A CORRECTION TO MY COMMENT ABOVE: The rebuilt console featured four manuals, controlling 28 ranks of pipes. It was rebuilt again and controlled 31 ranks.
For the record, The Roxy Theatre’s main auditorium W.W. Kimball Co. organ had a total of 34 ranks of pipes. Thirty-one were installed in chambers under the stage (which, because of the orchestra pit’s lift, hampered tonal egress); the remaining three (Trumpet Fanfare, Military Bugle and Fife) were indeed installed in the Fanfare Division, centered above the proscenium. A link at the bottom of these comments provide a definitive and well-written story about all Kimball three organs in the Roxy and their sad fate. With the exception of some choice ranks of Kimball pipes from the main organ and its five-manual console, the rest of the organs went down with the building when it was demolished in 1960. The destruction of these fine instruments was common in the 1950’s and 1960’s, resulting in very few theatre pipes organ to be found in their original installation.
The Wurlitzer organ at the Capitol was a three manual, fifteen rank instrument, not a 4m/31r. Known as a Style (model) 260, the organ chambers were installed on one side of the auditorium. When moved to Thurmont, it was combined with with another Wurlitzer from the Manos Theatre in Greensburg PA using the console from the Capitol. This console was rebuilt with manuals and eventually controlled thirty-one ranks of pipes. Its owner passed away in February 2023. The organ is now being installed in a private residence in southwest United States.
The theatre also was equipped with an M.P. Moller four manual, 39-rank theatre organ, built in 1928, opus #5315. It was the second largest Moller theatre organ ever built, behind the Atlanta Fox Moller (4m/42r) that was built in 1929, opus #5566. Sadly, the Met organ was to be donated to an institution in the western United States, but was destroyed by fire. Gladly, the Atlanta organ still lives on and is currently having its console rebuilt, with a “temporary” console standing in.
The Towson Theatre had a two-manual/four-rank Kilgen theatre organ installed for its opening. It appears to be the same as the Kilgen organ installed in the Bel Air Theatre, in Belair MD. I recall seeing a floored-over orchestra pit in front of the stage during a late 1979 visit to see “The Amityville Horrors.” There were very few Kilgen organs installed in Maryland. This is not surprising, since the largest builders of pipe organs, M.P. Moller, Inc., was located in Hagerstown, Maryland.
The Arcade did not have an organ. Having explored the entire theatre, there is no evidence that there was ever one installed. The Avon, around the corner from the Arcade, appears to have had the Kilgen organ.
According to Bynum Petty’s book, “An Organ A Day, The Enterprising Spirit of M.P. Moller,” Moller’s Opus #3306, a four manual, 50 stop, pipe organ was installed in the Majestic Theatre around 1921. The console found its way to Maryland to the home of a theatre organ enthusiast, who in turn sold it to another enthusiast, who was to install it in his home, with Moller pipe work, not from the Majestic. I helped moved the console. It was a bear to move as the exterior was solid mahogany. The interior frame was solid wood.
I last saw the console in the mid-1980’s and never saw it again. The fate of the Majestic’s pipework is unknown. The Moller was a concert type instrument, not quite the theatre organ Wurlitzer built, although it had tuned percussions and trap. Several years later, Moller would build theatre organs much like the ones built by Wurlitzer, Kimball and Robert-Morton.
RE: “In 1999, the magnificent Wurlitzer ‘Crawford Special’ 4 manual 37 rank theatre organ, which was originally installed in the much missed Fox Theatre, San Francisco, was found a new home in the El Capitan Theatre, and is now played at program breaks regularly on weekends.”
For the record, these Wurlitzers were not known offcially as “Crawford Specials,” a misnomer. After the installation of the New York Paramount’s 4m/36r, Opus 1458, the Fox Theatre chain eventually ordered 5 of these organs fo flagship theatres, thus they were dubbed “Fox Specials.” Although the Paramount organ was basically designed by Wurlitlzer, Paramount Organist Jesse Crawford did specify some of the ranks of pipe he wanted in the organ, hence the “Crawford Special” name.
