least one previous Festival. The others were newcomers. The Festival provides two show cases to merchandisers of electronic organs - concerts in acoustically good 1100-seat Merrill Hall and exhibit space in acoustically separated cottages on the grounds. Both pay off for exhibitors. A partial canvas of showrooms on closing day indicated that a good many organs had been sold during the week. Emphasis is on "in stitutional" advertising (good will) rather than immediate sales although one exhibitor claimed 10 major sales. The hoped-for effect of the 15th annual Festival is to up Holiday sales, as it has in the past. Products shown were mainly re finements of previous models, with a minimum of surprises. Most manu facturers still seem to be carrying on last year's romance with what are loosely termed "synthesizers," mostly lineal descendants of the almost for gotten Hammond "Solovox" of the late '30s. For some reason these extra voices started out as attachments in Frank Cimmino. A long way from the New Jersey Suburbian restaurant to the Fes their current reincarnation, played tival in California. (StufotoJ from an extra keyboard like the Solovox. Now there still may be an Tom Cotner presents Ann Leaf with the additional short manual involved, but award for naming Saville's new entertain the trend seems to be to incorporate ment theatre organ the "Renaissance." (Nakaharapic) the synthesizer into the organ circuitry and furniture. The Festival promoters keep a close watch on audience reactions to the various innovations (aided by ques tionaires) and have noted falling en thusiasm for concert time accorded instruments which are not organs - the soloing synthesizers. Therefore, Festival rules were changed and the '74 schedule allowed no concert time to non-organs, although the attach ments were on display in showrooms. Despite the rule, a couple of exhibitors managed to get their separate synthe sizers on the concert stage but the audience reaction was such that its improbable they'll try it again. Fes tivaleers just seem to prefer complete organs. They don't mind the added voices if they're part of the organ. There were exceptions to the synthesizer trend; Rodgers continues to improve the theatrical qualities of the voices on its horseshoe stoprails and the Conn 651 never sounded THEATRE ORGAN that Yamaha engineers have finally discovered pipe sounds. The model EX-42 is the sole evidence, so far, but it's easily the most theatrical sounding instrument the Japanese firm has ex hibited. Part of its excellence as heard during the Festival may be due to organist Bob Dove's sensitive playing of a Buddy Cole arrangement of Sep tember in the Rain. New models of the makes most used by professiona]s are more clut tered with gadgetry than ever. Where the time-tested stopkey once dom inated the stoprail to control all aspects of registration, there are now sliders, dials, push buttons , tilting tablets, and rollers on both stoprail and side jamb to add confusion to a function that should be simple and standardized , although the addition of The 'style 235' Saville, now the 'Renaissance.' Almost an exact copy. better. These firms are still on the trai] "baby". Festival visitor Ann Leaf won of the magic and engineering required the $50.00 prize with "Renaissance." to coax pipe tones from transistors, For years it has been said that when which is, after all, the real objective. Yamaha discovers the theatre pipe Now Rodgers and Conn have been organ, things will begin to happen. Danny Brown "knocked 'em dead " with his joined in this worthy quest by a late While the firm's consoles remain humor in the best stand -up comedian st yle . bloomer - Saville. largely unchanged, there is evidence He did a nice job at the Yamaha , too . (Stufoto / This firm, long a builder of custom church electronics, has thrown its hat Don Lewis . Gospel music with humor . (Nakahar apic) into the entertainment organ field with a 3-manual entertainment model which reveals considerable progress in attaining instrumental voices from transistors in a relatively short period of time. His strings and reeds are very fine, with more work to be done to get the Tibia chirping with a more ef fective tremulant. The console is an eye catcher; it is a close copy of the Wurlitzer style 235 theatre pipe organ console. Designer Tom Cotner, making no extravagant claims, says "baby" aims toward being the electronic equivalent of a nine rank pipe organ (the 235 is an II-ranker). Savi11ehas already sold the prototype. In cidentally, a contest was held to name DECEMBER, 197 4 synthesizers tends to complicate the function. One manufacturer has re gressed to the point of adding Ham mond-sty le drawbars to control voices in place of stopkeys, while Hammond is using more and more stopkeys. As one pro put it, "You gotta have a diploma in how to get around on these new models." The Festival weather this year was sunless and somewhat drab. Rain often threatened the Monterey Peninsula, but never materialized. The denizens of the forest surrounding the park buildings turned out, as always, to startle festivaleers at night. Deer were the most common non-humans, with raccoons a close second. Generally concert performances were high in quality, with the ex perienced pro's making the solidest impact. Sometimes they resorted to visual gags. For example Bob Ralston displayed his pet Boa Constrictor wrapped around his neck while playing a tune. Seven foot "Paganini's" be havior was exemplary; it was obvious he had a crush on Bob. How ever, Jonas Nordwall's mechanical monkey was reluctant to clang his windup cymbals for the audience. He had to be coaxed. Most of the newcomers gave credit able performances, too, and will do even better when they've played at enough Festivals to learn what Festival audiences expect and appreciate most. To their credit there was very little of the flashy, body English, fanny tossing, manual whapping, palm glissing Ethel Smith-type stylings which sometimes marred earlier Fes tivals. Most artists realized there was no need to make playing look difficult for the benefit of today's festivaleers. One thing that was lacking this year was humor - at least in the generous doses administered last year. However, Bud Iverson and Dick Purvis teamed up for a comedy routine with Bud voicing Dick's thoughts as the latter struggled through a purposely faulty Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, a sketch rich in humor. The only other humor came as a surprise when Yamaha's Danny Brown turned out to be a stand up comedian as well as a key pusher. Despite an increasing number of spinoffs, this year's Home Organ Fes tival - the original - easily lived up to its boast - "The greatest organ show on earth!" Electronic division, of course. □ DECEMBER, 1974 ~nippd1'from A provincial newspaper came out to play mainly by touch and using left hand and pedals only, his with it this spring: "Organist's dark memory," he says. right wrist being broken( secret is out." "It is very difficult, particularly for This lurid headline revealed pub an organist, because every organ is STACCATO SNIPPETS - Going the licly the fact that the legendary different and because of the size of the rounds is a lengthy documentary film, Reginald Porter-Brown (known ad instrument - it takes some time to An Acre of Seats in a Garden of miringly to many as "the man with find where everything is on a four Dreams, which tells the story of three hands") is now a registered blind manual organ. movies in Britain and features pedal person . "What has helped me is the fact pushers Douglas Reeve, John Stewart In fact, he has been struggling with that, as a child, I played for hours and and Ena Baga (though Ena confines worsening vision for 14 years and his hours in the dark, extemporising and herself to piano backing for silents on handicap is such that he cannot read improvising." this occasion) ... Over in Holland , the more than a few notes of music at a He has ·suffered much from ill Passage Theatre, Schiedam, closed May time and then only by looking directly health in his time but has built up a 1, 197 4. It will re-open as a com at them. formidable second-touch technique munity arts centre May 2 , 1975 (all "For a long time I have been having which enable him to broadcast twice being well) with the Standaart 3/ l 0 fully overhauled . Scheduled soloist will be Car Standaart, son of the original builder ... Joseph Seal has re tired from his desk job with a cinema circuit. He has another LP due soon on a commercial label ... Cameo/Poly, Regent Street, London has reverted to live theatre presentations. The Compton 2/6 stays ... Six years after his retirement, veteran Dutch tab merchant Johan Jong returned to the air waves to give a reci ta! on the AVRO studio's Compton 4/22 . He was formerly staff organist for the VARA radio company, who presented the recital but whose Standaart 3/13 was a waiting major overhaul ... Regal, Edmonton, London celebrated 40 years with the famous Christie 4/ 14 well to the fore in the hands of several players. After a spell as The Sundown, the theatre has reverted to its original REGINALD PORTER-BROWN - his sight handicap has been revealed . (J.D . Sharp Photo) name. □ the trusted name in pipe organ supplies REISNER, Inc., 240 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 71, Hagerstown, Md. 21740 (301) 733-2650 DECEMBER, 197 4 THEATRE ORGAN 25 - I~ Directed by Lyle W . Nash PEOPLE ... Maureen O'Hara recently served as stew ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS: Was Columbia studio really ardess aboard her husband's 30 year old Sunderland flying ever a power ? Harry Cohn would hate you to the year 2099 boat when it was flown from Down Under to the U.S .... for asking and point out that Columbia won 10 best Picture Jane Withers is ending the 11 year old TV career of Oscars - more than any other studio of any kind . . . Jackie Josephine the Plumber ... Orson Welles is making a new film Coogan was 60 last October . . . Slapsie Maie Rosenbloom, about a Hollywood director (a composite of several great 71, lives in a Hollywood senior citizen center. talents) . .. With the passing of Cliff Arquette (Charlie Weaver) and Walter Brennan there is room for more talent in Hollywood but they'll be hard to replace ... Some TV MORE QUESTIONS:"In the silent days were there ever watchers were surprised on how much Ian Carmichael cameo parts?" Oh, yes. In the 1924 film In Hollywood with reminded them of Neil Hamilton ... Morton Downey lives in Potash &Perlmutter, Norma and Constance Talmadage did a Wallingford, Conn .... Singer Marion Hutton (Glenn Miller bit ... In 1926 Paramount had a film, Fascinating Youth, band) was last reported living in the Laguna Beach, California which featured bit appearances by Clara Bow, Richard Dix, area. Adolphe Menjou, Lois Wilson, Percy Marmont, Chester Conklin, Thomas Meighan, Lila Lee, Lewis Milestone and Mal St. Clair. The idea is as old as films. WOMEN predominated in film making for the first 60 years of films . But not today. In 1926 women stars outnumbered men , 15 to one. Now we have Elizabeth REEL LIFE . .. In the 1953 MGM remake of Mogambo, Taylor, Julie Andrews, Katharine Hepburn , Barbara Streisand, Ava Gardner was torching for Clark Gable. In a moment of Ann Bancroft, Faye Dunaway and a few others. in 14 new alcoholic comfort she blurted out: "You know, your big ears films, you'll see soon, not one has a woman as a star. It is stick out like an elephant " . .. Parade magazine says Tom men, men and more men. Perhpas that is one reason the old Mix does have a son living in London ... William Wyler is off movies on TV have continued appeal. They had glamorous, on a world trip that includes shooting dozens of rolls of beautiful, talented, exciting feminine stars. super eight film for his home movies . .. Harold Lloyd Estate Trustees are making slow progress towards finding the right and best group to develop the famed showplace into a lasting museum. WHO IS WHERE? . . . This month we do a switch. Readers are asking the whereabouts of: Josephine Dunn, Mona Palmer, Iris Gray, Greg Blackton, Mary Dees, Dolores ALAN DWAN, 90, is probably the dean of Hollywood Moran, Wanda Hendrix, Ginny Simms, Victor Francen, Philip directors. He has a great memory, enjoys parties, is happy to Reed , Elliot Reed and Dan Seymour. Any information will meet fans and friends. Recently he told us: ''There are a lot be shared. of worthy young actors around today. Telly Savalas is a great player. I think Peter Bogdanovich is the best new director. He has it." Although he has been around films since 1911 , YOUNG THEATRE entreprenur Jack Tillmany notes: his reported age of 90 seems amiss. Probably closer to 7 8 or "Currently living in the San Francisco Bay area are Nancy 80. Welford (star of Gold Diggers of '29 ), Hallam Cooley, Ann Morriss, Kerwin Matthews, Aron Kincaid, Robert Whitney, Phillis Welch and Natalie Kingston . " RE-TAKES . .. In 1933 a Hollywood prophet wrote: "Indeed the twilight of all screen goddesses may be at hand. ~ No more sex queens." The clouds hung heavy over his crystal ball that day ... Reader LK writes: "Don't forget that Jackie SELECTED SHORTS ... Gene Raymond remarried ... Gleason, Marjorie Main, Eve Arden, Sara Allgood and Larry Vera Vague passed on ... Norma Shearer has personal prints Parks received Oscar nominations. " . .. Early advertising of her favorite films ... Sale of sheet music is rising ... (before film was shot) said Carmel Myers would be John Gloria Swanson and Barbara Stanwyck have given us over Gilbert's soul mate in Flesh & the Devil. 100 years of screen happiness. Isn't it time they be given an Oscar? ... Rita Lanham, the second Mrs. C. Gable, is reported living in Texas. She's 91 ... Robert Aldrich said: "I COMMENTS, contributions and questions are welcomed hate movie stars ... I don't hate actors ... There's a world to HC, P.O. Box 113, Pasadena, California 91102. □ of difference." 26 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1974 HAROLD JOLLES Veteran Theatre Organist by Lloyd E. Klos When the writer became an avowed no crescendo pedal, but there were two dents took turns at the 2-manual studio theatre organ buff in 1959 , one of the pedals, one for full organ , the other for Wurlitzer , playing a portion of a picture . first theatre organists he met was Harold everything , including percussion . Martel How I loved that! I remember particulary Jolles who was playing the 4/18 Marr & was a great exponent of lots of voice , Pola Negri in Passion . In those good Colton on Sundays in Buffalo's Roose including the 32 ' Diaphone which lay days, some students wouldn't take their velt Theatre . The theatre is gone , the horizontally above the proscenium arch ." alloted practice time on the Wurlitzer, so organ is owned by an enthusiast , but Harold had a few lessons from Hall of so fellow student Eda Roman and I Harold lives with his memories of the first Farner Murtagh, and then enrolled at would race to the studio for open prac great era of the theatre pipe organ. Rochester's Eastman School of Music in tice time . He began studying piano at the age of the fall of 1923 . "When I arrived at the "The teachers were John F. ten . In those days , there were no elec Eastman , there was no first-year class in and Robert J . Berentsen who alternated tronics, so practice time was a bit difficult motion picture accompaniment , so I at the 4/ 155 Austin in the Eastman The to obtain. He studied for a time with played the Hungarian Rhapsody #2 atre . Hammond and I became good Samuel Thorstenberg in Jamestown , from memory for Jose Iturbi and was friends , and he helped me a lot." N.Y., and got a small amount of practice placed in the second -year class. The stu - Among Harold 's classmates were time on a 4-manual Hook & Hastings in one of the churches. He also studied in Harold pauses at the console of the RKO Palace Wurlitzer in 1965 while concertizing in Roch ester . /Joi/es Coll.I Buffalo under Irwin S. Binder at Ply mouth ME Church. When he heard the great show-man-organist C. Sharpe Minor at Buffalo's Lafayette 3/15 Wur litzer, Harold decided to become a the atre organist. "I was in the balcony of the Lafayette when C. Sharpe Minor stationed a vio linist in the pipe chamber for added effect, which the patrons thought was being done by the organist. He used slides, telling how he had blended stops to imitate a violin, and wiggled his fingers on the keys to simulate the vibrato! Once, using the Vox Humana , he imitated a quartet's singing; another time he sta tioned a soprano in the Solo Chamber , and he said one could make the Wurlit zer sound like the human voice. "I never saw Minor or Henry B. Mur tagh in tux or tails, but Albert Hay Ma lotte always wore a morning coat and striped trousers in the daytime and tails at night. Arthur Martel also favored for mal dress at the Lafayette. "Never have I heard a Wurlitzer 260 with the volume the Lafayette haci! It had DECEMBER, 197 4 Betty Raub (later known as Rosa Rio), Eda Roman , Mildred Perris , Fred Meyers and Mrs. Gladys Brown. Harold greatly impressed Hammond, and through arangements with George Eastman and house manager Reuben Mamoulian , he played The White Sister one morning. They were further impressed and Harold was given permission to play for the sup per hour and the last show of the day for four months preceeding his departure from the school in 1924. "I recall the Regent Theatre on East Avenue , around the corner from Gibbs Street , which had a 1914 3-manual Hope -Jones Wurlitzer. I played it for a couple weeks while the organist was ill. The tremulant would not work for the Tibia, and when I sought permission to get it going , the manager refused. The tremulant on the strings was really big - almost shook you off the bench! " (That organ was removed in 1973 and placed A group of students, teachers and friends who visited the Marr & Colton Organ Co . in Warsaw, in storage by "The Filthy Fifteen" crew of N .Y . in 1924 , pose in front of the M & C office building . They are (1) David J . Marr , M & C Presi RTOS) . dent ; (2) John Hammond , teacher ; (3) Hazel Hippwell , student; (4) Mrs . Robert J . Berentsen ; (5) Mrs . John Hammond; (6) unidentified student of Harold Gleason ; (7) Mr . Roberts , student; "I could have stayed at the Eastman (8) Betty Raub (Rosa Rio), student; (9) Harold Harper , student; (10) Jack Colton , M & C voicer ; organ , I suppose , but I wanted to get out (11) Fred McKibben, student; (12) Eda Roman, student; (13) Eda's sister ; (14) Gladys E. Brown, and try my wings on a real Hope -Jones student ; (15) Robert J . Berentsen, teacher . Students : (16) Harry Bareuther , (17) Mildred Peris , (18) Wanda McCuen , (19) Edwin Paddock, (20) Fred Myers, (21) Harold Jolles, (22) Richard Wallace. (Joi/es Collection) after returning to the Palace, was coming up the aisle when a hand shot out. It was Famy Wurlitzer , and C. Sharpe Minor was with him . What a thrill! "Famy said to me , 'Boy , if you'd get one of our organs , you 'd really get some where .' He also said that he didn 't hear any strings on the Palace organ . I told him they weren 't working . This led to my calling the Marr & Colton Co . in Warsaw , N.Y. and asking them to get the organ in perfect shape as Minor was to play for three days (Fee : $300) . The company put in a new blower , a new console and more ranks . Upon completion of the work, M&C got me fired for being friend ly with Wurlitzer! "John Hammond sent for me to come to New York City where I substituted for Rosa Rio at Loew 's Willard for two weeks while she was on vacation . The organ was a 3/ 57 divided Austin , and in that big vaudeville house , it sounded great. I The Lerner Theatre in Elkhart, Ind ., where Harold was organist for five years . The marquee in 1924 advertises six acts of vaudeville and Buster Keaton in The Navigator , " a shipload of also subbed occasionally for Hammond