As an epilogue to the information supplied by Peter Neilson in
MMDigest 070926 concerning the P. G. Wodehouse's description of the
orchestrion in 'The Girl on the Boat', the depiction in the film
differed from the original text.  On this occasion I am pleased to
be able to say this, as the pipe organ and percussion supplying the
music (and it is heard several times) gives a perfectly adequate
performance.  This is a pleasant change from the way that mechanical
music is so often portrayed.  Whether the organ heard is a roll playing
instrument or not I would not hazard a guess, but the some of the
arrangements, including Rossini and Wagner, seemed quite complex.

The 'orchestrion' itself is also a far cry from the outrageous
contraptions that film makers often seem to like.  The only real
criticisms are the vast array of electrical knobs and switches on
the front of the machine used to give an instantaneous change of tune,
something that I don't suppose anything could do in 1920 when the film
is set, and the presence of a keyboard with no leg room for an
organist.  However, these are only minor criticisms.

Regards,
Douglas Bush
UK