The Wurlitzer was a Style 240 – it had a Horn Diapason. There was also a sound effect labeled at the console as “AEROPLANE.” This was a single diaphone valve assembly with a simple conical resonator. It was located in the Solo chamber – house left.
The console was covered in Gesso and painted gold at the time of removal. At one time, it was white with a 1.5" red border around the lid and the sides had gipsum board ‘pilasters’ on the upper sides. There were shields and other painted designs on the sides and corbels. These were to tie in the PALACE motif.
The following appeared in the Atlanta Chapter ATOS August 2004 Newsletter:
STRAND THEATRE RECEIVES FIRST LEAD GIFT…
John Williams of Post Properties has given the Friends of the Strand its first challenge gift of $300,000! This, along with several smaller gifts from local financial institutions and individuals, brings our contributions to just over $333,000/ The first gift, of course, was from Cooper Music. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward have also given a gift of $10,000. The building is now in the possession of the Friends with appropriate insurance purchased. A time table has been established for the theatre’s renovation and a construction management company has been hired. De’Oplossing, Inc., which has offices in Texas and Marietta, was chosen. They just completed a $1-million conversion of the old Coca-Cola bottling plan on Roswell Street, across from the National Cemetery, to office condos. This is their main headquarters. De’Oplossing has completed an extensive one-week building assessment and survey and has developed the following schedule:
From August, 2004 to January, 2005 will be the demolition and design stage. This will include the removal of all electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems, particularly the rood duct-work and HVAC machinery, so that major roof repairs and a new roof can be installed. RFPs for Architect services will be solicited during August, and a plan an cost-estimate for the ATOS Atlanta Chapter-owned Robert Morton organ will be developed. I have asked Pipe Organ Sales and Service’ Mr. John Tanner to develop the renovation and installation plan and cost-estimate for the organ. It is the intent of the Friends of the Strand to completely fund the organ renovation, installation, and construction of chambers and organ elevator (lift.) Also during this time, in-depth research on the interior design, color scheme, interior decoration and furnishings – to include a new stage and proscenium arch (to include stacked organ chambers on both sides) will be completed. It is our desire to restore the “look and feel†of the theatre to its original 1935 appearance, but with state-of-the-art projection, sound, lighting and to meet all current code requirements and handicapped access. Depending on cost, we may raise the roof area above the stage to “fly†the movie sheet and some lighting racks and curtains. Depending on space and budget, the Robert Morton could be enlarged to around 19 ranks with a second Tibia and Vox. Clark Wilson has given the chapter information concerning an original Robert Morton three manual console very similar to what controlled our Robert Morton when it was in the Capitol Theatre in Atlanta. It is the Paul VanDerMolen console and it ran 19 ranks. It is currently being housed in the Ohio Theatre and is for sale. It would also be completely redone.
The entire project is to be completed by early 2006.
This project will bring new life to the Marietta Square and to our cherished Robert Morton Theatre Organ.â€
(Ron Carter, Secretary to Friends of the Strand and Chairman of the Removation Committee.)
A Moller organ of 11 ranks and 3 manuals was donated to the theatre by James Thrower of Atlanta. The instrument is played by house organist, Dr. Fred Bosca.
In the 1920s, a Wurlitzer 2-manual 7-rank Style E was installed. This instrument was removed in the late 1970s and is now installed in a private residence in Marietta, GA.
This facility was re-decorated in an Art Deco style when Loew’s took over operation. The theatre was reportedly heavily damaged by fire, although the fire was in an adjacent structure. Most likely, smoke damage and the desire for the property’s prime site led to it’s demolition. A resident of S.W. Atlanta had possession of the Wurlitzer (a Style E 2-manual / 7-rank instrument.)
The above information actully refers to the Atlanta Theatre listing. The Howard was further south in ‘downtown’ Atlanta. The facade is now on the front of a private residence in middle Georgia. This theatre was in the block next to the location of De Give’s Opera House (more famously know as “Loew’s Grand” of Gone With the Wind premiere fame.)
This theatre actually started life as the “Ehrlanger” opera house. The original decor was more in the line of other period houses for operatic use. The chandeliers from the auditorium are in the former “Baptist Tabernacle” (now know as the “house of blues.” The auditorium was draped over when the cinerama system was installed. The original balcony decor remained concealed.
The Wurlitzer was a Style 240 – it had a Horn Diapason. There was also a sound effect labeled at the console as “AEROPLANE.” This was a single diaphone valve assembly with a simple conical resonator. It was located in the Solo chamber – house left.
The console was covered in Gesso and painted gold at the time of removal. At one time, it was white with a 1.5" red border around the lid and the sides had gipsum board ‘pilasters’ on the upper sides. There were shields and other painted designs on the sides and corbels. These were to tie in the PALACE motif.
