There is an interesting mention of this theatre, and apparently, its Fotoplayer,
in the “Music Trade Review” magazine of April 21, 1917 (Volume 64, No. 16, pg. 41).
I have transcribed the article below.
Due to the wording of the letter,
and the mention, by the author, of an “Empire Theatre” located in “Hartford”
(was there really such a theatre, and is it anywhere on the Cinema Treasures website?),
I am wondering whether the New York branch office
of the American Photo Player Co. made a mistake
and possibly sent the wrong letter of praise (from the wrong theatre) for the MTR blurb?
Anyway, here’s the article, enjoy!
PRAISE FOR THE FOTOPLAYER
Owner of Keeney’s Majestic Theatre Tells of Satisfaction Produced by That Instrument
The Photo Player Co., of New York,
local representative for the American Photo Player Co.,
recently sold an instrument to Keeney’s Majestic Theatre, New Britain, Conn.,
and in response to their inquiry regarding the service it is giving,
P. S. McMahon, owner of the theatre, wrote the company praising the Fotoplayer as follows:
“Answering your inquiry as to the results I have obtained in the Empire Theatre, at Hartford [sic!],
since installing the Fotoplayer, I want to frankly admit the results have greatly surprised me.
"Prior to installing the Fotoplayer, on June 20,
I used a five-piece orchestra and I figured that the saving on the orchestra expense would,
within a year’s time, pay for the cost of the instrument.
To my surprise, I want to confess that since installing the Fotoplayer,
I not alone have saved my orchestra expense but my business has shown a healthy increase over all of the previous records.
"I find that with the use of the Fotoplayer,
our music fits the picture
and that is something we had not been able to accomplish when we had the orchestra
for they would invariably play a tune clear through, then rest,
start another tune, followed by another rest.
I shall take pleasure in having you refer any theatre owners to me
as I will always be glad to say a good word about the Fotoplayer.
With best regards,
I am,
Yours very truly,
”(Signed) Patrick S. McMahon."
Andrew’s Note: according to the TheatreOrgans dot com searchable online database of original organ installations,
the Palace (Palmer) Theatre in New Britain had a 3 manual, 8 rank Austin pipe organ, opus 1458, installed in 1926.
This organ had a blower serial # of 19066, and it cost $8,950 in 1926. I have no idea what happened to this organ,
but I hope it still exists somewhere.
Since the Austin organ company still exists and is still in business, they might have more information,
not only on the specifications of this particular organ they built, but also (possibly) some information on the previously-installed
American Fotoplayer in this theatre, which could possibly have been traded in to Austin as partial payment for the organ.
The “Music Trade Review” magazine of June 3, 1916, Volume 62, Number 23, page 92, has an interesting item mentioning the Starland Theatre and its Fotoplayer.
“PRAISE FOR THE FOTOPLAYER”
Interesting Letters sent to W. J. Dyer & Bros.
in Which This Instrument Is Highly Extolled
The American Fotoplayer Co., New York,
received this week a copy of the following interesting letter recently sent to W. J. Dyer &
Bros., Fotoplayer representatives,
by C. W. Sawin, branch manager of Vitagraph-Lubin-Selig-Essanay, Inc.
“When you called me by phone and invited me to St. Paul to hear the Fotoplayer in connection with the ‘Battle Cry of Peace’ in the Starland Theatre of your city, I really thought that I should be wasting time, for I have heard so many instruments in picture theatres which were complete failures so far as playing the pictures was concerned that I could not conceive of an instrument under the control of a single operator bring out the details of a gigantic production like the ‘Battle Cry of Peace.’
"I must confess, however, that the Fotoplayer
as used in connection with the ‘Battle Cry of Peace’ at the Starland Theatre proved a revelation to me.
I could hardly realize that bugle calls, fife and drum corps, pistol shots, exploding of shells, booming of cannons, etc., etc., could be brought out so vividly, and I have change [sic] my views in regard to the possibility of the Fotoplayer. The Fotoplayer is not only a wonderful instrument but a marked success in bringing out picture detail and I can unhesitatingly recommend it to theatre-owners.”
Unfortunately, the model of the instrument wasn’t mentioned in the little article/letter cited above, but I would bet that, judging from the Cinema Treasures description of this theatre, it was one of their larger models, probably (though not necessarily) a model 40, 45, or 50.
