The Wurlitzer organ that was at the Odeon Cinema, Leeds.

[Leodian]

On page 13 of today's Yorkshire Evening Post there is a photo taken July 9 1968 of Arnold Loxam at the Wurlitzer organ at the Odeon Cinema (now a Primark store) on the Headrow, Leeds. In the caption to the photo is states the organ is to be retired at the end of that July and Mr Loxam will play the farewell performance and that "The organ, only one of its type in use in a British cinema, will be found a new home". Does anyone know what subsequently happened to the organ? I do (just) recall that amazing organ, which (if I remember right) rose from below the stage to be played.

[majorhoundii]

Leodian wrote: On page 13 of today's Yorkshire Evening Post there is a photo taken July 9 1968 of Arnold Loxam at the Wurlitzer organ at the Odeon Cinema (now a Primark store) on the Headrow, Leeds. In the caption to the photo is states the organ is to be retired at the end of that July and Mr Loxam will play the farewell performance and that "The organ, only one of its type in use in a British cinema, will be found a new home". Does anyone know what subsequently happened to the organ? I do (just) recall that amazing organ, which (if I remember right) rose from below the stage to be played. My late father in law was well into theatre organs, and a member of this organisation:https://www.facebook.com/events/5841679 ... 263168/The organ pictured is the Compton at Ossett Town Hall. But many organs have been preserved, I suppose some may have been canibalised to keep others going - I know the Ossett organ whilst nominally a Compton is really a bitsa. For instance the one used in the film "A Private Function" is the preserved one in the Regal Cinema at Henley on Thames.     

[Brunel]

The Wurlitzer organ at the Odeon Cinema The projectionist at the Hyde Park Picture House, might know the answer.I believe he used to service it, sometime in the 60's    

[uncle mick]

The Theatre Organ at the Odeon in 1966 Mr Chadwick a rare pictureFrom " Leeds Back In The Day" http://tinyurl.com/ot7eh7u            

[Tasa]

I have a copy of Bob Preedy's book "Leeds Cinemas 2", published in 1982, which has a photo of the organ with the caption:"The £20,000 Wurlitzer organ, removed in 1968, and now in preservation at the Thursford Steam Museum in Norfolk."It looks like it's still there:http://www.thursford.com/wurlitzer.aspxEdited to add: the organ in the link above looks white, but the one in the link below (from the organist's own website) shows it to be gold, the same as in uncle mick's photo:http://www.robertwolfe.co.uk/thursford/ ... d.htmlThis is the organ specification - I'm confused as it's white again in this photo. Perhaps it has had a repaint over the years:http://www.cinema-organs.org.uk/venues/ ... llect.html        

[Leodian]

Cheers all for your replies. There is some fascinating information on the 'Pipe Ranks' and 'Tuned Percussion' brought up Tasa through your last link.

[Tasa]

Leodian wrote: Cheers all for your replies. There is some fascinating information on the 'Pipe Ranks' and 'Tuned Percussion' brought up Tasa through your last link. Also taken from the information on that link, I like the fact that Arnold Loxam gave the first performance in the organ's new home, having given the farewell performance before it was removed from the Odeon (from your first post) I'm pleased that it went to a good home and is still appreciated by theatre organ fans.    

[uncle mick]

Posted by Kevin Moyles on Leedsface (C Memory Lane Leeds)

[raveydavey]

Fans of Wurtlitzers and the like might be interested in a BBC Radio 2 show, 'The Organist Entertains', every Tuesday evening at 9.30pm. Or whenever you like on iPlayer.www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006wr9w

[jonleeds]

How strange, just as I was reading this thread I have 'The Organist Entertains' on in the background playing a very jaunty little number! There used to be a very enthusiastic organist called 'Ray' who would play an old organ (I doubt it was a Wurlitzer, probably a Hammond) in The Dalesman public house on Butcher Hill in the late 80s / early 90s. Does anyone recall this chap? He would always look really dapper and do that swaying around thing as he played while glancing over his shoulder every now and again with a beaming grin. I bet there arent many places that still have their own electric organ like all the clubs used to have. I've seen dozens of them slung out in back alleyways over the years. What a shame.