Throughout the 1960's and '70s, St. Albans seems to have been one of the most heavily televised mechanical organ museums in the UK. Shown here is quite possibly the most bizarre excerpt ever filmed at the museum, as presented in the 1970's children's puppet show "Inigo Pipkin". In this footage, a certain Tortoise is feeling somewhat glum and to cheer him up, both the narrator and terrifying rabbit (Holly?) decide to take him to see some mechanical music. However, Mr. Tortoise doesn't seem to be satisfied - how dare he! It is well known that dance organs are capable of lifting the darkest of moods... ;)
Besides the usual shots of Jeanneke and the Four Columns, the most valuable pieces of footage are perhaps the nice close-ups of 101 key Mortier "Oscar" before it left the museum to join Watermouth Castle - although sadly this is somewhat let down by a brief and not very tuneful rendition of Eviva España!
16 сен 2024