The other four remaining Fox Specials were:
Opus 1894, Detroit Fox Theatre (still in situ with its slave console)
Opus 1904, Brooklyn Fox Theatre (this was a 4m/37r)
Opus 1997, Saint Louis Fox Theatre (still in situ)
Opus 2012, San Francisco Fox Theatre (in the El Capitan)
A fifth Fox Special was ordered for a Fox Theatre in Jersey City, but it was cancelled.
There was a fifth Fox flagship theatre in Atlanta, the Atlanta Fox. This Fox began life as a Shriner’s Auditorium but was taken over by Fox Theatres when the Shriners defaulted on their financing. This Fox Theatre still has its organ, a 4m/42r M.P. Möller theatre organ (Opus 5566). This organ was designed while the Shriners were still in the picture.
The Fox Specials were indeed special. All of them had a second “slave” console, a 12 note set of tuned tympani and a piano, playable from the console … not to mention the rare ranks of pipes not usually seen in most Wurlitzers.
To quote the late Ben Hall in his book, The Best Remaining Seats, a movie palace without its organ would made it as soulless as an armory. May the remaining Fox Specials and all other theatre organs installed in theatre continue to thrill audiences.
GREAT NEWS! The New York Theatre Organ Society (NYTOS) has removed the theatre’s Robert Morton Wonder Organ for a top-to-bottom as-built restoration. This was the last of Wonder Organs built by the former Robert Morton Organ Company of Van Nuys CA. NYTOS has a special website about “Restoring the Wonder.” It can be found at: http://www.restoringthewonder.org/. The website is fabulous and should not be missed. When the Morton is reinstalled in the theatre, the number of New York City’s playing theatre organ original installations will increase to three, the other two being the Radio City Music Hall (Wurlitzer) and the now being restored Brooklyn Paramount Theater (Wurlitzer).
Matt … you book is a “must buy.” The Canal Theatre opened with a Wurlitzer organ. My theatre organ group, myself included, is restoring it. This is a link sbout the organ. Some of information, particularly about the second theatre were the organ was housed is outdated. http://theatreorgans.com/freestate/where_did_this_organ_come_from.htm.
John, in a very recent conversation with Richard “Dick” Kline he shared with me that none of the combination Pistons or swell were yet working! Not fun for an organist at a large instrument!
John, you are correct. In addition to the blower being under the parking lot, the piano and the swell expression shades (which were controlled by the organist at the console for volume) went down with the building. This was shared with me by several of the crew who restored the great Kimball in the 1960’s. There was an unscrupulous organ broker who bought the organ away from that group and offered to sell at back at a huge profit. Before the broker could hear the organ when he came from the West Coast, the organ was disabled in a way so it could not be played but was unharmed. I have two copies of Leonard MacLaine recording. The off pitch couplers were often known as trick couplers. The largest Kimball, in the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall Ballroom, still has them and work.
The Center was certainly fabulous. Many years ago, information was posted about the Center’s 4 manual/34 rank Wurlitzer. I found some detailed information about it (and many other New York City theaters) on the city American Guild of Organist’s website. (http://www.nycago.org/Organs/NYC/html/CenterTheatre.html) I heard the Center organ many when it was owned by Jimmy Boyce … had a chance to play it, but never got around to it.
Mayfair: OMG, I have two copies of Melody Mac’s album. One is signed by Dottie McClain Whitcomb. BTW, the console of the Stanley Kimball organ lives on at the John Dickinson High Kimball Organ, restored to pristine condition.
It’s good to see you posting again. BTW, the Old Girl sounded in fine voice on December 19 from the front row of the First Mezzanine. Happy New Year to everyone as well.
A CORRECTION TO MY COMMENT ABOVE: The rebuilt console featured four manuals, controlling 28 ranks of pipes. It was rebuilt again and controlled 31 ranks.
