~our-nal of the Arner-ican Theatr-e Or-aan iociet y 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, Duke Ellington, w 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 leads the way cover- photo ... Dick Kline and Lee Erwin in the solo chamber of the 4/28 Wurlitzer in the Kline residence. (See story on page five.)

Journal of the American Theatre Organ Society in this issue ... Volume 16, No. 3 June, 1974 FEATURES ATOS National Membership is $10.00 per .. Ted Creech calendar year, which includes a subscription 5 The Joys of Recording ...... Jon Fisher to THEATRE ORGAN, the official pub­ 8 The End of an Era at the Isthmus lication of the American Theatre Organ 11 Awakening the Giant . Bob Mitchell Society. Single copies $1.25. Make check or 15 The John Muri Story ...... Lloyd E. Klos money order payable to ATOS, and mail 18 Head Bros. Circus to P.O. Box 1314, Salinas, California 93901. 26 Carter Raps It Up 27 Moon River Organ Travels Again Carroll Harris Editorial Address . . John Muri THEATRE: ORGAN 28 Playing the Film (Part 11) •..•. P.O. Box 1314 , 30 Muskegon Has Full House Salinas, California 93901 33 Rodger's Concert at Greenfield Village Advertising Address 34 The Men Behind the Dowager Empress ...... Paulus Elm-Selig ATOS Advertising 2231 North Burling Street Chi ca go , Illinois 60614 DEPARTMENTS National Headquarters 4 Acre of Seats 31 Nuggets from the Golden Days 43 Letters to the Editor ATOS 37 For the Records 45 Chapter Notes P.O. Box 1002 10 Hollywood Cavalcade Middleburg , Virginia 22117 14 Dinny's Colyum 41 Book Review 63 Classifieds Phone ( 703) 554 -8321 20 Vox Pops 42 Closing Chord National Officers Erwin Young, President Duane Searle, Vice President Jean Lautzenheiser, Sec. Treas . Nina Young, Executive Secretary pr-esident~s messaae ... National Board of Directors Mary A. Bo w les W . "Tiny" James Where do we go from here? ATOS has already Albert T . Mason Jean Lautzenheiser Allen R. Miller Ri chard C. Simonton enjoyed a growth over five times that expected Ri chard H. Schrum Judd Walton by its founders and there appears to be no end in Stillman Ri ce, Past President sight; but possibly we should pause just long Librarian Mary A . Bowles enough to examine this progress. Are we growing Route? , Hopewell Roa d Lost Lake , Marlton , N.J. 08053 on a good foundation and are we following the Phone : (609) 983 1535 guide line of our stated purpose? Past Presidents From a loosely organized hobby group we Richard Simonton Feb. 1955 - Oct. 1958 Judd Walton Oct. 1958 - July 1961 have progressed to a point where we are now in a Tiny James July 1961 - July 1964 small business category and as such, must be Carl Norvell July 1964 - July 1966 Richard Schrum July 1966 - July 1968 organized and operate in accordance with the Al Mason July 1968 - July 1970 laws that govern us. Over the period of the last Stillman Rice July 1970 - July 1972 several years we have successfully reorganized to Honorary Members comply with corporate laws that we had igno­ 1959- Jesse Crawford 1967- Erwin A. Young, Jr. rantly violated previously. Our administration 1960-Farny WLirlitzer 1968-R ichard C. Simonton 1961-Mel Doner 1969- Judd Walton has been changed to better distribute the work load and to keep our records up to 1962-Leonard MacClain 1970-Bill Lamb date. Yes, our foundation for further growth appears to be quite solid. 1963-Eddie Dunstedter 1971-George and Vi Thompson Unfortunately, a sign of the times is the steady decline of the motion picture 1964-Reginald Foort 1972-Stu Green 1965-0an Barton 1973-AI and Betty Mason theatre and with it the loss of theatre organs in theatres. The great majority of these 1966-W. "Tiny" James fine instruments have been saved to sound again in other locations. In this

EDITORIAL STAFF operation, in the many ways the theatre organ is presented to the public in Editor - George Thompson programs and in information presented in THEATRE ORGAN and many other Associate Ed itors - Ray Bruba cher Lloyd E . Klos publications, we are indeed following our stated purpose. Peg Nielsen The future of is in your hands. Service in the many administrative levels is Editor - Emeritus - W . "Stu" Green ATOS Photographer - Bill Lamb not aJl fun and games but is most certainly the key ingredient in this or any Publ ishe r - Al Mason Editor ia l Assistant - Don Lo c kwood organization and must be for the good of the entire organization, rather than for Advertising Manager - Len Clarke personal gain or glory. Even as a voluntary action, the acceptance of any office Cir culati on Manager - Vi Thompson carries with it the responsibility of doing the job. THEATRE ORGAN (title registered U.S. Your officers and directors are trying to do the job for the benefit of all guided Patent Office) is published bi-monthly by the American Theatre Organ Society, Inc., by the decisions of the majority. Our annual meeting in Detroit in July will include a non-profit organization, Erwin A. Young, the annual meeting of the ATOS Board of Directors. All chapters are urged to have Jr., President. All rights reserved. Entire contents copyrighted 1974 by ATOS, Inc., a representative at this meeting and members wl}o are not chapter affiliated are Office of publication is P.O. Box 2329. likewise invited. Your input at this meeting will guide the actions of the officers Livonia, Michigan 48150. POSTMASTER: Second Class postage paid and d,:.ctors durin~;~o;ing term I~ f:r th:;;~ j._ at Livonia, Michigan. IF UNDELI VE RAB LE, send form 3579 to ATOS Circulation De­ partment, Box 1314, Salinas, California 93901. =:~:::~Y~V Clo i, 3 JUNE, 1974 By Bill Peterson- Number 31 in a series

SHERIDANTHEATRE - CHICAGO

This theatre seating 3000 was designed by J. E.O. Pridmore. The classic Greek facade of this building faces on Sheridan Road where sign regulations did not permit a marquee that jutted out over the sidewalk.The attraction board was placed flush to the building entrance. The 4 manual 20 rank Wurlitzer organ was bought by Fred Kruse. Some years ago the theatre was converted to use as a synagogue,although to the best of the writer's knowledgeit is once again used as a theatre.

4 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 The )Joysof Recording

by Ted Creech

Recording is possibly the most likes of which Richard couldn't pos­ and Mike Doyle, the electronics engi­ difficult of all music-making pro­ sibly have foreseen. neer. The next day a very large movin,g cesses, but Lee Erwin, Dick Getting the organ ready for the van from the West Coast backed up to Kline, and a crew from Angel exacting demands of recording was the Kline residence. Richard had an­ Records can testify that it can routine, except for several sets of pipes ticipated the usual assortment of pro­ be a joyful experience - if you which made a trip to the Moller fessional equipment but he was hardly get the right people together factory for a bit of voicing. But it does prepared for the tons - literally - of under the right circumstances. take a tremendous amount of time and recording apparatus that began to effort to make sure that everything is emerge from that van: two 8-track ichard Kline gave the go­ in perfect working condition even for tape recorders, a huge mixing console, ahead to Lee Erwin and an instrument as beautifully main­ power supply, microphones, mike Angel Records for a series of tained as the Kline Wurlitzer. stands, cables, speakers, 100 boxes of organm recordings on his 4/28 Wurlitzer The fun part began a full week 1-inch recording tape and dozens of on November 30, 1973. From that before the scheduled taping date when small pieces of necessary equipment. date until mid-afternoon on March three people from Angel Records in Very soon the house was full, the 14, when Lee finished the last take of Los Angeles arrived at the Baltimore garage was full, the master bedroom a Scott Joplin tune, the Kline resi­ airport: Patti Laursen, the producer; had become a control room, the den a dence became a beehive of activity the Carson Taylor, the recording engineer; conference room, the kitchen a

Play-back time in the control-room/master-bedroom. Electronics engineer Mike Doy le, the young man who kept all the recording equipment in perfect con­ dition, was also keenly interested in every note of music that was being piped into the tape machines. With everyone working together so perfectly, it seemed at times (if not always) that things happened almost effortlessly. But even a casual observer could sense that high degree of seriousness and dedication that were joined to the professionalism brought by each person to the making of a record. A recording session with­ out difficulties? No. But in this case the consensus was that the joys far outweighed the sorrows and that the results - three exciting and innovative new theatre organ records - far ex­ ceeded anyone's wildest expectations. •

Decisions, decisions! Which one of the 3 Tibias shall I use?

"canteen," and the organ studio a notes or minor changes made now and forest of mikes, cables and playback then, purposely or otherwise, by Lee speakers! Erwin. When a major score change By the time Lee Erwin arrived four seemed necessary, Patti and Lee days later, the Angel people had all clicked like partners in an ESP mind­ their equipment set up and checked reading act that never failed. out. Richard was beginning to get Carson Taylor, the recording engi­ accustomed to living in a house sud­ neer, was a genius with sound. Said denly transformed into a recording Lee Erwin: "What a joy to have studio and even seemed to be enjoying someone at the controls who knows it in spite of everything. He must have how and what to get on tape, so that wondered, however, what surprises lay the final mix is a perfect rep­ Pattie Laursen and Lee Erwin, "like partners in store before it was all over. resentation of the original sound!" in a mind-reading act." A weekend of organ-tuning, com­ bination-setting, mike-placement, and Richard Carson Lee Patti Mike finally everything was ready for tape Kline Taylor Erwin Laursen Doyle machines to start rolling on Monday morning. Ten days later 30 musical selections were on tape, three albums in all: two records of the music of Scott Joplin and one of excerpts from Lee Erwin's own scores for silent films. A miracle of teamwork-in-action is the only way to describe the entire crew at work. Dubbed "the Ubiquity" by producer Patti Laursen, host Richard Kline was always on hand to help with quick combination changes, page-turning, touch-up tuning, etc., but more importantly to supply an extra pair of ears in the control room for registration purposes. With complete score in hand of each selection, producer-director Patti Laursen pounced inexorably on wrong

6 Some people call it "TheOrgan!' Our Model 651 * 3-Manual Theatre is as good an organ as you can get. It has all the features you'd expect in a top quality theatre organ . Plus, there's more. Our Voiced Fun-Master adds a variety of special effects at the touch of a tab. You also get our unique One-Man Bandr .Mrhythm unit which produces 22 instantly interchangeable rhythms. And that's not all either . The Model 651 includes Stage III reverb, phantom bass, independent polyphonic pianos in addition to an 8' piano in the pedal division, 54 speaking :7~ices, an all new ~r~molo Conn Organ Accent, and many more exc1tmg features . So, v1s1t your Conn Organ dealer and see "The Organ .,, A division of C. G. Conn, Ltd.

*George Wright plays the Model 651 on his newest recording "The Sound of Conn at Home with George Wright." For a copy , send four dollars to Conn Organ , Dept. AT, 616 Enterprise Drive, Oak Brook, Ill. 60521.

7 JUNE , 1974 THEATRE ORGAN ITGJ~ ~G:][D (D~ ffiG:] ~[i]ffi ffiIT ITGJ~ 00ITGJ[LJJQJ0 The three chambers and the expression grilles as viewed from the console platform. by Jon Fisher

Panamanian organist Sr. Luis disappointment to me, because during befall a theatre organ. Bernie l(jr k­ Alvarez sat down at the console of the the year 1971-72, it was my privilege wood, the technician that maintained Hotel El Panama's 3/27 Wurlitzer on to be employed as the organist of the this instrument, and worked on the Tuesday, January 22 at 9 P.M. as usual hotel. The Panamanians are warm and original installation, made sure that for six hours of prime theatre organ friendly people, and many of them none of these ills befell this particular sounds. But this evening was different went out of their way to make me feel Wurlitzer. Many ATOS members and than other evenings at the El Bombarde welcome in a strange country. I won't other theatre organ buffs were thrilled lounge for when the blower was shut go into the various details of the organ to be able to sit down and play this down at 3 a.m., it was for the last ( specs and the like) since these have organ without worrying whether or time. The next day the console cable been covered by Doug Powers in an not an individual note or stop was was disconnected and the console was article in the October 197 2 issue of going to work. We had a policy where removed from the lounge. Later that THEATRE ORGAN. Doug was sta­ anyone that wanted to try the organ same day, workmen painted the view tioned in Panama and took a weeks could do so in the morning before the windows black . Within a few weeks leave to help us with the rebuilding of lounge opened, as long as Bernie or I the organ was completely dismantled, the combination action. We replaced was there. crated, and put in storage. The fate of the original pneumatic relay with di­ During my stay, Bernie let me get the organ is not known at this time. rect electric relays, and moved the involved in the maintainence of the After almost twelve years of con­ setter boards from the relay room to organ, and I learned more about the tinuous operation, one of Panama's an area behind the console. This made care and feeding of a Wurlitzer in that great tourist attractions has ceased to life easier on the organist since he one year than in the previous ten. This exist. This of course is a great dis­ could change his combinations on his was a commercial installation, and appointment to the thousands of break time right at the console. Mondays were the only nights the people who pass through Panama re­ All of us have played Wurlitzers organ was not in use. Any extensive peatedly in the pursuit of various that have dead notes, faulty stop tabs, repair work had to be accomplished business ventures . It is an even greater and all the rest of the various ills that between Monday morning and Tues- 8 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 day night. The time we replaced the bolster cables and spacers all the work was completed in two days. This meant rewiring the bolsters to the spreaders, replacing the spacers, ad­ justing the bolster tension, and ad­ justing all the stop tab springs. We worked fast! When we tuned the or­ gan, all 27 ranks were done in three afternoons! Because the installation was geared for the Latin clientele several items were added to the organ, and some effects were not original. For instance, the oogah horn was from Sears - $16.9 5 ( no tax). The fire gong was replaced with a bell from one of the electric mules that pull the ships through the locks of the canal. All of the original toy counter items were retained, but two more tamborines were added, and a second marimba and xylophone were installed, as well as another ride cymbal. Have you ever wanted a string bass for your Wurlitzer? Well, you take the spare The Console- a four manual shell, but only three manuals were ever installed. 8' Tibia offset that has cluttered your _cellar for years, add a tab to your pedal divison, and wire it in through objected to the departures from the work with, along with beautiful un­ the pedal pizzicato relay, and Presto! original specs, but all I'd have to do ification, this Wurlitzer was a joy to String bass! In the Panama installation, was put on a Tibia, Vox, String, and play. One tends to take things for the additional Tibia was located in the Krumet registration with a little granted when one is exposed to the percussion chamber so that the volume English Horn thrown in for emphasis, same thing day after day, but because could be independently controlled. Be­ and they'd somehow forget about the of the constantly changing clientele, fore my stay, the unit had been Sears oogah horn. this job always provided variety. One removed because of rearrangements in With over two hundred and fifty night an Australian ship stopped in the percussion chamber. Some purists stop tabs and twenty-seven ranks to Balboa, and I swear the entire boat­ load crowded into that lounge. The bar was designed to seat around 250 The Solo Chamber - the 16' English Horn is at the extreme right. people, but that night there must have been over 500. People were even sitting with me on the bench - and that's crowded! When I broke into "Waltzing Matilda," the place erupted with over 500 voices at the top of their lungs, and even 27 ranks couldn't compete with that!

This is a personal recollection of some of the good times and people that pivoted around the El Bombarde lounge. It was not my intention to give you a history of the organ - Doug Powers has done a superb job of that. It's a tragedy that this Wurlitzer speaks no more, but for almost twelve years, thousands of people, many of whom had never heard a theatre organ be­ fore, thrilled to the sound of this unique instrument. To those of us who were lucky enough to hear and play it; we have our memories. To paraphrase Doug Powers, 'There was a Wurlitzer alive and well and living in Panama.' •

9 .. 1§1 Directed by Lyle W. Nash

NEWSREEL ... Silent star Louise Lovely today lives as ~ Mrs. N. L. Cowen, 766 Sandy Bay Road, Lower Bay, Hobart, FOR YOUR INFOR.MATION ... Paramount officials in Tasmania, Australia. So reports Lois Warren . .. Jack Mulhall Toronto have 17 silent Paramount films (1919-1928) in 16 recently said he remembered LL well and made a picture mm available to film groups . .. U.S. movie business was up with her ... Film historian Alan Bruck reports that Kitty 40% in first quarter of 1974 . .. Universal Studios is ex­ Gordon, 90, lives at the Ross Nursing Home, 839 Suffol Ave., Brentwood, N. Y., 11717. She's glad to hear from old ploding. Couple months back the studio had 10,000 people friends ... Mary Astor is reported living at 23533 Mul­ working one day while another 30,000 visitors swarmed over holland Drive., Woodland Hills, Calif., 91364 ... Gertrude the lot. Had plenty of parking for all . .. Fifty years after the Glover, 78, now lives in Boulder, Colo., 80303. GG played in founding of MGM ( 1924) not a single feature film was before Essanay films in the early days with Gloria Swanson and the cameras . .. Lillian Red Wing St. Cyr, 90, who probably Colleen Moore ... A new Gene Autry has been found. Neely was the real first film star, died this spring. She was the Reynolds, 24, from Nashville, won a talent contest for a American Indian (and a real one, too) in the 1913 version of singing western type star. He is handsome and a talented the Squaw Man. Film was regarded as first American feature. singer. ~ .MAYBE all your film favorites are not appearing as of ten MORE and more film personalities are turning to tele­ as you like, but Fenwick Falstaff Frisbee III reports see the vision commercials for easy money - and lots of it. Recently following in recent films: Jeanne Crain, Vivian Blaine, Mable we've encountered such famous faces as Van Johnson, Albertson, Margaret O'Brien, Nancy Olson, Keefe Brasselle, Lorraine Day, Butterfly McQueen, Eve Arden, Wendy Barrie, Lizabeth Scott, and Kent Smith. Sylvia Sidney, Lois Wilson, Esther Williams, Edie Adams, Anna Maria Alberghetti and Joan Fontaine pitching some­ thing or other on the tube. Not all are seen in all parts of the nation but they are reported by the fans. The money is MOTION pictures and films were not names used in good. With residuals it can run from $3,000. to $150,000. a describing cinema entertainment in the 1915-1930 era. New year (Josephine the plumber). York critics often used such names as: photodrama , evanescent shadows, shadow stories, a prismatic shadow, celluloid masterpiece and shadow drama. Noted critics (who mostly scorned the idea of sound) referred to early talkies as: OF ALL the sub-titles in the silent films one I remember audibility of the screen, non-dialogue picture, audible film, over others. It was the first one in Charlie Chaplin's The Kid. audible device, audible screen form, vocalized film, audible It was simple and haunting: "Her only sin was motherhood." picture and dialogue pictorial version.

DAY of the locust is the name of the new Paramount film IN THE Golden Age of films (I 920s, 1930s) fans about the movie industry. It will have lots of look-a-likes in showered mail on favorite players. Now a long lost analysis it. Dick Powell, Jr. plays his father. Other doubles include reveals what they wrote about. Out of 1000 letters some 91% Vivien Leigh, Myrna Loy, Marlene Dietrich and Ruby Keeler. wanted a free photo, some 54 % also commented on their recent films and a few sent along a present. About 100 wanted money, jobs, clothing or whatever. Some 121 enclosed postage for a reply while 47 told the stars about IN-FLIGHT movies are good for somebody. Mo vie family problems. makers have earned $100 million in the last 12 years . .. Most historians agree that the only player ever billed over Greta Garbo was Richardo Cortez in The Torrent ... In the ANSWERS to questions: "The 1929 All American foot­ April issue I noted names of long time personalities who ball team appeared in the Warner's picture, Maybe It's Love lasted and lasted. I forgot my favorite and the greatest of with Joe E. Brown ... Some of it was filmed in Rose them all - Joan Crawford . .. Mack and Mabel will be a Bowl ... Hollywood Now by William Fadiman is best book musical comedy about the life of Mack Sennett and Mabel for background on film industry and why it operates as it Normand. Opens in Los Angeles, then plays San Francisco does ... The movie that Soviet chief Brezhnev took home before it goes to New York ... Shirley Temple's parents with him (a gift) was John Ford's My Darling Clem­ celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year . .. Com­ entine ... In 1929 Fox did advertise Janet Gaynor as "The ments and contributions are welcomed at P.O. Box 113, Voice With a Soul" ... Pasadena, Calif, 91102. •

10 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 AWAKEN NG1THE GANT A TREATISEON THEATREORGAN REEDS PART I

by Bob Mitchell

the nation. As the development of the During · the twenties and thirties, success was due no doubt to its expan­ theatre organ grew by leaps and hundreds of movie palaces across the sive versatility. From the singing bounds in mechanical and tonal de­ nation adopted the orchestral unit nuances of its Tibias to the crashing sign, the ingenuity and inventiveness pipe organ as the most viable form of thunder of its Diaphones, it brought a of the scientist was diligently at work musical entertainment for the accom­ "musical voice" to the projected silent searching to create a new medium for paniment of silent films. Orchestras, frames of early screen epics. Such transducing sound - phonic and musi­ with or without the organ, were syn­ versatility, a broad compass of orches­ cal. Thus, a new marvel of sound onymous with the larger and more tral voices, and the economics of a emerged, and the great musical giant plush houses. The theatre pipe organ "one man band" gave the theatre pipe of the silent film era fell into an concept departed from traditional organ a promise of many years of principles of a classic organ by unassailed success and popularity. Com­ undisturbed slumber. Not all the giants slept. Those who employing expanded pipe scales, high placent with this thought, the theatre were fortunate enough to continue wind pressures, augmented octave organ Industry "geared up" to full flexing their gussets and bellows sur­ coupling, and an array of electropneu­ production, placing several thousand vived the ravages of time. As the years matic operated traps. Its sky rocketing orchestral pipe units in theatres across I I JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN performed on the orchestrial unit pipe side facing the tool becomes "strain organ. Reeds proved to be the most hardened", and due to high tensile difficult of all. stresses created on that one side of the Reed tongues have been the subject reed tongue, a curve is produced. of intensive study by the writer for When proper "curving" techniques are some years. Of late, and at the insis­ performed on a reed "tongue", and it tence of friends in the ATOS, we will is placed in position on the shallot, it attempt to delve into the mysteries of will react to wind pressure by making what a reed tongue is made of, what oscillatory excursions "up and down" applied scientific principles cause it to the shallot. Depending on the mass of respond, what factors cause it to mal­ the brass material and the vibrating function, and some "dos and don'ts" length of the "tongue", these periods when coaxing these rascals into ser­ of oscillatory vibrations will produce vice. pulses of air in the column of the pipe As a start, consider the metallurgi­ causing a "musicial'' note to sound. cal composition of an original theatre Laboratory tests prove the finished organ reed "tongue". It's brilliant, curve to be definitely parabolic in lustrous copper appearance generally shape. High speed photography also identifies its origin as being of some shows that the reed "tongue" never vintage theatre organ . To be scientifi­ completely closes the aperture of the cally correct the material was Grade shallot. Should closure take place, "A" Phosphor Bronze in the No. 8 then the wind pressure could seal the Spring Temper Range. Chemically, the "tongue" against the shallot and pre­ compositions would mainly consist of vent oscillation. Of course, such tech­ Figure 11 95% Copper, 4.30% Tin and .22% niques performed on reed tongues are Phosphorous and some remaining trace manifest in that specialized field elements. Grade "A" Phosphor Bronze known as "reed voicing". passed, a gradual renewed interest in is readily available today in spring Experience and artistic ability in the theatre organ took hold and then, temper as well as yellow brass. If one that particular field are the necessary as suddenly as they went to sleep, the should desire such reed material, speci­ ingredients for creating a voice which mighty giants awoke . fy a hardness of 78.0 testing out at the will articulate with proper speech Restoration of the theatre pipe Rockwell Indentation index of 30T. throughout the compass of a particular organ suddenly became the predomi­ Given the proper brass material, it is stop; be it reed or labial. nant hobby adventure of thousands of cut to shape and in a perfectly flat Reeds suffer from many ills. Mal­ organ devotees throughout the world. state it is "sanded" through various functioning can be attributed to such Determined to learn as they pro­ grades of abrasive materials and fin­ intruders as dust, flying insects, an gressed, they were confronted with the ished mirror-like, completely free of occasional inquisitive bird, and cor­ realization that their experiences, surface aberrations. This surface prepa­ rosion. However, the two major ene­ whether successful or fruitless, were to ration is absolutely essential to the mies of organ reeds are man and be their teachers. Electromechanics, reed voicing technique. When the pre­ metallic strain. An inexperienced "fin­ winding, traps, and labial pipes were pared reed "tongue" is placed upon a ger nail" voicer can cause irreparable the easiest of the essential elements to curving iron and stroked with a bur­ harm to a reed by bending the deal with during the restoration efforts nishing tool, the brass material on the "tongue" to a point where it could exceed its yield strength and thus not Figure 111 be able to spring back to the precise place where the voicer left it. What about metallic strain? We know that the burnishing tool creates the curve on the reed "tongue" by inducing tensile stresses on the surface next to the tool. Let us now proceed to investigate any phenomena which may cause a "flat" spot to appear upon a reed "tongue" after years of use. If the reed "tongue" is depressed against the shallot and the closing is observed by holding the unit before a light source, a "window" or "flat spot" will appear in the vicinity where the tuning wire rides the surface of the tongue. In Figure I a tenor "C" reed tongue from a Wurlitzer 260 Brass Trumpet is being mounted for polishing. The brass

JUNE, 1974 Figure IV surface is prepared by rubbing same in a flat state on successively finer grades of special polishing papers and remov­ ing the finest scratches by polishing on a cloth or leather disc that is fed with water and fine polishing powder such as alumina or magnesia. The effect of this preparation is to produce a very thin layer of "flowed" metal that has been dragged over the surface. Etchants are used (Figure II) to lightly Figure V attack the layer, revealing fine lines called grain boundaries, which are clearly visible for study under a high powered microscope. Figure III a metallographic microscope is used to photograph areas of the brass reed "tongue" relating to our investigation. A completely assembled Tenor "C" Brass Trumpet reed is shown in Figure IV. This unit was subjected to eight inches of wind pressure in a laboratory controlled environment for a period of time equivalent to fifteen years of actual use in a pipe organ. Applying the law of probability, the Tenor "C" reed under study could have per­ formed two billion excursions "up and · down" the shallot. Multiple tunings, because of atmospheric temperature changes, have to be made. In Figure IV, the shaded area indicated between "A" and "B" ( exaggerated for graphic purposes) represents that portion of the "tongue" over which the tuning wire passes. During the laboratory "shake-down", the tuning wire was automatically moved back and forth between "A" and "B" at the end of every 10,000 oscillations. It is this area Figure VI and that portion directly adjacent to Figure VII point "B" that photomicrographs have been taken. Figure V shows the area adjacent to point "B" which was not acted upon by the tuning wire. The areas surrounded by the grain bounda­ ries are as expected on the entire ------..... ------convex surface of a new reed tongue which has just been voiced and not subjected to tuning other that the