Also unfortunately, the name of the talented person/musician who played this Fotoplayer in this theatre for the “Battle Cry of Freedom” was also omitted, for whatever reason. I think this a great shame, since the Fotoplayer requires a talented operator to make good music and good accompaniment. Does anyone know the names of any musicians who played at the Starland Theatre, even after the 1916 period?
Despite the sad end to this theatre, there is a very slim chance this Fotoplayer still exists somewhere, since it was most likely traded in to Kilgen in 1917 when they installed their theatre pipe organ in this same theatre. Fortunately, the Kilgen factory records still exist (somewhere) and are likely to record the trade-in and probably also subsequent resale of this particular Fotoplayer to another theatre.
According to the TheatreOrgans dot com online database of original organ installations, the Jennings Theatre had a 2 manual, 16 rank Hillgreen-Lane theatre pipe organ, opus 471, installed in 1917 at a cost of $5,500. The blower serial number was 8024. Does anybody know what happened to this organ and where it (or parts of it) are today?
According to the TheatreOrgans dot com online searchable database of organ installations, the Saenger Theatre in Texarkana originally had a 2/8 Hillgreen-Lane theatre pipe organ, opus 424, installed in 1916 at a cost of $2,475. It is possible that the Robert-Morton later replaced it.
[note: in this entry, “Saenger” is misspelled “Saeger”, which is why you probably couldn’t find it, Lost Memory]
I would love to know what happened to both organs! The earlier organ’s blower # was 6827, if that helps.
According to Peter Beames' Wurlitzer Opus List
on the TheatreOrgans dot com website,
The Renaissance/Ohio Theatre in Mansfield has a Wurlitzer “Special” model theatre pipe organ of 3 manuals, Opus 997, which was originally installed in the Warner Brothers Studio in Los Angeles, CA (ship date January 30, 1929). It apparently passed through the hands of many owners before arriving here, and is reportedly “OK”. Anyone with more current info on the organ is invited to post here (although I do like that “theatre organ concerts” are mentioned amongst the activities at the theatre at the top of this page, suggesting that it’s still in use).
According to the same website’s list of Original Organ Installations, the Ohio Theatre originally had a Kimball theatre pipe organ of 3 manuals and 9 ranks, opus KPO7029, installed in 1928.
Does this latter organ still exist, and where is it (or its parts) today? Thanks!
According to Peter Beames' Wurlitzer Opus List
on the TheatreOrgans dot com website,
The Madison Theatre in Mansfield had a
Wurlitzer style B X theatre pipe organ, opus 1822
(2 manuals, 4 ranks, two chambers)
installed circa 1928 or 1929
(shipped from the Wurlitzer factory
on December 23, 1927).
Given what kencmcintyre has written
about the “Old Opera House” or “Madison Theatre” going up in smoke in February of 1929,
could this organ have been destroyed in the fire?
Did the later Madison Theatre have an organ, or not? (I wouldn’t think so, given that opened in 1930, by which time sound movies were underway).
Does anybody know for sure
what happened to this organ?
Thanks!
According to the TheatreOrgans.com Searchable Opus List Database of original theatre organ installations, the Linden Theatre had a Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ, model 109CC, opus 1876, installed on May 10, 1928. The regular model 109 was a piano-console instrument having two manuals, three ranks, four tuned percussions (including the piano built into the console) and 17 traps and sound effects.
However, the “CC” suffix might indicate “curved console”. If true, that would mean this organ was equipped with a horseshoe console rather than a piano console (the piano, if present, would then be played electro-pneumatically at some distance from the horseshoe console).
It’s too bad to hear this theatre burned down (or, perhaps, was gutted by fire?). If the organ was still there, this would have surely destroyed it. However, perhaps the organ was removed earlier, when talking pictures came in.
Does anybody know the whereabouts today of Wurlitzer Opus 1876, or its parts?
What a wonderful building! I do wish it and the proprietors (and performers etc) all the best success in future endeavors with this magnificent theatre.
According to the TheatreOrgans.com Searchable Opus List Database of original organ installations, the Ogden (Lincoln) theatre had a Robert-Morton three manual, nine rank theatre pipe organ installed in 1928. I have no idea where it is now.
I do hope someone knows what happened to the organ and where it (or at least its parts) are today.
This would be a wonderful theatre to have an organ re-installed (especially the original one).
According to the TheatreOrgans.com Searchable Opus List Database of original organ installations,
the Hill Top [sic] theatre had a 3 manual, 16 rank Moller organ, opus 3161, installed in 1921 at a cost of $9625.00. It appears to have been a sister organ to opus 3160, which was installed at the same time in the State Theatre in Columbus.