01 Brass Trumpet (Solo)
02 Harmonic Tuba (Solo)
03 Diaphonic Diapason (Main)
04 Horn Diapason (Main)
05 Tibia Clausa (Solo)
06 Clarinet (Main)
07 Orchestral Oboe (Solo)
08 Solo String (Solo)
09 Viol d'Orchestra (Main)
10 Viol Celeste (Main)
11 Salicional (Main)
12 Quintadena (Solo)
13 Concert Flute (Main)
14 Vox Humana (Main)
The following appeared in the Atlanta Chapter ATOS August 2004 Newsletter:
STRAND THEATRE RECEIVES FIRST LEAD GIFT…
John Williams of Post Properties has given the Friends of the Strand its first challenge gift of $300,000! This, along with several smaller gifts from local financial institutions and individuals, brings our contributions to just over $333,000/ The first gift, of course, was from Cooper Music. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward have also given a gift of $10,000. The building is now in the possession of the Friends with appropriate insurance purchased. A time table has been established for the theatre’s renovation and a construction management company has been hired. De’Oplossing, Inc., which has offices in Texas and Marietta, was chosen. They just completed a $1-million conversion of the old Coca-Cola bottling plan on Roswell Street, across from the National Cemetery, to office condos. This is their main headquarters. De’Oplossing has completed an extensive one-week building assessment and survey and has developed the following schedule:
From August, 2004 to January, 2005 will be the demolition and design stage. This will include the removal of all electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems, particularly the rood duct-work and HVAC machinery, so that major roof repairs and a new roof can be installed. RFPs for Architect services will be solicited during August, and a plan an cost-estimate for the ATOS Atlanta Chapter-owned Robert Morton organ will be developed. I have asked Pipe Organ Sales and Service’ Mr. John Tanner to develop the renovation and installation plan and cost-estimate for the organ. It is the intent of the Friends of the Strand to completely fund the organ renovation, installation, and construction of chambers and organ elevator (lift.) Also during this time, in-depth research on the interior design, color scheme, interior decoration and furnishings – to include a new stage and proscenium arch (to include stacked organ chambers on both sides) will be completed. It is our desire to restore the “look and feel†of the theatre to its original 1935 appearance, but with state-of-the-art projection, sound, lighting and to meet all current code requirements and handicapped access. Depending on cost, we may raise the roof area above the stage to “fly†the movie sheet and some lighting racks and curtains. Depending on space and budget, the Robert Morton could be enlarged to around 19 ranks with a second Tibia and Vox. Clark Wilson has given the chapter information concerning an original Robert Morton three manual console very similar to what controlled our Robert Morton when it was in the Capitol Theatre in Atlanta. It is the Paul VanDerMolen console and it ran 19 ranks. It is currently being housed in the Ohio Theatre and is for sale. It would also be completely redone.
The entire project is to be completed by early 2006.
This project will bring new life to the Marietta Square and to our cherished Robert Morton Theatre Organ.â€
(Ron Carter, Secretary to Friends of the Strand and Chairman of the Removation Committee.)
R. McGee
Atlanta, GA
08/10/2004
A Moller organ of 11 ranks and 3 manuals was donated to the theatre by James Thrower of Atlanta. The instrument is played by house organist, Dr. Fred Bosca.
In the 1920s, a Wurlitzer 2-manual 7-rank Style E was installed. This instrument was removed in the late 1970s and is now installed in a private residence in Marietta, GA.
R. McGee
Atlanta
Sorry, the above link is for an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article.
Here is a link for an article in “The Cobb Times” publication regarding the current happenings with the Strand Theatre, Marietta, GA.
View link
The original Wurlitzer Style 235 has been donated back to the theatre and is slated for full restoration/updating and re-installation in the Lucas.
This facility was re-decorated in an Art Deco style when Loew’s took over operation. The theatre was reportedly heavily damaged by fire, although the fire was in an adjacent structure. Most likely, smoke damage and the desire for the property’s prime site led to it’s demolition. A resident of S.W. Atlanta had possession of the Wurlitzer (a Style E 2-manual / 7-rank instrument.)
The above information actully refers to the Atlanta Theatre listing. The Howard was further south in ‘downtown’ Atlanta. The facade is now on the front of a private residence in middle Georgia. This theatre was in the block next to the location of De Give’s Opera House (more famously know as “Loew’s Grand” of Gone With the Wind premiere fame.)
Here is a link to a little info about the Plaza. A photo of the main portion of the marquee is on this site.
http://www.lefonttheaters.com/aboutus.html
R. McGee
Atlanta
This theatre actually started life as the “Ehrlanger” opera house. The original decor was more in the line of other period houses for operatic use. The chandeliers from the auditorium are in the former “Baptist Tabernacle” (now know as the “house of blues.” The auditorium was draped over when the cinerama system was installed. The original balcony decor remained concealed.
R. McGee
Atlanta, GA