Capitol Theatre

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Capitol Theatre 113 Swanston Street, Melbourne, VIC – 1963 Theatre Program cover.

Horace Weber (Organist) performed at the opening of the Capitol in 1924, also at the final performance of the Wurtlizer Sun 17th Nov, 1963.

Notes: Courtesy of the Encyclopedia of Australian Theatre Organs

The organist at the opening was Horace Weber, who was previously organist at the De Luxe Theatre, Melbourne. He was the successful candidate from twelve applicants. Weber was the only Australian theatre organist to be entrusted with opening new horseshoe-console Wurlitzers in Australia. The orchestra at the opening was directed by Sam White, the opening film being The Ten Commandments.

In 1926, Chaplin’s film The Gold Rush was shown at the Capitol, when the premiere presentation at the theatre received special praise in the trade press:

“The house was practically sold out before the doors were opened at seven o'clock, and the lines of cars that drew up to the theatre as eight o'clock approached was reminiscent of an opera first night.

Prior to the commencement of the big feature, Horace Weber on the grand Wurlitzer was heard in several solos, including Charlie Chaplin’s ‘Sing a Song’, and the Capitol Operatic Orchestra, under Stan White, assisted by the organ, gave a spirited rendering of the overture from ‘William Tell’. Then as the lights slowly faded out in the auditorium, we were introduced to the first scene in the prologue – a remarkably realistic picture of Alaska in winter time, with the sun gradually rising over the horizon. At the conclusion of the number, the bears and girls suddenly disappear into the mouth of the cave, and a large black bear is discovered sniffing around the form of the figure of Chaplin. He awakes, and, as the light suddenly dies away (the sun is sinking over the horizon), is seen in the cave.

The lighting effects, the music and the atmosphere, which is preserved throughout the whole presentation, breaks new ground in picture presentation in Australia, and Mr Herman Phillips, who is responsible, is deserving of the highest praise.“ [Everyone’s, 8 May, 1926]

Another testimony to Horace Weber’s skills occurred when William McKie (later to become Sir William, and organist of Westminster Abbey) was Melbourne City Organist, playing at the Town Hall.

“One day, William McKie published a scathing article in the daily papers, condemning what he called those monstrosities of things known as the Mighty Wurlitzer or Cinema Organ…

Horace was so infuriated by William McKie’s remarks that he challenged him to come across to the Capitol any time he liked, and he would prove that the Wurlitzer was capable of playing any kind of music at all and had more range and versatility than any Town Hall organ ever built.

The City Organist accepted Horace’s invitation and one morning went over to the theatre. The amazing ability of Horace Weber had McKie paralyzed. His eyes nearly jumped put of their sockets when he saw Weber’s fantastic pedal technique. He really put the Wurlitzer through its paces, bringing the console up and spotlight on him. For good measure, he played Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, Widor’s Toccata from the 5th Symphony and Wagner’s Ride of the Walkyries; and, brother, could he play them! He was a genius in the extreme. One must admit that those three major works one after the other, was a pretty tall order, but Horace with no effort performed them to perfection – Contributed by Greg Lynch –