Description

Here in the cocktail lounge of the Barbary Coast in Portland, Oregon is created some of the world’s most unique and fascinating music.

Frank Elliott puts on a one-man show, performing on an instrument called a Fotoplayer. Build in 1912 in Berkeley, California to provide music and sound effects for the solent movies, the machine was in use in the Arcade Theater in Hoquiam, Washington until 1925 when he movie hall closed. It was rescued and restored in 1963 by Harvey Dick, owner of the Barbary Coast, and is valued at $40,000.

By striking piano keys, kicking foot pedals, pulling ropes, pressing buttons and yanking levers, Frank Elliott controls a total of 30 different instruments and sound effects.