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Hooghuys Organ in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"
By Bjorn Isebaert

Hi!  I was just watching TV and they were showing a kid's movie,
"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" (dating from 1968, with Dick van Dyke).

Now, there's a scene where van Dyke's character, Caractacus Potts,
demonstrates an automatic hair-cutting machine on a fair.  In the
background, there's a set of gallopers with an organ, and according
to an article in the MMD 981211, written by Douglas Bush, it is an
89-key Gaudin organ playing the background music.  I found the same
information on http://www.carousels.com/ccrecordpt6.htm.

However, I have this movie on 16 mm film, and after reviewing the scene,
I am convinced that it is not a Gaudin playing here, but the 70-key
Hooghuys of Albert Becquart, playing "Blue Devils".  This track was
undoubtedly taken from the Decca records of this organ, which were also
very popular in the UK.  Or am I wrong and do my ears need some cleaning?

Best wishes,

Bjorn Isebaert
Zottegem, Belgium


(Message sent Thu 26 Dec 2002, 14:14:06 GMT, from time zone GMT+0100.)

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