For the record, The Roxy Theatre’s main auditorium W.W. Kimball Co. organ had a total of 34 ranks of pipes. Thirty-one were installed in chambers under the stage (which, because of the orchestra pit’s lift, hampered tonal egress); the remaining three (Trumpet Fanfare, Military Bugle and Fife) were indeed installed in the Fanfare Division, centered above the proscenium. A link at the bottom of these comments provide a definitive and well-written story about all Kimball three organs in the Roxy and their sad fate. With the exception of some choice ranks of Kimball pipes from the main organ and its five-manual console, the rest of the organs went down with the building when it was demolished in 1960. The destruction of these fine instruments was common in the 1950’s and 1960’s, resulting in very few theatre pipes organ to be found in their original installation.
https://journals.shareok.org/theatreorgan/issue/download/55/Theatre%20Organ%2C%20October%201970%2C%20Volume%2012%2C%20Number%205
The Wurlitzer organ at the Capitol was a three manual, fifteen rank instrument, not a 4m/31r. Known as a Style (model) 260, the organ chambers were installed on one side of the auditorium. When moved to Thurmont, it was combined with with another Wurlitzer from the Manos Theatre in Greensburg PA using the console from the Capitol. This console was rebuilt with manuals and eventually controlled thirty-one ranks of pipes. Its owner passed away in February 2023. The organ is now being installed in a private residence in southwest United States.
The theatre also was equipped with an M.P. Moller four manual, 39-rank theatre organ, built in 1928, opus #5315. It was the second largest Moller theatre organ ever built, behind the Atlanta Fox Moller (4m/42r) that was built in 1929, opus #5566. Sadly, the Met organ was to be donated to an institution in the western United States, but was destroyed by fire. Gladly, the Atlanta organ still lives on and is currently having its console rebuilt, with a “temporary” console standing in.
The Towson Theatre had a two-manual/four-rank Kilgen theatre organ installed for its opening. It appears to be the same as the Kilgen organ installed in the Bel Air Theatre, in Belair MD. I recall seeing a floored-over orchestra pit in front of the stage during a late 1979 visit to see “The Amityville Horrors.” There were very few Kilgen organs installed in Maryland. This is not surprising, since the largest builders of pipe organs, M.P. Moller, Inc., was located in Hagerstown, Maryland.
The Arcade did not have an organ. Having explored the entire theatre, there is no evidence that there was ever one installed. The Avon, around the corner from the Arcade, appears to have had the Kilgen organ.
The theatre had a 2m/3r Kilgen theatre installed in 1928. Its disposition is unknown.
According to Bynum Petty’s book, “An Organ A Day, The Enterprising Spirit of M.P. Moller,” Moller’s Opus #3306, a four manual, 50 stop, pipe organ was installed in the Majestic Theatre around 1921. The console found its way to Maryland to the home of a theatre organ enthusiast, who in turn sold it to another enthusiast, who was to install it in his home, with Moller pipe work, not from the Majestic. I helped moved the console. It was a bear to move as the exterior was solid mahogany. The interior frame was solid wood.
I last saw the console in the mid-1980’s and never saw it again. The fate of the Majestic’s pipework is unknown. The Moller was a concert type instrument, not quite the theatre organ Wurlitzer built, although it had tuned percussions and trap. Several years later, Moller would build theatre organs much like the ones built by Wurlitzer, Kimball and Robert-Morton.
RE: “In 1999, the magnificent Wurlitzer ‘Crawford Special’ 4 manual 37 rank theatre organ, which was originally installed in the much missed Fox Theatre, San Francisco, was found a new home in the El Capitan Theatre, and is now played at program breaks regularly on weekends.”
For the record, these Wurlitzers were not known offcially as “Crawford Specials,” a misnomer. After the installation of the New York Paramount’s 4m/36r, Opus 1458, the Fox Theatre chain eventually ordered 5 of these organs fo flagship theatres, thus they were dubbed “Fox Specials.” Although the Paramount organ was basically designed by Wurlitlzer, Paramount Organist Jesse Crawford did specify some of the ranks of pipe he wanted in the organ, hence the “Crawford Special” name.
