Wurlitzer opus 2139

A Measure of Worth

There was a time . . .

There was a time when a trip to the cinema meant an afternoon or evening of full entertainment. It started when you entered the lavish foyer, often of art deco architecture, and then passed into the cavernous auditorium, some with three thousand seats or more. As you took your seat you were preoccupied with decorations so ornate that it required numerous visits to take it all in.

Suddenly, as the lights dimmed, your whole body began to throb with low bass notes as a spotlight focused your attention on an astonishing organ console which slowly rose out of the orchestra pit to stage level. The sounds rose with it, usually the well-known theme tune of the house organist.

The music, some so very familiar, some spectacular or moving, was enriched by the skill and particular style of the organist. For the next half hour or so, the organ entertained and drew your attention away from all your cares. As the selections reached their climax, the console sank back out of sight, the curtains parted, and the film began.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictured above is the 3400-seat Trocadero Cinema at the Elephant and Castle, SE1, in 1930. The console of Wurlitzer Opus 2139 sits at the left of the stage, in the corner of the orchestra pit.

Frequently, the film was interrupted for an intermission, during which the organ console returned into view with more music and, at times, perhaps a sing-along or other live entertainment with organ accompaniment. When the film ended, the organ returned to play the audience out. Now that’s what you call entertainment! In those days, the reputation of the organist filled seats as much as the popularity of the feature film, and cinema organ interludes were broadcast live on the wireless in their own right.