Tnea1reOrgan Bombarde

JOURNALof the AMERICANTHEATRE ORGAN ENTHUSIAST olume 11, No. 1 -~ February, 1~ 69 1 M 0 Show N ,r_ Time - C In L Chicago A R July E 1969 OUR OCTOBER COVER GIRL 26th with Reginald Dixon. More plans RESPONDS are afoot but cannot be revealed at this • stage. Organist Jeff Barker will well re­ Dear Stu: member this organ as he played here for .~. When my picture stared at me from sometime before leaving for the States. the cover of THEATRE ORGAN-BOM­ You will notice that we have had very BARDE (October 1968), it was the sur­ good co-operation from the Manchester prise of my life-totally unexpected. I agents of Hammond, and I am quite ~ convinced that the electronic organ will ~ ~ knew that if I waited long enough and ...... kept faith, I'd make it, one day- a real prove the saviour of the pipe organs that cover girl. When a gal gets so close to 80 are left. that it isn't funny, its most gratifying to Remember - more colour, organ gen, ~ ~ be thus remembered and honored. Thank more relics from the past, more news - TTT-a;rTTT you for putting Edie Steele in the lime­ and less Martha Lake. light once more. Yours sincerely, Letters to the Editor concerning all aspects Edith Steele, John Potter of the theatre organ hobby are encouraged. England Send them to the editor concerned, Box 2329, San Diego, California Livonia, Michigan 48150. Unless it's stated (This editor looks forward to reaching clearly on the letter "not for publication", the 80 soon if he can count on becoming as editors feel free to reproduce it, in whole or young as Edith Steele. Her home is a FROTH OVER NEAR BEER part. melange of musical instruments - Nova­ chord, piano (2) and organ-which she Mr. Editor: READER REVIEWS JESSE'S plays constantly with the same skill and REVIEWER beauty which made her a console favor­ Come now-who are you kidding? I Dear Mr. Editor, ite at the San Diego Fox in the early read with interest and doubt in the Oc­ '30's.) tober (1968) Nuggets column about organ- The 1923 review of Jesse Crawford's ist Lloyd del Castillo writing a prohibition performance at the Chicago Theatre ( Oct­ tune called Near Beer. I have always con­ ober 1968 TO-B) by D. Kenneth Wid­ sidered Mr. del Castillo among the top enor was obviously an organist well­ concert organists. My estimate of his mus­ grounded in the classic organ traditions PIED PIPER IN REVERSE ical prowess is backed up by his recent (note his reverence for Guilmant, Dupre, Concert Recording release on the Los An­ etc.) who found the brashness of the new­ Dear Stu: geles Wiltern and Elks Temple instruments. fangled theatrical application of his in­ Now you say that he is a composer of strument a little hard to reconcile with Recently I had the pleasure (for the tradition as he knew it. While he profes­ third time) of playing the world's largest what has got to be musical trivia-Near ses admiration for the many of the ap­ pipe organ in Convention Hall, Atlantic Beer. Tell me it isn't so. City. What a thrill! Yes, I turned on all proaches in the Crawford bag of tricks Antonio Provensano he takes Jesse to task for over use of the ten 32' stops plus the full-length 64' Barstow, California Kinura. In 1923 the Kinura was some­ Diaphone. I'll bet every rat left the neighborhood before I was through with thing of a radical innovation among organ (As evidence that Nuggets columnist with that Processional March! voices and the old school wasn't ready Lloyd Klos wasn't pulling any Gambi, we to accept this departure from time-hon­ Stevens Irwin offer this box ad from the March 1920 ored concepts in organ voices. The same issue of Metronome. In addition, read the St. Petersburg, Florida applies to what Widenor claims is too words of the composer (below). The fact much 16' content in combinations. It is (Steve Irwin is a lexicographer who that he has a fine sense of humor in no probable that the straight organ Widenor specializes in describing organ tonalities. way detracts from his musical prowess.) used as a point of reference had 16' stops A retired educator, he flits from console only in the pedal division, with mainly to console, listening to what the instrument 8' manual stops plus a sprinkling of 4' has to offer and then dreaming up phrases stops. The low hum of the 16' voices was to describe the sound for the next revision new, different-and, to him, muddy. Of of his Dictionary of Pipe Organ Stops.) course, the 16' rumble can be overdone but it's unlikely that a musician of Craw~ Near-Beer ford's impeccable taste would err very far (How Dry I Am) in that direction. Then there's the com­ Dear Editor: March By L G. del Caatillo plaint that Jesse improvised the music Band and Orcheab-a Leaden all onr the country an writina ua in effoct: "The be.t PROHIBmON number for his comedies instead of using standard publi.ahed." "It'• a RIOT." "Playinc it niahtly." A or printed music. Crawford picked up this I have just received the latest (for me) novelty march? We'll Ny 110! art (and it is an art) while observing the magazine, which is the August edition, BAND 38c N,t ORCHESTRA all-time master of comedy accompani­ and I must protest strongly at the two ments, Oliver Wallace. Wallace's forte was pages devoted to one Martha Lake. Where­ improvising during comedies. He did it as this female was originally a joke and Mr. Editor: You'd be surprised at the because the fast pace of the slapstick quite a good one at the time-it has now more disreputable sides of my career. left little room for whole tunes, and cust­ reached the stage where myself, and one When confronted with the ad, plucked omers didn't like hearing the current pops or two friends, are heartily sick of the from a long extinct issue of Metronome, cut up for 8 bar-cues or interrupted by creature and when good organ space is I must plead guilty. The Near Beer march effects. So Wallace was able to follow the devoted to such trivialities then it is featured melodic contrapuntal themes over comedy by improvising around a throw­ time to find another magazine. and under that fine old madrigal, How away theme; no one minded if he punc­ My congratulations on the colour, but Dry I Am. Its composition was inspired tuated it with a fire gong or dog bark who was responsible for the front photo by the arrival of 3.2 percent beer, legalized now and then. Apparently Mr. Widenor of George Wright being printed in re­ sometime after the advent of Prohibition hadn't yet been faced with such problems verse? This sort of thing is sheer careless­ in 1919. You'd have thought then, from the or hadn't thought them through. However, ness which ruins an otherwise (apart from degree of public jubilation, that near beer the most forceful evidence of widenor's lack Martha Lake) good effort, and cannot was blue ribbon champagne. Anyway, it of appreciation for things then new is his be excused. put the tune in vogue. What's it like­ condemnation of that assault on musical Just to let you know that we in England besides How Dry I Am? Well, the break­ taste-the glissando (or roll)--one of the are not behind the wall when it comes to up strain is a cacophony of Chopin's developments for which Crawford is re­ organ presentation I enclose two pro­ Funeral March, What the Hell Do We membered, with affection, after 45 years. grammes which I have had the pleasure Care? and We Won't Get Home Until Widenor just couldn't see that the world of organizing with my colleagues, Keith Morning. And that's all you'd want to of organs was changing-and leaving him Phillipson, the Northern Representative know about Near Beer. nd of the Theatre Organ Club, and Rank behi · Henry Beardsley Theatres Limited. These have been quite Lloyd G. del Castillo Danville, Illinois successful and we continue on January Hollywood, California february, 1969 2 THE COVER PHOTO

The Mont Clair Theatre houses a 3/10 Barton organ. This was the scene of a sold out CATOE production of an TheatreOrgan authentic theatre organ show. The instrument was installed in 1929, ::1:.~!a~~e:nt~y th=r~!':nm~~ffof ~9~ at which time CATOE members took over and completed the restoration of the organ . The Theatre was also Bombarde the setting for the John Muri Show on November 7, 1968. Volume 11, No. 1 February, 1969

TABLE OF CONTENTS A.T.O.E. National Membership is $7.00 per calendar year , which includes a subscription to THEATRE ORGAN BOMBARDE, the official LETTERS TO EDITOR ...... 2 publication of the American Theatre Organ EDITORIAL-AL MASON ...... 3 Enthusiasts. Single copies: $1.25. Make check GEORGE WRIGHT & DON BAKER IN SAN FRANCISCO-OAKLAND ...... 4 or money order payable to A.T.O.E., and mail ~~~R~~~GHOA~~~MMf fT~~ .6 .s: . : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : ~ to P.O. Box 2329, Livonia, Michigan 48150. AUSTIN PREMIER QUADRUPLEX ...... 8 DICK LEIBERT-LA CONCERT ...... 12 ALL MATERIAL FOR PUBLICATION OHIO VALLEY-GAYLORD CARTER ...... 13 HOME ORGAN FESTIVAL ...... 14 EXCEPT ADVERTISING SHOULD BE MUSIC OF THE SILENTS ...... 17 SENT TO A.T .O.E. PUBLICATIONS THEATRE ORGAN-ORIENTAL STYLE ...... 18 P.O. BOX 2329, LIVONIA , MICHIGAN 48150 CONVENTION PREVIEW-CHICAGO ...... 22 " SAN GABRIEL " ORGAN ARRIVES ...... 22 LA AGO/ATOE MEET ...... 23 ADVERTISING ADDRESS : Dewey Cagle , 3291 SOONER STATE CHAPTER ...... 23 Guido Street , Oakland , California 94602. MILLIE ALEXANDER TEACHES ...... 24 DAN BARTON - ACCIDENT ...... 24 WHERE THE BARTON$ WERE-PART 4 ...... 25 HOLLYWOOD CAVALCADE ...... • ...... 25 VOX POPS ...... 26 A.T.O.E. National Officers SOCIAL PIZZA ORGAN ...... 29 Albert T. Mason, President NUGGETS FROM GOLDEN DAYS ...... 30 CHAPTER NEWS ...... 31 Richard F. Kline , Jr ., Vice President DISC SQUEALS ...... 34 Betty Mason, National Secretary RECORD REVIEWS ...... 35 Dorothy MacClain, Secretary-Treasurer CLASSIFIED ADS ...... 39 A.T.O.E. National Board of Directors Lee Erwin W. " Tiny" James With This Issue ..... Richard F. Kline , Jr. Frederick J. Kruse With thi s issue, the change s in the magazine are now in force. Our new Ben M. Hall publi cation s director , Don Lockwood , pledges that the delays of the past Dorothy J. MacClain will remain th er e. With the entire cooperation of chapters and individuals Allen W. Rossiter Erwin A . Young, Jr. supplying material , th e editor s and the printer , we plan to have every issue Richard H. Schrum , Honorary mail ed in th e month it should be. You will know when it arrives that each followin g copy should be at the same time. I say it that way as the post office A.T.O.E. Honorary Members ha s wa ys of it s own in delivering second class mail. 1959 - Jesse Crawford 1960 - Famy Wurlitzer John Muri , well known as an organi st, an expert in English , will be a 1961 - Mel Doner re gular contributor with often pungent comment s on the organ world of the 1962 - Leonard MacClain pa st, pr ese nt and futur e. If you have any reaction to John 's articles, write in. 1963 - Eddie Dunstedter I'm sor ry that in the December issue John 's name was omitted from his 1964 - Reginald Foort 1965 - Dan Barton column titled " Getting the Facts." 1966 -W. " Tiny" James Remember - we have no paid staff of reporter s charging madly around 1967 - Erwin A. Young, Jr. the countr y gathering material for our magazine. You are there and you 1968- Richard C. Simonton mu st send th e article s and pictures in and in plenty of time or we won't EDITORIAL STAFF ha ve th em to print. Thi s is your only official Journal. Th e far ewell to the Columbu s, Ohio Loewe s Theatre will be February Editor - George Thompson Associate Editors - Ray Brubacher 16th. Th e building is scheduled to be replaced by a State office building. Lloyd Klos Thu s anoth er mighty mu sicmaker lo ses it s original home. We hope the Peg Nielsen Central Ohio Chapter can find a new home for the instrument. Editor-Emeritus - W. " Stu" Green It is time to nominate members for the National Board of Directors to Publications Director - Don Lockwood Advertising Manager - Dewey Cagle ser ve a two year term. If you are interested in serving your organization in Circulation Manager- Vi Thompson thi s capacity , plea se make this known to your chapter chairman. Also i{ you know of someone who would do a good job, please let this be known. THEATRE ORGAN BOMBARDE (title registered Plan to attend the National Convention in Chicago this summer. This is U.S. Patent Office) is published bi-monthly by the American Theatre Organ Enthusiasts, Inc ., the la st year in the 60's . Let' s make it an action year. a non-profit organization , Albert T. Mason, President. All rights reserved. Entire contents copyrighted 1969 by A .T.O.E., Inc . Office of publication is P.O. Box 2329, Livonia, Michi­ gan 48150. Printed by Division Printing, Inc., Pontiac , Michigan 48054.

POSTMASTER: Second Class postage paid at Pontiac, Michigan. IF UNDELIVERABLE, send form 3579 to A.T.O.E. Circulation Deptartment, Box 1314, Salinas, California 93901.

3 theatre organ bombarde A Swinging Weekend In San Francisco - Oakland With George Wright & Don Baker

It isn't often that one has the theatre is a regular attraction at opportunity of choosing between that house. It was the subject of an concerts played by two ex-New York in-depth article in the April, 1968 Paramount console artists, hut that's issue of this magazine: What's New the way it was during the weekend on the Avenue? The organ and of November 15-16 in San Francisco. theatre have had their ups and Would it he Don Baker or George downs since the appearance of the Wright? article and at one time the organ was about 75 percent removed when Actually, no one had to make it seemed the theatre would close. AIN'T THIS PRETTY? George Wright anticipated such a decision because George And close it did, only to reopen the flashbulb by clowning for the photographer . He likes the instrument, a 3-14 Wurlitzer originally Wright played two evening concerts under the sole management of Ver­ installed in the State Lake Theatre, Chicago. - Stufoto and a matinee while Don Baker, and non Gregory, one of the two original a fast-rising colleague, Bud Iverson, partners. the organ bench "because the organ played their one show opposite only George opened with a fast-moving lift isn't working. " George's third performance. and slightly wild Cosi Cosa which Next was Victor Herbert's · Al Fre,s­ settled the audience. Then he turned Despite sparse advertising, George co, a tune which just had to he on to greet his enthusiastic listener s and drew a crowd of better than 800 on the other side of that old "78" of announced The Nearness of You, each night, enough to fill the Avenue Frasquita Serenade, both most likely which received a Tihia'd ballad theatre comfortably. The matinee performed by the Brunswick Salon treatment. was presented chiefly for those who Orchestra. work weekend nights, especially pro­ There were snatches of humor in A somewhat wandering melody fessional organists who might want Frankie and Johnny, played on often marked a lesser-known Richard Rod­ to hear George. They came in droves. growly reeds while a counter melody gers tune, A Ship Without a Sail, meandered. There was even a chime which was given a subtle nautical We took in the first performance, requiern for Johnny. Deep Night is treatment, if those Chrysoglott ar­ Friday evening. There was an air of remembered as George's radio theme peggios were intended to he waves. excitem~nt in the audience; it would on the Home Federal Savings show The stop motion of a soft shoe rou­ he George Wright's first theatre or­ out of San Francisco, hut radio audi­ tine titillated the ears during Dream gan performance since that memor­ ences never heard it in such varie­ a Little Dream of Me, and there was able farewell concert he played at gated styles, even in beguine tempo. an abundance of Latin fireworks in the now gone San Francisco Para­ Mexican Hat Dance. El Relicario, a fast-moving paso mount (the style 285 Wurlitzer now Then George had some fun with dohle, was the nearest George ap­ graces the Vollum estate near Port­ the Diet-Rite Cola jingle, Whataya proached the hull ring. Plenty of land, Oregon) . Got to Lose? There was a little sam­ brass, tambourine and fanfares. ba tempo and calliope ooh-hoo with The 3-14 Wurlitzer in the Avenue Then Frasquita Serenade, a tribute hells that see med to fizz just right. to the string groups which still play Going Out of my Head illustrated behind the potted palms in Viennese the effect of extended unification on restaurants, but no more in America. certain stops, in thi s case the strings. George's Finian' s Rainbow in­ George grabbed a fi stfull of key s in cluded How Are Things in Glocca the middle of a manual and the Schmokka ( that's what the man sound was that of just about every said) and a lilting Old Devil Moon, string octave from 16' to l' together, during which the organist stopped a commanding so und. Another ar­ playing and sang a couple of meas­ re sting effect heard during this mod ures , just for the hell of it. tune was the use of a theme which sounded very much like one of Mr. Wright was in an ebullient Ger shwin's piano prelude s to coun­ mood and he established a good ter the melody. All of which left the

HOLLYWOOD STYLE-A huge searchlight sweeps rapport with his listeners from the li stener lots to ponder during inter­ across the facade of the Avenue Theatre to herald the gala event. - Stufoto start. At one point, he stood up on mi ssion.

february, 1969 4 BETWEEN THE ACTS-George chats with friends LET THE LIGHTNING FLASH! - Stufoto Bud Iverson and Don Baker pose beside a "Conn and admirers during intermission in his dressing 642." The scaffolding holds a pair of gigantic room-actually the relay room beneath the stage. mirrors which let the audience view the manual - Stutoto activities. - Stufoto When he returned to the console George asked what Blanche would "I don't know yet. I'll probably George had switched to a summery like to hear. The chance of a life­ sit in the first row again." light-colored uit in defiance of the time; a great artist with much of Such is George Wright's musical nippy weather. His opener was a the world's finest music at his finger­ appeal to one ambitious young musi­ spirited Funiculi Funicula followed tips waiting to play her choice - cian, and we encounter it with in­ by Memories of You with melody on and Blanche asked for Alley Cat! creasing frequency. a throaty Tibia / Vox combination. It Some day, perhaps, we may find it * * * * * * was one of the few tunes heard in our heart to forgive Blanche. On the following evening ( Satur- day) it was the Aahmes Temple which arou ed memories of the Jesse Next came an atmospheric I Le/ t ( Shriners) in ( )aklanorchestration of traction of flashbulbs). While we carry over to their efforts on plug­ Can't Take ,Hy Eyes Off You. shot the photos on these pages, we ins. And luckily, the Conn, in our Then George did an interview. He noticed a young friend, organist estimation, is one of the better plug­ went out into the audi<>nce and Gary Konas, hovering in the back­ ins I a pair of the new, transistor­ :-clN·ted tiny Blanche Ehat and es­ ground. His youthful eyes shone powned type 642's with an imposing corted lwr to the organ bench. Mr. with riches he had absorbed