JUNE, 1974 X11 y slight amount done by the voicer. shallot be subjected to abrasive clean­ the lites and the people that had come However, Figure VI taken at the same ing. in just had to sit there in the dark. So magnification (200X) shows surface These notes and experiments are in the mgr. put in a fone call for the fuzz deformation of the area between "A" no way intended to contradict the and pretty soon they come in and by and "B". The only physical cause for findings and opinions of those more that time the guy didnt have nothin this change was the action of the expert than this writer in the art of on, so they made him put his shorts on tuning wire on the surface creating the organ technology. It is hoped that and one officer took him by the arm same high tensile stresses as the voicers these humble efforts may spark others and put handcuffs on him and burnishing tool. The tuning wire acts to conduct similar investigative experi­ marched him off the stage and the as a high unit load on the surface of ments into other areas of organ other officer gathered up all his close, the "reed tongue" as it is moved back mechanics. so then the show was over and they and forth between "A" and "B" (Fig­ Part II of this treatise will illustrate put the lites up and let the rest of the ure IV) This results in an additional and detail the actual construction of people in and when Mr. Bud Iverson curve in line with the original primary reeds and the voicing techniques em­ come up in the spotlite he says well I curve of a newly voiced reed. Figure ployed by one of the foremost reed know the Los Angelees chapter of the VII shows this area between "X" and voicers in the world, Mr. Adolph Zajic ATOS always puts on a good show, "Y". Such plastic deformation does of the M.P. Moller Organ Company, but I never expected this. Later on he not cause a "flat" spot on the tongue, Inc., of Hagerstown, Maryland. D made a gag out of it and says well they but rather a curve within a curve. This got him outa the theayter before I "depression" acts as a lever and when could pay him the five bucks I prom­ the tongue is rolled down the shallot ised him, and somebody else says and observed in front of a light source, probaly it was a member of the voila!, there is the "window"! It usu­ AGO that did it, but anyways it made ally appears at point "X", but wHh a lot of excitement. excessive strain could also show up at So I suppose most anywheres they point "Y". In actual practice, this is any kind of a meetin you never "flat" spot or "window" is the main know but some streaker is goin to get cause of a "buzzy" reed; provided it into the act. I was lookin at Mr. David has been properly cleaned. Removal of Nivens on TV at the Academy Awards, the "buzzy flat spot" is a very difficult and sure enuff while I was lookin operation and usually meets with utter along comes a streaker runnin past the failure. Under an extremely skilled camera, and it broke Mr. Nivens all up. hand, a fraction of such reeds could be These streakers is all tryin to outdo corrected. each other, and one of em some place There is one additional cause for got nabbed and fined when he went "buzzy" reeds; and that is caused by a streakin on a bicycle . But the one I metallurgical reaction caused by the liked the best was the two streakers metal surface of the "tongue" rolling I see as how all the organ enthoosia­ that took there close off in there car, against the metal surface of the shal­ sticks will be congregatin at Detroit and when they got back to the car lot. This action is called "fretting". next month for there Annual Con­ they found they locked thereselfs out. Fretting is a form of corrosion that vention, and I wonder if they will be I see by the peace the Detroit occurs on the contacting surfaces be­ any streakin goin on. The reason is ATOS sent out about how to get there tween loaded materials which are sub­ that in Los Angelees last month at the you can go by dog sled or the Iron ject to slight relative movement. In the Sunday mornin concert at the Wiltern Horse as they say or in a open cart or case of a "rolling" reed tongue there is Theayter which Mr. Bud Iverson had by bicycle. So on acct. I aint got the always a very small amount of play come down from San Francisco to price of the R.R. fare, Im goin to start between such surfaces. This gives rise play at, they was a streaker showed out this month by bicycle and if I can to the galling and tearing off of tiny up . When the first people come in to once get over the San Bardoo moun­ metallic particles, which sift out and take there seats around 9 A.M., all of a tins maybe I can get to Detroit by July gradually become oxidized. This oxide sudden they noticed a guy sittin right the 12th. If they's anybody tries to is found deposited between the tongue plum in the middle of the stage startin streak acrost the stage on one of them and shallot. It is formed by the action to take his close off. He got on there organ concerts I sure want to be there of moisture in the air acting on the without nobody noticin him, and to see · it. I just hope the organ player metallic brass particles. The green when the officers see him they didnt can think up somethin cute like The oxide is either copper chloride or know just what to do, and the mgr. of Streak of Araby, or Runnin Wild. D copper carbonate. It is easily removed the theayter sez we dont want no by dipping the corroded parts in a trouble except the poleece handles it solution of boiling water and sulfamic because we dont want to get into no SAN FRANCISCO acid. It takes only a few seconds to law suits or nothin like that. IN 1975 remove and care must be taken not to Some of the boys was all for rushin erode the metal. The cleaned brass can him off the stage but on acct. of what - . - than be polished with "crocus" cloth the mgr. said they closed the doors wetted with water. Under no cir­ and didnt let no one else in and then NATIONAL CONVENTION cumstances, should a reed tongue or they had the elecktrician put out all

14 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 by Lloyd E. Klos

One of the nicest personalities in her own ways of handling me. plicated mystery novels whose web­ the world of the theatre organ is John "My first school experience was work plots fascinated me. Later, I T. Muri. The author has known Mr. unhappy. Bewildered and bashful, I sat moved on to better authors, and now I Muri for several years, having heard under a kindergarten table for some am a fan of Lord Monboddo of Scot­ him perform four times. Each perfor­ time before I was encouraged to come land and James Joyce." mance was a testimony to the man's out and mix with the other children. I It should be emphasized that Mr. capabilities as an organist, and as an was always afraid of teachers, particu­ Muri's reading proclivities stood him in artist in the accompaniment of silent larly one shop teacher who kept a good stead for the years ahead. One need only to read one of his columns films. 3-inch leather strap handy for disci­ "I was born on October 4, 1906 in plinary purposes. in THEATRE ORGAN to realize how Hammond, Indiana in a fairly large but "Outside of the usual childish fears, reading helped him gain an extensive modest home, situated 35 feet from school life was relatively peaceful. I vocabulary, coupled with excellent the Michigan Central Railroad tracks. passed my classes, but never distin­ grammatical construction. Constant (Thus Mr. Muri is one of the many guished myself. I found great content­ reading of good material will do this. "I took to the piano without urg­ theatre organ lovers who are also ment in reading books, particularly ing, very early. I first learned to play railroad enthusiasts). Both my parents Pinocchio, Thornton Burgess ' animal by ear without instruction, and as a were immigrants from Switzerland, my series, the Oz books, and Lear's Non­ result, it took a great deal of hard father coming from Bern, my mother sense books. As time passed, I pro­ work and tough words by my teachers from Lucerne. They first met in Chi­ gressed to more mature reading. As a to get me out of the bad habits I cago at a meeting of a local Swiss freshman in high school, I'd go with­ developed in the early years. singing society. out lunch so I could purchase the "I took my first piano lessons at "As a child, I was a willful young­ weekly Detective Story magazine on the Cfifford Conservatory of Music in ster, but I do not recall ever having Friday. When 15, I became a fan of Hammond, Ind., did a little study in talked back to my father; he was too Sax Rohmer and his Dr. Fu Manchu 1923-24 with Claude P. Ball, who big, and had a hot temper. I didn't books, and at 17, discovered Chicago taught theatre organ at Chicago's Kim- disobey my mother much for she had author, Harry Stephen Keeler's com- 15 JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN ball Hall. Theory and advanced piano I mares of falling. chairman of the English Department took at Sherwood Music School in "A few months later, I learned of of Gavit High School. In 1964, I Chicago, and advanced organ with an opening at the Hoosier Theatre in · joined the faculty of the northwestern Arthur Dunham at the Chicago Tem­ Whiting , Indiana, applied for it, and campus of Indiana University at Gary, ple in 1925-30. got the job which was good for three where I taught English on a part-time years. basis. In 1968, I resigned from both "One of my best teachers was a "In 1927, I received an off er to institutions and retired to Detroit on man who didn't realize he was teach­ become organist at the Indiana The­ an Indiana pension, after 31 years in ing me, Arthur Gu tow. From 1923-26, atre at Indiana Harbor. The theatre the Hammond school system. I would go to the Chicago Theatre, had a nice 3/10 Wurlitzer which is still For 27 years, Mr. Muri was organist week after week, to hear him give his there." The Indiana patrons evidently at the Hammond Civic Center, playing morning concert at 10:45 and his liked Muri's work, because he stayed for wrestling matches, basketball playing of the current film, then hear at the Indiana until the talkies put games, pancake breakfasts, music festi­ Jesse Crawford do his solo. organists out of business. The organ vals, flower exhibits, and dog shows. "Sometimes, I stayed over to hear remained unused until 1966, when, On one occasion, he provided the sole Mr. Crawford play the movie for the after a period of restoration by Chi­ musical background for an entire in­ second show, but often I would leave cago ATOS members, Mr. Muri rededi­ door circus for a week. The instrument the Chicago at 2 p.m. and go over to cated the instrument. It has been was a highly amplified Hammond. McVicker's Theatre where W. Reming­ profusely used since, including a fea­ "In 1962, I was invited to play a ton Welch or Albert Hay Malotte was ture presentation by Mr. Muri during concert for the Detroit Theater Organ playing. It was during this time that I the 1969 ATOS convention. Club, the second person to play a full met Al Carney, second organist at "In 1933, I became musical direc­ evening's program for that group. McVicker's. He was very kind to me; tor of WWAE in Hammond. However, From then on, my concert activities he recommended me for good jobs, I sensed the demise of the organist on expanded." which I never took. I insisted upon radio, so I worked to achieve my He is adequately prepared for any remaining stuck in the Calumet region, bachelor's degree, which I received at type program, having several hundred south of Chicago. the University of Chicago in 1937. I hours of motion picture material have my employers at the station to which he can use to illustrate the work "When I visited the organist at the thank for having made my radio sched­ required of a theatre organist years Temple Theatre in Hammond in 1924, ule fit my programs at the university. ago. He has hundreds of slides, mostly I discovered that the player was E. R . In 1940, I received my master's degree complete sets of solos. And, he has Howard, famous for his invention of from Indiana University. Wayne State many thematic cue sheets and com­ the Howard Organ Seat. He asked me University has recently awarded me a plete musical scores which came with immediately if I'd take his job, as he second master's. some of the bigger films. had become tired of traveling from "My bachelor's degree enabled me "I have been teaching English at Chicago to Hammond every day. Thus, to take a position teaching English at Wayne State University and Highland I had my first job handed to me at the Hammond Technical High, where I Park College for the past several years. age of 17, playing a 2/6 Wurlitzer. stayed for nine years. Then, I trans­ I also lectured on music for the silent Every rank sounded bad, and the ferred to Hammond High School, film ( using slides I made of old movie console, perched up in the ceiling which was the college preparatory music, both American and European), above the pipes, gave me regular night- school in town, and in 1965, I became at a Silent Film Festival at Kent State &A • IP 8A&&. On the 22nd of January, 1974, a great silence was heard across the Isthmus of Panama. The mighty Wurlitzer 3/27 had thundered its final performance. With the possible exception of Radio City, no theater organ anywhere has been enjoyed by more world travelers than has the Hotel El Panama's Wurlitzer. "Panama Viejo" (Old Panama) is the only stereo recording ever made of this fabulous instrument, and there will never be another! Recorded under natural conditions, Jon Fisher care­ fully chose selections, including both Latin and American favorites that best demonstrate the special qualities of this unique installation. The album liner notes detail the his­ tory, installation, and specifications of the organ. Truly a collector's item that can never be again.

SEND $5.50 p.p. CHECK OR M.O. to: LTA RECORDINGS, 9 CHURCH ST., WALTHAM, MA. 02154 (MASS. RES. ADD 15¢ TAX)

16 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 University, April 1971, accompanying no less than seven full-length features Arrests in Grant llnion Fire in two days' time." Mr. Muri has played for ATOS The Sunday, March 10 edition of at $100,000. In arraignment hearings Conventions in Detroit and Chicago, the Sacramento Bee carried the follow­ bail has been reset at $4,000 and and only an airlines'strike prevented ing two column headline: CITY $2,000. Charges have been dismissed his playing at the 1966 convention in YOUTH AID, 3 OTHERS AR­ against two of the nine . One of the Portland. He has toured many installa­ RESTED IN SCHOOL ARSON. This remaining seven has pleaded guilty to tions in the Middle West and East, has was the first of several similar stories arson, and three remain in custody, a recording to his credit, and is a to appear in the next few days. On unable to post bail. It should also be regular contributor to THEATRE OR­ March 14, the Bee carried the head ­ said that all those arrested are resi­ GAN magazine, expressing the organ­ line: NINTH ARREST MAY BE LAST dents of the Grant High neighborhood. ist's viewpoint on facets of the hobby. IN ARSON CASE. The headlines and One suspect, still in jail at this writing, "I have assumed 20 acres of farm accompanying stories related to the is the son of a man who has worked land in Michigan near Port Huron on destruction, on December 9/10, 1973, diligently through the years for the which I plan to have 10 cottages of the boys' gymnasium and the con­ community to have the use of the pipe surrounding a small lake, and a recrea­ sole of a beautiful theatre pipe organ organ . tion hall in which I can install one of at Grant Union High School. Balcom and Vaughn of Seattle, the two Wurlitzer organs I own, and Washington have been selected to The suspects ranged in age from 19 show silent movies with music for the build the replacement console . It is to through 4 7 years . The alleged ring­ summer cottagers along Lake Huron be completed early in 1975 . George leader was an employee of the City of between Port Huron and Lexington. Wright, a Grant alumnus, has volun­ Sacramento, a "pillar" of the com­ We have planted vegetables, trees, teered to play the rededication con­ munity, and a pastor of a church. A corn, fruit, etc. and hope to have a cert, having been one of a trio of simplified version of their motive was: substantial operation going soon. artists who dedicated the instrument "To get some money into the com­ " For fun, I am currently research­ in 1939. Emil Martin, one of the other munity to improve conditions." ing movie history of the period dedicatory artists, is a member of Nothing more can, or should, be said l 9 I 3-1916, using a Recordak micro­ Sierra Chapter, and had been playing at this time because of legal con­ film viewer which I purchased for use the instrument for Sierra Chapter siderations . with materials which I get from the activities . Howard Scott, the third Library of Congress, material which is Initial bail on the suspects was set dedicatory artist, is now deceased. • not available in even the great city libraries of Chicago and Detroit. I have three major projects currently in re­ search: (1) The silent serials of 1916, You~re Invited ... (2) The history of the earliest days of theatre organ, and (3) the Brenkert The THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA invites you to family of Detroit." GET INTO THE ACT by attending its fifth annual Convention in As if the above weren't enough to Detroit on July 7, 8, and 9, 1974. Convention headquarters will be the keep him busy, Mr. Muri is also getting Sheraton-Cadillac Hotel, located in the heart of downtown Detroit. ready two recordings; one on the Detroit Theater Organ Club Wurlitzer, The many interesting and magnificent theatres of the "motor city" will and another on the Detroit Fox 4/36 be visited during the course of the Convention and once again, you will Wurlitzer. be able to thrill to the magnificent pleasure palaces that made Detroit His concerts have been going very famous: the magnificent MICHIGAN THEATRE, the Auditoriums of well. "We were sold out for the con­ the worlds' largest MASONIC TEMPLE, famed ORCHESTRA HALL, cert at Cedar Rapids, Iowa in April the stunning FISHER THEATRE remodeled from a movie palace of old 1971, a week ahead of time - 2,000 into the foremost legit theatre in the midwest, the MUSIC HALL seats. They printed "sorry - sold out" CENTER and many others including the fabulous Detroit FOX, still the ads in the newspapers in May 1971 in second largest movie palace in America with 5042 seats in an Detroit for our concert in the Royal oval-Byzantine auditorium. Oak Theatre, 1700 seats sold out a week in advance there. The crowds The cost of the Convention is $15.00 per person and $3.00 for spouse outside were so large two hours before and each child. Registration material and hotel information can be concert time that they decided to sell obtained from Frank Rossi, 3178 Hollywood St., Dearborn, Mich. standing room tickets in violation of 48124. Bus tours and a copy of the Historical Theatre Guide to Detroit fire rules, and contemplated doing a will be included in the registration fee. second show . How sweet it is!" It is his feeling that the theatre In addition, the Detroit Public Library Main Branch in cooperation organ has entered a new era which will with the Theatre Historical Society will host a huge display, running the see a tremendous popularity for that entire month of July featuring the theatre buildings of the great Detroit instrument. Thanks to John T. Muri architect, C. Howard Crane. Many rare, original photographs, plus and others of similar dedication, that sketches and original blueprints will be on view. era will be a long and brilliant one. D

JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN 17 CONVENTION FEATURE

The tent at left-center measures 6 feet by 15 feet, while the Big-Top {upper left) is 12 feet wide and 24 feet long. Some 4000 yards of thread and 1000 yards of rope were used by Herb Head in the making of this miniature Big Top.

An unusual feature of this year's metal work and sewing himself. Many Three miniature light plants provide convention in Detroit will be a chance of the wagons are replicas of real power for animation and illumination. to see the Head Bros Circus , built and wooden carved parade wagons, copied It has been estimated that about ½ displayed by Motor City and Wolver­ after those used in the days of parade million pieces of various materials have ine member, Herb Head. This l" to l ' and baggage horses when circuses gone into the authentic replicas he has scale model will be a part of the travel by train. Every thing has been built. Sunday morning and afternoon activi­ authentically reproduced to scale in­ ties. cluding two calliope models - one air Don't miss this feature which will Herb has been working with this and one steam. Some of the figures be set up rain or shine in the tradi ­ hobby for over 35 years and has done that will be in the display are like­ tional circus day schedule for ATOS all of the building, carving, painting, nesses of circus people he has known. convention viewers. •

18 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 19 74 America - sister to the Asia. Original was built in 1904, along with Europe and Africa . (The top of the original Africa is on display in Greenfield Village.)

STILL TIM£ TO R£GIST£R

Have you sent in your convention registration? If by chance you haven't, remember that pre-convention registra­ tion is important to us so we can intelligently estimate the number of buses we need, the number of banquet dinners to order and the number of seats we can sell for the public silent film show, but even more important to you. If you have ever endured registra ­ tion after having arrived at previous ATOS conventions, you already know how confusing it can be, with all sorts of decisions to make on the spur of the moment and hotel accomodations possibly uncertain. The original wagon was built to house the steam calliope for the Pawnee Bill Wild West All the information you need to Show. This miniature is 11" high and 16" long. know to register early is contained on page 34 of the April, 197 4 issue of The No. 30 wagon (left), called the Baggage Horse Wagon, is seen here on the six foot THEATRE ORGAN. So, even if you long flat bed railroad car. This wagon carried the poles for the tents on the outside, and have misplaced the separate Conven­ paraphenallia such as tents, water troughs, harness and blacksmith tools inside. tion Registration Form that was in­ serted in the April issue (or, just don't want to part with it) send in your check for registration and tell us what kind of rooms to reserve for you, on plain ordinary paper. We don't care what you write on, just let us know that you are coming . (If you still have questions, phone us at (313) 261-1610 and we will answer them for you.) There is no better way to begin an ATOS convention, than to know that you will have no last minute worries. Register now, and the fun can begin when you arrive in Detroit for the Note-able Nineteenth. We want you to have fun. •

19 leatherless Wicks chest. The rest will tives attract the notice of the daily or play from a Smith chest and the weekly press, or a magazine, only good •ex P8PI Roosevelt chest which came with the can result. erstwhile 5-rank Smith . It's the last two that Lee and Laurel are re­ leathering in their Granada Hills, Calif. workshop. Sorry about the misteak.

~ Organs continue to move, usually over long distances. Wurlitzer opus 2128 somehow managed to find its way from Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas to Seattle, Wash., where the Balaban 3 is getting a face lifting while a home for it is being sought, perhaps in Spoktzne or Tacoma. A 2/6 Wurlitzer tagged along with the Shirey family when they Conducted by Stu Green quit the Chicago area for San Fran­ cisco. Charlie Evan's former WLW Readers are encouraged to submit "Moon River" Wurlitzer has somehow interesting sidelights on the organ managed a trip to Sacramento , Calif A late arrival waits for her still later date at hobby (exclusive of chapter news (at least its new owner, Lawrence the Orange theatre. - (Stufoto) items) material they believe will be of Weid, lives there) after several years general interest about local organ Two big events marked the lives of activities and installations and the sojourn in the Evans home in Dallas. ATOSers Bob Carson and Helen Dell people who work at the hobby. We In fact, Dallas is a hotbed of T.O. recently. The rehabilition of the know "there's VOX POPS in them movement. Gordon Wright has rescued there chapters" and it only requires Orange Theatre 2/8 Wicks organ an 8 cent postcard to get it to VOX Texas' last remaining in-theatre organ, the long silent style 235 Wurlitzer (about 60 miles from Los Angeles) by POPS Editor, Box 3564,Granada Hills, Bob, Dick Stoney and a crew of ATOS California 91344. If the contributor from the Dallas Capri theatre. And can afford a 10 cent stamp, why not Weldon Flanagan's former Dallas volunteers, was celebrated by a well­ include a black and white photo Palace Wurlitzer is due for a trip to attended public performance by Helen which need not be returned. Fort Worth to be with its new owner, on March 2. In addition to Helen's Fred Graybeal. A fl of the above is well-received concert on the refur­ based on shaky rumors picked up in bished Wicks (now with mostly Robert massage parlors, city dumps, deserted Morton pipework), she accompanied a How many remember Spike Jones' gas stations, singles bars and parking hilarious tongue-in-cheek 1927 spoof rendition of "Der Fuehrer's Face" lots where theatres once flourished. If of action movies called The Fighting which was extremely popular in 1942 any reader has any solid info, pis American, starring Mary Astor in her and launched the Jones' aggregation send up a few smoke signals. first major film role. However, come­ on the road to success? Did you know dian Raymond Hatton stole the show the lyrics were composed by ATOS ~ with his slightly plastered Chinese gen­ Hall of Farner Oliver Wallace? The Those with an eye toward making eral role, upstaging even Warner Oland song was originally written for a war­ ATOS aspirations clear to the general in a pre-Charlie Chan oriental role ( he time Donald Duck cartoon, In Nutsy public have been active. Getting a was actually of Irish lineage). The (Nazi) Land. After the master disc was non-organ oriented publication to concert was opened with a fanfare by made, Walt Disney changed the title to print a story about organs and ATOS three trumpeters (playing straight Der Fuehrer's Face and a million and a is always a step in the right direction. Posthorns) borrowed from nearby Dis­ half Bluebird pressings of Spike's Two such articles have been brought neyland. So much for the plus side; frenetic arrangement were sold in a to our attention , one by Allen Miller the next event was more sobering. The short time. who reports that the April edition of Carsons (Bob & Helen, married Yankee magazine ran a spread, with y'know) have moved out of their color photos , about the home pipe Hollywood home which houses the Goof Correction Dept. About 25 of installations of ConValChap members. Kearns/Carson 3/26 Wurlitzer, long a you came down real hard on your And we received a half-page clip from famous recording organ. It is one of VOX POPPER for describing Lee the Joliet (Illinois) Hearld-News for three built by Wurlitzer specifically for Haggart as releathering a Wicks chest March 31 announcing the Tony studi o use, thus "silent operation" and in the April column. Anyone with an Tahlman concert at the 4/21 Barton in voicing for quality rather than volume. ounce of savvy knows that Wicks Joliet's Rialto theatre sponsored by Reason: increased rent and cascading chests are equipped with direct electric the Joliet Area Theatre Organ Enthu­ lawsuits over ownership of the organ. action and don't employ the leathered siasts, an ATOS chapter with quite a There was considerable apprehension pneumatics found in other action switch in emphasis from the late on the part of West Coast pipe enthu­ systems. No excuses, we just plain "Kimbar Club" of a few years ago. siasts concerning the future of the goofed. Lee is planning on 11 ranks, as The article included a solid plug for instrument. For ten years Bob Carson stated, but only seven will be on the ATOS activities. When ATOS objec- has been its protector and champion.

20 THEA TRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 1929 for the Warner Bros. movie Shirley Hannum, Bud Taylor, Paul studios on Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Beaver and Helen Dell, not to mention where it was most familar to organ­ such pre-Carson stars as "Guy philes as the A mos and Andy organ, Melindy", "Jocelin McNeil" ("by with which Gaylord Carter opened and George") and the late Dave Andrews closed the nightly 15 minute radio and Johnny Duffy. program of the blackface comics in the Reg. Poort taped a Readers' Digest early '30s. It was later acquired by release on the 3/26 during the Carson CBS and stored. Actor Joe Kearns years and there was one release by ("Mr. Wilson in Dennis the Menace), a George Wright on Carson's Malar label. former theatre organist, purchased it in Also one by Gaylord Carter. The the early '50s and built his Hollywood Carson's guest book reads like a roll home around it. After his death, the call of theatre organ greats, not to Helen and Bob. The rent went up so they organ was once again in danger, mostly mention such luminaries in the clas­ went out. - (Stufoto) because the property's new owners sical field as Richard Purvis and the were not aware of the cultural treasure late Richard Ellsasser. Regarding the The owner, whoever the law decrees within the walls. This writer was con­ future of this historic instrument, we he may be, may or may not be aware sulted and recommended the can only keep fingers crossed - and of the non-replaceable treasure in the applicant-tenant most likely to be kind hope for the best. to the organ, a new arrival from the home the late Joe Kearns built to ~ house the instrument. mid-West - Bob Carson. It proved to be a good choice. The organ flourished From Charleston, S.C., ATOSer Bill during the Carson years, and con­ Smith submits a clipping from the As most fans know the Carson tributed to the ascendency of such News & Courier concerning a studio organ was designed and built in recording organists as Lyn Larsen, "phantom organist", socalled because he has so far eluded the fuzz. The "phantom's" idea of a successful night's work is to break into a church and play the organ, sometimes all night. Since last October he has entered eleven Roanoke, Georgia, churches, and practiced his vice. He rarely disturbs anything else but the premium on electrict1lenergy gives him a nuisance value which keeps Roanoke's finest hot on his musical trail. Perhaps someone should tell him about ATOS or AGO.

Dean McNichols, organist at the Los Angeles "Haven of Rest," reveals that the Haven's organ, heard every­ where on taped radiocasts, has been upgraded to a 3/13 Wurlitzer. It is now controlled by the style 260 Wurlitzer console from the Hollywood Egyptian theatre ( which one-time owner Harvey Heck replaced with a style 285 Wurlit­ zer 4-decker when his pipework out­ grew the 3-manual console many years ago). And the switching is now aided and abetted by the relays from the Portland Oriental Style 235 Wurlitzers which were replaced when the 13- ranker became the nucleus for the greatly enlarged Portland "Organ­ grinder" pizzery instrument.

