The Organ Spiel

Newsletter for the Sierra Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society

Silent Movie from 1920 March 2008

Friday, March 14 The Mark of

Towe Auto 1920 Museum Guest artist 8:00PM

Bob Salisbury About the Film will accompany In old Spanish , THE MARK OF ZORRO is a masterpiece the oppressive colonial gov- for any filmmaking era and is a perfect film the Silent Film. to use to introduce people to silent films. Al- ernment is opposed by ways a shrewd showman, Fairbanks pounced Zorro, masked champion of on the rights to Johnston McCulley's story About the Artist the people, who appears out “THE CURSE OF CAPISTRANO”, the tale Bob Salisbury started piano les- of nowhere with flashing that introduced "The of Old Cali- sons at a very early age. By the sword and an athletic sense fornia" to the world. No matter what heights time he was 13, he had taken thea- of humor, scarring the he'd go on to scale in his later films, this one may represent Fairbanks' artistry in it's purest tre organ lessons from Gaylord faces of evildoers with his form. So much praise is heaped on the action Carter. He moved with his family Mark. Meanwhile, beautiful scenes in this classic that viewers often over- to Catalina Island when he was 15 Lolita is courted by villain- look Doug's terrific job portraying both the where he first heard theatre organ. ous Captain Ramon, rich foppish Don Diego and his athletic alter ego Later, he became the organist at but effete Don Diego... and El Zorro. the Catalina Island Casino theatre. Younger viewers who might otherwise sneer dashing Zorro, who is at silent movies like this might be persuaded never seen at the same time to give it a chance by pointing out to them as Don Diego. As Zorro that no less an action star than Jackie Chan continues to evade pursuit, often praises in the same Ramon puts the damsel in breath with Buster Keaton as one of his influ- ences. distress... THE MARK OF ZORRO all by itself earned (Written by Rod Crawford) Douglas Fairbanks his title as cinema's -In-Chief. (above commentary

courtesy of ixtab9 on imdb.com)

March 2008 MORTON MADNESS Page 2

TWO marvelous Robert Mortons at TWO wonder- ful Wineries with TWO consummate Concerts by RON RHODE - Who could ask for anything more? Do NOT miss this!!! First we will experience the Harmony Wynelands Morton (in the large picture) which began life in San Francisco’s Castro Theatre in 1922. Bob Hartzell bought it in 1987. You will want to bring along a pic- nic to enjoy the lovely grounds & taste some wine before the concert. Next, we drive through the beautiful, winding foothills to Ironstone Vineyards (the dinner picture) to hear the Morton that graced the Sacramento Alhambra Theatre in 1927. Greeted by hundreds of wine barrels filled with daffodils, you will have time to tour the grounds and museum before dinner. Dinner : Roast Tri-Tip beef; BBQ Chicken; Red Jack Potato Salad; Mixed Green Salad; Fruit Salad; Seasonal Vegetables; Fresh RON RHODE Baked Bread; Desert with Red & White wine on the table.

Morton Madness XIV Ticket Order Form

GUEST ARTIST: Ron Rhode Name Tickets DATE: Saturday, April 12, 2008 X $50 ITINERARY: 1:00 p.m. - Ron Rhode concert in Lodi Mailing Address Total Amount 4:15 p.m. - Ironstone Vineyards tour 5:30 p.m. - Buffet dinner 7:00 p.m. - Ron Rhode concert in Murphys City

Make checks payable to Sierra Chapter, ATOS Phone

State Ticket orders must be post- Complete this fill-in order form, then print and marked no later than April 5, mail it with your check to: 2008.

Carol Zerbo ZIP E-Mail 4950 Village Oaks Dr. Rocklin, CA 95677-1839

Chapter Officers

Treasurer Board Member and Membership President 1st term expires Dec 2009 1st term expires Dec 2009 Recording Library Terry Clifton Bob Suffel Carol Zerbo 2nd term expires Dec 2008 916/863-6344 916/641-1850 Beverly Harris 916/624-9182 [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] 916/332-2837

Web Master Newsletter Editors Board Member Sherry & Terry Clifton Vice President Dave Sauer 1st term expires Dec 2009 916/863-6344 2nd term expires Dec 2008 916/925-7440 Craig Peterson [email protected] Tom Norvell E-Mail: [email protected] 916/682-9699 916/947-0673 E-Mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] Publicity/Program Director Organ Practice Coordinator Craig Peterson Board Member Irene Wilper 916/682-9699 916/967/5386 Secretary E-Mail: [email protected] 1st term expires Dec 2009 2nd term expires Dec 2008 Jim Leach [email protected] Sherry Clifton Historian 916/797-9125 916/863-6344 Barbara Harris E-Mail: [email protected] Organ Technician E-mail: 916/332-2837 Dave Moreno [email protected] Music Library Board Member 916/484-7356 Alice Kutzer 1st term expires Dec 2008 [email protected] 916/682-9699 Marian Galbraith 916/722-0411 March 2008 Page 3