Does anyone know what became of this organ (Moller opus 3161) or its parts?
This is wonderful what is happening with this theatre. I wish it and the owners, performers and patrons all the best and continued success in this endeavor!
According to the TheatreOrgans.com Searchable Opus List Database of original installations, the Garden Theatre had a Wurlitzer model D theatre pipe organ, opus 1508, installed on November 15, 1926.
The D had two manuals and six ranks (with a horseshoe console), also featuring four tuned percussions and 20 traps and sound effects.
This model is considered by some aficionados to be one of the most versatile of the small Wurlitzer theatre pipe organs, not requiring any “hot-rodding” or expansion to suit their tastes.
Anyway, this organ was, at some point, repossessed by Wurlitzer, and the last I know of it, it was installed in the residence of a Mr. Howard Hundley in Charleston, West Virginia (as of January 13, 1933). I do not know if it is still there, or where it is now, although I would love to hear from anyone else with knowledge of the present-day whereabouts of this organ, or at least of its parts.
Dear Lost Memory, thanks for the awesome photo of the Colonial Theatre! It looked like it was really cool! Here’s the updated link in case someone wants to see it:
http://goo.gl/T1f3Q
According to the TheatreOrgans.com Searchable Online Database of original installations, the Colonial Theatre had a Wurlitzer style V theatre pipe organ, Opus 101, installed on September 23, 1916.
The style V was a piano-console instrument with two manuals and eight ranks, plus two tuned percussions (cathedral chimes, and then the piano).
It did not feature any other tuned or untuned percussions, so possibly the pianist/organist who played the instrument worked as a duo with a live drummer/sound effects man (who was quite common in theatres during this period anyway) to provide appropriate noises for the pictures.
This is my theory, anyway!
Does anyone know what became of Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ Opus 101? Its fate or current status is listed as “unknown” in the database.
According to the TheatreOrgans.com Searchable Opus List Database,
the Columbia Theatre had a Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ, style B Special, Opus 1260, installed on January 30, 1926. The “Special” could mean a number of things including an additional pipe rank, percussion, or other options special-ordered by the customer.
However, the standard model B featured two manuals and four ranks (having a horseshoe console), plus three tuned percussions and 17 traps and sound effects.
I am not sure what music the theatre had before getting the Wurlitzer, but it is likely they had some kind of photoplayer, which Wurlitzer may have taken in as a partial trade-in towards the new organ.
The database says that it is unknown what became of the Wurlitzer organ, opus 1260. Does anyone know where this organ, or its parts, is today?
According to the TheatreOrgans.com Searchable Opus List Database,
the Alhambra Theatre had a Wurlitzer model 135A theatre pipe organ installed on June 15, 1920, which was Wurlitzer opus 323.
I am not sure what the “A” suffix means, but the 135 was a piano-console instrument which had two manuals and four ranks, as well as four tuned percussions (bells, xylophone, and chimes in addition to the piano) and 17 traps and sound effects.
I wonder how the organ was installed in this open-air house, and also what music they had in the three or four years before it was installed.
Perhaps they did a similar thing as to an Airdome theatre elsewhere, and had some kind of orchestrion like a Wurlitzer PianOrchestra providing music from a barn- or shed-like enclosure with doors on the front to protect from the weather.
The database says that it is unknown what became of the Wurlitzer opus 323. Does anyone know where it, or its parts, are today?
According to the TheatreOrgans.com Searchable Opus List Database, the Dixie Theatre had a Wurlitzer model 105 theatre pipe organ (yes theatre organ, although there was a also a popular band organ model called the 105 which was completely different) installed on January 22, 1927. It was Wurlitzer Opus 1562, and its current whereabouts are unknown.
The 105 had a piano console with two manuals and three ranks of pipes, and also a set of chimes, but no other percussions besides the piano, and no traps. Not very theatrical!
Does anyone know what happened to this organ and where it (or its parts) are today?
Also, does anyone know what kind of music the Dixie had before it got the Wurlitzer theatre organ in 1927? Did it have some kind of photoplayer (quite likely), or maybe an orchestrion which played continuously (unsynchronized with the picture)??? If so, does anybody know what happened to that instrument?
Further per the database, in-between the Wurlitzer 135F and the Robert-Morton 23N, the Empress had a Wurlitzer D Special theatre pipe organ (the standard model D had two manuals and six ranks, and a horseshoe console; this D special may have had an extra rank, or percussion, or something), opus 837, installed on May 29, 1924.
