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Photos of Wigan
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Wigan Album

CINEMAS

16 Comments

UNKNOWN CINEMA ORGANIST 1920's?
UNKNOWN CINEMA ORGANIST 1920's?
Photo: RON HUNT
Views: 4,543
Item #: 32475
I believe this is a cinema organist from Wigan I know it's a long shot, but does anyone recognise him or know which cinema it is?

Comment by: Albert.S. on 4th June 2020 at 14:28

I can only recollect the Court Cinema having a theatre organ. That was in the forties.

Comment by: Donald Underwood on 5th June 2020 at 13:42

This must surely be from the 1920s The silent era

It is certainly not the legendary Auntie Tiny of the Scholes Picture House of whom my parents used to reminisce

Comment by: Philip G. on 5th June 2020 at 15:17

Been through loads on Google Images, and couldn't see any with a seating area surrounded by 'trellis work'.

Comment by: DerekB on 5th June 2020 at 15:45

Albert I seem to remember the Ritz cinema as well as the Court cinema having an organist.

Comment by: Allan Hilton on 5th June 2020 at 20:10

If anyone has the time theres a directory of theatre organist at essexorganmusic.com lots of photos

Comment by: Al. C. on 6th June 2020 at 08:46

Going by the hair on his upper lip he looks as if he could be a relation or admirer of Adolf Hitler.

Comment by: Poet on 6th June 2020 at 12:30

He looks like Stravinsky. Date would fit too. I wonder?

Comment by: MickLD on 6th June 2020 at 13:00

Can't help with the ID, but the sheet music on the organ - 'Donauwellen', was published by W. Paxton & Co. of New Oxford St London, in January 1933, so it looks like the pic was taken after that date.

Comment by: ken on 7th June 2020 at 14:05

Better known as The Anniversary Song is the music.

Comment by: Philip G on 7th June 2020 at 16:16

Surely 'Waves of the Danube', Ken - Waltz music sounds great on the organ. Schlagerburschi plays quite a few on his magical Tyros organ - why not give him a whirl on Youtube. Regards.

Comment by: ken on 8th June 2020 at 15:16

I knew it as as the Anniversary Song when words were added for Al Jolson.

Comment by: Philip G. on 8th June 2020 at 19:03

By Jove, Ken! you were right. Well done!

Comment by: Rev David Long on 10th June 2020 at 14:00

Perhaps the fact that it's the pre-Jolson version (dated from 1946, I think), shows the pic was taken before then.
Both the County Playhouse on King Street and the Pavilion on Library Street had theatre organs. The County one is known to be a Christie organ - but the make will probably be on the music stand - so hidden. A pic on Google shows a Christie with a similar set of railings behind the organist. I assume they were for his safety as the organ console rose from the depths to its position on the stage.

Comment by: Adrian Rose on 23rd July 2020 at 17:11

This is indeed a Christie organ.But one of only two with this style of Console.So this is either the Plaza Swansea or the Regal West Norwood.
The County Playhouse did indeed have a Christie organ-but it only had two keyboards-not three.It was taken out and literally scrapped in the early sixties.The organist most known with the County was Preston Macleod.The Ritz was due to have one,but its organ was diverted to the Ritz Richmind instead.

Comment by: Adrian Rose on 30th July 2020 at 09:56

I transpires that this organ could also be the Capitol Didsbury, Manchester. The Organist is Lewis Lawrence. He seemed to only play in the London/Kent area so it seems likely its the West Norwood organ. The Court also had an organ-a two manual Compton. Neither the County or the Court survived a visit from the Scrapman.... If the owner of the photo sees this message, would you be prepared to sell it. It would be with friends.

Comment by: D Keeling on 22nd November 2021 at 15:04

I can come Nairn that this is the Regal Norwood instrument, after very careful comparison to other pictures that I have in my collection (the tabs in the background also helping to confirm the location as well as the railings).

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