My Memories of Tom Scherman
Saga of the Disneyland Paris Organ Console

I had read articles in “ Scale Modeler” and “Scale Ship Modeler” that gave credit to Tom Scherman for photographs, so I wrote a fan letter to him and sent it to the magazines asking them to forward it to him if they could.

November 20, 1992

Dear Mr. Scherman,

Recently, a friend, knowing how fascinated I am with the Disney Nautilus, gave me a copy of
Starlog Spectacular #4. I read with great pleasure the article by David Hutchison, and very
much enjoyed the illustrations for which you were given credit. I also have Scale Ship
Modeler ’84 and Scale Modeler Oct. 74 in which your beautiful model is shown
I first saw 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea in 1954 just after I turned nine years of age. Mr.
Goff’s beautifully designed film had a powerful effect on me, and continues to even now. My
home is furnished with all Victorian pieces, and although I could not find duplicates of those
used aboard the Nautilus, I have at least a little of the feeling. Also, I have been in the pipe
organ business for 29 years. It is, of course, possible that I might be the same person if I
had not seen the film, but I very much doubt it.
Although I have built a three-foot model of the Nautilus, I am most fascinated with the
interiors, particularly the Salon. Unfortunately I have never been able to find very much in
the way of photographs or drawings beyond those in Starlog and have had to content myself
with watching my video copy of the film over and over again.
I would be most grateful if you could guide me to any drawings or photographs you might
know of. If it is impossible for you to help with this request I will understand, and continue
my 37-year love affair as best I can.

Most gratefully,
Ken

Shortly after I sent this letter I received a phone call from Tom during which he told me of the plans to build the Nautilus for Disneyland in Paris. He asked me if I could find a console for the organ. I was able to do that, as I knew where one was available near me. I then received a package from Tom with this note enclosed.

Tom put me in touch with Jodi who was in charge of collecting parts for the Paris Nautilus. I sent her pictures of both consoles, one in good shape and the other in excellent shape, and told her to pick the one she wanted. She picked the best one, which is why I am so heartbroken about it's condition today. I also supplied the bench and all the stop knobs and name plates for them. I spent a good deal of time working out a stop list that would be correct for the French audience so that they would not look at the console and think no one cared. I drew out a plan to show where each knob should go and sent that along. The last problem she seemed to have was how to get the console from San Francisco to Glendale, so I offered to haul it down for her and she was very grateful. Something I found funny about this story is, that when a friend and I backed up to the loading dock in Glendale, the warehouse crew looked at the console and said they wouldn't move it because it looked to heavy. I am not kidding, just by looking they decided not to do the work they, I assume, were hired to do. So my friend and I picked the console up and sat it on the dock, got our dolly, put the console on it and rolled it in to the space where all the other Nautilus parts were being stored. When we were done we drove to Tom's apartment and spent a wonderful afternoon “talking” Nautilus and looking at his amazing collection of photographs and blueprints.
Like many others that found the Nautilus as a child, I drew pictures while I should have been listening in school, built models of paper, of cardboard, and of wood, and daydreamed of being on board far from the troubles of youth. As an adult I continued to dream, but now of building the salon, even a part of it, to live in. Alas, I could never make it happen, and so I filled the home I do have with furniture that is similar, and I still watch out for just one more piece to add. Of course, I watched the video, then the laser disc and then the DVD over and over. I would probably think I was crazy if it were not for all the others here that feel much as I do. I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I have. Ken

Archivist's note: The images below are 800 pixel wide reductions. The high resolution versions are available in our Movie Stills section.