Jackson Theatre

40-31 82nd Street
Jackson Heights (Queens), N.Y. 11373


The 1500-seat Jackson Theatre, designed by Herbert J. Krapp, opened in the 1920s with movies only. It had no stage facilities and never presented vaudeville, though during silent days it had a resident orchestra that accompanied the movies. The Jackson was originally built and operated by Grob & Knobel, a small circuit also responsible for the Boulevard Theatre in Jackson Heights and the Sunnyside Theatre (both also designed by Herbert J. Krapp). In 1928, Grob & Knobel sold all three theatres to William Fox, who lost them in bankruptcy in 1930. In a liquidation of the Fox properties, the Jackson and Boulevard were taken over by Skouras Theatres and the Sunnyside by Century.
           
Wurlitzer Organ Company
North Tonawanda, N.Y. – Opus 907 (1924)
Electro-pneumatic action
Style E
2 manuals, 7 ranks
           
Pedal – 32 notes
16
  Diaphone
  Pedal 2nd Touch
16
  Bourdon
  Bass Drum
8
  Trumpet
  Kettle Drum
8
  Diaphonic Diapason     Crash Cymbal
8
   Tibia Clausa     Cymbal
8
   Flute      
8
   Cello      

   

   
Accompaniment (Manual I) –- 61 notes
16
  Contra Viole [TC]     Harp Chrysoglott
16
  Vox Humana [TC]     Snare Drum
8
  Trumpet     Tambourine
8
  Diaphonic Diapason     Castanets
8
  Tibia Clausa     Chinese Block
8
   Violin     Tom-Tom
8
   Violin Celeste [TC]     Sleigh Bells
8
   Concert Flute      
8
   Vox Humana     Accompaniment 2nd Touch
4
   Octave     Trumpet
4
   Piccolo     Tibia Clausa
4
   Viole     Cathedral Chimes
4
   Octave Celeste     Triangle
4
   Flute      
4
   Vox Humana      
2
   Piccolo     Five Adjustable Combination Pistons

   

   
Solo (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
  Diaphone
4
  Flute
16
  Tibia Clausa [TC]
2 2/3
   Twelfth
16
  Bourdon
2
   Piccolo
16
  Vox Humana [TC]
1 3/5
  Tierce
8
  Trumpet     Cathedral Chimes
8
   Diaphonic Diapason     Xylophone
8
   Tibia Clausa     Glockenspiel
8
   Violin     Harp Chrysoglott
8
   Violin Celeste [TC]      
8
   Concert Flute     Solo 2nd Touch
8
   Vox Humana
16
   Trumpet [TC]
4
   Octave
8
   Tibia Clausa
4
   Piccolo      
4
   Viole      
4
   Viole Celeste     Five Adjustable Combination Pistons

   

   
General
One Balanced Expression Pedal      
One General Tremulant      
One Vox Humana Tremulant      
           
Effects (operated by pistons)
Horse Hoofs Train Fire Gong (reiterating)
Surf Effect Auto Horn Steamboat Whistle
Bird Fire Gong Siren
     
Door Bell (push button)  
           
Sources:
     Cinema Treasures web site: http://www.cinematreasures.org
     Junchen, David L., comp. and ed. by Jeff Weiler. The WurliTzer Pipe Organ – An Illustrated History. Chicago: The American Theatre Organ Society, 2005.
     Kaufmann, Preston J. Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ, Vol. 3. Pasadena: Showcase Publications, 1995.