laughs ." fJ olles Coll.I on the 4/ 28 Marr & Colton in the Picca dilly. One afternoon , he asked me to play type theatre organ . As Jamestown , N.Y. and ate quite a lot of it. A short time later , the picture at the Pie, saying he 'd be back was near my home , I took my first job while accompanying the picture , I had to in time for his solo. I developed a cold there at the 1000 -seat Winter Garden leave hurriedly in the middle of the film sweat , wondering where he was! He did Theatre - on a tracker action instru for the emergency relief station. My new get back, sliding onto the bench just in ment! It had a beautiful tone and fast nickname was Jolly Jolles - after my time. " action . The theatre had a fine orchestra , introduction to Ex-Lax . One of Harold 's memories of New too . "The Palace owners asked me to go to York was Hall of Farner Frederick Kins "After a few months , the owner the Wurlitzer factory in N. Tonawanda in ley who made a number of Edison wanted me to play his 1700 -seat Palace 1924 , to see about getting a 260 like Diamond Oise recordings in the early Theatre down on Third Street. It featured Buffalo 's Lafayette . I did , and shortly twenties on the Hippodrome Theatre 's five acts of first-class vaudeville , had a 3/ 15 Marr & Colton and another fine The Elco (formerly Lerner) Theatre as it is today . It seats about 2,000 .,,,,, orchestra . That was where I first heard Wlr Paul Whiteman 's concert orchestra and The Rhapsody in Blue with George Gershwin at the piano . "When I was at the Palace , Frieda Hempel , the German opera star , was giving a concert at the Winter Garden , when the theatre 's cat walked onto the stage and proceeded to preen herself . Mrs. Hempel burst out laughing as an usher removed kitty. If it had happened to Fify D'Orsay , oh boy! "A small theatre in Jamestown had a model 109 Wurlitzer. It had a Flute , which was a Stopped Diapason ; String ; Vox Humana ; Tuba ; and a piano console with a 61 -note keyboard. I frequently played it and had a ball. "One day at the Palace , I became ill as the console seemed to be moving . I went downstairs and even the floor was heaving . Jamestown was having a rare earthquake! "It was in Jamestown that pianist Gret chen Sach came to me one day and said , 'Have some candy .' I tried it, liked it, DECEMBER, 1974 Midmer -Losh. "I had four recordings by him , including Poor Butterfly . When playing in New York , I went to hear him but was not impressed by the organ ." The M-L was replaced in 1926 by a 4/ 29 Wurlitzer which eventually saw service in Albany where Rex Koury became fea tured organist. "I had a successful tryout at Loew's New York Roof for a regular position at Loew 's 86th Street Theatre. I soon quit however , because the manager was too hard to get along with. Loew's then sent me to their new Coney Island Theatre , a 2500-seat ornate picture house with a large Moller and a 25-piece symphony orchestra. The organ had a drawknob console, but in every sense a theatre organ with a 32' Contra Bourdon and a 32' Bombard . It was a beautiful organ and I enjoyed it until the fall of 1925 when I went West." Harold moved to Elkhart , Indiana where he played a Kimball in the Lerner Theatre for five years. With the exception of three musicians, the orchestra was the same as it was in the Palace in James The Lerner Theatre's Kimball console. It was at this keydesk that Harold fed a pet mouse. It was town. "Sylvester Stambaugh was the the finest Kimball he had ever heard. (James Coll.) organist whom I succeeded at the Lerner , a 2800-seat house. He had played for Barton in the Orpheum Theatre in and therefore given to static electricity . Lerner a long time , first on a straight Springfield, Ill. I did not like the organ or The girl ushers enjoyed touching their 2-manual Kimball down the street in a the manager. He wanted me to play fingers to my neck while I was at the con small vaudeville theatre. He told the popular music through most pictures . sole, just to see me jump from the shock! owners he'd quit if they put in a 3-man The theatre was beautiful, almost a rep "The console was on the right side of ual organ in the Lerner. So , what should lica of Rochester's RKO Palace, and like the pit. We once had a one-ring circus on have been a 3/ 11 was a 2/ 11 but had the Palace , the property is now a parking the stage , complete with high-wire acts , the big sound of Kimball. It was the lot. The organ was given to a high school , horses, three elephants and Clyde finest sounding Kimball I've ever heard, and at last report, hardly usable as its Beatty's lions and tigers. The stage , was and it had a piano and 32 ' resultant. maintenance was neglected. very large and high, and looked a great "When I first went to the Lerner , I was "While in Elkhart, a young tuner from deal like the Saenger's in New Orleans . told I'd never get the audience to sing. I the Kimball factory came every three The orchestra's drummer sat next to the started with slides on 'I Scream for Ice months . He was a good fellow and console . There was a chimpanzee on the Cream '. At first, no sound from the stayed at our home . He told me that the stage, chained to a tricycle. He evidently patrons. Then I said , 'Let's hear just the New York Roxy Kimball had 54 ranks. didn't like drummers, because he came gals'. I played pretty loud , but could hear Milton Paige told me the same thing to the edge of the stage and showed his some of them . Then I asked for the men , years later when on a visit to Buffalo, teeth. The drummer reciprocated. The telling them I'd play loud. I put on cres he tried out the Roosevelt M & C. monkey came right over the apron, tri cendo , and when they got going well, I "The Lerner Kimball had gongs , bells, cycle and all! The drummer went one stopped , leaving them singing acapella! auto horn , aeroplane sound , surf etc . on way , I another! Later at the Orpheum in Everyone had a good laugh , I had 'em buttons above the top manual. I'd been Springfield , he did the same thing, even from then on , and there was no problem . using the aeroplane sound one day and though the Barton console was on the "I used to go to Chicago once a month it stuck! I went up to the chamber and cut left side of the pit. to take lessons from Jesse Crawford , the wire which was the only thing I could "Another day with the circus still on using the same organ on which he made do . The owner told me to keep it dis the bill at the Lerner , I noticed a small his first recordings (Valencia etc.) . It connected , so I couldn 't use it again. monkey, chained to the door of the girls' gave me the opportunity to hear other "The relief organist at the Lerner was a backstage dressing room. He was blind in organists as well. Many organists in the woman who had studied with Stam one eye, but cute . He'd peek in at the old d_ays let their playing do their talking baugh . I had a pet mouse who used to girls and beckon me to take a look. I for them . Doc Bebko will say the same come out on the console near my right asked his owner what he was up to , and I thing . I heard Jesse Crawford , Arthur hand , and I'd keep some crumbs for him. was told that the monkey wanted me to Gutow , Milton Charles, C. Sharpe Minor, One day , the mouse came out and get into position so he could bite me! Henry B. Murtagh , Albert Hay Malotte jumped onto the lady's hand. She let out "The Lerner was a beautiful theatre and many more . Not a w_ord out of them! a shriek and made a hasty exit. and apparently still is as I saw the Main "I took six months out to play the 3/ 11 "The carpeting in the Lerner was deep Street of Elkhart on TV news awhile ago, 30 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1974 and two good views of the theatre (now hands came down on the manuals for the Elco) were shown . It looked like new , the first note and everything but the and its big facade looked much like the HEAR YE! kitchen sink sounded off! The boys were Rivoli in New York. It had the most beau seated directly in front of the console , tiful mezzanine lounge I've seen . When I HEAR YE! and Harold turned around , glared at played there , it had a large vertical them and uttered some unprintable Now is the Time 'Lerner ' sign. •,, oath! The boys innocently smiled back! "I remember the first picture I played ._ to pay your In generalizing on the past , Harold at the Lerner was the Lost World . The ;; 1975 NationalDues r. Jolles offers some timely comment. patrons had never heard a picture really "Read John Muri's articles on playing a played , as Stambaugh usually employed motion picture in the 1974 issues of popular \TIUSicfor most pictures . How 5 THEATRE ORGAN . The young should ever , the one I really enjoyed playing was 1975 Dues...... 10 follow his advice and I am in complete The Phantom of the Opera. In the scene Chapter members please submit agreement with what he says . A good just before the massive chandelier fell, I your National Dues to your chap theatre organist made his score a work of stopped playing , then came down with ter treasurer. art and many people used to go to the an arm on the great and pushed the cres Other members please send theatre to: (1) Hear the organ , and (2) cendo pedal at the same time! Some of National Dues direct to ... see the picture. Bob Berentsen and John the women in the audience screamed! " Hammond at Rochester 's Eastman were With the demise of the theatre organ , ATOS a rare pair. Their scoring of a picture was Harold Jolles turned to farming in 1935 , P.O. Box 1314 very smooth . Rosa Rio and I learned running a dairy farm in Cattaraugus , N.Y. Salinas, California93901 much from them . You had to be good in He never lost his love for the theatre those days to stay five years in one spot. organ , however. When a crew of enthusi First Classmailing of THEATREOR- / Look how long Don Baker was at the asts , led by Harry Radloff , began restora GAN is $5.00 extra. Total -$15.00. } New York Paramount - 14 years! Of tion of the 4/ 18 Marr & Colton in Buf -~:.... •.:••·...... , .. ······ ...... ~. •·.•··•.;•;. ··· =···•~'"•.. . course , some organists had the wander falo's Roosevelt Theatre early in 195 7, lust and traveled extens ively. the owners of the theatre, George and "My favorite pipe organ ? The 4/ 18 ing, January 31 , 1960 . This was an affair Morris Rosing , were persuaded to feature Marr & Colton in Buffalo 's Roosevelt was to commemorate the complete restora the organ as part of the Sunday pro the equal of any Wurlitzer I ever heard , tion of the 4/ 18 Marr & Colton. Harold grams at 5 and 8 P.M . Harold was and Tom Grierson said the same thing worked the first half of the program , play chosen for the job which continued into when he played it in 1961. Kimball built ing such numbers as a medley of Roaring 1962 when the theatre was closed and a wonderful organ and I never heard a Twenties hits, medley of Southern songs , later razed. bad one . I also have fond memories of Kreisler's Liebesfreud , and three original As a result of this activity, Harold the Eastman Austin . Jolles ' compositions : When Evening Sha engaged in serious practice and began "I can 't begin to describe how most of dows Fall, Little German Waltz and teaching . He had to sell his dairy herd us organists loved our jobs . In those days , Japansese Polka . and some acreage . But the greatest kick Fridays , Saturdays and Sundays were Second organist was Eddie Baker (Dr. Harold got from his new endeavor was to the big days and theatres were filled to Edward J . Bebko) and he performed a watch the children who were growing up standing room . The rest of the week was sing-along of Twenties hits, a Gershwin in an era in which the theatre organ was good . Imagine seeing five acts of first medley , a march medley and Brazilian new experience for them . Quite often , class vaudeville , a good picture , a scenic , Sleighbe/1s . This concert , the first for the they'd come swarming from their seats a comedy , newsreel , coming events and fledgling Niagara Frontier Chapter , was and group around the console , their eyes an organ solo - all for 65 cents! the affair which greatly heightened the popping over the display of pistons , tabs , writer 's interest in the theatre organ , and "A good solo organist owed a lot to the manuals and switches . also convinced him that there were fine operators in the projection booth . I never The writer fondly remembers a 2-in; 1 sounding organs other than Wurlitzers . had to push a button to change slides , the concert at the Roosevelt , Sunday morn- "I always believe it would be fun for operators handling the whole routine . Doc and I to do another concert some Once I did a presentation entitled 'Chi Harold performs at the 4 / 18 Marr and nese Temple Garden .' It was a film Colton in Buffalo 's Roosevelt Theatre in time . During my career , I was fortunate in 1 962 . The organ was his favorite and he never having to play in a run-down the whose scenes were in Chinese and faded labeled it " the equal of any Wurlitzer I ever into English. As the mood changed , so heard ." (Joi/e s Coll.I atre . I always had a good , big instrument which was kept in tune ." did the color wheel , and it made a very There was an occasion when the prac nice solo without slides ." tical humor of Roosevelt organ boss Since the closing of the Roosevelt , Harry Radloff and his assistant , Heino Harold has operated his farm and played Olandt , caused Harold Jolles no small an occasional concert. He has performed measure of frustration . The boys decided twice for the Rochester Theatre Organ upon a practical joke , and proceeded to Society , and for the Niagara Frontier wire in a bigger number of stops and Chapter of ATOS of which he is an Hon effects to Harold 's favorite combination ored Member . "Yes , I would really like to he used to open his Sunday programs . do it all over again , and I hope in that far On the appointed day , as the audience off place , there will be music and a beau started to fill the auditorium , Harold 's tiful pipe organ to play ." THEATRE ORGAN 31 THE WU~L TZE~ THAT WOUL0 NOT OE PART TWO piano pedals. another spell. The cooperation among their sanity , and we are still friends!!! With everything out of key desk , the club enthusiasts is remarkable; After replacing all contact blocks, by Bill Rieger four of us picked it up and set it on no one could buy that kind of dedi each contact wire was tweezed, aligned stage leaving a mountain of scrambled cation. and formed by the timeless patience of The only thing good about the cable wires. If I could ever use that The tab contact blocks, too, be Val Escobar. Val has some special Chicago Theatre Wurlitzer console was "magic wand" it would be to straighten came quite a production. First , mem watchmaker glasses which enlarge the its name. At the outset , we thought out and remove all unused wiring. ber Tad Doose built a wire cutting tiny contact wires to look hke a the console was only a box of keys With all parts of the console on stage , forming tool for all the contact wires. garden fence . It is important to be sure and tabs, and we could refurbish it in our work was cut out for us for some With new 26 gauge silver wires in all contacts are positive. Those of you short order. We couldn't have been time to come - though we didn't stalled, the contact blocks looked al who have worked on multibolster Wur more wrong. With the theatre opening know it then. most like new. Val spent weeks at the litzer consoles are aware of the careful at 9 A.M . every day , and closing at Val Escobar and Frank Pokorny console installing new pedal contact and patient approach this requires. midnight or later, it became apparent concentrated on the console refinish wires and blocks. Frank spent an The main and upper bolsters, (after that the console would have to come ing. We use the term "refinish" for I almost equal amount of time being refinished , and with new contact out of the pit. Everyone agreed that have lost track of the number of coats straightening or replacing manual con wire and connecting cables) were the wiring was worse than a case of and rubbing operations. It seems as if tact wires and blocks. secured by mounting screws. Adjust spaghetti. And what alarmed us even we were all stripping paint off of one Tablet pneumatics were recovered ment of each bolster was made by the more , was that the organ was com assembly or another, and for a while assembly line fashion with some of us mounting screws to insure proper pletely unplayable; partly because of the 15 pieces of console woodwork removing the old leather and several , tablet tension and contact action. many , many cut wires, and that weeks looked worse and worse. But, as it is including George Smith and Russ After all bolster pneumatics and three would have to be spent ringing out the darkest before the dawn, the magic Joseph, releathering. We did not know combination chests were reinstated various sections. So, after discon combination of the Harvey Williams of perflex at the start, so some are into console, and wired to proper necting hundreds of wires , some as portable sprayer in the hands of Val done in brown leather , some in poly tablets, pistons and console terminal sociated with tablets, "suitable bass" and Frank turned the tide - soon ken, but most in the newly accepted panel, the air was temporarily con and combination action, we removed everything was bright ivory. One look polymethane material, better known nected to the console and all tablet the assemblies as follows : top, fall at the manual, and Terry Kleven of as perflex. A special glue is required , functions were checked by energizing boards, pedal board and pedals , upper fered to re bush all of the manual keys. and is a little more difficult to handle, each magnet with a 12 volt battery. left and right panels of console , five It was decided not to recover the keys and requires heat to cure, but the Final adjustments of all tablet and bolsters , plus the second touch rail, and lose the last touch of Jesse Craw result is a super flexible pneumatic piston contacts were carefully made. three combination action chests, traps, ford. So George Smith and the rest of rather impervious to moisture. No one missed the coffee break. relays, expression pedal relay and us cleaned and polished keys for The three large combination chests Along about 10:30 P.M. of each Tues which house the magnets, and pri ctay work session, member Carl Console top in refinishing department (one of the old scenery rooms on 4th floor). marys for each tablet pneumatic (over Tompke served the tired crew cake I Bill lamb Photo) 450 of them in this organ) were all and coffee (specially blended by Val). disassembled, cleaned and rebuilt Longtime stage hand Frank Carson where necessary; each chest was tested usually joined us and tales and stories electrically with air before reas flowed freely. sembling into the console. Returning the console to its left New upstop and downstop tablet platform in the orchestra pit was easier felts were installed. This seemed like a said than done. The console was re straight forward operation, but un moved in sections, but now was to be thinkingly, we used a soft, thick felt, returned carefully, fully assembled. resulting in a reduced tablet move Thanks to CA TOE Chairman Russ ment. We adjusted the contacts to Joseph, who secured the loan of two compensate for this, but, to our dis store fixture jacks, we inched the may, the contacts settled out of ad console down from the stage to the pit justment, because the felt compressed. on Easter morning, 1973, at 6:30 A.M. If there is a lesson from this ex During the course of the operation, we perience, it is to use a firm woven felt received full cooperation from the instead of the softer pressed felt for theatre - the booth men turned on stop tablets. the big spotlight, and for a minute, we Frank, Val, George and Russ were all star performers. Congenial