organist, Arthur G. Shaw, in a "fade­ The sleight-of-hand magic in music was Lee Haggart observes very deceptive or­ in" from orchestra to organ. Many starting! Musicians from the percussion gan-orchestra coloration. times before we had tried to pin-point and brass sections of the orchestra were this elusive trick, the moment of cross­ silently making their way toward the over, which had been worked out by "green room" door under the stage. I WAS THERE Carl i Elinor and Mr. Shaw shortly after The music-rack lights were now out Mr. Shaw had been appointed "top" and the remaining orchestra members by Lee Haggart, Burbank or solo organist at the California The­ were playing without visible notes. It was the usual exciting Sunday eve­ atre. The hard listening was now at hand. ning in 1921 at Miller's California The­ The "fade" from orchestra to organ We closed our eyes and concentrated on atre in Los Angeles*. The grand or­ was, of course, done in many "presen­ the beautiful sounds. Violins, clarinets, chestra, the stage presentation, in keep­ tation" theatres and was often well flutes, an oboe, 'cello and double-bass, ing with the theme of the (silent) fea­ done. But if complete illusion is a cri­ all playing softly now. We sneaked a ture picture, had been thoroughly enter­ terion, the Elinor /Shaw crossover look at the podium; Carli Elinor was taining. For weekends the 35 man or­ would be the far-in-front winner. still there directing; more intense listen­ chestra was augmented to 75. The ag­ We looked to the center of the or­ ing- now just the double-bass, violins, gregation gave powerful musical under­ chestra pit where the three manual 'cello and flute could be identified. We scoring to the main titles of the feature Robert Morton console was located. Mr. concentrated - the supreme test! Were film- after which the organ took over. Shaw was not visible, and because the these the sounds of orchestral instru­ As the final curtain of the stage show house was quite dark and the console in ments or those of their organ counter­ closed, Carli Elinor, the dynamic director tota l blackness we could not be sure. parts? No-still the orchestra, we decided! of the "augmented 75 member California Well, it just made the test more diffi­ Carli Elinor would be furious, we were Theatre Orchestra" motioned for a quick cult anyway. sure, with the organist this late! decrescendo. The grand curtain paused The type of musical legerdemain we Better check the podium; we opened momentarily and opened again, reveal­ were to try unravelling requires a con­ our eyes. The podium was empty! The ing the thin screen curtain, or "scrim", sumate musicianship and an accurate organ console stop-rail lights were very over the great glassbead screen. The balancing of tonal and sound level values. dim, but enough light outlined the mast­ trademark of MGM studios, "Leo" the A real challenge to an organist! er organist to prove that he had fooled lion, appeared on the curtain and Carli We checked the "wing" drapes on stage us completely once more. Elinor signaled for full "forte" as the right to see if they had been drawn What a wonderful musical experience! scrim pulled away and the feature pic­ back for the organ to sound clearly. Two decades later we still dc:arly re­ ture title appeared. (the great Robert Morton was installed member the amazing artistry of the We were watching this evening, fully on stage right in a double-decked set Australian Master of the Theatre Organ, determined to catch the great master of chambers) Good! The drapes were Arthur G. Shaw. clear. -lee Haggart, Burbank *at 9th and Main Streets; long gone We returned our gaze to the orchestra. HOLLYWOOD CAVALCADE find a new generation enjoying his silent * * * classics when they are shown to Ameri­ (Continued from Page /9 ) CLAUDETTE Colbert made at least can college students. book by Richard Lamparski (Crown). * * * one silent film ( and probably more) when Hollywood's youngest and best silent she appeared with Ben Lyon in For the love of Mike in 1927 for First National. era researcher, John Virzi, contributed BUSTER KEATON'S widow, Eleanor, photographs to the interesting book ... recently said that in 25 years of mar­ Howard C. Shaiffer who played "Butch" riage to the kind man she never heard * * * in the Our Gang comedies passed on him tell a joke around the house. early this year ... Jetta Gouda!, who * * * COLLEEN MOORE, who brightened was a soft-sell silent screen siren, en­ the silver shadow stage in the '20s, is joys the Southern California social whirl. THE FIRST great screenplay writer of ready to publisher her cinema adven­ * * * them all, Frances Marion, is putting the tures under the unglamourous title of finishing touches on a book about Holly­ Silent Star Colleen Moore Shoots Off MARY CARR, now into her 90's, is re­ wood. Miss Marion won the first Oscar Her Mouth (Doubleday). ported still living in the North Hollywood for screenplay writing .... Reader Don area. Mary, who made famous the role Caye points out that Gloria Swanson, * * * of mother in Over the Hill ( 1920), was Lillian Gish, Stuart Holmes and Henry the most self-effacing, frail, homey ac­ King have been active in films for 50 tress ever to play a tragic mother role. years. * * * * * * WHOSE WERE - Mary Miles Minter, HAPPINESS is giving part of yourself whose petite china-doll like charm fasci­ to others. Few of the great film person­ nated fans of the '20s, shuns most for­ Membership cordially invited - USA­ alities have learned this secret better mer film friends, refuses interviews and $3.00 per year, includes a regular news than Harold Lloyd. He practices this phil­ finds comfort in religion in her Santa magazine containing news items. record osophy in daily living. He travels 15,- Monica home ... Louise Glaum lives in reviews, articles on electronic organs 000 miles a year for his beloved Shrine quiet retirement in Hollywood and re­ and specifications of theatre organs in charities which bring health and happi­ calls her 50 years in Hollywood. A all States of Australia. ness to youngsters in Shrine hospitals. reader in Las Vegas asks us the where­ Address all communications to THE He's active in his own film activities. He abouts of Greta Nissen. Does any read­ HONORABLE SECRETARY, T.O.S.A., has high hopes that this autumn will er know? Please advise. 10 Caloola Road, Wentworthville, N.S.W. august 1967 24 .