MUSIC IN THE DARK

New Zealand Listener, Volume 36, Issue 918, 15 March 1957, Page 11

MUSIC IN THE DARK

Sir,-The article on picture orchestras in your journal of February 25 must bring many nostalgic memories to the over-40’s. As Mrs Drewitt says, "People used to go to Everybody’s to hear the orchestra," and what a galaxy of talent passed throigh it-the conductor, Mr W. J. Bellingham, a very musical man; Irene Morris, Norma Middleton, Florence Millar, Joe Mercer (violinists); Harold Beck, the cellist who was in New Zealand recently, Dorie Middleton (Mrs Drewitt) also a cellist, Dorothie Bellingham and Bonnie Young (pianists), (the latter has often been heard from 1XH and played the Emperor Concerto in Hamilton two years ago); Ernest Jamieson, flautist; Mr Sinclair, clarinettist, who was killed when his car hit the Dunedin Express at Cutler’s Road crossing in Riccarton just an hour or so before he was expected to play at night; Herb. Fox, cornet; Clarrie Crawford, drums, xylophone, etc., who was reported to have studied them in the U.S.A.-and what a first class job he made of it! Every week the principal items to be played by the orchestra were advertised in the column below the picture advertisement, and things like The Bartered Bride and L’Arlésienne Suite became familiar to us. The majority of people would never have known them, as there were no radios then. At ‘the Crystal Palace, under Mr Alfred Bunz, I specially remember Gladys Vincent, Francis Bate and Maud Ashworth, Last but not least there was that select little trio at the Strand composed of Harry, George and Pauline Ellwood. I'd gladly go back to the old silent days with the lovely music, no blare, and be able to follow the picture with no American dialect to translate above all the noise. And we could really enjoy a comedy and laugh till we rocked: and rolled without being turned out.

EX-CHCH

(Palmerston North).