Dennis James Silenced: Update
Since 1998, the silent movie series at the Paramount have basically been synonymous with their organist and host: Dennis James. One means the other. Or did, until an abrupt press release from the Paramount's nonprofit owner, Seattle Theatre Group, announced a replacement musician. The news came at four o'clock Friday, before last Monday's show, where James then staged an outdoor protest in his tux—as if ready to play. (One more Monday night performance remains in the series: the 1927 Seventh Heaven, also to be accompanied by San Francisco-based Jim Riggs, on June 29.)
Speaking from South Dakota, while driving from a concert date back home to the Northwest, James says, "I invented the program. Never have I been told I'm too expensive. I have never been given a raise in 11 years." He claims he actually lowered his rates in 1998 to begin a relationship with STG that began harmoniously, then recently soured.
In James' past Paramount performances, and in the 70-100 others he says he does annually, he typically chooses the movie, studies period scores, delivers a spoken introduction to the audience, then play "authentic music [using] ... the tools of an organist of the day. Not bringing in modern music or rock music."
He's a stickler, in other words, and proud of what he's accomplished with silent movie accompaniment over the past three decades—"a model for the entire world," says James. "I do this worldwide. I do this with full symphony orchestras."
But at a January meeting with STG, James continues, "The whole thing broke down. It seems there's a staff attempt to force me out of the Paramount."
STG's executive director, Josh LaBelle sees things quite differently. Though declining to discuss contracts or personnel matters, and while heaping praise on James as a musician, he says the Paramount's silent movie/live organ series "was the theater's initiative" back in '98. With a "very much underutilized organ" in the house, his mission (being programmer at the time) was "to find different and unique and low-cost programming."
James was "absolutely the first guy I went to," says LaBelle. But James, like any band hired for a gig at the Tractor, is an independent contractor with no right or expectation of future employment. This month's Silent Movie Mondays series was announced in May with the event sponsor, Trader Joe's, getting top billing. James is mentioned below with a respectful bio. Then there's a mention that for the Paramount's Wurlitzer Organ, "Over $100,000 is needed for specialized parts, materials and professional services required to complete its restoration."
LaBelle explains that much of the maintenance for the organ is done by volunteers from the Puget Sound Theatre Organ Society. "It would be a larger budget-line item were it not for the PSTOS," says LaBelle. He adds that ticket sales are "healthy" for the series, meaning 400-600 (at $12 per ticket) in a house that seats 1,400 (correction: 2,800). Which can be filled to capacity for, say, David Byrne or the touring production of Rent. LaBelle says that STG is financially stable, despite the recession: "We're only about two percent off our goal" for annual ticket sales. (STG also operates the Moore and books theaters in Portland.)
However, James claims that STG plans to experiment with newer, younger, and likely cheaper rock bands to accompany future silent movies. Meanwhile, though he won't rule out a return to the Paramount (on his terms), he's free to explore his options with the 5th Avenue Theater or Benaroya Hall. For the past 11 years, he charges, the Paramount "asserted a monopoly" on his local services. (Again, STG won't discuss its booking practices.)
James will next perform locally at Bainbridge Island's Lynnwood Theatre (with King Vidor's 1928 The Crowd, 1:30 and 7 p.m. Sun., July 5). And he expects to continue his national touring performances. Which, he says, have been adversely affected by the Paramount's disruption of his schedule. "They are then financially responsible," says James. "I do have plans for a lawsuit."
Monday Update: By phone message, James adds that, "The issue is not whether they can fire me. Of course they can." And he reiterates his desire for "compensation" for the disruption he alleges was caused in his future performance schedule.
12 comment(s)
silentbabe says:
Dennis himself wasn't picketing or protesting . . . he was all set ready to play his contracted performance and wasn't allowed inside. He was outside talking to concerned audience members.
Posted On: Friday, Jun. 26 2009 @ 12:33AM
Rob says:
Umm.. I'm pretty sure he was making a scene. I'm pretty sure I saw him walking around with duct tape over his mouth in the middle of some picketers.
In any event, I just heard an ad on the radio at a local ice cream shop, I don't know which station it was but it was classical. The ad was promoting Silent Movie Mondays and mentioned Dennis James. STG should probably fix their advertising before it turns into a PR nightmare.
Posted On: Friday, Jun. 26 2009 @ 12:13PM
Filmwitch says:
I love the silent films at the Paramount and I love the organ work, but I must say Dennis is acting a bit strange. If the Paramount has a monopoly on him why is he already scheduled to do these up coming dates in our area?