P resident’ s perspective — Carol Zerbo Dean Cook's concert at Fair As with the This just in -- our Program Direc- Oaks was fun! I could tell from all the Fair Oaks tor/National VP Craig Peterson just head-bobbing and toe-tapping that oth- organ, we returned from the mid-year meeting ers felt the same way. Dean is a mas- are fortunate for national. Exciting would be a ter of hand registration so he and to have a good word for the future of ATOS! I "Aunt Clara" got along very well. "guardian" was already looking forward to the That's my name for the Fair Oaks or- for the Towe convention in Indianapolis this July gan - remember the TV show, organ -- but, this time, long term plans may be "Bewitched", starring Elizabeth Mont- Dave Sauer. just as important as the music. I pass gomery. Dean brought along his Korg I worked this on because it gives me hope that "Triton" keyboard which I thought he with Dave ATOS has shifted from cruise control used very tastefully, to enhance some on Free Mu- to high gear in its efforts to keep the of his songs orchestrally. This is when seum Day in theatre organ relevant for this and fu- I wish there were young people in the February and learned a great deal ture generations. audience. They need to see how well more about the history and workings a theatre organ gets along with other of this instrument. Dave arrives hours On a personal note, I think, hope, I am instruments. The possibilities are end- early for our concerts and movies and about 45 days away from receipt of less. One is limited only by one's mu- makes sure everything is ready to go. my LL324Q. No pressure there, John sical imagination. Of course, in the If an organist is needed for a special Nelson, but I'm not getting any case of a solo musician, one is also event, we can depend on Dave to play. younger! Please pass that on to Allen limited by the quality of one's His devotion to theatre organs, in gen- Organ Co. hand/eye coordination. It really be- eral, and the Towe, in particular, have comes a good example of patting your been a blessing to those of us whose head and rubbing your stomach greatest contribution may just be lis- (or is it the other way around?) tening. Thanks much, Dave!! This month we move to the We also have the details for Towe Museum for the first of our si- this year's Morton Madness. Ron lent movie presentations. A visit to Rhode is doing the honors at Harmony our website will give you all the de- and Ironstone Wineries. This should tails but the movie is The Mark of be a fun and very entertaining day. Once again, check out the website and Zorro starring Douglas Fairbanks. Bob Salisbury will be returning to Sacra- pray for good weather! mento to accompany the movie. Wel- See y'all at the Towe on March 14th. come back, Bob! CZ

MEMBERSHIP NEWS Welcome new members: Dick Taylor from San Mateo joined at the Contributing Level. Dennis Fertitta from Reno, also is a NORCAL member.

Bob Suffel, Terry & Sherry Clifton renewed at the Patron Level. Dorothy Hodel and Bob Hart renewed at the

Sustaining Level. Sierra Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society First Class P.O. Box 2017 Postage Fair Oaks, CA 95628-2017 Stamp

We are on the Web: sierrachapterATOS.org

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR EVENTS

SIERRA CHAPTER EVENTS SIERRA CHAPTER EVENTS NOR-CAL TOS EVENT Towe Auto Museum Morton Madness XIV Berkeley Community Theater 2200 Front Street Sunday Mar 9 - 2:30 PM Saturday April 12th Friday March 14th Chris Elliott 1:00 PM 8:00 PM $15/General Admission Ron Rhode Bob Salisbury OROVILLE STATE THEATRE

Silent Movie Harmony Wynelands, Lodi Saturday Apr 5 - 7:30 PM

$10/General Ironstone Vineyards, Murphys Dave Moreno Matias Bombal $8/Members The State’s 80th Birthday $5/Students $50 per person Includes Buffet Dinner $20/Family SANTA BARBARA EVENT

Arlington Theatre Sierra Chapter ATOS Saturday May 10 - 11:00 AM The Chapter was organized in 1968 as a not-for-profit corporation under the statutes of the State of California and is recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Reve- Jerry Nagano nue Code and Section 23701d of the California Revenue and Taxation Code. It was organized 1317 State St. for the purpose of preservation and promotion of the Theatre Pipe Organ and its music. Mem- Santa Barbara, CA 93101 bership in the local Chapter also encourages membership in the National Organization, American SBTOS Hotline: 805-692-0939 Theatre Organ Society (ATOS.) www.atos.org