Don't Bean the Piano Player

John Herpel '28 reminisces over his days playing at the old,not-so-silent, Nugget theater, which burned down in 1944.

As an ardent follower of movies and a substitute piano player at the old Nugget theater in Hanover, I had a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of participating in the festivities and of watching them warily from afar. No matter how good the movie was, no resident adult in Hanover ever went to the first show. It was clearly understood that such temerity was hazardous. Here is why:

It was essential for the student movie-goer to spend a nickel with the peanut man outside before paying 20e to get inside. The student then selected a seat and waited for the lights to dim. If he had selected a seat at the back of the theater, he was in position to take aim at someone anyone ahead of him, and throw a peanut as forcibly as possible at his chosen victim's head. This action would in turn stimulate reprisals, and soon the whole back section would be standing up and throwing peanuts while those in front cowered in their seats. As if on signal the positions would then be reversed and those in the front would take the offensive. This ballet would continue until (a) the lights would dim for the movie to begin, or (b) ammunition was in short supply. Any remaining peanuts were reserved for the movie screen (a handy critic's tool).

On the occasions when I was scheduled to play the piano, I would never take my place until the lights had dimmed. I was a most inviting target for those who had peanuts left.

The piano player's function was definitely not to match the music to the actions of the picture. I had only to glance at a handy list of current popular song tides to determine whether the next selection should be "Ain't She Sweet" or "Ja Da." Occasionally I would try something appropriate like "Hearts & Flowers" during a sad scene. This would induce very audible groans (and peanuts) of dissent from the audience, and my attempt to provide a little coherence between the movie and the music would be very short lived.

A year after I graduated the first "talkie" appeared on the scene and another great Dartmouth tradition headed for oblivion.

Jack Herpel died in April of this year.

At The Nugget Theatre Next Thursday, February 7th. Three Shows. 3.30, 7.00 and 9.00 P.M. Usual Admission.