Robert Bostwick Mitchell: 1912 – 2009
Bob Mitchell Boy Choir with Judy Garland, 1938- Photo from Silent Movie Theater
It is hard to imagine the passing of Bob Mitchell because so much of his 96 years embodies so much dear to Southern Californians. Mitchell, who died on July 1, just short of his 97th birthday, formed an important part of our local history. Born in Los Angeles, Mitchell arrived with his family in Sierra Madre in 1916. His dad served as Mayor of Sierra Madre from 1918 to 1924. Exactly when he left Sierra Madre and when he returned is hard to locate, but Mitchell was a fixture for many years in the community re-telling his stories of both old Sierra Madre and old Hollywood and often performing at the organ accompanying silent movies just as he had when he was 12 years-old. His Mitchell Boy Choir was a fixture on the Hollywood scene from 1938 to 1969.
Mitchell began piano lessons with his mom, but at age 10 he had lessons at The Church of the Ascension on Baldwin Ave. and that started a lifelong fascination with the pipe organ. His musical ear spoke to him and when he found that there was an outstanding Wurlitzer organ at the Strand Theater in Pasadena, he found a way to worm his way in to play that instrument during the Christmas season. You could say he remained seated at that organ bench for four years as he played for silent movies at the Strand from 1924 to 1928—just in time for sound motion pictures to make their appearance.
His musical education was confirmed when, on a scholarship, he was enrolled at the Eastman School of Music in 1932 with a major in piano studies. He returned to Los Angeles to become Director of Music at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church. Among his duties was to direct a boys’ choir. Soon, Hollywood called and in 1938, the St. Brendan’s Boys’ Choir appeared in “The Frontiersman” with Bill Boyd as “Hopalong” Cassidy and sidekick George “Gabby” Hayes. In 1938 Mitchell appeared as himself in a movie titled “Campus Swing” along with the Bob Mitchell Boy Choir, the first time that name appeared as a screen credit. The pinnacle of his boy choir was the appearance of the cherub-faced boys in “Going My Way” singing with Bing Crosby both “Ave Maria” and “Would you Like to Swing on a Star”.
Mitchell outlived all the other local organists. Gaylord Carter, who died in 2000, was the other noted organist who, like Mitchell worked the pedals and the pipes to bring the images on the silver screen to life.
“Of course, it’s the music I live for,” Mitchell once said.
Memorial services for Robert Bostwick Mitchell were held July 10 at Christ The King Catholic Church in Los Angeles.
By Bill Peters
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