SILENT FILM with the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ and Sound Effects

Transcription

1 SILENT FILM with the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ and Sound Effects Alice s Egg Plant Alice the Peacemaker Steamboat Willie Walt Disney Monday, February 22 at 11:00am The Paramount Theatre

2 WELCOME LETTER Dear Educator, Thank you for choosing the Silent Film and Mighty Wurlitzer Lecture Demonstration at The Paramount as one of your student field trips. In this teacher guide you will find information about the history of The Paramount Theatre, the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ, Walt Disney and more! For those who wish to participate, we will have a costume contest, those who dress up as a Newsboy/Newsgirl, Mickey or Minnie will receive a prize! We hope your students join the dress up fun! Here is a little information about the films- Alice s Egg Plant is the story of a young girl trying to fulfill an egg order, but she encounters chicken s on strike. Alice the Peacemaker, is the story of two newsboys who can t seem to get along, young Alice tries to help ease the tension and form a friendship between the newsies. Steamboat Willie, the film that made Mickey Mouse famous is the story of a mouse pretending to be a steamboat captain who starts playing music using objects and things surrounding him. I sincerely hope you enjoy the films as much as I have! Let s keep history alive by teaching our future generations about the beauty of silent treasures! For student matinee or study guide questions, please feel free to contact me directly at marisolb@stgpresents.org. Marisol Best STG s Education Programs Manager x 1127

3 ABOUT SEATTLE THEATRE GROUP STG Mission: Making performances and arts education in the Pacific Northwest enriching, while keeping Seattle's historic Paramount, Moore and Neptune Theatres healthy and vibrant. About Education: Seattle Theatre Group Education and Community programs extend beyond the Paramount, Moore and Neptune Theatre stages and into the lives of the greater Seattle community. Each season, STG offers over 800 education engagements impacting over 42,000 students and community members from diverse ages and backgrounds. These programs: DEEPEN significance to performances through opportunities to engage with artists. INSPIRE youth and local artist through training and performance opportunities. PROVIDE exposure to the arts through access initiatives.

4 SILENT FILM The dawn of silent films went hand-in-hand with the rising popularity of vaudeville entertainment in the 1920 s. Vaudeville shows consisted of a wide variety of random acts including music, dance, comedy, feats of acrobatic strength, magic shows, and eventually short movies. As these short films gained popularity among audiences, they became longer and more polished. They developed more complex storylines, characters, settings and costumes. Filmmakers soon realized that without sound to accompany the film, the use of live music provided by an organ could serve as a voice to tell the story. A talented organist would create mood and atmosphere with his music, and the organs were equipped with realistic sound effects to bring certain elements of the story to life. Because there was no spoken dialogue, titles would appear onscreen in the middle of a scene to explain the action or present the dialogue to be read by the audience. Without the use of their voices, actors would have to use expressive body language and facial gestures to tell their story. By the end of the 1920 s, when technical advancements made talking pictures possible, silent films soon disappeared as an art form.

5 MIGHTY WURLITZER ORGAN (PAGE 1) The Paramount s Mighty Wurlitzer organ harkens back to Seattle s role as a hub of vaudeville entertainment during the 1920 s. Built in 1927 at a cost to the theatre of $46,500, the organ was used to accompany live vaudeville performances as well as to provide the soundtrack to silent films. At one time, pipe organs were considered standard equipment in all theatres showing silent movies in the 1920 s. Today, the Paramount Wurlitzer remains the only organ still playing in its original home. (continue next page)

6 MIGHTY WURLITZER ORGAN (PAGE 2) Organs such as the Wurlitzer are built very differently from church or concert-hall organs, because they serve a different purpose. They can produce a much wider variety of sounds - including realistic sound effects such as train whistles, birdcalls, thunder, and horse hoofs in order to accompany the movie. In effect, the organist must help tell the story and bring a silent film to life with the instrument. For more info on the organ, click here. Photo by BOB CERELLI Today, the Wurlitzer organ is regularly featured as the star of the Paramount Theatre s Silent Movie Mondays series. Restoration on the organ is ongoing, and the instrument is currently cared for and maintained by the Puget Sound Theatre Organ Society. Check out this video about the Paramount s Mighty Wurlitzer organ on STGtv. Click here.

