Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 September 1936 — Page 24
Instrument ls Conveyed ~ in Big Truck
Velazco Designed Portable Equipment When Sound Ended Theater Job.
Emil Velazco, who closes a week's engagement with his orchestra at the Indiana Roof Saturday night, was a theater organist, not only by profession, but by inclination. So when the talking pictures came along and apparently put the theater organ in a class with the horse and buggv, Mr. Velazco just picked up his mountain and took it
to Mahomet.
And that's how it happens that Roof patrons this week have been having pipe organ music with their “swing.” It’s the only pipe organ “on tour” today, and it is an ingeniously as-
sembled instrument. Mr. Velazco designed it and; like Caesar's Gaul, ‘it is divided into three parts—con- ' sole, motor and pipes. The organ travels in a huge truck, along with the bandmen'’s instruments and baggage, and it can be set up in 15 minutes. No Room to Spare
If you ever have heen in the cham- - ber that houses the pipes of a regular, stationary organ, you know that there. is ample room to swing the proverbial cat. But the traveling organist has a chest of pipes that stands only about five feet high, and there isn't an inch to spare inside. Even if Emil Velazco weren't carrying this pipe organ with him, he would not be an ordinary band leader, First of all, he doesn’t look like one. He is short nad slight, and going a bit gray about the temples. He neither smokes nor drinks, and his idea of a good time is to get to a phonograph or radio in a spare moment and listen to the music of « Debussy or some other modern composer. “I was born in Old Mexico,” he informed us, “visited the United States three times before I was 17, and since then have lived here and there in 4his country—mostly there. .I have attended three schools in the same year, and picked up what music I could until I was 17.”
Studied in Chicago
At that time Mr. Velazco began studying at the Chicago Musical College. His intentions then were both serious and honorable, and he arrived in New York as a pianist and composer. Five years ago Mr. Velazco launched out on a briet career in this field. In fact, he rushed in where George Gershwin had been unable to tread. For, while Mr. Gershwin had his famous “Rhapsody in Blue” and later works first performied by Paul Whiteman, Mr. Velazco broke right into the sacred precincts of Carnegie Hall as soloist . In his own Jazz Piano Concerto with the Manhattan Symphony Orchestra. He appeared three times that season, he tells us, twice with Henry Hadley conducting, and once under Clifton Chalmers. Mr. Velazco is an active and egthusiastic gentleman. We began our conversation in his room at the Warren, dashed after him to the Wilking Music Co., where he wanted to see the new Orgatron, then pad-
Mickey, the Mouse beautiful, who doesn’t look a day older or a bit larger than he did eight years ago, is to have a birthday party: at Loew’s Saturday. Doors are to open at 8:30 a The show is to start at 9 a. m. “Heature: Mickey House, Donald Duck and associates. . There are to be eight films, one for every year Mickey is old. Although Mickey's actual anniversary is not until Monday, the party
Kay Francis Movie Released Saturday
Times Special HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 24.—Warner Brothers have set Saturday for the national release date of “Give Me Your Heart,” starring Kay Francis. It has been adapted by Casey Robinson from Jay Mallory’s stage play “Sweet Aloes,” which scored a year’s run in London and was produced in New York last winter.
Appearing with Miss Francis are George Brent, Frieda Inescort, Pat-
Tilbury, Henry Stephenson, Halliwell Hobbes, Elspeth Dudgeon and Helen Flint. The picture was directed by Archie Mayo.
dled through the rain to the Indiana Roof and up innumerable stairs to the ballroom to hear the perambulating pipe organ. The band was about to begin a rehearsal, and there was just time enough to inquire about his ap= pearance some years ago in Mz. Ripley's “Beligve"It or Not.” ~~ * Mr. Ripley; it seems, had. credited Emil Velazco with having played the organ for 64 hours without repeating a number. “Yes, that’s correct,” Mr. Velazco said. “Only youll remember that Mr. Ripley didn’t say ‘consecutive hours’ 1 was on the radio three times a week then, and it took me three months to get in those 64 hours. “I did play 1200 nunibers without repeating, however,” he added. “But then, anyone who calls himself an organist should have a repertoire of 3000 pieces.” We were glad we never claimed
to be one. By J. O. T.
ric Knowles, Roland Young, Zeffie|
Charles Dickens’ : soon Will" go irito pro-
was arrange: by Loew’s management so thaf children would not have to skip school to attend. Last
year 2000 persons made up the au-
dience, and this year the theater expects a capacity crowd. To Indianapolis in general, .Manager Ward Farrar announced today that “The Giecat Ziegfeld” is to be held over ancither week, and “Dodsworth” is to be postponed for. a week.
