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Organ Grinder

 Organ Grinder
type
FeatureClass
 Organ Grinder
label
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder
page
OrganGrinder
 Organ Grinder
comment
A specific type of Street Performer, the Organ Grinder is a Street Musician who would make a living turning the crank on a small, self-performing Pipe Organ (sometimes mistakenly called a hurdy-gurdy), usually with a trained monkey on a leash dancing around—alternatively, the monkey is the one turning the organ, and the human is just there to hold the leash. The monkey will often be a capuchin monkey, as they are easy to train and have been historically associated with organ grinders.
The organ grinder plays a small pneumatic organ by cranking a handle. The organs are typically wheeled. The organ grinder may rent the instrument by the day or week. In the US, there were allegations that the Mafia was involved in renting the instruments. The fairground calliope or circus organ, which is often mounted in merry-go-round rides, is a related type of instrument, as it is also a mechanical pneumatic organ. However, the fairground organ is larger and is typically mounted permanently on a ride, and uses steam or an electric motor.
More or less a Dead Horse Trope these days, but expect them to pop up in Period Piece stories set in the 19th and early 20th century. Fictional depictions may show the organ grinder being a lookout or they may even have a weapon hidden in the instrument.
During their heyday in the 1800s, they were not well-liked by authorities, who viewed organ grinders as lower-class, disreputable types. They were banned in some cities, because of complaints about the excessive noise they make, concerns about sidewalk congestion, and regulations against street performers requesting tips (some UK ordinances considered it a form of begging and a public nuisance). As well, music publishers sought to deal with organ grinders' copyright violations, as some of the musicians performed popular songs without paying royalties to the music publisher.
See also One-Man Band. Not to be confused with Meatgrinder Surgery or anything of the sort.
 Organ Grinder
fetched
2023-10-25T16:30:32Z
 Organ Grinder
parsed
2023-10-25T16:30:32Z
 Organ Grinder
processingComment
Dropped link to TheDitz: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Organ Grinder
processingComment
Dropped link to YearsOfGrace: Not an Item - UNKNOWN
 Organ Grinder
processingUnknown
Years of Grace
 Organ Grinder
isPartOf
DBTropes
 Organ Grinder / int_167352d9
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_167352d9
comment
Dillinger: An organ grinder is seen on the street as Dillinger and Helen make their fatal trip to the Biograph Theater.
 Organ Grinder / int_167352d9
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_167352d9
featureConfidence
1.0
 Dillinger (1945)
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_167352d9
 Organ Grinder / int_2129f55
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_2129f55
comment
The Return of the Pink Panther: Inspector Clouseau accosts a "blind" street musician with an accordion and a monkey for not having a busking license, distracting him from the bank robbery going on in the background (the musician was the robbers' lookout).
 Organ Grinder / int_2129f55
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_2129f55
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Return of the Pink Panther
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_2129f55
 Organ Grinder / int_2bbcacd9
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_2bbcacd9
comment
Looney Tunes: In The Hurdy-Gurdy Hare, Bugs Bunny becomes a grinder and takes over the monkey's job after he catches him pocketing the profits.
 Organ Grinder / int_2bbcacd9
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_2bbcacd9
featureConfidence
1.0
 Looney Tunes
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_2bbcacd9
 Organ Grinder / int_347fac5f
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_347fac5f
comment
In Scarface, there's one outside that amuses Cesca.
 Organ Grinder / int_347fac5f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_347fac5f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Scarface (1932)
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_347fac5f
 Organ Grinder / int_34da971e
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_34da971e
comment
In The Cameraman, Buster is in hot pursuit of a story to film when he crashes right into an organ grinder and his monkey. The monkey appears to be dead, so Buster has to pay the organ grinder. The monkey is only stunned, however, and soon wakes up to make more complications for Buster.
 Organ Grinder / int_34da971e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_34da971e
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Cameraman
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_34da971e
 Organ Grinder / int_3ab29433
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_3ab29433
comment
In M, an organ player is among the beggars tasked with keeping their eyes out for the murderer.
 Organ Grinder / int_3ab29433
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_3ab29433
featureConfidence
1.0
 M
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_3ab29433
 Organ Grinder / int_3adfb1ba
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_3adfb1ba
comment
House of Mouse: In the short "Mickey's Mistake", Mickey Mouse disguises himself as a organ grinder with Pluto as his monkey named Saturn.
 Organ Grinder / int_3adfb1ba
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_3adfb1ba
featureConfidence
1.0
 House of Mouse
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_3adfb1ba
 Organ Grinder / int_3f44e3d7
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_3f44e3d7
comment
Princess Tutu gave us Edel. Her organ grinder was also a portable jewelry display case since she sold the trinkets.
