Gerald Shaw

British organist, prominent between the 1930s and his death in 1974. He began his career at a cinema in St Leonard’s-On-Sea and moved to the Regal Cinema, Glasgow. It was from here he made his first BBC broadcast. He returned to London playing the organ at several of the Paramount/Astoria cinemas. He returned to Glasgow in the late 1930s as organist at the Paramount Cinema in Renfield Street. In 1940 he was stationed in North Italy in the Army and afterwards returned to London. He had a brief spell in Portugal at the St George Cinema (Odeon) in Lisbon, and also the Rivoli Cinema, Cairo. Returning to London he was situated at the Odeon, Swiss Cottage before taking up the position of organist at the old Regal, then Odeon Marble Arch in 1953 and stayed there until 1958. When John Howlett retired at the Odeon Leicester Square, Gerald took up residency there and remained until his death in 1974. The organ of the Leicester Square cinema which is affectionately called 'The Duchess’ which is still used today for film performances. He was an outstanding musician who was well loved for his quirky arrangements and witty repartee.