The Amos 'n' Andy cast pose outside the Hollywood CBS studio in 1939. Left to right they are Streakers? At organ concerts? Yes, announcer Bill Hay, Charles Correll (Andy), Madaline Lee (Miss Blue), Freeman Gosden (Amos) it has happened. What is possibly the and Gaylord Carter who played the opening and closing theme, "The Perfect Song," through first one took place during a St. seven years of the show's west coast run. Prior to that, the program originated in Chicago and Dean Fossler played the theme. - (From Gaylord Carter's collection) Patrick's day concert at the Los 21 JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN Angeles Wiltern theatre. Read about it The former home of the Florida East in this issue's Los Angeles Chapter Coast Railway magnate contains a re[XJrt. Two weeks later it happened large music room wherein is housed a again at the same theatre. Gaylord 2/24 Odell organ. It was installed in Carter had completed his overture for 1901 to entertain the Flaglers and a premiere showing of a new film their guests in weekly musicales, and before an invited audience. The film during tea on the south [)Orch,just off was almost half over before the unclad the music room In 1965, it was lad sashayed across the stage for a few completely restored by the firm which pirouettes, illuminated only by the built it. When installed, it was the movie which silhouetted him against largest organ ever placed in a home in the screen. He got quite a loud audi­ the U.S.A. ence reaction. Our Chicago contribu­ tor, Harry "Pipes" Miller admits to a yen to streak during a concert but has From Downington, Pa., ATOSer been restrained, to date, by a probably Dottie Bloom adds another chapter to fortunate problem: where to pin his the amazing adventures of veteran chapter badge while perambulating in organist C.A.J. ("Cass") Parmentier. the buff. Any suggestions? Noting our account of his re-opening of the Philly Convention Hall Moller ~ organ last issue, Dottie adds her ATOSer Kurt Conley of account of what to most organists Hamden, Conn., found our analogy of would be a downright impossible organ blower power consumption with assignment; on March 23, Cass played 100 watt light bulbs in the April a 2-hour concert on the John Dickin­ column a catalyst to further thought son High School Kimball while in in­ on the subject. We mentioned the tense pain from a fractured left knee! possibility of reviving the long defunct Cass had suffered a fall during rehear­ Association of Former Organ Pumpers sal three days earlier and neither ice should power conditions worsen. packs nor hot compresses helped Conley speaks from practical experi­ much. The near-capacity audience ence: circa 1908 he was the "energy" never knew it was applauding also the pumping the organ blower for two dogged courage and determination of Sunday services at a Charlotte, Michi­ the organist when it gave him a stand­ gan Methodist church - all for one ing ovation for his performance . Cass buck a Sunday. The small instrument would not allow mention of the on low pressure offered no great prob­ hairline fracture during his concert; he lem, but thinking back, Conley ob­ Len Rawle in Rochester. - ( Dick Harold Photo} wanted no sympathy to color his serves that the theatre organ could show. Asked later why he didn't feel a never have developed without low­ The Rochester Theatre Organ Soci­ fractured knee sufficient cause for a priced electrical power. He cites the 5 ety sponsored the American debut of concert postponement, Cass grinned hp blower we used as an example and British organist Len Rawle at the and said in his still slightly Belgian estimates it would require about 15 Auditorium Theatre on March 16, and accent, "It was something about - the hand pumpers (¼ to ½ hr each) to judging by the ovation accorded the show must go on." equal its output. Fifteen pumpers at talented young organist, he will be say $5.00 an hour and we run up a bill back. The 1475 concertgoers were of $75.00 an hour just for wind treated to a wide variety of playing In Los Altos, Calif. Jack Baumann pressure! At the rate of 3 cents a styles which those "who remember has learned to be something of a kilowatt hour, the same amount of when" were quick to identify. They "short order" organ pa,rts maker. His pressure can be generated for about included Jesse Crawford (ballads); latest project is a complete chest for fifteen cents. Therefore, concludes Sigmund Krumgold (music for picture just two pipes! And in a hurry. Steve Conley, the wraiths of the former accompaniment) ; Sidney Torch and Restivo, owner of the San Jose "Thun­ hand pumpers can resume their slum­ Reginald Dixon (bouncy British style); dermug," had purchased a set of Post­ bers; no one can afford them at Lyn Larsen and George Wright (sophis­ horn pipes to add to the 3/9 Wurlitzer, today's prices. ticated treatments). Highlight was but the two lowest pipes just wouldn't Len's rousing, pulsating closer of fit the prepa,red chest. With Bob "Chattanooga Choo-Choo', which cer­ Ralston set for a late April 7-session In a recent column we made men­ tainly endeared him to the steam weekend stint, Steve was a little fran­ tion of the pipe organ in pianist locomotive buffs in the audience. tic. But Jack came through in a few Liberace's home and added that it hours with the 2-note chest and Bob looked like a Morton console. To keep ~ Ralston had a complete Posthorn to the record straight it's a 2/15 Welte. ATOS visitors to the Palm Beach, punctuate his rhythm tunes. Jack says Florida area might find it worth while he took no shortcuts; it's a chest to visit the Henry M. Flagler Museum. complete with primaries, valves,

22 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 ~ That bundle of New Jersey energy, organist Esther Higgins submits a clip On April 17, the Rochester Theatre from the AFM's International Musi­ 0 rga n Society presented Shirley cian of a brief story about organist Hannum before 1183 at the Audito­ Terry Charles and his theatre organ rium Wurlitzer. Showing definite im­ installation in the Kirk ( church) at provement over her 1968 Rochester Dunedin, Florida . Wonder if Terry appearance , she featured selections knows he has a neighbor named Don from the thirties and forties, a medley Baker, newly settled in nearby Clear­ of radio themes, much music from the water with his new bride? past twenty years , and told a few family-rated jokes. The best number was a spirited "Stars and Stripes For­ ever", including the famous piccolo passage. At a reception at the Gary Haines' afterwards, Shirley revealed that she is hopeful of a tour along the west coast in the near future.

Bob Ralston. A two-pipe chest - in a hurry. springs and pouches, plus wiring and wind connection.

We note with some trepidation that our name is listed on the bal­ Billy lot among the conditional candidates as "possibles" for the ATOS 197 4 Another Floridian planned to leave "Hall of Fame." There , among such his adopted ''Nineveh-on-the-Hudson" revered names as Al Melgard, (his way of saying "New York") to Ralph Waldo Emerson, Jack Ward, accept an off er made by Wichita The­ Iris Vining, Al Carney and Stuart atre Organ Group, Inc. Early in 19 75 Barrie, is one W. Stuart Green - organist Billy Nalle will move to on the "Deceased or Inactive" list. As Wichita to collaborate with the Group unworthy (and flattered) as we may in musical projects centering around the now 4/42 Times Square Para­ be, what in the Dickens is our name Shirley Hannum doing in the "dead file" while we are mount Wurlitzer, now installed in one still pushing this pencil? Makes a guy of the auditoria of the Wichita Centu­ wonder. ry II Cultural Complex. It will be Rex Koury's star continues to rise recalled that Billy made his recording on the concert trail. In March, he debut on the same instrument in New Celia Cohen advises that the farmer received standing ovations for two York. The as yet undefined duties in New York Times Square Paramount, weekend concerts at Seattle's Granada Wichita will not diminish the Nalle now installed in the Century II Wichita Organ Loft. In April, he played a concert and recording career, says a ( Kansas) Civic Center, is getting con­ couple of dates in the Los Angeles Group news release. This news got us siderable local use. Miss Cohen reports area, plus an engagement at Reno's to doing some checking the files on that the now 4/42 Wurlitzer which Pioneer Civic Auditorium on April 8, the Nalle career to date, and we once responded to Jesse Crawford's using a Rodgers electronic. in May, he uncovered a somewhat strange set of touch, was a prominent part of the performed on the Welte-Mignon 3/11 coincidences - all having to do with Theta Sigma Phi's (journalism frater­ at Scotty's Death Vally Gistle. On eight year intervals. For example, eight nity) Gridiron Show which spoofed July 17 he will be at No. Tonawanda years after he left Florida for Gotham prominent political figures recently. for the NF Chapter. On July 15, he'll he moved into an apartment high in Alan Malaby, who used to play con­ perform for the ATOS Convention at the sky of Manhattan (he calls it Gisa certs in the gone Miller theatre, was Royal Oak, and on July 20 he returns Cielo) and his first album was released soloist. The Wichita Symphony Or­ to the Hammond Castle in Gloucester, - both in 1958. Eight years later chestra's holiday concert boasted Mass. In October and November, he ( 1966) he played his first theatre organ support by Tom Taylor at the expects to be on another Eastern tour. organ concert on the Atlanta Fox Wurlitzer. The instrument was in­ The "Boy With Miles of Smiles" is "Mighty Mo". Now, eight years later stalled by (and is owned by ) the making a big name on the circuit and ('74) he's getting set to pull up stakes Wichita Theatre Organ Group, Inc. deservedly so, observes Old Prospector and buy a one way ticket to Wichita. Concerts by veteran theatre organists Klos. Wonder what the crystal ball will have Rex Koury and Don Baker are set for him doing in 1982 ? Just so the reading Spring '75. doesn't involve an eight-ball. 23 JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN fondly remembered the rising consoles in the old days, while another told how her husband had played theatre organs in the east, principally in New York State."

The Wurlitzer Co. announced on March 6 that it will cease the manufac­ ture of juke boxes at its North Tona­ wanda, N.Y. Plant, laying off 400 of its 700 employees in the process. The company's chairman, R.C. Rolfing, said that the importance of this coin­ operated instrument has diminished sharply, accounting for only 15% of the firm's business in 1973. The plant will continue to manufacture electron­ ic organs, however.

During Millie Alexander's March The School of the Ozarks goes on the air, with Bert Buhrman (left) at the pipe organ. It was old Seminar-Workshop held at Asilomar stuff for Bert, who retired from similar duties at NBC New York a few years ago. (Pacific Grove Conference Grounds), Calif, one of the recreational high­ Organist Bert Buhrman sends along erable portion of the Harold Lloyd lights was a mass safari to nearby the news that he, with other musical Estate: the manicured lawns, garden, Monterey and the Red Vest Pizzery people at the School of the Ozarks, fountains, walkways, and a short inte­ for a listen to the Wicks pipe organ, a started an FM radio series of half-hour rior sequence. break in the four days of study and programs on April 7, utilizing the cramming. school's 3/15 Wurlitzer. The shows are aired on KSOZ-FM, an affiliate of The crowds waiting to enter Radio National Public Radio. Tapes are avail­ City Music Hall were bigger than ever, able to any network affiliate. So, if according to ATOS member John ATOS members having an NPR station Roblin who included "The Showplace in their neighborhood want theatre of America" on an Easter tour to New organ music on the air, they can ask York. The annual GIDry of Easter the station's program director to con­ show is still a major attraction in the tact Mr. Joe Embser, manager of the big town , and both consoles of the School of the Ozarks' Broadcasting Wurlitzer were used in a part of the Service at Pt. Lookout, Mo. 65726, program. Jimmy Paulin gave a re­ and he'll make the arrangements. sounding version of "Easter Parade" Bert also says that a concert he did utilizing the 32' stops. The organ was in Britain in November 1972, part of also used with the Paul Lavalle-led which was aired on the BBC, is going orchestra, tremulants off, and sound­ to be released as an album. The organ ing much like a church instrument. used is in the Ronald Curtis studio. ~ ATOS Vice President Duane Sea,rle, ~ Bud Taylor shows Millie Alexander some of who, like ATOS President Erwin the Wicks organ's special features. The theatre organ had a few short Young, is a United Airlines captain, sequences during the showing of the had occasion to spread the thea,tre Staff er Bud Taylor was a gracious two-part ABC-TV documentary, The organ gospel on March 6. Appearing at host; he shared the console with Movies March 31 and April 1. The big the Park Manor Nursing Home in Millie's teachers and students. The feel chase music of Buster Kea,ton's 1917 Denver, Duane gave the senior citizens of pipes was strange to all but Millie as Cops was done by Gaylord Carter. an evening of entertainment by show­ the seminarians ploying is done on There was more thea,tre organ music in ing a Laurel & Hardy epic Hog Wild, electronics. a scene from The Phantom of the backed by a tape recording of the "I want all my teachers and stu­ Opera, and during Gregory Peck's nar­ accompaniment by a pipe organ play­ dents to be familiar with the sound of ration, he turned to simulate playing ing in a nearby restaurant. Duane also pipes, and the difference in technique on a horseshoe console. Also on April gave a commentary on the function of required to play a pipe organ. After 1 was shown the new TV movie, The the theatre organ in its early days. all, the pipe organ was my first love," Girl on the Late, Late Show. With "Reception of the program was excel­ said Millie, chomping a pickled canary Walter Pidgeon posing as a veteran lent", he says. "Folks told me of their tongue pizza. director, the camera showed a consid- appreciation afterwards. One lady

24 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 Dedicated organ maintenance men are a rare breed, as is the case of Toronto Theatre Organ Society's Roly Webb. According to Jim Lahay, when Ronnie Padgett played a concert at Casa Loma on March 13, he did a medley of Scottish tunes, employing an emulation of a bagpipe. This was done by pinning down a key on the accompaniment manual to resemble the "drone" note one hears from bagpipes. Roly, not seeing this, as­ sumed a cipher had reared its head, raced to the third floor chamber and pulled the pipe! When Ron found out later what happened, he explained to the audience which got a hearty laugh out of it.

Alleen Cole sent us a clipping from the Tuscaloosa (Alabama) News about Gloria Swanson and Lee Erwin at the Beacon Theatre in 1967. the long closed Mentone Springs Hotel perched on the west brow of Lookout Mountain. Brooding and deteriorating, Gloria Swanson and Lee Erwin are York's Beacon Theatre, and recently the former 60-room resort has little planning a nation-wide tour of movie recorded as part of his new LP for about it to attract interest - except houses with a new personal-appearance Angel Records. that it's full of organ parts! The 1884 and silent-film presentation. The original Swanson-Erwin eve­ hotel, closed since 1950, is the head­ The new Swanson-Erwin show will ning at the Beacon in 1967 was a quarters of organ repairmen Norvell have specially edited scenes from early smash sell-out, so the newly refur­ Hall and Danny Keil, the only tenants. Swanson silents, a bit of singing and bished Beacon Theatre will be the They use only four rooms for their dancing, "off-the-cuff' comments launching pad for the new presen­ working area. They hope to open the about Hollywood, and another rare tation. ancient building eventually as an enter­ showing of her historic last silent film, Gloria has new costumes and is tainment complex, with organ, of QUEEN KELLY, accompanied by ready to travel, so any theatre with course. Redecoration is already under­ Erwin's special organ score originally pipe organ is a potential showcase for way. composed for the 1967 gala at New this new presentation which is bound to attract SRO audiences from coast to coast.

Tom Stehl submits a PR release which reads in [Xlrt: On the evening of April 4th, Specialist Six Louis Hurvitz of the United States Military Academy Band entertained the Corps of Cadets and guests of the New York Military Academy in Cornwall-on-Hudson, N. Y. playing a concert of popular and theatre music on the NYMA 4/26 Moller. Lou, who is a native of St. Paul/ Minneapolis has been playing the organ since the age of eight and is currently a student of Ashley Miller and a member of the Land-a-Lakes and New York Chapters of ATOS and the Rochester Theatre Organ Society. Lou put the NYMA organ, which was installed in the Academy's Chapel/ Auditorium in 1927, through its paces, opening the concert with a medley including music from Jesus Christ Superstar, "Another Openin' Another Mentone Springs Hotel. New life for the old manse. - (Colepic) Show", and Sigmund Romberg's 25 JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN IN ROSWELL...

Down in the Land of Enchantment, The New Mexico Military Institute the New Mexico Military Institute has put on a total of five shows this Cadet Activities Forum presented the past year, and has averaged over 660 in final "Showtime on the Mighty The­ attendence per show. To some large atre Organ" series for the 73-74 cities thats just a small crowd, but to season, featuring Gaylord Carter, who Roswell, its practically the whole was able to come over on such a short town. A special organ society is being notice after a long drawn out tour in proposed to the school in order to SPC 6 Lou Hurvitz. From the West Point the midwest. The season has ended for sponsor and plan future programs. band to a 4/26 Moller. - {Siegler Photo) the current school year, but in a May 18 was graduation for Bob celebration, for the first year anniver­ MacNeur from New Mexico Military, "Serenade". The highlight of the pro­ sary of the rennovated organ. but he is planning to stay in Roswell gram was the sing-along. The audience It was a true honor to have Gaylord to help keep the organ alive, to assist raised the roof singing a selection of Carter do the season finale! He pre­ in future concerts, and to make addi­ old songs as song slides along with sented a wide variety of music, which tions to the original 14 ranks . color slides of various organ consoles, turned out to be an evening full of The faculty at NMMI would like to organ chambers and picture palaces entertainment and enjoyment. Just thank ATOS and the Theatre Organ flashed on the screen. General Francis under 500 music lovers came to hear staff for their support. Also, a special J. Roberts, Superintendent of the Mr. Carter perform before three very thanks to Mr. Alva Wilson and Mr. Academy, expressing his appreciation funny movies consisting of a W.C. Jesse Reed, whose devoted time and on behalf of the cadets and the guests Fields chase scene, and a Harold Lloyd knowledge has been dedicated to the who filled the chapel, pointed out that flick with the feature movie The Navi­ reconstruction tasks of getting the Specialist Hurvitz is an example of the gator starring Buster Keaton. As well organ in shape for this past season. We fine talent to be found among the as to the movies, the audience look forward to this fall, when the enlisted men of the Armed Forces and responded with their voices to a 15 Hillgreen pipes will vibrate again in particularly in the West Point Band. minute sing-along, with the showing of late September. • The cadets hope to have Lou return in old time song slides. the Fall to play another concert. Pictured at the console of the 3/14 Hillgreen Lane are (I tor) Mr. Gaylord Carter, the featured ~ artist at NMMI with Mr. Alva Wilson who opened this particular instrument in 1922 at the Sunshine Theatre in Alburquerque, New Mexico. Also Cadet Robert MacNeur responsible for the rennovation of the organ.

Colonel Harry. It's a long way from that Marr & Colton in Oneonta to a town­ hopping circus Hammond in California. - {Stufoto)

Former theatre organist, Col. Harry J. Jenkins recently went through his files and noted a listing of Marr & Colton organs. One of these he played from July to December in 1926. It was a little two-manual job in the 1045- seat Palace Theatre in Oneonta, N.Y. Gus Lampe was the house manager. Jen kins, now 71, lives in San Diego, but he's on the road each summer with a small circus. His Hammond is the circus band. •

26 loonHirer Ot[ilD frarels Again by Carroll Harris

The December, 1973 issue of THE­ ATRE ORGAN carried a Lloyd E. Klos article, "Theatre Organists on Radio," in which he mentioned WLW, Cincinnati, Ohio, their three Wurlitzer theatre pipe organs and the long run­ ning Moon River program. Only one of these three Wurlitzers was designated "The Moon River Organ", and Charles Evans of Dallas, Texas has a letter to prove it. Charles Evans purchased the organ and installed it in his home, adding a piano in a rather unusual case. On January 11, 1974 Evans sold the 3/ 17 with piano to Lawrence E. Weid of Sacramento. Lawrence Weid is vice chairman/ treasurer of the Sierra Chapter. To say he is a pipe organ enthusiast is putting it mildly. His present Sacramento home now contains a beautiful 2/7 Wur­ litzer, complete with Glockenspiel and xylophone. The Wurlitzer is Opus 939 The console of "The Moon River Organ" as it was installed in the Charles Evans home, Dallas, and was formerly installed in the Texas. - (Weid/Baxter Photo) Palace Theatre in San Leandro, Cali­ fornia. The installation is well planned. Charles Evans added this beautifully encased piano to "The Moon River" Wurlitzer. - (Weid/Baxter Photo) The console has been beautifully finished in antique white and gold leaf. The "works" are installed in what was meant to be a two car garage. On February 15, Larry and three other Sacramento organ buffs left for Dallas to remove the 3/ 17 and piano from the Evans' home. Plans are not complete for one of radio's more famous organs when it arrives on the West Coast. Larry is certain the visible portions of the instrument will be refinished. This means a complete re­ doing of the console and piano. He is ready to augment the pipework with a least one more rank. Where it will go is open for discussion. His present home can't hold it without a major remodel­ ing. Construction of a new home and installation therein is dependent upon building code variations. One thing is certain - "The Moon River Organ" will have a new home in Sacramento, California. •

JUNE, 1974 couldn't write music to equal it. People need to hear this music, since the movies and TV have abandoned them for rock and synthesizer whoop­ ing. A few sessions of refresher prac­ tice on a dozen or two of pieces like these and you are ready for the screen­ PART II ing. by John Muri The second device, which I shall call the excerpting method, is used What did the organist who had to of a picture rather than a portrayal." when the film is made up of sequences look at the same movie two or more Recognized musicians hired to work that are short (as in slapstick com­ times a day for weeks think about? In on the sheets were said "to slump into edies) or in films where excitement is most cases he had probably decided in a well-beaten rut." One critic was built through increasingly rapid advance what music he was going to judging fairly when he said, "We find changes of scene. D. W. Griffith cre­ use. These pieces would serve as his the sheets pretty much the same for ated excitement in his 1911 film The major themes. For the rest of the time every picture ... same numbers, same Lonedale Operator by making sixty-six he would rely upon inspiration and variety, <;amemanner of handling cues, changes of scene in his final sequence, memory to fit the movie with decent same quantity, and same quality with each scene lasting from two to six tunes and listenable improvisations. If throughout." At that time, the faults seconds. Tension is heightened in he was a well-trained musician, im­ of the cue sheets were listed as (1) movies by alternating ("crosscutting" provisation would not give him any their too frequent use of favorite they call it in the trade) different difficulty other than that occurring on tunes, (2) their use of themes too kinds of action. One variation of the the days when his spirits were low or often repeated, and (3) their use of trick is to show someone in deadly when the audience was cold and un­ music issued by a single publishing peril alternating with shots of someone responsive. Small audiences on off­ house. Many of us used the sheets only else who is able to relieve the situation days had a way of drying up one's to establish timing and to become but is unaware of its existence. There musical faculties and you would then aware of mood-changes; the music was is no use in trying to change the music have to rely on pieces drawn out of of our own choice. The sheets did not in sequences like these; all you can do the filing case of memory. It got improve any during the twenties. Or­ is close the swell-shades for the less boring at the console hour after hour, ganists threw them away as soon as the active part of the crosscut and open day after day, especially if the or­ little benefit they provided was ex­ them up for the critical action. Most gan was out of tune, was ciphering, tracted. That is probably why so few of the time, crosscuts are relatively or had dead notes. Many organists of the sheets are in existence; organists long in duration and it is possible to brought food, candy, and drinks and didn't think they were worth keeping. play them using parts of musical com­ stored them in the ample handy side Even some of the original complete positions that are adaptable to frag­ storage-coves of Kimball consoles. scores left something to be desired, for mentation. There is a multitude of Wurlitzers didn't have quite so much they suffered from the defects to be good composers whose work can be room for goodies. Most organists I found in the cue-sheets, but they were used in pieces. I have even used Ravel. knew played with the console lights always welcome and made the scoring The semi-improvisational compositions on, but some played in the dark, and it job easier. Speaking of original scores, of the movie-music writers for pub­ was they who probably had easiest and I would not try very hard to write new lishing houses like Sam Fox, Belwin, most frequent access to the nosherei music for a film unless I were abso­ Carl Fischer, and Schirmer are quite while working. When there was a lutely sure that I had a special talent at worth-while. J. S. Zamecnik's mood­ blizzard outside and business was bad composing and that music now avail­ pieces are tuneful if not inspired (the Fourth of July was always a able was not suitable. music. They always make better lis­ ghastly day of empty seats) inspiration There are three ways to score a tening than a badly improvised was at its lowest ebb. movie. The first, the classical method, "hurry" or "mysterioso." The ad­ A good film for organists was one can be used when the film has been vantage in music like this is that you that had been edited so that a mood made as a series of well-defined and can use small stretches of it as the could be sustained for a reasonable somewhat lengthy mood-sequences. occasion calls for. As a matter of amount of time. Many film editors did The scorer will pick an appropriate set course, all abridgements of com­ not have the gift of timing a film or of pieces, assign them to different positions should be brought to a satis­ giving it the tempo necessary to pro­ parts of the film, and play them factory closing cadence before the or­ vide a fine musical background. Fre­ through, sometimes more than once. ganist shifts to a new mood. It is dis­ quent and unmotivated shifts of mood When preparing to play for Blood and concerting to hear an organist stop were deadly to play for, but a film Sand, I pulled out the following titles, crudely in the middle of a phrase in that properly sped up or slowed down among others: Bizet's "L'Arlesienne" order to start another tune. The player in action was excellent for organists. suites and selections from Carmen; should know how long his scene will The cue sheets provided by the film Moszkowski's "Malaguena" and last and what he will have to do to get companies were usually quite poor. In "Spanish Dances"; Chabrier's "Espana ready for his next mood-sequence, 1918, a writer in the MOTION PIC­ Rhapsody"; "El Relicario" and Kreis­ making sure that his modulation into TURE WORLD complained that some ler's "La Gitana." These formed the another key will be pleasant and that of the sheets had produced "a travesty nucleus of my score. I am positive I his tempo-change, if any, will be

28 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 smooth. A third method may be called improvisational. H. C. Macdougall, who wrote a book on extemporizing New York~s Loss-Wichita~s Gain for G. Schirmer, Inc. in 192 2, called it the art of inventing and playing "on Organist Billy Nalle will be moving Theatre, the first concert of popular the spur of the moment and without to Wichita in early 1975. While con­ music ever to be sponsored officially specific preparation, an unwritten tinuing his concert and recording by a national convention of the clas­ piece of music ... conforming reason­ career, Nalle will collaborate with sical organ society , the American ably to the principles of musical com­ Wichita Theatre Organ, Inc. in musical Guild of Organists. During the past position." Few theatre organists projects centering on the four manual, eight years, his musical firsts have set a should try this method in public with­ 42 rank Wichita Wurlitzer theatre or­ record on the theatre organ. out a lot of practice, if the perfor­ gan at Century II, the civic/cultural Michael Coup, W.T.O.'s president mances now being heard in theatres complex in Wichita. said, "We will be pleased to have fine and television are indicative of current While living in New York, Nalle for musician/showman Billy Nalle living in levels of ability. A good improviser 16 years covered a wide range of Wichita. The cultural climate will thinks in phrases or blocks of music, engagements on national network certainly be enhanced even though it is which he manipulates in ways that television involving well over 5,000 apparent that Wichita has a fine cul­ have been frequently described in telecasts. In early 1958, he made his tural community as evidenced by the musical literature. Books on im­ solo recording debut on the RCA fact that Billy Nalle has chosen to provising have been written; theatre label an album made at the Times move here." organists need to study them more Squa~e Paramount Theatre on the Nalle authors a regular theatre or­ than even church organists, because we same world famous instrument now in gan news column for Music magazine have more occasions on which to its new home at Century II. Repre­ and writes musical articles and reviews improvise. Briefly, the technique in­ senting a new musical approach to for other publications. He has been a volves handling the phrases or blocks popular music on the theatre organ composer member of the American by adding variational notes to them, and establishing Nalle as an artist of Society of Composers, Authors and changing their rhythms, changing their top rank , the recording was unusually Publishers since 1956. Nalle, from harmonies (but not too much), and successful. Fort Myers, Fla., was graduated in inverting them by putting the melody In 1966 he made his theatre organ piano and organ by the Juilliard into the bass and imposing a structure concert debut at the Atlanta (Ga.) Fox School , New York. • of harmony above it. Mere chord­ sequence playing is a burlesque of AN ALBUM OF improvisation. Hearit the THEATRE ORGAN If the organist can make up decent way it was MUSIC themes for each main character or on ... situation in the film and can develop them in different keys, variations, in­ versions, and moods, he is then ready tJ_,~113~,elf to play films in anybody's theatre. He has then only one more thing to remember, which is that all his play­ ~() Sta.-.-ina 7/' ing, even his hurries and his catas­ trophe music , ought to be listenable. He ought always to keep in mind that t=r-ank 12ossi DETROIT'S . OWN THEATRE ORGANIST his primary job is the production of music, not noise. Sound effects are in a class by themselves, and crashes, LEADING THE BARTON UNIT ORCHESTRA IN bumps and burps are legitimate on a YOU • S'WONDERFUL • DANCING TAMBOURINE theatre organ; but whenever the organ­ BLUE ROOM • HAUNTED HEART ist is called upon to play, he should RITUAL FIRE DANCE • AND MANY MORE keep in mind Otto Klemperer's thought that any idea expressed in musical terms, even turmoil, must al­ ways be music. A good organist prac­ Price: $5.99 ($6.99 outsidethe U.S.) tices restraint (how well Jesse Craw­ ford did it!) and he works hard. A fellow named Francis Quarles, way Available in @'ff@!Xl@@ from .. back in the seventeenth century, roughly expressed the need for hard labor in the production of a fine product: "I see no virtues where I P.O. Box2060 Fort DearbornStation Dearborn,Michigan 48123 smell no sweat." -WILL BE AVAILABLEAT THE _ATOSNATIONAL CONVENTION- (To be continued) 29 JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN Lee talks to his audience seated at the 3/8 Barton. - (Photo by Ben Bush} Bob McKinnon, leader of the WMTOC, and Lee Erwin discuss the program.

