Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > December 2002 > 2002.12.31 > 05Prev  Next


Gaudin Organ in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"
By Douglas Bush

Hi All,  In MMD 021226 Bjorn Isebaert raises the question of the organ
playing background music in 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'.  The film was
on television a day or two later, so I watched.

During most of the scene the sound of the organ is heavily masked by
the dialogue and other background noise associated with a fairground.
However, at the start of the scene, while Caractacus Potts is cycling
through the fair and then setting up his haircutting machine the organ
music is at the fore.  At this point the organ sounds of French origin
with its mix of reeds and piccolos, and is typical of those used on
English fairs, and it does not recall to my mind the sound of the
Becquart Hooghuys.

There is a brief glimpse of the Gaudin in the gallopers.  While this
in itself does not mean that it provided the music, it does provide a
connection between the organ and the making of the film.  Additionally,
the tune and arrangement heard in 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' was
included on a later LP record that was issued of the Gaudin.

Douglas Bush
UK


(Message sent Tue 31 Dec 2002, 12:46:49 GMT, from time zone GMT.)

Key Words in Subject:  Bang, Chitty, Gaudin, Organ

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page