William Davies – Music From The Movies: Vol.2 (CD)

2019 CD release of his classic 1987 Audicord cassette playing the 3c-8 Compton organ at the Regal Cinema in Henley-on-Thames. Now digitally remastered from the original master tapes. Running time 49:46.

These tracks were recorded in July 1986, a few weeks AFTER the cinema’s closure. As far as I am aware, these are the final recordings made on the organ in situ at Henley-on-Thames.

This is the first time this recording has been available in CD format. 

Dream of Olwen (from While I Live)
Harry Lime Theme (from The Third Man)
Moonglow (from Picnic)
Waltz Theme (from Murder on the Orient Express)
As Time Goes By (from Casablanca)
Theme from Laura (from Laura)
The Impossible Dream (from Man of La Mancha)
Theme from The Apartment (from The Apartment)
Moonlight Becomes You (from Road to Morocco)
Theme from The Way To The Stars (from The Way to the Stars)
Theme from 633 Squadron (from 633 Squadron)
Evergreen (from A Star Is Born)
March from Things to Come (from Things to Come)

The Regal Cinema, Henley-on-Thames

The Regal Cinema, Henley-on-Thames was built on the site of the Picture Palace/New Palace Cinema and was opened on 14th May 1937. When the restaurant/café was converted into a bar in 1972, a Compton 3-manual 7-unit organ was installed. This organ was previously installed in the Ritz/Essoldo Cinema in Tunbridge Wells. An illuminated surround was added to the console in 1975 when the organ was also installed into a lift removed from the Regal, Kingston-upon-Thames.

The Regal Cinema closed suddenly on 29th May 1986. Unfortunately, a long battle to save the building was lost and the Regal was demolished in December 1993. The site was cleared and made way for a Waitrose supermarket, with a new twin-screen Regal Cinema built on an adjacent site (opening in February 1997).

Prior to demolition, the Compton organ was removed and re-installed in the Burtey Fen Collection in Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire, where it remains.

ORIGINAL SLEEVE NOTES (1987)

Following on from Volume 1, Bill has compiled a further selection of some more of those unforgettable tunes from the world of the silver screen. At the time of the recording, the future of the Regal Cinema looked very bleak, perhaps his choice of ‘Things to Come’ music portends a happier future for the Compton organ.

Special thanks are due to Gordon and Dorothy Mintern of the Regal Cinema for help during the recording. Also to the Henley and District Organ Trust for the use of the Instrument.

Location recording by Ken Mellor.
Production, sleeve notes and photo by Noreen and John Foskett.
Original cassette release © 1987 Audicord Records.
Digital remastering and new sleeve design by MSS Studios 2019. ORGANS.uk