7 TEDDE GIBSON ORGANIST Tedde Gibson is one of a few musicians able to play not only classical and theatre pipe organ, but also jazz and gospel organ on the Hammond and piano. He integrates all of these styles into his playing of the Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ and classical pipe organ which for him are the ultimate vehicles to showcase his talents. A native of Tacoma, Washington, Tedde began playing piano at age four. He later studied pipe organ with the late Dr. Edward Hansen, president of the American Guild of Organists and organ professor at the University Of Puget Sound (UPS). He also studied piano and has studied classical improvisation While attending UW, he studied pipe organ. Tedde has also coached with international theatre organists. He is able to play not only classical and theatre pipe organ, but also jazz and gospel organ on the Hammond and piano. He integrates all of these styles into his playing of the Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ and classical pipe organ which for him are the ultimate vehicles to showcase his talents.

8 PAUL HANSEN SOUND EFFECTS Paul has been active as one of the top percussionists in Seattle's music and theater circles for thirty years, having performed with many popular talents such as Johnny Mathis, Quincy Jones, Idina Menzel, and Michael Feinstein to name just a very few. As a concert musician he performs regularly with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, the Pacific Northwest Ballet and Auburn Symphony. In Musical Theater he has been a mainstay in Seattle's top pit orchestras at the Paramount and Fifth Avenue Theaters with over 120 musicals to his credit, and is a busy recording musician in jingles, and film soundtracks. He has also composed film and stage scores for his wife, filmmaker and director Janice Findley.

9 THE PARAMOUNT THEATRE During the Roaring Twenties, particularly before the first talkies were invented in 1927, vaudeville and silent movies were the dominant form of national and local entertainment. Seattle alone had more than 50 movie palaces, the finest grouped together on 2nd Avenue. On March 1, 1928, Seattle Theatre opened. Since 2002, the not-for-profit organization, Seattle Theatre Group, has operated The Paramount Theatre and continues to ensure the theater is kept alive and vibrant.

10 THE PARAMOUNT THEATRE What The Paramount Theatre looks like today. Photo by BOB CERELLI

11 ABOUT ALICE SHORTS Disney's Alice Comedies were a series of short films released during the 1920s. They featured Alice and Julius (a cat) in a cartoon world. These shorts were produced by Walt Disney through Laugh-O-Gram studios, produced in Kansas City. Unfortunately in 1923, the company filed for bankruptcy. Fifty-six Alice Comedies were produced between 1923 and By the time Alice the Peacemaker was in production in 1924, Disney had built a studio staff that included animators and camera crew. Over the years 4 different young actresses - Virginia Davis, Dawn O'Day, Margie Gay, and Lois Hardwick - portrayed Alice. Virginia Davis, from Kansas City, first began working for Walt when she was just 6-years-old. She appeared in the first 13 titles of the Alice Comedies. She became a Disney Legend in Alice Comedies proved to be a major stepping stone in Walt s career.

12 WALT DISNEY Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was born on December 5, 1901, in Hermosa, Illinois. He and his brother Roy cofounded Walt Disney Productions, which became one of the best-known motion-picture production companies in the world. Disney was an innovative animator and created the cartoon character Mickey Mouse. He won 22 Academy Awards during his lifetime, and was the founder of theme parks Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Disney was in High School when he started attending the Chicago Art Institute. When Disney was 16, he dropped out of school to join the Army but was rejected for being underage. Instead, he joined the Red Cross and was sent to France for a year to drive an ambulance. When Disney returned from France in 1919, he moved back to Kansas City to pursue a career as a newspaper artist. His brother Roy got him a job at the Pesmen-Rubin Art Studio, where he met cartoonist Ubbe Eert Iwerks, better known as Ub Iwerks. During this time, Walt started exploring with his own animation business. While working in an ad he met and recruited Fred Harman, as his first employee.