cleaned and straightened and replaced stage hand, Frank Carson, assisted us many manual contact blocks . Cleaning with more lights and delayed the and straightening every contact wire in opening of the theatre that Sunday the organ ran to almost 3000 wires morning by more than 20 minutes. and contacts . The fellows still have The traps relay was missing some DECEMBER, 197 4 DECEMBER, 1974 · magnet parts, and it was decided to spent hours on the telephone (between primary and magnet. As you may transistorize it, which reduced its size the console and relay room). We know, the "on" and "off" pouches are and eliminated the operational relay played each key and pedal to check located above, and below, each tablet, noise in the console. out the operation of the relay, using and activate each tablet to an "on" or With the console safely in the pit, the very limited vocabulary of "ok," "off" position. we quickly pushed it onto its lift, and "next" and "dead." The correction for The more than 450 primary pneu made a tent over the console of black the dead terminals was usually a better matics and magnets are located in the velour, so we could continue work on solder connection at the relay room three large combination action chests the console during theatre hours, and junction board. In the few cases of mounted between the cheeks of the begin the huge job of wiring. Carpet open magnets, they were repaired by console. For each magnet, a control was carefully fitted around the con resoldering a corroded connection at wire is required (more than 450 of sole. the center tap or the start or finish them in all) which runs downstairs to Under the black tent, the manual lead wire connections. Next, all tablets the setter board room in the basement. contact strips were given their final were checked out by checking oper Each of these wires is energized at the inspection and fitted under each of the ation of their respective stack switches setter board to check out the on/off four manuals. Contact spacings were in the relay room. After correcting combination action for every tablet. adjusted to operate during the middle several reversals, poor solder con We will go into the details of the setter 1/3 of key travel. The first touch nections and dead magnets, we found board and combination action in contact spacings on the a c several switches had been cut out years greater detail in a later issue. com panimen t manual were set at 1/4 ago; so our agenda now includes re The relay room is the brains of the key travel and second contact key wiring these in to the organ as time outfit, so extra care was taken not to springs at 3/4 key travel. It was only permits. damage any of the thousands of aged through the inexhaustible patience of A Jarge part of the expense and wired connections. As all of the oper Val Escobar that these adjustments wiring in a console involves the com ations depend on voltage (I 2 V DC) could be made. Adjustment of the bination action. In the Chicago The from the generator in the blower pedal contact strip was somewhat atre console, there are more than 230 room, it was found that the reliability easier because of the greater key table ts, and in order for the com was vastly improved by cleaning all travel. bination system to function, each tab supply terminals. The next installment With the manual and pedal contacts let must have an "off' pouch, primary will cover "what we mean by cleaning in place, George, Russ and the writer and magnet, and an "on" pouch, up a chamber." □ A typical schematic showing parts required to control the cymbal. SOLID STATE PEDAL ACCOMP CYM CYM TRAPS RELAY .._ -12V -12 V _____. -12V-{JiTDAL BUS jACCOMP BUS~-12V -12 V -12 V 1,000 l,OOOQ ~ 1,000 1,000 CY M~B A_~-i.l_~A~ NET GHA 34 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1974 A gift of love ... ONE MAN SAVES ORGAN by Christopher Thorn ~~~ ineteen sixty-eight was the Prince") trekked across the Majestic's ber of Commerce and honored guest, year citizens of Erie, Penn unusually huge stage. The theatre be President William H. Taft. The Ma sylvania witnessed the de came a household word and the center jestic was also used for high school molition of their theatre heritage - for live in-person entertainment in the graduation ceremonies. During the namely the destruction of Shea's The tri-state area of Pennsylvania, New festivities of the class of 1909, a man atre, Erie's former showplace of vaude York and Ohio. named Seth Steiner talked about ville evenings, silent movies and full The most prominent stars at the "wireless telegraphy" and gave the stage theatre productions under the Majestic were William Faversham in first public demonstration of it. direction of scores of road company "The Faun" and Ethel Barrymore in During the 19 IO's, the Majestic producers. "The Witness for the Defense." "Ben divorced its original owners and be It was also dubbed the year of the Hur" proved to be the theatre's most came the Perry. Around 1920, its new "rescue" because a maintenance man spectacular production when a tread managers decided to enhance the from Erie's Gannon College - ATOS mill was set up for horses and chariots atmosphere of its rich green and white member Robert (Joe) Luckey - di in the great chariot race. The Majestic interior, velour curtains, gold trim rected 80 college fraternity boys in a had one of its more historical mo mings and green ingrained leather 12 day evacuation of the Shea's most ments when it hosted the Erie Cham- seats; they contacted the Tellers Organ valuable possession - a 24 rank, three-manual pipe organ made by one of the city's organ manufacturers - the Tellers Pipe Organ Company. The Shea's, and Tellers, constitute significant landmarks in Erie's history. The Shea's roots stretched back almost three-quarters of a century, and Tellers was the offspring of three organ crafts men who originally worked for A.B. Felgemaker, an Erie pipe organ master of 100 years ago. During its festive 64 years, Shea's Theatre changed management - and names - three times. Opened in 1904 as the Majestic, it was the brainstorm of Erieite Frederick B. Downing, an entrepreneur and theatre lover who often frequented New York's own Majestic playhouse. It was Downing who contacted the Majestic's archi tects, McEffatrick and Sons, to build a facsimile of the Majestic in downtown Erie to establish a permanent residence for big time theatre in the lakeside town. Opening night at the Erie Majestic was the gala affair of the town. From that evening on, dozens of theatre stars such as Grace George ("Pretty Peggy"), Edwin Holt ("The Cardinal") and James H. Hackett ("The Crown DECEMBER, 1974 Joe bought a true horseshoe console , a two manual Marr and Colton, (seen here refinished) for the final installation of the Tellers . (C. Thorn Photo ) Company about the installation of an Pipe Organ Co., the city's pioneer (20 for theatres) until its closing in organ. industry in the trade, founded in 1972 when the company's heir, The Tellers Company was a church 1872. Herman J. Tellers, retired and sold to pipe organ company, but apparently Felgemaker originally moved his Lawrence Phelps and Associates. the Perry owners were somewhat con entire works from nearby Buffalo, Phelps and the Durst Organ Supply fused about the technical and char New York to Erie, and established a Co., Inc. are the remaining pipe organ acteristic differences between church prosperous business in church pipe or companies in Erie today, although organs and theatre organs. Tellers in gans and portable pipe organs. He was Herman Tellers still runs an organ stalled a straight, 24 rank, three credited with the invention of the service company. manual organ, and it was not until portable while still a youth. In Erie, he Many Erie churches have Tellers, 1930 that the organ received its the was the contemporary of Frederick but the company has instruments from atrical qualities through the addition Burdette, a substantial manufacturer coast to coast. Tellers built a pipe of the percussion section. of reed "cottage" organs and Anton organ of 3000 pipes for the East When N.A. Shea, a theatre chain Gottfried, another Erie church organ Carolina State Teachers College in owner, bought the Perry in 1931 and manufacturer, recognized in music Greenville, N .C., and specially installed crowned it Shea's, the theatre circles as the leading artist in reed and an organ in the Philadelphia Museum quickly resumed its place as show pipe work, and inventor of pipes re of Fine Arts for the 100th anniversary case of theatrical entertainment and sembling tones of orchestral instru of the American Guild Organists in continued to produce the only legiti ments. 1966. The company's most impressive mate theatre in Erie until the 19 50's. The Tellers Brothers - Sommerhof and highly esteemed instrument is a The Tellers organ was only used, how venture became the Tellers-Som three-manual, 80 rank organ in Or ever, off and on for a period of five merhof Pipe Organ Co. and received its lando, Florida. years during the 1930's. Its organists biggest impetus in 1918 when Felge The Rescue were the showy "C. Sharpe Minor" maker closed his factory. The infant (Charles Sharpe Minor) and Percy Le company began fulfilling incomplete When ATOS member Joe Luckey Seuer, owner of a local music con Felgemaker contracts and later became pulled the Tellers organ from the servatory. The organ was soon for Tellers-Kent through a change of Shea's theatre it was found in de gotten and collected dust for the next management. plorable condition from years of 35 odd years. The Stanley-Warner Tellers made over 1,000 pipe organs idleness. The 1500 pipes were dust Corp. purchased the aging building in bins littered with aged popcorn, mice 1962 and converted it to a movie Joe gets the last strains of music from the droppings and spider webs. With the house until its demolition in 1968. Tellers before its dismantling in Shea's, aid of students from Erie's Gannon 1968 . College, the organ's evacuation split it The Organ Companies into four huge dusty piles located in The Tellers Pipe Organ Co. ong1- the attics and basements of various nated from a rich heritage in pipe college buildings around the campus. organ manufacturing in Erie, once the At that time, Joe decided to rebuild fertile ground for four organ com the Tellers and donate it to Gannon. panies which earned the city the nick This first venture of Joe's into the name of "pipe organ capital of the world of theatre organ cost him only world" at the turn of the 20th cen $300 for the entire Tellers, although in tury. the next five years he invested $4,000 In 1906, the company was founded into the instrument. by two brothers, Henry and Ignatius The reason for the organ's varied Tellers, and William Sommerhof, three locations around campus was so Joe craftsmen from Erie's A.B. Felgemaker could quietly procede on the organ's 36 DECEMBER, 197 4 rejuvenation to the point where he could then divulge his work to the college. During the snowy winter of 1969, a half-year later, he secretly began cleaning the organ's xylophone, drums, chimes and marimba harp. Lat er, while Gannon stud en ts rocked on the upper floors of the college's Student Union, Joe labored away in the basement for months on end cleaning 50 years of Shea's dust out of the organ's pipes. With 12 foot troughs thoughtfully loaned to him by a roof installer, Joe circulated soapy water through the different pipes with an old vacuum cleaner and ancient refrigerator evaporator pump. After one and one-half years of cleaning in his spare time he began rebuilding the Kinetic blower which produced six and one-half inches of static pressure. Permission for Joe to set up the Tellers temporarily until a permanent site was selected came soon after ("you can't hide an organ too long," Joe said), and Joe chose a large class room on the first floor of Gannon's military ROTC building. The class room was nicknamed the "sleeping parlor" because students frequently dozed off there due to poor ven t ila tio n. The college gladly re linquished the room to the Tellers. Over the next three and one-half years, Joe averaged four hours an evening rebuilding the Tellers in the building. He restructured the room by dividing it into two separate pipe chambers and left a work area in the center. The original Shea's swell shades were installed and a separate chamber to squelch blower noise was built. Joe had completely stripped the console in the mean time and had refinished it in white, red and gold trim. The console sat on a platform on coasters in the Joe puts some of the finishing touches on the accompaniment chamber . Both chambe rs will be covered with wood paneling . Dimensions : Width - 12 feet , Depth - 10 feet , Height - 16 feet . Each chamber is divided into two levels - the lower level contains the more noisy com "Ham and Organ" . Joe plays the first notes ponents of the chamber , the switchstacks and relays . Each chamber has a built -in lighting on the Tellers in the ROTC building after system , and the relays and switchstacks are on coasters so that they may be moved around long years of hard work . easily . Colored lights will be placed around the top of each chamber . re. Thorn Photo/ hallway, and was connected to the and heard the Tellers for the first time pipe chambers by a 75 foot main cable since he disman tJed it several years enabling the console to be wheeled out earlier. Describing the moment as one into a larger area for use. With the "big rush of blood to the head," Joe donation of wire from the local phone expedited his plans for an official company, Joe somehow managed to dedication of the Tellers to Gannon rewire the chests while Herman Tell College. ers, last owner of the company, re Concert tickets were printed for wired the console and had the reeds 300 persons and Joe purchased red, voiced after 30 years of idleness. white and blue bunting for decoration. One day, in an unpretentious but It was to be a festive affair, such as at anxious ceremony, Joe eagerly hooked Radio City Music Hall where the organ up nine of the 24 ranks in a test run is rolled out from behind curtains, but THEATRE ORGAN 37 the floor caved in one week before the of a man, even a maintenance man, to ever heard (modern jazz to back event when the blower shaft began devote his time, energy and meager ground "Butch Cassidy & the Sun slipping. This began a short period of salary to an organ - and then give it dance Kid" - in the 1870's!), this the "doldrums" for Joe, who after away. Joe's generosity is based on the reviewer has been suspicious of the suffering colossal disappointment and saying he mutters daily, "Even the whole "Oscar" nonsense, particularly months of exhaustive labor, almost little guy can do his share." □ when the excellent and descriptive threw his hat in the ring. Elmer Bernstein score for "True Grit" Since that moment two years ago, was largely ignored at that time. The the organ has been completely rebuilt. Academy did it again this year by The straight chests were converted to awarding arranger Marvin Hamlisch an unit chests for more versatility. At the "Oscar" for cueing "The Sting" with start of summer 197 4, permission was someone else's music. Yet we can be granted to install the Tellers perma thankful to Hamlisch for rediscovering nently on the second floor of Gan the talents of Scott Joplin, whose non's former library in "The Com musical contributions to Musical mons", a cultural room dedicated to Americana go far beyond the "rag". the arts. With the desire to have a Because the demand set by the genuine theatre organ, Joe retired the popular film emphasizes "ragtime," original three-manual Tellers, and the more mature works of Joplin (a bought a two-manual Marr and Colton ballet and two operas) must wait until horseshoe console, once painted fire the reborn "rag" craze subsides; for engine red and from a theatre in the moment the rags lead the pop Wyandotte, Michigan. ularity parade. Yet producer Patti The two-manual standard unified Laursen has avoided a parade of rags, Marr and Colton console has six realizing their limited range and con tremolos, five presets on each manual, struction could produce an undesired main and solo swell shoes and a monotomy. So only six of the ten crescendo pedal. Nine of the 24 ori Manufacturers, distributors or indi· tracks are Joplin tunes, and these are ginal Tellers ranks are split up into two viduals sponsoring or merchandising not all rags. Lee has wisely drawn from separate pipe chambers, each 12 feet theatre pipe organ records are en· the empathetic works of Kerry Mills, wide, 10 feet wide and 16 feet tall. couraged to send pressings to the Eubie Blake and Harry Guy for variety Record Reviewer, Box 3564, Granada Within the chambers the pipes are and contrast. Joplin's tunes are Rose Hills, California 91344. Be sur~ to elevated on a floor four feet above the bud (a two-step), a group of Original include purchasing information, if Rags, Solace (a Mexican serenade), ground to leave a section underneath applicable, and i( possible a black Chrysanthemum (an intermezzo), for the noisier switchstacks and relays. and white photo which need not Each chamber is insulated with fiber be returned. Stop-Time Rag and Eugenia (a slow glass and has masonite walls. The swell march). Sandwiched between these openings are each six by eight feet and gems are Mills' march, Whistling Ru employ the original Shea's shades, ROSEBUD, Lee Erwin playing the fus, Eubie Blake's Chevy Chase, Guy's each with 12 shutters. "Fox-Capitol Wurlitzer Pipe Organ." Echoes From the Snowball Club and The main chamber contains the Angel No. S-36075 (also on cartridge the familiar sounding At a Georgia Salicional, VDO, Celeste and Flute. and cassette tape). Available at music Camp Meeting, a delightful two-step The solo chamber has the Tibia, stores. by Kerry Mills which sounds as though Clarinet, Diapason, Vox Humana and it should have been one of Stephen Tuba. Joe plans to add the Cornopian, Ever since Burt Bacharach won an Foster's upbeat tunes. Gamba, Gamba Celeste, Open Dia Academy Award with the most Lee Erwin's performance of the pason and Oboe Horn at a later date. achronistically inept movie score we've tunes is most expressive. He avoids any Wind at five and six inches is supplied by Bobco blowers. Joe's five year relationship with the THE ROCHESTER THEATER ORGAN SOCIETY Shea's Theatre organ will come of Announces the sale of ficially into function early this winter. ••THE RTOS STORY" His one man persistence over the years vis-a-vis the Tellers, will bring pleasure a fascinating book, describing and illustrating the organization's history and operation. to Gannon College students (an organ club is already in the offing) and to CONTENTS: Approximately 100 pictures and drawings • The ten-year history Erie citizens wanting a renaissance in of RTOS • History of RKO Palace and Auditorium theatres • Ten-year roster of artists • Honorary members • Conducting the business of RTOS • Concert theatre organ. Joe envisions his organ p lanning • Educational programs • Technical information • The Eisenhart being used for background music for Auditorium, a look to the future • Full-color pictures of Auditorium Theatre and its campus mass, weddings, parties, silent Wurlitzer console . "Modern graphics, design and material, linking the first era of movies and for concerts by theatre the theatre organ with the nostalgic present. " organ musicians on circuit tour. The Price: $3.50 postpaid. Gannon College officials are over Make checks payable to RTOS Book, 3848 East Avenue, Rochester, N.Y. 14618. whelmingly pleased. After all, it is rare 38 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1974 hint of the "mechanical reproduction" We've heard Superstar damned as sacri style so often evident when ragtime is lege and praised as a worshipful heard, and is generous with appli masterpiece since it