5 theatre organ bombarde San Diego Fox Robert Morton Given "Tria·1 Run" The re tored Robert Morton in Edith Steele, in the course of a the San Diego Fox theatre ( see Octo­ few selections had endeared herself ber 1968 TO-B) was expo ed to a to the Convair group. After they portion of the public on Sunday had applauded her, they gathered morning, ovember 23 la t, when around her to compliment her per- members of the Convair Organ Club onally. The petite organist loved wen· invited for a demonstration every moment of it. "It's the ham conecrt to hear the sound of pipes, in me," she smiled. Edith Steele, the Fox's last regular organist, is the - first time for a number of those overjoyed to have the long silent instrument play­ During intermission, the restora­ ing again - Stufoto who attended. tion of the organ was explained by Artist for the occasion represent­ C. E. Lewis, long time organ aficio­ ed a wide range in styles of mu ic. nado and one of the chief sparkers First to play was the organist who of the gigantic repair and replace­ held down the console at the Fox ment job. To dramatize the toil in­ when it discontinued regular use of volved in making the organ playable the organ in 1932 - - Edith Steele. once more, some be/ ore and after Mrs. Steele, a lively 80, MC'd her color films were screened. The concert, and enhanced the music she movies made their point with views played with brief program notes. of flattened, "pretzeled" string pipes She told her audience in a voice being rolled hack into shape by much younger than her years: "I'm Lewis with his assortment of man­ not a concert or solo organist - - I'm drels. Edith plays for the Convair Organ Club members. a picture organist, which takes nerve Later the guests were ushered - Stufoto and imagination. I'm going to try to one of the two Echo Chambers to bridge the years between 80 and in the rear of the balcony for a look 18." at some of the pipework. The plug-in addicts, especially, were amazed at She was refering to the music on the amount of room required by her program , movie cue music from pipes - - even in a smallish Echo her early days as a theatre organist. Chamber. The mo t memorable portion of her concert was the playing of dramatic The post-intermission guest was a portions from the score of The Four young man, who, before joining the Hor semen of the Apocalypse, includ­ Navy, could sometimes be heard ing the sensational tango which help­ playing before the show by early ed establish the struggling young arrivals at the LA Wiltern on week­ I IT WAS QUITE AN EXPERIENCE! C. E. Lewis actor who played the lead - - Ru­ ends. Now stationed at the San Diego recounts a perilous trek to the unenclosed 32' pedal pipes, high up on the stage walls. - Stufoto dolph Valentino. She made the naval base, Musician 3rd Class Bob power of the 4-31 Morton known Alder, Jr. plays piccolo in the post hut never let it become overhearing; hand while on duty hut off duty his her preference is toward delicate first love remains pipe organs. His and transparent registration, under­ approach was quite in contrast to statement to enhance a film score Edith Steele's. Strongly influenced rather than call attention to the by the current crop of pop organists, instrument or artist. One of her Bob broke loose with a rhythmic Four Hor semen highlights was the Dave Rose tune, The Stripper, ac­ music which underscored the arrival cented by pedal cymbal. Next an of the American Expeditionary artful ballad-in-rhythm arrangement Force to join the 1917 fray in Eur­ of Smoke Gets in Your Eyes and ope - - a rousing brass hand Over then, for a closer, the 5-to-a-bar Take There, and forget about understate­ Five which gave Bob a chance to do SAILOR IN CIVVIES-Bob Alder likes variety in ment. wind instruments. His capabilities range from Pic­ (Continued on Page 36) colo to pipe organ. -Stufoto

february, 1969 6 At Rochester T.O.S. Shirley Hannum is Intermission Organist By Lloyd E. Kloss

The third concert of the Rochester Theatre Organ Society's 1968-69 sea­ son at the Auditorium Theatre's 4-22 Wurlitzer on November 16, featured Shirley Hannum of Lansdowne, Pa. Included in the long 2-hour program were 42 numbers involving 7 med­ leys. Bringing up the console to start the program, the artist did a rousing Shirley Hannum, 19, is shown at the console of the RTOS Wurlitzer. Shirley is a practicing theatre intermission From This Moment On! with plenty organist. For more about her see October, 1968 issue, page 13. of brass. The first medley included On A Clear Day with tibias, strings Second half began with This Theme by Haydn, showed the or­ and kinura; a rollicking Thoroughly Could Be the Start of Something ganist's capability of playing church Modern Millie with piano, xylo­ Big on full organ. Three selections music ( She is organist-choir director phone and post horn; and Born Free from West Side Story followed, and in a Philadelphia church). Final with tibias, strings and kinura, de­ then the familiar I'm Always medley were 7 well-known numbers: veloping into a stirring climax. Chasing Rainbows, a variation on Ebb Tide, which she dedicated to Next came Sousa's El Capitan with Chopin's Fantasie-lmpromptu, done her teacher, the late Leonard Mac­ appropriate drum roll and cymbals, tastefully with tibias and strings pre­ Clain; Wedding of the Painted Doll; and the full effects of a marching dominating. With tremulants off, the Serenade from The Student Prince; band. The sobbing tibias were shown Sabre Dance was a study in speedy a roaring Twelfth Street Rag; Laura; their best in When Sunny Gets Blue, action. With varying degrees of shad­ Butterfly; and With a Song In My and then one of the highlights of ing, came a medley of show tunes: Heart. Summertime, You'll Never Walk the program, The Petite Waltz, Because of the lateness of the Alone, Till There Was You and which exhibited the organist's finger hour, the organist had to omit the Climb Every Mountain. dexterity. Second medley consisted beautiful Clair de Lune, then ended of songs from Snow White and the A tremulant-off classic, Chorale the program with a full organ treat­ Seven Dwarfs, in which the "Heigh­ from Brahms' Variations on a ment of I En joy Being A Girl. Ho, Heigh-Ho" was cutely done as a flute solo. A near-East-type number Havah REGINALD FOORT ARRANGEMENTS N agilah featured the kinura. A med­ FOR PIPE & ELECTRONIC ORGANS ley of featured Songs of the Sixties Flight Of The Bumblebee .. . . $ 1.00 five numbers, the names of which William Tell Overture ...... $ 1.00 we couldn't catch, as the organist is Poet and Peasant Overture . . $ 1.30 a fast talker. A Latin American med­ Second Hungarian Rhapsody . $ 1.00 Fritz Kreisler Favorites ley was next, with Poincianna the (four full arrangements) .... $ 2.00 most notable with its quietness. Light Cavalry Overture ...... $ 1.50 What proved a disappointment to Overture to the GET THE GUYS this reviewer was the performance Marriage of Figaro ...... $ 1.50 of what was programmed as the These arrangements of the classics TO VOCALIZE have been carefully edited to enable WITHNATIONAL'$ DANDY Rhapsody in Blue. Only the opening the intermediate organist as well as 11SING-ALONGSONG SLIDES"!! the professional player to enjoy them. movement was played and featured Sendtor free catalo1 of all-time hit son1s the familiar clarinet wail and piano Send check or money order (include available in slide form for as low as 50c I tune! 25¢ for mailing costs) to: Need a projector? let us know ... we'll save you solo. The E major theme was inex­ real dou1h! plicably omitted. The artist took the CAPPELLI PUBLICATIONS N4TIDIILSIii SLIDISIIVICI , IIC. console down for the intermission, P.O. Box 186 tZ I. Htb St. 111 Tork,IU. 10031 playing If My Friends Could See River Forest, Illinois 60305 Me Now.

7 theatre organ bombarde THE AUSTIN PREMIER QUADRUPLEX

• • • the story of the revival of the ultimate system of player organ roll manufacturer • • • Story and Photos by Ray Brubacher

In the first thirty years of the recordings were made on the special twentieth century, the musical in­ recording instrument in the factory terests of the country saw the de­ studio. Many eminent organists of velopment and perfection of a great the day were put under contract to many kinds of automatic musical make recordings. Among the more devices running the gamut from the prominent of these were Lynwood small nickelodeons to the automatic Farnum, Chandler Goldthwaite, Nor­ player violin. In the field of organ man Coke-J ephcott, Charles R. Cron­ construction, nearly every major ham, and William Fearnly. The first builder spent considerable time and roll recorded by the company for financial interest in the developing sale in their catalogue was entitled and marketing of an automatic play­ Ramona. ing mechanism similar to that of the It is indeed fortunate that these piano playing devices, which would The console of the Petty residence organ - An noted players left a legacy such as operate his pipe organs; at that time Austin Quadruplex orgain. these splendid recordings in the days these were enjoying a great deal of before high fidelity recording was popularity in private residences of to the monumental series of record­ even thought of. It is also unfor­ the ultra rich as well as in churches, ings being produced by Everest tunate that the perfection of the theatres and mortuaries. Records entitled Archive of Piano Premier Quadruplex came so late in Some of the systems such as the Music numbering some twenty discs the twenties, in fact, just in time for Moller, Welte-Mignon, Link, Estey on which are heard some of the the depression to spell an end to all and Wurlitzer achieved a very high greatest piano virtuosi of the past activity in the field. All told, there degree of perfection, that is, that the such as Paderewski, Saint-Saens, were less than twenty player units paper rolls controlled not only the Hoffman and Gershwin. It is virtual­ constructed and of these, only one notes that the organ would play, hut ly impossible to determine that rolls remains attached to its original in­ also operated the swell shades, and are being played, so very realistic strument. This is in the auditorium the registration changes. However, is the recorded sound. of the Aetna Life Insurance Building these systems had one major short­ By the middle of the 1920's the in Hartford. It is of interest to note coming. The paper rolls for most Austin Organ Company of Hartford, here that consumer prices for the players were about the same size Connecticut, having experimented rolls available in the catalog were as those of the conventional player with various types of organ player determined by the weight of the piano rolls and therefore they were mechanisms and each time being roll. All recordings were weighed on not capable of controlling the entire unsatisfied with the all too mechani­ a dial type kitchen scale and prices resources in terms of all the notes of cal quality of reproduction, decided which ran from four dollars for a all manuals and pedals, as well as to start over with a clean sheet of recording of Beethoven's March the most subtle degrees of manual paper, and virtually designed a com­ from the Ruins of Athens to eleven and pedal articulation which could pletely new player system. The end dollars for Debussy's Afternoon of a only be realized through a live per­ result, through the efforts of F. B. Faun were determined in this man­ formance. Austin and a staff of devoted musi­ ner. All rolls were hand played and During this time, the Ampico and cian-minded engineers, came the were not mechanically punched Aeolian Duo-art player piano sys­ Austin Premier Quadruplex Player. from an orchestral score, a method tems were perfected, thus opening The name Quadruplex was closely frequently resorted to by other roll the door for further experimentation tied in with the system Austin felt producing companies. by organ builders. The Ampico and most practical for an automatic play­ After the depression, no more rolls Duo-art systems both gave the pian­ er mechanism in that the roll gave were made, and the perforator mech­ ists making the rolls a very complete complete and independent control anism was disassembled and stored. contrul of attack, volume level and over three manuals and full pedal, No one company was producing rolls phrasing which could he very accur­ plus the control of registration and because the development of the ately reproduced on any piano hav­ all swell pedals and crescendo pedal. home electronic portable organ ing the proper playback mechanisms. Therefore, these rolls were designed spelled a virtual end to residence Interested readers are here referred for a three manual organ, and all pipe organ installations. february, 1969 8 In the fall of 1963, William E. Petty, a manufacturing superinten­ dent for Westinghouse and a resident of Fort Defiance, Virginia which is a small township five miles north of Staunton in the Shenendoah valley, and an organ buff of the first order, took delivery of a three manual twenty-two rank Estey organ which came from a Scarsdale, New York residence. The Estey had a player Some of the pipework in the Petty residence Austin Quadruplex Organ. attachment and one of the unique luminous piston consoles in which all the stops are in the form of three­ were also designed and constructed quarter inch diameter pushbuttons in his shop. Solid state electronics with the stop name engraved on was to replace the electro-pneumatic translucent plastic. When the stop action originally used by Austin. By pistons are pushed , a light comes on summer of 1967, the perforator was behind each button indicating that complete, and Petty was able to lo­ the stop is drawn, and the light goes cate William Fearnly who came to out when the button is depressed Fort Defiance to re-record that first again. Petty, enthusiastic over the Austin roll Ramona in honor of the idea of having an organ that could historic occasion. play by itself , soon learned of the It was decided that another, more stortcomings of his existing system, reliable console would soon be need­ and resolved to do something about ed, and in the spring of 1968, a three manual Austin console was located, Bill Petty seen discussing the Austin combination it. Hearing of the Austin Quadruplex action with veteran organ builder and inventor system and immediately recognizing and its specifications were altered to Edwin Link (left). ' its merits, he was able to track down comply as closely as possible with a player unit which was installed on the original Austin studio recording an Austin Organ in a Cincinnati, instrument. Let us now examine the Ohio residence. Upon purchase of component parts of the Quadruplex the unit with eighty rolls, and its player system in detail. connection to his instrument, Petty THE CONSOLE: The console is began to wonder if by chance the the standard Austin type with all original roll perforating machine electric action which plays the organ would still be in existence. Upon the in the usual way. The console and basis of correspondence with the Austin capture system combination Austin Company, he was invited to action were completely reconstructed come to the factory to see what was in Petty's shop. The essential addi­ left of the original unit. A fire in tions to the console consist of hold and play indicating lights to let the ,,,,., the factory some years previous had organist know when he is actually The Quadruplex player showing the five section destroyed all but the actual punch expansion tracker bar. assembly with none of the control­ recording the roll. The console con­ ling units in existence. There were trols the roll perforator unit in all no instruction manuals of any kind ways, that is the playing, registration to direct the setting up of the instru­ . changes, crescendo pedal and swell ment. However, Petty, being some­ pedal operation, tutti, and all coup­ what of a mechanical and electronic lers. wizard, was not daunted and in the THE QUADRUPLEX PERFORA­ summer of 1965, obtained from Aus­ TOR: The perforator mechanism tin the punch assembly. consisting of the punching mechan­ ism, paper feed, and takeup spools Upon its delivery to his home, is driven by a one horsepower single Petty began the design of the perfor­ phase motor. The perforating unit ator. Supporting frames, paper feed, produces up to two hundred and paper takeup, time delay circuits, forty holes across the width of the pulse and binary coding circuits paper at the rate of thirty-one holes Close-up of Quadruplex perforator.

9 theatre organ bombarde per second allowing the fastest trills a spring disengages the punchholder lates the steps into three series of and runs to he faithfully recorded on from the oscillating bar. Therefore, holes punched in the paper in any the paper. The paper speed through an exact reproduction of the manual of the seven following combinations: the perforator is one hundred and and pedal technique of the organist 1 thirteen inches or nine feet, five recording the roll is possible. 2 inches per minute. Diameter of each ROLL PAPER: The paper used 12 paper punch is .04 7 inches. Each for the new Quadruplex rolls was 4 punch is operated by a standard determined from a chemical analysis 1 4 organ pneumatic operating on ten of the original Austin roll paper. 24 inches of vacuum, and is electrically The paper for the new rolls is manu­ 124 parallel to the chest primaries. Be­ factured by the Minerva Paper Co. sides having a separate hole for each During the playback, another three and is their type MG dry waxed note of the three manuals and pedal, sets of binary coders retranslates this machine glazed bleached kraft 30/ 35 there are three holes for the great­ information providing the seven pound stock, .0025 inch in thickness. choir box, three holes for the swell steps of expression and crescendo. The perforator will cut two master box, and three holes for the crescen­ rolls plus one on a hacking paper, REGISTRATION: When a stop is do pedal. These operate on the bi­ the purpose of the hacking paper drawn or retired, or when any com­ nary principle which will he explain­ being to insure a clean cut on all bination piston is used, a momentary ed later. There are a series of track­ holes. Width of the paper as it goes pulse of electric current is generated ing holes in the center of the roll into the perforator is 21¾ inches and by a pulse generator. This short for keeping the roll centered, and it is automatically sheared to 21½' pulse causes a series of solid state another series of holes that runs 6 inches as it emerges from the perfor­ time relays to sequence; they first continuously to operate the five sec­ ator. The roll is wound on a spool activate a thirty-six pole double tion expanding tracker bar which of which the ends are 21/a inches in throw switch which disconnects mo­ automatically expands or contracts diameter. Maximum capacity of each mentarily the top octave of the pedal to compensate for moisture content · roll is approximately ten minutes and the bottom and top octaves of of the paper. It is interesting to note playing time. Each feed spool of the choir manual, throwing these here that unlike all other roll play­ blank paper will give a minimum of thirty-six circuits from notes and ing devices, the paper edges are not one hundred fifty to two hundred connecting them to whatever stops utilized in any way to control the rolls and is ordered in three hundred are on. This action which takes less tracking which results in longer life pound lots. than one-quarter of a second, punch­ for the paper. In addition, the rolls es two registration control holes in do not have to he spooled tight in EXPRESSION AND CRESCEN­ the paper and also whatever stops order to operate accurately. DO: There are seven stages of ex­ have been drawn. This action does pression on each of the two swell not affect the playing in the normal The basic principle of operation pedals and seven stages of crescendo manner and allows the player to play of the perforator is a notched oscil­ that are available through binary right through the stop changes. lating bar and a corresponding notch coder systems. Since three holes are in a punchholder which engage used for each expression pedal and In the playback, a similar proce­ when any given key is depressed on three holes are used for the crescen­ dure in reverse occurs. The two reg­ the console. The number of holes do pedal, each pedal operates three istration holes cause another t~irty­ punched depends on how long the sets of binary coders which through six pole switch to change the key key is held. When a key is released, a series of plug in type relays trans- circuits to a latching relay circuit.

february, 1969 10 These two registration holes precede SPECIFICATION FOR THE WILLIAM PETTY RESIDENCE ORGAN the stop holes by J.{6 of a second WITH THE AUSTIN QUADRUPLEX PLAYER AND ROLL PERFORA­ which allows a break in the key circuit to cause the stop holes to TOR. operate the proper latching relay, Pedal Swell ( third manual) after which the entire operation re­ 16 Open Diapason 16' Bourdon turns to normal play. 16' Bourdon 8' Gedeckt 16' Violone 8' Viola The question of whether there is 8' Octave 8' Viol d' Orchestre a future for the Quadruplex system 8' Flute 8' Viol Celeste must remain unanswered at the pres­ 8' Cello 8' Muted Viol ent writing. There exists the possi­ 4' Principal 4' Flute 2' Piccolo bility that a competitively priced Swell to Pedal 8' 8' Oboe Swell to Pedal 4' portable player unit might be con­ 8' Vox Humana Great to Pedal 8' structed to play the Quadruplex rolls three blank tablets Great to Pedal 4' 16' Swell to Swell and that the unit might be easily Choir to Pedal 8' 4' Swell to Swell attached to any organ. It is hoped Choir to Pedal 4' Unison Off that such a possibility might soon Great ( second manual) Tremulant become a reality, and that if so, to­ 8' Open Diapason day's generation of prominent organ­ Choir (first manual) 8' Grossflute 8' Grossflute (Great) ists might come to the Petty resi­ 8' Concert Flute 8' Concert Flute (Great) dence to record for posterity their 8' Violincello 8' Unda Maris talents on paper. 8' Salicional 8' Violincello (Great) 4' Harmonic Flute 8' Salicional (Great) Mr. Petty wishes to thank Mr. F. 8' Trumpet 4' Harmonic Flute B. Austin, president of Austin Or­ Three blank tablets 8' Trumpet (Great) gans, Hartford, Connecticut, for his Great to Great 16' 8' Clarinet advice and continuing interest, and Great to Great 4' Harp Swell to Great 16' three blank tablets to Mr. Al Miller, also of Austin Or­ Swell to Great 8' Tremulant gans, for information and invaluable Swell to Great 4' Choir to Choir 16' assistance in the redesigning of the Choir to Great 16' Choir to Choir 4' complete Quadruplex player and re­ Choir to Great 8' Swell to Choir 16' cording system. A complete specifi­ Choir to Great 4' Swell to Choir 8' Chimes Swell to Choir 4' cation of the organ follows: Unison Off Unison Off

MECHANICALS 14 general pistons - 8 of which are above the swell manual and 6 are toe studs on the bottom left of the foot hoard. 5 pistons for Pedal, and 8 pistons for each manual which operate respective manual stops and the pedal NOW division. Tutti button and toe stud affecting the entire instrument. Great to Pedal, Choir to Pedal, and Swell to Pedal toe studs. an exact Blower - Orgohlo with 5 h.p. single phase motor. duplicate of the Vacuum Blower for Player Unit - Orgohlo with 1 h.p. three phase motor.