This is likely the instrument the theatre owners purchased as a trade-up from the old 135F organ, which is why the former was repossessed by Wurlitzer (taken in on trade).
This makes for a natural progression of instruments:
1921: Wurlitzer 135F
(two manual, four rank, piano console);
1924: Wurlitzer D Special
(two manual, at least six rank, horseshoe console);
According to the TheatreOrgans.com
Searchable Opus List Database,
the Eastern Theatre had a two manual, 12 rank Moller organ, opus 2942, installed in 1920 at the cost of $6100.00. Actually, this was a rebuild of an existing “Winder” (sic as per website) organ. I don’t know what happened to this instrument.
According to the TheatreOrgans.com
Searchable Opus List Database,
the Empress Theatre had a Wurlitzer model 135F theatre pipe organ (I don’t know what the “F” suffix means, but a 135 was a two manual, four rank piano console instrument), Opus 381, installed on January 7, 1921.
This organ was later repossessed by Wurlitzer, and a three manual, 12 rank Robert Morton theatre pipe organ (style 23N, opus 2401) was installed in the theatre in 1928.
I don’t know what happened to Wurlitzer Opus 381 after it was repossessed by the company, but the Robert-Morton organ opus 2401 was moved to a private residence in Cincinnati and expanded to 15 ranks, where it was playing as of October 25, 1998. I don’t know it’s current status.
According to Mr. Q. David Bowers' “Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments” page 551, the “Broadway” theatre in Reidsville was at one time equipped with a Reproduco organ (or piano/organ) made by the Operators Piano Co. of Chicago.
Most pertinently to my own interests, did anybody make any attempt to remove what remained of the original Hilgreen-Lane pipe organ before the theatre was demolished? I’m sorry I first learned about the existence of this theatre and organ only one month ago… had I known of it two years ago (or even one year ago), I just might have tried to get a plane to Youngstown, get permission to remove the organ, taken it out and put it in a big 15' or 20' truck to take home. (If the organ still exists and is still available, let me know!)
Although definitely in bad shape judging from the photos (with many pipes missing, probably liberated by the “midnight organ supply” whom I hope are traceable local organbuilders/enthusiasts, since only a complete moron would try to loot old metal organ pipes which are a mixture of lead and tin and thus worth far more for musical and intrinsic purposes than recycling value), the organ does/did NOT appear to be unrestorable to me based upon the photos… my friend Robert Loeffler in Florida (Robert’s Musical Restorations) as well as other fine American restorers, have restored pianos and automatic musical instruments (including some pipe organs) in FAR WORSE shape than this, with many more parts missing.
The question is how much do you want to pay, and how much work are you willing to do in the restoration. (And somebody who really cares about the instruments, won’t give a damn about the additional cost of a good, proper restoration by a legitimate restorer, beyond the value added to the instrument, since they are in it for the music, not the money).
Also, a dedicated and determined amateur, with not a lot of money, can still restore almost anything provided that they CARE about the original instrument, research it thoroughly, obtain the correct restoration materials and use good techniques to avoid ruining the originality of the instrument.
This is really sad, a (previously-unknown?) remaining original-installation organ in a theatre, with the theatre demolished this year, in 2013!
I do hope some attempt was made to save this organ.
I have read most of the comments and it sounds like what has happened with this theatre and the town of Youngstown in general has been very sad. I would hope that, with what money and skills they have, the people of Youngstown would come together and get the town back on track to a great place instead of being doom and gloom and all depressed (I’m ignorant and generalizing here based upon stuff on the internet; I’ve never actually been to Youngstown).
But I do understand how hard it is to raise a huge amount of money to restore an old theatre, and also, once the theatre is restored, to open it and run it, whether as a performing arts venue, or art-house movie theatre, or what have you.
Were the folks who really cared about this place allowed to go in (with safety officials present for protection, of course) and pull out the remaining fixtures in the theatre (seats, lighting, props, etc. etc.) before the shell was demolished? Or did all remaining items go down with the theatre building?
It would be nice if, as part of the theatre renovation, they could buy back the original organ! It is currently listed for sale by a gentleman up in Washington state:
There is an interesting mention of this theatre, and apparently, its Fotoplayer, in the “Music Trade Review” magazine of April 21, 1917 (Volume 64, No. 16, pg. 41). I have transcribed the article below.
