Paramount to the unforgetable S.F. Fox ... I'll play this record - the way it is, and enjoy the sounds of the mighty theatre pipe organ - the way it was. Also looking forward to all future issues of THEATRE ORGAN, I remam Your very truly, John Mecklenburg Central Indiana Chapter eHAPTERNOTE~ Dear Sir: I found the article by John Muri, "Our National Music," quite in­ and versatility of numbers at the teresting. One thing which happened Let us know what's Alabama Theatre Wurlitzer made along the road to the selection of a happening in YOUR Chapter! for most enjoyable listening. National Song, or "Anthem," was Send Photos and News to: Our chapter was saddened by the overlooked. Mr. Muri was probably passing of Norville Hall this past too young to have encountered it. GEORGE THOMPSON P.O . BOX 1314 month. He was a valued and loved About the time I was in third SALINAS , CALIFORNIA 93902 member of our chapter, having grade grammar school (1911-12) a known the Alabama Theatre since form of petition from the school Deadlines it was constructed and actually children of the U.S. was being pre­ Jan . 1st . for Feb ./ Mar . helped to uncrate and install the prepared. All school children were Mar . 1st. for Apr. / May Alabama Theatre Wurlitzer in 1927. May 1st. for June / July polled as to their preference for "The We will all miss him. Star Spangled Banner" or "America July 1st . for Aug ./ Sept . Sept . 1st . for Oct ./ Nov . RIEDEL WEST The Beautiful." We were told that Nov . 1st . for Dec ./ Jan . Congress would be notified of our vote when they took up the matter of legalizing our National Anthem. "America The Beautiful" won out ALABAMA because, to us, it was easier to sing May and June were very busy and was more inspiring. months for the members of the Ala­ Congress voted the other way and bama Chapter - all of us were in­ the "Star Spangled Banner" was volved in planning for the 1978 finally legalized as our National ATOS Convention. This is a team Anthem. The objection to "America effort in every sense of the work, and The Beautiful," we were told, came I believe our chapter has the best from those with an anti-religion possible members any chapter could sentiment who complained that the want - nearly everyone has pitched piece appeared in "too many Hym­ in to make sure the "Alabama Day" nals" of different denominations. is a success. Our monthly meeting For that matter in recent years that for May was planned as open con­ has happened to "God Bless Amer­ sole to allow our various committees ica" as we] I. to get together and firm up the last From years of playing in theatres. bit of planning for the convention, for large audiences, and, at the and also to allow our members to try circus during patriotic pageantry, their talents on our 4/ 20 Alabama Cathy Hoffman , artist for the Alabama Chapter "America The Beautiful" brings the Theatre Wurlitzer. The music and June meeting. best audience participation, or re­ planning were well-received. sponse. and the most spirit. I. there­ For our June meeting, we were de­ fore favor that piece. lighted to have Cathy Hoffman back CEDAR RAPIDS This same subject recently came with us. Cathy and her parents made This coming September 1. CRA TOS up in the Retired Officers Associ­ the trip down from Bristol, Tennes­ extends a big invitation to join us in ation publication "letters" with see, and delighted our members with celebrating the 50th Anniversary of somewhat similar results. It seems two programs. Her first stop was at the opening of the Paramount. It is that there is a movement to finally the Don Cole's, in Northport. where in unbelievably pristine condition, make "America The Beautiful" our she had a ball at the 2/ 6 Robert having just been completely redeco­ National Anthem. Morton that Don and Alleen recently rated to exactly like new. True, it Yours sincerely. installed. Our members in the west­ doesn't have palm trees, minarets. Harry J. Jenkins ern Alabama area were treated to a an Arabian Nights motif, star-stud­ Lt. Col. USAF. Retired great performance by this young ded ceiling, or elephant heads taunt­ San Diego. Calif. D lady. Cathy's stylings. registrations ing the patrons. instead it is a non- AUGUST / SEPTEMBER, 1978 THEATRE ORGAN 55 distracting house which accom­ follows: Charles Stanford, chair­ which we toured the pipe chambers. modates whatever personal mood man; Jan Bennett, vice chairman; It was discovered they could hold up you brought in with you. It probably and Tom