Saenger Theatre

You could add the ‘Fotoplayer’ to your list of mechanical players. The Fotoplayer was built by the American Photoplayer Co which was a division of Robert Morton. These instruments were intended for smaller theatres that had neither the space, nor the budget for a large pipe organ. Most were equipped with a dual roll player mechanism, thereby offering a further savings on the salary of a musician to play it. Apparently they served only one purpose and that was to accompany silents and were soon discarded when ‘talking’ pictures arrived. Whether the Saenger had a similar instrument as a stopgap measure until the Robert Morton organ was installed, or whether this was an error in the information is anyone’s guess.

Mike, I own an LP record about Reproducos with this same photo of the Pine Bluff Saenger on the back cover alongside the Strand Theatre at Shreveport. However, the captions for both theatres are reversed, the one for the Saenger under the photo of the Strand. I suspect this was an error at the printing company that printed the ad. Both theatres claim in the ad to own a Reproduco but my research has yet to yield any proof, at least for the Saenger. The ad says that the Reproduco was used as a ‘relief’ instrument. I have assumed that this meant this mechanical instrument was used perhaps between parts of the program, such as between a vaudeville show and the beginning of a movie. Perhaps it was used as pre-show music as the audience gathered or used as exit music after the program. Perhaps someone can enlighten me just how these instruments were used. I’m not sure if our Saenger had one. The theatre had its own very fine organist and musical director that performed on our Robert Morton organ. Maybe he saved his energy to perform for the silent movie and used the Reproduco for the ‘fillers.’ I do not believe that the Reproduco manufacturers would have deliberately misled the public by falsely stating their instrument was used in these theatres. It is possible that the instruments had been ordered by the Saenger Company and the ad was printed and distributed, but for some reason the order was cancelled and the instrument was never delivered. Another possibility is that the instrument may have been used only briefly and didn’t work out for some reason, or perhaps the organist objected and it was removed. Then again, maybe it was used for a number of years but no documentation exists to substantiate its existence. I once queried an old timer (now deceased) who had, on occasion, played the organ for the films and he had no recollection of such an instrument (but that was a long time ago and he was showing senility). In short, Mike, I am not positive that a Reproduco was used in our house but I tend to believe that one was, at least briefly. I would love to know for sure!

I have been involved in this theatre for over sixteen years and probably know more about its history and about the building than anyone. I welcome contact with anyone regarding it. I would give a tour if anyone is in this area. The building is structurally sound however it is only a shell. The original chandelier and other lighting fixtures (save one), as well as stage curtain and most of the original seating are gone. The original Robert Morton organ was sold long ago. There is temporary seating downstairs for now as well as a donated stage curtain and a screen for showing films. We have a 70mm projector but do not have the money to have the wiring to operate it put in conduit. The exterior is pretty much intact and we are on the National Register. There are places of serious water damage to the plaster walls but we have a fairly new roof on now. The detailed plasterwork up on the ceiling is the true glory of this theatre, however, its original colors were long ago painted out. The arched loges on either side of the stage are magnificent and well preserved although the box seats are removed. The broadway-sized stage is very sound but we have an on-going problem with water underneath down in the basement. Even in this condition we have held several film festivals inside featuring silent films accompanied by a full orchestra. A couple of music scores were specially commissioned for silent films we presented. This city is indifferent to saving the theatre and has no comphrension on how saving it could impact the city’s attempts to revitalize the surrounding downtown area. A few dedicated individuals carry on the struggle to save the theatre in the face of overwhelming odds. I can be reached at