I hit a dud note with the movie organist

At the age of five, in 1952, i was introduced to the joys of the cinema at the granada, north Cheam, Surrey. We went as a family to see robin hood in colour. Between the second feature and the main film, the organist rose from the pit like a magician, making a heavenly sound. he played a selection of popular tunes as well as light classical, his arms moving faster than my eye could track, his feet rotating as if of their own volition. he knew how to work his audience, stopping after each selection to ask if we had any requests — which he then completely ignored, as he had his own programme. i was getting cheesed off at

the way he wasn’t listening, asking dad: ‘Can’t he hear what people are saying?’ dad ignored me as well. five-year-old boys don’t like people taking no notice of them because they always have something interesting to say. So when the organist next asked for a request, i stood on my seat and shouted out: ‘When Santa got Stuck up the Chimney!’ this was a particular favourite of mine, despite it being the height of summer. i was furious when i was ignored by the organist. Wriggling away from Mum and dad, with the rest of the audience looking and laughing, i shouted louder. the organist couldn’t ignore me any longer, so he just said: ‘i don’t know that one.’ i got down from my seat, crying uncontrollably, and dad had to take me home, missing the main feature.

Harry Pope, Eastbourne, E. Sussex.