FAMOUS HOWARD "WONDER" SEAT

5 F.O.B. 16000 DES MOINES, IOWA Also Howard seat replacement castings and Wurlitzer Black Cap magnet coils.

KEYBOARD ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTS MANUFACTURINGCO. 2117 40th St., DES MOINES, IOWA 50310 l The Quadruplex player relays, pulse generator The Quadruplex perforator showing the paper feed. and binary coders.

11 theatre organ bombarde LEIBERT Takes L.A.

"Again"! by G. Bandini

IN THE SPOTLIGHT-Dick Shuffles the stops keys to provide color for the repeated melody during Ravel's "Bolero".

Los Angeles - - Radio City Music Then Dick started throwing in hints Hall's Richard Leibert returned to of the melody on which the fugue LA for his second concert under the had been built. After playing "cat auspices of the Los Angeles chapter and mouse" with his tantalized list­ of ATOE on November 19 (his pre­ eners, Dick finally dropped all the A portion of Dick Libert's appreciative audience vious concert here was on March 21, classical embellishment and laid it during the first half of the show. Note how the Kimball console dominates the scene. It's a"Whop­ 1967). Dick brought up the console on the line - - Georgie Girl. In Dick's per". - Stufoto of the 4-37 Wiltern Kimball with a hands she's a Renaissance lady. thunderous Strike Up the Band in After intermission, the console solid "Radio City" style and greeted came back up to Dick's own, spirited his audience when the applause Radio City March, a tune he has re­ quieted down. corded at least twice. The first mo­ Hi next selection was an original ments of the second stanza were well called Bacchanale, a pompous, often larded with Leibert originals and bombastic "spectacle" piece with welcome they were. The gentleman often sensuous undertones which from the land of the Rockettes is no seemed to draw on most of the Kim­ slouch as a composer. His best ball's resources at once. Then a more known tune, Come Dance With Me, Westerners had a sample of what Radio City subtle Richard Rodgers medley with wa played as a slow waltz on sweet Music Hall audiences are denied-the warm Leibert humor . Dick loves to tell jokes on himself. such memorable froth as the oldie, registration for a chorus, then broke Dancing on the Ceiling and a massive into a massive Viennese sequence play, not talk. He told about how closer, Climb Every Mountain. A which would have pleased Strauss. he sold a "Christmas" tune by re­ well-orchestrated Henry Mancini It was punctuated with titillating naming one of his compositions on medley provided a number of pop high-pitched ornamentation which the spot when a producer wanted highlights and the infectuous and raced across, over and under the something "Christmassy." It's his insistent rhythms of Ravel'f'. Bolera, broadly played melody line. ext Under the Christmas Mistletoe which with the melody at first passed came Leibert's In a Clock Shop until that moment, had bore a far around among the solo reeds, built which was what might be called "tra­ different name. During one of his toward a mighty and dissonant cli­ ditional"; it added up to tick-tock intros he admitted," ... Yes, I want­ max. A thriller ! music. What else? ed to move to California - - hut too The pre-intermission novelty was LEIBERT HUMOR many good organists beat me to it!" something of a ''mystery tune" - - for Dick Leibert likes to kid himself When he came to his Mancini pot­ awhile. Dick started out with a good during his concert MCing, a side of pourri he said, "Thanks to song writ­ representation of a Bach-like fugue. his warm personality with which his ers like Henry Mancini we still may The melody, started and restarted concert audiences aero s the land are be saved from the records our kids several measures apart, harmonized familiar but not his RCMH audi­ bring home. ~ongs like Light Jly Fire itself in the best classical tradiation. ences -- where he's allowed only to and Bluu.• it Out"."

february, 1969 12 Under the Christmas Mistletoe was an adventure in high-powered OHIO VALLEY CHAPTER wassailing which seemed more like a vigorous dance accompaniment. Presents ... GAYLORD CARTER The team of Carter and Day ( Gay­ The Jerome Kern medley opened lord and Jim that is) arrived in with Why Do I Love You? and Cincinnati, Ohio the afternoon of closed with Old Man River at full October 18th, girded for the Ohio flood tide, a roaring, raucous stream Valley Chapter's presentation of on a rampage, which quieted down SAFETY LAST, starring Harold to soft Tihias a few moments before Lloyd, on Sunday evening October a smear glissando brought us hack 20th, at Cincinnati's famed RKO into the main stream of rapids for a ALBEE Theatre. big ending. The audience, a little They were met at Greater Cincin­ over 750 strong, loved every note of nati Airport by Jack and Joan Stra­ it. der. As soon as the film cartons were What happened next is what they pried loose from Jim Day, and safely raise "goose humps" on all within once called "one for the hook." Dick salted away, we were off to Hamil­ hearing distance. fumbled with his program notes, ton, Ohio and dinner at Shady-Nook For the interim, a Baldwin theatre dropped them, picked them up and Steak House, owned by Stan and electronic provides the musical en­ dropped them again. In despair he Virginia Todd. Both Gaylord and tertainment, and with tone cabinets decided to abandon his prepared Jim were amazed to see the theatre­ located in front of the open chamber program and take requests from the type addition to the steak house, areas, the acoustical results are most audience, an adventure only for the which will soon ring with the unmis­ impressive. Following a steak dinner, bravest of organists because it's a takable sounds of the mighty W ur­ and a little encouragement, Gaylord form of throwing oneself to the litzer. A former pupil of the late tried his hand at the console; as wolves. In a moment the quiet audi­ great Jesse Crawford, and profes­ could have been anticipated, the ence became a many-headed mon­ sional organist of many years, Stan restaurant fell silent, as Gaylord of­ ster, roaring out titles of long for­ will delight the hearts of theatre or­ fered a brief preview of the kind of gotten flops among the standards gan huffs when the installation is music that could he expected at the most audiences are heartily fed up completed - the sooner the better! ALBEE on Sunday night. His efforts with. There was Dick, seated before It is indeed an impressive sight were acknowledged by rounds of the maw of the huge Kimball, calmly to see the former Chicago Theare applause, following which Jim Day writing down titles when he could Wurlitzer console, mounted on a took to the console, turning out make one out above the horrisonant lift (just behind the large curved several popular selections. Thus the eructations issuing from hundreds bar) which will rise up to stage team of Carter and Day made their of throats, ... Holiday for Strings! . . level, and/ or points in between. The premature appearance at Shady­ .. St. Louis Blues! . . Chloe! ( him, Solo and Main chambers form the Nook Steak House in Hamilton, again! ) ... Finlandia ! ... Tenderly! rear wall of the stage, with a hallway Ohio, prior to the big event in Cin­ .... 76 Trombones! in the center, leading down to the cinnati. blower, relays and chamber doors, On Saturday evening, October Dick played them all as though he etc. The addition to the restaurant 19th, the Straders were hosts to a had just finished rehearsing them; which houses the above, is graced by party in honor of Gaylord and Jim; even Chloe. His Blues was dirtier a high, cathedral roof, guaranteed to this was Jim Day's first visit to the than usual for a Liebert arrangement Queen City it might he noted, and ( he knew he was among friends), Lorin Whitney style, for the most we doubt that he will ever forget it, and his off-the-cuff Holiday spark­ part, with The Church's One Foun­ what with the short nights and long led. Tenderly was a hit oddball and dation standing out, also Doxology hours devoted to meeting people, he marched the full brass hand up and the rousing Onward Christian preparation for the show, etc. Among and down the aisles for a stirring Soldiers closer. Then Dick bowed to the guests were Chapter chairman Seventy-Six Trombones, the finale. acknowledge his well-earned ap­ George V. Eaglin, hoard member But his audience wasn't ready to plause and walked away from the Jack E. Tarr (both of whom came let him go. He thought a moment still raised console. He appeared mo­ well equipped to photograph the and asked if they'd like to hear a ments later to meet his fans and well events of the evening for posterity), medley of favorite hymns. Their wishers in the lobby. Mayor Lindsay Spencer Avery, Albert Meyer (chair­ heating palms said "yes." So, Rich­ couldn't have sent a more appro _pri­ man of the silent film event), Glenn ard Leibert closed his program with ate musical ambassador to the west Merriam, Bill Busse and Edmund S. a set of hymn tunes played in solid coast. -G. Bandini, Hollywood Wuest. (Continued on Page 36)

13 theatre organ bombarde "BEST"HOME ORGAN FESTIVAL SHOWS

Editor's Note: theatre instrument were much in The following article is not con­ evidence, plus the Hammond X77, a cerning pipe organs but deals in the descendant of the ubiquitous "model current trend of electronic home or­ B" but with space age overtones gan production as represented at the despite an increasing ability to pro­ recent Home Organ Festival in Cali­ duce certain theatre organ-type voi­ fornia. ces. In reading this, members of ATOE The Pacific Council for Organ will be quick to recognize that our Clubs, which sponsors the Greatest dedication to the pr~servation of the Organ Show on Earth, took an im­ GREETINGS! theatre organ tradition has been in­ portant step forward for the ninth fluential in the design of the modern annual Festival; an artists pool was electronic instruments since most initiated. Heretofore, organists have manufacturers feature "theatre" been brought in by the manufacturer models and the voicing trend is to to present concerts on the manufac­ simulate theatre pipe organ tone. turer's models only. This year, with Members of ATOE can take pride only Conn, Thomas and Wurlitzer in the knowledge that our feelings participating fully (i.e., providing toward the mighty theatre pipe or­ instruments, artists, installation and gan is shared by thousands of owners maintenance crews, presenting com­ THE BIG SCENE-A full house greets Lyn Larsen at the start of his concert, playing the Baldwin of electronic facsimiles. mercials and maintaining a show­ organ. This scene was repeated many times. In my six years of attending the room), the idea which has been annual Home Organ Festival, held jelling for some years was put into each September at Hoberg's resort effect; the Festival committee hired in the pines of northern California, a stable of top organists to play both I have witnessed some amazing sponsored instruments and those changes in the electronic organs rounded up from Bay Area dealers shown. The instruments are the top or manufacturers ( in the case of models fabricated by the major man­ Rodgers) . These artists were heard ufacturers of electronic organs. The on two, three and even four different lineup of brands varies but slightly instruments during the 1968 Festival. Judges - Millie Alexander (left) and Don Baker from year to year. Among the pool artists were Gaylord (right). At my first Festival (1963), horse­ Carter, Helen Dell and Lyn Larsen. shoe consoles were in the minority. The idea worked out ·so well that it Of the eight models shown that year, will be continued and enlarged for only Allen, Conn and Thomas dem­ the 1969 Festival, the tenth. onstrater a few instruments with With the exception of Wurlitzer, horseshoe stop rails. Now, nearly all the models shown were not necessar­ have this convenient and attractive ily the largest and most beefed-up feature. In 1968, Hammond was the types available. Conn used its new only holdout to the strong influence transistor 642 ( successor to the exerted by the theatre pipe organ "theatre" 640 tube organ) for all MR. PRESIDENT! LBJ-look-alike Earl Jacobson, Millie Alexander and Dewey Cagle get "Burpsi­ on the builders of plug-in organs. concerts and didn't even bring the Booma" refills during "on the house" cocktail party. Rodgers, Allen, Conn, Thomas, Bald­ larger and more completely unified win and Wurlitzer recreations of the model 645, or its transistorized suc­ ces 3or. The largest Rodger s was the company's smallest 3-decker, the "Trio" (shades of the mighty 33E's, 34E's and 36E's of former years!). Baldwin did very well with its stand­ ard 2-deck theatre console, HT-2. Thomas showed both 2 and 3 manual models. There was only one Allen theatre model, the standard 2-man­ YOU MAY GO! Bud Iverson unconsciously uses a ATOE'rs ALL! Gaylord Carter, Tiny James and familiar school boy's sign language plea. Dewey Cagle during a lull in backstage activities. ual job shown at previous Festivals. february, 1969 14 OFF TOP ELECTRONIC ORGANS by Stu Green

The only Hammond played in con­ as and Wurlitzer have the V ox avail­ cert was an underpowered model able on the accompaniment manual X77, tonally perhaps the most inter­ where it can be used effectively as esting Hammond yet. The Wurlitzer a mixing stop. model 4520 was easily the largest Nearly all organs shown demon­ console shown at the Festival. strated an improved balance among A few paragraphs back I mention­ the families of tone which provide ed the predominance of the horse­ the ensemble sound of all organs. shoe console as a rough indicator of Therefore, an organ which once had how completely the electronic organ too prominent Reeds (giving it a industry has gone theatre organ distinctive Kazoo ensemble sound) for its entertainment models. Most is no longer lacking the Tibia and have adopted the convenient accou­ String strength needed to blend with PEEK-A-BOO! Bill McCoy discovers that the mirror works both ways. terments of the theatre organ - - in­ those reeds. This applies to several clined, overhanging manuals, color­ brands heard. coded stop keys mounted on a curved The one voice which seems to be stoprail, the voice terminology of the lagging behind in development is theatre pipe organ, the unit orches­ the Diapason, although some of the tra philosophy and the concave and manufacturers have church models radiating pedalboard, to name a few which provide a much more realistic wisely adopted features. So far, so Diapason tone that is available on good. their theatre models. Of course, However, somewhere along the there are many, many kinds of Dia­ line too many manufacturers were pason. Yet, the three which one diverted from the path of rediscover­ might expect to hear on a theatre ing the practical assets of the theatre model ( Open, Dia phonic and Horn WATCH THAT-"PHOTOG"! Lyn Larsen keeps a suspicious eye on the photo snapper as he whirls organ. They tried to skip ahead with­ Diapasons) remain to be "approxi­ around to acknowledge applause. out completely exploring the many mated." time-proven theatre organ features Wurlitzer, Baldwin and Thomas available (and long in the public have followed Rodgers' lead in pro­ domain) which could vastly improve viding a Kinura sound. Most are their efforts. It would seem wiser reasonably realistic if a bit mild. for them to catch up with most of Strings are better than ever this the refinements of theatre organ year. Allen's still have an edge, pos­ voicing and styling before trying to sibly because they devote one whole leap ahead with gimmicks intended set of tone generators to celesting to break down sales resistance. After an already good String. Their Trum­ attending the 1968 Festival it must pet ( one of the best) is derived from be concluded that progress toward the Main generators, along with the just catching up with the zenith of Strings, proving an effective Trum­ COMEDIAN-Al Bollington played fast and accur­ ately on the Wurliter plug-in while attired in his the theatre organ ( as it was in say, pet sound can be derived from a RAF flying boots and cotton gloves-among other 1928) has slowed to a trickle. Main generator set. This model things, of course. But it hasn't stopped. While very hasn't changed much in several years few new models were in evidence, and we somehow get the idea that subtle improvements on ex1stmg models provided the lushest sound yet to pour forth into the grooves of tall pines which surround Ho­ berg's. Tibias, the electronic kind, now have more "chirp", and "gutty" reeds are starting to develop, al­ though much more work on them is in order. Several brands now have a

Vox Humana stop, with Conn's still A RARE SIGHT-Mildred Alexander (forward) at the Helen Dell's smile reflects the warmth which Conn and Helen Dell at the Baldwin matching up the most imitative. However, Thom- accompanied her acceptance . styles during jam session .