The other four remaining Fox Specials were: Opus 1894, Detroit Fox Theatre (still in situ with its slave console) Opus 1904, Brooklyn Fox Theatre (this was a 4m/37r) Opus 1997, Saint Louis Fox Theatre (still in situ) Opus 2012, San Francisco Fox Theatre (in the El Capitan) A fifth Fox Special was ordered for a Fox Theatre in Jersey City, but it was cancelled.
There was a fifth Fox flagship theatre in Atlanta, the Atlanta Fox. This Fox began life as a Shriner’s Auditorium but was taken over by Fox Theatres when the Shriners defaulted on their financing. This Fox Theatre still has its organ, a 4m/42r M.P. Möller theatre organ (Opus 5566). This organ was designed while the Shriners were still in the picture.
The Fox Specials were indeed special. All of them had a second “slave” console, a 12 note set of tuned tympani and a piano, playable from the console … not to mention the rare ranks of pipes not usually seen in most Wurlitzers.
To quote the late Ben Hall in his book, The Best Remaining Seats, a movie palace without its organ would made it as soulless as an armory. May the remaining Fox Specials and all other theatre organs installed in theatre continue to thrill audiences.
GREAT NEWS! The New York Theatre Organ Society (NYTOS) has removed the theatre’s Robert Morton Wonder Organ for a top-to-bottom as-built restoration. This was the last of Wonder Organs built by the former Robert Morton Organ Company of Van Nuys CA. NYTOS has a special website about “Restoring the Wonder.” It can be found at: http://www.restoringthewonder.org/. The website is fabulous and should not be missed. When the Morton is reinstalled in the theatre, the number of New York City’s playing theatre organ original installations will increase to three, the other two being the Radio City Music Hall (Wurlitzer) and the now being restored Brooklyn Paramount Theater (Wurlitzer).
Matt, you are welcome. Work continues every week on restoring the organ. However, a larger on is being rebuilt … with four keyboards.
Matt … you book is a “must buy.” The Canal Theatre opened with a Wurlitzer organ. My theatre organ group, myself included, is restoring it. This is a link sbout the organ. Some of information, particularly about the second theatre were the organ was housed is outdated. http://theatreorgans.com/freestate/where_did_this_organ_come_from.htm.
John, in a very recent conversation with Richard “Dick” Kline he shared with me that none of the combination Pistons or swell were yet working! Not fun for an organist at a large instrument!
John, you are correct. In addition to the blower being under the parking lot, the piano and the swell expression shades (which were controlled by the organist at the console for volume) went down with the building. This was shared with me by several of the crew who restored the great Kimball in the 1960’s. There was an unscrupulous organ broker who bought the organ away from that group and offered to sell at back at a huge profit. Before the broker could hear the organ when he came from the West Coast, the organ was disabled in a way so it could not be played but was unharmed. I have two copies of Leonard MacLaine recording. The off pitch couplers were often known as trick couplers. The largest Kimball, in the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall Ballroom, still has them and work.
The Center was certainly fabulous. Many years ago, information was posted about the Center’s 4 manual/34 rank Wurlitzer. I found some detailed information about it (and many other New York City theaters) on the city American Guild of Organist’s website. (http://www.nycago.org/Organs/NYC/html/CenterTheatre.html) I heard the Center organ many when it was owned by Jimmy Boyce … had a chance to play it, but never got around to it.
Mayfair: OMG, I have two copies of Melody Mac’s album. One is signed by Dottie McClain Whitcomb. BTW, the console of the Stanley Kimball organ lives on at the John Dickinson High Kimball Organ, restored to pristine condition.
Denpiano,
It’s good to see you posting again. BTW, the Old Girl sounded in fine voice on December 19 from the front row of the First Mezzanine. Happy New Year to everyone as well.