The activities of the West Michigan Theatre Organ Club are centered, for the main, around a 3/8 Barton in the Michigan Theatre in Muskegon, Mich­ igan. Muskegon to some may sound like a jumping off place. It is, partic­ ularly if you have in mind, swimming to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which is across Lake Michigan from Muskegon. Despite the relatively small size of the organ, those in the know refer to it as "The Big Sounding Barton " which probably best describes the acoustics inherent in the theatre, which was built in 1930. Lee Erwin was in our town on February 7 to do his thing with the Barton. He did so before a sell-out crowd in the 1850 seat Michigan The­ The February snowstorm nearly prevented the organist from getting to Muskegon but didn't atre. After an opening concert, the deter 1850 townspeople from filling the theatre. audience then took their turn and in their customary enthusiastic manner participated in the sing-along. They heartily joined in for the tongue twist­ ers, parodies, and our own local "Muskegon Country" song. The climax to the whole sing-along came in the final number when the entire crowd stood for "God Bless America". After intermission, the silent, Son of the Sheik with the legendary Val­ entino, was presented with Lee ac­ companying at the Barton. In discussing the evening's success, after the show, Lee raised the question as to what the population of this "jumpin' off place" was, and when informed it was about 100,000 he quickly countered with the statistic that we had two percent of our pop­ ulation in the theatre that night which indicates another successful program from the W.M.T .O.C. •

JUNE, 1974 Sep. 1927 (LP) ROBERT G. May 1, 1931 (MPH) STEVEN CLARKE opened the 4/21 Barton in BEAUCLAIR opens the 3/28 Kimball NUGGETS Detroit's Hollywood Theatre. in the Warner Theatre in Milwaukee. from the Sep. 1927 (LP) Advertisement: Feb. 13, 1932 (MPH) ARSENE GOLDEN CHARLES BOOMHOWER "On the SIEGEL at the Detroit Fisher Theatre, Golden-Voiced Barton" at Detroit's once more proves he is not limited to Oriental Theatre. The Oriental is a any one type of organ presentation. As co-operative theatre. Patrons may his specialty this week, Siegel features participate in the earnings. It is our a dramatic rendition of Suppe's "Light aim to have every person who enters, Cavalry Overture". His playing is receive a check for his share of the superb and the coloring which his profits. nimble fingers give to the stirring Sep. 1927 (LP) Detroit's Fisher selection, raise it far above the usual. Theatre opens. Musical number "Rain­ A tasteful set of slides gives the audi­ bow Rhapsody" features the Fisher ence a word picture of each of the 4/33 Wurlitzer Cathedral-Onema Or­ different moods of the overture. gan. Feb. 13, 1932 (MPH) ARTHUR Sep. 1927 (J) OLIVER ERICKSON GUTOW at Detroit's Michigan The­ atre, substitutes for Dorothy Dix or Nuggets prospected by Lloyd E. Klos presides at the Wurlitzer in the State Theatre, while JACK PINGEL plays Beatrice Fairfax in a musical skit called "Leap Year Lovelorn". A spe­ With Detroit's serving as host to the the Smith unit organ at the Wisconsin cial set of illustrated slides helps out 19th ATOS Convention next month, Theatre in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. the comedy angle with special lyrics. Jason and I found nuggets from the Sep. 1927 (D) FREDERICK The songs played include "Hoosier Motor City area and nearby states. MARRIOTT is playing the 3-manual Little Sweetheart", "Good Night, References were American Organist Kilgen in the Palace Theatre in Gary, Sweetheart", "You Call It Madness" (AO), Diapason (D), Jacobs (J), Indiana. and "All Of Me." Metronome (Met.), Motion Picture Sep. 1927 (J) ARTHUR GUTOW is Herald (MPH) magazines and local at the Wurlitzer in Detroit's Michigan GOLD DUST: 4/26 CLARA GIESE press (LP). Theatre. Among the stars featured & TOM PARRY, Allen Theatre, April 1925 (AO) ROBERT GOR­ recently were Gilda Grey, the shimmy Cleveland; DESSA BYRD, India­ DON CLARKE and C. D. BOOM­ queen; long-di stance swimmer, napolis' Circle ... 11/26 PAUL BEN­ HOWER alternate at the 3-manual Gertrude Ederle; and the bands of Ben NETT at the Delft Theatre in Muni­ Hi/green-Lane in Detroit's Capitol The­ Bernie, Ted Lewis, Vincent Lopez, sing, Mich.; CHARLES VOGEL, atre. Paul Whiteman and John Phillip Sousa. Capitol in Whiting, Ind.; GEORGE Jan. 1927 (J) HENRY FRANCIS Aug. 1928 (D) The 3-manual Bar­ CEIGA, Gary's Orpheum; EV A BEN­ PARKS recently had a 2-week engage­ ton organ in the Al Ringling Theatre in NETT, Hollywood in Petosky, Mich.; ment at the Racine, Wis. State The­ Baraboo, Wisconsin was heard for the HARRY LEE in the new theatre, atre. The Barton organ, "though small, first time by the public on July 15. Negaunee, Mich.; ERNEST was exquisitely sweet and very re­ Oct. 1928 (AO) HAROLD KRELL BUSHONG, Ligonier (Ind.) Theatre; sponsive." is playing the 3-manual Kimball in ROBERT G. CLARKE, Detroit's Jan. 1927 (J) WALTER F. LING­ Cleveland's Variety Theatre. Capitol ... 1/27 ARTHUR GUTOW, MANN of Chicago, Duluth, Louisville Jan. 17, 1931 (MPH) DALE Detroit's Michigan ... 2/27 C. and points west, is featured organist at YOUNG, organist in the Publix Circle SHARPE MINOR, Regent in Grand the Rialto Theatre in Racine. He is a Theatre in Indianapolis, presents the Rapids, Mich. former demonstrator for Wurlitzer. second of a series of variety concerts That should do it until next time. Feb. 1927 (AO) CIDNEE HAM­ this week. Dale's name is flashed on So long, sourdoughs! ILTON and ERNEST HUNT played a the screen and is billed as "The Jason & The Old Prospector duet on November 17, using the or­ Wonder Organist". He turns to the gans in the Allen and State Theatres in audience and tells them the idea he has Cleveland, over WTAM. is to play every type of music so as to Mar. 1927 (J)ARTHUR RICHTER suit the taste of all. First, the "Finale" DE:TR(l~J IT and LES HOADLEY are solo organists from "Orpheus in Hades Overture" is at the twin-console Barton in Mil­ dedicated to the classic /,overs. Then Crnnk up the of' ho,se/ess, 74 waukee's Wisconsin Theatre. Dale announces his next number pack the little woman and / "When the Organ Played at Twilight". the kids in the back, and Mar. 1927 (AO) A. W. TOBIAS is take that cruise to the 1974 con­ at the Wurlitzer in the Indiana Theatre He next tells about the surprise he has vention. This is Detroit-vou can in Washington, Ind. and introduces The Varsity Three: leave the nag behind. July 1927 (Met.) F. DONALD Seward Baker, Ruell Moore and Vergil MILLER is the so/,o organist at the Herbert who appear in tuxedos, and State Theatre in Detroit. stand near the organ console to sing Aug. 1927 (AO) FRANCIS T. "Sing Something Simple", "Nobody's YORK directs the department of the­ Sweetheart" and for the finale "Sweet atre organ instruction in the Detroit Jennie Lee". Solo went over big as Conservatory of Music. usual. 31 JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN Back in the Roaring Twenties, the theatre organ was the "voice" of the silent movies ... a mighty instrument famous for orchestral versatility, incredible novelty effects ,- an overwhelmingly big ensemble sound. Baldwin brings all of this musical razzle-dazzle back to life with CINEMA II ... and adds the musical magic of FantomFingers, the amazing product of space age electronics. If you're looking for totally new musical excitement ... a totally new world of musical experimentation ... you're looking for Baldwin CINEMA II ... theatre organ at its best ... today! For a colorful brochure, write Baldwin, P.O. Box 2525, Department HG3, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45201.

See us at the Convention at the Sheraton-Cadillac "Michigan Room".

32 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 CONVENTION EXTRA

Rodgers Custom Installation in the Ford Museum Theatre at Greenfield Village.

Wednesday morning July 17, Lyn months of activity transpired between life through the development of its Larsen will play a special concert and the actual initiation of planning, and arts and skills. The vast collections are accompany a short silent comedy on the delivery of this "one-of-a-kind" exhibited in a unique indoor-outdoor the new Rodgers Custom Theatre Or­ installation. complex, visited annually by more gan installed recently in the world­ than a million and a half persons. Following a short recital, Lyn will Indoors, the Henry Ford Museum dis­ famous Henry Ford Museum at Green­ accompany the 1929 silent comedy plays show the milestones in the his­ field Village near Detroit. This con­ Bacon Grabbers starring Laurel & tory of our decorative and mechanical vention "extra" will provide an added Hardy with Jean Harlow and Edgar arts and industrial development. Out­ activity for convention-goers who Kennedy, and after the program there doors, in adjacent Greenfield Village, plan · to remain in Detroit for the will be sufficient time to have lunch, nearly 100 historic buildings trans­ moonlight "after-glow" cruise, but are and explore the Henry Ford Museum, planted from various parts of the not participating in the Wednesday or 360 acre Greenfield Village. United States show these collections in home-tours. The program is sponsored authentic settings, and at the same by the Rodgers Organ Company and Greenfield Village was founded in time preserve for posterity structures its Detroit representatives, Musical 1929 by the late Henry Ford as a of various types that are fast dis­ Heritage, Incorporated. general museum of American History. Dr. Donald S. Shelley, president of Greenfield Village and Henry Ford appearing from America. Further information and tickets for Greenfield Village was instrumental in Museum, a non-profit, educational in­ working with Rodgers designers and stitution, house one of the greatest bussing ($1) and village or museum admission ($2.50) will be available in technicians on the specifications of collections of Americana in existence, this custom organ, and over eighteen tracing three centuries of American the Convention Registration Room. •

A street of early American shops sepa­ The century-old steam locomotive, HEN RY FORD MUSEUM. A replica of Independence rates the Henry Ford Museum's deco­ "Torch Lake," is one of two antique Hall, chosen for the entrance to this vast museum, rative arts galleries from its 8-acre engines which make up the Greenfield housing historic collections of early American Com­ mechanical arts hall. - (Photo by Village Railroad taking visitors on a merce, decorative art, and the development of Philippe Halsman) two-mile scenic tour. American industry. 1hrffirn 13rhind tht Jaowagrr lmprrss

The true highlights of a remarkable protege, Daniel L. Papp, who first installed the 'Dowager Empress' Wurlitzer organ in the Paramount Theatre of New York Qty, in 1926, then maintained it thereafter, and in particular of his mentor Heinrich Hosszer the man responsible for his initial direction in life.

by Paulus Elm-Selig

randpa Heinrich Hosszer was the Flagg household to do so, "or else always one for appearance we're packing our tools and leaving". and personal dignity. With Well, we were standing before the ourm tools and a clean set of work organ face for perhaps about 5 clothes in appropriate travel bags, we minutes when a man entered the ball­ arrived at the Flagg Estate, Staten room and approached us. He was well Island, New York, dressed in our groomed, of slight ruddy complexion, Sunday best as was the case with every wearing a soft gray tweed suit, his hair job. Work contracted for: general re­ in the early stages of turning white, pairs and tuning. I was only 17 at the and he greeted Grandpa softly in a time. The year 1933. The butler es­ friendly voice. They shook hands, and corted us to the impressive ballroom with polite introductions we now which housed the organ, Grandpa knew we were talking to the elder Mr. thanked him, and he left us with our Flagg himself. He apologized for the task. The organ complex, quite often difficulty the discovered money had multiple floor or platform levels of caused, scooped up the coins, and said organ pipes not in public view, does with evident warmth, "It's all right Mr. provide adequate privacy for a change Hosszer, you can proceed, nobody will to work clothes. So in a few minutes Dan Papp, Wurlitzer maintenance expert, disturb or interfere with your work". we stood before the organ console Paramount Theatre, Times Square, N.Y.C., Now alone with our work, and a bit ready to go. As usual the first order June 27, 1956. - (Photo by H.C. Blakely, Picton, Ont.) puzzled by all this, I asked, "Grandpa, came from Grandpa with definite what's all the mystery about?", "we sureness. "Remove the panel on the him to remove the money". I soon could have removed the coins, set right first, then the left one next", was located the butler and gave him the them aside, and gone ahead with our the quiet but firm instruction. This message. When I returned to the ball­ work ... I don't get the reason for was the finely polished wooden room Grandpa and I started on the your point of insistence". He replied paneling located just above the con­ next step of work to be done. This was slowly with heavy emphasis, "just look sole. I proceeded to do what was shortly accomplished and we came at all that fine layer of dust in there; expected of me while Grandpa started down and around to the organ face everything is covered with dust", "the elsewhere in the complex behind. again. The gold coins were still there. gold coins were FREE of dust, and Carefully I eased out the panel and So off I had to go again after the they were deliberately placed behind set it aside, turned back to my simple butler, then back to the organ work. that panel before our arrival to test chore, and there laying before me on Half an hour later, we again stood our honesty". "As strangers, we had something like a 2 x 4 beam, were before the organ console, and there as to prove our trustworthiness to what seemed to be several gleaming before the money stared at us. This work inside this luxurious house with gold coins! I gasped, "why, it's money was the final straw for Grandpa. With costly items around and about easy - looks like gold coins!!" Grandpa obvious irritation off he went after the to steal and carry off'. In stunned si­ responded to my completely un­ butler, who must have been close by lence the realization of his words sank expected exclamation, took one hard this time, because I could plainly in. Supposing I had taken a coin for a look and sternly commanded, "don't overhear Grandpa telling him to re­ souvenir? I shuddered at the thought! touch them!" "Find the butler and ask move the gold coins or for someone of Grandpa continued, "the alternative

34 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 was to have someone watch over us at for pipe organ building and instal­ sessions a magnificent pipe organ our work, an unpleasant measure lation, it was during the proud Royal masterpiece. The "Greats" of yester­ which neither the owner nor I would era of the Austro-Hungarian Empire year, Ryrie, Woolworth, McVay, Pratt, have liked", "he saw fit, by means of a before World War I. In spite of ex­ Mershan, Tiffany, Billings, Vanderbilt, simple test, to learn quickly what acting discipline and a riches-poverty Harriman, Pulitzer, Oelrichs, Eastman, manner of men we are, and as disagree­ status quo as the accepted and re­ Hearns, Rockefeller, Carnegie, able as we find being subjected to such signed way of life, the bedfellow to Schwab, and Belmont have come to a test, it is best to presume that Mr. this then prevailing condition was the own, and undoubtedly still own, a Flagg must have had a sad experience relentless demand for perfection. The custom-made majestically toned organ in life, hence his justifiable caution". fact of the matter, devoid of pros and built and installed by Heinrich Hosszer "Of course there is an objectionable cons, is that the system produced and crew. Many years before retire­ side to this too, and the implication of exceptionally highly skilled profes­ ment in 1940, Grandpa found America b la nke t dishonesty until proven sionals and Grandpa was such a prod­ very generous, and so he gratefully honest, is certainly not welcome, so uct. In the passage of time he finally adopted the New World as his home once the purpose of the test was made the decision, well before WW I, and became a naturalized citizen. determined I wanted the obstacle of to travel to America. It was, to be Behind The Scene. Prior to the "planted money" removed by the sure, a painful decision, because at this introduction and impact of "Talkie­ testor before taking any further step point of life he was both a husband movies" in the U.S.A., the organ in­ with our work." "The gain here is and a father. The burden of re­ dustry held great potential for any sponsibility was never greater. Away mutual respect and understanding". young man willing to learn. I and my from familiar surroundings, the se­ brother Bill had the advantage of being verely disturbing and discouraging Mantle of Maturity. Grandpa sensed grandsons to one of the best teachers my quasi-shock absorption of the language barrier in a new environment around in those days, so as a start, totally foreign proved to be a tem­ startling experience and so he poured basic piano study was a must for porary hindrance. Even during the it on. "You will come to know", he acquaintance with musical tones and rough language transition period went on, "that in the progress of the keyboard. Although Grandpa was Grandpa had no problem securing longevity in life a human being takes obliged to take along a Company steady employment. One look at the in and holds, in varying degree of mechanic and an apprentice, de­ excellent quality of his work was retention, experiences and impressions pending on the assignment and scope enough to bring a fast "You're hired!" which make for a unique wisdom NOT of work involved, he aided and trained from ANY employer. Eventually he found in books". "This wisdom his family at every opportunity. His acquired sufficient mastery of English emerges from errors, mistakes, failures, son Henry learned rapidly under his and it was then that his reputation and even humiliations, to name a few, fathers' guidance, but it was Uncle slowly grew ultimately leading to and all contribute special teaching Dan who absorbed well the standards service with the Aeolian Company values to the learning process". "Each and techniques of the pipe organ where he became their seemingly in­ passing year forward of physical aging industry from Grandpa, and he went fallible man. No assignment was too reaps gainful corresponding mental on to become a giant in the trade in tough or impossible. The thorough and maturity and sharper know-how". his own right. Uncle Dan's significant finely honed master-mechanic training Grandpa paused, reached into his career began with the Wurlitzer Com­ in the Old Country brought success in pocket for the familiar thin Between­ pany in 1925 and the association the-Acts cigar box, fondly lit one, a new land. endured for a major part of his life. During the period between 1914 took a few slow easy puffs, then added Ben Hall refers to "Pop" Dan Papp as with deliberate stress, "it is an in­ and 1940 history records and directly he of Paramount Wurlitzer fame and disputable fact with very remote ex­ links Grandpa with famed families of his "priceless knowledge". When ceptions that wisdom and knowledge is who list among their prized pos- one speaks of the Dowager Empress of imparted and conveyed by the elder to all Wurlitzer organs, three names come youth AND NOT THE OTHER WAY to mind: the Paramount Theatre, Jesse AROUND". "Heed well the lessons of moving? Crawford, and Dan Papp. For TV, life, use your ever growing experiences radio, recordings, etc., performing to sound advantage; temper it with artists Messrs. Poort, Baker, Wright, humility and heart". Needless to say, Mack, Floyd, Feibel, Liebert, and as we proceeded with our work from others, preferred the reassuring stand­ day to day, I reflected time and time by presence of Dan Papp because of again, and indeed through the years, his perfect-pitch ear and mechanical on Grandpa's words and the wisdom genius. Uncle Dan was indeed that rare behind his comprehension. How well man who could give to that optimum he must have learned life's lessons and perfectionist and artist, Jesse Craw­ how lucky I, the family, and many ford, the exacting tonal qualities and other apprentices were to gain a Sendyour changeof responsiveness which he demanded. keener perspective. addressto ... "How · could anyone forget Dan VI THOMPSON Papp?" "He will be remembered as Struggle and Reward. When Grand­ THEATRE ORGAN long as Wurlitzers will play!", so says P.O. BOX 1314 Ben Hall. Truly a deserving testimonial pa was a young man in Hungary SALINAS, CALI FORNI A 93901 learning his trade as master-mechanic for a remarkable protege. Yes, Grand-

JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN 35 pa always said to me, "your Uncle Dan has the making of a far better than "I know you average mechanic". His words were prophetic. Uncle Dan, (Daniel L. will enjoy Papp) , retired in 1964 and his un­ timely last curtain call came in 1969. having this He is survived by his wife Thersea , who along with other honorary guests, collection of on December 9, 1972, witnessed the sentimental and formal dedication organ ceremony of the Dowager Empress in II Wichita's (Kansas) Century II Ex­ hibition Hall, its' permanent new music. home, before an emotional and en­ Lee Erwin thusiastic house attendance of 3,000. Fate and destiny, in the form of a visionary and determined Michael C. Whether you're a professional , or just THE CADENCE someone who enjoys playing, I' m sure COLLECTION OF Coup and the Wichita Theatre Organ that th is collection of 20 of the most Inc. organization, set the pattern and PIANO CLASSICS famous piano solos of all time , tran­ Transcribed for Organ by momentum of events and cir­ scribed for the organ . will be a welcome LEE ERWIN cumstances which ultimately secured addition to your library of music. the acquisition and preservation of the Debussy mighty Wurlitzer along with its' I' m especially convinced that this CLAIR DE LUNE collection will be invaluable to ATOS planned projection in to a new era of REVERIE members who have instruments in their Beethoven modern concert activity. Also, of un­ own homes . 1st MOVEMENT (MOONLIGHT questionable value and perception SONATA) FUR ELISE stands the shadow of Dan Papp and his The transcriptions have been done 2nd MOVEMENT (SONATA many past years of personal care and very carefully to make them sound good PATHETIQUE) association with the Paramount The­ on the organ without sacrificing any ­ MINUET ING atre Wurlitzer organ, and if an ex­ thing of the original piano pieces . They Mac Dowell are not 'condensed ' versions . so you TO A WATER LILY pression of the heart can be accepted, won 't find half of any piece missing, as TO A WILD ROSE his spiritual support and endorsement happens with so many transcriptions . Chopin NOCTURNE IN E FLAT MAJOR of the future years for his charge as THE MINUTE WALTZ well. All the pieces are in the original keys PRELUDE IN A MAJOR PRELUDE INC MINOR The reign and fall of the Dowager except where transpositions were nec ­ essary to make them fit on the 61 note PRELUDE IN E MINOR WALTZ INC SHARP MINOR Empress is past history, and l the organ keyboard . Close attention has Mozart extraordinary artisans and famed artists been given to the choice of stops . so 1st MOVEMENT (SONATA INC long associated with her are long gone. that the registrations will sound good MAJOR) Her rebirth and new home in Wichita on a small home installation or a large Bach one in a big hall . PRELUDE INC MAJOR brings her in contact with a new breed Schumann of creative men , Mike Coup and his TRAUMEREI associates, which assures her a new The pieces range from very easy to Brahms medium difficulty , and there is a wide WALTZ IN A FLAT MAJOR exciting life and future history to be variety of forms and composers. Grieg made. Today, it is not without senti­ You'll find the collection a great joy , NOCTURNE especially with its stay -flat binding that Mussorgsky mental attachment that I dreamily PROMENADE (PICTURES AT AN eliminates fighting with a book of music return with Grandpa to the Flagg EXHIBITION) Estate of yesteryear to vividly recall that simply won't stay open . Then add the pleasure and convenience of having and to re-live as a young man once all the best pieces in one volume. in ­ NOTAVAILABLE INANY STORE! again that isolated experience which stead of having to buy a dozen books, went far beyond the application of padded with things nobody ever heard 1~------CADENCE PUBLICATIONS, INC. tools and blueprints in value which I of just to get the good ones . 119 West 5 7th Street I NewYork,N.Y . 10019 related earlier in this true story. Please send me ...... copy(s) of History records , that grand old man You probably cannot find all of these I THE CADENCE COLLECTION OF Grandpa Heinrich Hosszer, master 20 pieces in one collection anywhere I PIANO CLASSICS TRANSCRIBED mechanic plus, and his celebrated else . (I tried , and went through 10 piano FOR ORGAN by Lee Erwin . protege Uncle Dan Papp, were indeed books just to locate them all!) I Enclosed is my check or money I order for $9 .95 per copy . If not com- 'the men behind the Dowager Em­ pletely satisfied. I may return book(s) press'. Many ingredients made these I hope you will have as much fun I within 10 days for full refund. playing them as I did in making the men great in their own right, and I Name Uncle Dan revealed one important I Address . _ aspect when he said, "NEVER be satisfied with 'good enough' for right trants,~::::n~in I ~i:~.Y~ -rk . ~~d- .NeS~at~~rs~~ - ~:~jd~~~~ then and there it is an admission of I please add applicable sales tax . LESS than your best". •

