JOHN HOWLETT
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THEATRE ORGANIST OF
THE GRANADA THEATRE CIRCUIT
In 1939, with the outbreak of the Second World War, John and his family, now consisting of four children, moved to Isleworth and took up a position with the Granada Theatre Circuit at the invitation of Mr. Tony Lowry.
As a Theatre Organist for this Circuit, he was asked to play at a number of its venues. John admitted that he enjoyed playing the Theatre Organ of the Granada Theatre Clapham Junction the most and said that he believed it to be the best eight-rank Theatre Organ made by the Wurlitzer Theatre Organ Company. While a member of the Theatre Organists associated with the Granada Theatre Circuit, he made a number of BBC broadcasts from here, as well as others including their Theatres at Harrow and Tooting (see below to hear Mr. Howlett playing The Theatre Organ of The Granada Theatre Tooting).
The Wurlitzer Theatre Organ of the Granada Theatre Clapham Junction
now housed at the Collège Claparède in Geneva
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Click here to hear Reginald Dixon play The Theatre Organ of the Granada Theatre Clapham Junction
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While John was playing at the Granada Theatre Rugby, it was suggested to him by the manager, Mr. Jimmy Turton, that he should perhaps try combining managerial duties with the playing of the Theatre Organ.
The Plaza Theatre (later Granada Theatre) Rugby
Apparently after thought, he decided to follow this suggestion. John said that he enjoyed doing Double Duty, as he called it, and continued to undertake both duties until June 1941 when he was called for service in the Royal Navy. Unfortunately, I have not been able to ascertain where he performed these Double Duties.
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The following is part of a BBC Light Programme broadcast, which first aired on 9th March, 1965 where Mr. Howlet is playing the Theatre Organ of The Granada Theatre Tooting:
My Song Goes Round the World
Announcement by Mr. Howlett
Leicester Square Looks Round
La Ronde
Shy Serenade
Announcement by Mr. Howlett
Toytown Trumpeters
Barbara Allen
Announcement by Mr. Howlett
Primero
Ectasy
Forgotten Dreams
Announcement by Mr. Howlett
Oklahoma! Section
Announcement by Mr. Howlett
My Song Goes Round the World
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In July 1973, The Theatre Organ of The Granada Theatre Tooting damaged by flood. Although fully restored , it was rendered once again unplayable when flooding to the building occurred for a second time in July 2007. Sadly, the instrument awaits restoration work to begin.
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As with many people during the Second World War, John’s personal involvement was not without some close encounters.
The first close encounter came before he was called up for active duty and occurred on a Saturday afternoon in September 1940 while John was playing the Theatre Organ of the West Ham Kinema. During his musical interlude (a term that John disliked), a bomb was dropped on the building during an air raid by the Luftwaffe.
West Ham Kinema, 1939
Fortunately John was not hurt and decided to continue playing, to help calm the audience while the management organised the evacuation of the building. John remained at the site until late into the night and then walked home to Islesworth. Apparently he arrived home in a somewhat disheveled state just as the dawn was rising. His wife, who had not slept either, was very happy to see him and have him return home safe and sound, since she had thought the worst and feared that he had been killed.
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A few days later, John received a letter from The Bernsteins, Sidney and Cecil, owners of Granada Theatres Limited, in which they thanked him for his courage and coolness during the incident.
Copy of the letter sent to John by The Bernsteins thanking him for his action during the attack on the West Ham Kinema in September 1940
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The Christie Theatre Organ that was once installed at the West Ham Kinema is now currently owned by the Danish Organist, Mr. Anton Stromlund and installed in his home. An account of how Mr. Stromlund came to own it may be found by clicking here.
Anton Stromlund at the Console of The erstwhile Theatre Organ of the West Ham Kinema
Anton Stromlund heard here playing a Danish children’s song on
the erstwhile Theatre Organ of the West Ham Kinema
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Mr. John Leeming for his invaluable help in the preparation of this piece and for uploading the musical pieces to digital format.
Special thanks are offered to the family of Mr. Howlett, and in particular to Ms Amanda Ratcliffe and Ms Emma Coleman, for providing photographs and information on his life.
I would like to thank Mr. Paul Bland for providing a number of photographs and links.
Many thanks for allowing the reproduction of photographs, drawings and information are also due to: Mr. Gavin Jones of the Black Country Bugle; Mr. Adam Phillips of the Express & Star, Wolverhampton; Ms Emily Randall, Senior Membership Development Officer at the Historical Association, Bournemouth; Mr. Michael Stead, Heritage Team at Bournemouth Library, Bournemouth; Mr. Matthew Lloyd for allowing the drawing of the Putney Palace that is reproduced from his website; and Mr. Nick Smith.
Special thanks are offered to Mr. Anton Stromlund for providing a copy of his playing of a Danish children’s song.
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