It seems that more and more
In. Persons
Z'imes Special HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 24.— Noel Coward has joined Charles Laughton ind Marlene Dietrich in the volunteer cast assisting Miriam Hopkins in her latest vehicle, “Triangle,” now before the cameras. When Miss Hopkins, as a stenographer, walks into the dining room: of the set repre- ° senting the hotel frequented . by London's leading celebrities she will be surrounded by genuine luminarie§ of the stage and screen, ‘all: representing themselves and - serving without pay. Noel Coward has _ even accepted a speaking part.
‘Dombey and Son’
Nearing Production Times Special
HOLLYWOOD, ng A
‘Dombey
Sept. novel, and Son,”
‘duction.
william Uliian, who wrote ‘the forthcoming screen play of “The
White Rajah,” in collaboration with Errol Flynn, is at work on the adaptation of the novel about the love between Mr. Dombey and his son Paul. Florence, Aaj. Bagstock and other characters familiar to Dick=ens readers will appear in the film.
WOULD BE PUBLIC BORE Cora Witherspoon is: ‘rehearsing her role of Public Bore No, 1 in “Libeled Lady.” starring Jean Harlow, William Powell, Myrna Loy and Spencer Tracy, -
people are hearing about and getting anxious to see the film that tells a pretty straight story of the life of one of the great characters of the theater world. “I think,” he said, “that it is a nice tribute to the Indianapolis movie audience that it selects and patronizes a really great picture.” Carl Krueger, a United Artists traveling press agent, happened to be in the. Farrar office when the matter came up.
Kern and Stetson to Talk at Dinner
Two of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s staunchest supporters, Mayor Kern and Paul C. Stetson, superintehdent of Indianapolis public schools, are to speak at the State Symphony Society’s membership campaign dinner at the Indianapolis Athletic Club tonight. Both feel that the orchestra's children’s concerts: and summer park concerts are among the most important musical and civic activ-
ities of the group. Other speeches and a half hour concert by ‘the orchestra, to be broadcast by WFBM at 9:30 p. m,,
are to be included on the program.|.
“ONE NIGHT ONLY! NEXT SUNDAY GLEN GRAY and the
CASA LOMA
ORCHESTRA
Tickets now on sale Ind. Theatre ows Shop, 80c, incl. tax,” till 6 p. m. next Sunday. "After that $1.10.
Make Reservations Now
Dance Tomorrow Night Emil Velazcohis $20,000 Pipe’ Featuring $20 AND HIS ORCHESTRA 25c¢ Before 9 P. M.
‘really happened.
_ “The picture,” he said, “is full of the show tradition that a showman likes. Not exaggerated, not phoney. “You know, that milk bath thing It was a stroke of press agent genius, that's what it was.” He was very quiet for a ‘moment, “You know, Ward,” he said, “that gag would work today, it's so good. Especially the law suit over the milk bill. That was the artist's touch.” He looked a bit startled, as if at his own words, and hastened on: “Of course, it might have to be a different commodity. Not milk. And some one pretty well known would have to gag it. What a man
that guy was. What an imagina- a
tion!”
Few Granted Film Chance Are Rehired
Majority of, ‘Discoveries’ Are Released After Trial Period.
BY PAUL HARRISON HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 24.
(N. E. A.)—On an average of one a day throughout the
year, announcement is made by some studio that another promising young discovery has been placed under longterm contract. Fans sigh enviously and say, “There certainly are a lot of people making good in the movies these days.”
But that isn’t strictly accurate. A surprisingly small number of new players are making good. If cold, mathematical averages
are maintained, a majority of the’
actors and actresses: now under contract to the film factories will not have .contracts a year from today. And only three or four individuals will have risen to éven minor stardom. In Hollywood the usual “longterm” contract is a one-sided agree-~ ment which protects the studio. It contains three-month or six-month options which the company may or may not exercise. At the end of any one of these
Str Guy Stamding-Frances Langford “PALM SPRINGS’ Dick Powdll-Marion Davies “HEARTS DIVIDED”
COME ON DOWN—JOIN THE FUN AT LOEW’S
MICKEY
SATURDAY AT9 A.M.
MOUSE "Siw
One and One-half Hours of Joy. All Seats 25¢
Dost COLOR. tS
. NE DARWELL : 30 SERA
-
RITZ
AT THE ROOF
The pipe organ playing of Emil Velazco (above), plus the’ dance music of his orchestra, are the current attraction for Indiana Roof patrons. The band closes a week's engagement on Saturday “night, to be followed by Glén . Gray and his Casa Loma Orchestra on Sunday night only.
option intervals, the company is privileged to carry on the contract
Opera Course” to Be Offered
Burroughs-Jackson- College Classes Listed.