2009
June 30, Downtown Marriott Courtyard Hotel, Bellevue, Washington
American Guild of Organists Convention: silent film program: Charlie Chaplin in EASY STREET plus THE PILGRIM
July 5, Lynwood Theatre, Bainbridge Island, Washington
Annual Anniversary silent film (two screenings): King Vidor's THE CROWD
2010
January 21, Washington Center, Olympia, Washington
4th annual silent film series: Greta Garbo and John Gilbert in FLESH AND THE DEVIL
February 11, Washington Center, Olympia, Washington
4th annual silent film series: Rudolph Valentino in SON OF THE SHEIK
February 14, Lynwood Theatre, Bainbridge Island, Washington
Silent film series- two screenings: title tba
March 11, Washington Center, Olympia, Washington
4th annual silent film series: Janet Gaynor and George O'Brien in SUNRISE
July 6, Seattle, Washington
ATOS National Convention - feature silent film event - title and performance location tba
Posted On: Saturday, Jun. 27 2009 @ 1:04PM
Oldscreen says:
I was at the Paramount on Monday 6/22 and Dennis was not making a spectacle he was just standing on the corner across from the theater talking with patrons who where asking "what is going on?" He did have some black tape that he would put across his mouth to symbolize that he was silenced by STG but in no way did he say or do anything negative twords the theater or it's operators. Dennis was in good humor and rather clueless as to why he wasn't playing.
Also when he states in the article above that he was under a sort of monopoly with STG he was refering to the city of Seattle. Belleview, Bainbridge and Olympia are not part of Seattle proper.
Most people on the street that day seemed to want some explanation from the Paramount as Dennis is the main reason they had come out to the film in the first place.
Posted On: Saturday, Jun. 27 2009 @ 3:49PM
Filmgoer says:
What other theatre organ is available in Seattle, The 5th Ave has no organ and Benoroya has a concert organ? If he is not contracted to play the Paramount, the only other option is the small organ at Kenyon Grange Hall and some private installations.
King James may be knowledgeable and somewhat flamboyant but he is not the be all and end all of silent film accompanists. Having been to every performance of silent films at the Paramount since 2003, I can easily say that he has gotten stale and repetitive and I for one welcome the change.
Posted On: Sunday, Jun. 28 2009 @ 12:11PM
Samos says:
I encourage all of you fans to come to the Paramount tomorrow at 6pm with signs in support of Dennis... He has given soooo much to us! Its now time for us to show him how grateful we are!
Posted On: Sunday, Jun. 28 2009 @ 8:31PM
Sarina says:
You might want to do some homework before reporting Brian. The Paramount seats 2900 not 1400. STG does not operate a Portland theatre.
Do you report facts? Or just run with whatever you can scrape together by deadline?
Posted On: Monday, Jun. 29 2009 @ 5:03PM
Brian Miller says:
Thanks to Sarina for the catch. I grabbed the wrong number from the Paramount Web site; STG says its capacity is 2,800 seats. And a more felicitous phrasing is that, yes, STG does book various acts and stages in Portland. But not one dedicated theater.
Posted On: Monday, Jun. 29 2009 @ 6:16PM
silentbabe says:
As a devoted Silent Movie Monday attendee who has witnessed weekly 1/2 to 3/4-full houses for Dennis James' shows, I suspect that Josh LaBelle is deliberately giving you misleading numbers so that he can claim bigger numbers for future S.M.M. without Dennis.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jun. 30 2009 @ 1:29PM
BusinessOwner says:
He wasn't making a scene? His very presence outside was making a scene. As a professional, he should have quietly withdrawn and tried to discuss the matter with Paramount management at a later date. However, his behavior shows he is not a professional at all. I will be very disappointed if the Paramount ever lets him inside again.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jun. 30 2009 @ 2:59PM
Filmwitch says:
I have gone to the silent movies maybe 9 times now and want to thank Trader Joes. They have been nice to provide treats and also look so happy when they are working at the movies.
I was at Monday night's movie and the new organist was very enjoyable. Dennis is very enjoyable as well. The series is art and it is nice to change on occasion.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jun. 30 2009 @ 4:47PM
Samos says:
To: "BusinessOwner:" Silent Movie Mondays (which Dennis created) bring hundreds of people into the area to spend money. We have been going out to dinner in the neighborhood for years before hand.
Also, as I understand it from Dennis, he was still under contract to play the movie. He came dress to play to cover himself legally so that they could not claim him to be a no show.
I wish people who know nothing of the situation would stop giving Dennis so much grief. He is the victim in this situation, and he DOES have a great reputation throughout the world as being completely professional, reliable, and reasonable to work with.
I personally have read the complete emails between Dennis and STG (which will be made public when the time is right), and they completely support his contention that the rug was completely pulled out from under his feet in both an unprofessional and likely illegal way. He was "let go" in email, not in person or on the phone, so the whole chain of events is there in black & white facts. The emails were professional and friendly on both sides, and STG was emailing back and forth with Dennis about the upcoming season when THEY, not Dennis, suddenly got nasty.
I agree that there is nothing wrong with letting other musicians play too, Dennis has introduced them into the scene himself. The "problem" is STGs failure to end their relationship with Dennis in an open, natural, and legal way. THEY have caused this to be unnecessarily difficult, not Dennis!
Again people, please stop trashing Dennis when you really know nothing about him or this situation. We're talking about a "real" person that is having "real" difficulties. He has been nothing but good for Seattle.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jun. 30 2009 @ 5:54PM