Due to the wording of the letter, and the mention, by the author, of an “Empire Theatre” located in “Hartford” (was there really such a theatre, and is it anywhere on the Cinema Treasures website?), I am wondering whether the New York branch office of the American Photo Player Co. made a mistake and possibly sent the wrong letter of praise (from the wrong theatre) for the MTR blurb?
Anyway, here’s the article, enjoy!
PRAISE FOR THE FOTOPLAYER
Owner of Keeney’s Majestic Theatre Tells of Satisfaction Produced by That Instrument
The Photo Player Co., of New York, local representative for the American Photo Player Co., recently sold an instrument to Keeney’s Majestic Theatre, New Britain, Conn., and in response to their inquiry regarding the service it is giving, P. S. McMahon, owner of the theatre, wrote the company praising the Fotoplayer as follows: “Answering your inquiry as to the results I have obtained in the Empire Theatre, at Hartford [sic!], since installing the Fotoplayer, I want to frankly admit the results have greatly surprised me. "Prior to installing the Fotoplayer, on June 20, I used a five-piece orchestra and I figured that the saving on the orchestra expense would, within a year’s time, pay for the cost of the instrument.
To my surprise, I want to confess that since installing the Fotoplayer, I not alone have saved my orchestra expense but my business has shown a healthy increase over all of the previous records. "I find that with the use of the Fotoplayer, our music fits the picture and that is something we had not been able to accomplish when we had the orchestra for they would invariably play a tune clear through, then rest, start another tune, followed by another rest. I shall take pleasure in having you refer any theatre owners to me as I will always be glad to say a good word about the Fotoplayer. With best regards, I am, Yours very truly, ”(Signed) Patrick S. McMahon."
Andrew’s Note: according to the TheatreOrgans dot com searchable online database of original organ installations, the Palace (Palmer) Theatre in New Britain had a 3 manual, 8 rank Austin pipe organ, opus 1458, installed in 1926. This organ had a blower serial # of 19066, and it cost $8,950 in 1926. I have no idea what happened to this organ, but I hope it still exists somewhere.
Since the Austin organ company still exists and is still in business, they might have more information, not only on the specifications of this particular organ they built, but also (possibly) some information on the previously-installed American Fotoplayer in this theatre, which could possibly have been traded in to Austin as partial payment for the organ.
The “Music Trade Review” magazine of June 3, 1916, Volume 62, Number 23, page 92, has an interesting item mentioning the Starland Theatre and its Fotoplayer.
“PRAISE FOR THE FOTOPLAYER”
Interesting Letters sent to W. J. Dyer & Bros.
in Which This Instrument Is Highly Extolled
The American Fotoplayer Co., New York, received this week a copy of the following interesting letter recently sent to W. J. Dyer & Bros., Fotoplayer representatives, by C. W. Sawin, branch manager of Vitagraph-Lubin-Selig-Essanay, Inc. “When you called me by phone and invited me to St. Paul to hear the Fotoplayer in connection with the ‘Battle Cry of Peace’ in the Starland Theatre of your city, I really thought that I should be wasting time, for I have heard so many instruments in picture theatres which were complete failures so far as playing the pictures was concerned that I could not conceive of an instrument under the control of a single operator bring out the details of a gigantic production like the ‘Battle Cry of Peace.’ "I must confess, however, that the Fotoplayer as used in connection with the ‘Battle Cry of Peace’ at the Starland Theatre proved a revelation to me.
I could hardly realize that bugle calls, fife and drum corps, pistol shots, exploding of shells, booming of cannons, etc., etc., could be brought out so vividly, and I have change [sic] my views in regard to the possibility of the Fotoplayer. The Fotoplayer is not only a wonderful instrument but a marked success in bringing out picture detail and I can unhesitatingly recommend it to theatre-owners.”
Unfortunately, the model of the instrument wasn’t mentioned in the little article/letter cited above, but I would bet that, judging from the Cinema Treasures description of this theatre, it was one of their larger models, probably (though not necessarily) a model 40, 45, or 50.
Also unfortunately, the name of the talented person/musician who played this Fotoplayer in this theatre for the “Battle Cry of Freedom” was also omitted, for whatever reason. I think this a great shame, since the Fotoplayer requires a talented operator to make good music and good accompaniment. Does anyone know the names of any musicians who played at the Starland Theatre, even after the 1916 period?
Despite the sad end to this theatre, there is a very slim chance this Fotoplayer still exists somewhere, since it was most likely traded in to Kilgen in 1917 when they installed their theatre pipe organ in this same theatre. Fortunately, the Kilgen factory records still exist (somewhere) and are likely to record the trade-in and probably also subsequent resale of this particular Fotoplayer to another theatre.