 Organ Grinder / int_3f44e3d7
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_3f44e3d7
featureConfidence
1.0
 Princess Tutu
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_3f44e3d7
 Organ Grinder / int_456b2914
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_456b2914
comment
In Mighty Joe Young (1949), the titular giant gorilla Joe is involved in a humiliating performance playing an organ grinder's monkey with Jill, acting as a little girl, turning the handle.
 Organ Grinder / int_456b2914
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_456b2914
featureConfidence
1.0
 Mighty Joe Young
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_456b2914
 Organ Grinder / int_50a9ace1
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_50a9ace1
comment
Popeye: In The Organ Grinder's Swing, Wimpy is an organ grinder with a monkey; Popeye enjoys his music, while Bluto hates it, leading to a brawl to decide whether he stays or goes. Bluto eventually stomps the machine down to splinters, but one spinach-powered pounding later, he is smashed into a piano and Popeye cranks his arm so that he rotates and creates music.
 Organ Grinder / int_50a9ace1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_50a9ace1
featureConfidence
1.0
 Popeye (Comic Strip)
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_50a9ace1
 Organ Grinder / int_58b9f6a4
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_58b9f6a4
comment
In the Shirley Temple version of Heidi, an organ grinder's monkey makes its way to the window of the Sesemann's mansion on a cold snowy day; Hilarity Ensues when Heidi is moved by both her compassion and the monkey's politeness to let it inside.
 Organ Grinder / int_58b9f6a4
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_58b9f6a4
featureConfidence
1.0
 Heidi
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_58b9f6a4
 Organ Grinder / int_5ce2f08b
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_5ce2f08b
comment
Drocell Keinz in the anime adaptation of Black Butler was first introduced carrying an organ grinder which played My Fair Lady.
 Organ Grinder / int_5ce2f08b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_5ce2f08b
featureConfidence
1.0
 Black Butler (Manga)
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_5ce2f08b
 Organ Grinder / int_74f7210c
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_74f7210c
comment
The Legend of Zelda features the recurring character Guru Guru, a music man most known for his very unique organ grinder instrument, his love of going around and around and around, and his Hair-Trigger Temper.
He first appears unnamed in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time as a musician in a windmill. He's happy in the present, but furious in the future because "seven years ago some mean kid played a weird song that messed up the windmill". He then proceeds to teach it to you if you brandish your ocarina, allowing you to go back in time and be that same mean kid. This gains you access to the Bottom Of The Well.
He gets named in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask where he is the music man of Gorman's Troupe. You can find him sitting by the Laundry Pool at night, where he'll tell you about his days in an animal-only troupe where his envy of the leader drove him to steal said leader's mask. He gives it to you as thanks for hearing his confession.
He also makes a brief cameo appearance in The Legend Of Zelda: Oracle Of Seasons as one brief part of the Chain of Deals to get the Noble Sword: he wants some oil to make his windmill go faster, and will give you his Phonograph in exchange for some Engine Grease.
Unrelated to this gentleman is the Hurdy-Gurdy Man from The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. He's the one who introduces you to Kinstone fusing and gives you the Kinstone Bag. Gee, thanks...
 Organ Grinder / int_74f7210c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_74f7210c
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Legend of Zelda (Franchise)
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_74f7210c
 Organ Grinder / int_79847263
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_79847263
comment
Droopy: In Dixieland Droopy, Droopy practices being a jazz band conductor to a record, but after he's kicked out of his home, he looks for other places to play the record, and one of them is an organ grinder's organ.
 Organ Grinder / int_79847263
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_79847263
featureConfidence
1.0
 Droopy
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_79847263
 Organ Grinder / int_84d946b1
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_84d946b1
comment
Go West has an amazingly racist gag in which Buster encounters an organ grinder playing, not for a monkey, but for a black man who is dancing in the street.
 Organ Grinder / int_84d946b1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_84d946b1
featureConfidence
1.0
 Go West
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_84d946b1
 Organ Grinder / int_95bd5a8e
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_95bd5a8e
comment
Dishonored has the Overseer Music Boxes, organ grinders worn by the foot soldiers of the Abby of the Everyman. The music boxes negate the magic of the Outsider by creating "mathematically pure notes" and can attack with waves of sound.
 Organ Grinder / int_95bd5a8e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_95bd5a8e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Dishonored (Video Game)
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_95bd5a8e
 Organ Grinder / int_99a637ac
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_99a637ac
comment
In Soviet propaganda film Strike, an organ grinder with a dancing bear appears. He is actually a spy sent by management to spy on the striking workers.
