Cinema organ is put through its paces - rising from the pit then returning.
This video has no sound
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Short Summary
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Description
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Data
- Film ID:
- 568.09
- Media URN:
- 58629
- Group:
- Unissued unused
- Archive:
- British Pathé
- Issue Date:
- 1930 - 1939
- Sound:
- Mute
- HD Format:
- Available on request
- Stock:
- Black & White
- Duration:
- 00:03:09:00
- Time in/Out:
- 01:30:27:00 / 01:33:36:00
- Canister:
- UN 123 C
Unknown user says
This shows Sydney Torch at the Christie organ (not a Wurlitzer) in the Regal Cinema, Marble Arch, London. I imagine this clip comes from the end of the item "Organising an Organ". because in that film the announcer says " and now we hear Sydney Torch at Europes' largest organ" bu then the clip suddenly ends.
Unknown user says
Whist the organist at the conclusion of 'Organising an Organ' is undoubtedly Sidney Torch, I'm afraid I must disagree with jbuck, for I think the gentleman here is someone else. Let us examine the clip closely.
This organist has:
'patent leather' hair - OK, so had Mr Torch
spectacles - Mr Torch did not wear spectacles
no moustache - Mr Torch had a moustache.
Notice the 'horticultural orchestra pit', usually only seen on the ceremonial opening day of a new cinema. At the Regal, this would have been in 1928 when Quentin Maclean would have been seated at the organ, and I'm pretty sure this isn't him.
The board briefly held up to camera at one point bears the word 'Jubilee.' My guess is that the cinema had been decorated to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V in May 1935. This would be after Mr Torch's time at the Christie (1932 to 1934).
I think the organist here looks very much like Jack Courtnay. Anybody else any ideas?
Wurlitzer436 says
The organist in this film is indeed Jack Courtney, who was the organist of the Regal, Marble Arch in the mid-1930s.