Note: Not extant. Not playable. (in this location)
2007-11-28 - Identified from factory documents and publications courtesy of Stephen Schnurr. -Database Manager
2012-01-02 - Updated through online information from Jeff Scofield. -Database Manager
2024-10-03 - Located on Center Avenue at Dinwiddie Street. The Roosevelt Theatre opened February 15, 1929 with vaudeville & photoplays. The opening movie was “Docks of New York” starring George Bancroft. It was built and operated by the Hendel Corp. It was equipped with a Moller de luxe organ. An oil painting of Theodore Roosevelt, painted by artist & decorator Vincent Scatena hung in the central panel of the main lobby. The Roosevelt Theatre was still open in 1957. -- Cinema Treasures website -Paul R. Marchesano
2024-10-16 - Contract date, November 28, 1928, Rental of $12,000. Terms: one used Wurlitzer Style K, valued at $2500, when new organ is accepted by lesee, $1000 upon acceptance of new organ; and the residue of the said above rent in equal monthly installments of $283.34, for and during a period of 30 months, beginning 30 days after acceptance of organ by lesee. -Paul R. Marchesano
2024-10-16 - In addition to this being a rental contract, by the mid-1930s there were several letters regarding the settling of the account and disposition of the organ. The original owners were happy with the organ at first, talkies came along and the organ wasn't used much, then the owner, Harry Hendel (Hendel group theatre firm) didn't make rent payments and Moller were internally considering and advised to sue for rent due and sue for monthly rent payments plus interest! The theatre ownership apparently changed twice in the period the organ was installed, and there was a fire. Letters from Moller went unanswered, inquiries with the Moller representative as to "the status of the organ" are numerous. Thos. V. Conner & Sons of Ada, Ohio, wrote, in January 1938, asking for a quote as to the price for acquiring the organ. No further correspondence with Conner is extant. See DOCUMENTS tab for this entertaining scenario: 70 pages of correspondence! -Paul R. Marchesano
Pipe Analysis. unit action, 10" wind. All Drums and Traps (can be in Left if not space in Right). Accomp. manual has second touch. For detailed specification and console stoplist, see DOCUMENTS tab. Source: Factory specifications in contract
Right Chamber Tuba 16 (reg. theatre; 24 pipes offset), Tibia Clausa 16 (largest scale-heavy bass; 24 pipes offset), Violin 8 (62 scale tin), Violin Celeste 8 (64 scale tin), Kinura 8 (DUCK BILL, Jazz type), Chimes (1½" A-E, 20 notes), Orchestral Bells (single & repeat strokes, metal resonators, 37 bars)
Left Chamber Diaphone 16 (1-12 scall scale Diaphone, 13-24 heavy zinc - 38 scale, heavy common metal treble 25- 85), Concert Flute 8 (reg. scale-trebles soft), English Post Horn 8 (medium scale), Xylophone (repeat stroke only, metal resonators, 37 Bars), Chrysoglot (T.C. Harp - metal res-single stroke, 49 Bars), Vox Humana 8 (medium scale)
Traps Unit a. - Bass Drum & Small Cymbal (All Drums and Traps (can be in Left if not space in Right).), Unit b. Castanets, Triangle, Tambourine & Sleigh Bells (All Drums and Traps (can be in Left if not space in Right).), Unit c. Snare Drum, Chinese Block, Tom Tom, etc. (All Drums and Traps (can be in Left if not space in Right).)
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