 Organ Grinder / int_99a637ac
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_99a637ac
featureConfidence
1.0
 Strike
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_99a637ac
 Organ Grinder / int_9a152d5d
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_9a152d5d
comment
Cow and Chicken: There is a slightly recurring organ grinder character with a monkey has since decomposed into a skeleton, and the machine is literally grinding organs into powder. (It's uncertain as to whether the machine is grinding the musical instrument or body parts.)
 Organ Grinder / int_9a152d5d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_9a152d5d
featureConfidence
1.0
 Cow and Chicken
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_9a152d5d
 Organ Grinder / int_9e84c324
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_9e84c324
comment
In Batman Returns, the Penguin's circus gang has an evil organ grinder (complete with monkey) amongst their ranks, and he is seemingly The Dragon. His organ contains a hand-cranked gatling gun, and in the Super Nintendo game based on the movie, he fires bullets at Batman and then just tries to hit Batman with the organ when he gets too close.
 Organ Grinder / int_9e84c324
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_9e84c324
featureConfidence
1.0
 Batman Returns
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_9e84c324
 Organ Grinder / int_ae050a9f
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_ae050a9f
comment
He first appears unnamed in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time as a musician in a windmill. He's happy in the present, but furious in the future because "seven years ago some mean kid played a weird song that messed up the windmill". He then proceeds to teach it to you if you brandish your ocarina, allowing you to go back in time and be that same mean kid. This gains you access to the Bottom Of The Well.
 Organ Grinder / int_ae050a9f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_ae050a9f
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time / Videogame
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_ae050a9f
 Organ Grinder / int_b7627837
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_b7627837
comment
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge: Guybrush steals a piano-playing monkey in order to have it help operate a water-pump.
 Organ Grinder / int_b7627837
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_b7627837
featureConfidence
1.0
 MonkeyIsland2
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_b7627837
 Organ Grinder / int_b87d2287
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_b87d2287
comment
In The Poor Little Rich Girl, the titular Lonely Rich Kid hears an organ grinder (without a monkey) and pays him to come into her house.
 Organ Grinder / int_b87d2287
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_b87d2287
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Poor Little Rich Girl
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_b87d2287
 Organ Grinder / int_beac6ffb
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_beac6ffb
comment
He gets named in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask where he is the music man of Gorman's Troupe. You can find him sitting by the Laundry Pool at night, where he'll tell you about his days in an animal-only troupe where his envy of the leader drove him to steal said leader's mask. He gives it to you as thanks for hearing his confession.
 Organ Grinder / int_beac6ffb
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_beac6ffb
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (Video Game)
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_beac6ffb
 Organ Grinder / int_bf03139
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_bf03139
comment
She Done Him Wrong uses one to help establish The Gay '90s setting.
 Organ Grinder / int_bf03139
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_bf03139
featureConfidence
1.0
 She Done Him Wrong
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_bf03139
 Organ Grinder / int_c03c2b44
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_c03c2b44
comment
Tia Dalma uses an organ grinder as a signal to some of the Black Pearl pirates in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. For bonus points, Barbossa's monkey was hanging out with her while she had it. And then it turns out the organ grinder had a bomb stuffed in it.
 Organ Grinder / int_c03c2b44
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_c03c2b44
featureConfidence
1.0
 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_c03c2b44
 Organ Grinder / int_c4343335
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_c4343335
comment
An organ grinder appears in the "Rhapsody In Blue" segment of Fantasia 2000.
 Organ Grinder / int_c4343335
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_c4343335
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fantasia 2000
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_c4343335
 Organ Grinder / int_c7b13323
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_c7b13323
comment
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit: In Hungry Hobos, Oswald and Pete try to hide from a policeman by disguising themselves as a monkey and grinder, respectively; Pete builds an impromptu hurdy-gurdy by hiding a cat, dog and pig in a box and cranking a car's motor inside to beat them and create noise.
 Organ Grinder / int_c7b13323
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_c7b13323
featureConfidence
1.0
 Oswald the Lucky Rabbit
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_c7b13323
 Organ Grinder / int_d36b8ea7
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_d36b8ea7
comment
He also makes a brief cameo appearance in The Legend Of Zelda: Oracle Of Seasons as one brief part of the Chain of Deals to get the Noble Sword: he wants some oil to make his windmill go faster, and will give you his Phonograph in exchange for some Engine Grease.
 Organ Grinder / int_d36b8ea7
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_d36b8ea7
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Legend of Zelda: Oracle Games (Video Game)
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_d36b8ea7
 Organ Grinder / int_dbfb9fe5
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_dbfb9fe5
comment
In La Scoumoune (1972), there's Migli, the recurring mustachioed supporting character who's sometimes seen playing the film's theme (composed by François de Roubaix) on his portable barrel organ. He was played by Mexican actor Enrique Lucero.
