Watch PCN Tours - DeBence Antique Music World

PCN Tours - DeBence Antique Music World is an engaging documentary film that explores the unique collection of antique music boxes and self-playing instruments at the DeBence Antique Music World museum in Franklin, Pennsylvania. This film takes viewers on a tour of the museum, showcasing its vast collection of over 100 beautifully restored music machines from the 1800s and early 1900s.

Throughout the film, the museum's owner, Mr. Edward DeBence, serves as the tour guide, sharing with viewers the fascinating history and mechanics behind each of the instruments on display. His knowledge and passion for these fascinating pieces of history is evident in the way he speaks about each machine and artifact, making this an educational and engaging documentary for music enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

The tour begins with a look at a beautiful barrel organ, which was built in 1882 and is one of the oldest instruments in the museum's collection. The tour then moves on to a variety of other fascinating machines, including several player pianos, a Regina music box, and an upright phonograph. Each instrument is not only beautifully restored, but also fully operational and able to play music just as it did when it was first manufactured.

One of the highlights of the tour is the collection of nickelodeons on display at the museum. Nickelodeons were essentially a precursor to the modern jukebox, capable of playing music on mechanical rolls that were loaded into the machine. Mr. DeBence demonstrates the functionality of several nickelodeons, playing music that would have been popular in the early 1900s. The tour also shows a variety of rare and unique instruments, such as a beautiful Gavioli concert organ and a giant orchestrion that takes up an entire room.

Throughout the documentary, viewers are treated to not only beautiful music but also fascinating stories behind each instrument. Mr. DeBence shares the history behind the machines, discussing their original purpose, how they were manufactured and marketed, and how they came to be in his museum's collection. He also shares several anecdotes about the instruments, such as how some were original features in grand hotels and others were once used in traveling medicine shows.

Despite the subject matter, the documentary is anything but stuffy. The engaging and personable Mr. DeBence enlivens each segment of the tour, injecting humor and wit throughout the documentary. His enthusiasm for the collection is contagious, making this more than just a straightforward documentary but a captivating look into the world of antique music.

Overall, PCN Tours - DeBence Antique Music World is a magnificent film that captures the beauty and history of a stunning collection. Although its focus is on antique music machines, it is much more than just a documentary about music. It is a story of art, history, and the unstoppable passion of one man who's made it his life's work to preserve and share these beautiful instruments with a new generation. If you're a music lover or just interested in history, this is a film you won't want to miss.

PCN Tours - DeBence Antique Music World is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 58 minutes.