15 theatre organ bombarde Allen isn't terribly interested in shoe models have used up just about competing in the theatre organ mod­ all space on their single stop rails, so el areas. the start of a second one can't he Transistors have replaced tubes on too far away. nearly all models of electronic organ One of the theatre pipe organ's shown, and those builders who have top pieces of ingenuity, unification, not made a deal to incorporate the isn't being developed for electronic Leslie speaker as part of their in­ organ use as rapidly as it should he. struments, were coming up with sub­ Every last one features a well-unified stitutes. So, Wurlitzer's Spectratone Tibia, ranging from 16' to 1 3/ 5'. Dewey Cagle having recovered from illness, resumes MC duties. whirls an entire speaker to create a But engineers point to many un­ doppler effect, rather than just the solved problems when asked why horn portion a la Leslie's patent. something similar can't he applied Speaking of horns, Wurlitzer has to Trumpet, Clarinet, or Diapason developed a loudspeaker with a for example, where 16-8-4 unifica­ brass exponential horn. Called sim­ tions could he expected. Nor can ply "Brass Horn", it may he heard they say when we can have a Flute through either a trumpet or trom­ and Tibia at the same time. It would bone hell, hut not both together. The seem to he a matter of costs, and all device is placed where the organist must he highly competitive. can reach it and with a little practice But now let's look at some of the FLAT PEDAL BOARD - Our inquiring photographer checks the radiation and curvature of the Hammond he can produce those "wah-wah" artists who played at the 1968 Festi­ X-77 pedal equipment. Other pedal equipment be­ longs to Miss Alexander. sounds a trumpeter obtains by hand­ val. muting his instrument. A novelty for One of the most pleasant aspects those organists who like to reminisce of the 1968 Festival was the return in the Clyde McCoy style, and can of Don Baker, after an absence of spare one hand away from the man­ one Festival, for Conn. Nowhere is uals. the artistry of this giant of the enter­ Many of the gadget controls which tainment console more appreciated in former years came as "optional" than at the annual Hohergfest and extras to he installed as pull-out welcoming spiels from many quar­ drawers beneath the side jambs of ters were almost continuous. Also consoles, had become standard appearing for Conn was Bud Iverson, SPACE PAGES-Kay Chenoweth (Festival Co-chair­ man) and Lorraine Marinell make pert creatures equipment by 1968 Festival time. who created such a sensation with from out there" during "Interstellar Costume Party." And they now appear atop the side his arrangements and tasteful use of jamb surface as rocker switches. Conn registration last year. Gus Why they fail to he included among Pearson and Al Bollington were on the stops on the stop rail remains to hand for Wurlitzer. Both employed he explained, although it appears a lively patter during their demon­ that not one of the current manufac­ stration concerts and Gus produced turers of electronic organs is ready to a most entertaining pitch for the admit that the next step will he a Brass Horn, the only real attachment second stop rail - - either full or par­ heard at the Festival this year. Al tial. Wurlitzer already has plenty of Bollington performed his act, which room for one on its model 4520 hut includes a rendition of the fast part LEE LEES (background) continues to play very earthly music as this unearthly creature stalks the most of the others, because of their of Ponchielli's La Gioconda with auditorium during the costume party. efforts to keep their consoles "parlor hands encased in clumsy cotton size", must raise console tops ·a gloves and wearing his RAF flying couple of inches to accommodate the hoots. He got through it with nary second row. The manufacturer who the hint of a sour note caused by the "breaks the ice" and introduces the encumbrances. Al is a great crowd second stop rail will he performing a pleaser, a thorough showman. great service, because it will get rid Two remarkable newcomers to the of all of the oddly-placed controls Festival made points. No one who which now pull attention down to has been exposed to Gaylord Carter's the side jambs instead of keeping brand of showmanship will he sur­

"SWINGING" CENTAURIAN CENTIPEDE - This eyes up on the stop rail and music prised to learn that he scored solidly beast was awarded the "most unusual" costume prize during the "Interstellar Costume Party." rack, where they belong. Most horse- (Con~nued on Page 37)

february, 1969 16 Music of the 'Silents' 'ALLEGRO VIGOROSO' - a prelude to violence

The Sam Fox Mm,ic Publishing me for this mortgage?"), a gathering development, an improvisation. It Company has given u permission to storm, a mutinous mood aboard the provides a fine springboard. present an agitato by one of the most HMS Bounty or perhaps a smoulder­ One other thing; if the theme prolific writers of ·ilent film music, ing volcano with evil intentions - - seems vaguely familiar there's a rea­ J. S. Zamccnik. It was a rare movie whatever the imagination conjures son. Besides being an arranger, Har­ cue sheet which didn't list at least on hearing it. ry Jenkins is also a tune detective. one tune by this master of mood Of course, this is only a fragment He traced this theme to Dvorak's mu ic. His de ·criptive pieces run in­ of the fully developed theme, but it New World Symphony, from which to the hundreds and most of them is much more that the cue sheet nor­ Zamecnik apparently excerpted and were published for use in film ac­ mally provided as a guide to the film adapted it. companiment during the great dec­ accompanist. So, after learning the Now, ready for a prelude to vio­ ade of the silent era. "J .S." also man­ ha ic theme, use it as the basis of a lence - - Allegro V igoroso. aged to turn out a nun1ber of "hit ", too, lrulian Dawn and Neopolitan Nights to name those which come to mind easily. There were others, but descriptive mu , ic was the Zamecnik forte. No. 2 in a series Allegro Vigoroso

Allegro V igoroso will probably be J. s. Zamecnik easier to play for du/ fer-class or­ A CLASSIC 'HURRYI Arranged by 1919 Harry J. Jenkins ganists than was our initial tune in Am this series, Dirty Work at the Cross­ roads, mainly because the melody Solo here is where one might expect it - - comfortably in the right hand part. l Note that our guide for the series, organist Harry Jenkin , has included chord symbols. That's a generous gesture toward the du/ fers but for a tune with only four chords, it's hard­ ly necessary. Most danger music was written in the minor, mainly because the minor mode seems more sinister and sad to most occidental ears ( an unexplained phenomenum which doesn't hold true for the Orient nor even for most Slavic countries where happy songs may be written in the minor). As for registration, the melody line calls for a big bold and brassy combination with lots of 16'foot sound on the solo manual. The ac­ companiment can be much lighter with emphasis on strings, a combina­ tion with enough edge to make the chopping chords heard through the ~olo. The title suggests the tempo. Minimum trem, if any. The theme has a sini ter boldness which suggests villainy ("Aha, my proud beauty - - what will you give

17 theatre organ bombarde Theatre Organ -- Oriental Style

By Floyd W. Bunt organist, Hiroshi Matsuzawa, who Cranbrook School was preparing for his noon-hour con­ Bloomfield Hills, Michigan cert. He is a most enthusiastic ATOE member and after exchanging for­ malities, he immediately invited us On a partial travel grant from to sit with him as he played his Cranhrook School, and also commis­ concert. The store is comparable to sioned by the Fund for Peaceful Marshall Fields in Chicago with a Atomic Development to interview central open area extending up sev­ Japanese teachers and educators at eral floors and ringed with huge the Japan Atomic Forum, my wife, columns of polished marble. On the Marion, and I left Detroit late in Bamboo Organ - Upper Section ground floor is a beautiful piece of August for the Orient. Although we sculpture, the goddess Tennyo, exe­ have travelled as a family of six over ed to explore the possibilities of the cuted by Gengen Sato. She is depict­ most of the remainder of the world, Wurlitzer. I don't know how many ed descending lightly from heaven this was the most thrilling, revealing recognized the selections I attempt­ escorted by a Phoenix and wrapped and challenging experience we have ed, which included light opera, hits in the seven colored clouds of Para­ ever had. We travelled over 26,000 of the roaring twenties and some dise. On the second floor is a balcony air miles and several thousand land college songs, hut they must have where the organ is located. The con­ miles having many contacts with ed­ enjoyed it because there was a gener­ sole is in the center flanked by the ucators, business and industrial peo­ ous ovation as I left the console. two chambers. As can he seen from ple as well as professional groups: the picture it is a piano style console While in Japan, travelling from in addition we saw some of the most with straight holsters of stops above north to south, we rode on the fantastic scenery to he seen any­ the three manuals. The organ sounds Tokeida Bullet, a trip you must where. In Japan, Cambodia, Thai­ wonderful, with the music really experience to appreciate. It is dead­ land, Hong Kong, Singapore, or any­ rolling around in the central portion smooth, travelling up to 136 miles where in South-East Asia, the people of the store that extends up several per hour and takes you from Tokyo were wonderful and most gracious floors. The only complaint I can to Kyoto, a distance of 310 miles in in every way. make is that the tremulants could just three hours. The gods must have We spent two weeks in Japan and he adjusted to a little more depth smiled on us on our way to Kyoto for while in Tokyo we simply had to see and speed. When Mr. Matsuyawa fin­ the weather had been overcast and the only Wurlitzer in Japan, located ished, he bowed to me and in his rainy hut as we passed Mt. Fuji, the in the Mitsukoshi Department Store. inimitable Japanese style gestured clouds suddenly opened and there After getting the name and address toward the console. So, the audience was what is possibly the most beau­ written in Japanese by the clerk at of about several hundred people tiful mountain in all the wor Id - - the New Otani Hotel, we took a taxi gathered on the various levels were Mt. Fuji - - rising as a symmetrical and arrived at the store in a few then listening to an additional 20 cone to a height of 12,385 feet with minutes, just in time to meet the minute concert by me as I endeavor- a crown of snow. It is truly magnifi­ cent. If I get carried away with the beauty of the Japanese countryside and become side-tracked into a trav­ elogue, I can only say that if you have the opportunity to go to Japan, don't miss it. Getting hack to organs, I played a number of Japanese elec­ tronic instruments and they compare very favorably with most of their American counterparts. Leaving Japan we went on to Taiway and had a very pleasant surprise. It is not the backward

HIROSHI MATSUZAWA, Organist 3-12 (R-20) Wurl­ BAMBOO ORGAN-Lower section, one manual, 12 decadent country one would expect. itzer, Mitukoshi Department Store, Tokyo, Japan. foot pedals, En chamade metal pipes are decorative fakes and are not used - near Manila, Phillipines. Although poverty exists, the people

february, 1969 18 are progressive, hardworking and a storm but luckily the organ cham­ chambers and pipes are in excellent above all, seemed to be happy. They bers were not touched. Through the shape and the young men have re­ have not accepted any foreign aid help of interested people the console covered the keys of two manuals, for over three years and there is a has been removed to the basement with plans to complete the remaining self-determination evident that is and the management has provided a two as soon as possible. The organ very refreshing. Our next stop was workroom and at that time the re­ speaks wonderfully and is very ma­ the Philippines and here we were furbishing of the console was almost jestic in its coverage and tonal range. fortunate in seeing and hearing the completed. In the meantime Mr. It is not as well unified as the usual famous Bamboo organ. It has a sing­ John DeMello, another theatre organ theatre organ but by judicious use le manual with foot keyboard and minded individual, most interested of couplers it is amazing what can be is very melodic and pleasing. Its his­ in preserving the theatre organ, has accomplished. The theatre is the sole tory dates back to 1818 when Father temporarily installed the latest and remaining building in the block Diego Cera, member of Augustinian largest Lowrey electronic organ com­ which has been converted to a park­ Recolet Friars began its construction. plete with all the goodies of toy ing area and shortly the Princess The 950 bamboo pieces used to counter and percussions, including a will succumb to the wrecker's ball. make the pipes were covered for six piano stop that cannot be distin­ However, the Hawaii Theatre is only months with beach sand to preserve guished from the real thing. He has a couple of blocks away and Mr. them from attack of bamboo bugs. hooked the sound output into the Lake plans to move the organ to this The work was completed in 1821. theatre speakers and the resulting theatre. ( The Hawaii organ was re­ However the organ was badly dam­ sound is tremendous and almost in­ moved many years ago). aged in 1862 by an earthquake and distinguishable from a real pipe or­ Again, I wish to propose orchids again in 1882 by torrential rains. In gan. Mr. DeMello plays regular open­ to Mr. DeMello and Mr. Lake for 1917 Father Fanile, a Belgian mis­ ing concerts and intermission bits their interest, dedication and cooper­ sionary, completed the repair with and on the day I was there he invited ation in the preservation and use of the help of the Las Pinas people. In me to fill in with a 20-minute pre­ the theatre organ. 1932 an electric blower was installed show rendition complete with spot­ and after the second World War the lights and ever-changing flood lights. Returning to the travelogue bit, organ was repaired and again most The theatre is in beautiful condition if you ever have an opportunity to recently in 1962. It is located in the and was redecorated a couple of visit the Orient and Far East, do so. Las Pinas Church, Rizal Province. years ago. It is most gratifying to see It is an experience you will never a person like Mr. DeMello giving forget. We saw things you only read Continuing our trip to Hong Kong, every boost he can to preserving the about in story and history books. We Macao, Cambodia, Thailand, Malay­ theatre organ. saw native girl pearl divers, blood­ sia and Singapore, we could not lo­ red hot springs, temples overgrown cate any other theatre organs al­ Through some contacts I had in with centuries of tropical vegetation, though Japanese electronic organs Honolulu I was able to get into the king cobras 18 feet long, the famous were in evidence all along the way. Princess Theatre which has a 4-16 floating markets of Bangkok, out­ On our way back to the United States Robert Morton. George Lake, the standing and beautiful temples, na­ we stopped off in Honolulu for a few manager of the Princess and Hawaii tive markets where any kind of food days to catch our breath and investi­ Theatres is another theatre-organ can be purchased from french-fried gated the theatre organs there. oriented person who is deeply inter­ grasshoppers to live snakes killed The Waikiki Theatre organ, a 4-16 ested in the reviving and maintain­ before your eyes and popped into Morton had its console damaged by ing of the original theatre pipe or­ cauldrons to make a soup ; from gan. With only about three hours to geisha girls to communal hot baths departure time for the mainland, where both sexes bathe au-natural; Mr. Lake met me at the Princess and the paradoxes of the cleanest and after pressing in proper sequence the dirtiest; the most modern and ~.....- ,·~·· ...... -....,.., the nine buttons of the electronic the ancient; the biggest and the ' .fl":,· -~ ~. lock on the console to activate the smallest; the ugliest to the most . I~ ~ blower, he then turned the organ beautiful; from a statue crudely . over to me and I had an exhilarating carved from a rock to a solid gold t: :~· two hours exploring the capabilities statue of Buddha, several times life of this instrument. The Princess size and beautifully executed. It is ~ · ' -. . ..,... -- ...,...--"1111: o· · Theatre Organ has been under the an area full of surprises and above ~ .. ' 'f diligent and persevering care of all, the friendliness and graciousness Richard Harger and Roger Angel of the people will make an impres­ and this fine instrument is being sion upon you that you will never 4•16 Robert Morton Console, Princess Theatre, brought up to mint condition. The forget. Honolulu, Hawaii

19 theatre organ bombarde SHOW TIME

MONT CLARE 3-10 BARTON July 3rd t~ru 1t~ THEIITRE SHOWS Pickwick Theatre 3m 11 r Wurlitzer Mont Clare Theatre 3m 10r Barton Indiana Theatre 3m 1Or Wurlitzer Patio Theatre 3m 17r Barton ST/IRS Pearl White * * * John Muri * * * Buddy Nolan and Dian Pfeffenberger Hal Pearl * * * Al Melgard * * * John Seng * * * and many more ! ! ! SEMINARS Dan Barton Workshop-Lecture and Slides Ben Hall "All New" Slide Show of Famous Theatres Producing Shows-How we do it - How we fix organs - How we put shows on, etc. by CATOE * Tentative Program * february, 1969 20 IN CHICAGO

MARRIOTT HOTEL - CHICAGO SPECIAi. EVENTS

ATOE Salutes the ARAGON BALLROOM Gigantic "get acquainted" Dance and Cocktail Party * 3m 1Or Wurlitzer Chicago Stadium Gala World's Largest Theatre Pipe Organ Bus 6m 62r Barton * Transportation St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein * 4m 23r Wurlitzer for all events * Annual Banquet * Home Installation Visits AIJIIANCEREfilSTRA TION INFO 1969 ATOE Convention Registration Fee $17.00 (includes bus transportation, admission to all events, and program booklet) 1969 ATOE Annual Banquet (Marriott Hotel) $ 8.00 Marriott Motor Hotel Reservations Single $12.50 (2 to a room) Double $25.00 (CATOE will send your reservations to the Mariott­ do NOT send money for hotel reservations)

21 theatre organ bombarde Chicago ATOE To Host 1969 LA Chapter's "San Gabriel" Organ Arrives Convention 3-15 Wurlitzer Showtime in Chicago is the theme The annual banquet will he held Westward Ho! for the 1969 ATOE National Conven­ in the Grand Ballroom of the Mar­ tion to be held July 4 thru 7. Con­ riott Hotel as will all seminars, work­ vention headquarters will be the new shops and convention registration. "Project San Gabriel", the name Chicago Marriott Motor Hotel. Bill Benedict, CATOE chairman, applied to the Los Angeles Chapter's Departing from the concert ap­ along with Sam Holte, program Wurlitzer relocation program, took proach of previous ATOE conven­ chairman for the convention and a giant stride forward during Decem­ tions, CATOE members are assem­ Roland Frase, convention coordina­ ber with the arrival of the 3-15 (style bling a brilliant program of authenic tor are busy working out the final 260 special) Wurlitzer organ in San theatre pipe organ shows on organs details of the 1969 ATOE Conven­ Gabriel after a cross-country trip restored by CA TOE. Included are tion with the help of CATOE mem­ from Brooklyn, New York. The or­ the Pickwick, Mont Clare, Indiana, bers. A complete list of events and gan was removed from the RKO and Patio Theatres. organists will appear in the April Albee theatre in Brooklyn by a crew Special outside theatre events will issue of Theatre Organ Bomharde. supervised by chapter members Neal include: ATOE Salute to the Aragon This year's Convention Headquar­ Kissel and Ross Farmer who braved Ballroom-a gigantic get-acquainted ters will he the 500-room, multi-mil­ the chilly eastern weather to make dance and cocktail party featuring lion dollar Chicago Marriott Motor certain the instrument would not Hal Pearl at the Aragon Wurlitzer Hotel, near Chicago's O'Hare Inter­ suffer the transportation heating in­ and a dance orchestra; the giant national Airport. flicted on the NY Paramount Wur­ Chicago Stadium Barton in a gala One of the largest motor hotels in litzer when it was shipped West a performance by Al Melgard; and a the world, the lavish Chicago Mar­ few years ago. Careful packing paid concert performance by John Seng riott Motor Hotel has a unique "bub­ off; no serious damage was experi­ at the huge Wurlitzer located at the ble dome" indoor-outdoor pool with enced. St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in year-round swimming in a hi-level Mundelein. tropical garden setting. During the several days required Featured performing artists ap­ Each guest room is equipped with to demount and pack the W urli, pearing at the 1969 convention will color television and is decorated in many photos were shot. A selection he the midwest's own spectacular lively warm colors with comfortable of these will he presented in these stars: Al Melgard, John Muri, Buddy contemporary furniture to create a pages as soon as a successful format friendly, homelike environment. Nolan and Dian Pfeffenherger, Hal can he devised to obtain reproduci­ Pead, John Seng, Pearl White, and Marriott, one of the largest restau­ ble black and white photos from many more! ! ! rant operators in the world, features Ross Farmer's color negatives. Seminars and workshops will he a more quality dining facilities in its feature of this years convention. Dan Chicago hotel than any other of its The instrument is now spread Barton, Master of the Bartons will siz~ in the area. There will he four across the backstage area and in conduct a workshop on the Barton restaurants here including the Stir­ several rooms of the Civic Auditor­ Organ. Ben Hall, nationally known rup Cup Steak Room, which features ium while Kissel and Farmer assem­ theatre huff and author of The Best char-broiled steaks, the Fairfield Inn ble a work crew to releather the Remaining Seats will present his All Restaurant, which is open 24 hours a entire organ and make all necessary New Slide Show featuring theatres day, the Windjammer Lounge, and repairs before starting the installa­ and organs from around the country. an old-fashion Fire House Tavern. tion. A third workshop entitled Producing The annual banquet will he held Shows will he presented by CA TOE in the 9,200 square foot Grand Ball­ The project, through which the members, describing in detail the room which accommodates 1,150 donation of the Wurlitzer to the many factors which have contributed people for dining. San Gabriel Civic Auditorium was to CATOE's success in presenting The Chicago Marriott is located arranged, was masterminded by LA theatre organ shows. 2 miles east of O'Hare International Chapter officers, with special thanks Chartered buses will operate from Airport off the Kennedy Expressway to Neal Kissel, Ruth Skovmand, Ray the Marriott Hotel for all events. which is Interstate Route No. 94 and Bonner and Keith Woodard for their The registration fee covers all bus Illinois Highway No. 194. Regularly successful efforts in scouting avail­ transportation, admission to all scheduled courtesy limousine service able organs and performing a feat events, and the 1969 Program Book­ will he available to and from the of persuasion in interesting San Ga­ let. airport. briel city officials.