 Organ Grinder / int_dbfb9fe5
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_dbfb9fe5
featureConfidence
1.0
 La Scoumoune
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_dbfb9fe5
 Organ Grinder / int_dcf2b363
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_dcf2b363
comment
The first shot of Scarlet Street shows an organ grinder and his monkey performing on a sidewalk. This is either Foreshadowing of or symbolism for how the milquetoast protagonist is controlled and manipulated by his Femme Fatale lover.
 Organ Grinder / int_dcf2b363
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_dcf2b363
featureConfidence
1.0
 Scarlet Street
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_dcf2b363
 Organ Grinder / int_e247f391
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_e247f391
comment
Unrelated to this gentleman is the Hurdy-Gurdy Man from The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. He's the one who introduces you to Kinstone fusing and gives you the Kinstone Bag. Gee, thanks...
 Organ Grinder / int_e247f391
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_e247f391
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (Video Game)
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_e247f391
 Organ Grinder / int_e34d9eac
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_e34d9eac
comment
Brother Triumphator from Turgor is a giant humanoid mounted inside a barrel organ. In the battle with him, he keeps turning the crank of his organ to play his own Battle Theme Music, occasionally stopping to teleport away from the beating.
 Organ Grinder / int_e34d9eac
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_e34d9eac
featureConfidence
1.0
 Turgor (Video Game)
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_e34d9eac
 Organ Grinder / int_e92653af
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_e92653af
comment
One can be seen on the street in one scene of the Mexican film Santa Claus (1959). He's easy to miss, unless you're watching the Mystery Science Theater 3000 version:
 Organ Grinder / int_e92653af
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_e92653af
featureConfidence
1.0
 Santa Claus (1959)
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_e92653af
 Organ Grinder / int_e936047a
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_e936047a
comment
Hey Arnold!: In "Monkey Business", Helga gets bit by an organ grinder's monkey, causing her to believe she contracted a deadly disease.
 Organ Grinder / int_e936047a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_e936047a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Hey Arnold!
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_e936047a
 Organ Grinder / int_ec2dc098
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_ec2dc098
comment
Vivo has Andrés, a street performer skilled with many instruments, one of which is an organ that doubles as a house for his partner Vivonote who looks like a monkey but is actually a kinkajou.
 Organ Grinder / int_ec2dc098
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_ec2dc098
featureConfidence
1.0
 Vivo
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_ec2dc098
 Organ Grinder / int_f5e6b493
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_f5e6b493
comment
The Thinking Machine: In "The Problem of the Organ Grinder", Van Dusen investigates when an organ grinder's monkey is stabbed to death while Hatch is held at knifepoint. The organ grinder is later found beaten into unconsciousness in an alleyway.
 Organ Grinder / int_f5e6b493
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_f5e6b493
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Thinking Machine
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_f5e6b493
 Organ Grinder / int_fc0e7530
type
Organ Grinder
 Organ Grinder / int_fc0e7530
comment
Dexter's Laboratory: The Dial M fore Monkey short "Organ Grindor" features the titular villain, a hypnotic organ grinder.
 Organ Grinder / int_fc0e7530
featureApplicability
1.0
 Organ Grinder / int_fc0e7530
featureConfidence
1.0
 Dexter's Laboratory
hasFeature
Organ Grinder / int_fc0e7530

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Organ Grinder
processingCategory2
Characters as Device
 Organ Grinder
processingCategory2
Music Tropes
 Batman Returns / int_a64359d5
type
Organ Grinder
 Boudu Saved from Drowning / int_a64359d5
type
Organ Grinder
 La Scoumoune / int_a64359d5
type
Organ Grinder
 M / int_a64359d5
type
Organ Grinder
 Mighty Joe Young / int_a64359d5
type
Organ Grinder
 Scarface (1932) / int_a64359d5
type
Organ Grinder
 Scarlet Street / int_a64359d5
type
Organ Grinder
 The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari / int_a64359d5
type
Organ Grinder
 The Gang's All Here / int_a64359d5
type
Organ Grinder
 M / int_a64359d5
type
Organ Grinder
 The Return of the Pink Panther / int_a64359d5
type
Organ Grinder
 She Lover of Death / int_a64359d5
type
Organ Grinder
 Years of Grace / int_a64359d5
type
Organ Grinder
 Équinoxe (Music) / int_a64359d5
type
Organ Grinder
 Batman Returns (SNES) (Video Game) / int_a64359d5
type
Organ Grinder
 Dishonored (Video Game) / int_a64359d5
type
Organ Grinder
 Sherlock Holmes Versus Jack the Ripper (Video Game) / int_a64359d5
type
Organ Grinder
 Olde Wrestling (Wrestling) / int_a64359d5
type
Organ Grinder