Comments on: Photoplayer

Photoplayer

dhammond — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 00:22:05 -0800

A mainstay of the old-timey cinema era, the Photoplayer was a pump organ designed for player piano rolls, sound effects and a human composer. [Courtesy of Huell Howser]

By: pjern

pjern — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 00:56:26 -0800

That last link....is just jaw-droppingly wonderful....thanks!

By: paulsc

paulsc — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 01:13:37 -0800

I used to work for a competing station to WSM in Nashville at the time Huell Howser was doing his bits, so that your post was a personal blast to the past. I remember Huell leaving Nashville, but I kind of lost track of him thereafter, and hadn't thought about him in years. Glad to learn he's still doing his schtick. And the Photoplayer links were interesting, too.

By: flapjax at midnite

flapjax at midnite — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 01:23:06 -0800

Nice find. Way cool post. Many thanks.

By: flapjax at midnite

flapjax at midnite — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 01:35:52 -0800

The Photoplayer is, of course, reminiscent of the Dutch street organs, but with considerably more live (human) player interaction.

By: swordfishtrombones

swordfishtrombones — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 01:55:40 -0800

Awesome. That human composer video actually looks like a great cardio workout.

By: flapjax at midnite

flapjax at midnite — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 06:08:15 -0800

Hey, dhammond, if you add the musicalinstrument tag to this post, there'll finally be someone besides myself on MeFi who uses it! Don't let me down, friend...

By: miss lynnster

miss lynnster — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 07:47:03 -0800

Huell Howser chased a male friend of mine around a table once, years ago. The story was hysterical, if creepy. I will never be able to listen to his voice again without imagining him calling out, "Hey! Why ya runnin!?" Friends of mine & I have done impressions of it for years, and it never ceases to give me the giggles.

By: dhammond

dhammond — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 12:20:29 -0800

Huell Howser fans should definitely check out his video podcast on iTunes. The full half-hour episode about the Photoplayer is still available and can be downloaded for free.

By: pjern

pjern — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 20:25:17 -0800

thanks, dhammond.

By: Wolof

Wolof — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 22:33:04 -0800

Absolutely great.

By: miss lynnster

miss lynnster — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:36:04 -0800

I probably should have added "allegedly" before that comment. Cuz dagnabbit, I don't want Huell a-suein' me.