13 WALT DISNEY S LIFE In 1923, however, the studio had become burdened with debt, and Disney was forced to declare bankruptcy. Disney and his brother Roy soon pooled their money and moved to Hollywood. Iwerks also relocated to California, and there the three began the Disney Brothers' Studio. During this time, they invented Oswald the Lucky rabbit which unfortunately the rights were stolen by two past acquaintances. It was around that time, he met an ink and pen artist, called Lilian Bounds, who he fell in love with and married. Together, they creatively bounced ideas and developed a character called Mickey Mouse.

14 ALICE THE PEACEMAKER Walt Disney Walt Disney is known for using locations and events in his life as inspirations for films. Perhaps, Alice the Peacemaker is not a popular film in Walt s career but this film gives us a glimpse into his life. During his youth, he worked as a newsboy, selling papers and snacks to passengers that came through in train through Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway train. Walt is the boy in the center of this photo, on the right. The photo was taken from a meeting of newsboys. About Alice the Peacemaker Two newsboys begin fighting about their newspaper sale. Alice, comes in to help ease the situation. Alice uses story telling to share why they should be friendly, instead of competing against each other.

15 ALICE S EGG PLANT Given the current state of the world in the 1920 s Walt Disney was very clear about IWW. The Industrial Workers of the World. A world memberrun union. While some may argue that he was supportive of employees. Others argue that he was against fair wages. What do you think after viewing this film? About Alice s Egg Plant Alice and her companion cat, Julius operate an egg plant. The hen s don t want to work but Julius becomes stricter on them. An agitator hen, arrives from Moscow, Russia, who encourage all the other hens to strike for shorter hours and smaller eggs. Just then, Lice and Julius get a significant large egg order which they fulfill.

16 STEAMBOAT WILLIE Mickey Mouse Oswald the Rabbit Originally, Walt had worked on Oswald the Rabbit but the rights to Oswald the Rabbit were claimed by two people Disney had worked with. For many, this would have been a devastating time but Walt was able to move beyond that and introduced Walt Disney s new cartoon character- Mickey Mouse. The first short featuring Mickey Mouse was Plane Crazy and The Gallopin Goucho. The Third, sound equipped short was called Steamboat Willie, with Walt as the voice of Mickey. This cartoon was a total success and put place Walt as a innovator. Steamboat Willie was the first cartoon to be show to public. Walt Disney wanted to implement the cartoons with sound. In fact, Steamboat Willie was the first cartoon of all time to make use of sound and it was specifically created to put that new technology to its full potential.

17 HOW TO DRESS LIKE A NEWSBOY/NEWSGIRL MINNIE/MICKEY 1 NEWSBOY/ NEWSGIRL 4 1 MICKEY/ MINNIE Hat Vest 6 3 newspaper THE PEACEMAKER 4 Add a bow for the Minnie look. STEAMBOAT WILLIE

18 POST QUESTIONS HERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR STUDENTS AFTER THE FILMS! Walt Disney and the Disney franchise focus on making films for kids, there is always a message behind each of them. For all three films, can you identify some themes? Are there any connecting themes between all three movies?! Alice s Egg Plant is the story of a young girl and her cat assistant working at an Egg Plant, trying to fulfill an egg order. What are some differences and similarities from 1920 work life to today?! In Alice the Peacemaker we see newsboys who are selling newspapers in the streets. In 1992 a movie called NEWSIES was released. In 2012 NEWSIES the Musical opened on Broadway, why did Walt Disney and the Disney company focus so much on Newsboys? What makes the Newsboys so important?! Steamboat Willie was not the first film introducing Mickey Mouse, the first two films prior to Steamboat Willie, were Plane Crazy and The Gallopin Gaucho. However, both of those films were not successful. What is it about Steamboat Willie, that appealed to audience members? Why was this movie so popular? Bonus Questions! Do you know who Oswald the Rabbit is? If so, how is he connected to Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse?

