WELCOMETO THE HOOSIER by Bart Morton

Photos Courtesy Whiting Times-Graphic Dick's technique is precision, but his Even after two hours of almost con­ playing could not be considered me­ tinuous music, the audience was still chanical; he projects so much of his intact, which speaks well for Dick own feeling into it. Smith. When he finished there was ap­ The program was well-planned and plause. His listeners wanted more. included something for everyone, old For a spectacular encore, Dick played favorites such as "Back Horne in In­ "Sabre Dance." diana, "April Showers," "Back in Your THE ORGAN Own Back Yard," and Dick's special arrangement of "Nola ." The instrument is only a small frac­ There was a new sound in the Chi­ tion of the ultimate installation. Eleven cago area on March 26. Making this Something for the teens was next as ranks now play from a 3-manual con­ sound was the dynamic young organist, Dick rocked into "Hey Jude" and "In sole. The pipework will shortly be an Dick Smith. The place: The Hoosier The Mood." Next, a salute to the armed Echo Division added to the original Auditorium in Whiting, Indiana. forces with a group of military marches Uptown Wurlitzer. The 11-ranker con­ The program featured the Hoosier's closing with a walloping "Stars and sists of a Style D Wurlitzer from the recently installed 3-11 Wurlitzer pipe Stripes Forever." Crown Theatre on Chicago's northside organ. This is the vanguard of the More favorites accented the second plus some additions from other Wur­ former Chicago's Uptown theatre 4-28 half. Among them were "Gentle on My litzer organs. It will be used as an in­ Wurlitzer which is currently being in­ Mind," "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and terim organ until completion of the stalled in the auditorium by one of the a case of the blues with "St. Louis installation of the big organ on the theatre's owners, manager Robert F. Blues," with accents on the colored theatre's large, deep stage. Montgomery. The 3-manual console lighting. Some special requests included Echo Organ Stop Analysis plays the 11-rank echo division installed "In a Persian Market," "Song of India," Concert Flute across the back of the auditorium bal­ Summer Samba" and the "Bossanova." cony in the former mezzanine section. Tibia Clausa I The program, appropriately entitled The frosting on the musical cake was Tibia Clausa II "Welcome to the Hoosier," opened with a group of favorites and novelty num­ Violin a rousing rendition of "This Could Be bers: "Begin the Beguine," "Doll Open Diapason the Start of Something Big," followed Dance," "Jamaican Rhumba," "Tijuana Style D Trumpet by MC Paul Lewis's introduction of the Taxi" and "Canadian Sunset." The last Clarinet organist. Next was the "Lord's Prayer." number gave the lighting equipment an Vox Humana As Dick played "Ramona," "Blue opportunity to do a slow fade to a blue Post Horn Tango'' and "Somewhere My Love," the evening hue. Kinura Hoosier demonstrated its' ability as a The program closed with "The Im­ Saxophone concert setting; the stage and prosce­ possible Dream" which may be an apt The installation work is being com­ nium lighting changed constantly to re­ description of the Hoosier theatre pro­ pleted by Bob Montgomery and Bea flect the mood of the music , transform­ ject. This selection began with a soft Lankow, aided by friends and theatre ing the theatre into one gigantic color c6mbination of organ stops and sub­ employees; among these is the Hoosier's organ. dued stage lighting. Both increased to­ Chief of Service, Joseph Estep and The beat picked up for the next por­ gether to a great crescendo of sound TOB's own former sea-going corres­ tion of the program for a couple of old and light which brought the program pondent, Jon C. Habermaas, who is favorite "rags": "Tiger" and "12th to a breath-taking finish. In all, he currently stationed at the Great Lakes Street." played 38 selections. Na val Training Center.

