GGaazzeboebo GGaazzeetttete The Newsletter of the Larchmont Historical Society
May-June 2003 Larchmonters and Terrytoons By Barbara S. Brazill How many of us are aware that Mamaroneck and Larchmont had a sig- nificant place in the creation of the film industry? D.W. Griffith released Birth of a Nation in 1915. About the Civil War and Reconstruction, it was made in Holly- wood, but to be free of industry control, Griffith moved his production company to Mamaroneck. The era of sound films arrived in 1930. In 1931, he produced The Struggle in Mamaroneck, a film that re- flected his own drinking problems and opposition to Prohibition. It was his first and only sound and music picture. The music was written by my father, Philip A. Scheib, who met Paul Terry, an artist, at that time. A year later, they produced their first animated cartoon with sound and music. From left: Paul Terry, Terrytoons artist; Dan Seymour, of We the People (TV show); My father began his career as a student and Phil Scheib, Terrytoons musician. for four years at the Stern Conservatory in Berlin, majoring in violin and composing. After that, silent movies began using When he joined Terrytoons, he had a He returned to the U.S. from Germany be- orchestras to make music to follow the new challenge: synchronizing music and fore World War I, and conducted The Choco- action. My father became musical direc- sound effects with the action on the screen. late Soldier on tour. Then he was chosen by tor for a chain of New York City movie He often found it easier to write original Thomas A. Edison to go on a three-year houses, and he gave violin concerts be- scores than secure the use of other writers' cross-country trip to promote Edison's new- fore or after the movie. He was also the music. The story department at Terrytoons est invention, the phonograph. My father first to hold sing-alongs with projected included two other Larchmonters, Tommy and an opera singer would give concerts and slide cards before a movie. He also con- Morrison and Mannie Davis. After they demonstrate how closely the phonograph ducted orchestras for musical comedy, had written a script, my father would resembled live music. vaudeville, and light opera. continued on page 3 Annual Meeting: Sunday, June 22, 3 pm at the Horseshoe Harbor Yacht Club
1 May-June 2003
Published by The Larchmont Historical Society President's Message P.O. Box 742, Larchmont NY 10538 (914) 381-2239 by Fred Baron Editor: Judith Doolin Spikes As another year concludes for the *Reducing the number of Soci- Officers and Board of Trustees: LHS, it is a natural time to look ety-sponsored programs, but mak- Fred Baron, President back at what we have done and ing them provide greater insight Ellen Martin, 1st Vice President David Miles, 2nd Vice President forward to what we have in store for into all aspects of local history. Judy Spikes, Recording Secretary next year. Among the proposed programs are Brian Zell, Treasurer
It has been a successful year for annual walking tours in spring and Meredith Brawer BarbaraNewman the Society, though also one of tran- fall. Of course, the wildly popular William Byrne Joyce Papazian Chris Clarke Norma Perciasepe sition and preparation. Much of the Spring House Tour will continue. Anne Cumella Marge Piccone Board's attention has been directed *Stepping up our production of Madeline Gilbert Colette Rodbell Theora Hahn Antoinette Sarfaty inward, analyzing and evaluating publications relating to the history Diane Holland Marvin D.Schwartz what the Society does and how we of Larchmont. Peggy Kahn Alton Tobey go about doing it. We have looked *Establishing committees that Riitta Lagus Jo Tyler critically at our membership base, will enable interested members of The Larchmont Historical Society was founded in 1980 fund-raising, publications, pro- the Society become involved in its and chartered in 1981 as a not-for-profit educational grams, and committees. In light of work without having to join its corporation by the New York State Board of Regents to discover, preserve, and disseminate information con- this self-analysis, we are prepared Board of Trustees. cerning the natural, social, and civic history of to make some small changes in or- Finally, the Historical Society Larchmont, and to promote the preservation of local historical sites and structures.The Society maintains an der to increase the effectiveness and hopes to follow up on its involve- archives in the Mamaroneck Town Center, 740 W. presence of the Society. ment in the Manor Inn discussions Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck; publishes a monthly newsletter; offers regular programs; conducts tours for Among the changes we will be by pressing both the Village of school children and adults; and offers outreach lectures instituting are: Larchmont and the Town of to other community groups. The newsletter is published to provide news of the *Cultivating a larger base in the Mamaroneck to adopt historic pres- Society and occasional articles of related interest. Opin- local business community by insti- ervation ordinances. We will be ions expressed are those of their authors; publication tuting a special business member- studying model ordinances from should not be construed as endorsement by the Society. ship program. other towns and villages to try to *Paying considerable attention draft a law that might work for our The Archives are located and committing resources to our Village and Town. in Suite 301 of the Web site to make it a formidable As this year has been largely Mamaroneck Town Center, resource for local history. one of planning, next year looks to 740 W. Boston Post Road, *Making regular contributions be one of action. I am extremely Mamaroneck. 