the finished instrument. I do not question that for the larger .~. Wurlitzers used for solo presentation, broadcasting and recording, the Hope­ Jones action was essential. I am con­ SAVE ~~ ~ vinced for instance, that only a Hope­ ....... Jones Wurlitzer would have met the THE requirements of Ernest Broadbent, Nliill;J.E Reginald Dixon, Horace Finch and "BIG MO" Watson Holmes at the Blackpool Ball­ TTT-a;rTTT rooms. Your sincerely Letters to the Editor concerning all Tom Burgess A concert to be played aspects of the theatre organ hobby Lancashire, England are encouraged. Send them to the by Bob Van Camp and editor concerned. Unless it's stated cameo artists will be clearly on the letter "not for pub· Dear Sir, presented at the Fox The­ lication," the editors feel free to A most unusual happening is the atre, Atlanta, September reproduce it, in whole or part. reason for my writing to you. A Mr. 1st at 10:00 A.M. This program is being Address: P.O. Box 1314 Kenneth Smith of Livingston, N.J., Salinas, Calif. 93901 an organ builder who served his ap­ sponsored by the South­ prenticeship with me and now continues eastern, Piedmont, Poto­ to service what he helped manufacture mac Valley, and Albama chapters of ATOS to call Dear Sir, in the Beach Organ Co. Factory in Ne­ attention to the public May I say how greatly I have wark, N.J., mailed me a copy of your of the urgent need to enjoyed the series of articles "Homage Dec. 1973 THEATRE ORGAN. As attempt to save the Fox to Robert Hope-Jones" in recent you know in this issue you published and the "Big Mo." issues. These have been prepared by a very excellent article on Hope-Jones, Stevens Irwin with obvious great of Elmira, N.Y. admiration and enthusiasm for the I have no desire to write more in Hope-Jones cause. connection with Mr. Irwin's article and With regard to organ-action, no I will only state that I am the Earle assigned to keep him busy. He and doubt Wurlitzer adopted quite natu­ Beach mentioned on page 24. The Dave Marr later formed their own rally the standard Hope-Jones type. Hope-Jones Organ Co. "came to organ company up in New York State This was unquestionably, in my view, a town" just as I was graduating from and was known as Marr and Colton. I very wise decision at that time by the the Elmira Free Academy. I applied have completely lost track of most of Wurlitzer Company. However, in view for work and got it as reed voicer these individuals including Clarence of the very large number of small helper to James Nuttall. I personally Reynolds the Ocean Grove organist Wurlitzers that they subsequently built prepared the pipe work for all the and Tali Essen Morgan the Ocean of only three and four ranks, and Ocean Grove Organ as well as to have Grove musical director. All I'll say is solely for the accompaniment of silent the tuning and care of this famous that your article revived a lot of fond pictures, it would appear that for these organ for its first 46 years of summer memories and if I can help you in small organs a much cheaper action of existance. answering any further details please the direct-electric type similar to the Reading the names of individuals don't hesitate. type developed by the late John Comp­ is reviving my memory to "old times." Sincerely yours, ton would have sufficed. This would The name John Colton is a local E.J ..Beach have afforded a reduction in price of boy who wanted work and I was Lititz, Pa. the trusted name in pipe organ supplies REISNER, Inc., 240 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 71, Hagerstown, Md. 21740 (301) 733-2650 52 THEATRE ORGAN AUGUST, 1974 Mr. Editor, Organ Underscores Vocalists With regard to "The End of An Era at the Isthmus" (THEATRE ORGAN, June '74), it's a pity the writer failed to credit the people who initiated the idea of a pipe organ in the Panama SHOWBOAT Hilton "El Bombarde" bar. All of this by Hal Steiner information was covered in the Febru­ ary 1963 POSTHORN shortly after Betty Mason was somewhat pan­ concert? She saw the value of having a the installation was completed. The icked when Ralph Kelley approached skilled professional for an accompanist idea was conceived by hotelman John her with an almost overwhelming and asked Rex to take over. Doyle, who enlisted organist Leroy request: nearby Schoolcraft College Immediately following his concert, Lewis and organ technician Ted wanted to stage Show Boat. Kelley and still dressed in his western outfit Campbell. The organ they purchased stated that the school couldn't afford (the theme of the show), Rex was was the 3/27 Wurlitzer from the an orchestra to accompany singers rushed to the Mason home. The Wur­ Atlantic City Warners' theatre, which recruited from the student body, and litzer, installed in underground cham­ was moved to Panama and installed in the Liberal Arts building had no organ bers, was perking nicely and Rex the Hilton by Campbell and Lewis, to sub for an orchestra. Therefore, jumped onto the bench, signaled for who was the first of a distinguished list would Betty tape the entire score on the recording to be started, and began of organists who played at the Hilton; the Mason's 3/10 studio organ to on page one. among them were Pepe Bustamente, provide an accompaniment for the The music continued for many Lyn Larsen and Bill Coffman. In singers? The entire score? pages but all too soon time ran out closing down such a musical landmark Betty gulped and consulted hus­ and the job was unfinished. Rex had it would seem reasonable to at least band Al Mason; it was a mighty large to catch the plane for Reno and home. mention the original organ location order. The score ran over 100 pages, Reluctantly, the organ was turned off and the names of those who made the but she agreed to try it. and Rex got ready to leave for the installation a reality. You can do A bout that time Rex Koury airport. Then Al Mason looked outside better than you did for that story. breezed into Detroit to play a concert and saw falling snow. With a gleam David Cornthwaite for the Motor City Chapter and in his eye, Al phoned the airport and Albany, N.Y. stopped by to visit the Masons. He was told that the airport was "snowed found Betty struggling with the regis­ in." With more than a little glee, the trio Agreed. Here's a photo of Leroy Lewis tration. Rex looked over the score; not returned to the music room on a lower at the 3/27 console during his engage­ too difficult. Would Betty want him to record as much of it as he had time level, turned on the organ blower and ment. continued the tape recording, to the Editor for, before his plane departed after his last page, thus providing the college with the musical accompaniment for their Show Boat production. But, the story doesn't end there. In their haste to get the music on tape, two pages were turned at once and Rex Koury, sight reading the score, didn't notice it. But the vocalist who was assigned that song did, immedi­ ately. What to do? Luckily, the performance date was postponed, so there was time. A bit later Dennis James came to Detroit for a concert and he came to the Mason home and did the touch up work on the tape. The Schoolcraft College production was staged in May, 197 4 and there were many favorable comments made a bout the organ accompaniment. There were six performances and three were sellouts. Of course there was an ulterior motive involved: the college has a 3/9 Kimball organ in storage for eventual installation in a campus building. It has been in storage for a long time. Perhaps the Show Boat performance might kindle a flame. Leroy Lewis at the El Bombarde room 3 / 27 console in 1963 . D 53 AUGUST, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN .