M/S of barrel organ expert Antonio Tomasso in his workshop in Southgate, Middlesex. He is seen working on a cylinder at a lathe, then takes it off, carries it over to an open barrel organ (without a barrel) and slides it into position. Commentator explains this is the first major stage in the making or repair of a barrel organ - putting an unmarked cylinder or roller into the organ.
Antonio stands some sheet music on the organ, then sits before it and starts to strike each note individually, to leave an indentation on the roller. C/Us of this process show the pins marking the roller; Antonio winds the roller to check the indentations.
C/U of the roller with some of the pins in place. These are stuck into the indentations and in the finished organ they raise balanced keys to strike the strings. M/Ss and C/Us of Antonio sitting before a wooden machine and inserting the pins; a wooden bar comes down to push each pin in after he has placed it by hand. Commentator tells us the rollers are made from Italian poplar which can be used endlessly because the wood closes when the old pins are extracted.
C/U and M/S of Antonio turning a handle on the side of the organ to select a tune, then winding a handle at the front as the organ plays 'Dilly Dally' (aka 'My Old Man Said Follow The Van') - natural sound. C/Us of the hammers on the organ striking the strings. Antonio selects another tune, 'Finicule Finicula', which we hear in natural sound with C/Us of the roller turning and the hammers again.
Note: there is no print for this issue.
FILM ID:99.36
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