10543. about local history to The Times, excited at the prospect of seeing the weekly Friday supplement in the ideas we have been discussing the Gannett newspaper. put into practice. Regular hours are Mon- days, Tuesdays and Thurs- days 9-2. Appointments on House Tour 2003 other days, including Satur- Once again, this year's House Tour was "the best ever"--the weather was days, may be arranged. wonderful, the houses charming, and a good time was had by all. Many Please call 381-2239 for more thanks to all who made this a special day, and to our sponsors: information or to make an Houses: Burbank Whittemore, Caldwell Banker, Julia B. Fee, Weichert appointment. Realtors, and Houlihan Lawrence. Reception: Citigroup Private Banking and Citigroup. Archivist: Diane Holland Home page:
Larchmonters in the Movies, Dick Van Dyke, Johnathan Winters, and being shown on television in the U.S. and continued from page 1 Carl Reiner, early in their careers. many foreign countries. The most popular work out the metric scheme, timing the Around 10,000 drawings were needed are the later characters, Heckle and Jeckle, music with a stop watch. He then or- for a seven-minute cartoon. A large staff the talking crows, and Mighty Mouse. chestrated the music and played and of animators, tracers, camera operators Cholly Horse, Farmer Alfalfa, and Kiko conducted it at a studio in New York and background painters was required. the Kangaroo, the earliest characters, are City. At the same time, the sound effects Conrad Rozenski, another Larchmonter, also shown. were created, and then the track was was part of the artistic team. Those of us who remember weekends brought back to Terry's New Rochelle Terry gave up his artistic work and before television can recall that for better studio [in the top four floors of the turned to running the business. He lived in or worse, Saturday afternoons were not Schiff--now the Kaufman--Building, Larchmont during his entire career , occu- spent on the soccer field. We were given a and later in the old Knights of Columbus pying three different houses in the Village. quarter to go to movies, which included building at 38 Center Avenue] and [Two of the houses were at 115 Beach a double feature, a newsreel, and a car- dubbed with the movie. Avenue and at 40 Ocean Avenue.] toon. Adults attended the same show at My father often auditioned many Today, technology has taken over, and night. Cartoons were not just for chil- people to find the right voices for the cartoons can be made by computer. How- dren! dialogue. Among those he cast were ever, the early Terrytoon cartoons are still
The Larchmont Historical Society proudly announces the publication of House Calls Vol. 2: The LHS House Tours 1994-2003 This123-page softcover book contains the historical and architectural text from the annual handbooks of the Society's house tours from 1994 to 2003, representing 56 remarkable dwellings and other structures. It contains a photo of each building and four indices and is available from the Archives for $20 a copy. Also, House Calls Vol. 1 (1981-1993) is back in print and is available on the same terms.
3 May-June Larchmont Historical Society 2003
But Is It History? many houses have been falsely Membership Form identified as the very one the Please enroll me as a member of the The following is one in a series of local myths written by the late Phil Reisman poet lived in when he wrote it. Larchmont Historical Society. My tax-de- and first published here in 1989. We will ductible dues for one year are enclosed. republish one of the myths each month. In actual fact, he wrote the Membership year ends June 30,2004. poem in Mahwah, New Jer- New ❒ Renewal ❒ Trees. No one knows how many sey, in 1913, before he moved stately trees of various species to our village to a house still ❑ Individual $15. have been pointed out to visi- standing on Grove Avenue. ❑ Family $25. tors as "the very one" that in- From there he enlisted to fight ❑ Senior or student $ 5. spired Joyce Kilmer to write his in the First World War, and he ❑ Institutional or Business $25. famous poem, "Trees." Or how never returned. ❑ Sustaining $50. Nominations ❑ Life (individual only) $150. The Nominating Committee (Fred Baron, Anne Make checks payable and mail to: Larchmont Historical Society Camella, Antoinette Sarfaty, and Judy Spikes) Box 742 have presented, and the Board of Trustees have Larchmont NY10538 I would like to serve on the following com- approved, the following candidates for trustee, mittee:
to be voted on at the Annual Meeting on June 22, ❑ Membership ❑ Publications ❑ House Tour ❑ Historic Sites 3pm at the Horseshoe Harbor Yacht Club: ❑ Program ❑ Costumes Ned Benton, Mary McGahan, Jane Nishimura, ❑ Publicity ❑ Archives and Dee vanEyck. Additional nominations may Name ______be made by following the procedure in the By- Address ______laws. Telephone ______
Larchmont Historical Society Non-Profit Org. P.O. Box 742 U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 366 Larchmont NY 10538 Larchmont NY 10538