february, 1969 22 LOS ANGELES AGO CHAPTER INVITES ATOE'rs TO SILENT COMEDY FEATURE SCREENING Dec. 2. Hollywood, Cal. - - - - side of the store building. Of course, The famous Hollywood High Harold succeeds, but not before School, sometimes known as the some hair-raising moments during "incubator of stars'\ was the scene his ascent which consumes almost of a novel musical event tonight as half the footage. This sort of com­ organist Gaylord Carter cued a si­ edy-melodrama is right up Gaylord's lent comedy feature on a "straight" alley, even though the Skinner was organ. lacking the sound effects which The film was Harold Lloyd's Sa­ silent movies need. To compensate, / ety Last, which LA chapter chair­ he hauled in a hand-operated siren man Dick Simonton borrowed from to cue the careening chase scene Lloyd for the chapter's contribution through 1923 Los Angeles traffic to a program staged by the LA ( how those model T's dodged!). American Guild of Organists (AGO) But in the midst of the sequence chapter. The AGO chapter invited the siren broke down with a dis­ GAYLORD CARTER - Drawknobs?? Fat diapasons the ATOEr's to the show, which sonant descrescendo wail which and a fire siren that wouldn't . was held in the school auditorium. trailed off to embarrassed silence. About 350 AGOers and ATOErs The house is equipped with a 3-39 Carter found the skinner to his attended. Although such co-op con­ E.M. Skinner concert organ, install­ liking for playing this type of film certs are rare in LA, there has been ed in the mid- '20s and kept in good but stated, "I don't know what I'd a friendly spirit of cooperation bet­ playing condition. have done if there were love scenes ween the two chapters since they - - no Tibia - - not even a gooey Stop­ The event was arranged between staged a joint pop concert at the ped Flute on Tremolo. There's just the AGO chapter dean, Halstead Wiltern theatre when their national no way of making it sound like a McCormac, and ATOE chapter vice conventions overlapped in 1962. chairman, Ray Bonner, the latter theatre organ. It's another breed of standing in for recuperating chair­ cat." -G. Bandini man Dick Simonton. For the movie, vereran organist Carter tackled the Skinner just as SOONER STATE ATOE CHAPTER IS OFF though it had been a theatre organ, with sometimes amusing results. Be­ AND RUNNING . . . Bl fore the film started Gaylord played The newly formed Sooner State both classical and pop selections to Chapter held its first concert on give his audience the "feel" of the November 8, at the Christian Cru­ instrument. It must be stated that sade in Tulsa, where the ]ate Jim something is lost in translation Orcutt made his Organ of the Month when Love is Blue is heard played recordings. For our first effort we on big Diapasons, sharp reeds and were privileged to have the services complex Mixtures, with little or no of Lyn Larsen, who at the age of tremulant. 23 is what we believe to be one of The Skinner was more effective the finest theatre organists alive. during the film because it is an action movie, with lots of suspense, Playing to a crowd of about 300, comedy and violent movement. For ( we were hampered by other eve­ those who missed it during the 1968 nts occuring the same night) Lyn Larsen Discusses his music with the appreciative ATOE convention, Safety Last is the got a warm response as he explored audience during recent program. story of an impoverished young the registrations available on the of his program leaning heavily on department store clerk who sees a 3/ 10 Robert Morton. His musical the standards which sound best on chance to earn $1000 (so he can get sty le and his personality made a the theatre organ and are sure to married! ) if he can attract a crowd hit with his audience, and sensing meet with the approval of the older to the store where he works. ·He this, Lyn has promised us that he organ fans who remember how it does so by unmittingly becoming a will be back next year. was "in the good old days". ''human fly" and climbing the out- Mr. Larsen played the first half (Continued on Page 38)

23 theatre organ bombarde MILDRED ALEXANDER OPENS TEACHING HEADQUARTERS IN SAN DIEGO "Mint Julep" Opener of the century as a home for finan­ Heralds Surprises cier Horace B. Day. Mildred knew at once that "this was the place." It Mildred Alexander, the "suhh'n reminded her of Tara in that saga chah-ma" whom 1966 ATOE conven­ of another southern belle, and there tioneers recall with fondness for her is a resemblance. The home became fine performance at the Portland available recently when Synanon Oriental theatre's 3-13 Wurlitzer, has moved out. embarked on what she might call a Although there have been a num­ new life -- if she were cueing a soap ber of tenants since the demise of opera. To say that the Alexander de­ Mr. Day, there remains much of the Millie's "Tara-under-the-palms." parture from past patterns is radical, former grandeur in the old manse, states the case too mildly. especially some sparkling crystal "Y'see these here rooms here? For many years, "Millie" ( as her chandeliers. They's just raht fo' chambahs. Ahm husband, Bill Appleton, calls her) gonna have me a pahp awgin aftah Once the site had been selected has been the leading exponent of a we git the mawgidge daown a smid­ and secured, Mildred started to build certain brand of plug-in organ from geon. But first ah gotta ree-vahs all her staff ( while decorating the which she strayed only on rare occa­ ma teachin' books so they'll applah house). She chose her long-time sions to play pipe concerts. to all tahps 'n makes of awgin." Now she has decided to stray more associates, Richard Bradley, as pro­ of ten. The first signs of budding duction manager and Jim Coons as We left her as she symbolically revolt were noted during the 1968 business manager ( all of the Alexan­ crossed out lines in one of her Mil­ Home Organ Festival when the little der staffers are organists and teach­ dred Alexander Method instruction lady was heard often at consoles ers, right down to the cleanup crew books, possibly the chapter on how other than the long-associated brand. - - even Millie's husband). to execute a "palm schmear." Many were puzzled. To some it even Mildred admits she shot the family - Elmer Fubb, San Diego seemed sacreligious. Then came the bankroll on this venture, and then startling announcement. some. But the Appletons have faith Henceforth, Alexander teaching in their gamble. Dan Barton Is Recover­ talents would not be confined to any On November 24, they had their ing From Accident one make of organ; Millie would ''grand opening" with an afternoon teach and play on any good organ. punch and mint julep party of invit­ Oshkosh, W is.-Helen Barton, wife While a handful of plug-in purists ed guests, which included the press. of organbuilder Dan, has revealed sizzled she stated that she would Guests came from near and far and that a recent accident plus flu and a open an organ school on the West those who couldn't make the scene kidney infection has combined to Coast and settle down - - after many telegraphed their congratulations ... send Dan to the hospital in January. gypsy years of living out of suitcases. Eddie Dunstedter, for example. Around Xmas time, Dan suffered After much searching, the perfect Exploration revealed the building a fall which resulted in two broken site was located in San Diego, Cali­ to be an excellent choice for a school, ribs and a badly mashed bone in his fornia, a rambling old multiple-room with large, light rooms, with acousti­ mansion built during the first years cal separation that only old-style right hand. This prevented answer­ thick walls can provide. By opening ing correspondence and resulted in a time, Millie had managed to get at raft of inquiries. Dan's bones are least a spinet playing in each of the healing nicely but the flu bug got studio rooms on the ground and him. Aftermath of the flu attack was second floors. And she had just ac­ a kidney infection which sent the cepted delivery of a good sized ( and venerable organ builder to the hos­ priced! ) electronic for her concert pital. room. Leroy Davidson played fore­ Although he can't reply at present, ground and background music on it Dan likes to hear from organ fans during the afternoon. and now would be a good time for a After the guests had partaken of get well card. Send them to Dan the canapes, punch and music, Millie Barton, 736 Scott Avenue, Oshkosh, MILLIE AMONG THE CRYSTAL BALLS, - A cal• culated risk with pipes a possibility. - Stufoto sprung her bombshell: Wisconsin 54901. february, 1969 24 I Where The BARTONS Were Part 4 I In which organbuilder Dan Barton continues his personally compiled list of Barton organ installations. The first installment appeared in the February 1968 issue of this magazine and has been continued, intermittently, in subsequent issues. The list is far from complete, states Mr. Barton, and he welcomes information from readers about Barton organs not listed. He may be addressed in care of The BOMBARDE, Box 5013 Bendix Station, North Hollywood, Calif., 91605.

INSTALLATION LIST OF BARTON ORGANS AND BARTOLA PIT ORGANS ~ DlRECTED BY (Continued from December, 1968 Issue) _...... ,11\.YLE W. NASH BARTOLA PIT ORGANS Size or Blower Installed Location Building Style No. 6400 1914 Mobile, Ala. Empire Theatre 3-½ CAN a famous movie star success­ 5857 1914 Meriden, Conn . Polie's Garden Theatre 3-½ 6577 1915 fully convert to the greatest role of Moline, Ill. Family Theatre 3-½ 6650 1915 Mishawaka, Ind. Family Theatre 3-½ all - motherhood and homemaker Yale Theatre 3-½ 6766 1915 Maywood, Ill. 1915 Milwaukee, Wis. Murray Theatre 3-½ 5996 - and find lasting happiness? Last Grand Theatre 3-½ 8935 1918 Mankato, Minn. 1919 Marshall, Mich. Garden Theatre 3-½ 10072 month we interviewed Jean Paige, Nicolet Theatre 3-½ 11372 1920 Minneapolis, Minn. 1920 Minneapolis, Minn. Arion Theatre Deluxe 10826 a petite 5' 5", brown haired actress, Oak Theatre Deluxe 11902 1921 Minneapolis, Minn. 1920 Milwaukee, Wis. Iris Theatre 5 11203 1920 Black Beauty. She appeared in films Merrill, Wis. Unknown 5 10720 1920 Mitchell, S.D. Lyric Theatre 3-½ for more than five years and then Lyric Theatre 3-½ 10923 1920 Mt. Clemens, Mich. 1920 Mobridge, S.D . Mascot Theatre 5 11604 married one of the great men of the Theatre Unknown 5 1920 Minot , N.D. 1921 Manitowoc, Wis. Capitol Theatre Deluxe 12114 film industry - Albert E. Smith. Illinois Theatre 3-½ 11934 1922 McComb, Ill. 1918 Muskegon, Mich. Rialto Theatre 5 8889 He was truly a movie pioneer and Regent Theatre 5 9755 1919 Muskegon, Mich. 1920 Muskegon, Mich. Michigan Theatre 5 11249 guided the Vitagraph company to Muskegon Hgts. , Mich. Rialto Theatre 5 9123 1918 Muskegon Hgts., Mich. Regent Theatre 5 11860 1921 greatness. Their marriage was one BARTON ORGANS of everlasting happiness. Opera House 2-8 13111 1922 Neenah, Wis. 1925 Neenah, Wis . First Baptist Church 2-6 16722 Theatre Unknown 2-7 18985 1926 * * * * * * Negaunee , Mich. 1927 Niles, Mich . Niles Theatre 3-8 20689 Paramount Theatre 3-10 24426 1930 TODAY Mrs. Smith (she much North Platte, Nebr. 1931 Newport News, Va. Paramount Theatre 3-10 24761 1931 Norfolk, Va. Paramount Theatre 3-10 prefers that title) basks in the glory BARTOLA PIT ORGANS of her three sons and daughter and 1914 Neenah, Wis . Doty Theatre 3-½ her grandchildren and also the fame U.S. Theatre 5 8219 1917 New York, N.Y. 1923 North Chicago, Ill. North Theatre 3-½ 13711 of her husband, Mr. Smith. "I never BARTON ORGANS ;missed making films," she said. 13058 1922 Oshkosh, Wis. Orpheum Theatre 2-8 19669 1926 "With the children, a large house Oshkosh, Wis. Oshkosh Theatre 3-14 19662 1927 Oshkosh, Wis. Strand Theatre 3-11 Evangelical Church 2-11 1920 to operate and assisting Mr. Smith Oshkosh, Wis. 12306 1921 Oshkosh, Wis. Martin Luther Lutheran Church 2-8 First Methodist Church 2-12 1923 there was never time to think about Oshkosh, Wis . 16459 1924 Oshkosh, Wis. St. Johns Catholic Church 2-6 First Christ Science Church 2-5 1924 another era." Today she spends her Oshkosh, Wis. 19597 1926 Oshkosh, Wis. 10th Street M.E. Church 2-6 St. Marys Catholic Church 3-21 22668 1928 time with her children, doing social Oshkosh, Wis. 13779 1922 Omaha , Nebr . Roseland Theatre 2-8 19072 1926 and charity work in Southern Cal­ Omaha, Nebr. Theatre Unknown 2-8 Stavanger Lutheran Church 2-6 17118 1925 Ossian, Iowa 1926 ifornia. Even a generation of fans Owosso, Mich. Capitol Theatre 3-8 18301 BARTOLA PIT ORGANS who never knew a silent film come 1911 Oshkosh, Wis. Rex Theatre 3-½ to call. Fans stop by for an auto­ FIRST BARTOLA INSTALLED Grand Opera House 5 6704 1915 graph and talk about such pictures Oshkosh, Wis. 7227 1916 Oak Park , Ill. Laney Theatre 3-½ 10409 1919 Oshkosh, Wis . Rex Theatre 5 as Captain Blood made in 1924. Replacing Barto la installed 1911 Palace Theatre 3-½ 10920 1920 * * * * * * Owatonna, Minn. 1921 Omaha, Nebr. Mueller Theatre Deluxe 11879 LILLIAN Gish told interviewers BARTON ORGANS 1920 Pontiac, Mich . Strand Theatre 2-8 that: "My new book 'DWG, the Orpheum Theatre 2-7 18134 1925 Pontiac, Mich . 1925 Pontiac, Mich . Oakland Theatre 3-10 16683 Movies and Me' should be published State Theatre 2-6 18384 1926 Pontiac, Mich . 1920 Paducah, Ky. Columbia Theatre 2-7 in March of 1969." Orpheum Theatre 2-7 18181 1925 Paducah, Ky. 1926 Paducah , Ky. Arcade Theatre 2-7 18304 * * * * * * Replacing Bartola installed 1919 Catholic Church 3-14 1925 SHE'S trim, elegantly dressed Pulaski, Wis . 1927 Portage, Wis . Portage Theatre 2-7 19847 Port Washington, Wis. Ozaukee Theatre 2-7 20577 1927 and gracious to fans who call. That's (To be continued in a future issue) (more on next page)

25 theatre organ bombarde More Hollywood SHORT SHOTS FROM Cavalcade .... EVEYWHERE Readers are encouraged to sub­ the report Hollywood researcher mit interesting sidelights on the Jon Virzi makes on Florence Vidor. organ hobby ( exclusive of chap­ She lives at 350 Bellino Drive, Pac­ ter news items), material they ific Palisades, California. She has believe will he of general interest declineclassical music field can be applied. There's a headless residence or­ clined, have been bitten by the In reply to a questionairre recently gan in a huge mansion in San Fran­ theatre organ bug. Both Bob and circulated in the New York area, cisco waiting to be hooked to a Paul Jr. live in the Syracuse, N.Y. a majority of the 8,324 music lovers console and play again. It's a hang­ area and after a few sessions with who answered (7,497) felt that the over from the ·20s when no mansion the former Keith' Wurlitzer instal­ combined price of travel, dinner and was complete without its roll-play­ led in its State Fair building home, concert tickets was distressing. The ing Estey or Welte. The story of they bought large theatre plug-ins. quiz was conducted in behalf of the how it lost its console is somewhat Bob even joined ATOE and is Pro Arte Symphony Orche tra of typical of the times. With the gen­ :Jooking for some pipes to install New York according to a release eration which installed and played in his home. by the Alix B. Williamson Agency, the organ long gone, a more recent * * * * * * flack for such concert toppers as scion, hearing a friend needed a While we're talking of bugs, an­ Virgil Fox. While there is a great console ( perhaps to install tone other type immobilized both Dick difference in the type of music generators in), simply let the friend Leiberts over the recent holidays, heard and the makeup of audiences, haul the console away. father and son alike. Although down theatre organ and serious music * * * * * * with the flu in his Connecticut buffs share the burden of the com­ home, organist Dick was looking bined costs of travel, ( perhaps) SCAB ORGAN! During the strike forward to two special events, the dinner in town, and the teady climb of the Musicians' Union again t the release of the Readers Digest albums in the price of admissions, especially television network late last year, ( to which he contributed music in the larger centers of population. the variety shows were hardest hit played on his Radio City Music * * * * * * because their artists required mus­ Hall 4-58 Wurli and the RTOS 4-22 One of Spokane's oldest theatres, ical accompaniments. Some pro­ Wurli in Rochester, N.Y.) and also a the Empre s, has been torn down grams resorted to the use of vocal concert to be played on that famous for a parking lot. It was built at the groups to hum backgrounds but the RTOS instrument for its champions, turn of the century, and passed producers of the Johnny Carson the Rochester Theatre Organ So­ through four owners. Once known as show decided to be different; they ciety. When a guy gets into a rut the Washington Theatre, it pre­ dug up a complete roll-playing Foto­ like playing the Radio City Music sented films and stage shows, the player, hauled it into the Burbank, Hall organ almost daily for 37 years, latter having such performers as California studio, and used it for he needs some variety - -er - - Will Rogers, Al Jolson, Char lie musical interludes. A studio tech­ doesn't he? Well - doesn't he? Chaplin and De Wolf Hopper. The nician described it as a two-swell­ The R TOS organ seems to cast a building fell into disuse in the box affair with the console between, spell over organists who play it. late 1940's and thereafter became which indicates that it was a fairly After her concert in the Rochester a religious meeting hall until 1961. complex unit. Striking musicians N.Y. Auditorium theatre for RTOS, It's bricks were shipped to Cali­ snorted, scab organ.

