The North Texas Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society presents the 1923 classic silent film The Hunchback of Notre Dame at 7:30 PM Friday and Saturday, October 30 and 31, 2009 in the Courtroom Theater at McKinney Performing Arts Center,
111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney, TX 75069

Original musical score composed and performed by Mr. Jim Pitts, Waco, TX.  A native Texan, Jim Pitts organ career began in 1956.  He was “volunteered" as chapel organist at Lackland AFB San Antonio, Texas.  His talent developed in all forms of organ repertoire with heavy emphasis on theatre organ styling’s. This has led him, as a professional musician, to theatre organ consoles around the country. In addition to playing organ, Jim also repairs and maintains both pipe and electronic organs. He is a member of many Organ Guilds and Societies.  Retired from his primary profession as a radio broadcaster, Jim and is wife Marie live in Waco, Texas where he is
Music Director/Organist/Choirmaster for Lake Shore United Methodist Church.

The highlight of the movie is clearly Lon Chaney's performance as Quasimodo, the hideously deformed resident of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris in the 15th century.  Director Wallace Worsley creates a dark and ominous feeling around the Paris of that era and builds sympathy for the Hunchback. The image of Chaney gleefully swinging off the rope to ring Notre Dame's bells is one that will stay with anyone who has ever seen this film.

This project is funded in part by the City of McKinney through the City of McKinney Arts Commission.