Exhibitors Herald (1927)

March 19, 1927 EXHIBITORS HERALD 53 At the Organ Are you a Clown or Musician ? Asks Mrs. Katheryn Booth Carlson Theatre Organist, Ottumwa, la. TN this, my first article to “Better Thea-*■ tres,” on the art of picture playing, may I first say that it is an “art” and it is up to you who have the opportunities in this valuable field to keep its dignity to the standard of an artist. A certain amount of “hokum” playing is indispensable, but too many organists are not using the necessary discretion toward such easy divertisement. It is too these “getting by” careless players I am referring,—those who have not taken the time and patience to figure out a variety of harmonious modulations and “clever” improvisations. Too much eagerness is shown to catch the bumps, falls and “tin ear” ef. fects and miss the beautiful, — the “art” of \ your profession. You are soon classed as a bluffer when day after day all one can hear is meaningless chords, chromatic r scales up and down each manual and one series of booms and crashes after another, J and scarcely the playing through of a single composition during the whole performance. Their best imitation is thunder. It sounds just like that. * * * The Strong Reflector Arc Lamp Manufactured by THE STRONG ELECTRIC CO. 3248 Monroe St. Toledo, Ohio A good theatre organist’s publicity lies in himself. All the “plugging,” sensational ads, spots, etc., in the world will not help him. Just honest-to-goodness restful picture interpretations gain a name which can be achieved no other way. “Grandstanding” is always very unprofessional. Organists should be heard and not seen. Really, — upon installation some organ benches should be fitted with boots and saddles the way some players “ride” them. What is more restful to an audience than soft musical syncopation and sure (if there is a laugh to put it over), cleverness in stop combinations, alertness and careful judgment in fitness as to programs. Discords are inexcusable. Remember, musicians, you are only the background for the picture. Without you it would indeed be dull, but to overplay distracts from the most interesting scenes. * * * Preparation has much to do with the smoothness of your playing. Don’t wait till you are on duty to arrange your programs. It keeps you going through your music with one hand while your other fakes through several titles and then you may miss the direct cue which at least your manager will notice. I have even heard organists rehearse their future specialties or solos during the feature pictures. This should never be done. * * * On the comedy, news and shorts, your clowning genius is indeed very useful. Select brilliant rythmetic but yet tuneful numbers, keeping your tempos hand in hand with that on the screen. Give it all “hokum” it can stand, although during the news comes another opportunity for much fineness, especially on nature scenes. Make it beautiful with coloring that the eye does not vision on the film. * * * P eople_ will not be fooled too long with trills, noise and rude imitations. You may Will you spend 2c ^to make $ /^UR new Equipment Catalog, just off the Vv press, means dollars saved to you in buying theatre equipment. We are' using every means FiU FUl out at our command to keep prices reasonable. Your out the coupon support will assure our success. Send for a copy of our catalog — it will convince you ! the coupon Cut Rate Theatre Supply Co. 1227 So. Wabeish Ave. Chicago, 111. Cut Rate Theatre Supply Co. 1227 So. Wabash Ave., Chicago. I have spent my 2c for a stamp to mail this now send me your equipment catalog that means dollars to me. NAME THEATRE : CITY STATE....._