Shirley Hannum was exhuberant as fornia. (Continued on Page 28)

27 theatre organ bombarde VOX POPS (Continued) in shape, which gives it a muted owner · offered a 4-20 for 20-grand sound - an accompaniment string. recently) so they turn to England When Billy N alle went to Hart­ But it's fortunate that the idea of where the going price is around ford, Connecticut, to play his an­ naming organ stops for brand names $200 a rank for Comp tons and W ur­ nual series of Chrismas concerts spelled backwards never caught on litzers, most with five to eight ranks. in a bank foyer on an Allen plug-in, or we might he experiencing stop One complete 3-8 Compton was he spent his o/ / time exploring keys which read N otrab, Knil, offered for a shade over $500. How­ among the area's pipes. On Dec. 22 Egap, Reztilruw, or Notromtrebor ever, packing and freight charges (Sunday) , he played an opener on ~ or even, perhaps, a genuine between Britain and down under the just-completed 2-6 Wurlitzer in N otlocdnarram. push costs much higher. the Irving Twomey home in Man­ chester. That was just 24 hours after * * * * * * In Australia it isn't only individ­ he had visited the Phil Stock home uals who want to acquire pipe or­ in West Hartford for a session on It would seem that English organ gans. Organ clubs are springing up, the Stock's 3-29 home installation. fans are fated to encounter more of everywhere. They often start as Afterwards he had kind words for the same style of bitter pills which plug-in clubs. Then they hear pipes Mike Foley who did much of the accompanied the removal of a and-pow !-they're hooked. While polishing on both instruments. Compton from Britain and ship­ the Victoria and New South Wales divisions of the Theatre Organ So­ * * * * * * ment to Australia last year. Austral­ ian buffs, increasing in number and ciety of Australia have secured :NITSUA to you! Ever hear of an hungry for the sound of pipes in suitable Wurlitzers, Queensland and organ stop called a Nitsua? We have their homes, are reaching out be­ lookout for theatre pipes. And now seen the stop key on a number of yond the shores of Australia in their ia. Three clubs on the march and disconnected Austin consoles but search for suitable instruments - perhaps two local in-theatre Wur­ the fact that it was Austin spelled even to the USA. They are soon litzers available (a 2-12 and a 4-21). backwards gave the impression that discouraged by the high prices Man the battlements, Britain. it was some kind of tongue-in-cheek prevalent in the USA ( where one company label for a blank stop key. (Continued on Page 39) Of course, we were being influenced by the ancient story about a draw­ knob console somewhere in Ger­ You couldn't touch an organ like this in a store for less than Buildthis $4,000-and there never has been an electronic instrumentwith many which is rigged with a gag this vast variety of genuinepipe-organ voices that you can add drawknob labeled Fuchs Schwanz to and changeany time you like! All four families of formal pipe just to bug foreign recitalists. When PiPelike tones are present in variety to delight players of classic and religious music.Yet you can changethe entire organ for popular the knob was pulled it comes all and theatrical sounds, or plug in special voices for baroque, the way out and the unfamiliar Schoberromantic, or modernrepertoires. If you've dreamedof the sound organist finds himself with a fuzzy of a large pipe organ in your o~n home,if you're lookingfor an organ for your church, you'll be more thrilled and happywith a fox tail in his hands. Disconcerting, Recital SchoberRecital Organthan you could possibly imagine- kit or especially if someone is looking. no kit. The supposed non-existance of the Youcan learn to play it-and a full-size, full-facility instrument oruan is easier to learn on than any cut-down"home" model.And you Nitsua seems to point in that direc­ can build it, from SchoberKits, world famousfor easeof assembly tion , especially because it is not without the slightest knowledgeof electronicsor music for de­ listed in the major organ stop dic­ lorODIY sign and parts quality from the ground up, and-above'all-for the highest praise from musicianseverywhere. tionaries. Then one fine day, a friend called and said he'd just $17251* Send right now for the full-color Schober purchased a set of pipes which he catalog, containingspecifications of all five SchoberOrgan models, beginning at $599.50. couldn't classify, although they No charge, no obligation. If you like music, seemed to be strings. The only ident­ you owe yourself a SchoberOrgan! ification was the word nitsua stamp­ ·------, ed on the middle-C pipe. That had The!J'~organ Corp., Dept. T0-7 to be one for the experts so we 43 West 61st Street, New York, N.Y. 10023 consulted with our favorite organ 0 Please send me Schober Organ Catalog and free 7-inch "sample" record. stop lexicographer, Stevens Irwin. 0 Enclosed please find $1.00 for 12-inch L.P. Yes, he wrote, the Nitsua is for real, record of Schober Organ music. but unfortunately very rare-unfor­ NA~u.______tunately, because it's designed as a ADDRESS, ______purely accompaniment stop, and *Includes finished walnut console. (Only $1361 these are lacking on most organs. if you build your own console.) Amplifier, CITY ____ _.,,TATE ZIP __ It's long, thin and slightly conical speaker system, optional accessories extra. L------february, 1969 28 Mylar Productions-who brought you Lyn Larsen and George Wright, invites you to ....

"MEET HELEN DELL"

The scintillating performer at the 1968 ATOE National Convention The sparkling new artist at the 1968 Home Organ Festival playing the Kearns/Carson 3/26 Wurlitzer

"A happy combination of a great artist and a magnificent instrument" -Stu Green

Eight rhythmic, beautiful songs: Hard Hearted Hannah-Love Locked Out-I'm Thru With Love-Dainty Miss-Angel Eyes-Personality­ One Morning in May plus This exceptional artist creates fresh new sounds on the Hammond: Little White Lies-Sunny-Gitanerias-How High the Moon.

Stereo only $5.00, postpaid

Send check or money order to: MYLAR PRODUCTIONS, Box 3304, Glendale, California 91201.

Southern California Now Has It's Own "Pizza Joint" Long notorious for a complete Steve credits Shirley with a good lack of pipe organs installed where 50 percent of the installation labors, the organ-loving public can drop in especially the wiring. The pipework to hear them, Southern Califoria is installed in one chamber located could take pride in the first such in what would normally be the establishment since Clifton's Cafe­ storefront, a glassed-in area which teria in Los Angeles discontinued usually has a group of passers-by use of its 2-8 Moller many years ago. gauking over the many whistles Bud Taylor, veteran theatre organist presides at The idea of a Wurlitzer in a inside. A Tibia Clausa has been "Pizza Parlor" console. He starts early bec-ause Pizza fans in Covina seem to be an early-to-bed Pizza house was frankly borrowed added and a Clarinet is going in, crowd. After that the beer sippers arrive so Bud must play until closing-no matter how early by Steve and Shirley Barden from so it will be a 7-ranker when fin- he started. - Stufoto the justly famous Pizza Joynt of (Continued on Page 39) Carsten Henningsen in San Loren­ zo, Calif., where it's the place to go for the Bay Area pipe-hungry. After securing property in a commercially promising area ( Covina, about 25 miles from LA), Steve and wife Shirley went to work on the instal­ lation of a 5-rank Wurlitzer they had stashed some time earlier. De­ scribed by Steve as a style 170 the organ ( V ox, String, Concert Flute, Dulciana and Tuba, rather than the -Owner Steve Bardon (left} shows Dick Loder• hose through the store-front chamber where the usual Style D Trumpet) was instal­ five ranks can be heard also out in the street. Loderhose came from New York for the holidays led originally in the Selma Theatre, and enjoyed the little Wurli-even though he has Traps and percussions are installed for visual im• a 42 rank Wurli perking in his New York home. Selma, Calif. pact as much as for increased volume. - Stufoto - 5tufoto

29 theatre organ bombarde April 1925 (J) MRS. MARGAR­ July 1927 (J) ANN LEAF is the ET LIBBY is the organist at featured organist in Los Angeles' Washington's New Ambassador Boulevard Theatre, playing 15 min­ Theatre, and has a decided hit with utes of requests every matinee and the audiences. evening. Associate organist is MAR­ THA N. GREEN. July 1925 (AO) ESTER STAY­ NOR of the Rialto and HARRY September 1927 (J) The Loew's of the Artist Theatre, Tacoma, have Circuit in New York City alone organized a company and are mak­ employs over 80 organists. One ing original organ novelties, some GRACE MADDEN, at the Brevoort with film, some with slides. is handicapped by an organ whose N''l:.J"GGETS chimes and harp refuses to function, from the August 1925 (D) MRS. GEORGE whose vox is perpetually out of C. THOMPSON, organist at the tune, the whole pipework badly GOY ,D'EN' DA"Y"B Belmar theatre in Pittsburgh, was installed and hidden in the wings. Prospected by Lloyd E. Klos the heroine on July 7 when sheets Yet, Grace displays artistic phrasing, of flame issued from the projection clean technique, and careful use of With February's being the month booth. Her coolness by playing a the expression pedals to do a fine for Valentines to the fair ladies, rollicking tune, prevented panic. job. Jason and I dedicate this one to the Fire, caused by overheated film, July 1929 (D) For four years, Betty Masons, Peg Nielsons, Vi was confined to the projection room. HELEN JEAN MOYER, 29, was Thompsons, Marilyn Schrums and April 1926 (M) The Knowlton organist at Loew's New York The­ to all the Wurlitzer Widows in the Pless Organ School of Seattle is atre. On June 9, the theatre began ATOE. . Sources are American Org­ run by MRS. B. BROWN who was showing talking pictures, thereby anist (AO), Diapason (D), Jacobs organist in several Chicago The­ dismissing Miss Moyer. On June 10, (J) and Melody (M) magazines. atres, and MISS GLADYS KNOWL­ she jumped to her death from the April 1918 (M) MRS. IRMA TON, who was organist in San Fran­ 12th floor of the Hotel Belvedere. FIRESTONE, popular Chicago org­ cisco, Portland and Seattle. Pupils Leaving no notes of explanation, the an instructor, includes popular mus­ are given a 3-month course with loss of her position is believed to ic playing in her course for motion movies to accompany. Two days have prompted her. picture players. She is a successful a week, they play a whole GOLD DUST Here are a few other teacher and a highly proficient per­ show in a downtown house. Estey lady organists known throughout former, being a demonstrator for a organs are in the studios, but Kim­ the years: 3/ 19 Mrs. Stephen C. Chicago unit-orchestra builder. ball, Wurlitzer and Wicks are used Hart, Hotel Bond in Hartford, Conn. in the theatres . July 1919 tM) The West Side . . . 11121 Nellie Hillhouse is assoc­ School in Chicago houses a Kimball May 1926 (M) The Great Lake iate organist in Rochester's Strand organ, and teacher of the organ Theatre of Oakland, California, was ... 10/27 Therese La]uett at the course is INGABORG CHRISTEN­ dedicated on March 6. Twenty-two Syracure, N.Y. Temple Wurlitzer .. SEN. motion picture stars, including Mon­ 11/22 Bernice Derby, Strand The­ te Blue, Lew Cody, Lloyd Hamilton atre in Battle Creek, Mich. has left AUGUST 1923 (D) AMY KEITH Roy Stewart, Percy N armont, for Florida; Margaret Redding of ELLIOTT and ROBERT W. STEV­ George K. Arthur and Ruth Clif­ Chicago has replaced her ... 11/ 22 ENS at Chicago's Orchestra Hall, ford , were present. A 4-manual Rose Nightengale Myers playing a are playing Harold Lloyd's summer­ Wurlitzer, costing $50,000 was open­ Seeburg instrument in the National long picture, Safety Last. ed by IRMA F AL VEE. Theatre, Camria, Pa ... 5/23 Mary October 1923 (AO) JESSE CRAW­ Adele Willis, Circle Theatre in Port­ October 1926 ( J) ELIZABETH FORD of the Chicago Theatre, and land, Ore ... 8/ 23 Hazel Hirsh, State SCOTT is organist at the Liberty HELEN ANDERSON of the nearby Lake Theatre and teacher at Kim­ Theatre, Benton Harbor, Michigan, Roosevelt, were united in marriage. ball Hall, Chicago ... 1/23 Margar­ which is having a new 2-manual December 1924 (M) EDITH LANG ite Berry, Majestic in Portland, Moller installed. is president of the Women Organ Ore ... 1/23 Edna Buell, Colonial Players Club of Boston. She broad­ November 1926 (J) MISS N. in Columbus, Ohio ... 2/3 Florence casts over WBZ on a $14,000 organ DEAN MITCHELL is organist at Blum, Strand, Schnectady, N.Y. . . in the Estey Studio. Other officers the new Granada Theatre in Seattle. 11/ 27 Hannah Jarrett at the Avon are JULA DOANE SANDERS, Considered the best woman organist 3-8 MC and Luella Edwards at the secy.; MRS. M. S. HACK, treas.; in Seattle, her work shows to ad­ Rivoli in Syracuse, N.Y ... 3/23 and MABEL BENNETT, auditor. vantage on a very fine Wurlitzer. Virgin C. Cox, Raymond, Pasadena february, 1969 30 Lyn extolled our organ and recog­ nized Bill Hatzenbuhler whose con­ stant maintenance of the instrument helped to make the program an unqualifed success. Our annual Christmas concert was held on December 11, and feat­ ured local organist Carlo Annibale at the console of the Riviera Wurl­ itzer. The round of applause that ••••••• ••••••• followed his opening number, Everything' s Coming Up Roses, i.· Lyn Larsen at Riviera Wurlitzer. assured Carlo, who is blind, that Ill ~A'\...V Ill The high point of the program he had an appreciative audience. •CHAPTERNEWS• was his accompaniment for the The program he planned for that Charles Chaplin silent film, The evening included Trish Trosh Polka, Champion. According to Lyn, "This Dizzy Fingers, What Now My Love, Niagara - Frontier movie has to he the original 'sock­ Malaguena, and Tommy Dorsey's Organist Lyn Larsen thrilled a it-to-me !' " Boogie, couldn't have been more capacity audience at the Riviera . Lyn proved that the hand is carefully chosen as far as the aud­ Theatre in North Tonawanda on quicker than the eye as he adeptly ience was concerned. One of the November 20 when he appeare,a negotiated countless registration highlights of the evening was his in concert at the 3ml llr Wurlitzer changes during the course of the rendition of the William Tell Over­ for the Niagara Frontier Chapter. evening. The andience, which num­ .ture, which only a real music lover Although he prefers music of the bered close to 1,000, will long re­ can listen to without thinking of '20s and '30s, he played several member his exciting renditions of either Spike Jones or the Lone Ran­ recent hits including By the Time I Doin' the New Lowdown, Finiculi ger, according to Carlo. An approp­ Get to Phoenix and Goin' Out of My ....cata from the Gothic Suite. riate selection of favorite Christmas Head, in an effort to break his past A standing ovation followed his music helped set the proper mood image. Why? "They turn me on," final selection on the program and for the holiday season. We thank says Lyn. And from the audience he showed that he appreciated the Carlo for helping to make this reaction, his selections turned them 'enthusiastic response by playing Chri stmas one to he remembered. on too. Goodnight Sweetheart as his encore. The Annual Quentin Maclean A ward was presented this year to William Hatzenhuler by Chairman MORE "GOLDEN NUGGETS" ... Robert Flierl , in appreciation for . . . Tessie Van Ness at the Kimball ladies graced the consoles of Wash­ the great contribution he has made in the Sayre (Pa.) Theatre ... 4/ 23 ington, D.C. organs: Emily Thomp­ toward the success of our chapter. May M. Mills, Karlton, Philadelphia son and Margaret Libby, Central Mr. Frank Guzzette, manager of the ... 12/23 Martha ]. Kier, Penn, Theatre ... Maribel Lindsay, York Riviera Theatre, was named Hon­ Uniontown, Pa. . . . 1/24 Helen ... Mrs. Nell Paxton, Metropolitan orary Member of the Year. Searles Woodlawn, Chicago ...... Mrs. Fritz Hauer, Chevy Chase * * * * * * l/24 Ruth Wiltrane, Ohio, Indian­ ... Ruth Farmer, doubling at York Motor City News apolis ... 3/ 24 Minnie Wright at Church ... Miss C. M. O'Day at the the 3-manual in the Alto Theatre, Robert Morton at Crandall's Central The Motor City Chapter has once Columbia, Pa ... 5/24 Grace May . . . Mae Woods, Princess . . . more appeased the growing appetite Lissenden plays the Skinner in the Amourette Miller, assistant organist of Detroit area silent movie and Ritz, Port Richmond, N.Y ... 5/24 at the Takoma Park ... 7/25 Effie theatre huffs. This time it was John Mary Vogt broadcasts daily over Drexilius Gable at the Malarkey Muri at the 3M/ lOr Barton in the WOO, Philadelphia on the W ana­ Special ( ! ) in Pittsburgh's People's Redford Theatre who brought out maker organ ... 5124 Lucille Hale Theatre. the fans on October 22 to hear his broadcasts Fridays from the Cameo accompaniment to The Lost World The gals really played up a storm Theatre over KDKA, Pittsburgh ... ( 1925). Prior to the feature film in the Golden Days, as our probing 4./28 Peg Kimball at the Syracuse, John played a lively pops concert the treasure lodes has proved. N.Y. Empire 3-10 Marr & Colton and helped that ever popular duo, ... 4/ 31 Rose Diamond at N.Y. See you folks in the rainy month Laural and Hardy, cavort across the Loew's State Moller ... of April! screen.

