My grandfather Charles Meys was the organist at the Palace in the 20’s. My dad Tom and Uncle Bud say that he was a “superstar.” The kids would wait anxiously in the house until he appeared at the door. As soon as he started walking down the aisle they would cheer: “Mr. Meys is here! Mr. Meys is here! The movie can start now!” My uncle was only a toddler at the time but has a faint memory of sitting by his father’s side as he improvised amazing scores to enhance the films.
My grandfather is the inspiration for my doctoral dissertation at UNC Greensboro: Sounds of the Silent Cinema Organ Recalled in the Life and Work of Firmin Swinnen. Through my research and writing I hope to capture some of those sounds of the improvised organ that were lost to time.
Does anyone know what kind of organ the Palace had? I imagine it went the way of almost all instruments when the theatres were demolished (insert VERY sad face here). I know that my grandfather played an Aeolian at Morristown High (that, thanks to alum Bruce Courter survived demolition)because I have a photograph of him playing that instrument.
My grandfather Charles Meys was the organist at the Palace in the 20’s. My dad Tom and Uncle Bud say that he was a “superstar.” The kids would wait anxiously in the house until he appeared at the door. As soon as he started walking down the aisle they would cheer: “Mr. Meys is here! Mr. Meys is here! The movie can start now!” My uncle was only a toddler at the time but has a faint memory of sitting by his father’s side as he improvised amazing scores to enhance the films.
My grandfather is the inspiration for my doctoral dissertation at UNC Greensboro: Sounds of the Silent Cinema Organ Recalled in the Life and Work of Firmin Swinnen. Through my research and writing I hope to capture some of those sounds of the improvised organ that were lost to time.
Does anyone know what kind of organ the Palace had? I imagine it went the way of almost all instruments when the theatres were demolished (insert VERY sad face here). I know that my grandfather played an Aeolian at Morristown High (that, thanks to alum Bruce Courter survived demolition)because I have a photograph of him playing that instrument.