first appeared on cations of expression. His choice of US stages a few years ago. There's no combinations does much to enhance denying the music is interesting even the old tunes, which have both nos when divorced from its context, and talgic and contemporary values. Miss some of Jonas' most enticing or Laursen advises us that Rosebud is chestration is reserved for the med developing into the more popular of ley. Herod's Song gives the villain a the two platters Lee cut on Dick burlesque comic's musical portrait. Kline's 4/28 composite Wurlitzer (the The arrangement and registration of I Washington DC Fox Capitol plus the \ Don't Know How To Love Him are Greenburg (Pa.) Manos theatre organs, especially lovely. Everything's All and then some) at the same time he '/ Right and Superstar round out the recorded Sound of Silents reviewed in selection. the August issue. If one must make a Jonas' performances are topnotch choice, we prefer Sound of Silents, throughout. The organ sounds good as mainly because the film music con recorded. Surface hiss is audible and tained is more our cup of julep than is Jonas Nordwall. (Nakaharapic) there are a few more surface pops ragtime; yet we must admit that Lee during soft passages than we've has done a masterful job of adapting JONAS IN AUSTRALIA. Jonas Nord come to expect. There is one other piano-oriented ragtime stylings to the wall playing the 4/21 Wurlitzer in "pressing" problem; on side I the theatre organ. Moorabbin Town Hall, Moorabbin, inside cut comes extremely close to Recording, as might be expected of Victoria. Released by Gamba Records, the record center. This so compresses quality-conscious Angel, is excellent No. JN-103 (stereo) Available at $6.00 the modulation that needle tracking and our review pressing has an ex postpaid (add $1.50 foreign) from Bill (and distortion) may become a prob tremely quiet surface. Jacket notes Peterson, 4993 S.E. 30th Ave. Apt. lem. In the case of our review pressing, reveal much information ab out the 98, Portland, Oregon 97202. there was a tendency for the stylus to composers and re-iterate Lee's biog. jump grooves until we weighted the Good show, Angel! Jonas Nordwall is a fast-rising pickup head with a penny. Distortion young organist, known to enthusiasts remained m1mmum. Higher com through his previous recordings, con pliance pickups may not encounter certs, west coast Home Organ Fes this problem. All of this affects per tival appearances (for Rodgers) and haps two minutes of one selection so our complaint is stints at the Portland "Organ Grinder (Crack/in' Rose), a small one. all, it's a well-done pizzeria." During a 15-concert 1974 In recording, with the playing quality Australian concert tour, Jonas some how found time to record this album. being somewhat ahead of technical The instrument was moved from its considerations. original installation in the Melbourne State theatre to its permanent home in nearby Moorabbin Town Hall by the OPENING NIGHT, Frank Rossi play Theatre Organ Society of Australia in ing the Barton 3 /10 plus in the Royal 1969, and, if this recording is ex Oak (Michigan) theatre. No. emplary, the group has done a re MVX-1015 (stereo). Available post markably good job. In its new home paid at $5.99 {add sales tax where the 4/21 sounds massive in full en applicable) from Multivox Pro semble and delicate in low-volume ductions, Box 2060, Fort Dearborn, closeup perspective. The hall appears Michigan 48123. to have considerable natural reverb (unless echo was added later). Although Frank Rossi is a new Jonas opens with an up-tempo name on the national horizon, he is Music, Music, Music which includes well known in his home area {Detroit) some beautifully executed fingered as a teacher and concert artist. He got glissandos; continues with a somber interested in theatre organ by one of and lovely The Way We Were, then to those lucky twists of fate; as a boy he the tune of the hour, Joplin's The mowed famed Don Miller's lawn and Entertainer. Next it's a somewhat heard the maestro practicing. This simply played In My Solitude with a album is dedicated to the memory of lively Crack/in Rose to close side I. Don Miller. Side II opens with Dinicu's fast, The instrument is a 3/ IO with some furious and Roumanian Hora Stac ranks added during the restoration by Lee Erwin at Dick Kline's 4 / 28. 'Lee in rags.' catto (sic) then goes into a Jesus Christ Motor City Chapter members. 197 4 (Angel Photo) Superstar medley of four selections. ATOS conventioneers heard it played DECEMBER, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN 39 The organ sounds best when Frank having worked with many of the is playing on solo, medium or light top recording stars, among them Nat combinations. There is a certain harsh "King" Cole, a cooperation which ness apparent during heavy registration produced some of Cole's best sellers. which is not the fault of the recorders. There's another side to Ralph Car We noticed it also "in person" during michael; he's a deeply religious man. It the convention show, a middle range comes quite naturally; he's the son and roughness which an experienced voicer grandson of men of the cloth. During could make right. his lifetime he has composed scores of The recording is well miked, but in hymns, many of them touched by the dubbing some tracks came through in pop music which is his profession. the grooves stronger than others. Organist Fred Bock has collected There is also a decided surface hiss on and arranged fifty of Carmichael's Frank Rossi . Good first try . the review pressing throughout. These hymns for mainly theatre organ style are not major faults and the op presentation. Although Bock is a portunity to hear the fresh and dif church organist, there's nothing miss by Rex Koury to accompany College. ferent Rossi approach to the instru ing from his pop touch. Those who Frank opens his program with an ment minimizes them even more. enjoy the Brad Braley-Irma Glen energetic and individual styling of Lorin Whitney-Paul Mickelson style of Walter Donaldson's You, then playing sacred music with theatre or changes to a reflective mood for an 50 SONGS OF RALPH CAR gan registration and phrasing will en understated Haunted Heart with MICHAEL, played by Fred Bock on joy the playing of Fred Bock; his especially lovely strings featured. He the Whitney Studio 4/34 Wurlitzer variety of registration is a joy. Because takes a novel approach to Gershwin's Morton. Two-record stereo set R3191 the tunes are totally unfamiliar (unless S'Wonderful, too. After an in available from Heart-Warming Rec one · is a Carmichael addict), there is triguing and offbeat intro he plays the ords, 1625 Broadway, Nashville, Tenn. little in the music or its presentation first chorus in ballad style , then the 37202 (Box 2307, Vancouver, B.C. for to identify it as sacred music. So, rhythmic chorus with a somewhat Canadians). $5.98 postpaid (2-record listeners who can't stand hymn tunes raucous Kinura dominating the reg set). played pop style, or who don't like istration . Side I closes with a Deep hymns period, can listen to this two South medley full of the magnolias It's been some time since we've record set simply as theatre organ and moonlight which might cause a received a recording played on Lorin music. The selections are uncom Millie Alexander to wave her con Whitney's Glendale, Calif., studio or plicated (although Fred's harmony is federate flag. Frank revitalizes such gan, an instrument recorded by such often complex) and Fred makes full ancient chestnuts as My Old Kentucky greats as Don Baker, Ann Leaf, George use of the 4/34's array of voices. To Home, Carry Me Back to Old Vir Wright, Eddie Dunstedter, Jesse Craw get all 50 tunes on four sides, Fred had ginny and Beautiful Dreamer with ford and Buddy Cole (in ensemble), to to keep selections short. His editing sometimes overlong but lovely har name a few. has been done with taste; he gives the monic treatments (get that pedal line most time to the most interesting during Dreamer). For some un Composer Ralph Carmichael has tunes. Those who think this type of explained reason , this set is prefaced been a Hollywood studio pop thing may add up to Dullsville un with an unrelated intro which is very arranger-conductor for many years, derestimate the quality of Car reminiscent of Debussy's Girl With the michael's compositions and Bock's Flaxen Hair (which probably accounts talent for making them interesting. for our thought of Millie Alexander). While some may prefer to think of Show tunes are represented by Cole them as silent film cues (which many Porter ' s From This Moment On and of them could be), for listeners who Richard Rodgers' Blue Room , played like hymns, here are 50 new and with imagination but no key changes. different ones. The words for every A best forgotten Irving Berlin tune tune are printed on the jacket. entitled Araby (with frequency-pitch problems) is linked with Blue Skies Fred Bock is fairly new to the which comes off better, then to a theatre organ scene but he's been novel setting for Dancing Tambourine associated with music all his life. More which brings in most of the pitched than 300 of his compositions have percussers. The closer is a slambang been published, and, like Ralph Car Ritual Fire Dance. For this one Frank michael, he arranges music for records, plays all the notes but he doesn't seem TV and movies. He's also president of to be as much at home in this idiom as Gentry Publications and holds offices he is while weaving tone clusters of with ASCAP and the Choral Con rich harmony around ballad melodies. ductors' Guild. We look forward to This recording indicates that Frank reviewing his first pop organ record, Rossi is a young man to watch; his which hasn't been miked yet. initial recording reveals much promise, Recording of the Carmichael tunes especially in arranging skills. Fred Bock . Holy but understandable . is first rate. And the price is right. 40 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1974 CHRISTMASRECORD I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, Bill Langford playing the 3/13 mostly-Wurlitzer in Ye Olde Pizza Joynt, San Lorenzo, Calif. No. DO 1407, stereo. Available at $5 .95 post paid from Doric Records, Box 282, Monterey, Calif. 93940. This collection of nineteen Christ mas tunes arrived too late for a com plete review , but a single hearing makes nothing but good impressions. Bill Langford has been the staff er at the grand daddy of all pizzerys for many years and he knows his instru ment cold. His musicianship is first rate. He also rates an "A " for the imagination demonstrated in the treat ments of the yule tunes . Most amazing of all is the miking of an instrument with its percussions spread all over the walls and ceiling, some pipework , too. Recorder Frank Killinger has somehow made a rather tight and compact in stallation come through in big hall perspective. As for the selection of tunes , all the old chestnuts are there, both the popular standards and the traditional ones. However, it ' s not so much the material as it is Bill Lang ford's arrangements. He extracts a lot of variety from a well-balanced 3/13. C .A .J . Parmentier , Ray Bohr and Leroy Lewis discuss the Salute to Ray Bohr hel d at th e Ra dio City Music Hall November 10 , celebrating Ray 's 27th anniversary at t he Music Hall. Ray is a Charter Member of ATOS . (Victor Parmentier Photo) - THE PLUG-IN CORNER - Here , Don Lee is right at home , Playground in My Mind and Misty . FROM THE TOP, Don Lee Ellis play entertaining on a Hammond. Because The other side is purely instru ing the Hammond Concorde. Stereo he is also a talented vocalist , one side mental and Don Lee quickly establishes DLP-1504. Available at $5.50 postpaid of this disc is devoted to vocal solos himself as able in the jazz variations from Don Lee Productions, Box EH, with the organist accompanying him dept. He makes effective use of the Garden Grove, Calif. 92642. self for Help Me Make it Through the Concorde's battery of re-ite rators Night, For the Good Times, Sunny , without letting them dominate. Phras Those who attended the 1968 ing is good and he uses most all of the ATOS convention will recall the young registration possibilities on the instru man who entertained at the then new ment , including realistic tonal per Hammond X66 during the banquet cussion effects. Most of the time he is held in Cocoanut Grove of the Los a very sensitive player but occasionally Angeles Ambassador hotel. Don had he lets things slip into those 1940 's the "git up and go" to face that mob "Ethel Smith syndrome" effects for of pipe lovers with a mere Hammond, momentary "flash, " which we predict and he acquitted himself well. We've Don Lee will outgrow. learned much about Don Lee since Instrumental tunes are Cabaret, then, particularly that he is always Yellow Days (with automatic rhythm) , ready to expand his musical horizons. Long Ago and Far Away, a Satin Doll Perhaps that explains why he sought with intriguing melodic variations . a and got a pipe concert, playing for the haunting Stella by Starlight and a LA chapter of ATOS on the 4/37 sometimes Boogie-Woogie St . Louis Kimball in the Wiltern theatre early Blues with ear-catching "rides." The this year. It was well received, as was pedal line has interesting patterns his concert at the 1974 Home Organ throughout the side. Good pop en Festival. Don Lee Ellis tertainment values. □ DECEMBER, 197 4 THEATRE ORGAN 41 land was restored. Therefore, I had no buyers. Truth is, in Western New • previous films with which to compare. York, Crawford had a near monopoly Was not the role of the theatre or in then-popular TO discs. .~. gan ist in the golden days to provide I heard Crawford just before WWII suitable music to set the mood of the as I sat in the front row of Shea's ~ film? The idea of including a couple of Buffalo. He was indeed a showman. ~ ...... ~ old "chestnuts" as your reviewer sug The Shea operation knew how to gests, is admirable, but to me the promote a showman. In memory, he r.. iiill;\E musical ideas of a man who has be was indeed a master. On shellac, his come thoroughly inmeshed with the memory fades with Bohr, Foort, TTT";rTTT film is a far more admirable way to Wright, and many another. put across the emotions of the story, These disputes can go on forever. Letters to the Editor concerning all and to be sure, this film contained My English correspondent was sur aspects of the theatre organ hobby much emotion! It was difficult, near prised at what US engineering could are encouraged. Send them to the the end, to suppress the lump in one's do with Dixon. I am content to let the editor concerned. Unless it's stated throat, a lump which was genuinely legend of Crawford sleep and to buy clearly on the letter "not for pub formed through the compositional others today. lication," the editors feel free to But now Fats Waller! It is most reproduce it, in whole or part. genius of Lee Erwin. I saw the film twice in one week unfortunate that the man who is Address: P.O. Box 1314 and each time it impressed me the known only as a pianist never got Salinas, Calif. 93901 same way and without a note-by-note much of a hearing as to his organ repetition of the score. Except for records. brief passages in film scores, I believe I have heard a mediocre musician Dear George: most of the old "chestnuts" should be with a beatup skating rink-and-saloon Today I received the very fine reserved for a late-night sing-along or Hammond play "like Crawford." A August, 1974, THEATRE ORGAN concert in a theatre. The movies are mugging musician can fool an audi magazine. Any organization would be something completely different. ence, until that audience gets home proud to have such a professionally May Lee Erwin continue to create with the tapes; and then, without the executed journal. The fact that it is and I sincerely hope that more re personality, the sound is that of a done with largely volunteer labor cordings like this one will soon be• beatup toy Hammond. Music making makes it even more remarkable. is not a science, but an art. The attractive listing of "Hall of come available. Sincerely, Fame" organists on page 43 advertises Wm. C. Kessel John H. Sha um, Jr. a shameful condition within the 99 Center St. ATOS. Admittedly it is very difficult Hamburg, N.Y. 14075 to list qualities that the "Organist of the Year" or "Hall of Fame" organists Dear Sir: Dear Sir: should have. However the name of an Before John S. Carroll collects too The Toledo Chapter is extremely exceptionally well-known theatre or much flak for his Iese majeste about proud to be a close neighbor of ganist is conspicuous by its absence Crawford, let me add cautiously that Detroit Motor City and wish to add from the roster. he may be right. A decade ago I was our sincere thanks for the wonderful This man's name is George Wright. boasting of a 78 by Crawford, and time we all had at this greatest of all Can anyone explain why another year when played before and after modern conventions. We are so sorry to hear that our should pass without ATOS officially theatre organ selections the Crawford recognizing his extraordinary role in was indeed a dud. We must consider good friend Al Mason is not able to the development of the theatre organ? recording techniques, of course. receive our thanks. He helped us save Your truly, In 1934 as a teen, I fought parental our chapter in one of our critical times David G. Schutt disdain and bought a phonograph. A and we will miss his advice. Watch over store had dumped its record business, us Al. Dear Sir: turning over its pop and Red Seals to Thanks again each and everyone at I found the comments of your another and leaving on the shelves a Motor City for inviting us into your record reviewer on Lee Erwin's lot of Victor blacks. These I could buy homes and letting us hear the great "Sound of Silents" disc performed on for 20 cents, later a dime. I got several artists on the proud theatre organs and the Dick Kline 4/28 Wurlitzer quite Crawfords, as well as a couple Archer the after hour pleasures of the rising interesting and it shows he obviously Gib sons on the Schwab instrument. I stars on the electronics. The audience listened to the recording in con remember fondly Valencia, Road to on the boat ride was treated to siderable depth. Mandalay, Amapola, et al by Craw another fantastic climax of hearing The discussion of the "soundtrack" ford. continuous entertainment on the for Wings, however, does prompt me Now what of White, Feibel, Dun Rodgers. Each performer had some to toss in my two-cents worth in sted ter, et al? Well, Buffalo was pecu thing special to offer and was ap defense of the Erwin score for this fine liarly a Victor market. In the 1920's preciated by all. The Notable Nine film. Wings was the first organ all the 7 5 cent records my parents teenth is still Glowing in our hearts. accompanied silent film that I ever bought were Victor, never a Columbia Sincerely yours, saw, back in 197 1 when the Tivoli or Brunswick. The proximity of the Helen Sherman Theatre Wurlitzer in Frederick, Mary- Wurlitzer works may have influenced Secretary of Toledo Chapter 42 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1974 ~ !Xl@@J§!X17f f?j]@fX17f@{]!] [Pfb~W® ~@~ill]!] Editor's Note: We are indebted to Mr. obtained from a Philadelphia theatre. William J. Sangeleer for information Sectioning and expanding followed in on a theatre and its pipe organ; the order to allow the console to accept Loew's State Theatre in Providence, the four new manuals and the original R. I., and its 4/20 Robert Morton. 