According to the TheatreOrgans dot com online database of original organ installations, the Jennings Theatre had a 2 manual, 16 rank Hillgreen-Lane theatre pipe organ, opus 471, installed in 1917 at a cost of $5,500. The blower serial number was 8024. Does anybody know what happened to this organ and where it (or parts of it) are today?
OH WAIT I just noticed that this theatre was built in 1924. D'oh! Was there another “Saenger” or “Saeger” theatre in Texarkana in 1916???
According to the TheatreOrgans dot com online searchable database of organ installations, the Saenger Theatre in Texarkana originally had a 2/8 Hillgreen-Lane theatre pipe organ, opus 424, installed in 1916 at a cost of $2,475. It is possible that the Robert-Morton later replaced it.
[note: in this entry, “Saenger” is misspelled “Saeger”, which is why you probably couldn’t find it, Lost Memory]
I would love to know what happened to both organs! The earlier organ’s blower # was 6827, if that helps.
According to Peter Beames' Wurlitzer Opus List on the TheatreOrgans dot com website,
The Renaissance/Ohio Theatre in Mansfield has a Wurlitzer “Special” model theatre pipe organ of 3 manuals, Opus 997, which was originally installed in the Warner Brothers Studio in Los Angeles, CA (ship date January 30, 1929). It apparently passed through the hands of many owners before arriving here, and is reportedly “OK”. Anyone with more current info on the organ is invited to post here (although I do like that “theatre organ concerts” are mentioned amongst the activities at the theatre at the top of this page, suggesting that it’s still in use).
According to the same website’s list of Original Organ Installations, the Ohio Theatre originally had a Kimball theatre pipe organ of 3 manuals and 9 ranks, opus KPO7029, installed in 1928.
Does this latter organ still exist, and where is it (or its parts) today? Thanks!
According to Peter Beames' Wurlitzer Opus List on the TheatreOrgans dot com website,
The Madison Theatre in Mansfield had a Wurlitzer style B X theatre pipe organ, opus 1822
(2 manuals, 4 ranks, two chambers) installed circa 1928 or 1929 (shipped from the Wurlitzer factory on December 23, 1927).
Given what kencmcintyre has written about the “Old Opera House” or “Madison Theatre” going up in smoke in February of 1929, could this organ have been destroyed in the fire? Did the later Madison Theatre have an organ, or not? (I wouldn’t think so, given that opened in 1930, by which time sound movies were underway). Does anybody know for sure what happened to this organ? Thanks!
According to the TheatreOrgans.com Searchable Opus List Database of original theatre organ installations, the Linden Theatre had a Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ, model 109CC, opus 1876, installed on May 10, 1928. The regular model 109 was a piano-console instrument having two manuals, three ranks, four tuned percussions (including the piano built into the console) and 17 traps and sound effects.
However, the “CC” suffix might indicate “curved console”. If true, that would mean this organ was equipped with a horseshoe console rather than a piano console (the piano, if present, would then be played electro-pneumatically at some distance from the horseshoe console).
It’s too bad to hear this theatre burned down (or, perhaps, was gutted by fire?). If the organ was still there, this would have surely destroyed it. However, perhaps the organ was removed earlier, when talking pictures came in.
Does anybody know the whereabouts today of Wurlitzer Opus 1876, or its parts?
What a wonderful building! I do wish it and the proprietors (and performers etc) all the best success in future endeavors with this magnificent theatre.
According to the TheatreOrgans.com Searchable Opus List Database of original organ installations, the Ogden (Lincoln) theatre had a Robert-Morton three manual, nine rank theatre pipe organ installed in 1928. I have no idea where it is now.
I do hope someone knows what happened to the organ and where it (or at least its parts) are today.
This would be a wonderful theatre to have an organ re-installed (especially the original one).
According to the TheatreOrgans.com Searchable Opus List Database of original organ installations,
the Hill Top [sic] theatre had a 3 manual, 16 rank Moller organ, opus 3161, installed in 1921 at a cost of $9625.00. It appears to have been a sister organ to opus 3160, which was installed at the same time in the State Theatre in Columbus.
Does anyone know what became of this organ (Moller opus 3161) or its parts?
This is wonderful what is happening with this theatre. I wish it and the owners, performers and patrons all the best and continued success in this endeavor!