36 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 tenuators to compensate for what Of course, there has to be a flaw, seems like a rather light pedal bass and luckily it's not in the music nor when the listener is present in the grooving, but only in the printed list auditorium. of selections on our review pressing. Helen Dell is a curious musician; Malar's nutty jacket note writer has she explores all the possibilities of an mixed up the tune list completely on instrument - then uses them. Thus, both disc and jacket. All the tunes the Wurlitzer's unique solo reeds get listed are there, but they are so "soloed," and she makes effective use scrambled that its rather fun trying to of second touch and pizzicato effects. identify them. Because most are famil­ The instrument is an especially cohe­ iar, it's no problem. That minor flaw sive one from the tonal standpoint; in no way touches the music, which is there's an exceptionally tasty blend to probably Helen's best since her "Sugar Helen's combinations. Yet, there's and Spice" album. contrast between solo and accompani­ ment registration. If there's a "Dell style" it is probably most prominent DENNIS AND HEIDI JAMES, in the sensual "bounce" inherent in PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ, No. DIP-103 such rhythm tunes as "I Like the Likes (stereo). Available at $5 .5 0 postpaid of You," "Isn't This a Lovely Day," from Dennis James Productions, c/o "Time After Time," and "Let's Do It" Ohio Theatre, Capitol Square, Colum­ Manufacturers, distributors or indi­ bus, Ohio 43215. viduals sponsoring or merchandising (the last two soloing exquisite vox­ theatre pipe organ records are en­ heavy combinations). So much for couraged to send pressings to the style; there is much more to recom­ We have long awaited some proof Record Reviewer, Box 3564, Granada mend the record. For example, an that Dennis James survived both his Hills, California 91344. Be sure to interesting reading of "Dam Busters' sojourn as a pizza parlor organist and include purchasing information, if March" by that fine British light music matrimony. This is it; we have learned applicable, and i( possible a black composer, Eric Coates. Almost one­ through this recording what concert and white photo which need not third of Side 2 is devoted to it, and audiences have known through personal be returned. rightly so. "You'll Never Know" fea­ experience. We can't say what the tures a scintillating massed string pasta parlor experience may have done chorus and a sweet solo reed. ''That's to the James charisma but apparently HELEN DELL AT THE MISSION matrimony has improved it. Of course, PLAYHOUSE. MAS-2023 (stereo), Entertainment," "Ridin' High" and "Cheek to Cheek" are played in bright any ATOSer who has followed the available at $5.50 postpaid from Malar career of Dennis James in recent years Productions,Box 3104, Glendale, Calif. "spotlight solo" style. "Churchmouse" and "Buttercup" are attractive novelty has come to expect musical excellence, 91201. tunes. It's a most unusual record, to but would the addition of a perform­ paraphrase another tune offered. ing wife to the act add or detract? Between 1968 and 1972, readers of Dennis seems like such a complete this publication traced the progress of musical entity on his own. No prob­ a style 260 Wurlitzer from its removal lem. The incisive percussion of from the Brooklyn Albee theatre, it's Heidi's piano added to the organ journey across the country to eventual voices only makes the ensemble more installation in the San Gabriel (Calif.) orchestral. Together they are mag­ Civic Auditorium, or Mission Play­ nificent, and when soloing each of house, as it was originally named. The them does beautifully. transfer was a project of the L. A. The organ is the magnificent 3/20 Chapter of ATOS and how well the Robert Morton in the Ohio theatre in club has succeeded with regard to the Columbus, an instrument described by now 16-rank instrument is well illus­ Gaylord Carter as one of the finest trated in these grooves. The impression theatre organs he has played. It has is greatly enhanced by the warm and been recorded previously but never original stylings of Helen Dell, who has with such an ambitious program as a way of playing that is all her own. offered here. Helen is one of those rare musicians In the days when "Puttin' on the whose years of professional plug-in Ritz" was new, it was the practice of playing doesn't show when she plays jazz orchestra musicians on radio and on pipes; she is then completely "the­ records to avoid the melody like atrical". Of course, she learned on a poison, feeling their improvised vari­ wind-powered instrument - an ac­ ations were an improvement. Not cordion. Whatever the reasons, this is many trumpet leads were of the one of her finest efforts, a real beauty. Beiderbeck nor James (Harry, that is) So is the instrument and the manner in Helen Dell {shown here at the Wicks con­ calibre, so results, when played by Joe sole, Orange theatre, Orange, Calif.) - which Dick Stoney recorded it, placing College's Saturday Night Stampers his microphones and setting his at- (Stufoto} 37 JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN were often crude. Thank goodness, ceptance. It was adopted by pop MELODY ON THE MOVE, David Dennis is too young to have suffered pianists who wanted to exhibit a little Shepherd playing the 3/13 Compton/ through the "takeoff' era; his melody "class," and by classical pianists for a Christie organ in Osset Town Hall. line is clean and there's no problem in smashing encore. And it wears well, Amberlee (stereo) No. AML 305X. identifying the tune (this for the bene­ long after the parent film has been Available at $5.50 postpaid from fit of those who think the old days of forgotten. Doric Records, Box 605 Alamo, Calif. the · '20s and '30s were all that good). "Orchestral Transcriptions" have al­ 94507. ways been in the repertoires of skilled organists. This one is effectively per­ formed by the duo, with Dennis play­ ing the part of the orchestra. He gives loving attention to the orchestral shading and the organ sounds gorgeous in support of the solo piano. As mentioned before, the piano is on the "bassy" side and lacking brilliance. Yet, Heidi plays her part with a distinctive clarity. Together, the in­ struments present a thrilling sound, the "feature selection" of Side 1. The closer for side 1 is by Dennis, soloing the "Great Escape March," with lots of traps and brass. One half of side 2 is devoted to Dennis' transcription of the Richard Rodgers orchestral score for Victory at Sea, a durable WWII series now back David Shepherd on the small screen. For this we dusted off our Robert Russell Bennett record­ Heidi and Dennis James. They make beau­ This import from England has the tiful music together. ings for comparison (he was the or­ fine technical quality we have come to chestra tor and conductor both for the expect. The instrument is new to this RCA record releases and the TV column; it's an assembled organ, Dennis' Ritz is jazzy and to the point. soundtrack). While the Bennett record­ mostly Compton but with a Christie He doesn't do quite as well with his ing is longer, there is nothing essential Diapason, Wooden Tibia and Clarinet, tinkly "Japanese Sandman" despite missing from the James version. In plus some Wurlitzer percussions and the Crawfordian overtones, due to a fact, in Dennis' hands the organ be­ traps. The organ also has its original gimmicked chorus with a simulation of comes the "unit orchestra" envisioned Compton metal Tibia, as well as both "Nola" as a counter melody. It's by Hope-Jones. If we may be per­ an open and a stopped Flute. Outside corny, contrived, well performed, and mitted the use of a non-original of a Krummet the remaining stoplist is pure Lawrence Welk. description, the Morton plus Dennis straightforward - 3 strings, Tuba, Heidi solos on the 88's with a add up to the "sound of mag­ Trumpet, and Vox to total 13 ranks. Gershwin medley, "Do Do Do" and "I nificence." The "Guadacanal March" The console is intriguing; unification Got Rhythm." She capture's the com­ alone is guaranteed to raise goose­ has been carried out to the hilt, poser's mood but not his fire; more bumps on the hide of many a veteran. resulting in 186 stopkeys in three solid pedantic than jazzy. Or perhaps the After Victory, almost anything tiers around the stoprail. There are somewhat muffled piano miking fil­ runs a chance of being an anticlimax. many couplers, combo buttons, toe tered out some of the brilliance. Her So Dennis shifts to a contrasting mood studs and six tremulants. Chambers are treatment of both tunes is interesting; - Duke Ellington tunes. "Sophis­ under the stage. the composer would approve. ticated Lady" and "Mood Indigo" are The instrument was assembled and "Warsaw Concerto" was composed exquisitely orchestrated, but Dennis installed in the Ossett (Yorkshire) by Richard Addinsell as a theme for gets into trouble when he tries a fast Town Hall by members of the the war time propaganda film, Suicide and jazzy "Don't Get Around Much Northern Theatre Organ Trust, a non­ Squadron, just at a time when the US Anymore," mostly due to a faulty profit organization devoted to saving public was in the midst of a love affair melody - unless he's trying for one of theatre organs in their area. with the "piano concerto" fad of the those l 920's trumpet "rides" we Organist David Shepherd is also early '40s. Freddy Martin was busy hoped he'd missed. new to this column. The young man bowdlerizing Tchaikowsky, Max Dennis and Heidi return as a duo presents a tastefully selected list of Steiner's piano-oriented "Symphonie for the closer, a fast folk dance from tunes which largely avoids the pot­ Moderne" (from the film Four Daugh­ spaghetti-land, "La Danza." boilers. He opens with a lively march ters) had been a favorite for several The well-chosen program has a wide by Britain's version of John Philip years and pianist Oscar Levant was in appeal; so do the performances of the Sousa, "On the Quarterdeck" by full thyroid with his dramatic readings two beautiful young people re­ Kenneth Alford, then goes into of Gershwin. So the timely "Warsaw sponsible. And let's hear one for that "Melody on the Move," a 1946 spinoff Concerto" found immediate ac- wonderful Robert Morton organ! of "Holiday for Strings" with plenty 38 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 of plinking percussers. Next a single tunes "Cabaret" and "Tea For Two" chorus of "When Day is Done" in are played with appropriate vigor, ballad style, but the harsh "upper­ while "Hernando's Hideway" gets a work" registration nearly swamps the sneaky hesitation tango treatment. contemplative mood intended. David Also heard are "I Don't Know How to seems to be more at home while Love Him" and David's signature tune, beating out oldies such as "You're the "You and the Night and the Music." Cream in My Coffee" and "Varsity Playing is entertaining and sat­ Drag," and letting his "Hammondry" isfying but rarely brilliant. Arrange­ show by closing the latter with a ments are varied and registration al­ "schmear glissando." But he atones for ways interesting. The organ has some that slip with a sensitively played excellent solo reeds. However, the "Demande et Reponse" by Coleridge­ ensemble sound is a bit on the strident Taylor. The piano and assorted percus­ side, or perhaps lacking in cohesion for sers permeate "We Just Couldn't Say ears tuned to the mellow instruments The Manchester Odeon (Paramount) con­ sole. A Publix No. 1 seeks a permanent Goodbye," as do assorted cutie Spike heard on this side of the pond. Yet, home far from North Tonawanda. Chances Jones effects ( e.g. siren, block). The some may prefer the bright sound, so look good. same might be said for some of the this may be merely an opinion, not a tunes in David's Selection from the fault. The recording is technically ceeds from the sale of the Trust's Boyfriend. However, he gives us plenty tops. Jacket notes provide some back­ records are used to rescue Britain's of registration variety. The organ's ground on the organist and the music. remaining Lancaster area theatre or­ Trumpet and Tuba are real zingers. gans, including the two heard on this The acoustic pedal 32-footer can be recording. The larger one is already heard at the close of side 1. removed and in storage, and perhaps One of the most scintillating tunes SOUNDS LIKE BLACKPOOL, Ernest the 4/ 14 is also out of its theatre and on the record is Zez Confrey's "Buf­ Broadbent at the Mighty Wurlitzers in into storage by now. As in the case of foon" which opens Side 2. One rare the Manchester Odeon ( 4/20) and the 3/13 Compton in the previous effect used here is a 5-1/3' coupler, a Gaumont (4/14) theatres. Acorn CF review, there seems to be emphasis on Super Quint effect which David uses 235 (stereo). Available at $6.49 brightness in the upper ends of reg­ sparingly but with good effect. He also air-postpaid. Make out checks on U.S. isters which edges on harshness. But, does a nice job on "Misty." The brass banks to the Lancastrian Theatre Or­ perhaps that's the way the English fans carries the ball through part of gan Trust and send order to Mr. Tom prefer the sound. Anyway, these Tibia Moszkowski's "Spanish Dance No. 4," Herd, Amsel Cottage, 19 Coupe Green, tremulants don't chop, on either or­ a pleasant concert piece from piano Hoghton, Preston Lanes, England. gan. literature. The fast-trem'd Tibia carries Ernest Broadbent has been a prom­ a portion of "Stardust" and David These organs are familiar to readers inent theatre organist in Britain since one-fingers a piano melody during a of this column through reviews of the the late '30s (his first BBC-cast was in portion of "The Nearness of You" in a previous four "Double Touch" series 1938) and he now holds down the tribute to Hoagy Carmichael. Show releases, but let us repeat that pro- coveted post as organist at the Wur­ litzer-equipped Tower Ballroom in the resort town of Blackpool. He serves as President of the Lancastrian Theatre Organ Trust and he plays like an old pro - smooth, knowledgeable, and ef­ fortlessly ("no sweat" in US parlance). Mr. Broadbent apparently has a liking for US tunes because with two or three exceptions his selections are American pop oldies. First it's concert time on the Odeon 4/20 Wurlitzer, and after the opening radio theme, "For You," we again meet Britain's Sousa, Kenneth Alford, and "Great Little Army" march played with plenty of spirit but no traps. Next an overture, "If I Were King" by Adam, a selection often played by theatre orchestras in the '20s and one particularly adapted to organ presentation, with ever-changing patterns ranging from light and slow to full and violent in the best von Suppe style. There's plenty of nostalgia in the The Osset Town Hall console. A sea of stopkeys heightens the 'whale's mouth' vision. Noel Coward medley. He's as much

39 JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN ours as he is Britain's after filling our chorus when he lets loose with that ears for years with such tunes as top manual full of Tubas, Kinuras and "Zigeuner, "Mr. Keen's" "Some Day Posthorns. WOW! But our organist I'll Find You" (nice Tuba solo, then saved the best until last, violinist Fritz lush Tibias) and "I'll See You Again." Kreisler's "Stars in My Eyes." The It's Viennese waltz time with Kalman's verse, played on Strings complemented "Gypsy Princess Waltz" and then by off-mike piano cascades is novel. there's a difficult to describe novelty Again, all the Iverson skill to make titled "Sammun." "Stars" a thing of beauty is brought Side 2, played on the 4/14 Gau­ into play and the Conn 650 meets his mont Wurlitzer is an almost continual exacting demands all the way. A re­ parade of US memory tunes, an markable and worthwhile recording. Astaire /Rogers set from their films; a "dream" medley ("Dream, Dream a Little Dream of Me" and "I'm a MONTAGE, Ron Walls plays the Rod­ Dreamer"); a Latin set of Paso Dobles, Bud Iverson. A superb Conn-man. gers model 340. Ronson (stereo) No. Beguines and a Samba by Sidney RR 101. Available postpaid for $S.50 Torch; an Irving Berlin waltz medley with the Conn organ, playing concerts from Ronson Records, 2423 Rebecca ("All Alone," "What'll I Do?" and for Conn at such nationally known Layne, Niles, Michigan 49120. "Because I Love You") and a closing events as the September Annual Home medley of "weather" tunes which in­ Organ Festival at Asilomar, Calif. So cludes, among others, "Keep Your the Conn is his favorite "plug-in" Sunnyside Up" and "Singin' in the ( there are still a few readers who think Rain." This last set is played in a of the term "plug-in" as a put-down; it tempo the British refer to as "quick­ is not). In Bud's able hands the Conn step" - fast, that is. The bright reeds often becomes a thing of beauty - and pizzicato coupler get a workout when it isn't expressing his pixie here. humor or ripping off a wild jazz ride. Whether Ernest Broadbent is play­ After a rather straight reading of ing a concert overture or a "quick­ Lecuona's "Malaguena," Bud lets his step," such as "Powder Your Face imagination soar during "Dream a With Sunshine," he plays with an easy Little Dream of Me," a colorful ar­ expertise. His tempos, registration and rangement with many tempo and arrangements are impeccable. His registration changes. For "Josephine" music has a nuance which leaves mere he turns on the humor and a touch of words inadequate. His stylings also do corn. Next a novel original, a study in much to point up the differences and chromatics in three-quarter time - similarities of the two Wurlitzers. Note "The Half-Step Waltz." "You Made that he played his concert pieces on Me Love You" gets a soupy senti­ the larger instrument and the pops on mental reading, but subtle. The cur­ the smaller, the latter being a better rent interest in the "rag" as a musical pop organ , say the jacket notes. The form no doubt prompted Bud to 4/ 14 seems to have a greater selection include the lively "Grizzly Bear Rag" of mutation voices in evidence, but to close Side 1. The Side 2 opener is a both instruments are beauties. We sprightly reading of Leroy Anderson's Ron Walls believe this to be the best effort of the "Promenade" which sticks closely to Lancastrian Trust to date. the notation, then an Iverson arranged When Ron Walls' first recording, "Taking a Chance on Love" during made on a Hammond X66, was re­ which we noticed a huge improvement - THE PLUG-INCORNER - leased we predicted he would gravitate in the Conn Brush Cymbal effect. It's toward pipes; he obtained so many VARIETY, BUD IVERSON PLAY­ been a long time since Glenn Miller set orchestral effects from the X66 and ING THE CONN (Model 6S0) THE­ the standard for "Tuxedo Junction" approached the instrument and music ATRE ORGAN, MAS 2012 (stereo). and we had forgotten just how lowdown from the theatre organist's viewpoint. Available at $S.S0 postpaid from and dirty the Coleman Hawkins classic Well, Ron is getting closer to pipes, if Malar Productions, Box 3104, Glen­ could sound. Bud milks it for all its the listener will agree that the Rodgers dale, Calif. 91201. unlaundered wealth. "Sparkling Bur­ 340 stands somewhere between the gundy" is a tune with "class ," the kind X66 and pipes. As before, Ron's ap­ Bud Iverson, a well known name in of moving theme silent movie organists proach is orchestral; he has the the California Bay Area, is enjoying used to accompany high society makings of a fine orchestral arranger in increasing concert calls from more scenes, and that's the way Bud plays his grasp. His selections and treatments distant points, resulting in concerts at it. He's back in a sentimental mood for are chosen to appeal to both young such separated points as Seattle and "Lover Come Back to Me," painting and mature listeners: "I Got Los Angeles, and played on pipes. For the plea in terms of lush harmonies Rhythm," "Hymn to Love," "Til Love some years Bud has been associated and subtle shading - until the rhythm Touches Your Life," "How High the

40 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 Moon," "Begin the Beguine," "If," mostly candid, reproduce very well. "Ecstasy Tango," "Brazilian Sleigh­ The book of 179 pages covers the bells" and "Cotton's Theme" (from Dixon career, including his war service, "Bless the Beasts & Children"). Each is anecdotes concerning Blackpool, as provided a distinctive arrangement de­ well as many reflections of Dixon signed to present it most effectively including his command performances and musically. The Rodgers organ pro­ for Her Majesty the Queen. vides the proper facilities; this time It should be stated that not only Ron doesn't have to work so hard to did Reginald Dixon hold forth at get the desired effects and the re­ BOOKRfVlf W Blackpool, but also maintained a series sulting relaxation in his performance is of radio programs and played theatre apparent. That doesn't mean he's by F. G. Hibbard dates. This combination gave him a taking it easy. The complexity of his "MR. BLACKPOOL - REGINALD tremendous listening audience and musical conceptions preclude that. DIXON M.B.E." By Peter J. Ashman, ardent fans numbering in the millions. Rather, he's enjoying his miking ses­ 21 Great Break, Welwyn Garden City, This reviewer found Mr. Ashman's sions. The Rodgers serves him well, Herts AL7 3EZ, England. Price includ­ book very enlightening and well worth providing good reed and string voices, ing postage, $3.00 Surface or $5.00 reading. • a fair Tibia, a baroque sound, a good Airmail. piano and a very good pizzicato effect. Of all the famous theatre organists, Recording is good and we note that Reginald Dixon stands out as one of our old friend, Gladys P. Muelbach, the greatest, especially in his native lnglingJoins was loaned by Lift Records to write country, England. Mr. Ashman, in this the precise jacket notes. You'll be book, traces the career of Mr. Dixon Newport Organs hearing more from Ron Walls. His from his earliest days and explores his music wears well. • forty year tenure at Blackpool. The fact that Reginald Dixon held the Blackpool post for so many years - PERFORATEDPAPER DEPT. - is testimony to his popularity and GAUDIN MELODIES, the 65-key musicianship. When one considers the Victory Gaudin Fair Organ. Amberlee great number of high quality organists (stereo) AFL-101X. Available at $5.50 produced in the British Isles during the from Doric Records, Box 605, Alamo, golden era of theatre organ, it is Calif. 94507. amazing that one man could be good enough to retain the prized post for so This is an 8-rank roll player built long a period. about 1914 in Paris by Gaudin Freres. Mr. Ashman does a good job of It's sound is more refined than that of shedding light on the life of Dixon most outdoor orchestrions, and there­ which helps explain how he (Mr. fore the limited registration doesn't Dixon) maintained his popularity over pall quickly. At least nineteen of the the years. Dixon comes through as a twenty-seven selections played are warm personality and a superb enter­ familiar to US fans and range from tainer - a combination hard to beat. tunes by Lennon & McCartney to Although the book has to be classed Rossini ("Wm. Tell Overture"). This is as a "paperback", the quality of fun music for the automatic player paper is far superior to that usually fans. Recording technique is good. D used. Because of this, the 48 photos,

Harry C. Ingling brings eighteen THEATRE TOURS • FILMS • AWARDS years experience in the pipe organ GUEST SPEAKERS • FUN field to Newport Organs of Newport Beach, California. Well regarded in the SUNDAY - MONDAY - TUESDAY San Francisco Bay Area for his re­ JULY 7 - 8 - 9, 197 4 building and maintenence work, Mr. DETROIT, MICHIGAN Ingling will specialize in designing and Headquarters: Sheraton Cadillac Hotel constructing new and rebuilt instru­ FRANK J. ROSSI ments and revoicing pipes. For Information Contact: 3178 Hollywood Avenue Newport Organs is one of the few Dearborn, Michigan 48124 firms specializing in custom building. Their activities include multi-rank elec­ tronic organs, small pipe units at­ FiFTH ANNUaL CONCLaVE tached to electronic organs and re­ building pipe organs. Mr. Ingling is 7rHIE@IIR1IEHilSJOIRlilC@l SOCilIEJY presently restoring a 12-ranker for a Ventura, California church. •

JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN 41 On Friday, April 26, 1974 an era came to a cJose. Dan Barton, the last of the great theatre organ builders passed away. He would have been 90 years old this May 30. Dan Barton was a living tribute to the theatre organ business. Only a person like Dan could start out with the smallest of theatre organs and end by building the largest in the world today. He was the first wjth many revolutionary ideas. Not only was he a fantastic salesman, but his inventive­ ness was unsurpassed. It takes a certain amount of im­ Dewey and Lorraine, a longtime love affair. This photo was made during the first day of the agination to be a good organ builder 1967 Home Organ Festival by Ralph Ehat, hours before Dewey's first heart seizure. and Dan was abundantly endowed. children and three great-grandchildren. just to enjoy a concert. He couldn't For a while it seemed as though he He is the son of Daniel and Wil­ seem to get enough of pipes or plug­ had lived much past his time and place helmina Barton and was born in ins. He was one of those who spear­ in the theatre organ field, but he never Amherst, Wisconsin on May 30, 1884. headed promotion of the first George lost his undaunted and gallant spirit. Fred Hermes Sr. and Jr., John Hill Wright concert at the San Francisco He was one of the great theatre organ and Peter Charnon represented Dairy­ Fox in the early '60s. In fact, the builders of his time and my admiration land Theatre Organ Society and the organization assembled for that pur­ for what he did is undiminished. American Theatre Organ Society. Fred pose became the Pacific Council for In 1965, the ATOS elected him an Sr. offered his services, played the Organ Clubs, an amalgamation of or­ honorary member for his achieve­ organ and sang a solo at the funeral. gan dealer's clubs in the Bay Area, men ts. by John Hill which prospered for 10 years under The funeral was held on Monday at the guidance of Dewey Cagle and Kay the Seefeld Funeral Home, directly Dewey Cagle was the unchallenged Bradley until ill health forced Dewey across the street from the site of the "Mr. Organ" of the Bay Area of to resign. But he left a monument, the Barton Organ Factory. California. He could be seen at every 15-year-old Home Organ Festival (now Dan is survived by his wife, Helen, gathering of organ enthusiasts within a under the guidance of Tiny James). three sons, George of Oshkosh, wide radius of San Francisco, either to The Festival was personally piloted by Richard of Lubbock, Texas, and David aid in the founding of a new organ Dewey and Kay during its formative of Leicester, England, 10 Grand- club, trouble-shoot an ailing one, or years at the Hoberg Resort. Dewey Cagle was born in the Northwest (Chelan, Washington) and was attracted to the theatre organ early in life (the one he loved is still intact and perking in the Chelan Liberty theatre). He came to San Francisco in the mid-30's to pursue an electronics engineering career. While living in a boarding house, Dewey noticed another boarder named Lorraine Cress. The ensuing romance survived World War II. The marriage produced a boy, John, and a girl, Eileen. It survived a continual round of organ events, in addition to Dewey's participation in the pub­ lication of THEATRE ORGAN maga­ zine as advertising manager, and serving on the ATOS Board of Di­ rectors. Dewey also wrote extensively for the PCOC's TABS & DRA WEARS. Dan at Christmas, 1972 showing photo of stadium presented to Dan by Fred Gollnick. - (John His backlog of record reviews con­ Hill Photo) tinues in that Bay Area publication.