19 WHAT TO EXPECT! Lecture/Demonstration of Mighty Wurlitzer Organ led by organist Tedde Gibson & joined by Paul Hansen in sound effects! Viewing Alice s Egg Plant! Viewing Alice the Peacemaker! Viewing Steamboat Willie! Q&A with Tedde Gibson & Paul Hansen

20 TEACHER INFORMATION! The Paramount Theatre is located at 911 Pine Street, Seattle ! If your group is arriving by bus- please have the bus driver unload your group on 9 th Ave between Pine and Pike. Theatre personnel will be there to help your group make their way into the theatre..! If your group is arriving in individual cars, there are many pay lots in the area surrounding the Paramount Theatre. Some street parking is available, but it is limited. Please plan accordingly.! Directions to the theatre and information about parking can be found on our website at www. stgpresents. org/paramount/directions. asp! The show starts at 11am and will last approximately 60 minutes. Doors open at 10am. Please arrive at the theatre no later than 10:45 so the show can begin promptly.! Seating is general admission. There are no physical tickets for the event. When you arrive at the theatre, simply check in with an usher at the front doors of the theatre with your group name and number in attendance. They will show you to your seats.

21 MARK YOUR CALENDARS Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (Lecture/Demonstration) Friday, April 15, 2016 at The Moore Theatre Moore The Moore Friday, May 6, 2016 at The Moore Theatre DANCE This Friday, July 8, 2016 at The Moore Theatre To obtain tickets please visit: Please click here

22 WANT DISNEY MUSICALS at your school? Disney Musicals in Schools is a FREE after school program for Title 1 Schools. GOALS To develop a sustainable musical-theatre program within elementary schools, thereby strengthening school arts programming. To provide school faculty with the training and tools necessary to support student performance and production, and to empower them to do so. To expose students and school faculty to the many benefits of musical theatre production, including the development of self-confidence, collaborative skills, speaking and reading skills, and creativity. To develop a strong community, including students, parents, faculty, staff and neighbors. To develop a critical awareness and appreciation of the arts within the school and to connect the arts to curricula in many content areas. WHO CAN APPLY Washington state Title 1 public schools Schools serving students grades 3-5 interested in musical theatre Schools with motivated teachers, administrators, and parents Schools with space during after-school hours for rehearsals If you have questions about Disney Musicals in Schools, please us at call us at APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!!!

23 RESOURCES We pulled images and information from these pages. Video and Bios What s So Great About Walt Disney? A Biography of Walt Dinsney Just For Kids, Blake Bibbins KidLit-O Books, Class Divisions on the Broadway Stage: The Staging and Taming of the I.W.W. id=mstcbaaaqbaj&pg=pa60&lpg=pa60&dq=iww+little+red +henski +russia&source=bl&ots=zig9nzk0v8&sig=z5zyofcpab7bp9sackldq zjggji&hl=en&sa=x&ved=0ahukewjtqugc5fdkahudmgmkhfi5 BUwQ6AEIKjAC#v=onepage&q=iww%20little%20red%20henski %20russia&f=false

24 STG S EDUCATION & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT Education & Community Programs Department Vicky Lee, Director of Education and Performance Programs Marisol Sanchez-Best, Education Programs Manager Shawn Roberts, AileyCamp Director and Program Manager Dance for Parkinson s Sarah Loritz, Community Programs Manager Marita Phelps, Education & Community Programs Coordinator What s Next in Education? Check out our calendar Interested in hands-on arts experience for students at your school? STG offers residencies in cultural and contemporary dance, theatre and music with northwest-based artists and visiting artists. us: studentprograms@stgpresents.org Please visit us at: stgpresents.org