Hoehn, secretary-treasurer. to fifteen ranks instead of eight as is the outstanding example for its Since Don Baker resides in the area, per the original 2/ 8 installation plus age with the fewest changes in basic a motion was made and carried to use of the proscenium arch for per­ design of circa 1928 theatre archi­ initiate him as an honorary mem­ cussions. It was decided at this meet­ tecture. ber. ing we would participate in a musical Present plans include a day-long Our goal at the present is to find film festival at the Tampa to raise celebration with Hector Olivera as and install a pipe organ in the Tam­ money for the organ fund. the featured performer. pa Theatre. Since the theatre has For our fourth meeting we travel­ We believe that a lot of people been named a national historical ed to Lakeland to play the 2/ 4 Bar­ will be surprised to find a theatre ex­ landmark, federal funds are coming ton at the Carpenter's Home, a re­ actly as they remember it. We also into the cigar city to restore the the­ markably well-designed installation wish to again reiterate our municipal atre to it's original condition, in­ with the organ and chambers at the gratitude to CRATOS member Peter cluding the pipe organ. The three left side of the auditorium. Open F. Bezanson who gave the theatre staff orgnists at J. Burns have vol­ console was welcomed by all. The to the city of Cedar Rapids as a The­ unteered, along with the manage­ regular meeting was held at Holiday atre for the Performing Arts. ment, to give a benefit concert for Music in Lakeland, Fla. Our logo Once again, the Paramount housed the Tampa Theatre organ. was submitted and accepted by the a near-SRO audience on May 20 for Our second meeting was held at membership. our 18th Silent Movie Night/Organ Stanford Music in April. Secretary At this writing, we have thirty Spectacular featuring Ron Rhode. Tom was in Sebring, Fla., concert­ members and two Wurlitzers at our He played a nice program which izing so veep Jan took over the pen disposal. The J. Burns Pizza organ was well-liked by the people. We and scroll. Open console was held on 3/25 and a 2/7 Style E at Central were impressed with his use of origi­ the Conn 580 Theaterette. The chair­ Music Warehouse, St. Petersburgh, nal music which was free of dis­ man called the meeting to order and Fla. Our membership area includes traction to accompany the Laurel presented ideas for stationery and a 125-mile radius from Tampa. Any­ and Hardy film. CRATOS is proud membership cards. The ideas were one wishing more info about our to proclaim a paternal interest in accepted and sent to the printers. A chapter. may contact us - P.O. this young man. program chairman was elected. Bill Box 82419, Tampa, Fla. 33682. LOREN FRINK Coffman of Lakeland. Bob Lillie of Holiday Music. in Moving along to our third meet­ Lakeland. has consented to donate CENTRAL FLORIDA ing. our members were treated to the a Wurlitzer electronic spinet to us Well, here it is finally, our first splendor of the "Andalusian Bon­ to raffle off at one of our benefit con­ Chapter Notes. Bet you thought we'd Bon" of the Tampa Theatre, com­ certs. We are also in the process of never do it. plete with "doves circling in the bal­ getting our corporate and nonprofit Our first meeting was held in cony, peacocks preening on the or­ status. Wish us luck!! March at J. Burns Pizza & Pipes, 103 gan grilles and Christopher Colum­ TOM HOEHN E. Fowler, Tampa Fla. Approxi­ bus discovering the orchestra pit." mately 20 ambitious members ar­ to quote Ben M. Hall. The meeting rived and enjoyed the food, fellow­ opened with a short concert given by CENTRAL OHIO ship and organ music of Don Baker Bob Lillie at the Wurlitzer Model Dave Love and his mother. Mar­ at the 3/25 Wurlitzer. An election of 950 plug-in. Open console followed tha. hosted our March meeting. officers was held, the results are as the regular business meeting after Dave had his Hammond and Kim- Keep your THEATRE ORGANS in good shape! This durable casebound cover ORDER YOUR will bind one full year's issues of BINDER TODAY THEATRE ORGAN . Imprinted in gold on black , the binder be ­ $5.50 each (including postage) comes a permanent reference Six or more only $5.00 each. volume that protects issues from Allow $1.00 extra for overseas orders . damage and keeps them in per ­ M a k e c he c k or money order payable t o: fect order . Magazines are held ATOS Binder . securely in place and can be in ­ M a ll t o . ATOS Binder serted in only a few seconds .