In regard to mechanical music machines being used in the movies,
I happen to think of an instance where one mechanical musical machine
was not only used but actually played a minor part in the movie.

Many of you will remember the Disney movie "The Love Bug" from the
1960s.  I believe there was a sequel to it called "Herbie Rides Again".
From what I can remember this movie centered around a firehouse that
was owned by an old woman and it seemed to me maybe the city was
wanting to demolish it.  She had a female relative who connects up
with Herbie's owner which may have still been Dean Jones.

Contained in the firehouse was, in my limited knowledge, what looks
like a Seeburg KT or KT special.  The old lady periodically talks to
the machine and the machine lights up and plays a little music and
responds to what she's saying to it.

In one scene in which all of the contents of the firehouse has been
moved onto a cable car, the little Seeburg is riding along playing
music as they ride along the street.  Where it got its electricity
on the cable car is anybody's guess but hey, it's a Disney movie --
what do you expect?  I believe the old woman even had a name for the
little Seeburg.

Thought this was an interesting addition to the subject of mechanical
music used in the movies.

Lance Reed
Johnsonville, New York