According to the TheatreOrgans.com Searchable Opus List Database of original installations, the Garden Theatre had a Wurlitzer model D theatre pipe organ, opus 1508, installed on November 15, 1926.
The D had two manuals and six ranks (with a horseshoe console), also featuring four tuned percussions and 20 traps and sound effects.
This model is considered by some aficionados to be one of the most versatile of the small Wurlitzer theatre pipe organs, not requiring any “hot-rodding” or expansion to suit their tastes.
Anyway, this organ was, at some point, repossessed by Wurlitzer, and the last I know of it, it was installed in the residence of a Mr. Howard Hundley in Charleston, West Virginia (as of January 13, 1933). I do not know if it is still there, or where it is now, although I would love to hear from anyone else with knowledge of the present-day whereabouts of this organ, or at least of its parts.
Dear Lost Memory, thanks for the awesome photo of the Colonial Theatre! It looked like it was really cool! Here’s the updated link in case someone wants to see it:
http://goo.gl/T1f3Q
According to the TheatreOrgans.com Searchable Online Database of original installations, the Colonial Theatre had a Wurlitzer style V theatre pipe organ, Opus 101, installed on September 23, 1916.
The style V was a piano-console instrument with two manuals and eight ranks, plus two tuned percussions (cathedral chimes, and then the piano).
It did not feature any other tuned or untuned percussions, so possibly the pianist/organist who played the instrument worked as a duo with a live drummer/sound effects man (who was quite common in theatres during this period anyway) to provide appropriate noises for the pictures. This is my theory, anyway!
Does anyone know what became of Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ Opus 101? Its fate or current status is listed as “unknown” in the database.
According to the TheatreOrgans.com Searchable Opus List Database,
the Columbia Theatre had a Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ, style B Special, Opus 1260, installed on January 30, 1926. The “Special” could mean a number of things including an additional pipe rank, percussion, or other options special-ordered by the customer.
However, the standard model B featured two manuals and four ranks (having a horseshoe console), plus three tuned percussions and 17 traps and sound effects.
I am not sure what music the theatre had before getting the Wurlitzer, but it is likely they had some kind of photoplayer, which Wurlitzer may have taken in as a partial trade-in towards the new organ.
The database says that it is unknown what became of the Wurlitzer organ, opus 1260. Does anyone know where this organ, or its parts, is today?
According to the TheatreOrgans.com Searchable Opus List Database,
the Alhambra Theatre had a Wurlitzer model 135A theatre pipe organ installed on June 15, 1920, which was Wurlitzer opus 323.
I am not sure what the “A” suffix means, but the 135 was a piano-console instrument which had two manuals and four ranks, as well as four tuned percussions (bells, xylophone, and chimes in addition to the piano) and 17 traps and sound effects.
I wonder how the organ was installed in this open-air house, and also what music they had in the three or four years before it was installed.
Perhaps they did a similar thing as to an Airdome theatre elsewhere, and had some kind of orchestrion like a Wurlitzer PianOrchestra providing music from a barn- or shed-like enclosure with doors on the front to protect from the weather.
The database says that it is unknown what became of the Wurlitzer opus 323. Does anyone know where it, or its parts, are today?
According to the TheatreOrgans.com Searchable Opus List Database, the Dixie Theatre had a Wurlitzer model 105 theatre pipe organ (yes theatre organ, although there was a also a popular band organ model called the 105 which was completely different) installed on January 22, 1927. It was Wurlitzer Opus 1562, and its current whereabouts are unknown.
The 105 had a piano console with two manuals and three ranks of pipes, and also a set of chimes, but no other percussions besides the piano, and no traps. Not very theatrical!
Does anyone know what happened to this organ and where it (or its parts) are today?
Also, does anyone know what kind of music the Dixie had before it got the Wurlitzer theatre organ in 1927? Did it have some kind of photoplayer (quite likely), or maybe an orchestrion which played continuously (unsynchronized with the picture)??? If so, does anybody know what happened to that instrument?
Further per the database, in-between the Wurlitzer 135F and the Robert-Morton 23N, the Empress had a Wurlitzer D Special theatre pipe organ (the standard model D had two manuals and six ranks, and a horseshoe console; this D special may have had an extra rank, or percussion, or something), opus 837, installed on May 29, 1924.
This is likely the instrument the theatre owners purchased as a trade-up from the old 135F organ, which is why the former was repossessed by Wurlitzer (taken in on trade).