42 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 In 1967 Dewey suffered a heart time for that has come. back in the early forties. attack on the first day of the Home The exotic variety of challenges and lncidently the WOR organ was used Organ Festival. He wisely turned over satisfactions, the many musical suc­ frequently in that era by Kay Reed the Festival reigns to others but his cesses and joys and the dear friends of and Bill Wirges. Kay recently retired interest never flagged. He took time New York, all will hold my heart ever from radio station WNEW. I would off from his electronics engineering in deepest gratitude to God for the guess she was with them for forty job as necessary. There were several years and ways in which Nineveh-on­ years. more seizures, then the massive one on Hudson has Blessed me. Now ... I'm Bill Wirges passed away about two April 1 of this year. Dewey was 61. going to do exactly what the world years ago. He was one of the most The little Oakland funeral chapel famous theatre organ in the New York active freelance organists in the radio was overflowing with Dewey Cagle's Paramount Theatre did and go to the and early TV days. He played the friends and colleagues, a veritable city beginning its Century II. That WMCA Organ (Now at the Kirkof "Who's Who" of Bay Area organ en­ wonderful old gal, the Statue of Dunedin) at least three shows daily thusiasts who had come to bid farewell Liberty, will be the first to understand during the forties. This was sand­ to the likable guy with whom they had because, she is where she is for remind­ wiched in with conducting jobs, and so much in common. ing us all to use our God given liberty Hammond jobs at the Nets. Bill was STU GREEN well. also a prolific composer and publisher. In Wichita ... that clean, beautiful, One of his most successful numbers happy city of blue skies and south being the "Chiquita Banana" com­ Florida sunshine and Atlanta/Rich­ mercial which became a hit in the late • mond traditions ... is the genesis of a forties. great new adventure in music and Sincerely, . ~. living. I want to be a part of and grow Arnold Nocks with that adventure ... and so ... I'm moving to the Future. Dear Mr. Thompson, ~~ ~ "Wichita Lineman," This letter will cover three topics, ...... BILLY NALLE so I hope it will not be too long. Firstly, as a result of Bob Longfield's c:~1,,,,~,-Gentlemen: 'der Wurlitzer orgels' article in last TTT~;rTTT Once again, I'm thankful and proud June's T.O. concerning Telefunken or­ to carry my Charter Membership Card gan records, I have sought information from Douglas Badham, Chairman of Letters to the Editor concerning all for 1974. aspects of the theatre organ hobby I regret that I'm unable to be with the Cinema Organ Society. The results are encouraged. Send them to the all of you at our National Conventions are as follows: - editor concerned. Unless it's stated because of being ill and am down here ERNST FISCHER: The records clearly on the letter "not for pub- in Las Vegas to recuperate. I had a listed were two out of a total of 1ication," the editors feel free to stroke at the organ, while playing for a fourteen 10"-78 r.p.m. disks of an reproduce it, in whole or part. hockey game and Mrs. Melgard had a unspecified Wurlitzer. Two others Address: P.O. Box 1314 serious operation and after almost 8 were issued on the 'Gloria' label of an Salinas, Calif. 93901 months of absolute rest, our Doctor unspecified Welte, one of which was said we were doing very good and of also issued on the English 'Parlophone' all the darn things, I WOULD get the label, number Rl 790, the items being 'Shingles' and had to visit him twice "Spinning Wheel" and "When a Thousand Tiny Stars". Dear Mr. Thompson: weekly for 5 weeks more! Well, I'm GERD THOMAS: The titles given A new era for theatre organ has pleased to say he gave us his O.K. and by Mr. Longfield appear to be the 'A' begun and it would seem that the we are really going to see THE TOWN sides of a couple of 10" Telefunkens center of it will be Center City, U.S.A. for a change! (the 'B' sides were by Ernst Fischer). That's why this citizen, in moving to When the weather gets warmer in Wichita, is moving to the future. For Chicago, we will fly up there to visit Additionally, two more such Tele­ funken records were also issued, four this Southerner, it will be going home the Wirtz'es and our close friends, etc. on the 'Polydor' label and one on spiritually, for the people there have Enough of our troubles, so back to 'Gloria'. This last was re-issued on proved to be as warm hearted, gen­ you and thanks again for my Charter English 'Parlophone', number Rl 188, erous, lovable and music loving as Member card and - May all that is the items being "Greetings to Sans­ people in the South. Their approach to GOOD come to all ATOS's and their souci" and "Vision of Fuji-San". All each other and all of life makes for a families! these records were of an unspecified life style in parallel to the great South­ Sincerely, ern traditions in which the writer was "Al" Wurlitzer. ADOLPH WOLFF: This organist reared. As a matter of fact, the only recorded nineteen 10"-78 r.p.m. Tele­ thing Center City folks lack is a Dear Editor: funken· records at an unspecified Wur­ Southern accent! (Hmmmm; perhaps Mr. Walter Draughon, in the Feb. litzer. that's my cue for teaching a language issue wonders about an organist HANS HORST OSTERLOCH: Mr. course on the side!) In ways both ______(?) Wilchar? Could it Badham has one 10"-78 of this or­ musical and personal, it will be coming have been Louise Wilshire who I re­ ganist on Telefunken, number M6310, full circle in this man's life ... and the member playing the "WOR"Wurlitzer 43 JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN recorded at a 2-6 Wurlitzer. Ap­ Bruba ch er, concerns his ( one-time The last topic concerns the pro­ parently no other records were issued BBC) Moller article in the October jected Regional Convention over here of Herr Osterloh. So perhaps he was T .0. Ray refers to the first BBC in 1976. Preliminary plans are being not the same person as Han-Henning Theatre Organ as having 36 ranks. mulled over, and it looks as though we Osterloh , mentioned by Mr. Longfield, Actually the Compton had but 22 may plan a two-centre event, with al though the Kristall Palastes organ is units , 24 ranks (plus Melotone and several days in the London and South­ given in Judd Walton's magnum opus Grand Pianoforte), according to the East England area, and several days in as a 165 Special (i.e. 2-6.) British magazine Theatre Organ Re­ the Manchester area, to include HORST HANNS SIEBER: This or­ v;ew of September , 1957. However, principally Blackpool but also, it is ganist made two 10"-78 solo disks and Reg Foort listed an additional rank , hoped, another notable Northern lo­ one with a pianist at an unspecifed Violin Celeste, in his booklet , re­ cation. Travel and accommodation ar­ Wurlitzer on Telefunken label, number printed in the Vestal Press edition of rangements will have to be worked out A2254 . He is also reported to have Mr. Foort's Book The Cinema Organ. with the travel agency /airline from played with Parlophone 's 'Orchestra Also Ray, Sandy Macpherson was ap­ your end. But I would recommend any Mascotte' on certain records. pointed to succeed Reginald Foort. in members envisaging a trip to Europe 0 t her Telefunken organists late 1938, earlier than "shortly after to plan it for 1976! ERWCN CHRISTOPH : He made one the war began" . Michael Candy 10" record on Telefunken, four rec­ ords on Polydor label and three on CONVENTION Imperial /Kristall at unspecified Wur­ FEATURE lit.zer(s). There were 'Tempo' label recordings of him at the 2-8 Wurlitzer in the UP A Pala t-am-Zoo in Berlin (one) , and at the Kamera , Unter den Linden, Berlin, on the 2-5 Wurlitzer (two, of which Mr. Badham has one). ONJIE Also he had two disks on the 'Hymnocord' label, apparently under the alias of Billy Dixie. :r\\11lA\N HEINRICH REITHMULLER : This organist had three 10"-78 Telefunken records 'with rhythm' at the Welte 11B3A\N110) organ in the NOR broadcasting studios in Hamburg, and four disks at the organ, with a vocalist, on 'Odeon' label. Mr. Badham has three records of Herr Reithmi.iller, one on Parlophone label, one on 'Electrola ' with or­ chestra, and one on German HMV with orchestra (one side only, the other is of orchestra alone). ALBERT ESPAGNE: This gentle­ man played , with an orchestra , on a couple of Belgian Telefunken 10"-78 r.p.m. records. It is almost certain_that none of the in-theatre organs remain. However, there is also the Siemens Villa Wur­ litzer in Berlin, but Mr. Badham knows of no records of this organ (which the writer visited in September , 1968 - Previous Detroit appearances in­ see the relevant Vox Pop on page 23 cluded a booking at the enormous Fox of the December, 1968, T.O.B.).It theatre in 1933 as a stooge with Olsen would seem surprising if no records Vic Hyde - the musical phenomenon and Johnson, appearances at the Mich­ were made there, although it was a - is the performing example of the igan Theatre, the Downtown Theatre, private installation originally. As for show business golden rule, leave 'em Club Royale, conventions at the (at any of the organists still being alive, a laughing! Everywhere he puts on his the time) Book Cadillac Hotel, Statler tempus fugit - we are all older now astonishing act he does exactly that Hotel, Cobo Hall and frequent engage­ than when we started reading this issue . .. and leaves 'em asking for more. ments at the Elmwood Casino in of the magazine! - and there was also Night clubs, theatres, ballrooms, TV Windsor. After a command perfor ­ that little matter of World War II. and radio - all cheered their audiences mance for Her Majesty, Queen Eliza­ The second topic I would mention, through the musical madca ppery and beth, getting world publicity, his home if I may make so bold as to dare to humorous patter that makes Vic Hyde town of Niles, Michigan made him its correct my good friend (I hope) Ray a most sought after one-man show. "Honorary Mayor". •

44 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 CENTRAL INDIANA With spring just around the corner 1 realize I have gotten far, far behind with my reporting. Something hap­ pened to that "new leaf' l planned to turn over at the beginning of 1974! So now instead of writing about spring, it's back to the snow and cold to bring us up to date. eHAPTERNOTE~ November's meeting was held at Bill Lay's music store in Indianapolis. Highlighting this meeting was an educational session conducted by Ken Double. His discussion covered dif­ ALABAMA their "Tribute to Spring." Norville ferent methods of creating variety in Anyone who has followed the opened his program with ten selections playing style and arrangements Alabama chapter news in the past has which were omitted from the printed through changes in registration, probably noted this correspondent's program and we were told to try to rhythm and key signatures. There is frequent mention of the variety in our name them ourselves. It wasn't hard - much interest m this educational series, so ably presented by Ken. Our programs. At first glance, then, the they were aU familiar old favorites. thanks to the Bill Lays for hosting this programs for March and April would Later, young Danny Keil joined seem to depart from our apparent aim Norville with several beautiful ren­ meeting. toward continued variety. ditions of weU known ongs. They The December meeting is always In March, Jim Ferguson's voice were a good combination. Both pro­ one of our best. The festive season, the with Charles Durham at the console of grams combined voice and organ . beautiful huge white flocked Christ­ the Mighty Wurlitzer opened a new There, the semblance ended. Danny mas tree , and the lovely home of our and different dimension to Alabama and Jim offered two distinct styles in president, Tim Needler, who is such a chapter members, who had grown ac­ their vocal contributions, and Norville gracious host, start the holiday season customed to strictly organ programs - and Charles are miles apart in their off perfectly! After a short business however varied they were . organ tyles. So, for Alabama mem­ meeting, Mr. Harry Campbell, noted This was Jim and Charles ' first bers , variety is still the name of the ragtime and jazz pianist, gave a most appearance together - and in spite of game. interesting program. Mr. Campbell ap­ a P.A. system that left much to be Our work crew has grown to a peared in pit orchestras all over the desired and little or no opportunity to point that plans are being made for city of Indianapolis in the early days, rehearse at the theatre - their program two work sessions each month. We as well as in night clubs and local came off well and was well received. have almost as many women partici­ bands. His program consisted mostly Their program included something for pating as men, giving us ~n op­ of music from the theatre organ era, everyone, and Charles rounded it out portunity to really participate. We all with unique interpretations of Duke with some beautiful solos. find it is a wonderful way to get better Ellington, Scott Joplin and many In April, Norville Hall and Danny acquainted. others. A special thanks to Tess Moses, Keil combined their talents to present ALLEEN COLE our refreshment chairman, who has

In March Charles Durham was at the Alabama console with vocalist In April singer Danny Keil joined Norville Hall in another program of voice and organ. - (Photo by Thomas Hatter) Jim Ferguson. - (Photo by Thomas L. Hatter) L. 45 JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN done an outstanding job this past year. Cathedral and presented his senior Stage Manager Joe Worman also de­ Also to add spice to the day in recital in the Indiana University Audi­ serves applause for his lighting effects. December was the opportunity to torium in Bloomington on March 18. Gaylord Carter, so special to all of make sweet music on Tim's variety of Dennis and Heidi have a brand new us in ATOS, not only deserves the instruments. He has two grand pianos recording, and I might add a terrific applause he received for his talent ( one a player grand), a rinky-tink one. At the meeting they played accompanying the silent My Best Girl upright , his Conn Artist model organ , several numbers together , then each with Mary Pickford and Buddy a vibraharp and his newest addition, a performed separately. Heidi is an ac­ Rogers, plus his use of the Wonder C2 Hammond. complished concert pianist. Also Morton, but also for the way he shares As the new year begins, we look present to perform on the Fisher's the spotlight giving credit to others forward to many new and interesting 3-manual Conn was Jimmy Boyer , who have made possible the perfection things under the ab le leadership of another of Indianapolis' theatre organ being attained at the Ohio Theatre. re-elected Tim Needler. Tim did a era personalities. We are happy to have The revoicing of the reeds of the fantastic job last year, interjecting Jimmy back after recovering from Robert Morton , expressly for the many new ideas, and with excellent surgery several months ago. Open con­ production of the album "Puttin' on cooperation and support, brought a sole time followed on the Conn, to the Ritz" with Dennis and Heidi successful and interesting year of ac­ which the Fisher ' s have added many James , was realized with their con­ complishment and fun. extras, including electronic pipes and a tribution of sufficient records to offset January's meeting was rather small Glockenspiel. the cost. With Dennis and Heidi in the due to icy roads , snowy weather , and RUTH D. WARD audience Gaylord called on them to the energy crisis, however , the 26 accept our applause. members that braved the bad weather CENTRAL OHIO In tribute to Mary Pickford and our enjoyed the hospitality of hostess Our March meeting was held at St. own chapter member, Mary Bishop, Farilyn Stone at her Indianapolis Joseph's Academy for Girls in Colum­ Gaylord played "Mary Is a Grand Old apartment and open console on her bus. The organ, installed in the gym , is Name." Mary Bishop's efforts to save Lowery Lincolnwood organ and Weber a 2/7 Robert Morton purchased from the Ohio Theatre and to restore the grand piano. Radio Station WBNS. Originally it was theatre to its present beauty represent Another well attended and looked­ six ranks. The seventh, added for a contribution of untold hours of forward-to meeting is always the liturgical work, is a Harmonic Flute on devoted attention. We are tre­ February meeting at the home of Les a Marr & Colton chest. According to mendously proud of Mary and of her and Tess Moses. A very full meeting Dave Billmire , who , together with Wil­ achievements. included another educational session lard Ebner , tune the organ for our Ann and Tom Hamilton hosted our presented by Ken Double covering the meetings, the very fiery French Trum­ April meeting giving us another chance areas of key changes, counter melody pet alone is worth a visit. Willard to hear and play their custom built and fill-ins. Open console time fol­ Ebner , who worked in the field of pipe Rodgers-Morton. (see June, 1973 lowed on the Moses' Deluxe Serenade organ , assisted with the installation at THEATRE ORGAN for details of or­ Model Conn. the Academy. President Frank Babbitt gan). During the business meeting we The March meeting at the lovely was first at the console with many were informed that one of our local home of Bud and Ada Fisher was well members following during open con­ churches was considering replacing attended and extremely full of in­ sole. their theatre style pipe organ with an teresting happenings. We were thrilled The last concerts of the organ series electronic. Two of our members , Dave to have Dennis and Heidi James with at the Ohio Theatre brought us Hector Billmire and Ed Smith, visited the us. Dennis has been appearing in many Olivera and Gaylord Carter. Hector church to inspect the organ at their concerts all over the country and has received two standing ovations and request. Ed , who operates his own since played a concert at St. Patrick 's applause , applause - richly deserved. company for rebuilding and installing pipe organs, offered to teach a group of church members how to maintain BINDERS ... TO PROTECT YOUR ISSUES OF THEATRE ORGAN the organ. A very nice way of saving another pipe organ. The social part of the evening began This durable casebound cover will bind one full year's issues of THEATRE ORGAN. Imprinted in gold on with Tom Hamilton playing a tape black , the binder becomes a permanent reference which is a composite of five artists volume that protects issues from damage and keeps who had appeared in concert at the them in perfect order. Magazines are held securely in place and can be inserted in only a few seconds . Ohio Theatre and later were taped A special pocket will enable you to easily label playing Tom's Rodgers-Morton. Mem­ and identify the year of any volume. bers were offered the choice of $3.50 each (including postage) listening to the tape or going off to play the organ. All elected to listen to Make check or money order payable to: ATOS Binder . the tape and all agreed they had made Mai I to . . . ATOS Bind er P.O. Box 1 002 the right choice. Many members Middleburg, Virginia 22117 played during open console including or. .. ATOS Binder Dave Billmire. We should hear from P.O . Box 1 314 him more of ten. Sa I inas, Ca I iforn ia 93901 IRENE BLEGEN

46 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 about organ building than they do. They have tried to return the organ to the way Barton installed it. Returning it to its original wind pressures has done wonders. Members marvel at the quality of the sound now heard at the Montclare . During May CATOE presented the sensational South American, Hector Olivera in a return engagement, this time at the Oriental Theatre. A feature of that program was a cameo ap­ pearance by CATOE Honorary Life Member Al Melgard. Al and his wife were flown in from their retirement home in Las Vegas especially for the event. Melgard retired last June after 44 years as staff organist at the Chicago Stadium's 6/62 Barton, the largest unit organ ever installed. RICHARD J. SKLENAR

CATOE Chairman Russ Joseph presents recognition plaque to Mr. and Mrs. Bill Rieger at CONNECTICUTVALLEY Evanston High social. - (Photo by Tom Tibia) Our February 9 meeting was held at the Crystal Palace in West Goshen, Conn. It is owned by member John CHICAGOAREA at Wrigley Field. Rosemary Bailey is a concert demonstrator for Hammond Starr and is an ideal place for meet­ ings, a large hall with real theatre seats, An early March social found mem­ Organ. She learned theatre organ a 3-manual Wurlitzer theatre pipe or­ bers of the Chicago Area Chapter in technique in lessons from Kay gan and other various musical items. the modern auditorium of Evanston McAbec. Important news announced After an hour or so of open con­ Township High School. The organ is a that night was that the Internal sole, member Peter Piliero gave a fine 4/30 hybrid donated by one of the Revenue Service had granted CATOE demonstration of re-covering pneu­ school's alumni, noted organ expert tax exemption as a result of much matics , using the new "Perflex-E" Dr. William H. Barnes (Dr. Barnes was effort by CATOE counsel Richard P. plastic replacement for leather and remarried Apr. 27. He is 81). After a Glover. cloth. This was one of a number of business meeting to adopt new by­ CATOE al o held a tuning work­ technical sessions we have had and will laws, Walt Strojny was presented at shop in March. It was in the shop of continue to have. They have been well the organ. He is an 18 year old student organ builder Kurt Roderer. Mr at Chicago's Sherwood Music School Roderer is known locally for his fine received. Phil Stock, our accomplished mem­ whom CATOE has watched grow up organ construction, especially new ber organist, presented us with a fine since the days of his first organ lessons tracker organs. He is also currently evening's program interspersed with with Al Melgard. Only one classic rebuilding and enlarging the Skinner at interesting comments prompted by his piece was on the program, a Schubert Rockefeller Memorial Chapel. He years of professional theatre organ sonata, as the organ is very romantic spent a Saturday morning showing playing. The program included some sounding and lends itself to more members basics about pipe voicing and classical, ragtime, popular, jazz and popular selections. They included "My tuning. other numbers, mostly arranged in Hero" from Oscar Strauss' The Choco­ Mark Noller was featured organist late Soldier and "My Way". Of at the April 6 social. His program at medleys. particular note was Walt's transcription the Montclare Theatre avoided the On Sunday, March 10, two bus loads of us went to Radio City Music Hall, of the Robert Russell Bennet score usual theatre organ fare. King of Kings New York, to hear a concert by the from Victory at Sea. CATOE is proud from the 1960s version of the Easter Music Hall's new staff organist, James to have watched Walt Strojny develop story contrasted with "Stay With Me" Paulin, Jr. This concert was arranged into a mature, competent musician. from The Cardinal. LeRoy Anderson's by the New York chapter. It was The Board of Directors has selected "Plink , Plank, Plunk" contrasted with heartening to see about 1000 people him to play the cameo appearance at "Anchor's Aweigh." Mark deliberately gathered at 9 A.M. on a Sunday to the Redford Theatre during the chose his program to be a quiet one in hear a theatre organ concert. They got Detroit convention in July. order to show off the results of the their money's worth and then some. The first CATOE concert of 1974 tonal work which the new Montclare This fine young organist is com­ featured Frank Pellico and Rosemary organ crew has done on the 3/ l 0 petently at ease at the mighty Music Bailey at the 3 / 17 Barton in the Patio Barton. It has been the operating HaJl console. Theatre on March 28. The program "philosophy" of crew leader Bill Our annual scholarship competition was another sell-out. Frank Pellico is Benedict and technician Gary Berg­ is shaping up and we look forward official organist for the Chicago Cubs mark that Dan Barton knew more 47 JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN again to some talented playing by the there are not, so our business matters magenta, yellow, and green. The effect young people in the competition. were completed on time, following captivated the audience. Kay closed We had scheduled a February con­ dinner. the first half of the show with the old cert at Thomaston by Lowell Ayers , After the business session, concert standby , "Tea for Two". The console but he was forced to cancel because of time was shared by three artists, Al descended and a collection of comic illness. We hope to hear him another Miller (he's a busy one!) Ev Bassett slides appeared on the screen, includ­ time. and Bob Carangelo. Al gave us "Me ing an advertising slide for the Hermes Our next concert at Thomaston Too", "Deep Night" , "Dancing on the Insurance Company. Opera House, which houses a 3/11 Ceiling", a Burt Bacharach number, Fred Hermes then entertained us Marr & Colton, was on April 27th with closing with a medley of tunes from with a silent movie, School Days with Tom Hazleton at the console. This was "42nd Street", all nicely done, as is Larry Semon. After an exchange of Tom 's first visit to Thomaston. usual with AL gags between Fred Sr. at the console Our Thomaston crew is busy adding Ev Bassett played for us "Smile and Jr., in the booth , the film additional ranks to the Marr & Colton , When You're Feeling Blue" , "The appeared on the screen. The hilarious and Tom Hazleton had the benefit of Gypsy", "Mona Lisa", and "I Want to comedy was enhanced by Fred's them in April. Be Happy" , all in his own theatre superb accompaniment. We have two new installations organ styling. While waiting for Kay to return to scheduled to get underway. Theatre Bob Carangelo did a fine job with the console , Hermes opened the floor pipe organs will be installed in the "Jean", the lovely "Ebb Tide", and for questions about the organ. Kay Sterling Opera House in Derby , Conn. "Black Orpheous". We'd like to hear arrived just in time to save Fred from and in the High School at Shelton, Bob more frequently. having to explain where the speakers Conn . Meanwhile, Mike Foley's instal­ Bob was followed by open console were. Fred cautioned Kay not to play lation at the Windham Technical time , the concluding hour on the the Tibias without the tremulants and School in Willimantic progresses, as calendar of a highly interesting day. Kay opened the second half of the does continuing restoration work on WALLACE F. POWERS, JR. show with the "Zampa" Overture . the 3/ 11 Wurlitzer in the Julia Sander­ After a number of selections, Kay son Theatre (formerly Paramount) in concluded with his signature , "Land of Springfield , Mass. DAIRYLAND the Pharoah's". Our April meeting (Saturday, the 6th) was exceptional, indeed ; in fact , Despite rain and fog, 90 people it has been ten years since a similar from Dairyland and Land O'Lincoln program was undertaken. As usual , our chapters turned out at the home of day was an afternoon-evening sched­ Fred Hermes , January 20th for a ule. combined social with Kay McAbee at Obviously, the piece-de-resistance the console. of this excellent day's program was the Upon being introduced , McAbee afternoon tour of the Austin Organ quickly disappeared behind the great, Co. facilities. Here we were treated, gold curtain. Suddenly a thunderous most cordially, to a close look at organ blast was heard from the organ. The building in all its stages. curtains parted and the console rose The size of the turn-out and the with McAbee playing "Just One of various comments overheard made it Those Things" . The console was sur­ very clear that those who had witnessed rounded by a brenograph effect of a organ building previously were as in­ curtained proscenium arch in colors of trigued as the uninitiated. Rick Johnson played the Feb. social on the Since Saturday was not a scheduled 2/11 Wangerin. - {John Hill Photo) work day, the factory premises could accommodate our large group of 66 Despite a terrible snow and ice people. The Austin management had storm on Friday , a faithful group of very graciously arranged to have 25 members turned up at Milwaukee enough artisans in the plant to enable technical School on Sunday, February all visitors to witness the various 24th to hear Rick Johnson in his first operations of organ manufacture. public appearance at the console of the 2/ 11 Wangerin organ. It was a most memorable event on Rick played a program of classical our calendar and we are most grateful numbers that gave us a chance to hear to all those in the Austin organization the excellent pipe work that was used who had a part in making us so by Wangerin. The organ is suited for welcome. These include, of course, our classical music, although it is limited in charter member Allen Miller, Assistant the registration possibilities due to the to the President of the Austin Organ arrangement of the specification and Co. limited unification. In spite of this A business session always goes more Kay McAbee at the Hermes console with difficulty, Johnson presented a fine smoothly in appropriate surroundings Brenograph background. - {john Hill and varied program of classical music, and better than the Miller organ studio Photo) excellently played.

