Kinematograph year book (1944)

194 The Kinetnatograph Yeaf Book. desirable : it should be concise and to the point, heightened by wit, but not facetiousness and its interpellation should interrupt the music as little as possible ; another point is that only in the hands of the most competent performer can the interlude hold audience inteiest foi more than 15 minutes. There has been no production of kinema organs in this country since the war, and consequently very few sales, although there have been removals of instruments from one situation to another. The Compton Company for instance have transferied a number of their " Theatrones " to service camps and other establishments where they are giving good service and emphasises the popularity and convenience of this type of instrument. John Compton Organ Co., Ltd.— Arrangements have been made for a quick turn over to peace time production of Compton theatre organs. The exceptional variety of precision work which the company has been privileged to produce during the war, ranging from wood components within the closest limits and other work which must be accurate to two 10,000ths of an inch, has naturally increased its knowledge of up-to-the-minute production methods. These methods will unquestionably be reflected in the new outstanding features of the post-war theatre organ. The company has for many years pioneered new ideas in organbuilding and their current preoccupations will undoubtedly result in some features of exceptional interest and attraction when production again becomes possible. Aheady schemes are in preparation for the installation of a number of new instruments. Meanwhile, reports from various centres show that the theatre organ has lost none of its popularity with audience and management alike. It may be added that Compton's maintenance service goes on without interruption. Wurlitzer.— Another year in which no Wurlitzeis have been sold in this country has meant no slackening off in the work performed by the reduced staff at the firm's Kentish Town factory, which has been kept phenomenally busy. The strong public demand for the organ interlude has resulted in the bringing into us of every Wurlitzer installation in the country. After many years of neglect, quite a lot of cleaning and overhauling has had to be done. One unique job was the reconditioning of a blitzed instrument which had suffered thousands of fractures, but fortunately had been rescued before the theatre was hit a second time ; this instrument has been made equal to new and is being installed elsewhere — a striking testimony to the quality of mateiial and craftsmanship which go to the building up of this instrument. It is pointed out that pipes and woodwork do not deteriorate aDd the mechanical parts in motors and other electrical gear, leathers, keys, etc., can always be renewed. A profitable side-line of the company is the coinoperated phonograph — -or juke box, as the Americans know it. Although no new instruments have been installed during the war, their popularity among the American services has increased their market value many times in excess of their original cost — a proof of a good investment. In picture theatres where the organ is out of use or where facilities do not exist, there is, of course, not the same scope for presentation of the nature referred to in the previous paragraphs. It has, however, been demonstrated that the more effective use of the non~sync. by managers would materially assist in the creation of a better atmosphere for the introduction of a film. There have been some striking examples of scenic prologues being staged to the accompaniment of the non-sync. ; this obviously depends on the possession of a degree of musical appreciation and to the exercise of a little time and patience upon rehearsal. More intelligent use, however, should be made of record catalogues. One or two fiims publish a number of records specially composed to meet specified atmospheric requirements ; but, on the whole, dependence will have to be placed on the ordinary commercial discs of semi-popular nature, which, if carefully selected, should meet all average requirements.