This makes for a natural progression of instruments:
1921: Wurlitzer 135F (two manual, four rank, piano console);
1924: Wurlitzer D Special (two manual, at least six rank, horseshoe console);
1928: Robert-Morton 23N (three manual, 12 rank, horseshoe console).
I don’t know what happened to the Wurlitzer D Special opus 837, perhaps someone else does?
According to the TheatreOrgans.com Searchable Opus List Database,
the Eastern Theatre had a two manual, 12 rank Moller organ, opus 2942, installed in 1920 at the cost of $6100.00. Actually, this was a rebuild of an existing “Winder” (sic as per website) organ. I don’t know what happened to this instrument.
Maybe someone else on here does?
According to the TheatreOrgans.com Searchable Opus List Database,
the Empress Theatre had a Wurlitzer model 135F theatre pipe organ (I don’t know what the “F” suffix means, but a 135 was a two manual, four rank piano console instrument), Opus 381, installed on January 7, 1921.
This organ was later repossessed by Wurlitzer, and a three manual, 12 rank Robert Morton theatre pipe organ (style 23N, opus 2401) was installed in the theatre in 1928.
I don’t know what happened to Wurlitzer Opus 381 after it was repossessed by the company, but the Robert-Morton organ opus 2401 was moved to a private residence in Cincinnati and expanded to 15 ranks, where it was playing as of October 25, 1998. I don’t know it’s current status.
Thanks for creating this page!
According to Mr. Q. David Bowers' “Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments” page 551, the “Broadway” theatre in Reidsville was at one time equipped with a Reproduco organ (or piano/organ) made by the Operators Piano Co. of Chicago.
Most pertinently to my own interests, did anybody make any attempt to remove what remained of the original Hilgreen-Lane pipe organ before the theatre was demolished? I’m sorry I first learned about the existence of this theatre and organ only one month ago… had I known of it two years ago (or even one year ago), I just might have tried to get a plane to Youngstown, get permission to remove the organ, taken it out and put it in a big 15' or 20' truck to take home. (If the organ still exists and is still available, let me know!)
Although definitely in bad shape judging from the photos (with many pipes missing, probably liberated by the “midnight organ supply” whom I hope are traceable local organbuilders/enthusiasts, since only a complete moron would try to loot old metal organ pipes which are a mixture of lead and tin and thus worth far more for musical and intrinsic purposes than recycling value), the organ does/did NOT appear to be unrestorable to me based upon the photos… my friend Robert Loeffler in Florida (Robert’s Musical Restorations) as well as other fine American restorers, have restored pianos and automatic musical instruments (including some pipe organs) in FAR WORSE shape than this, with many more parts missing.
The question is how much do you want to pay, and how much work are you willing to do in the restoration. (And somebody who really cares about the instruments, won’t give a damn about the additional cost of a good, proper restoration by a legitimate restorer, beyond the value added to the instrument, since they are in it for the music, not the money).
Also, a dedicated and determined amateur, with not a lot of money, can still restore almost anything provided that they CARE about the original instrument, research it thoroughly, obtain the correct restoration materials and use good techniques to avoid ruining the originality of the instrument.
This is really sad, a (previously-unknown?) remaining original-installation organ in a theatre, with the theatre demolished this year, in 2013!
I do hope some attempt was made to save this organ.
I have read most of the comments and it sounds like what has happened with this theatre and the town of Youngstown in general has been very sad. I would hope that, with what money and skills they have, the people of Youngstown would come together and get the town back on track to a great place instead of being doom and gloom and all depressed (I’m ignorant and generalizing here based upon stuff on the internet; I’ve never actually been to Youngstown).
But I do understand how hard it is to raise a huge amount of money to restore an old theatre, and also, once the theatre is restored, to open it and run it, whether as a performing arts venue, or art-house movie theatre, or what have you.
Were the folks who really cared about this place allowed to go in (with safety officials present for protection, of course) and pull out the remaining fixtures in the theatre (seats, lighting, props, etc. etc.) before the shell was demolished? Or did all remaining items go down with the theatre building?
The Link theatre organ from the Colonial Theatre is for sale! Who wants to buy it?
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AMAZING! These theatres should be restored!
It would be nice if, as part of the theatre renovation, they could buy back the original organ! It is currently listed for sale by a gentleman up in Washington state:
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Perhaps the GSTOS chapter of ATOS can get involved?
I’m sorry, my bad, wrong theatre. The theatre I mean is also called the “George W. Newman Theatre” and is in Rutherford.