48 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 Milwaukee Technical High School is mee~ing the organ was, at best, a to be the future home of the 3/28 n:1us1calnoise maker with great poten­ Kimball from the Warner Theatre. tial, resembling in fact a Wurlitzer Plans are being discussed to possibly theatre pipe organ. Four months later enlarge the present organ chamber to a at the March meeting the unit or­ size large enough to hold the Kimball. chestra came together and played quite It will be necessary to alter the audito­ well, thanks to the devoted organ work rium to enlarge the chamber. crews in their untiring efforts to meet The March l 7th social was held at the May 18 Larry Ferrari spring con­ the home of Mr. & Mrs. Harvey cert deadline. This was a sound that Kuhlman. A 3/15 Wicks home theatre especially impressed the members who organ is installed in their studio. Brian were not close to the organ installation Gerl was the organist and this is the project. Some 40 minutes of console first time he has played for Dairyland. artistry by Bob Legon and Al Winslow His program was varied and showed a were followed by a brief business strong training in classical music and meeting and then two excellent silent Lyn Larsen at the 3/8 Wurlitzer, Avalon style, although he played popular Theatre. - (Roger Wetterau Photo) movies accompanied at the organ by music on the instrument. Open con­ Legon and Winslow. A much awaited open console time arrived to satisfy sole was held at the close of Gerls Congregational Church in Whitewater the pent-up appetites of several who performance and everyone had a Wisconsin on a 4/26 hybrid he ha~ had never had the opportunity to play chance to play the Wicks. assembled with the help of the church Work crews have been busy since and friends. The program was pre­ such an instrument before. The April meeting was also a time the first of the year adding the clubs sented as a group of medleys on for startling revelations. Through the 16' Tibia to the organ in the Avalon various themes and was the most good hospitality of Frank Huard, vice Theatre. Rick Johnson, Fred Hermes relaxing social we have had this year. president of Boston Organ and Piano Jr. and John Hill installed the Tibia Four Dairyland members traveled Natick, Mass., we gathered around tw~ while others, recovered the swell shade to Oshkosh on April 29th for the of the latest model Rodgers theatre pneumatics. Jimm Brill, Fred and Rick funeral of Dan Barton. Fred Hermes organs, the Marquee and Olympic. handled this project. Carl Chadek, Sr. & Jr., Pete Charnon and John Hill Most members expressed pleasure at Greg Filardo, and Bob Leutner wired represented the Dairyland Theatre the remarkable authenticity of theatre in the Tibia. Organ Society and the American The­ While the organ work proceeded, pipe organ sound and feeling obtain­ atre Organ Society. able from these instruments. In­ Louise Dove and Candy Brill cleaned Others at the funeral were Mrs. terestingly, after several opening num­ and decorated a dressing room for Walter Gollnick, Richard Gollnick and bers performed by Mark Renwick artists to relax in. The job was a big his wife and Fred Gollnick. Walter chapter president Chavanne was un: one, as the room had not been used Gollnick was Dan Bartons chief instal­ ~ble to coerce anyone else to play, as for anything except a store room for ler and helped Dan to develop the 1f we were an organ club without 20 years. Bartola. Fred Gollnick has followed in All the work paid off on April 2, his fathers foot steps and is now in the organists. Finally he sat at the console to break the "log jam." This was when Lyn Larsen presented the best organ business. concert Dairyland has ever had. A reminiscent of previous meetings when record attendance turned out on PETE CHARNON club members were reluctant to tackle a large, much respected theatre pipe Academy Awards night to hear Lyn. EASTERNMASSACHUSETTS The show was a tremendous success organ for the first time. Many lingered and we have had calls and letters from The March meeting at Babson on until the late hours as they grad­ audience members in record numbers College held surprising and very ually conquered their apprehensions thanking Lyn for the excellent show pleasing revelations for many members and fears, and tackled both instru­ and asking for shows more often. and guests who had not heard the club ments. Hear that Tibia! On April 21, Bob Coe presented a organ since the November meeting ERLE RENWICK concert for the April Social at First when we last met at Babson. At that

Th~ console o~ the ~/26 org~n in the First Congregational Church, Wh1te_water, W1scons1n; organist Bob Coe presented the April social The console of the Kuhlman Wicks. - (Roger Wetterau Photo) on this powerhouse. - ( Roger Wetterau Photo) 49 JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN GARDEN STATE end said it all. The program committee sure has their work cut out for them Wow! was the chorused reaction next year! of some 80 members of GSTOS and the Central Jersey Chapter of the AGO BOB BALFOUR on Sat., April 6, when 15 year old Rick "DeKarski took his final encore LOS ANGELES bow, after an hour concert that kept the audience spellbound and the Old These past months have be en busy Rahway Theatre ' s "Biggest Little Wur­ ones. In addition to our busy schedule litzer" almost smoking. of concerts and ' jam sessions," we In that hour, those in attendance scheduled a weekend trip (May 4 and were treated to every conceivable type 5) to Death Valley. We joined ATOS of music that a theatre organ can members from Northern California to provide , with some of the most im­ brave the hot desert sands to hear Rex aginative arrangements ever heard . It Koury play the 3/11 Welte organ at Ingredients for a great cake! was a performance that equalled, if Scotty ' s Castle. Chapter Chairman Ray not surpassed similar efforts by some Bonner organized the whole affair, of the country's leading artists. which carried two busloads of LA­ Rahway , we ask ourselves , "How can ATOS members over the longest organ It all started at age eight , when a we possibly top this year?" Well, crawl in our memory. Your reporter small Magnus chord organ was given when you mix your ingredients well, brought along his "Stomach Stein­ Rick's dad as a "joke" Christmas gift. you just have to bake a great cake. So way" (Accordion) on the bus, so it Rick immediately commandeered it , with a Mighty Wurlitzer in perfect was "Pipes and Polkas." A report will and started picking out songs by ear. shape , an enthusiastic crowd of 7 50, a be made in this column in the next Lessons soon followed and a full size perfect acoustical setting, a sing-along issue. electronic entered the house. He is and a brand new print of the silent The March 17 St. Patrick's Day currently studying with Jerry Mendel­ western classic, Riders of the Purple concert featured Bud Iverson, who was son . Sage (1925) with Tom Mix, all put preceded by the first streaker in LA­ Then one cold Sunday in January , together and topped off with Ashley ATOS history. Chapter Chairman 1970 , a tall 12 year old wandered into Miller at the console , you have a gour­ Bonner, Program Chairman Del the Rahway Theatre after church, met ' s delight. Castillo, and organ maintenance Chief where he was and still is organist , and Leonard Worne arrived early, to find stood before the Rahway's 2/7 console to their horror a man sitting on the with eyes a poppin' and mouth agape. stage in the last stages of undressing. hasn't missed many weekends He He was working on his socks. Out since, unless it's to venture to another went the house lights and shortly theatre to play another mighty T.0. thereafter in came the fuzz. He was Just about a month prior to his quickly redressed and escorted out, April concert, a last minute call arrived and it was established that he was from Brooklyn, N. Y. It seems Jim definitely not a member of ATOS. The Leaffe, house organist at LIU had to artist, Bud Iverson, was BARELY tape a TV show, and could not find a rattled by all this and proved to the substitute to play the LIU basketball Los Angeles audience that his musi­ game on the ex-Brooklyn Paramount 1 cianship is as good on pipes as it is on 4/26 Wurlitzer. From the phone call, A pleased Ashley Miller takes a well de­ electronic organs. He played a lilting through the game and for several served bow to a great ovation after the "Gold and Silver Waltz," a Henry weeks afterward, Rick boasted a full fadeout of Riders of the Purple Sage. ear to ear grin, which was also echoed by all who heard him that night. To A special treat to area folk was the put it in Rick's own words, after the surprise showing of a Chamber of game was over, he looked up into the Commerce film of Rahway, made right expanse of the great old Paramount after WWII, with many memories of auditorium and said, "O God, I hope places and races. This was the con­ heaven is like this and has one of these cluding event of the first half of the (Wurlitzers) there." I don't think he program which featured Ashley, in has to worry, as Hope-Jones has been concert at his very best. It was a there for a while, and I am sure he has superb performance. seen to it. The second half saw Ashley appear All in all, we are proud and thrilled in a complete cowboy outfit, boots to have an exciting new talent on the and all. He 'mounted' the steed named horizon. Look out Detroit this sum­ Wurlitzer, and as Tom Mix mounted A streaker in the house? Organist Bud mer. He'll be there. Tony , they both soared off to un­ Iverson seems amazed. That's LA Chapter It seems every spring, when we put Program Chairman Del Castillo (left) look­ paralleled artistic heights for the next ing on, undistracted by the pretty girl facing on our annual silent film show at hour. The thunderous ovation at the him. - (Stufoto)

50 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 Mancini medley, and then a set ded­ icated to the energy crisis: "Walking My Baby Back Home," "Button Up Your Overcoat," and "The World is Waiting for the Sunrise" (Daylight Saving Time). The audience had a laugh at the opening of the second half, when Program Chairman De] Castillo appeared sitting on the precise spot from which the streaker had been removed - taking off his shoes. Agile

ATOS invades the ORGANIST magazine's plug-in "Adventure." Examining the pipe display (I to r) are LA Chapter "Veep" Malin Dollinger, Chairman Ray Bonner, Talent Scout (for concerts) Del Castillo, Mrs. Bonner and Joe Koons. - (Bob Hill Photo)

venture in Long Beach, through the courtesy of Bill Worrall. It featured a "display rank" of various reed and flue pipes set up by member Joe Koons. This display was donated by Joe to the chapter and will be seen by the public attending our monthly concerts. MALIN DOLLINGER

Donna Parker answers questions from the MOTORCITY audience concerning the Wiltern organ The "Second Sunday" series, spon­ during intermission. - (Stufoto) sored by Motor City to increase public Del got to his feet, thanked Donna awareness of theatre pipe organs, is Parker for her explanation of how the gaining in popularity at the Michigan organ worked to interested parties Theatre in Ann Arbor. It is held on the during intermission, made his an­ second Sunday morning of every nouncements, and welcomed Bud back month. Some 150 people attended the for his "second rising" this time to the March 10 "Second Sunday" in Ann familiar "Petite Waltz." Bud was also Arbor to hear three artists at the 3/13 heard by a group of San Francisco Barton: Jim Ford, who played a rag­ enthusiasts who made the 400-mile time program, Bud Bates, who con­ trip to hear his concert. centrated on the music of 1928 and The April concert featured Ann Rupert and Alice Otto, whose organ Ann Leaf was in especially fine form for her Leaf, who brought forth beautiful and piano duets ranged from current Wiltern concert. Her program was varied, show tunes to the classics. An open sounds from the Wiltern Kimball, with ranging from The Way We Were to Zez her renditions of "Pieces of Dreams," Confrey tunes, plus an ambitious Hoe-down console session followed. Selections from Cabaret, and Ferde by classical composer Aaron Copland. The Lyn Larsen appeared at the Michi­ diminutive Ann was swamped by ad mire rs gan Theatre in Ann Arbor on Wednes­ Grofe's "Two Shades of Blue." Her in the lobby following her concert. She is varied program also featured "Marche day evening, April 3, before an audi­ seen here signing her Senate theatre album ence that numbered close to 1000. Militaire Francaise" and closed with for A TOSer Merle Bobzien, a member of the the "Washington Post March." Our Wiltern maintenance crew. Ann has been Lyn's opening number was made even chapter is initiating a series of teaching "laying them in the aisles" ever since she more spectacular by the appearance of first gained national recognition through her seminars conducted by well-known or­ a rotating mirrored ball just below CBS "Nocturne" radiocasts. - (Photo by the proscenium arch and changing ganists/ instructors. The first, to be Bob Hill) given June 9, will be by Bill Irwin, lighting effects. On the screen we saw who will spend a full day with mem­ Scheduled for the May concert at a Kinogram newsreel and the 1924 bers, doing the same type of in­ the Wiltern 4-manual organ were feature,. Sherlock, Jr. starring Buster structional program that he will take Dennis and Heidi James in an organ/ Keaton, both ably accompanied by around the country later this year. We piano duo concert. Lyn at the 3/13 Barton. will have similar programs by various LA-ATOS had a display booth at Perhaps the high point of Lyn's organists every 2 to 3 months. the early April Home Organist's Ad- many numbers that filled out the

51 JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN TheRegent ... Hammond'sfirst theater organtugs at the heartstringsof morethan a fewlovers of oldtime theater.Its ensembleis comparableto 28 ranksof pipes,and the five pistons offersuch theater favorites as reedsolo, string chorus, theatersolo, tibia chorus and fflf Vff3f~T.•• full organ.And the Regent's t-iAMMO~u~~ ~~W Tti~AT~l? Ol?6A~ stylingis classictheater ... beautifulrubbed walnut in thetraditional horseshoe configuration. Forall its attachmentto yesteryear,the Regentis actuallya productfor today ... andtomorrow. Hammond hascombined yesterday's musicwith the sounds of todayvia largescale integratedcircuitry ... tomorrow'stechnology. But unlikethe organs of the past,the Regenthas a uniqueinstrumental percussiondivision and a versatilenew arpeggiator. Justanother example of Hammondproviding tomorrow'sperformance today. 111:::=::~::?~~ANCOMPANY

52 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 spirational pageant, The Glory of Easter. 4. - The sparkling Music Hall springtime festival variety stage show. 5. - The great new musical film Mame, which was premiered only the previous Thursday. Over 700 ATOS members and their friends converged upon the Music Hall for this exciting program, including substantial chapter delegations from Delaware Valley ( under Chairman W. Charles Schrader); Connecticut Valley (under Chairman Alfred E. Colton); Garden State (under Chairman Robert Balfour); Potomac Valley (under Chairman Leroy A. Wagner), and the Hammond Organ Society (under Char­ man Peter R. Polito). Much of the impetus for the "rnini­ convention" idea, we are told, came from Jean Lautzenheiser, a National director and former chairman of Poto­ mac Valley . In keeping with the silent movie atmosphere, chapter members Dolores Frank, Dolores and Ron Jimmy Paulin played an unusually Werner, dress for the occasion of Lee Erwin accompanying Seventh Heaven at the Redford. - varied program. His stylings were often {Jerry McCray Photo) quite in contrast with those of the other members of the Music Hall organ balance of his program, were variations though of minor importance, the sing­ staff. Like most talented musicians, his on the Mickey Mouse Club theme as it along does have its place, when time training - largely classical - began at might have been done by five com­ permits, because there are people who an early age. He was his high school's posers from Bach to The Carpenters. enjoy it. official organist and later became choir Included in the audience that night in With chapter membership at an all director and organist for the St. John's Ann Arbor, were the president of the time high, more members are be­ University of Michigan and his wife, coming involved in convention activi­ and Allen Britton, Dean of the School ties as the Note-able Nineteenth draws of Music, who later wrote to the near. Have you sent in your con­ chapter commenting on the excellence vention registration yet? of the program. Reaction of this DON LOCKWOOD sort makes all of our efforts worth­ while, and will help theatre organ NEWYORK attain its rightful and respectable place in the musical world. Thanks to special cooperation of An audience of 2400 attended our the Radio City Music Hall, the chapter April 29-30 public show featuring Lee was privileged to offer on Sunday , Erwin at the 3/10 Barton at the March 10, a marvelous six-hour enter­ Redford Theatre. The film was the tainment package that quickly gener­ 1927 Academy Award winning ated an ATOS "Mini-Convention" as Seventh Heaven, starring Janet Gaynor members of many chapters throughout and Charles Farrell. Due to the two the Northeast descended upon the hour running time of the film, the "Showplace of the Nation". concert portion was shorter than usual Everyone was rewarded with: and the sing-along was dispensed with 1. - A "show-stopper" concert by altogether. James Paulin, Jr., a featured artist at Among the musical numbers Lee the ATOS "Fabulous Fifteenth" performed, prior to the film, were national convention in 1970 and the several Scott Joplin compositions from newest member of the Music Hall his forthcoming Angel recording. The organ staff , who performed on the audience thoroughly enjoyed Lee's famed 4/58 Grand Organ. playing and especially his original film 2. - A demonstration of the DUET WITH AN ANGEL? - James Paulin, mechanical marvels of the Music Hall's Jr., leads into a spectacular number on the score, in which he used the inevitable Radio City Music Hall 4/56 Wurlitzer as the "Diane." It was surprising, for us at great stage, by John Henry Jackson, trumpeting wire angel in the background least, to learn afterward how many vice president of the Music Hall and a (part of the Easter Pageant setting) seem­ people were disappointed because great friend of ATOS. ingly plays a fanfare to proclaim the start of there had been no sing-along. Al- 3. - Leon Leonidoffs famed in- his ATOS "mini-convention" concert. 53 JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN Baptist church in Lakeview, Long Island, N. Y. He completed his formal musical education at Mannes College of Music and thereafter presided at the console of the Wonder Robert Morton of Manhattan's United Palace church - ·the former Loew's 175th St., The­ atre. Jim also served as staff organist at the Nassau County Coliseum when it opened several years ago. He has per­ formed concerts not only in the New York metropolitan area but also in Rochester and Binghampton as well as in Detroit, Mich. He has been a mem­ ber of the RCMH organ staff for the past year - the first black man to hold such a position and already very popu­ lar with Music Hall audiences. ROSES FOR ROSA - Acknowledging the applause of her distant but highly appreciative audience, Rosa Rio receives a bouquet of red roses from N.Y. Chapter Secretary-Treasurer Rosa - Radio and Roses Allen Rossiter as the LIU 4/26 Wurlitzer console shares the spotlight. - (Photo by Herbert G. The following Sunday (March 17), Frank,Jr.) the chapter journeyed back to the golden days of radio as the ever­ audience and she confided to nearby in the early thirties. To me, he played popular Rosa Rio entertained us on friends (plus a number of her students) the theatre organ the way I think it Long Island University's 4/26 Wur­ that her LIU concert, in one respect, should be played, that is to replace the litzer. The university's basketball court was a puzzling experience. pit orchestra. and gymnasium, known today as She said she had the feeling that the On March 13 Frank Cimmino made "Founders Hall", was once the famed audience wasn't there (they were, of his first appearance at the Riviera. It Brooklyn Paramount and the organ course, and their applause proved it was also the first opportunity that I remains today in its original position time and time again). But the console have had to hear him. Frank is well in the building. is separated from the first remaining known downstate and in Jersey. Chapter crewmen Bob Walker and row of seats by the entire basketball The Niagara Frontier Annual Jim Leaffe keep this magnificent in­ court and this makes it very difficult Banquet was at the Cavalier Restaurant. strument in concert condition. for the performing artist to sense the We have no exact count, but close to a Rosa played a wide-ranging pro­ presence of the audience while play­ hundred members and guests attended. gram of the music ATOS members ing. Moreover, while the huge audi­ Several radio and newspa per people love to hear. Among the nostalgic torium now has exceptional reverb were present and their fine publicity numbers she played, she chose to because of its great "acreage" of hard­ has been a great help to our chapter. dedicate Jesse Crawford's theme "For­ wood flooring, it takes quite a few Luella Wickham (our chapter gotten Melody" to her friend Clealan seconds for sounds from the chambers sweetheart) traveled all the way from Blakely of Picton, Ontario, who had to bounce back to the console. This Syracuse, and was seated at the head journeyed the farthest to hear her makes playing exceptionally difficult table next to the M.C. Art Melgier who concert. for the artist. But from where the has given so much to the chapter and After her final encore, she was audience is seated, that Wurlitzer who played several Buffalo theatres in presented with a large bouquet of red sound is almost unbeatable! the golden days, spoke briefly. roses by Chapter Secretary-Treasurer Rosa, your audience at LIU was The M.C. recognized many officers Allen Rossiter on behalf of an ap­ completely unaware of your problem. and members who have worked so preciative chapter membership. They just enjoyed your music hard for the chapter. It would be Prior to Rosa's concert, nineteen thoroughly! impossible to mention all their names. members had an opportunity to try HERBERT G. FRANK, JR. However Ed Tucholka of radio station their hand at the great instrument WBEN-FMwas presented with one of during an open console session. NIAGARA FRONTIER the original stop tabs from the Riviera Rosa Rio, a very vivacious and Wurlitzer (all new tabs have been talented lady, keeps active playing On February 13, Dennis James installed during the renovating of the concerts, recording, arranging, com­ made his annual appearance at the console). Through Ed's efforts, posing and, most importantly, teach­ Riviera Theatre. WBEN-FMhas for several years, been ing. She is very popular with organ I especially enjoyed the first half of making six or more spot announce­ students and teaches in her two De!1nis' program. You could close men ts every day about our next con­ studios - one in Huntington, Conn., your eyes as he played and your cert along with a brief summary of the and the other in Westport. thoughts would wander back to the artist. This has been done as a public early days of radio, when the big service at no cost to the chapter and Postscript bands were playing out of Chicago. As has helped to fill the theatre and make Several weeks later, while attending he changed from voice to voice and our monthly concerts such a success. another notable organ concert in then to full orchestra, I thought what Bill Hatzenbuehler was not allowed Connecticut, Rosa was seated in the an arranger he could have made back to get by without saying a few words.

54 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 197 4 Bill, who is one of the outstanding the host. Next year's convention will bowl. organ builders in the East, has been the be on the West Coast and depending Chapter officers held a "board mastermind in our rebuilding and ex­ on the energy crisis, travel could be meeting" at Chairman Earl Mac­ pansion program of the Riviera Organ; restricted. Donald's home. Doesn't sound like not only has he given of his knowledge I will be looking for you in Detroit. much, does it, until you realize that but hundreds of hours of his time. I will be the one displaying the 8 foot one board member made a 200 mile We hope that this project will be VOX, stop tab, (that's because I speak round trip to attend, and another one completed some time this summer. I so softly) stop me and say hello. made a 100 mile journey. That's out know that several members have given STEVE CROWLEY of a group of 5 people, for a two-hour much of their time and I hope in the chapter guidance session. It was all not-too-distant future to give a worth it though, because by the time NORTH TEXAS complete run down on this organ and this hits the pages of THEATRE OR­ credit to the faithful crew who, along There's been plenty going on the­ GAN'S next issue, one of the year's with Joe Thomas and Paul Birk, have atre organ-wise in the North Texas gala events will be behind us. That's for all practical purposes made the area, even though there hasn't been the annual trip down to the home of Riviera their permanent residence. Joe too much actual chapter activity since Mr. and Mrs. Fred Mitchell in Mexia and Paul go home occasionally for a the February election-of-officers meet­ (Ma-hay - ya, remember?) Texas. change of laundry and to maintain ing. Jerry Bacon has his Fine-Arts We're going by automobile convoy this their voting rights. Theatre installation up to 16 ranks, time, bringing our own food, with April 17 found Dick Smith at the with new console and other improve­ Fred and Joye providing not only their Riviera. He seems to be one of the big ments. The gang is planning some beautiful home and its' grounds, but attractions of the year, and the house more of the Sunday morning work the cool drinks and other refreshments is packed one hour before show time. I sessions on this instrument. Jerry has too. There will have been some swim­ first heard Dick, October 13, 1 965 on put in a lot of hard work on this ming in the pool, visits to the railroad a 2M/6R in Gowanda, N. Y. and I installation and it's shaping up great. caboose Fred has restored on the must admit that I have traveled many Foundations have been poured for grounds, and housing an organ, miles on several occasions to hear this the new pizza parlor in Dallas and (pump-type that is,) too. Part of the guy. I like to hear him play and I love building construction is progressing. program too are cameo concerts by to see him work. This must be his By the time this appears in THEATRE two of the chapter's top-notch organ­ eighth or ninth year in a row that he ORGAN, they might be to the point ists, played on Fred and Joye's super­ has played in Buffalo. where Jim Peterson and his capable deluxe Rodgers. Andy Crow was down May 15 will bring Karl Cole back crew can install the instrument. It will to voice the instrument, so you know for his third appearance. Karl made his give us a place to meet, complete with it's going to sound great. Wish you first appearance here when he replaced vittles, and should really make some could have been here for the meeting Leon Berry on 24 hour notice when upswings in the theatre organ interest too, Andy. And I know Dennis Hed­ Leon fell ill. He was an instant hit and curves in this area. berg and some of the other Portland is also one of the crowd pleasers. Dale Flannery again hosted the Chapter would really have had them­ Rex Koury will be back on July 24. chapter at his home on April 14. 45 selves a fine "organ afternoon" down Rex made his first appearance at the members attended including some new there on Fred and Joye's "spread". Riviera last year. We also heard him in ones who were duly introduced and This was scheduled for May 26. Portland at the '73 convention. He is got their first taste of activity in the Other items discussed at the board certainly a fine artist, with an extra theatre organ world of North Texas. meeting included possible "silent pleasant personality. We are glad he Earl MacDonald, 1974 Chapter Chair­ movie" presentations, sing-alongs, and has accepted our invitation to come man got a short business session under "name artist" concerts. The chap­ back again this year. way, utilizing his new ambidexterous ter is off to a great start for the 197 4 There is much discussion among two-headed gavel, made and presented year under the able guidance of Earl chapter members about our National to him by Mark Munzell Sr. Dale MacDonald. (No - he's in electronics, Convention this year in Detroit. More opened the musical portion of the not hamburgers.) We hope the rest of members then ever are planning to afternoon with several numbers that you have as great a year planned as make the trip. Many who have never really demonstrated the capabilities of we do. attended before are seriously con­ both him and the organ. The "Colonel JOE KOSKI sidering attending this convention. Bogie March" and "76 Trombones" really shook the rafters of Dale's There is plenty of gas in Canada OREGON and it is only a five or six hour drive to home, even with the enthusiastic Detroit, from the Peace Bridge at "warm bodies" to absorb a lot of that A chapter meeting was held at the Buffalo, across beautiful countryside sound. home of Bert and Gwen Hedderly in on excellent highways. If you can get Open console followed with Charlie Portland on March 31. It was the first enough gas to get to Buffalo you've Evans, Stan Guy, Wally McDevitt and concert featuring the Hedderly's re­ got it made. several others taking their turns. It was cently installed 2/ 5 Wurlitzer. I would not only urge our chapter a great afternoon. It must have been, The organ was removed from the members, but all ATOS members in we signed up three new members! First Congregational Church in The the northeast to attend. I am sure if Those who weren't gathered around Dalles, Oregon, 90 miles up the you attended the '67 convention you the console or in front of the swell Columbia River from Portland. In­ will want to go back. Detroit was quite shutters, gathered around the punch stalled in the church, the organ con-

JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN 55 Sunday morning convened at the Music Hall for what we knew would be a first rate performance. Jimmy's "Trems off' approach was really re­ freshing and his mastery of both the music and the organ was complete. The demonstration of the Music Hall Wurlitzer with and without its ampli­ fication system was most enlightening but with or without it, Jimmy was a treat to hear. Our April Dick Smith concert at the Wagner residence was nothing short of fantastic. A more lovely spring day couldn't have been ordered and by the car full our members ar­ rived, expectant of coming events. Dick gave them all anyone could desire and more. In his inimitable styling he put the Wurlitzer through its paces and used everything on it to good ad­ vantage. From his Glenn Miller re­ membrances to Jesse Crawford styl­ Paul Quarino at the 2/5 Wurlitzer at the Hadderly residence with a rather unusual stop, the ings, from novelty silent movie score cymbal-banging mechanical monkey, usually seen at the Organ Grinder Restaurant. - (Photo by Claude V. Neuffer) collection to rousing marches, Dick kept them happy and wanting more - sisted of three ranks, (Diapason , Flute POTOMACVALLEY which they demanded - and got - in & String) and Chimes. Bert added a March saw the Potomac Valley three encores. We saw him, we heard Trumpet and Vox Humana, bringing chapter on busses bound for a New him, and it is still difficult to believe the organ up to five ranks. This instru­ York weekend and a concert at Radio one man can do so much with one ment was meticulously installed by City Music Hall, as guests of the instrument. Dick Smith is truly "An Bert and his father and is as neat and experience." clean a job as you'll see anywhere. hosting New York chapter, featuring Jimmy Paulin, Jr. at the console. Preceding the concert a short busi­ Our concert was played by Paul ness meeting was held at which our Quarino, who recently moved to Port­ Seventy-eight of our members enjoyed an evening on the town, then on past chairman, Jean Lautzenheiser, land from the "Melody Inn" in Los was presented with a plaque in recog­ Altos, California. Paul is now playing nition of her outstanding accomplish­ the 3/34 Wurlitzer at Portland's Organ ments during her two years in office. Grinder restaurant, along with Jonas Nordwall. ROY WAGNER That Quarino is a real showman! His numbers were interlaced with RED RIVER witty prattle and ad-libs. His program The March assembly of the Fargo­ consisted of classics, improvisations on Moorhead theatre organ buffs took Bach and familiar pop tunes. It's really place at Grace Lutheran Church in amazing what an artist of Paul's ability Fargo on a warm, sunny Sunday after­ can get out of five ranks, and no Tibia, noon. The writer presented a short yet! pops concert on the 2/ 8 Wangerin As is the custom at the Organ theatre organ. This instrument was Grinder, Paul was up-staged in one installed at Grace Lutheran in 1938 number by the Grinders cymbal­ after it was purchased from Wangerin banging mechanical monkey, placed in Milwaukee after the organ had been on the console by Dennis Hedberg at repossessed from a theatre. Very little the appropriate moment. This was met "churchifying" was done except the with complete delight by the audience , percussions and toy counter were left all of whom had seen the monkey in at the factory. The organ was installed action before, at the restaurant. in a small single chamber and, because Playing a small organ like this one of the lack of space, the manual chests of five ranks is quite a change from the were criss-crossed. The organ is on ten 34 ranker which Paul plays daily. inches wind pressure and speaks out However, it certainly shows people with authority. The business meeting how much music can be made on a got under way in the fellowship hall small instrument. Dick Smith at the Wagner Wurlitzer. - where the concert committee reported DON INGRAM (Photo by R. Wagner) on the upcoming silent movie spec-