Classes in opera and opera study are to be offered again this ‘year at the Burroughs-Jackson College of Music and Fine Arts, under the die rection of Lenore Ivey Frederickson, Mrs. Frederickson has surg in opera in Europe and the United States, and will give opera readings with illustrations by her pupils. These feature will be available for club programs, according to Mrs, Jane Johnson Burroughs, school die rector. ; ii Walter Whitworth, music critic, again will conduct classes in music appreciation and criticism at the Burroughs-Jackson school. Classes, which will ‘be limited to 10 members, will meet at 7 p. m. on Mone days and 10 a .m. on Tuesdays, Music to be heard at local concerts this season is! to form the basis of study.
- GOLF BEFORE WORK ~ Buddy Ebsen gets up every mone ing at 5:30, so he can spend a half hour on a driving range, practising his golf, before he reports to the “Born to Dante” set for dancing
or it can drop the. player.
WEST SIDE 2702 W. 10th St. Double Feature (
S T A T E Charles Bickford
“PRIDE OF THE MARINES” “WHITE ANGEL”
' W. Wash. & Belmont BELMONT “special Attraction Clark Gable Jeanette MacDonald—Spencer Tracy “SAN FRANCISCO” - a 2540 W. Mich. St. D A | S Y Double Feature Jane Withers “LITTLE MISS NOBODY” “ANNIE OAKLEY”
NORTH SIDE
Tilinois and 34h Double Feature Ropers Young . “THREE WISE GUY uv ‘“O’MALLEY OF THE COUNTED
ZARING Central at Fall Crk.
Double Feature w nop pnad Denny “PREVIE “THE COUNTRY RE oa
UPTOWN 42nd _& College
Double Feature Chester Morris “COUNTERFEIT” . Wendy Barrie “SPEED”
GS A R RI C K 80th and Illinois
Double Feature “SHOW BOA
Irene Dunn “HITCH-HIKE TO HEAVEN”
TT, St. Clair & Ft. Wayne ST. CLAIR °poubls Featurs . ! Gloria Stuart : «CRIME OF DR. FORBES” “MELODY LINGERS ON”
__ Udell at Clifton UDELL “Bae foe “GHOST GOES WEST” “CHATTER BOX” Talbot & 22nd TALBOT | Special, Attraction
Jeanette MacDonald eo Tracy Orel Astaire
R E X Inger Roger
“FOLLOW THE “AEE Paramount News—Comedy
Stratford LE oilers . SPECIAL FEATURE ATTRACTION MECCA ESHER
“DARK ANGEL” ‘‘39 STEPS”
DREAM 2361 Station St.
Double Feature ‘ Stuart Erwin “ABSOLUTE QUIET” “FORGOTTEN FACES”
30th at Northw’t'n.
Noble & Mass.
|BJOU.
Chas. Butterworth Double Featire ° “SINS OF M . Double Feature . | “THREE KIDS AND A QUEEN" /
EAST SIDE. 3155 E. 10th RIVOLI _jmgess | Ruth Chatterton—Herbert Mars} all | 2 “GIRLS’ DORMITORY" 1 ._~ Lew Ayres “SHAKEDOWN" 2442 BE. W TACOMA ‘uli Bile “CRIME AND PUNISHMENT” _ “TROUBLE FOR TWO" 4020 E. New York tu : TUXEDO - . "beutis Fie, “MURDER BY AN ARISTOCRAT” | “LADY OF SECRETS” . 637 E. Wash. 8t IRVING. “ous fate” “THE CASE AGAINST MR. AMES" } “FIRST ‘A GIRL”: EMERSON ‘Double on 8 “WE WENT TO COL _____ “PUBLIC ENEMY'S W fre 2116 E. 10th St. HAMILTON Jean, Hersholt = WHITE FANG” re : 2936 E. 10th ‘St PARKER Noah Beery Jr. 1. “STORMY” > Family Night, 19c 1332 E. Wash. st. t STRAND “‘nemiruss’ “SINS OF MAN” ~
BL .
OW or r fe. Wier Paramount ~~ Waiter c, Kbiley “LAUGHING IRISH zn hoa rt Comedy-Novelty 114 E. Washingtoh Double Featurp -
So Rr Kruger “DRACULA'S DAU + + “MYSTERIOUS A AVENGER" _
SOUTH SIDE
FOUNTAIN SOUARE
On the Scree es Family “EDUCATING FATHER
SANDERS omie-fteras AVALON SST ORIENTAL “(105_8. Meridian Bh GARFIELD “bewesessmrs.
y SCREENO Tonight HE Double Feature “NOBODY’S FOOL” Pros. “THUNDER IN THE E ‘Double Feature “KING STEPS OU Double Feature . “FORGOTTEN FACES”
Pla IT'S BINGO ONT CREEN Edw. Everett Horiom “DANCING FEET” Double Feature “LUCKY DORNERE - Fra nehot. Tone “YOU MAY BE EXT Herbert Marshall “DANGEROUS INTRIGUE”
E MOST IMPORTANT PICTURE IN YEARS! . EVERYTHING TO THRILL YOU!
LORETTA YOUNG as Helen Hunt Jackson's immortal hezainel,