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Mention the names Wurlitzer, Compton, Christie, Norman & Beard, and Conn to a true theatre organ buff and you are likely to notice a faraway look appear in their eyes. They are of course re-living recent or past experiences listening to and enjoying the infinitely rich musical tones produced by the theatre & cinema organ. To many people in the UK under the age of 40, these names may mean nothing, except perhaps Wurlitzer, and even then they may think you are talking about '60 's juke boxes! Few of them have had the chance to spend an evening in a cinema seeing a magnificent theatre organ rise up on its lift through the floor and to listen to one of the many talented organists playing the instrument, before enjoying the rest of the evening watching the stars of the silver screen. Organists of that era who come to mind are Robin Richmond, Bobby Pagan, George Blackmore, and Ena Baga, to name but a few.

The demise of the cinema organ in the UK began in a small way during the early 1960's due to rising costs and falling patronage following the introduction of television. This process culminated in the mid 1970' s with acts of mass mindless vandalism by builders and

" developers " ripping out theatre organs from cinemas and theatres, and converting the buildings into tacky "bingo halls". Now, inside these buildings where once the walls rang to the ample sounds of rich organ music and the voices of the movie stars of the day, there is silence broken only by the numerical chanting of the caller and the occasional shout of " Full House" from an excited bingo-player !

All is not lost however, thanks to the dedication and work of many people who together formed trusts and clubs to raise the money to save many of these magnificent instruments, spending time renovating them and installing them in town halls and centres around the UK. Some private individuals have also been able to buy and install an organ on their own premises where funds and room would permit.

In the USA however, the situation has been quite different. The Americans have nurtured their love affair with the theatre organ and many are to be found preserved and installed in sports stadiums, ice rinks and theatres across the USA. I am also given to believe that some pizza parlours and diners, and even the occasional gas station has its own theatre organ, albeit in some cases an electronic model.

Chris Rolph.

Webmaster, Theatre Organ Magic ©