216 Robert Morton stopkeys. Next came the rebuilding and releathering of pipe chests and reservoirs, some The theatre was a deluxe 3800-seat rewiring, a lot of cleaning, and some house which boasted the finest of testing and repair. Replacing the origi everything to please the moviegoer of nal 25 HP, 5800 CFM blower is an the day. At 10 A.M. on Saturday, arrangement using one 10 hp motor October 6, 1928, the theatre opened, with blower and one 7½ hp motor showing the Metro Movietone picture with separate blower to assure the Excess Baggage with Josephine Dunn necessary wind pressures. At the pres Moller electric Swiss bells. Robert Morton and Ricardo Cortez, followed by sev ent time, some of the percussions and chimes are on the extreme right. eral short feature, cartoons and news the 16' extensions of three ranks must (Sangeleer Photo) reels. First-day attendance was 14,000 still be added before the organ is fully with the first ticket going to a 14- operational. basement. An area capable of seating year-old boy, Robert E. Reilly. But Also added to the original instru 125 persons is to the front of the the one item which really made the ment is a piano which will be playable console. On occasion, people have show a total success was the 4-manual, at the organ console. Another addition been standing on the lawn, trying to 20-rank Robert Morton organ. This is a set of Moller electric Swiss bells. see the organist while listening to the instrument has had a very interesting These were rescued from the organ of beautiful music which comes forth history. the University Theatre in Cambridge, from the mighty Morton. After the sound motion picture had Mass., before it was dismantled for In Mr. Sangeleer's words, "Even in limited the organ's use to presenta parts. These bells are believed to be its unfinished condition, this organ is tions, it was used on a regular basis, the only set known. one of the finest examples of the nevertheless. However, the great hurri The nearly completed instrument theatre unit organ, built by the Robert cane of 1938 succeeded in filling the reposes in the basement of Mr. Fucci's Morton Company. It is also a tribute theatre, as well as most of the city of sprawling ranch house. All pipework is to the skill and ambition of the man Providence, with four to twelve feet of located to the rear of the console who rescued and restored it, Mr. Pat seawater. This damaged the console which is located in the center of the Fucci." D and blower, but both were refurbished and returned to service later that year. However, the organ was used only occasionally. In 195 5, another hurricane almost sealed the fate of this noble instru ment. Because the electricity was knocked out, the console elevator re mained in the down position as the entire orchestra pit filled with seawa ter, submerging it and the blowers again. This time, however, the theatre decided to leave the organ to its fate and made no effort to repair it. The years passed and finally on February 9, 1963, the organ was obtained by Mr. Pat Fucci of Waltham, Mass. Mr. Fucci has faced many prob lems, both technical and otherwise. First, a key desk had to be located and after much searching, a 3-manual Wur litzer burned out console shell was DECEMBER, 1974 BOOKRfVlf W eHAPTERNOTE~ THE RTOS STORY by F .G. Hibbard A book published to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Rochester Theatre Organ Society. Available from ALABAMA RTOS, 1732 Hudson Ave., Rochester, N. Y. 14617. Size: 11 "x 11 ", 3 2 pages, Charlie Cox was back in Alabama price $3.50 postpaid. once again for a special program for the chapter members during the Sep On occasion of the tenth an tember meeting. Charlie began his niversary of RTOS a book has been musical career in Huntsville, Alabama published which traces the history of and continued his studies while in this independent, dynamic group and service at the Air Force Band School in divulges their future plans, some of Washington. From there he was with which have already been implemented. Special Services of the Air Force in the The book contains 24 pages of text, Far East. After discharge from the Air carefully selected photos, diagrams, Force, he came to Birmingham in plus dramatic semi-transparent inserts 195 5 and served as organist for the which trace the history of the group as Alabama Theatre for 14 years. He is well as their famous project, the 4/22 now part owner and manager of Key Larry Donaldson heads the Alabama work Wurlitzer opus 1951. The history of boards, Inc. in Orlando, Florida. crew. the organ in the RKO Palace, Roch He was a delight to Birmingham ester to the Auditorium Theatre is audiences, being known for his show originally meant to do - replace an full/ documented, both in text and manship as well as his organistic abil orchestra. photos. ities, and he has certainly lost none of The October program was open Much of the work producing the it. He played a well rounded program console with the following taking brochure was done by students and and we were impressed with his taste turns: Connie Ann Parson, Riedel graduates of the Rochester Institute of ful use of the percussions, bringing to West, Larry Rodrigues, Dan Liles, Technology, School of Printing, Col our minds what the theatre organ was Alleen Cole, Gloria Ferguson, Sandra lege of Graphic Arts and Photography. The finished product indicates that RIT turns out excellent artists and craftsmen. The color reproduction is among the best ever encountered. The entire document is very well laid out in every respect. It is divided into six catagories; History, Entertain ment, Educational, Technical, Ad ministration, and Future. Each subject is fully covered. The only thing found missing from the effort is a stoplist of the organ. The 1100 members of RTOS (A high percentage are ATOS members) can be proud of the success of their group as shown in this book. They can also take pride in the knowledge that Wurlitzer Opus 19 51 is one of the few theatre pipe organs available that is considered to be in "concert con dition". All theatre organ enthusiasts should consider purchase of the RTOS Story as a handsome addition to their li brary. □ Only part of the Alabama Chapter work crew. 44 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1974 have put in time on the organ, we would also like to mention Jim Fer guson who has printed our programs each month, giving the added touch of professionalism to the programs. Last, but certainly not least, is Thomas Hatter. Mr. Hatter has fur nished all the pictures for Chapter Notes. With our membership of ap proximately only 50 families, it is easy to see that most of them are working members. Can anything other than a bright future be predicted for the Alabama Chapter? ALLEEN COLE ALOHA Honolulu, Hawaii - Theatre organ restoration expert Merle Bobzien is setting a record. Starting last August he removed windlines, cables, relays, chests and the console of the 4/ I 6 Charlie Cox at the Alabama Theatre Wurlitzer . Robert Morton pipe organ in Hono lulu's Hawaii Theatre for repair and Frank Barksdale, Mildred Baucom, renewal. The organ is expected to be Connie and Connie Ann Boyd, Sandra playing again in November. and Travis Cavnar, Don and Alleen Assisting him was a small nucleus of Cole, Betty Crowe, Ellis Dunnavant, Aloha Chapter members who made the Charles Durham, Billy Evans, Beatrice acquaintance of rubber cloth, polylon, and Ola Fee, Norville, Hall, Jim Harris, PVC-E glue and preformed Perflex Paul Houston, Evelyn and Frank pouches. Especially adept at re Jones, Danny Kiel, Dan Liles, Jay leathering with the new man-made Mitch ell, Cecil Prescott, Bruce materials were the girls who found the Rockett, Joyce and Ray Straits, Orian glue somewhat deadly on finger nails Truss, and Riedel West. and manicures. In addition to all the people who Merle belongs to the new school of Thomas Hatter is the official photographer for the Alabama Chapter. Cavnar, Evelyn Jones, Travis Cavnar, Ray Straits, Ralph Ferguson, Norville Hall and Jay Mitchell. It has been fun during the last two years to watch the progress of each one at the console. As our second year as a chpater draws to a close, it seems appropriate to devote some space to those who have made it possible to have an organ to enjoy. First, the work crew. Larry Donaldson has faithfully and con scientiously headed up the crew. He is a young Birmingham man now living in Copperhill, Tenn., and has to drive many miles for the once a month work sessions. No one knows how many other times he spends almost all night working on special problems. He has Workers at Hawaii Theatre project. (Left to right) Scott Bosch, Jim Chandler, John De Mello been assisted by Joan and Lee Aured, and work chief Merle Bobzien. 45 DECEMBER, 197 4 THEATRE ORGAN organ maintenance men who no longer forgotten is Frank Sherwood of both have faith in the durability of animal Aloha and Los Angeles Chapters who products and hope to eliminate leather found and recommended Merle at the and glue with plastic and casein base recent Detroit ATOS convention. glue. On the mainland such animal JOHN JENKINS products have suffered severe dete rioration as the result of polluted BEEHIVE atmosphere. Pipes and Pizza, located at 4400 Hawaii is fortunate that it has clean South State Street in Salt Lake City, air and the old red Morton leather was the setting for a delightful chapter showed only the ravages of 52 years of meeting on October 13. The hosts, Mr. hard use, not the decay of chemically and Mrs. Calvin Christensen, were laden air. More heartbreaking was dis most helpful and accommodating. covery of termite damage in wind Policeman on duty gives an assist to Scott After a short meeting members were trunks , relay stacks and regulators. Bosch . invited to play the Wurlitzer. The Hawaii has two kinds of these pests, organ, setting and decor has really "dry wood" termites and "ground" made Pipes and Pizza a favorite place termites. The former swarm twice a for the young and old of Salt Lake. year on a warm still night, mate, lose Silent movies are run giving many their wings and find their way into people who are unfamiliar with this wood nests. The ground variety de type of entertainment a chance to votes its life to eating underground enjoy them. utility cables, roots and wood foun Mr. Christensen has purchased dations. another pipe organ and will probably The 52 year old Hawaii Theatre is a install it in another building in the haven for "dry wood" termites and its Provo area. He has sold the Arcade owner, Consolidated Amusement Theatre and is installing the pipe organ Company, has waged an almost losing from that theatre in his home. He and battle against them. Tenting and his wife are truly theatre organ en gassing of the pipe chambers was done Al and Claire Watson re -working console thusiasts and the chapter members since liquid exterminators would in parts . wish to thank them for their many jure organ parts. Earlier maintenance hours of time and expense they have crews had used Paris Green (arsenic) in put forth to bring this type of enter the console and chests. tainment to the people of Salt Lake. Since the console and chamber are During the months of September above ground level, ground termites and October the theatre fans were are no problem. treated to the delightful music of Lyn Merle Bobzien of Burbank, Cali Larsen, David Reese and Frank Stitt, fornia, is on the staff of Dick Stoney, all ATOS members in their areas. who heads maintenance of the Los Lyn performs on a pipe organ in Angeles Elks huge Robert Morton. Phoenix, David in Martinez, Calif., and Merle felt at home with Hawaii's Mr. Stitt in the Bay Area. These Morton components as the factory had members played dinner concerts, achieved standardization and con David and Frank played for dance sistency. parties also at the Organ Loft. Since the theatre opens at 9 :30 MAXINE V. RUSSELL A.M. and runs until after midnight, Al Van Der Woerdt concentrates on Robert Merle had the console moved back Morton pneumatics. stage where he could work on it CEDAR RAPIDS without disturbing audiences. Aloha Our Fall season opened on Sep Chapter's club room in the theatre has tember 15 at the Cedar Rapids Para been converted to a workshop where mount with Walter Stronjy. As parts, materials and supplies are spread CRATOS Chairman Ray Snitil de about. scribed the program, "the sound of The chapter is fortunate to be able violins, oboes, clarinets and other in to employ Merle on this partial restor struments were heard tuning up." ation project. His professional tech Some sharp raps by the conductor on niques and skills are very evident in his podium (really the wood block) the completed work. brought the unit 'orchestra's' attention Of great help was chapter member together to play the rousing opener Richard Harger of Pipe Organs Hawaii Cabaret. Other highlights of Walt's (Harger and Schoenstein) who fur program were My Hero, Stormy nished parts, supplies and machinery Merle Bobzien is not daunted by the dis Weather and My Vision which was to facilitate Merle's work. Not to be mantled Robert Morton conso1 1?. composed by his former teacher, 46 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 197 4 Chicago Stadium organist, Al Melgard. This was Walt's second appearance for our group, the last two years ago. In that time he has grown up - literally and musically. Stronjy will be re membered as the student of Melgard's who shared the program at the Chicago Stadium during the 1969 ATOS Convention. Guests for the morning concert included Len Clarke, advertising man ager of THEATRE ORGAN magazine, Greg Filardo, director of Dairyland Chapter in Milwaukee, Richard Sklenar, editor of VOX CATOE and the artist's parents. In the afternoon Chairman Ray Snitil held a business meeting and Organist Rex Koury poses with Martin Wick, president of Wicks Organ Co . The console is a 3 reported on the Detroit ATOS Con manual Wicks Theatre Organ, Capitol Theatre , Davenport, Iowa . (Bill Lamb Photo/ vention. Slides of the organs, theatres and artists were shown. Incidently, we Wicks Organ Co., whose father John bership to view. The organ was orig are proud to report that Chariman was the builder of the organ installed inally installed in the Crescent Hill Snitil headed a delegation of 21 mem at the Capitol in 1928, inviting him to Baptist Church in Louisville, Ken bers of CRA TOS chapter in at be a guest at the Koury concert. Mr. tucky. tendance at the Convention. Wick, his wife Barbara, and his vice Highlighting the afternoon's acti Thursday, October 3, marked the president George Gibbons, all of High vities was the dramatic presentation of fourth Silent Movie Nite at the Capitol land, Ill. flew to Davenport on Thurs a three manual Kilgen theatre console, Theatre, Davenport, Iowa. Not only day so that they could attend the recently acquired for the installation was a capacity crowd happy but so evening concert. Looking around the and made possible through the gener was Rex Koury, the performing artist. Capitol, Wick said, "It's such a nice osity of Honorary CIC-ATOS member, He opened the program with On A thing to see an old theatre kept up like C.S. Ober of Indianapolis. Wonderful Day Like Today as the this. And what I like to see is people Carl Wright introduced the honored three-manual Wicks organ rose from taking a neglected old theatre pipe guests present, including Dr. Karl the orchestra pit on its recently in organ and putting it back in good Kalp, superintendent of the India stalled Barton lift. Rex then proceeded condition." Wick displayed expert napolis Public School System , and to play virtually every style of music knowledge of the intricate interior Mrs. Kalp; Mr. Wayne Kincaid, as from Ain't She Sweet to Aquarius. workings of organs but one of his sistant superintendent, and Mrs. Literally pulling out all the stops, he observations is humorous. "You know, Kincaid; and Mrs. Frederick Jones of demonstrated the organ's versatility as each pipe is like a person. It has toes, Louisville, Kentucky, who was the he constantly switched registrations. feet, an upper lip, a lower lip and a organist at the Crescent Hill Baptist The first half of the program con body. But it's much easier to get along Church for 30 years when the Louis cluded with a sing-along. with. It doesn't talk back." ville Uniphone was located in that Koury opened the second part of BYRON F. OLSEN church. The organ is to be known as the show with the Buster Keaton film the Crescent Hill-Manual Organ. "College." During the movie, Rex A brief formal program was given demonstrated his great talent ac by Larry MacPherson, Mary Drake and companying the silent action: molding CENTRAL INDIANA Ruth Kirkpatrick, CIC-ATOS mem the music to the scene, adding dis A long awaited event became a bers, followed by an afternoon of tinctive bits of humor, doing what is reality on Sunday, September 8, when open console, and a chance for mem known as close cueing. "That's an the CIC-ATOS had its first meeting at bers to view the displays and tour the attempt as much as possible to catch Manual High School in Indianapolis. chambers. every bash or sound and reproduce it After many months and many hours Autumn Leaves might well have on the organ, being particularly true in of hard work and patient endeavor been the theme song for our October slapstick things," according to Rex. under the direction of Carl Wright, the meeting. Approximately 40 members Koury capped the evening by play 2 manual, 10 rank Louisville Uni journeyed to Vincennes, Indiana on a ing his most famous composition, the phone, installed in the school's audi beautifully warm and bright fall day. theme from "Gunsmoke." This was torium, was finally ready for per The awesome beauty of southern Rex Koury's second appearance for formance. Indiana and the ensuing program made CRATOS having played for us at the Carl, who is the manager of Manual it a special day for remembering. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Paramount on High School's Auditorium, told the The meeting was held in the audi November 8, 1973. nearly 100 members and guests some torium on the campus of Vincennes Sometime before the Koury show, of the interesting things about the University. Members of the Consollear Teasurer Bob Beck's wife, Carolyn, history of the organ and had several Organ Club of Evansville , Indiana wrote to Martin Wick, president of excellent displays ready for the mem- joined CIC-ATOS for a most interest- DECEMBER, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN 47 ing afternoon of organ music. The fall was located in Birmingham, Michigan With thanks to Mrs. Paul Noblitt we and early winter activities involving and interestingly, Bob Goldstein (Fort now have an excellent nucleus for our CIC-ATOS were announced by Tim Wayne) had played it when it was in a chapter library which, with unanimous Needler, president, and it looks like a private home in Michigan. zeal has been titled the Paul Noblitt very busy and interesting schedule Open console time followed and all Memorial Library. We received Paul's coming up. Our "pipe-organing" cal afternoon was filled with excellent collection of tapes, pictures and me endar is already so full of extra organ renditions to the delight of mentos - tapes being available to curricular activities that we may just everyone. Two things are always ap chapter members for copy for personal possibly have to "squeeze" to get parent when ATOS members get to use only. regularly scheduled things in too. gether - good organ music and plenty Our chapter's Palace Wurlitzer now That's almost becoming the rule - but of good food. With both Evansville has seven ranks playing wired to one it's fun isn't it! and CIC-ATOS bringing refreshments, manual. Earlier reporting of Indiana related this was an extra good meeting! We Clarke & Greene counties in Ohio activities indicated that the Embassy were delighted to meet the Evansville have been released from our area to Foundation had been formed to group and thank them for sharing not permit formation of a Dayton/Spring obtain and restore for civic use, the only their afternoon with us but also field Chapter. We wish them every Embassy Theatre in Fort Wayne, their refreshments. Hope we can do it success and offer our assistance. Indiana. Bob Goldstein, one of the again sometime. Ed Smith is currently adding elec original members of the Embassy R Uf H D. WARD tric relay preset action to the Ohio Foundation, was on hand to bring the Morton to permit silent stop changing. A computer controlled capture system latest word on the Embassy situation. CENTRAL OHIO This group now has an option to buy is being designed and should be in this property and is going all out to National ATOS has granted our operation soon. obtain the necessary financing. The peti tion to host a Regional Convention October found us in the rolling hills Embassy houses a 4/12 Page which is November 7, 8 and 9 of 197 5, fea area of Somerset, Ohio, for the annual in excellent condition and will ulti turing the Robert Morton at the Ohio pot luck dinner meeting at the home mately serve many uses in civic, com Theatre. Details of events will be of Ralph and Leona Charles with their munity and concert endeavors. The furnished as plans are developed. Re Morton pipes. Kenny Winland was theatre has a seating capacity of 2,800 serve these dates and plan · to be with featured as opening concert artist and will be a real asset to organ us. followed by Lois Hays and then open enthusiastists and the public in gen Our annual meeting and election of console starting with Chris Phillips. It eral. officers was held in September at was the first time at this console for An announcement was made that Van 's Music Store hosted by Fritz 12 year old Chris and he handled it Dennis James would be appearing in Saenger, owner, and featuring the admirably. With percussions and some concert in November at the First Rodgers organ. Always an enjoyed pipe work exposed the organ is readily Christian Church in Columbus, treat, the Rodgers was put through its heard. In command of the soft stops Indiana. This is an 80 rank, 4 manual paces by many of our talented mem was Marie Peer. We heard the beginning Aeolian Skinner installed in the bers . The annual meeting was lively of a new Charles Prior, Jr. Charles has Columbus church in 1944. This will be with the promise of an eventful year begun organ studies with Lowell an all sacred concert. Dennis is an to come in all areas of activity pro Enoch, renowned artist and teacher in accomplished organist in both classical moted by ATOS. Pipe dreams show this area, and a previously recognized and theatre stylings. promise of becoming reality with the talent is budding anew with a young leadership of our re-elected president, member. Gene Deeker of Marion, A welcome was given by CIC-ATOS Frank Babbitt. Ohio, a church organist for 28 years, President, Tim Needler, to the Evans ville group. Milton Hammers, president of Evansville's Consollears, spoke briefly but chose to dispense with official business until another time. BINDERS ... TO PROTECT YOUR ISSUES OF THEATRE ORGAN Professor Richard Ertel, chairman of Vincennes University's Music This durable casebound cover will bind one full year's Department was introduced. After a issues of THEATRE ORGAN. Imprinted in gold on few words of welcome, he presented a black, the binder becomes a permanent reference volume that protects issues from damage and keeps delightful program on the 3 manual, them in perfect order . Magazines are held securely in 12 rank Wurlitzer theatre organ in the place and can be inserted in only a few seconds. university's auditorium. Appropriately A special pocket will enable you to easily label and identify the year of any volume. he started his program with Hi Neigh bor and played a very interesting $3.50 each (including postage) program to fully "show off' this Make check or money order payable to: ATOS Binder . beautiful instrument, using current Mail to... ATOS Binder selections and a medley of selections P.O. Box 1002 from the 30's and 40's which he titled Middleburg, Virginia 22117 "Salute to Tommy (Dorsey)." Pro or . . . ATOS Binder P.O. Box 1314 fessor Ertel's commentary on the or Salinas, California 93901 gan was most interesting. It originally 48 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 197 4 came, saw, joined, played and con Few Actually Play." This film made paradies, he accompanied "Haunted quered our appreciation of another movie stars of the many CATOE mem Spooks." talented member. Two long standing bers who were responsible for re The most exciting event of the fall members we neither see or hear moving, rebuilding and reinstalling the season was a "A Wonderful Wurlitzer enough of were with us, both playing, 3/10 Wurlitzer in the high school. Weekend" bus trip to CRATOS land. - Lucy Shoemaker and Fred Lewis, John Grune and Dennis Minear pro Cedar Rapids Area Chapter Chairman Jr. vided musical scoring. Ray Snitil hosted a bus load of CATOErs who visited seven organs. IRENE BLEGEN Starting with the Wicks at the Daven port Capitol Theatre, the group also CHICAGOAREA visited at the home of Howard and When CATOE presents Walt Strojny Norma Adams to play their 3/ IO in his public concert debut at the Barton formerly in the Tower Theatre, Wurlitzer in the Pickwick Theatre, Milwaukee. Jim and Bob Adams were Park Ridge, on Dec. 12, it will con also on hand to demonstrate the air clude another active year in Chicago, calliope and Wurlitzer band organ. "Theatre Organ Capitol of the World." From there it was on to Muscatine, This past fall saw many CA TOE Iowa, and the Musser Museum, an old events. On Sept. 8 another banquet restored residence with an Estey organ was held at the ornate Baker Hotel, St. with roll player and a rare glass bar Charles, home of a twin console 3/ 10 harp. Then it was to the hilltop home Geneva. Les Hickory provided music of Dr. and Mrs. John Klein which for cocktails on the terrace and in the Bob Coe at the modern console of the overlooks the Mississippi River. Their Arcada Theatre's 3 / 16 Geneva . A stop 3/ 14 Wurlitzer is a jewel. Dr. Klein was Trophy Room for dinner. Bill Ben tab controls bells in niches which swing edict provided a magic lantern show of to and fro in the Mission style theatre. especially gracious to have us visit as theatres and organs from throughout (Carl Anderson Photo) he had undergone open heart-surgery a the country plus a sing-along, the month before. Sunday in Cedar Rapids music for which was recorded on the Two nights of vaudeville on Oct. 18 found the group at the Iowa Theatre Montclare Theatre's Barton. A surprise and 19 featured Neil Foster and Jay to see and hear the 3/14 Barton, then arranged by Chairman Russ Joseph Marshall on stage. Foster is a master on to the Paramount Theatre to hear was the playing of the tape of Walt illusionist and did wonders with the voice of Rock Island's Channel 4 Strojny at the "Save the Fox" program lighted cigarettes and ordinary playing TV, Paul Adams (of the Aledo , 111. in Atlanta. Special guests were Dr. and cards. Member Marshall had a pleasant Adamses). Paul presented a great pro Mrs. William Barnes and Brother line of patter, did some tricks, and gram on the 3/11 Wurlitzer. Then it Andrew Corsini of the Theatre His made his "Lefty" talk. M.C. Doug was on to the Howard Burton home torical Society. Christensen was kept busy tying all the for a chance to play his 2/7 Wurlitzer acts together with words while Bob before the bus left for home. Coe kept them together with music. It has been an active year for Coe, also a member of CATOE, is a CATOE, filled with concert programs veteran of the heyday having played in and monthly socials. We expect to Minnesota and Wisconsin theatres. Be continue next year providing more and sides a sing-along with Bob's own varied events for our 275 members Jim Roseveare reliving the thirties from the console of the 3 / 11 Wurlitzer at Downers Grove High School (Bil/Lamb Photo/ San Francisco's Jim Ro seveare was at Downers Grove North High School on Sept. 21 for a concert of his special Jesse Crawford recreations. Jim's program is unique and appeals to Crawford fans though some of the selections were not very familiar. Shar The Wurlitzer band organ of the Aledo (111.)Adams Family was a center of attention during the ing the bill with Jim was "When So CATOE fall bus trip to CRATOS-land (Jim Taggart Photo/ DECEMBER, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN 49 including a spring program at the delightful. Phil also led a bit of com members who came and played or Chicago Theatre. munity singing with enthusiastic re listened. Outside the rains and wind; sponse from the forty-seven members inside beautiful music by Patti Ger RICHARD J. SKLENAR and twenty-seven guests present. Many main who manipulated this monster CONN VALLEY thanks to our hosts, the Twomeys, the console like the "pro" she is. Using the artists, K Lareau and Mr. and Mrs. Phil versatility of this organ, her program September was highlighted in Con Stock, and the chapter officers and varied from classics, pop, Rhapsody in necticut by the appearance of Eddie committees. Blue using the piano stops and of Weaver at the Thomaston Opera House course ending with the greatest swing the nights of the 20th and 21st at the ing march band going. console of the Marr and Colton to play GARDEN STATE In answer to all who did not wish the first of the Rice Memorial Fund the "organized" fun to stop for the The May meeting was a first meet concerts. Being one of the country's summer, Chairman Irving Light, who ing of Garden State Chapter in the foremost theatre organists, and heads up the Program committee, Pascack Theatre, Westwood, NJ. The especially well remembered in the New planned a Family Picnic in July. It was 2/6, soon to be an 8 rank Wurlitzer Haven area where he played at the held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. again, was played and enjoyed by the Paramount for a number of years, Stanley Drake where umbrella tables Sunday morning members who Eddie was most warmly received at clustered around their charming home munched donuts, sipped coffee and Thomaston and he helped the Fund and beautiful gardens. Each family explored the theatre and pipe cham off to a very good start. brought their own picnic basket. Joe bers. The crew members Warren On October 12 we had our first Fall Vanore, a Physical Education teacher, meeting in Manchester at the home of Brown, Roy Frenski, Dick Orr, Bob Quinn, Rick Seigle, Ed Unis and Joe supplied equipment for all sorts of Irving and Anita Twomey, where there sports activities, mostly enjoyed by are many marvelous music machines, all Vanore deserve a great deal of credit in restoring the solo chamber which had the children. The H-100 Hammond in working order, plus two grand pianos inside never cooled with several young been water damaged and pilfered over and a two-manual Wurlitzer theatre talented organists supplying back the years. pipe organ which, with its console ground music. The remainder of the There is a special thrill and feeling con trolled Ampico Grand Piano, afternoon was spent in the large bi of pride to be able to add another sounds great. We have had most en cycle shop of the Mahns family where restored Wurlitzer in a theatre to the joyable meetings there before and this a nine rank pipe organ is installed. Art chapter's list, thus enabling a brand one was another such. Console was Tower, who accompanied many silent new group of theatre-goers to hear and open the middle portion of the after movies when he was young, gave a noon. The business session, which in experience the great sounds of theatre cluded the nomination of officers and organ. committee chairmen for 1975 took In June, Garden State Chapter place before dinner hour; after dinner members were invited to the home of we returned for the concert portion of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Mc Kissock to enjoy the day's program. the large versatile pipe organ that Bill Our evening's guest artist was K recently installed. This magnificent or Lareau who has appeared publicly in gan contains seven ranks of reeds, ten southern New England. She gave us a ranks of beautiful strings, two Tibias as nice program of new and old popular well as five sets of tuned percussions tunes including a few from the motion and many non-tuned ones. Now add a pictures of the 1920's. Also included four manual Aeolian Skinner draw was a sampler of Scott Joplin. In knob console, plus a total of 32 ranks addition to K, the concert hour pro and you have "Heaven, I'm In gram included a presentation by Phil Heaven!" This organ is so beautifully Stock at the console accompanying his modulated it's a delight to hear. Bill wife who played the violin. This was and his charming wife Mary Ann were Walter and Bob Mahns (far right) host out of the ordinary for us and most on hand to help the sixty or so Garden State at their Bicycle Shop. From Chicago "Theatre Organ Capital of the World" Wishes Everyone A Holiday Season Full Of Good Music And A New Year Full Of Good Fortune MOTOR CITY CHAPTER CHICAGO! CONVENTION CITY 1977 50 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1974 mini sampling of how it was done. Welch and Ruby and Reiny Delzer in that when the main action was taking House Organist Bob Mahns demon Bismarck, North Dakota. These two place at one location there were some strated the organ using all the sounds. couples have fabulous homes directly who slipped across the street to try His capable and very easy to listen to across the street from one another their skill sans audience. stylings were enjoyed. Who knows an each containing a fine theatre pipe We boarded our bus at 4:00 P.M. organ better than the fellow who puts organ in mint condition. The Welchs on Sunday for the return trip. One all the extra hours of loving care and Delzers are outstanding hosts and redeeming phase of the long trip out into it. Open console followed. hostesses who unselfishly turned their and back was our own Don Taft who Can you imagine the chagrin on homes over to us for the weekend. is a professional organist and ac Don Plenkers face when he turned The Welchs 2/9 Marr and Colton is cordionist. Don brought his squeeze around after playing several numbers a gem wit)1 beautiful voicing, and the box along and his great ability to to find the large room empty? All of music room in to which it speaks is entertain as well as produce delightful the members had disappeared upstairs very large allowing the sound to de music shortened our otherwise long as Mr. Walter Mahns was giving the velop in a thrilling manner; solo stops trip immeasurably. group a tour thru his unique collection as well as ensemble. We arrived back in Minneapolis at of antique bicycles, many dating back The Delzers have the 4/21 Wurlitzer midnight a tired but happy group. to the turn of the century. The chil which they moved directly from the CLARENCE A. MUNSON dren especially were delighted with Minnesota Theatre in Minneapolis to these unusual bikes, secretly hoping their home. This organ is also for they could hop up on one. The five tunate in being able to speak into a seater from Holland caught everyone's very large room and the result - "The LOS ANGELES eye. Coffee and family desserts were Mighty Wurlitzer" in all its glory. Both Tom Sheen returned to the Wiltern shared. Thus ended a pleasant day at of these music rooms have a great Kimball in September for a concert of the shore area of Wall Township and amount of comfortable seating for old favorites, including Another Eatontown. large audiences to relax and really Opening, Another Show, The Sting, a JINNY VANORE enjoy the performances. Duke Ellington Medley, and Slaughter Semiformal programs were pre on Tenth Avenue. Tom's very lis sented at each location by several tenable music is featured at the Pizza LAND O' LAKES artists including, from the Twin Cities, and Pipes in Seattle (3/16 Wurlitzer). October 12 and 13 proved to be a Clyde Olson, Karl Eilers and Alan Our San Diego trip was a rousing memorable weekend for forty mem Gerber; from Bismarck, Irene Peters; success. Casual dress was the rule. It bers of the Land O' Lakes Chapter. from Fargo, Lance Johnson and from looked like a Hawaiian holiday. The Leaving Minneapolis at 8:00 A.M. Aberdeen, Bob Letherer who also theatre organ enthusiasts in San Diego on Saturday, we travelled by chartered accompanied two silent films. Both have received a charter from ATOS bus to the homes of Fran and Chuck organs were available at all times so National for their own chapter, taking FLOYD AND DORIS MUMM LAND OF LINCOLN CHAPTER Designers and Typesetters of "THEATRE ORGAN" Season's Greetings and a Merry Christmas to your group from ours . .. from the WESTERN RESERVE (all membersof W.R.T.O.S.,Inc.) Toledo Chapter ATOS DECEMBER, 197 4 THEATRE ORGAN 51 originally installed in the RKO Albee Theatre in Brooklyn. Joe Koons motorcycle shop in Long Beach, the home of the famous Wurlitzer/Welte, is the gathering place for our members on Saturday nights for the now-famous jam sessions. Many of you know of Joe's recent illnesses, which have required ex tensive and expensive hospital treat ment. Some of Joe's friends got to gether to present a benefit concert for Joe, to help pay his many medical bills. This was held on Nov. 3 at the giant 4-manual 61-rank Robert Morton Pipe Organ that the chapter maintains at the Elks Club here in Los Angeles. Although not an official chapter LA Chapter members put on the feedbag in San Diego . They wished the new San Diego ATOS function, almost all of our 650 plus Chapter well. (Zimmerman Photo/ members were represented. The con cert featured the most fabulous array over our former southern-most ter he has done in the East, for a personal of talent. Featured organists were ritory. We wish the new San Diego appearance and showing of the Swan (alphabetically): Candi Carley, Gay Chapter well. son picture "Queen Kelly." Lee's new lord Carter, Del Castillo, Helen Dell, Lee Erwin visited us in October and albums of organ music were rapidly Don Lee Ellis, Romona Gerhard, Maria was right at home on the Wiltern 4/37 sold out in the lobby. Kumagai, Lyle Knight, Jack Moel Kimball. He brought the console up Remaining concerts at the Wiltern mann, and Gerald Nagano, with Bill with But Not For Me, and after a for this year include Lyn Larsen on Worrall as Master of Ceremonies. subdued interpretation of Always Nov . 17, Bill Million on Dec. 15, and played some of the lesser known Scott Helen Dell on Jan. 19. A unique MALIN DOLLINGER Joplin works, including Original Rag "Senior Organists" concert is being and The Rosebud March. He con held at the San Gabriel Civic Audi tinued with Diane, Cabaret, and a torium 3/15 Wurlitzer on Dec. 2, and MOTOR CITY group of Gay 90's selections. He will feature Gaylord Carter, Arlo Our Second Sunday open house at promised to bring Gloria Swanson Hults, Ann Leaf, and others. Arlo the Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbor on back with him for the next concert, as played this same organ when it was September 8 featured member Mar- We Hope Y'all Have Season's An Extra Nice Holiday Season Qreetings NORTH TEXAS CHAPTER from All The Members Of WEST PENN AFTER 5 YEARS ... Season's Greetings d'lerryChr istmas the Lautzenheisers GEORGE & CAROLINE ALLEN Marvin Jean 4/28 Publix # 1 "Crawford Special" Wurlitzer Aeolian Duo-Art and Hardman Pianos GENII Delaware Valley Chapter • Haddonfield, N.J . 