56 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 tacular at the Fargo Theatre. After tributed to an afternoon of relaxation that the song was thrown out of the hearing that the Exorcist had been and good theatre organ sound, again show after a week's run, and today it booked in for fifteen weeks at the attesting to the fact that the South­ stands as one of the most aristocratic Fargo and the theatre chain would not eastern Chapter is one of talented and admired of America's popular rent the theatre during this period, organists as well as enthusiasts. songs - as witnessed by Walter Winn's discussion turned to a Fall concert. A On Sunday afternoon, May 5, sensitive rendition. discussion then completed the business ATOS activities centered around a Many feel that ATOS home meet­ portion on means of promotion of the concert by one of the chapter's most ings such as these are prime examples type used by the Cedar Rapids Chap­ pronusmg organists, Walter Winn. of how the theatre organ art has been ter. Winn's concert, at the home of chapter promulgated throughout the homes of The April meeting started out as a member John McCall, featured the enthusiasts, allowing those with space supper hour pot-luck at the home of Gulbransen Premiere electronic theatre problems or budget problems, or a Mr. and Mrs. Reinhold Utke of Moor­ organ. The program began with a lively combination of both, an unpre­ head. The turnout was excellent! The arrangement of "Hallelujah" from cedented opportunity to enjoy the business talk centered around main­ experience of the institution of the taining good public relations with the theatre organ. Electronic instruments theatre chain that owns the Fargo - both good and inferior - have made Theatre. After everyone had stuffed the general public more aware of the themselves to the limit with ex­ organ as an entertainment medium as ceptionally good food, they all moved opposed to its traditional image based to Weld Hall on the Campus of Moor­ upon liturgical applications. Possibly it head State College where they viewed is with this open-mindedness that the The Great K&A Train Robbery ATOS will continue to function as an starring Tom Mix. Alan Shorter, a organization that will be attractive and silent film accompanist student from useful to a great spectrum of en­ the college, played an original score on thusiasts. a piano. As a film surprise, the club JOHN CLARK McCALL, JR. also saw Harry Langdon try to take portraits of a very sedate family with some very naughty children. The idea SOUTHERNARIZONA of using a piano to accompany a film Southern Arizona held the fourth was to show the club that this instru­ regular meeting of the winter season ment can be just as effective a vehicle with a program at the Northminster for scoring as an organ, if done well. Presbyterian Church, Tucson. Ralph Al Shorter received warm applause at Cloos, entertainment chairman, dem­ the end for a job extremely well done! John McCall at the Winn's three-manual onstrated the McDowell-built pipe or­ LANCE JOHNSON Allen. gan, a 2/17 instrument with 44 stops and 994 pipes. These pipes were cut in Vincent Youman's Hit the Deck the building and not pre-cut. The SOUTHEASTERN (1927), using a rich array of stop rail Diapason Chorus was left open, toe Atlanta's Fox Theatre and its famous voices alternating with a strident voicing and no nicking. As the instru­ Moller theatre organ have long served sforzando with brass predominating. ment is modern, some of the pipework as a base of operations for the South­ Winn's talent at "working full time" at was done with nicking and slotting. eastern Chapter ATOS. In fact, the the console and his adept, effective After a tour and talk about the oper­ restoration of this instrument in the registration changes marked all of the ation of the organ, Ralph played early sixties brought about the for­ organist's selections. To close the con­ several numbers, including "The mation of the chapter. But home cert, Winn played Gershwin's "The Palms", in honor of Palm Sunday. meetings have certainly taken no Man I Love," a song first introduced by Past chairman, Lois Seamands then "back seat" to theatre organ activities Adelle Astair in the Gershwin's musi­ entertained members and guests at her in the Atlanta area. cal, Lady Be Good. It is noteworthy home with open console and a social Chapter members gathered on Sun­ day afternoon, March 31, at the home of Walter and Donna Winn to enjoy the sound of the Winn's newly­ THEATREORGAN and OTHER RECORDINGS by acquired Allen three manual electronic FRANKDENKE • DOREENCHADWICK • VIC HAMMETT theatre organ. After a short business TINYJAMES• EVERETT NOURSE• DAVID SHEPHERD meeting, chapter chairman Bob Van Camp - now affiliated with Allen JIMMYSWIFT• SIDNEY TORCH• GEORGE WRIGHT• AND OTHERS Organs since his retirement as one of the "voices of the South" on Atlanta's SENDFOR FREE CATALOG OF LONGPLAYi NG STEREORECORD ALBUMS WSB radio - presented a cameo per­ formance of some of his trademark DORICRECORDS songs. Open console at the Allen fol­ P. 0. BOX605, ALAMO,CALIFORNIA 94507 lowed. Many chapter members con-

JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN 57 arrangements for employment and ex­ perience by working here in Tucson for the local Conn dealer, Broadway Organ and Piano Co. Broadway is opening a branch in Phoenix in May and David will go there. The many friends of David Pitts, here, hope to see him in Detroit at the convention this summer. After the U.S.A., he goes to Germany and then, home. This reporter had a great deal of pleasure in conducting this interview. BOB HIGH

SOUTH FLORIDA The March meeting of the South Florida Chapter was a double bonus: a Australian David Pitts at the Conn 650 at Lois Seam and 's home. joint meeting with the Miami Chapter of the American Guild of Organists hour. David Pitts of New Castle, New with the Australian Broadcasting Com­ and the eagerly-awaited dedication of South Wales, Australia, was our artist pany, (radio) on the "Coastal" braod­ the Wurlitzer from the Florida State of the late afternoon and evening at cast, for thirty minutes each day using Theatre in Jacksonville, which now the hostess' Conn 650 organ. a Conn 650 theatre organ. His home is resides in Andre Hall in Miami. Bob David Pitts has been the resident built around an electronic organ. A and Vivian Andre have spent countless organist in the Kensington Theatre of nearly square studio of 600 sq. ft. was hours lovingly rebuilding, and their New Castle NSW playing a Conn the­ built wide enough with windows in the work paid off with a magnificent atre organ before the film and during right places so the console can be in evening for everyone. John Steele intermission. New Castle doesn't have the center of the room. He built a opened the program in fine style and pipe organs in its theatres but David special chamber for extra speakers treated the audience to many of its has given two concerts on the 2/ l 0 which he designed and also has a favorites, including excerpts from Walt Wurlitzer in the Marrickville Town Leslie. Disney's Snow White. We are grateful Hall, Sydney and has, in conjunction Leaving Tucson in May, David will to John for stepping in at the eleventh with Don Kingston, export manager for go to Phoenix, Arizona. Don Kingston, hour for the ailing Hal Stanton. Conn, given concerts at the New Castle instigator of David's trip, had made The second half of the Wurlitzer City Auditorium. A student of Albert Burrows, English theatre organist, who has since returned to England, David has played organ for seven years. Starting at a very young age on piano, at 18 he took up the study of organ. Mr. Bur rows, David's teacher, studied at the College of Organists, London, England and with Eric Coates, the well known composer of the "London Suite" and other works. David says he tries not to copy anyone and he does have his own, a rather dramatic theatre style, which is very pleasant. He studied basic theatre style, Bach and other good foundation work and has tied it all together in an ear pleasing way that should make him very many musical fans and friends in the theatre organ world. David got started at the Yamaha Regional Contest which he won three times. He went on to win the State finals and came in third in the National Finals. Quote: "Quite a good experience for me and helped me gain confidence for playing in public". Betty Lee Taylor, at the console. And organ owners Vivian and Bob Andre at the dedication Unquote. David played on contract concert for ATOS and AGO members. - (G. Gerhart Photo)

58 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 dedication took everyone back to heard at the April meeting. A real treat opening of the $500,000 theatre, April vaudeville and the era of the silent was provided by the host and hostess 19, 1928. Larry Jean Fisher 'presided movies. Betty Lee Taylor brought her with their piano and organ duets at the console,' featuring variations own style and charm, along with her which included Bach's "Siciliano" and from "All Alone." A IO-piece orches­ guests, tenor soloist, Oscar Davis and "Suite for Two Organs" by the Span­ tra played accompaniment to three Gene Hoffman, a comedian dancer. ish composer, Antonio Soler. The acts of vaudeville, and the overture to Betty Lee was right in her element voices of piano and organ com­ the silent film, Something's Always with her accompaniment of Harold plimented and balanced each other in Bound to Happen, starring Esther Lloyd in Haunted Spooks and Finish­ a manner not often heard. The Soler Ralston." ing Touch with Laurel and Hardy. featured the Estey and a reed pump But as talking pictures, TV and For some of the audience, it was a organ for an unusual note. Open con­ rock bands surfaced on the cultural first-time thrill and for others, the sole and a chance to inspect the "inner horizon, a disease, not at all unfamiliar re-awakening of fond memories. workings" gave club members the per­ even today, also surfaced. It has been Thank you, Betty Lee, John, and most fect ending of a delightful Sunday diagnosed as "neglect." Sure enough, of all, Vivian and Bob , for a wonderful afternoon. Thanks, Dot and Joe, for even back in 1963, it took six months evening. the warmth and graciousness of your of doctoring for W.R.T.O.S. to ready What is about eight feet high, six hospitality, and for sharing your this grand Wurlitzer to be played for feet wide, two and one half feet deep talents and your fine installation. the Mary Lee Tucker Christmas Show. and sings as sweetly as a bird? How BOBBIE LITZINGER However, "neglect" was replaced often have you heard someone say recently by a huge dose of "labor "I'd love to have one but I don't have (plus) loads of love" and a dedication room?" Dot and Joe Muise, of our WESTERNRESERVE to revitalize this fine in strum en t. chapter, have the answer to both It was really exhilarating to arise Among those who worked were Fred questions. It's the ideal solution for bright and early on a crispy-cold Carson, a teacher at Brookside School those of us who have small homes and Saturday A.M. to join together for a in Sheffield, John Leek of Oberlin, large dreams of our own pipe organs, social-historical event such as the Ohio and Robert and Eloise Stilgen­ and it can be found in Dot and Joe's W.R.T.O.S'rs participated in back in bauer. In Fred's own words, "The living room. February. The occasion was pre­ Palace Wurlitzer is a great treasure for Yes, it really is a pipe organ cham­ cipitated by the rejuvenation and re­ the area - the only large organ in a ber, with real pipes, and on wheels, soundification of the Palace Theatre theatre in northeastern Ohio. With yet! They, too, have invested time and 4/11 Wurlitzer in Lorain, Ohio. The some refurbishing of the theatre, pro­ love in their conversion of the four following paragraph appeared in the motion and the right schedule, organ rank, mostly Estey tubular-pneumatic Lorain Journal Friday, February 15, concerts could be a big thing in the to the sweet sounding, direct electric 1974: area." instrument which chapter members "Some will even remember the gala We heartily thank Fred Packard of

Tl! IUillilll Rosa Rio COLORFUL and EXCITING RESTAURANT and COCKTAIL LOUNGE THEATRE ORGAN 3/17 WURLITZER HAMMOND X66 CONCERTS Theatre Pipe Organ Organ Complex

Belvedere Ave. 130 Mill Street ANDY KASPARIAN Wanaque, New Jersey 07465 Huntington, Conn. 06484 Organist (201) 835-3903 (203) 929-1652 - phone

Theatre and Classical Organ Concerts Feature Silent Films (313) 868-3322 Piano/Organ Duets 413 S. Henderson, No. 9 Bloomington, Indiana 47401 (812) 336-9902

JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN 59 all who will afford a few moments to this organ was so great that it neces­ play or listen - we dedicate this sitated a move to a larger home to organ." eventually hear it played. Additional Eloise and Bob Stilgenbauer remodeling at the rear of their new 11-19-73 home provided space for the creation So reads the plaque on Eloise and of the extraordinary loft which houses Bob's Estey pipe organ - also known 8 ranks of 445 pipes. It is colloquially as their "Marry them and bury them and literally one of the "neatest" Estey," inasmuch as it was formerly installations we have yet seen. Eloise used in the 20th Street Methodist and Bob's talents are further illus­ Church, Lorain, Ohio. trated here by their imaginative use of Their devotion to the restoration of decorative church pipes as an at-

The Stilgenbaur installation includes a set of Haskell reedless Oboe pipes.

Shaker Heights who was our featured artist. His arrangements of well-re­ membered songs such as "Laura", "Wine and Roses", "Winter Wonder­ land" , "As Time Goes By" and "The Trolley Song" indeed enlightened our senses to appreciate the unusual, rare and beautiful tones of the organ. Thank you, too, George Haeffer, man­ ager of the Palace Theatre! Opus! Sui Generis (One of a Kind) "For the pleasure and enjoyment of Bob Stilgenbaur's Estey pipe organ and room divider utilizing used church pipes.

olle1ie 1d- "HECTOR" IYNL~~E:N alike~ Cffi.wtrte - CfaHia.a[ - rPopufa'l. FEATURED ORGANIST 4/28 WURLITZER Limited bookings now available for "Convention Sensation" ORGAN STOPPIZZA Latin American Organist - HECTOR OLIVERA WALT MOLT MANAGEMENT 5330 North Seventh St.• Phoenix, Arizona• (602) 263 -0716 364 AVENUE F • PITTSBURGH, PA . 15221 • (412 ) 823-3163

✓✓Hear Him At The Suburbian" Organ Parts and Accessories ~ ~ ~ Wanaque, New Jersy

roRGAN SUPPLY COMPANY 101B LORENZ DRIVE e ANKENY . IOWA 5002 I

Chests • Consoles • Solid State Tremolos SIient Blowers • Engraving • Howard Seats AndyKasparian 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. Philadelphia. Pa. 19111 Wanaque, N.J. 07465 "Quality Through Pride In Workmanship" (215) Pl 2-5344 (201) 835-3903

60 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 tractive room divider. ter of Pittsburgh graciously furnished The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram their recital hall and a fine three ( 12-8-73) and the Lorain Journal manual Rodgers classic instrument. (2-15-74) also featured Eloise and Bob Mr. George Christ, W.P.T.O.S., was our Stilgenbauer's Estey. Eloise and son, host. This "thriller" was enjoyed by all Rob , an especially musical twosome, in attendance, particularly the young can now entertain, to the pride of folks, who sat in rapt attention from their family and friends, with duets, start to finish. An intermission lun­ using the pipe organ and their Baldwin cheon was served by Charlotte electronic organ. McKnight and Katherine Smonko. As Our March meeting took place at an added attraction, Elva Houston and the Gray's Armory where Bob Brenner James Berna presented a program of entertained us on our 3/13 Wurlitzer. popular organ duets and a sing­ W.R.T.O.S. member Bob Brenner along. The "silent flick" was accom­ began piano lessons as a child. He panied by Bob Mitchell. graduated to the organ at age 19, On Saturday, Mach 30, 1974, West alternating his practice on a 4/M Bob Brenner describes his recently pub­ Penn presented the second of its cur­ Moller church organ and a Hammond. lished music instruction book. rent theatre organ workshops For years he toured night clubs play­ ing the Hammond. Bob has been a "times table", which take only 3 Baldwin dealer for 18 years, first in his minutes a day to learn, having to do native New Castle, Pa. and recently in with changing chords. Bob's book sells Mentor, "The Baldwin Music Center." for $10.00. It has been a successful During the course of the program Bob venture and has made many, many introduced his recently published people happy! book, "Bob Brenner's Modular Make yourself happy - you, too, Memory Music Method." This book is can learn to play what you now enjoy! designed for the person who knows BEA ROSSIN nothing about music and also the person who has attempted music les­ sons and now wan ts to learn to play WEST PENN chords. Bob's method requires less On Saturday, March 2, 1974, West than 20 seconds to learn each chord of Penn presented the second of its cur­ which there are twelve. There are nine rent silent films - The Cat and the James Berna and Elva Houston shared the small rules to follow, similar to a , Canary. The Joseph Horne Music Cen- spotlight.

- FeaturedOrganist on the PaulWhiteman Show -

Bill Ballan THEATRE ORGAN CONCERTS INSTRUCTION IN THEATRE ORGAN STYLING HOWARD A. BURTON 3045 3RD AVENUE MANUAL - PEDAL RELAYS FDR MARION, l • WA 52302 CHURCH - THEATRE 610 Asylum Ave., Suite 628 PHONE [ 31 9) 377-0946 RESIDENTIAL PIPE ORGANS Hartford, Connecticut 06105 Phone: (203) 278-5787

Cllhlcymillc, LEE ER-WIN a.a.g.o.

- THEATRE ORGAN CONCERTS -

ANGEL RECORDS 306 East 15th St. TORRENCE/PERROTTA MANAGEMENT CADENCE PUBLICATIONS New York City, 10003 1102 Stasia St. • Teaneck, N. J. 07666 • (201) 837-7362 I E. B. MARKS MUSIC (212) 777-5643

JUNE , 1974 THEATRE ORGAN 61 "Pittsburgh's Early Theatres, Organs of the 4/34 DTOC Wurlitzer with a and Organists. " Mr. George Christ, medley from, Annie, Get Your Gun. W.P.T.O.S. hosted the group at Joseph Despite the fact that three solo di­ Hornes Music Center of Pittsburgh. vision ranks were not playing due to The success of the event can be at­ restoration work, Gary played a fine tributed to the hard work and dili­ program that was varied, and enjoyed gent research conducted by the pro­ by all. Following Gary's program, gram committee - Mrs. Elva Houston, many got a chance to try their hands Programmer; Mr. Fran Verri, His­ at the "Big One" at an open console torical Research; Mr. John Schwartz, session. Audio/Visual; and Miss Patty On Sunday, April 21, about fifty Schwartz, Special Committee. Wolverine members were treated to a Refreshments were coordinated by program by the one-and-only John Mrs. Katherine Smonko and Mrs. Muri, at the 3/67 Aeolian residence Charlotte McKnight. organ in Meadow Brook Hall, near Musical Contributions were made Detroit. The organ, equipped with a by Mr. George Christ and Mr. Rey player unit, is the largest residence Galbraith. organ in the state of Michigan. Those A new member, Mrs. Julie Roberts Gary Montgomery at the DTOC Wurlitzer familiar with the organ were overheard was received into the Society. console. - (Photo by George Gephart) to say that John's playing was superior to that of the rolls, which was no BOB MITCHELL more sparkling sound which probably surprise to this writer. As well as the hasn't been heard in many moons in organ program, the attending members these parts. Other work being done WOLVERINE were treated to a tour of the 100-room includes a regulator to both the 16' house, to view how the "other half' Many long and restless nights were pedal Tuba rank and the console. It lived in the early part of this century. spent in the basement of the Michigan was discovered that adjusting the John continued to play throughout Theatre in Lansing, Michigan, during blower fans to their proper tolerances the rest of the afternoon, for the the months of February and March. caused the static line pressure to rise listening pleasure of the public who Four Wolverine organ crewmen com­ to a point where the organ must be came to view what the original oc­ pleted restoration of the 3/ 12 Barton's regulated at all points. Othe r additions cupants merely referred to as "The water-damaged Tibia rank and chest. to the Barton are in the planning stage Farm." John Muri, known for getting Those crewmen were Lawrie Mallett, at the present time. the best out of any organ, certainly George Gephart, Ed Corey and Scott On Sunday, March 16, former outdid himself at his Meadow Brook Smith. Now back in their proper holes, Wolverine Chairman Gary Mont­ Hall performance. the restored pipes breathe forth a new, gomery opened his program at console SCOTT S. SMITH

Now Booking 1974/15 Concert Tours He Opened the Roxy and Radio City Music Hall! 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. BOWLES 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

PIZZA & PIPES

Jimm1 WURLITZER THEATRE PIPE ORGAN 3581 Homestead Road 821 Winslo w Street at ( Lawrence Expressway) ( Downtown - Off Broadway) 80 SANTA CLARA, CALI FORNI A REDWOOD CITY , CALIFORNIA 1°!EXANDRIA ARENA - 4/34 WURLITZER PHONE 248 -5680 PHONE 365-6543 VIRGINIA THEATRE - 3/11 BARTON Staff Organists THEATRE ORGAN CONCERTS 1690 S . Bascom at Hamilton TOM HAZLETON SILENT FILM ACCOMPANIMENT (Hamil ton Pla za Shopping Center) JACK GUSTAFSON 4921 Seminary Road CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA RALPH TROUT Ill Alexandr ia, Virginia 22311 PHONE 371-5000 Telephone (703) 931 -4840 JOHN SENG

62 THEATRE ORGAN JUNE, 1974 RECORDS CLASSIFIED ADS "This is Karl Cole" a flashy, rousing Theatre Organ style recorded on the Wurlitzer Pipe Classifiedads are carried at 20 cents per word, per insertion. No chargefor first ten words for members. Organ at the New York State Fair Grounds. Twelve selections ranging from a bouncy "Sweet Georgia Brown" to a lush "Look for FOR SALE FOR SALE A silver Lining" $5.50 postpaid to Karl Sing-along slides and views, etc. Send SASE 2/5 Unit Organ with 61-note harp, Wur­ Cole, 4682 Broad Road, Syracuse, N.Y. for bid list, Allen C. Green, 7300 Dean Hill litzer Style 170 Chest (recently releathered) 13215. Drive, Knoxville, Tenn. 37919. and relay, fine oak console with 14 capture pistons. Extra ranks, magnets incl. $800.00. WANTED 3000 pipe Austin Organ built in 1929. Buyer to remove Wash. D.C. area. (703) Designed for orchestral use with Sym­ 548-6079. 4 Manual Wurlitzer Console in poor shape, phonies and Operas. An excellent example or Bolster rail. Ted Potempa, 4826 W. 22nd of an "Orchestral" organ similar to the great ELECTRONIC ORGAN KITS, KEY­ Place, Cicero, Ill. 60650. Portland City Hall organ. Now installed at BOARDS and many components. In­ Bushnell Memorial Hall, Hartford, Conn. dependent and divider tone generators. All Stopkeys, Morton, Trumpet 8' Vox 8 1 Vox Best offer (203) 527-3123 ask for Jack diode keying. I. C. circuitry. Supplement 4' Salicional 8' Salicional 4' State price. Roosa. your Artisan Organ. 35 cents for catalog. Thomas De Lay, 41 Paseo Herrnoso, Salinas, DEVETRONIX ORGAN PRODUCTS, CA. 93901. 3/12 Wurlitzer Theatre Organ, Chrysoglott, Dept. F, 5872 Amapola Dr., San Jose, Calif. Chimes, pipework, voicing guaranteed mint, 95129. Any information or literature on the included rare Quintadena, 16' String. Cozatt (Danville, Ill.) theatre and church High est offer over $15,000. Edward Must sell. Marr & Colton Pipe Organ, 2 pipe organs. Also, news of any currently Murphy, 2265 Lagoon Circle North, Clear­ manual, 11 ranks, console, blower Chimes, used Cozatt organs. Thanks. Vic Hyde, 1737 water, Florida 33515. Glockenspiel, Kimball Toy Counter, misc. Ferry St., Niles, Mich. 49120. parts. Cables with connectors. Buyer re­ 2 Manual, 10 rank Tellers Pipe Organ. move. Make offer. R. Schmidt, 19 E. 3rd Organ teacher, New London, Connecticut Playing beautifully at my home. $2800. St., Lansdale, Pa. 19446, Phone (215) for Academy Cadet, Douglas Riggins, Box Clark Wilson, 1029 Ambrose Ave., East 368-4194. 661, Organevale, Calif., 95662. Phone: Liverpool, Ohio 43920, (216) 385-4568. (916) 988-1906. Aeolian Duo-Art reproducing pipe organ (6 Hammond T-412 Spinette 2 years old ex­ ranks, circa 1932) with Concertola auto­ Wurlitzer 2 or 3 rank Reed Chest, or single cel lent condition $1,800.00. (805) matic roll changer in custom carved oak rank reed chests. Also small Wurlitzer regu­ 483-6882 R. Vreeland, 2531 Neptune Place, Marie Antoinette cabinet. Fine unrestored lator and trem. L. Weid, 7368 Willow Lake Port Huenene, ca ·. 93041. condition. Can be erected in limited space. Way, Sacramento, Calif. (916) 428-1478. Also Steinway & Sons Duo-Art (X R) com­ MOL LE R 3/16 Theatre Organ now playing. pletely remanufactured. $8,000.00. Wm. T. Main and offset chests for large scale Wur­ 2 Tibias, Quintadena. 7 reeds including Singleton, 5185 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, litzer Tibia, with or without pipes. Call Fran Gottfreid French Trumpet, 16' Oboe-Horn, Mo. 63108 or call 1-(314) 367-0719 be­ Aebi collect: {408) 484-9080 - evenings; French-Horn, Rare 3-way Moller harp. tween 6-8 P.M. C.D.T. {408) 449-4961 - days. Marimba, Orch. Bells and Full toy counter. Ornate Soloist console. Must sell to move to Wurlitzer Hope-Jones Style "D" built up to Back issue Theatre Organ Bombard Dec. smaller home. Will sell or trade for a 340 13 ranks with piano, accordian and full toy 1966; Feb. April, June 1967; Dec. 1968; Rodgers or equivalent. J.M. Martin, 206 S. counter. Specifications on request. Claire Oct. 1969. Norman Ray, Box 426, Sey­ Madison St., Whiteville, N.C. 28472. Elgin, 1 0898 Mora Drive, Los Altos Hills, mour, Ct. 06483. Phone (919) 642-2852 after 10:30 P.M. Calif. 94022 (415) 941-2514. Kilgen Dual control player rolls, 11 ¼ wide. Wurlitzer 3 Manual Theatre Organ 23 rank Rodgers Trio Organ - 3 manual - abso­ Collections or singles. Also catalogs, etc. on with Chrysoglott, Harp Xylophone, Bells, lutely as new - 1 year old $5,800.00. (516) Kilgen organs. Also want complete player or Sleigh Bells, Chimes, Toy Counter and 473-2059. C. Roberts, Box 534, Port J ef­ parts. James D. Crank, 724 Laurel Ave., Drums. Completely rebuilt excellent con­ ferson, N.Y. 11777. Menlo Park, Calif. 94025. dition installed in residence, asking $25,000. Harold Logan, 6292 Brookfield Ave., Niagara Falls, Ontario (416) 35 8-837 5. KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE BRITISH THEATRE ORGAN SCENE! Wicks, 2/8 Theatre Organ From the State Theatre Denver, Presently installed in my Subscribe to The Journal of the Cinema home. Complete with traps, Xylophone, Harp, Bells, Chimes, Stop list and console, Organ Society, a quarterly publication fea­ picture upon request. John Adams, 814 turing photos, history, stoplists, biographies, Florman, Rapid City, S. D. 57701, (605) and technical articles ... Plus monthly news­ 342-1708. letters of the latest theatre organ news,

ALLEN ORGAN, Model B3, augmented by events, and record reviews. Allen, with Gyro Cabinets and Remote generators. Can be seen and played in Send $6 or 2 pounds sterling for a year's subscription Church prior to Summer '7 4 removal. Con­ tact SAVILLE ORGAN SALES for infor­ Mr. L. Hudson mation or appointment. P.O. Box 149, Deer The Cinema Organ Society Park, N. Y. 11729 Phone: (516) 586-0300. 22, Oakwood Close Geneva 3/18 Harp and Chimes. Horseshoe Chase Road, Southgate roll-top console. Harry McCord, 1214 London, England Nl4 4JY Webster, Corinth, Mississippi 38834.

JUNE, 1974 THEATRE ORGAN 63 can see Laurel and Hardy with Jean Harlow in "Bacon Grabbers" at the Henry Ford Museum Theatre, Wednesday, July 17, featuring LYN LARSEN at the console of the new CUSTOMRODGERS THEATRE ORGAN

Henry Ford Museum Theatre in Greenfield Village, Dearborn .Michigan. RODGE:RS ORGAN COMPANY Hillsboro, Oregon 97123