In the summer of 1925, these - Lloyd and Jason (More Chapter News on Page 32)

31 theatre organ bombarde Theatre organ intermissions are stuff. Bill Benedict, Chapter Chair­ try out the organ. From this in­ again in full swing with chapter man, acted as Mc., in a satisfying vitation a jam session developed members providing the musical tal­ well done program. that took up a great part of the ent every Friday night - this year The loss from one chapter was evening. All agreed the success of at two theatres, the Redford and the the gain for another in the case of this event should give it priority as Punch and Judy. Ken and Karol Shirey. The Shirey's an annual event. Work is progressing well on the recently moved from Ohio to Chi­ In December the Delaware Valley severly water damaged 3m l lOr cago, Wurlitzer and all, before un­ membership was invited to WFIL­ Barton in the Royal Oak Theatre packing, Ken was appointed Editor TV to watch member Larry Ferrari and plans are to have it playing of the Vox CATOES's official news­ do his regular Sunday TV show before the year is out. letter. Ken served in the same ca­ playing a Gulbransen Theatre mod­ Could it be that the chapter will pacity for the Western Reserve el electronic organ. have three theatre organ intermis­ (Ohio) Chapter. Between the problems of the flu and the first snow of the season, sions to worry about next year. * * * * * * Don Lockwood attendance was light. However those who did venture forth received red * * * * * * Delaware Valley carpet treatment and were included Chicago The buffet dinner and organ con­ in the telecast much to the surprise The ever active Chicago Chapter cert held on the afternoon and even­ and delight of everyone. produced sixteen Program Events ing of November 17th was one of Larry performed a great service during 1968, each one highly suc­ the best attended events the chap­ for the Chapter in showing a picture cessful and only four were devoted ter has enjoyed in the past two of the Sedgwick Moller and explain­ to stritctly business, a good record years. ing the need for a_ permanent home for an already high rated group. Well over half of the total local for it. Several calls were received Having been selected as the 1969 membership was present as well and each one offered a possible National Meeting Host, the Cha pt.er as National Prexy Al Mason and solution to the problem of getting lost no time setting wheels in mo­ wife Betty. Many of the members the Moller installed. tion. Bill Benedict, Chairman an­ also brought guests which helped At the conclusion of the broad­ nounced Roland Frase as Conven­ bring the attendance to an unex­ cast a guided tour of the WFIL-TV tion Coordinator, and Sam Holte as pected level and insured the success and Radio facilities proved inter­ Program Chairman, with other of a triple featured program. esting and very educational. appointments to be announced soon. Members and guests began arriv­ * * * * * * The Marriott Motor Hotel, near ing shortly after 1: 00 P .M. ~nd were O'Hare Airport has been selected greeted by Wayne Zimmerman as Official Headquarters. This fine warming up the Rogers Organ Kaw Valley Chapter hotel has agreed to furnish ATOE (Model 33-E). Wayne displayed the Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Reedy's home special rooms for meeting and will many authentic theatrical effects was the October meeting place for give conventioneers a reduced rate available on this modern instru­ the members of Kaw Valley Chap­ ment. for accomodations with complete ter, Lawrence Kansas. hotel facilities available. The formal program featured Mr. and Mrs. Reedy, who attended On November 7 John Muri put three artists, Patti Germaine, Don the ATOE Convention in Los Ang­ the Mont Clare Barton through its Kinnier, and Dick Smith. It would eles in July, told of their exper­ paces giving his near capacity audi­ be impossible to review such a won­ ience and impressions of the sights ence a fine program which included derful triple concert without re­ and sounds connected with the con­ a Sing-a-long, special solo numbers, marking on the contrasting talents vention. They were especially im­ and cuing the famous Phantom of and styles of the artists which com­ pressed with the friendliness of the the Opera. John, as usual played at plemented each other so perfectly­ conventionaires, with the apprecia­ his precise well selected program to the concert artistry of Patti Ger­ tive, inspired audiences who at­ the complete delight of the atten­ maine; the theatre organ styling of tended the concerts pre 3ented by tive audience. Don Kinnier; the modern inter­ talented artists, and with the well­ Another Barton organ was heard pretations of Dick Smith. By shrewd planned program of the convention on December 3rd when Pearl White choice of organists, the entire range as a whole. appeared at the Patio Theatre in of popular organ was covered. Following a brief businesss session a theatre sponsored program. ( This A brief business meeting was several members played selections in itself, is an inovation) The Catoe held after the concert. Upon the on the Reedy's Hammond organ, cooperated to insure success of the conclusion of the business at hand, and the hostess served refreshments program. Nearly 800 enthusiastics the Alden Inn served a buff et din­ during the pleasant social hour. turned out to hear Pearl strut her ner, then everyone was invited to Id a R. Jones, Secretary febru ary, 1969 32 ATOE members have devoted Regular fare in Northern Cali­ thousands of hours of work on the fornia area for pipe-fiends is found Kirkwood project. at the Lost Weekend (2-10 Wurl­ * * * * * * itzer in San Lorenzo, Capn's Galley Northen California (3-12 Wurlitzer) in Santa Clara, A most successful and busy year Rudy's Supper Club (2-6 Wurlitzer) for Northern California Chapter in Vallejo, Carl Greer Inn ( 4-16 of Everett Nourse at the Avenue Robert Morton) in the Cinema-21 Theatre in San Francisco in Decem­ in San Francisco, the 4-21 Robert ber. Our · year opened with Don Morton in the Opheum Theatre, John Ferguson of St. Louis plays for ATOE at Kirkwood, Miuouri Center. Baker at the Pizza Joynt in San San Francisco, the 3-13 Wurlitzer Lorenzo. For our February presen­ in Wilson Theatre, Fresno, the 4-16 St. Louis Chapter News tation we heard Larry V annucci · at Robert Morton in Warner's, Fresno, The St. Louis group spent a busy Cinema-21 in San Francisco, plus a and the 4-22 Wurlitzer in the Grant 1968, working on the Kirkwood jam-session at the Avenue Theatre. Union High School, Sacramento. Community Center project, (See In March it was Dave Quinlan at Next year we will he hearing a 2-7 December 1967 TOB) and promot­ .Rudy's Supper Club in Vallejo. (plus) Wurlitzer now being instal­ ing interest in it. Then in May to the Chapel Of The led in the Encore Theatre in Burl­ The most recent effort was the Chimes in Oakland to hear Gordon ingame. We feel quite fortunate in cueing of a silent Charlie Chaplin Whitehead, and late in the same having so many playing TOs in movie by John Ferguson of St. month to hear a variety of artists our area ( which we share with the Louis. The program was well re­ in our own Variety Show at the Sierra Chapter). Only one dead TO ceived by the public and gave an­ old NBC Studio A in .San Francisco remains installed in a public place, other boost to ATOE and the Chap­ with Smith's California Orchestra, the ancient (1914) Wurlitzer in ter. Dr. Sergei Rose (James Roseveare) the United Artists Theatre in Berk­ John Ferguson, a native of playing ( ? ) the Theremin, Don ley. Shreveport, La., is an accomplished Frank playing a genuine 1936 Ham­ ATOE members in Northern musician, who studied piano at the mond, spots with Larry V annucci California area who are not chap­ age of 9 and turned to pipe organ and James Roseveare at the Ham­ ter-affiliated are invited to join at 13. As an organ major at Cent­ mond augmented by the orchestra either 'thet Sierra or Northern Cal­ enary College he headed for a car­ (Charles Smith-trombone, Julian ifornia Chapters. It will enhance the eer of classical musician, upon hear­ Porritt-tuba, Jack Bethards--hass, enjoyment of our hobby. For in­ ing theatre organ recordings by and others.) formation on Sierra Chapter write: George Wright, Ferguson changed We started the second half of Zeller, 5223 Glancy Drive, Carm­ direction. beautiful public program at the ichael, Calif. 95608, and for North­ For four years he toured the Avenue Theatre featuring England's ern California Chapter write: Ehat, hotels and night clubs playing suc­ Vic Hammett. Then to Los Angeles 851 Larchmont Drive, Daly, Calif. cessful engagements. Mr. Ferguson for the fabulous Convention. In 94015. Sierra Chapter meets mainly turned to the theatre pipe organ, September it was Scott Gillespie in Sacramento, Northern California enjoyed a extended hooking at the at the Avenue. Late in the same Chapter mainly in the San Francis­ Orpheum in Springfield, Ill. In month Tom Hazleton entertained co Bay area. - Dewey Cagle 1961 he came to St. Louis and as us at the Capn's Galley in Santa * * * * * * assistant organist was heard at the Clara. Then in November it was great Wurlitzer in the St. Louis V annucci again at the California Valley of the Sun Fox. Theatre in Santa Rosa and Nourse On Wednesday, October 16th, at The St. Louis A TOE is moving at the Avenue in December to wind 8:00 P.M. the Valley of Sun Chap­ slowly hut surely toward its goal it up. We started the new year with ter presented Tom Hazelton of San of installing a pipe organ in the Tiny James at the Neighborhood Jose, California, in a concert at the Kirkwood Community Center. At Church in Oakland, playing a 3- William P. Brown 5/21 Wurlitzer. present the console and relays are manual Robert-Morton T.O. This was the first public presen­ being completely re-leathered. Work Other pipe-oriented programs tation of the former Vaughn organ has been proceeding for two years which many of our members en­ in its new setting. With living room and is now in an advanced stage joyed during 1968 included: George furniture removed, and chairs in of completion. Wright at the Avenue Theatre, Ed­ place the seating capacity was 140, The console lift . is installed, await­ die Dunstedter at the Carl Greer and it was a sell-out ing the placement of the relays Inn in Sacramento, Lyn Larsen at Chairman Howard Rowe opened and console itseH, which will prob­ both the Avenu~ Theatre and the the evening with a short introduc- ably he done sometime this winter. Pizza Joynt. (Continued on Page 34)

33 theatre organ bombarde Chapter News (Cont'd.) grinned Eddie, who is looking for­ ward to Ken's third release ( also tion and welcome, then turned the played on a Conn) to see what mis­ meeting over to Bill Brown. Brown chievous banter he can concoct to presented Tom Hazelton to the bug Ken . . . Richard Dearborn eager crowd, and the organ came to writes that all those involved in life with I Get ·a Kick Out of You. producing Pearl White's initial Tom's Rhapsody in Blue score was entry in the modulated grooves well-orchestrated and a great crowd derby are ATOErs-with the ex­ pleaser. In the first half, Tom ception of the photographer who appealed to every taste, with selec­ shot the jacket photos ... George tions ranging from Bach's Fugue in Wright's announcement of a forth­ E Minor especially adapted to the When Eddie Dunstedter heard coming Duke Ellington album re­ theatre organ registration, to Craw­ Ken Wright's recent recording lease on the Dot label came as no ford'sH igh-H at, and So Beats My played on a ( Conn theatre organ) surprise to those knowing of the Heart for You. His burlesque-style he shot a letter off to his old friend Pasadena organist's admiration for Blue Prelude followed Bach for the ( they both played the KMOX, St. the Duke and his men. It started maximum contrast. Louis, studio Kilgen at different while George was playing at the Before bringing back Tom for the times) congratulating him-on his New York Paramount. The Elling­ second segment, Bill Brown recalled choice of a model. Eddie wrote, ton band was booked in every few the history of the organ's installa­ "Well, ol' Buddy-I knew that if months and George got to know tion in the Paradise Theatre in Chi­ you listened to me long enough, the Duke's men, especially Billy cago in 1928, and its reinstallation some of it would rub off. That's Strayhorn, the band's arranger and in the Vaughn residence in Cali­ a nice rendition of 'Mine'. In fact­ a composer in his own right. That's fornia, thus paving the way for the it's MINE. You arrangementnap­ one reason George will include famed George Wright Hi-Fi record­ per." To make matters more point­ Strayhorn's plaintive lament, Lush ing on this instrument. Brown pur­ ed, our record reviewer alluded to Life, among his Ellington tunes. chased the organ in 1963, and de­ a similarity of the Ken Wright and Billy loved to hear Wright play it signed his new home to accomodate Dunstedter sounds in his review on the Paramout organ ... Our idea the installation. Although the orig­ of Ken's Kilgen organ record (Dec. of listening tunes not to record {be­ inal 21 ranks are now playing, the 1968 For the Records). "I'll settle cause they have been grooved so addition of 17 more sets is planned for a credit. line in the jacket notes," frequently) seems to have caught for future years. on. Several letters received endorse a continuation of the plan to warn Hazelton opened part two with organists away from tunes which Up, Up and Away and included such have been done to death on vinyl. favorites as Greensleeves, a dynamic One writer asked that Laura's Slaughter on Tenth Street and Craw­ Theme {or Somewhere My Love), ford's Cuban Love Song. After an Sound of Music tunes, and Granada impromptu Doin What Comes Nat­ be added to the not-to-groove list. urally, he closed with the haunting Until now it has consisted of Born Deep Night, George Wright's old Free, Alley Cat, Georgie Girl, Win­ radio theme. chester Cathedral, Modern Millie After a standing ovation, Hazel­ plus such ancients as Diane, Charm­ ton returned for a brassy Grenada, Tom Hazelton at the 5-21 William P. Brown resi­ aine,, Tenderly and Laura. Any dence Wurlitzer, Phoenix, Arizona. and appropriate I Left My Heart more? in San Francisco. Tom's praise of Fantasy label was preparing to the organ gave much credit to the release the fourth in its marathon meticulously perfect installation by Farewell to the Fox series even as Brown and organ technician Wen­ it repressed No. 3 because of re­ dell schultz. quests from dealers who feel it's a The Valley Of The Sun Chapter fast turnover item. Recorded a few wishes to extend its thanks to Bill days before the 4-36 Wurlitzer was and Barbara Brown for their hos­ dismantled and removed from the pitality. The total success of the San Francisco Fox Theatre, the discs concert will lead to a series of offer the nostalgia of memory-teas­ artists to be presented to Arizonians ing tunes played by Everett Nourse Crowd at Hazelton's concert. Bill Brown is standing through the winter season. in front of Wurlitzer console. and Tiny James (back to back) plus

february, 1969 34 the big sound of the Wurlitzer in 3-10 Morton in two hour segments A Dream ls a Wish Your Heart its original gone lair ... In a recent because that's the longest the hos­ Makes, long on Orcutt favorite, is column we called attention to a pital would allow him to he away­ given a tender rhythm-ballad treat­ platter of nostalgia released by even though he was supposed to he ment with effective phrasing. RCA Victor, a compilation of 78 nearly well. He told us that he A real ·'20s oldie, June Night is rpm re-issues, music played and usually spent the first of the two provided a medium fox swingband sung by famous artists of the day. hours touching up the Morton pipe­ treatment, with the brass section It was entitled simply, 1927 and work and trems to make them more answering and punctuating the flute­ among the treasures was Jesse Craw­ theatrical, and the second doing reed melody combination. A good ford's never-to-he-forgotten At Sun­ the recording. He asked a favor of closer. down. Now RCA has done it again the reviewer-not to he too harsh Summary: Jim Orcutt's legacy of with 1926. On this one, our man in on the occasional so/ t spots ( as he a life devoted to music is well worth Lafayette, Louisiana, Lew Williams, called them) because sometimes I owning. Jesse plays Dinah. The instrument just lost the place. So we pass Jim's THE SOUND OF THE SILENTS, is most likely the Wurlitzer Chicago request on to auditioners. In fact, Lee Erwin at the 4-19 Wurlitzer showroom organ. the irregularities are so minor, most in the Beacon Theatre, New York. are difficult to locate-hut Jim was Stereo. Concert Recording No. CR- a perfectionist. 0045. Same ordering procedure as RECORD Be Mine Tonight is the result of for previous listings. a recording session of about two REVIEWS years ago. It's an impassioned bal­ Lee Erwin, the most celebrated lad in waltz tempo spiked with of WL W's Moon River , organists, The BOMBARDE reviews organ many registration changes and shows off his talents to the best recordings for official ATOE pub­ briefly tinkling Glockenspiel backed has finally made a recording which lications. Manufacturers, distribu­ by reiterating Xylophone. pipe recordings (for Zodiac and tors or individuals sponsoring or West Side Story Medley includes Sommerset) he was limited either merchandising theatre pipe organ Tonight in beguine tempo, I Feel by instrument or material. But this records are encouraged to send cop­ Pretty ( a mix of sweet Tihias against time Lee really shines as a theatre ies to the BOMBARDE, Box 5013, percussion punctuation), Maria organist. Bendix Station, N. Hollywood, Calif. ( almost wholly on Tibia, Amay­ Very little silent movie music is 91605. Be sure to include purchas­ reeca and a majestic reprise of To­ available on pipe organ records. ing information, if applicable. night Pop tunes from the silent film era MUSIC IN THE ROUND - Jim Non Dimenticar and I wish You and theme songs, yes, but almost Orcutt playing the Robert Morton Love are both products of the afore­ no descriptive cue music ( Gaylord theatre organ in the Cathedral of mentioned previous taping session. Carter's Big Chase is the only one the Christian Crusade, Tulsa, Okla­ Love is especially luscious, with which comes readily to mind). homa. CR-0041, stereo, available by some interesting but brief reed reg­ Therefore, Lee Erwin's original mail at $4.50 (postpaid) from Con­ istration. The coda is preceded by score for Rudolph Valentino's The cert Recording, Box 531, Lynwood, a crunching pedal note. Eagle is unique. It was composed Calif. 90262 ( also available on 7½ Overture to the flip side is 1.55 for presentation at the Beacon The­ ips 4-track stereo tape at $5.95) minutes of a c~rtain-raising My atre last year. Side 1 of this disc On hearing this recording, many Heart Stood Still, ending in a well­ ·presents five excerpts from that auditioners will feel that a new mas­ executed roll. score. In the film, Rudy played a ter of the theatre has been dis­ The music-drama Camelot is said sort of Russian Robin Hood, and covered . But there will he no well­ to suffer from a lacklustre, forget­ this is reflected with great suhlety deserved bright future for Jim Or­ table score, and we would tend to in the Erwin score. The five excerpts cutt; he died about the time this agree - until hearing the Orcutt are captioned, Overture, The Emp­ recording was released. The fact treatment. The title tune is played ress Waltzes, Incidental Music, The that he was desperately ill when he as a conversation between flutes and Eagle and Love Theme. recorded so much beauty in these brass. / / Ever I Would Leave You The fault of many film scores, grooves, adds a note of poignancy sparkles with beautiful phrasing an inability to stand alone as music to the listening. and what can only he described as when separated from the pictures Supposedly on the road to health, nuance. Follow Me features the Vox they underscore, can not he said Jim Orcutt visited Los Angeles only Humana ( often alone) with Chry­ of Mr. Erwin's Eagle music. It is three weeks before his death ( at soglott support. The reprise of Cam believable as film accompaniment 36), and this reviewer conducted elot is both majestic and touching, music, yet it holds up well as pure­ what proved to he Jim's final inter­ with some ear-catching rolls. Some ly listening music. A 20-page booklet view. He told about recording the of Jim Orcutt's finest work. (Continued on Page 39)

