The Sounds Of Silents

Every Thursday night for the past 19 years, Rudolph Valentino has wordlessly fought the same rival and lost and won the same woman above the fading velveteen seats of the Majestic Theatre at Pomona (pop. 900), 30 km inland from the Sunshine Coast. And on most of those nights, Ron West has provided the silent movie's voice on his Wurlitzer pipe organ, playing swirly harp sounds when the heroine swoons, shifting to a sinister key when the villain appears, and pulling up short when the hero reins his horse.

Now 72, West can play The Son...