Mr Magorium and Pipe Organ Pizza
Mr Magorium’s Wonder Emporium
The heart in this film is undeniable, and it’s definitely not just for children. As the film’s motto goes: “You have to believe it to see it.” (It’s alone worth watching for a cameo appearance by Kermit the Frog, out shopping, dodging stares from the public).
Mr Magorium (Dustin Hoffman) is a 243-year-old owner of a magical toy shop. Although he has been inventing toys since the mid-1770s, and is perfectly healthy, he has decided that the time has come for him to leave the world, so he bequeaths the shop to its manager, Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman).
With his imminent departure the emporium itself shows signs of sadness. “We must face tomorrow, whatever it may bring,” says Magorium, to the very soul of the shop, “with determination, joy and bravery”.
Mahoney lacks the necessary faith in herself that she can continue without its magical owner. “Unlikely adventures require unlikely tools,” says Mr. Magorium, and in a rather Zen gesture, gives her The Congreve Cube, a solid block of wood, which he assures her will bring her the answers she needs. “Your life is an occasion,” he reassures her, “Rise to it.”
As the nine-year-old narrator says, “All stories, even the ones we love, must eventually come to an end, and when they do, it’s only an opportunity for another story to begin.”
Scooby Doo’s Pipe Organ Pizza
The film not only reminded me of the childhood half-belief that toys are really alive, but only move when we’re not looking, I also remembered a special place I used to go to as a child: Scooby Doo’s Pipe Organ Pizza, in Houston.
The organ itself controlled a whole wall of pipes, drums, and strange gadgets, behind glass. The organist would play requests written on little white pieces of paper. I always used to request Tie a Yellow Ribbon because I knew he knew that one. To me it was the closest thing to magic, and all with the accompaniment of most amazing pizza.
It closed down soon after I left America. The organ was apparently salvaged, refurbished and installed in someone’s house.
Finding your site was serendipity. Wonderful thought and a wonderful spirit that just comes across space as I read some of your posts. Your last quote about children reminds me that when I end a lot of my talks (I am a speaker and musician and author and father and husband – you get the drift) I implore the audience to “Hang out with little kids. And if you don’t have any rent them.” Now I always get a laugh but the sentiment is true to get little ones in your life. They see the world with new eyes. They bring hope with them. Wonderful site.
Hello Scott, so nice to meet you here. I visited your blogs today, and was heartened to see someone with so much positive energy doing so much to encourage the world. Thank you for the inspiration. Wishing you all the very best.
Sumangali
I haven’t yet seen the Hoffman/ Portman film you describe above, but the universal messages it shares sound like they will benefit many people. We each have opportunties to raise our own awareness. This includes occasions to face fear and discover our own hidden abilities.
Thanks for the great post. I too, used to attend Scooby Doo Pipe Organ Pizza in Houston when I was a kid. The pipe organ was probably one of the most magical things to me as a child and I still have so many nostalgic feelings arise when I think of it. Thanks for writing about it, it brightened my day. As for the Magorium movie, I have heard great things about it, and it sounds lovely. I have not yet seen it but I definitely plan to, as I love movies of that nature. I look forward to reading more of your blog posts
I am glad to have read your entry. I was a Houston resident and went to Pipe Organ Pizza all the time because my father worked there. There were two locations. The one I went to was on the South West side of town, near a street called Edgebrook. My father used to dress up as a clown, and would draw caricatures of children at Pipe Organ Pizza. I knew the organist well. He was an older man, and I also met the much younger organist who had played at the other location. If you ever run across a caricature drawn of you and it says “CHAZ” on the bottom, that’s done by my dad. Thank you for sharing the nostalgia. I look forward to also seeing the film you have mentioned.
I’m kinda amazed to find this blog. I am actually watching Mr. Magorium right now. The scene when Molly and he go into the clock shop reminded me of Pipe Organ Pizza. I used to have my birthday parties there all the time when I was a kid. Was pretty shocked to find someone made the same association when I googled Pipe Organ Pizza.
Hi Dane, amazing not only that you know Pipe Organ Pizza, but you made the connection with the film! I was beginning to think I imagined the restaurant, but now there are four of us, it must be true, especially if Rachael’s dad worked there
Thanks Houston Wedding Photographer, Rachael, and Dane. Sorry for the late reply to the earlier messages, but am really glad to share the same memories with you all. Thank you all very much for taking the time to comment.