35 theatre organ bombarde Wright - Baker San Diego Fox Morton Gaylord Carter (Continued from Page 5) (Continued from Page 6) at RKO ALBEE (Continued from Page 13) The Aahmes Temple auditorium a brief trip through the organ's solo Also among the guests were Dr. is a large hall with a high ceiling, a stops ( a bright Clarion stood out) and Mrs. Jack M. Watson ( Dean of good place for music. At the appoint­ while the volume built slowly for a the College-Conservatory of Music of ed hour, Don and Bud march~d to mighty finish. Bob's appearance was the University ·of Cincinnati. Dr. the twin consoles and played their limited by the proximity of his after­ Roberta Gary, well-known concert overture, a duet of Galloping Co­ noon appearance with the post band, organist, attached to the organ de­ medians. Then Don stepped to the so he had to quit after three tunes. partment of the College-Conserva­ microphone. The instrument is now in good tory, was introduced to The Big shape with a sound not unlike that "I'm certain that you in the audi­ Chase and other assorted silent film of the smaller San Francisco Orphe­ ence have noticed quite a difference organ scores by Gaylord. Bach was um Morton, and the theatre is plan­ in our ages. In deference to the older never like this! Dr. and Mrs. Watson ning a series of public concerts with man, I'm allowing Bud Iverson to were taken back to earlier days, the help of the group which repaired play first." Don sauntered into the when they resided in Hollywood, the instrument. The group, as yet wings, leaving Bud looking some­ and had listened to Gay lord when he unnamed, has a firm agreement with what nonplussed. But he recovered was staff organist at Grauman's Mil­ the theatre management and owner quickly and went into his first med­ lion-Dollar, Egyptian, Hollywood, covering the future use of the in­ ley, which was rich in tunes by Fritz and others. WKRC-T.V. News Direc­ strument, public and private. No Kreisler, an Iverson specialty. The tor Bob Jones and his charming wife organ club or ATOE chapter is being organ sounded big and full and there Janet were present and accounted planned. Concerts will start as soon was a lot of registration variety. for. Bob has become identified as as the restoration is complete and Then Don Baker appeared for his the MC for the Ohio Valley Chap­ some name organists have been first medley. Those familiar with the ter's annual silent film presentations booked. Baker style appreciate the emphasis over the past four years at the RKO Don puts on phrasing and shading -Peg Nielsen, San Diego ALBEE. Bob prepared a "special" in his arrangements. He often brings related to the Flicker Fingers offer­ the volume level down to a whisper, ing, which was aired on his 11 :00 then builds slowly to a thunderous P .M. news program, one week prior level, and back down to a whisper grand), and the finale, There's No to the show WKRC T.V. camara again. Halfway through his first Business Like Show Business. crews went down to the ALBEE, and medley, sounds from a Shriners' Don scored with his arrangements filmed Bob coming up on the big event in a nearby banquet hall of Blusette, Shadow of Your Smile, band car elevator; from this impres­ started interfering with the auditor­ Born Free, Mame and that power­ sive position, Bob gave his viewers ium show. A combo with an ampli­ house Baker arrangement of Chero­ some background on our beautiful fied vocalist and a glockenspiel pene­ kee. Iverson played memorable ver­ Cinema Palace, as well as on Gaylord trated the soft passages of organ sions of two originals, Berenice and and the film SAFETY LAST. Our music. It was most distracting to the C onn-f etti ( pure apple polishing! ) , Chapter, as well as persons every­ approximate 700 present but there By the Time I Get to Phoenix, Stars where who share an interest in thea­ was nothing to be done; there just in My Eyes and the descriptive tre organ, are indebted to people wasn't enough separation between Ferde Grofe piece with which he such as Bob Jones for their warm­ the two halls to maintain acoustic made solid points at the 1968 Home hearted cooperation and assistance isolation. It was a bad scene during Organ Festival,_ On the Trail. For­ in line with the cause. light passages. tunately, no one "called for Phillip Other guests included Mr. and Of course both organists brought Morris" this time. Mrs. Walter Barnett and Mr. and up volume levels to cover the inter­ Don and Bud closed their well­ Mrs. David Sonenshein of Barnett ference hut the penetrating power received program with an expansive Organ & Piano Company .. to whom of that glockenspiel was maddening. but brief chorus of Show Biz, took the Chapter is grateful for providing their well-earned bows and posed for The program consisted of pops the Gulbransen Rialto theatre model press photos. "Gosh, I feel impor­ and standards, expertly registered for the show. tant" said Don, as the flashbulbs on the Conn's transistors, performed Sunday, October 20th, was a beau­ blinded him for a moment. Bud in two medleys by each organist be­ tiful day in Cincinnati . . . made-to­ dido 't say anything. He was too busy fore intermission, and two afterward. order for a Flicker Fingers presenta­ signing autographs for a bevy of Besides the overture, two other se­ tion. By 6: 30 P .M., the crowds had pretty girls. lections were played as duets, Deep started to gather out front and in the Purple ( with Bud at the concert - Stu Green & Peg Nielsen gorgeous ALBEE lobby. Stanley-

february, 1969 36 took place in the showing of Harold Lloyd's famous silent comedy, SAFE­ TY LAST. The house roared with laughter, as Gaylord kept pace on the organ with the action on the screen. If the old timers attending, who remembered this grand era were laughing hard, it seemed that the many young people were all but rolling in the aisles! Ages ranged from six to eighty, however the col­ lege age turnout was amazing and ~elightful to see. Front row left, Chilrles W. Huelsmiln, veteriln Albee projectionist purchased 22 tickeb for young friends By 10:30 P.M., Gaylord had play­ ilnd filmily members, some shown here with feiltured ilrtist, Gilylord Cilrter. ed the final selection for the evening Warner, RKO regional manager, Jo­ Mr. and Mrs. Robert Schopp of and an obviously well-entertained au­ seph F. Alexander was all done up Alliance, Ohio, returning home from dience reluctantly departed another in his best bib and tucker; and it a trip to Canada, came by way of Ohio Valley Chapter Flicker Fingers should be noted that he was seen to Cincinnati to take in the show. The presentation. Harold Lloyd's antics be wearing a pair of gold Wurlitzer entire organ fraternity were shocked had put a lasting smile on those console cuff links! ALBEE manager and distressed to learn of Bob's un­ many faces, and Gaylord's organ ac­ Lou Ruth and night manager Jim expected death the following week. companiment a spring in their step. Chase had their hands full handling Bob was a devotee of both classic This was Gaylord's third appearance the ever-growing throngs. and theatre organ. He headed the in Cincinnati for the Ohio Valley Charles W. Huelsman, projection­ firm of A. R. Schopp's Sons, Inc. of Chapter, and public demand already ist for many years at the ALBEE, Alliance, Ohio. Bob will be sadly building, would indicate that our had purchased a total of 22 tickets, missed and our deepest sympathies officers had best start thinking about and presented them to various young are extended to Betty and to the his fourth return. people in order for them to see the family. John ]. Strader show; a wonderful gesture for which By 8:00 P.M., just under 2,200 Ohio Valley Chapter - ATOE the Chapter is most appreciative. people had taken seats and fastened By 7 :00 P.M., the ALBEE lobby their belts in anticipation of the had become a very crowded place; coming of "Flicker Fingers" Carter. Home Organ Festival some of those present had come from The ALBEE booth was manned by (Continued from Page 16) as far away as Washington, D.C., Carl Engel and Morris Leeds. Back­ Lansing, Michigan, Detroit, Dayton, stage, Raymond Fabing, Sr. and John and threatened to return next year Ohio, etc. The visitor from Washing­ H. Hueberger were on lights and with a silent movie to cue. The other ton was a young man, all of ten years curtain, under the direction of Jim newcomer wasn't as well known but old, who was accompanied by his Day. At the stroke of eight, Chair­ she, too, scored a personal triumph older brother. He insists that his man George Eaglin welcomed the au­ - - Helen Dell, whose arrangements parents permit him to go wherever dience on behalf of the Ohio Vallep and flawless performances on the a Harold Lloyd film is being shown. Chapter, then introduced WKRC's Baldwin, Hammond and Conn (the It seems that he had written to Mr. Bob Jones. After a few well-chosen latter during jam sessions) insure Lloyd, asking where he might see words, Bob gave the cue that brought her return for many more Festivals. another of his films, and the reply Gaylord up on the band car, playing Besides, she's a living doll. came back - - "Cincinnati, Ohio on the Perfect Song in a blaze of glory Bill McCoy appeared for Thomas October 20th, at the RKO ALBEE." and applause. It was clear to be seen and enjoyed an instrument which Among the familiar faces in the lob­ that Gaylord had the audience in the has undergone many unheralded by were those of Dr. and Mrs. Walter palm of his hand, after the first five changes - - all for the better. But C. Langsam. Dr. Langsam is Presi­ minutes of Carter repartee. The Bill hasn't changed in the least; dent of the University of Cincinnati, bouncing ball sing-along was met old Gabby has always turned out and a great Gaylord Carter fan we with great enthusiasm, if not a bit top-rate performances. Both Helen are proud to say. Dr. Roberta Gary off key here and there, and this was Dell and Gaylord Carter drew con­ and her escort were seen heading for matched by gales of laughter during cert assignments on the Allen theatre the balcony, to absorb the full effect the course of the Keysone comedy organ, playing the same style instru­ of what they knew Gaylord was go­ shorts. ment which has appeared at the ing to dish out during the course of Following the intermission, the Festival for several years without the evening. event we had all been waiting for significant changes, long a good in-

37 theatre organ bombarde More Home Organ .... example; there can he no argument Sooner State Is Here there. But when there are more than strument. But the Allen instrument twice as many nonspeaking stops on (Continued from Page 23) probably suffered some from the a stop rail as sound-producing ones, Ending the first portion of his absence of a sponsor on the spot to that's just too much dependence on show, he played Pomp and Circum­ "push" it and therefore didn't hit clever circuitry and not enough on stance the whole thing! This was with the same impact as when Tom music making. I kid you not! Such an unusual hut pleasant surprise. Stevens' retail organization was in an instrument was played at the For the first and last part he turned the picture. Festival. off the trems and gave the organ a Conversely, the Baldwin HT-2 big crurch sound. ( The organ sou­ I won't go into the attractive social theatre model couldn't have had nds bigger than ten ranks anyway). aspects of the Festival - - the many better showcasing. It, too, was "un­ The organ was in good tune and parties, the swimfest in Hoherg's sponsored" hut two artists from the held up well to this treatment; un­ giant pool, the "Trek to the Stars" talent pool drew concert assignments like many that sound terrible with­ costume hall, the nightly jam ses­ on it, Lyn Larsen and Helen Dell. out heavy tremulants. sions - - for lack of space. But some We are not certain whether the in­ contemplation as to why this year's After the intermission, Lyn con­ strument has undergone extensive show was the "best yet" ( a rather tinued to captivate his audience revisions or whether it was the artis­ universal impression among Festi­ with a mixture of show tunes and try of these fine organists, hut the valeers polled on the final day) is in other standards, including Lara's Baldwin HT-2 was a sensation. · order. A successful F es ti val consists Theme from Dr. Zhivago~ which Hammond was represented by one of many things, most of which are was played as a tribute to Jim Or­ cutt who played the song quite fre­ lone model X77 without enough vol­ taken for granted by attendees - - quently before his untimely death. ume to satisfy the needs of Mildred such as the excellent food provided Alexander, who turned to the Conn by the resort. Therefore, we must For a change of pace Lyn per­ and Rodgers for some of her sessions. turn to what was different. First, the formed the Tocatta from the Suite One of the most talked about hap­ array of top artists, amplified by the Gothique by Leon Boellmann. A­ penings of the Festival was Miss Festival Talent Pool. Then, the stag­ gain the Morton's big sound and Alexander's broadening of horizons ing was much improved, especially excellene voicing added to the ma­ to include the teaching of all makes the subtle lighting effects which un­ gnificence of the work. It was per­ of organ at her music schools, includ­ derscored the mood of every tune formed with mature ability and ing a new headquarters studio in played during the concerts ( credit feeling. San Diego. The luxury of teaching here must go to former ATOE na­ Possibly the greatest highlight of just one type of instrument is fast tional president Tiny James, Les the program was the medley from disappearing; from now on, teachers Fritze and Charlie Banks). And we George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. must he able to cut the mustard on shouldn't neglect the improved Lyn played it to the hilt, in a style many makes and models of organ. sound of many instruments. Also that Gershwin himself would have The Alexander range will include there were no speeches; MCing was been proud of. pipes when she can locate one suit­ brief and to the point. The shows The Sooner State Chapter feels able for the "old southern" style moved at a fast pace. that our first venture has been a mansion which houses her head­ tremendous success and the people Most of the gains were the result quarters school. of Tulsa and Oklahoma are swiftly of careful planning. Lovely Kay being converted to avid Theatre One negative indication was the Chenoweth was the same "sparker" Organ Nuts, and that's what this continuing trend toward including she's always been. We rarely saw organization is all about, isn't it? the easily conjured "gimmicks", her when she wasn't perambulating We're organ enthusiasts from the which sales departments are said to to a hatching crisis or from a solved word "go!" The wheels are already demand to make instruments "com­ one. And Dewey Cagle was hack this in motion to plan for our next con­ petitive." Mute stops which control year, fully recovered from the heart cert, so watch for more news from speaking stops are on the increase. attack which pulled him out of the the Sooner State Chapter. These include such non-sounding ef­ 1967 Festival. Of all participants, -Dennis Minear fects as Attack, Reverh, Tremulant, these two rate the most credit for Vibrato, "Emphasis" and an abomi­ the nearly ten years of Home Organ nation called "Repetition" to which Festivals (How Dewey Cagle finds too many builders have succumbed. time to act also as advertising man­ The dates for the tenth Festival Other stops direct where another ager for this magazine has long been were announced during the 1968 already functioning stop shall he a mystery!). Flo Lehtinen, the genial session - - September 16 through 21, heard ( manual pedal, etc) . Some president of the Pacific Council for 1969. silent stops are necessary, trems for Organ Clubs, rates kudos, too. ----=Stu Green, Hoberg's february, 1969 38 Vox Pops (Cont'd.)

When youthful ( 25) Dwight Bea­ - CLASSIFIED ADS - cham ( 1968 ATOE conventioners

heard him play the Wurli at the FOR SALE-BOOKS: Hope-Jones Unit Orchestra FOR SALE-WURLITZER Style D complete, rebuilt $3.95; Wurlitzer Unit Organs $4.50; Wurlitzer Fact entirely with relays for 16 ranks. Console has been Haven of Rest) moved away from Book $2.00; Whitworth's CINEMA & THEATRE OR­ enlarged and rebuilt to control eleven unified ranks. GANS $15.00; Williams' European Organ $20.00; Two three-horsepower Spencer blowers equipped Los Angeles to accept a teaching job Wurlitzer Church Organs $2.00; Audsley's ART OF for single-phase. Available immediately. Contact: 300 miles north at Paso Robles, ORGAN BUILDING $15.00; Norman's Organ Today ROBERT 8. FRAY, JR., 3917 West 68th Street, $7.50; Sears' The Reed Organ $2.00. ORGAN LI­ Prairie Village, Kansas 66208, or call after 6:00 local fans figured that he wouldn't TERATURE FOUNDATION, 45 Norfolk Road, Brain­ P.M. daily, (913) 262-5464 (A Kansas City suburb). tree, Massachusetts 02184. have much time to do anything about the little two-deck Wurli he FOR SALE-Three-manual Fourteen-rank playing FOR SALE--=Make an offer. Two large reservoirs; WURLITZER with 3400 square foot house attached, one swell shade action eleven feet long, twelve left behind, neatly installed in his private area, no noise trouble, San Fernando Valley magnets and bellows; about twenty-five metal dum­ view included. All for $115,000. Write: Box D, 3291 my pipes from a Kimball church organ. GEORGE parents' home. With the move and Guido Street, Oakland, California 94602. R. JOHNSON, 6516 Haystack Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22310. fatherhood fast overtaking him, SILENTS ARE GOLDEN but they are better with music . If you have piano or organ music for silent chances of moving the organ seemed film accomoaniment please contact : SILENTS ARE GOLDEN, P.O. Box 2345, North Hollywood, Calif. FOR SALE--4m/20r Wurlitzer Publix with two Eng­ remote. But, the doubters figured 91603. lish Horns. Mostly all releathered. Console natural cherry mahogany. Condition generally good .. Instru­ without taking into consideration ment being dismantled prior to moving. Best price WANTED-Bench and Music-rack for Wurlitzer- of $7,500 or over takes. BILL HOLLEMAN, 3470 the great zeal for theatre pipes 185 console. ED RANEY, 6211 Temple Hill Drive, Iroquois, Detroit , Michigan 48214. (313) 923-0428. Los Angeles, Calif. 90028. Telephone: HO 9-9181. which must haunt Dwight. With newborn Holly safe in the crib, wife Ginny hack in the kitchen and the teaching job ( music, nat­ Southern California drive North for a half mile to the urally) going well, Dwight began to "Pizza Organ" Barranca Center ( right side of street) . The menu is Pizza, soft thirst for the sound of his own (Continued from Page 29) drinks, beer and the long-popular pipes. The way Ginny puts it, "we ished. Some large-scale pitched per­ music of Bud Taylor on the pipes. have become one of the main sup­ cussions have been distributed a­ - G. Bandini porters of the U-Haul Trailer Comp­ round the ceiling of the restaurant, any." Three months after their a very large Marimba, Xylophone, departure the Beachams have Glockenspiel and a full toy counter. Record Review moved more than half of the B­ There's one additional goodie in ranker from LA to Paso Robles, and (Continued from Page 35) the wind, a real, honest-to-goodness that task wasn't even started until Wurlitzer Brass Trumpet which will by Ben Hall, about the score and Dwight had built a suitable cham­ replace the Tuba to provide more Wurlitzer restoration project, ac­ ber. so it shouldn't he long before brassy tightness. companies the recording. Dwight will he able to do some­ What Shirley didn't install, of Side II of the disc presents some thing about the vacuum he ran into the original 5 ranks, Steve did. Or­ songs from the Valentino years in when he got nothing hut what's gan technician Don Kohles was very special arrangements: Remem­ that? upon mentioning theatre hired to do the finishing and vocal ber in a 4/ 4 hurry-up tempo before organ in the Paso Robles area. In touchup. Then organist Bud Taylor the sweet chorus; Sleepy Time Gal case there's still any doubt, Dwight signed on as resident organist and ( which rides initially on some solo declares, " .... theatre organ? I he pitched in to help get the Tibia stops) ; Someone To Watch Over love it - almost as much as I love going. By the time this hits print, Me, Always, Romherg's One Alone my spouse and Holly." Steve, Shirley and Bud will surely (in part played in Ravel's Bolero * * * * * * have the Clarinet in, perhaps even tempo), and a satisfying 5- minute Colin Corbett still plays the 3-19 the Brass Trumpet, and the major version of When Day Is Done, play­ Hillgreen-Lane Theatre Pipe Organ bugs removed. Except for the still ed as a ballad and sometimes in in the Odeon-Carlton Theatre ( on silent Clarinet, the trio had it all rhythm. Carlton St., near the corner of Yon­ going and in good playing shape The Beacon organ has the big ge St.) in Toronto, Ontario every chomp, guzzle and kihhitz during of a Wurlitzer Vox/Tihia mix we've Saturday night at about 9 p.m. for the recent holidays. theatre sound and the best example 15 minutes. The console rises on a So you travelers who make a heard on records in some time. Fav­ lift out of the center of the large point of taking in the pipe organs orite is Erwin's Love Theme from covered-over orchestra pit of the at each stopover, add the name the Eagle score. It has the same theatre which is advertised on tel­ Monk's Musical Pizza to the agenda. kind of langorous appeal as the evision as The Showplace Of The It's at 644 South Barranca Avenue, String-rich David Rose compositions Nation, advises Niagara Frontiers­ Covina, California. Get off the San ( e.g. Our Waltz, Deserted City~ man, Dave Vuckson. Bernadino Freeway at Barranca and California Melodies.

39 theatre organ bombarde It already happened to two other guys; research engineers who took that idea and designed a new organ. They called it a "Rodgers" and founded a compa11y on their success. The company's growth since then has not changed our policy of building the best. That's why we know the kind of instrument you If you wanted would come up with if you really wanted to build yourself an organ to build and build it right. So, instead of taking a chance on hammering your thumb, why not the best electronic organ write for details on the Rodgers? We can save you a lot of time. money could buy ... you would build a

mriAnnl.lORGAN COMPANY <.A___.~~-E. 25th A vc./Hillsboro, Oregon 97123

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