A GOOD HOUSE - A well-filled theatre, a warmly appreciative audience and the artistry of a young man with enthusiasm and musicianship, these DICK SMITH plays the temporary 3-manual console. 8illed by fhe fhealre added up to an enjoyable evening for all concerned. Note the swell shut­ as "the most accomplished and versatile organist of our time", the youthful ters installed behind the three center balcony arches. They mark the organist easily holds the interest of his listeners. location of the 11 ranks currently speaking . june 1969 20 THE THEATRE other not-so-fortunate first run Chicago motion picture house on weekends and Located in Whiting, Indiana just a houses, the new Hoosier Auditorium features special musical programs on a few miles south of Chicago, it is easily Theatre opened in August of 1967. The monthly basis. -Bart Morton, Chicago accessible from the Chicago area. The grand opening was complemented with house closed several years ago when a live pipe organ music, played on the fire destroyed the Cinemascope screen small Kimball originally installed in and some of the stage rigging. the theatre. It was destined to make way for a Originally seating 1000, the capacity parking lot when the present owners has been reduced slightly to facilitate purchased it for the future home of the the installation of the Echo Organ and Uptown Wurlitzer. A feverish period to extend the apron of the main stage. of remodeling ensued as the damaged The theatre is currently operating as a stage was repaired, a new cinemascope screen installed and a complete face­ lifting afforded the water-damaged foyer The author, Bart Morton, is the ( caused by burst water pipes during a originator-assembler of the many­ previous winter) . parented "BarMorKimbLitzer" in­ stalled in his home in Zion, Illi­ THE ULTIMATE - The 4-Deck console from the Resplendent with sparkling crystal Chicago Uptown theatre will eventually control chandeliers, a tinkling fountain and new nois, and is active in local organ its original 28 ranks plus the current Echo Divi­ carpeting, as well as yards and yards of activities. sion. The console will be on display for the Persian velour drapes rescued from benefit of visiting ATOE Conventioneers in July . PIPE DREAMS LEEERWIN CAPTIVATES Pickford film "My Best Girl," which (Continued from page 18) he had composed, the organist played Wurlitzer. WENR shared its wave­ ROCHESTER a medley of six songs. Three of these length with WLS, and usually started will be published. broadcasting at 6:00 P.M., as WLS, by Lloyd E. Klos The last time Lee Erwin had been to Rochester was in 1950, when with "The Prairie Farmer Station," left the Abe Burrows and Janette Davis, he air. In time, many well-known programs One of the nicest fellows in the busi­ took part in the 25-year celebration of were to originate from these studios. ness, the "Moon River Man", Lee Er­ station WHEC. This reporter found a Across the river, we find WMAQ win, did the honors for the Rochester picture of Lee and Janette playing in the Daily News Bldg. One day , two Theatre Organ Society on its Wurlitzer, musical spoons, which he presented to gentlemen named "Sam & Henry" ap­ March 13. The former star of the Ar­ the organist. Eddie Baker joined us proached WMAQ management and thur Godfrey show (22 years), tootled backstage at intermission, and the mem­ offered their talents for $25,000 per his little Volvo to the Flower City and ories of the old days were flying thick year. Sam & Henry were well known made a hit with two audiences. On the apd fast between the two organists. over WGN, but left WGN for what morning prior to his concert, he was Second half began with three num­ they hoped would be a step in the right interviewed on the Eddie Meath TV bers from "Porgy. and Bess", plus the direction. They had tried to interest the show, telling of his experiences and talking about the growing theatre organ lilting showtune, "Someone to Watch Chicago Tribune in running a comic Over Me." Irving Berlin was repre­ strip entitled, naturally, "Sam & hobby. sented by "Always" and "Remember", Lee began his concert with music he Henry." They also wanted WGN to and then came five numbers featured sponsor phonograph records of their has composed for the Rudolph Valen­ tino film, "The Eagle." Having played by the Beatles. Lee explained that if various skits for public sale. Neither "one strips away the guitar and drum for the silents in their waning years, WGN nor the Tribune would have any sounds, these pieces are very fine melo­ Lee then did a medley of "Sounds of part of it, and they parted company. dies." How right he was! Especially the Silents" which included "Sleepy The names "Sam & Henry" belonged "When I'm Sixty-Four" and "Being Ti'11e Gal", "When Day Is Done" and to WGN and could not be used else­ for the Benefit of Mr. Kite." where. "One Alone", the latter built into an astounding climax. Terrific! As_is the custom with all artists per­ The names "Amos & Andy" were formmg here, they greet their audiences born on the elevator going up · to the Next came Kreisler's "Caprice Vien­ in the front lobby after the show and WMAQ studios. They were not hired nois", a superb concert treatment, fol­ it was here that Lee promised to ~ork immediately; but, as we all know, they lowed by the arrangement which •Lee with this reviewer in preparation of his were eventually and "Amos & Andy" used when at WL W on the "Moon biography for this magazine. were to become household words. River" Show. He explained that this A theme song was required , and number was the theme, and in order many were considered. It was Joe Gal­ to enable the De Vore Sisters trio to licchio who selected "The Perfect sing it, the key had to be dropped from Song. " His trio accompanied "Amos & B Major to F Major. Andy" from the very start. This was "Cabaret" and "The Apple Tree" the order of the day until NBC pur­ were next, and effectively intertwined chased WMAQ and WENR. Almost at was the familiar clarinet wail of the once, the theme was transferred to the "Rhapsody in Blue" opening. Counter organ, this being the WENR 3-13 Wur­ melodies were used throughout the pro­ litzer in the Civic Opera Bldg. studio. gram , attesting to Lee's superb early Dean Fossler was the organist from the musical education. Next, the audience start with "The Perfect Song" and he was asked to imagine a simple silent -Photo by Tom Lockwood continued through 1942. movie plot, with a "Boy-Meets-Girl" (Concluded in August Issue) theme. Using background music for the lee Erwin at The Auditorium Theatre Wurlitzer.

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