52 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1974 of lagging box office receipts , Com munity proposed that we assume the management of the Redford Theatre. Owing to the excellent relationship we have established over a period of years with Community, the theatre chain was firm in their belief that Motor City would be the best possible tenant for the building. The Motor City Board of Directors met with representatives of Com munity Theatres on September 19 and the pros and cons of such an under taking were discussed. Our board re acted favorably to the offer and pre sented it to the membership at a special meeting at the Royal Oak Theatre on October 13. The undertaking was un animously approved by the members and possible uses to which the theatre (Top) Dee Werner, Linda Luce, (bottom) Doloris Frank, Ron Werner and Alice Troyan lent a could be put were discussed. nautical atmosphere to "Yankee Clipper" at the Redford. (Marjorie Allen Photo/ The Redford Project is a unique opportunity never before offered to an jorie Allen's slide show of 1974 Con ring William Boyd. A near-capacity ATOS chapter and will involve the vention Highlights. Her narration was audience (total - 2275) enjoyed Lyn's talents of a great many of our mem accompanied by Bud Bates at the appropriate accompaniment to the bers . The theatre will not continue to Michigan's 3/13 Barton. Non - ATOS silent sea epic, the sing-along and his operate as a neighborhood movie visitors enjoyed the show, and, as well, concert at the Redford's 3/10 Barton. house under Motor City management, the open console session that fol Several members dressed as sailors, and but will be open on a periodic basis for lowed. one as a pirate, passed out printed public presentations of silent film and September 16-17 brought Lyn programs to add to the nautical theme. organ programs. Practice time on the Larsen back to town for a two-night A most unique off er was made to Barton organ will be made available to engagement at the Redford Theatre. our chapter this fall by Community members and organ teachers will be The film was the 1927 Cecil B. Theatres, owners of the Redford The able to offer lessons on "real pipes" to DeMille classic "Yankee Clipper" star- atre. Scheduled to be closed , because their students. The facility will also be SEASON'S GREETINGS from your BETTY MASON HOLIDAY SeasonsGreetin9s CDest Wishes in '75 GREETINGS from membersof J.A.T.O.E. and the CHATOS Rialto Theatre CedarRapids Area Theatre Organ Society Joliet,Ill. DECEMBER, 197 4 THEATRE ORGAN 53 plus receptions for each artist the night before at the Thomas studio, 12 board meetings, and 12 Silent News reel work sessions. All members are always welcome at the above men tioned activities. There are always two or three fine organists who attend these events and they always end up in jam sessions. Add this to our annual banquet and picnic, there is plenty to write about and I am willing to admit a few omissions. Possibly through the works of gremlins, the following was omitted from our August chapter notes. On June 19, Ray Brubacher played his The Redford , new home of the Motor City Chapter . /Don Lockwood Photo/ first concert at the Riviera. This writer had to pass up the concert, but had available to community and civic and Bill Hays. the pleasure of meeting the artist at groups who require the use of a large After hosting a very successful the pre-concert reception for him on auditorium. Noteable Nineteenth this past summer, June 18 at the Thomas studio. The Redford Project will be fi Motor City is once more enthusi Either through absent-mindedness nancially self-supporting and the chap astically involved in an educational or just plain old age, I have no other ter's general funds will not be obli project, this time, to preserve the excuse for not reporting one of our gated. Important, too, is the fact that theatre pipe organ in its natural set outstanding events of the year. On although the Redford will become the ting, the theatre. July 28, we arrived at the home of MCTOS, Dolores and Neal McDonalds about 2 new home of activities at the DON LOCKWOOD Royal Oak , Punch & Judy and Michi P.M. for the chapter's annual picnic. gan (Ann Arbor) theatres will not be We stayed well past midnight so how NIAGARA FRONTIER affected. could I forget? There were yard games Following the October 13 special As we near the holiday season and and a swimming pool for the outdoor meeting at the Royal Oak Theatre, years' end, I would like to review my crowd. The piano was moved onto the members split into three groups for a first full year as press secretary for the patio and music was the rule until Round-Robin visit to the home instal chapter. dark, at which time the piano went lations of Chuck Harris, Mert Harris We have had 14 public concerts back inside to be joined by the organ happy holidays and a from from all of us in NIAGARA "THE ACTION CHAPTER" FRONTIER CHAPTER and RIVIERA THEATRE POTOMAC VALLEY CHAPTER SEASONSfrom MARTIN M. WICK GREETINGSPresident, Wicks Organ Company 54 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 197 4 for some fine duets. Many fine musi Our chapter members wish you all a In April the chapter met at the cians took turns for ten hours of solid Merry Christmas and our best wishes Corpus Christi Church in Oakland, music - just too many names to for the New Year. home of a beautiful style D Wurlitzer mention. Luella Wickham of Syracuse STEVE CROWLEY owned by the Pratt family. Gordon made the trip and Mr. and Mrs. Pratt opened the afternoon with a William Klinger of the Dairyland chap NOR CAL brief but expertly executed concert, ter were sightseeing at Niagara and also and was followed by a number of attended. What a crowd , what a picnic , Nor Cal Chapter is still alive and other ATOS 'ers. May was the month and many thanks to our fine host and well in the beautiful San Francisco of a special Nor Cal function - a joint hostess - the McDonalds. Bay Area. Our chapter report has been effort of the chapter with the Avenue In October , we had two concerts. missing from THEATRE ORGAN for Photoplay Society brought Dennis and Harvey Elsaesser, who had made many some time due to the untimely passing Heidi James to the Avenue Theatre . appearances at the Riviera , along with of Dewey Cagle who for years had These young musicians gave a truly the big band sound of Cliff Car put on written our report. Though our chap outstanding performance. The com quite a show on October 2 . Bill Lang ter , and ATOS'ers throughout the bination of Dennis at the Wurlitzer ford made his first appearance at the country , will miss Dewey, we continue and Heidi at the Yamaha Grand was Riviera on October 16 and we liked in our activities so that his work will highly praised by all those in at what we heard. not have gone for naught. Dewey was tendance. Dennis' playing for the film On November 3, Dennis James and working towards the fullfillment of a "Lilac Time " was smooth , effortless the Singing Hoosiers were scheduled at long-held dream at the time of his and precise , and truly belied his youth. the Riviera and November 20 should passing - he was chairman of the 1975 June brought us to the magnificent find Luella Wickham back after an ATOS National Convention Com music studio in the home of Bob absence of several years. If you want mit tee. Judd Walton has taken Chaney in Lafayette. The studio con to hear theatre organ music like it Dewey 's place , and the entire chapter tains a marvelous array of memorabilia really was, never pass up a chance to is determined to make the 1975 con of the early l 900's which surround the hear Luella. vention the best ever , in Dewey's 3 manual Wurlitzer console from It has been a tradition that Frank memory. George Wright's studio. The pipework Olson play our December concert. Our 1974 activities began in March comes from several different Wurlit Frank is an organist's organist. He with an open console meeting at the zers. The featured artist for the after takes a back seat to no one, equally at Capn's Galley Pizza in Santa Clara. noon was chapter chairman , Warren home playing a recital in a cathedral or Among the many who entertained that Lubich. Hearing his playing reaffirmed playing theatre organ music to stand afternoon was Ralph Trout III. This our belief that some of the finest ing room only crowds in a theatre. He was to be the last time that this theatre organists in the country surely always remembers who he is playing talented musician would play for a must reside in the "Bay Area ." Fol for and knows what the crowd likes. chapter function (see Closing Chords). lowing the formal concert the Wurlit- NOR-CAL CHAPTER HOSTS FOR 1975A.T.0.S. CONVENTION CENTRALOHIO THEATRE ORGAN SOCIETY Season's GRL\rM!) Greetings ~:o~ Cf\EE.RTO ONE AND ALL Garden State Theatre Organ JUDD AND VERLE WAL TON Society , Inc . DECEMBER , 1974 THEATRE ORGAN 55 surgery, went off fine under Lorena McKee's able guidance. A few matters of business, quickly transacted at 10 A.M. of a Sunday morning in the front rows of the Dallas Fine Arts Theatre, and we were off to a great cameo concert with Jerry Bacon as both artist and technician. Jerry has expanded this organ to a 27 rank "Bacon Special", with more additions as time goes on. Jerry played a program of pops from the theatre organ heydays and today. Before his concert, Jerry gave us an informative talk on the organ itself, including the trials and tribulations encountered in its ac quisition and installation. Then, to further demonstrate the instrument's versatility, Lew Williams presented a Chapter Chairman Warren Lubich with Dennis and Heidi James in front of a World War I ambu classical concert terminating in a Bach lance that brought a contingent of "Theatre Organ Lovers" to the James' concert. Fugue. Lew's talents and the organ's capabilities provided a fine classical zer console was opened to all, as was the pizza circuit. That's all for now, cameo. the Conn electronic which Bob had but don't forget San Francisco in '75 ! Open console was then declared, provided for the afternoon. The with Pat Kohl, MarkMunzell, Jr. and Chaney organs, swimming pool and NORTH TEXAS several others demonstrating their garden facilities were enjoyed by all. The chapter has been "movin' on" talents. The theatre's opening for its Following the summer break we despite Chairman Earl MacDonald's regular Sunday presentations forced us met in September for an open console temporary confinement to the hospital to adjourn. Jerry has the organ in fine session at one of the newer Bay Area for surgery on a finger he got tangled shape and is playing regular pre-movie, pizza shops - the Thundermug in San in a power saw. Mac's hand is coming intermission and other concerts at the Jose. Though the installation of its along fine, and he should be able to theatre. Thanks to you and the theatre Wurlitzer was not yet completed, it play a full chord with it any time now. management for having us over, Jerry. was apparent that the Thundermug Meanwhile, the October meeting, By the time this appears in print, was destined to be a fine addition to which Mac had to miss due to the there will be several other organ JLand (()' TO ALL Extends OUR ATOS H[oliLdayGreeting FRIENDS From MINNESOTA A MERRY CHRISTMAS Season's AND HAPPY NEW YEAR Greetings TO THE THEATRE ORGAN WORLD AND FRIENDS from BOB NEW YORK THEATRE ORGAN SOCIETY mACK 56 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1974 happenings behind us in the area. Jim Lawrence, Kansas, since 1950 and now building a new home to accommodate Peterson advises us that the new Land will come to Fort Worth, Texas as it. mark Pipes and Pizza will be open soon as Jim can find an opportunity to The chapter Christmas Party is Nov. 15. Owner Dino Santrizos has go pick it up. scheduled to be held at the Landmark arranged for Lew Williams to play the Along the same lines, the Mark Pipes and Pizza about the time this Jim Peterson-installed 3/11 Barton Munzells, senior and junior, have be comes out in the magazine. Contact two nights a week. Another Fort gun modification of their home to Lorena McKee, Earl MacDonald or any Worth organist, Mary Miller, will play accommodate the recently - acquired other chapter member for details. five evenings per week. Thus, any time Wurlitzer for their residence. Mark Jr., This column would certainly be the chapter members want to go hear a teenager, displays much organ talent, remiss if it did not memtion the fine some real theatre organ music, there'll having played several concerts and chapter news letter put out through be a real organist with lots of talent cameos for the chapter demonstrating the efforts of Jerry Bacon , editor and playing. With the Piano , Marimba, and his capabilities. Mark Sr. is a craftsman George Stucker, printer and publisher. Sleigh Bells that Jim has added to the and electronics specialist, teaching "THE KERULAPHONE" (what, you original, there should be lots of beau Mark Jr. to follow in his footsteps, so never heard of THAT stop?) was a tiful music out of that Barton. Thanks, they really make a good father and son great success in its' first edition, and Dino for bringing the Pipes and Pizza team. we are all looking forward to the next to Dallas, and for your many cour The next chapter meeting, sched issue. The gang had nothing but favor tesies to the North Texas Chapter of uled for Fort Worth's Casa Manana at able comment any time THE ATOS. 2:30 P.M. on Nov. 17, will also be KERULAPHONE was mentioned. Incidentally, Jim Peterson has him history when this appears. Several We'll have more info for you on self acquired an I I-rank Wurlitzer for chapter organists will give cameos and chapter happenings in the next issue. installation in his own home. There's a we're inviting guests from various Meanwhile, the chapter is very much guy that loves his work. After spend other organ groups to attend. We're alive and moving. ing 12 to 20 hours a day, 7 days a getting toward the 40 - member mark JOE KOSKJ week getting various commercial and and hope to exceed that pretty soon. church pipe organs operational, he There is considerable theatre organ OREGON wants to put one into his own home. activity currently. Last we heard, The chapter's September meeting In fact, he's buying a bigger house just former Chapter Chairman John Beck 's was held on the 29th at the residence to accommodate the organ. Let us instrument was nearing completion. of Bob and Laura Burke. The artist for know when you're ready, Jim, and There are also several other theatre the day was "Rob" York, age 19. This there are plenty of chapter members organs either in warehouse, or in was Rob's first concert on pipes. He ready to help. The organ Jim has process of installation. Wonder how was the scholarship winner of the originated in a theatre in New Haven, Gordon Wright's Capri theatre organ is Portland Monday Musical Society the Connecticut, has been in a residence in fairing. Last we heard, Gordon was atre organ contest. He played our Jimmy- Season's Greetings To All! REMEMBER COPY DEADLINE Hoyo!EXANDRIA ARENA _ 4/34 WURLITZER FOR THEATRE ORGAN MAGAZINE VIRGINIA THEATRE - 3/11 BARTON THEATRE ORGAN CONCERTS All material to be published must be received at SILENT FILM ACCOMPANIMENT P. 0. Box 1314, Salinas, Calif. 93901 4921 Seminary Road By the FIRST of the month PRECEDING publication Alexandria, Virginia 22311 Telephone (7 03 ) 931-4840 Copy for February Issue must be in by January 1st. Now Booking 1975 Concert Tours He Opened the Roxy and Radio City Music Hall I !Karil Colle DR. C.A.J.PARMENTIER Theatre Organ Concerts Organ Studio Contemporary, Classical and Nostalgic Numbers 4682 Broad Road Syracuse, New York 13215 Personal Representative MRS. MARY A. BOWL ES Direct Contact: Rt. 2, Hopewell Road• Lost Lake, Marlton, New Jersey 08053 (315) 469-6161 - (315) 458-1544 - (315) 636-9503 Telephone (609) 983-1535 DECEMBER, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN 57 Dennis Hedberg, chapter chairman, at the "Rob" York at the Burkes' 3/12 Wurlitzer . Ray Brubacher at the Kline Residence Wur Ingram's 2 / 8 Wurlitzer. (Clyde V. Neuffer Photo) (Claude V. Neuffer Photo) litzer . (M . Hurley Photo) concert on the Bob Burke 3/ 12 Wur bers tried out the Ingram 2/8 Wurlitzer Ray turned in one of the finest per litzer. "Rob" did fine for his first including Reba Payne, Terry Robson, formances the chapter has yet to hear. "pipes" concert and we predict this Connie Hodges, Bert Hedderly and It was evident that this is a concert young man will go a long way. Duffy. A fun time was had by all. Ray wanted to do and wanted to do The October 19 chapter meeting DON INGRAM well. And so he did. A little extra treat was in the form of an open house at for our newer members was a "sound the home of Don and Arlene Ingram. POTOMAC VALLEY tour" through the Kline Wurlitzer. There was no actual concert, just open Once again our September meeting This allowed all to more fully ap organ and buff et table with liquid was held at the Richard Kline resi preciate the tonal capabilities of the refreshment. Gerry Gregorius led off dence. Although the weather was un instrument. Needless to say the sound the music with a mini-concert, fol cooperative (it poured!) almost 200 of the Kline instrument is what every lowed by Dennis Hedberg, chapter members turned out. Who would organ fan dreams of. chairman, Dean LeMire, Ron Johnson willingly miss a combination of Ray Concertwise our next occasion was and Don Ingram. Several other mem- Brubacher and the Kline Wurlitzer? held in October at the Lautzenheiser PIZZA & PIPES OUTSTANDING WURLITZER THEATRE PIPE ORGAN THEATRE ORGAN 3581 Homestead Road 821 Winslow Street at ( Lawrence Expressway) ( Downtown - Off Broadway) SERIES SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA PHONE 248-5680 PHONE 365-6543 Staff Organists * Lee Erwin and Gloria Swanson 1690 S. Bascom at Hamilton TOM HAZLETON ( Hamilton Plaza Shopping Center) January 17 & 18 JACK GUSTAFSON CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA JOHN SENG PHONE 371-5000 Hector Olivera - February 8 MIKE CALLA * JOHN STEELE * Dennis James - March 15 * Virgil Fox - June 7 ALL Concerts on the 4/21 Morton Organ cuhlcymiller, a.a.g.o. OHIO THEATRE - THEATRE ORGAN CONCERTS - Capitol Square, Columbus, Ohio 43215 Box Office (614) 469-0939 Write or call for brochure TORRENCE/PERROTTA MANAGEMENT 1860 Broadway • New York. N.Y. 10023 • (212) 541-4620 58 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 197 4 residence. We had been promised a slated for November brings forth double treat of Jean at the organ and knowledgeable Bob Oberlander dis GENII (Marvin's computer) at the cussing pipes, voicing and tonal design. circuits - but they even threw in a We're looking forward to two more little extra (which is typical Lautzen conc~rts before this active year ends. heiser hospitality). There was a duet The first will bring us Hector Olivera featuring Jean at the piano and her and in December, Jimmy Boyce. This will make a grand total of 13 concert meetings this year for the chapter. In addition, our chapter has en joyed the benefit of 11 educational sessions besides producing and adopting a new set of by-laws. Our natural enthusiasm has caused us to grow to over 300 members! Potomac Valley Chapter members wish all of you a Very Merry Christ mas and a Happy New Year. ROY WAGN ER PUGET SOUND Jean and Granddaughter - two more of Marvin's loves . /M . Hurle y Photo! The Puget Sound Chapter held a home tour afternoon on Sunday , granddaughter at the organ! The September 15. Installations visited and Lautzenheisers have just completed a heard were those of Tom Endresen (a new recording with Jean and GENII, 3 manual Robert Morton from San Two Loves Have I which is now Francisco's Empire Theatre), Bill and available. Mary Carson (3/17 Wurlitzer) and the Technically speaking, we have had Jack Becvar's 2 manual Wurlitzer from an informative session on "do it your Seattle's late Blue Mouse Theatre. self' chest construction by veteran Each installation featured a local or Lem Keller, whose Keller Special Or ganist, followed by open console ses Marvin Lautzenheiser and GENII - still gan is a fine installation full of Lem's sions for chapter members. A general another love. /M . Hurl ey Photo ) innovative ideas. Another session chapter business meeting preceded the F.L.C.M ., L.R.A .M ., A.R .C.M ., A .R.C.O. (CHM) L.T .C.L., A.R .C.C.O. LEE ER-WIN British Theatre Organist, presently located in Canada "FRANK OLSEN PLAYS THE RIVIERA WURLITZER" Album $5.50 ppd. All Enquiries : ANGEL RECORDS LAURA THOMAS 306 East 1 St r. St. 3534 Bowen Road Limited Bookings Available CADENCE PUBLICATIONS Lancaster , N.Y. 14086 For Theatre And New York City, 10003 (716) 683-3488 Popula r Classic Concerts I E. B. MARKS MUSIC (212) 777-5643 HEAR DENNIS JAMES IN CONCERT January 1 - Columbus , Ohio January 11 - Tilson Music Hall, Terra Haute, Indiana Theatre and Classical January 25 - Indiana University , Bloomington, Indiana February 8 - Gray's Armory , Cleveland , Ohio Organ Concerts February 10, 11 - Casa Loma Castle, Toronto , Canada March 8 - Roberson Center , Binghamton , New York Feature Silent Films March 15 - Ohio Theatre, Columbus , Ohio Piano/OrganDuets 393 Suttles Additional Dates still available . Apt. D Columbus, Ohio CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR DETAILS DECEMBER, 197 4 THEATRE ORGAN 59 afternoon, held at the Haller Lake California area. He now lives in Bel regular meeting , but a little special Clubhouse, home of the chapter's 3/8 lingham and plays weekly organ con activity put on by Donna while on a Wurlitzer-Marr & Colton. certs over a local radio station, pre-college trip prior to her entry into Featured artist for the October utilizing both the Mt. Baker Wurlitzer Cal Poly, Pomona Campus. Donna and meeting was Gunnar Anderson, per and the Conn electronic organ in his her parents , Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. forming at the 2/ 10 Wurlitzer in the beautiful studio. ATOS members were Parker, were on their way to Roswell, Mount Baker Theatre in Bellingham on invited to his studio after the concert New Mexico for a special performance Sunday, October 20. Preceding the to see, hear and play the organ as well for the Board of Directors of the New concert was the final business meeting as view his enviable collection of Mexico Military Institute , and stopped of the year, where election of 197 5 antiques . in Tucson on September 8. officers was held. A great many of our Two more theatre organs have left The Los Angeles Chapter shares the Canadian members were present and the area recently , the 2/8 Wurlitzer in honor with Southern Arizona Chapter gave further information of the pro the Ridge Rink (to a residence in of Donna's membership, and after gram to restore the Wurlitzer in the Bremerton) and the large 3 manual several years of waiting, her fellow Vancouver Orpheum Theatre, cur Kimball in the Seattle Pacific College members here were treated to what rently being used as a performing arts to a buyer in Portland . The chapter is center. looking forward to the opening of Gunnar's concert was well attended another Pizza and Pipes restaurant, by both ATOS members as well as a this one to be located in Tacoma. The large number of the public from the organ chosen is the Balaban 3 (with Bellingham area. His program con additions) originally installed in the sisted of several light classics which Ft. Wayne, Indiana Paramount The put the tonal resources of the Wur atre. It is currently undergoing re litzer to excellent use. Gunnar cer building and restoration for instal tainly used the organ as it was meant lation. Chapter members Dick and to be used, utilizing the various or Margaret Daubert are the owners of chestral voices as they would be used this fine organ. in an orchestra. He was extremely TERRY L HOCHMUTH active in music in the past, being organist for the Beverly Hills Hotel , Fox Movietone Studios , Universal Studios, as well as making many SOUTHERN ARIZONA recordings of spirtual music for use "Presenting Miss Donna Parker" aboard navy vessels in addition to was the high point of Southern Donna Parker played the Seamands' Conn playing frequent organ concerts in the Arizona's activity for this year; not a for Southern Arizona members . clle1te'~"HECTOR" aitlie ~ CJfu:.at,z,e- C!faHfoa[ - q:>opufa'l. THEMAESTRO LYNLARSEN Limited bookings now available for "Convention Sensation" RONRHODE CHARLIEBALOGH Latin American Organist - HECTOR OLIVERA ASSO CIATE ORGANIST ASSISTANT ORGANIST WALT MOLT MANAGEMENT FEATURINGTHEMIGHTY WURLITZER THEATRE PIPEORGAN • 364 AVENUE F. PITTSBURGH , PA . 15221 • (412 ) B23-3163 ✓ ,Hear Him At The Suburbian" Organ Parts and Acctssorits ~ ~ ~ Wanaque, New Jersy {;;"RGAN SUPPLY COMPANY 101B LORENZ DRIVE e ANKENY . IOWA 50021 Chests • Consoles • Solid State Tremolos Silent Blowers • Engraving • Howard Seats Ancl.yKasparian Peterson Chromatic Tuners • Wurlitzer Parts Leather Perflex-E Felt PVC-E Glue ORGAN CONCERTS Custom Built Parts Send $1.00 for Catalog 1102 Napfle Ave. Belvedere Ave . Philadelph ia, Pa. 19111 Wanaque, N.J. 07465 "Quality Through Pride In Workmanship" (215) Pl 2-5344 (201) 835-3903 60 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 1974 those in L.A. get to hear quite often. gram that followed featured selections Anderson and his fabulous tape re How those reeds sang! Seamands' 650 by Bob High, Lois Seamands, Kathy corder plus the records which some of Conn and pipe speakers got a real Stadler, and Janice Owens and then our members brought back. It was fun workout. During her trip Donna also ended a piano-organ duet performed to watch the "open-mouthed" dis played Bill Brown's Wurlitzer in the by Janice on piano and Kathy on her belief of those who were unfamiliar Phoenix "Organ Stop Pizza Parlor." new Conn 650 playing the "Theme with the artistry of Hector, Dennis and This young lady does get around!! from the Apartment". A buffet and Heidi, and others. That was just the The Detroit Convention was at open console followed. start of the evening. All present en tended by the Crosby's, by one of our Our final meeting of the year will joyed Ralph's Rodgers Trio deluxe honorary members, Lon Hanagan of be held on December 1, a Sunday, at with its knotty-pine console. The sur New York City, and Phoenix, Arizona, the home of the Robert Owens with a prise of the evening was provided by by the High's, by Ann Montgomery program on Janice's new Conn 651. I John Scot when he sat down and set whose home base is Yuma, Arizona, will mention our first meeting to be us back on our ears with his arrange and by our international member, held in 197 5, the first Sunday in men ts of Maple Leaf Rag and a medley David Pitts of New Castle, NSW, Aus February, should any of you "Snow from "Jesus Christ, Superstar." Other tralia. David performed at the Cameos, birds" be in Tucson that day and enjoyable moments were provided by and at the Seamands, Lois and Larry, might want to attend. Contact either the duo of Art Venecia and Betty Lee of Tucson. our chairman, Estelle Binder, (nee Taylor at the piano and console, This reporter believes that we have Weiss), Helen Bowers (Mrs. Morris respectively. John Scot and Walter a first - an international member. Bowers), Arthur Crowell, Ralph Cloos, Walker made another duo later on in ATOS-National went international this Kenneth Fields, Bob High or Rudy the evening. At the end of the evening, last July while we gained our member Kotasek for directions to that meeting. Bob and Vivian Andre invited us to in May. Does any other chapter have a It is requested that notice of a week or come over and check the progress on similar member? so be given, if possible, so that the their Wurlitzer installation. Some of Our third regular meeting of the menu for the buffet may be planned. our fledgling members had their very year was held on the 6th of October at first organ crawl that night, in addition the home of Dorothy and Walter BOB HIGH to sitting down in front of all those Stadler. Over 50 attended. The busi "teeth." John Scot provided us with ness included a discussion on locations several more hours of listening plea for a tentative theatre pipe organ site, sure. One fifteen A.M. found us re and a committee was formed by our SOUTH FLORIDA luctantly putting the lush sounds to chairman, Estelle Binder, which in What was almost as good as going cluded Arthur Crowell, Bea and Rudy to the Notable Nineteenth in Detroit? ATOS CONVENTION Kotasek, Anna and Ray Rodig, and An evening reviewing the sounds of July, 19'75- San Francisco Dorothy and Walter Stadler. The pro- the Convention, courtesy of Ralph 1111IUIUilllll RESTAURANT and COCKTAIL LOUNGE !DH ltHDDE KARL WARNER MANAGEMENT 3/17 WURLITZER HAMMOND X66 6842 EAST VIRGINIA AVENUE Theatre Pipe Organ Organ Complex SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA 85257 AREA CODE 602-946-6892 Belvedere Ave . ANDY KASPARIAN Wanaque, New Jersey 07465 Organist (201) 835-3903 RAY -SRUBAeHER_, organist The American Film Institute John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Washington, D.C. (313) 868-3322 Availablefor theatre organ concerts - silentfilm accompaniment 2102 Dexter Avenue, Apt. 203 Silver Spring, Maryland 20902 (301) 593-3962 DECEMBER, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN 61 bed and leaving Andre' Hall to the 3/ 19 Marr & Colton over the past echoes. several years. He has had literally Our second post-summer treat was dozens of ranks through his chamber, provided by Hal Stanton through the selecting just the right ones to rep courtesy of Overbrook Pianos and resent each tonal family. As well as the Organs. Allen introduced "The Music Marr & Colton parts, there are several Scene ," their new computer theatre Barton , Morton, and even some Gott organ. Hal and Stan Hyer demon fried parts in the organ. The huge strated its many capabilities and then chamber from which the organ speaks invited the members to give it a try. acts somewhat as a mixing area, so as The afternoon came to an end with to prevent the harsh, raucous sound so John Scot on the "The Music Scene" often common in large home in and Dennis Allred at the console of stallations. the Allen 601 which had been "re Some of Wolverine's polished pro programmed" in theatre style. It was a fessionals were in rare form at the great afternoon which was followed up Mumbrue console, such as Rodney by what is hoped to be the start of a Davis, who left most of us with our great tradition: finishing the day at chins on the floor watching some of Andre Hall. (Would you believe, even his tremendous digital feats. Bravo, roller skating to pipe organ music by Sue Mumbrue watches as husband Roger Rodney! presides at the console of his 3/ 19 Marr some of our members?!) Thanks, and Colton . (L.G. Mallett Photo! It is indeed a rare treat to hear Vivian and Bob , for your generosity to Roger Mumbrue play his own organ, the South Florida members. play in her beautiful style, but we however, Chairman Lawrie Mallett BOBBIE LITZING ER were even able to sneak in and snap a persuaded Roger to play a few selec shot of her. tions, and very nicely, we might add. We thank the Harrises and the Mum WOLVERINE Our October 20 meeting found us at the Bloomfield Hills residence of brues for providing us with their Sunday , September 15, found the Roger and Sue Mumbrue, to see, hear homes, their organs and their gracious members of the Wolverine Chapter at and play one of Detroit 's finest home hospitality. the Troy home of Mert and Rita installations. Roger has constructed a SCOTT S. SMITH Harris. Their 3/ 11 Wurlitzer was in fine form for an all afternoon open console session for all attending. The organ was originally installed in the Paramount Theatre in Glen Falls , New York, and has the distinction of being CLASSIFIED ADS one of the last Wurlitzers ever built for Classifiedads are carried at 20 cents per word, per insertion. No chargefor first ten words for members. installation in this country. The instal FOR SALE FOR SALE (Cont'd) lation is quite obviously a work of Mert 's - his other love being the 3/ 13 ARTISAN THEATRE STYLE ORGAN : 37 Note REITTERATING XYLOPHONE. Lat e model solid state electronics. 3M/5R. Enclosed in antique white baroque cabinet. Barton in the Royal Oak Theatre. With 4 to 8 Ch. Audio option. Dual Mag . The meeting was somewhat of a Releathered . Glass Front. Self -co ntained Comb . A ction. "Band Bo x" and "Orchestra blower with mini -lites connected each note. milestone, as, not only did we per Bells" Priced for quick sale, as is where is, Longest Bar measures 14-3/4" $495 .00. suade Lucille Mitchell to get up and with 4 Ch. Audio, only $5600 . Photos and Paul H. Davis, 4516 S.W . Seattle Street , Tape Recordings available. P.O. Box No. Seattle, Washington 98116 . 517, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133 Ph . (513) 393-4120 or 2563 . Geneva 3/18 Harp and Chimes. Horseshoe roll-top console. Harry McCord, 1214 ALLEN 2 Manual Theatre Organ - theatre Webster, Corinth , Mississippi 38834 . Deluxe model with 5 tone cabinets. All in Mint condition, tone cabinets are unfinished Marr & Colton 2/4 Tibia, Diapason. String , but go well in all surroundings. Asking Vax and Orchestra Bells. To be added 5th $6000.00 , or will accept best offer. Ph. rank Fagott. Combination action. Partial (315) 458 -3757 9:00 A.M. - 2 : 30 P.M. Toy co unter. Extra tremulant and reservoir. (E.S.T.) F. Malfitana, 5139 Bear Road, $1800.00 . James Brown, 23473 Haig, North Syracuse, New York 13212 . Taylor , MI. 48180, (313) 292-5783. 3/16 Robert Morton Theatre Pipe organ. 4/17 Marr & Colton theatre pipe organ. Dismantled and warehoused . Excellent con Complete as installed in Capitol Theatre in dition. $12,000. John Halverson, 7033 Via Wheeling, W. Va. (no shades), Two Tibias, Estrada, La Jolla, Calif. 92037, (714) Diapason, Flute, five strings, eight reeds, 459 -6756 . complete toy counter and tuned per cussions. Five ranks to 16 foot pitch. Two manual console, 7 ranks of pipes. Beautifu I white and gold con so le. Now Percussions . Toy counter. New blower, playing in residence. $20,000 or best offer. rectifier, tremu Ian ts. For complete list and Norman G. Ziegler, 11518 Gainsborough A surprised Lucille Mitchell at the console prices . Contact Herb Bidwell, 4650 Village Road, Rockville, Maryland 20854, (301) of the Mert Harris residence 3 / 11 Wurlitzer. Dr., Saginaw, Mich. 48603 , (517) 792-0004 . 299-6393. (L.G. Mallett Photo) 62 THEATRE ORGAN DECEMBER, 197 4 FOR SALE (Cont'd) RECORDS SONGS Allen Theatre 15. Cost $6300. L ike new. B IG, BOLD & BILLY : "There is nothing to YOURS FOR A SONG Can supply ATOS $3800. For specifications contact J.A. compare it withl" (Theatre Organ)) Billy members copies of those obscure, out of Morris, 8018 Navios Drive , Hunt sville , Nalle, LIU 4/26 Wurlit zer, $5.50. Office of print tunes you've been searching for . Send A labama, (205) 881-41 73. Billy Nalle, 100 LaSalle, New Y ork 10027. your list to YOURS FOR A SONG, P.O . Box 13021 , Oakland , Calif. 94661. Palace Th eatre Organ by Th omas, perfect TWO LOVES HAVE I : Both JEAN and condition, three fu II manuals, fu II 32 pedals, GEN II the 40-fingered computer at the beautiful walnut theatre console, li st $8500, Lautzenheiser Wurlitzer. By popular re SERVICE now $3000. R.R. Cunningham, Box 174 , quest, first theatre organ recording featuring PLAYER PIANOS - Rebuilding Full Ser Bellaire, Te xas 77401 , (713) 777 -1633 . a computer as artist. (See October 1972 THEATRE ORGAN for GENII story). vice, Ampico, Du o-Art, Organ Pianos. Jack Gustafson, Custom Player Pianos, 2506 The atre Pip e Organ, twelve fu 11 ranks, four Recorded in stereo -compatible Quadra Roblar Lane, Santa Clar a, Cali f. 95051, manuals, six sixteen foot bass, full per phonic sound $6.00 postpaid . Add .50 cents (408) 247-3838. cussion, Chry soglott, Master Xylphone, now for Canada. Marvin Lautzenheiser, 7216 Arkansas theatre, playable, technical aid Neuman Street, Spr ingfield, Virginia 22150. available. $15,000. R.R. Cunningham, Bo x 174 , Bellaire, Texas 77401 , (713) 777 -1633 . NOEL. Robert MacDonald playing Chri st WANTED mas favorites on the 4/23 Morton at Loew 's Kilgen Du al control player organ rolls, 11 ¼" 200 Used Grand Pianos and 500 Organs of 175th Str eet (United Palace) and 5/206 wide . Collections or sing les, also cata logs, all makes for Home , Theatre and Chur ch. Aeolian-Skinner at Riv ersid e Church . Send etc . on Kilgen organs. Also want complet e Piano and Organ T ech nicians want ed. Victor $5.50 to Riverside Church Records. 490 players or parts. James D. Crank, 724 Laurel Pianos and Organs, 300 N .W . 54 St. , Miam i, River side Driv e, New Y ork, N.Y. 10027 . Ave., M enlo Park, Calif. 94025. Fl ori da, U.S.A ., (305) 751 -7502 . JIMMY BOYCE plays the WOODY WISE The following WURLITZER items. 2 manual, 10 rank Page theatre pipe organ, GRANDE BARTON, A great match of Marimba Harp , Lar ge Solo Scale 16' Tib ia Tibi a, Flut e, VDO , Celest e, Estey Sax, Potomac Vall ey Chapt er's well-known con with offset chests, 16' Wood Diaphone Kinura, Vo x , Tub a, Clarinet , Ouintad ena, cert and theatre o rgan arti st featured on the w/chests, Glockenspiel, 8' Tub a, One, two, Wurli tzer toy counter, Harp, Bells , Xylo last Barton organ built , now in regular use at or three rank reed chests in good condition. phon e, and Chimes. 3 hp Spencer blower, the V irginia Th eatre . (See June 1969 THE Larry Weid, 7368 Wi llow Lake Way, Sacra single phase . Now in storage. $8,000 . See ATRE ORGAN cover story). Remember mento, Calif . 95831. (916) 428 -147 8. address below. your friends at Chri stmas with this full range stereo record (Mark Cu stom Label) Hi story of Atlantic City Auditorium Organ. 3 manual, 17 rank Louisville theatre pipe $5.00 plus $.60 shipping charge. V a. Present ly com pi lin g information. Have you organ, 2 Tibias, 2 Voxes , English Post Horn, residents add $.20 sales tax . George R. reference sources, opinions, stories, etc. ? Wurlitzer Brass Sax , 4 Strings, plus usual Johnson, 6516 Haystack Rd . Alexandria, LaTorre, 45 Ellis Ave., Northport, N.Y. reeds and flues. 5 ranks to 16' plus Wurlitz er Va . 22310 . 11768 . giant 32' Diaphon e. Wurlitz er toys, Harp, Bells, Xylophone, Piano , Chimes. Barton Oual ity cassette or reel tapes made from Morton stopkeys : V ox 16'; Great 8'; Great 4-po ster lift, 7 ½ hp Spencer blow er. Now trans cri p tions released onl y to radi o stations 16'. Nick Snow, 415 N. Main St. , Butler, Pa. playing Rivoli Theatre, Indianapolis, in the 1930 s, and 1940s. Hours of organ 16001 . Indiana. $18,500 . music recorded on the Param ou nt studio 2 Master Bren kert B renograph Effects and theatre organ by many favorites. List IT'S Machines, model F-7 plus misc . parts from and sample 40 min. cassette $3, ree l $4. Bob SAN FRANCISCO another. Many effects, slides, complete Nicholas, 4200 B lackthorne , Long Beach, lenses, new mirrors , D.C. power supply (uses Calif. 90808 . IN '75 220V A.C. single phase) . Now operating Rivoli Theatre, Indianapolis , Indian a. Ad dre ss all inquiries to: Rivoli Theatre, P.O. Bo x 11052, Indianapolis, Indiana 46201. Phone (317) 636 -1297 , (317) 635 -7300 . 3 Manu al Rodgers Custom Theatr e Organ. Antique white and gold. 6 matching tone Keep in touch with the cabinets. $15 ,000 .00. Gary Montgomery, 2364 Mulberry Road, Bloomfield Hills, Mi ch. 48013, (313) 338 -6066 . British Theatre Organ Scene! Subscribe to The Journal of the Cinema FOR LEASE Organ Society, a quarterly publication fea Wurlitzer 3M/15R for lease. Fully restored. turing photos, history , stoplists, biographies, A unique and perfect pizza organ. (415) and technical articles ... Plus monthly news 362 -4997 . letters of the latest theatre organ news, events , and record reviews. LESSONS Send $8 or 2.75 pounds sterling for a year's subscription FOR THE KEYBOARD BEGINNER OR HARMONY FOR THE ADVANCED Mr. L. Hudson STUDENT : You need learn only twelve The Cinema Organ Society chords (30 seconds each) and 9 rules to 22, Oakwood Close mak e all altered chords (3 minutes each) and you'll read music after 30 minutes with Chase Road, Southgate Bob Brenner's "MODULAR MEMORY London, England N14 4JY MUSIC METHOD". $10.95. 7541 Mentor Ave., Mentor , Ohio 44060 . DECEMBER, 197 4 THEATRE ORGAN 63 THE CENTURY · featuring . Rodgers authentic ensemble of theatre voices. /\AKlnGDtAUTIFUL r\UJIC TOGtTHtQ! RODGE:RS ORGAN COMPANY Hillsboro, Oregon 97123