Everything Old is New Again

Though it’s initial “run” as accompaniment to silent films lasted barely a decade, the resilient theatre organ seems to be reborn for each new generation. Stephen Adams, president of the American Theatre Organ Society, guides our transcontinental tour.

Program Broadcast dates:

February 5, 1996

Music played in the program

GERSHWIN: They all laughed –Lyn Larsen (1927 Wurlitzer/Sanfilippo Residence, Barrington, IL) Musical Contrasts CD-207

ROSE-CONRAD: Barney Google –Leonard Leigh (1928 Wurlitzer/KSTP Studios, Saint Paul, MN) RCA LSP-1665 (out-of-print)

WAYNE: It happened in Monterey –Walter Strony (1927 Wurlitzer/Berkeley Community Theatre, CA) TV Recordings CD-101

RODGERS: My funny valentine –Jim Riggs (1929 Wurlitzer/Oakland Paramount, CA) RTR CD-103

GIBBONS: Garden in the Rain –Jim Riggs (1929 Barton/Granada Theatre, Kansas City, KS) RTR CD-105 (see above)

ANONYMOUS: Steppin’ on the Ivories –Ron Rhode (1920s Kimball/Colonial Theater, Phoenixville, PA) Roxy CD-105

ANONYMOUS: Everything old is new again –David Peckham (1925 Marr & Colton/Clemens Center, Elmira, NY) Veteran Hill CD-1961

HERMAN: Mame –Tom Hazelton (Wurlitzer hybrid/Nethercutt Collection, San Sylmar, CA) Pro arte CD-435

BART: Where is love –Billy Nalle (1926 Wurlitzer/Century II Convention Center, Wichita, KS) WTO LP-1458

JENKINS: Blue Prelude –Bill Floyd (Wurlitzer/New York Paramount)

CHOPIN: Fantasie-Impromptu –Ashley Miller (Wurlitzer/Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY) Columbia CL-945

KETELBY: In a Persian Market –Patrick Wedd (1927 Wurlitzer/Orpheum Theatre, Vancouver, BC, Canada) CBC CD-1019

ELLINGTON: Swamp Fire –Barbara Sellers (Allen/Music Box Theatre, Chicago, IL) (private issue cassette)

SCOTT: Powerhouse. BLANE: The boy next door –John Seng (Wurlitzer/Mundelein Auditorium, University of Saint Mary, Mundelein, IL) P&P CD-51193

ANONYMOUS: Rio –Rob Richards (1927 Wurlitzer/Senate Theatre, Detroit, MI)

KERN: The way you look tonight –Dan Bellomy (hybrid/Trousdale Studio, Santa Ana, CA) Beldale CD-101

RODGERS: This nearly was mine –Chris Elliott (1926 Wurlitzer/Shea’s Performing Arts Center, Buffalo, NY) CPE CD-104

For more information concerning the American Theatre Organ Society and its bi-monthly journal, Theatre Organ, write: ATOS, 5 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94103-3200.