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Ridgewood Theatre (1918) |
Ridgewood Theatre
55-27 Myrtle Avenue
Ridgewood (Queens), N.Y. 11385
"The Ridgewood Theater, constructed in 1916 in the rapidly developing section of Ridgewood, was designed by prominent theater architect Thomas Lamb. The theater is located on Myrtle Avenue, the area’s major commercial thoroughfare, contributing to the creation of a town center for the residents who were moving into the nearby rowhouse developments. This building was constructed during the earliest period of the development of the movie theater as a building type, and was part of the industry’s efforts to bring this new and exciting form of entertainment to small towns and local communities throughout the country. This theater showed movies continuously for more than 90 years, retaining its original use through numerous changes in the presentation of movies and the interior environment of the theater, including the addition of sound for “talkies,” and in spite of the competition provided by television and other forms of entertainment. It was one of the longest-running movie theaters in the country when it closed in March, 2008.
"The theater’s façade displays the Beaux-Arts training and skills of architect Thomas Lamb in its straightforward design enhanced with classical and geometric elements such as pilasters and heavily encrusted shields, created in glazed terra cotta. The building retains a strong presence on the street as it rises above the neighboring structures, with its name carved onto the building and its large projecting marquee advertising the wonders within. The Ridgewood Theater’s impressive white façade has helped it stand out from its neighbors, and makes it as attractive to local residents today as when it was constructed. The Ridgewood Theatre was given Landmark status on January 12, 2010."
NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission Report, Jan. 10, 2010 |
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M.P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus 2408 (1917)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 34 stops, 16 ranks
In 1917, M.P. Möller of Hagerstown, Md., installed an organ in the Ridgewood Theatre at a cost of $5,250. This instrument was one of the Möller firm's standard theatre organ models having three manuals and 16 ranks. The following specification is from the contract for Op. 2492 (1918), another 3/16 Möller installed in Loew's Bijou Theatre in Brooklyn. |
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Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
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16 |
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Violin Diapason (TC) |
73 |
2 |
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Piccolo [Fl. Harm.] |
OR |
8 |
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Open Diapason |
85 |
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Mixture III ranks |
derived |
8 |
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Viol d'Orchestre |
73 |
16 |
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Bass Clarinet (TC) |
OR |
8 |
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Doppel Flute |
73 |
8 |
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French Horn |
73 |
4 |
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Octave [Op. Diap.] |
— |
4 |
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Octave Horn |
— |
4 |
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Zart Flute [Quintadena] |
OR |
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| Cathedral Chimes |
20 Notes |
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Orchestral Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
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8 |
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Violin Diapason |
GT |
4 |
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Flute Harmonic |
73 |
8 |
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Horn Diapason (syn) |
— |
16 |
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Fagotto (TC) |
— |
8 |
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Quintadena |
73 |
8 |
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Orchestral Oboe |
73 |
8 |
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Viol d'Orchestre |
GT |
8 |
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Clarinet |
73 |
8 |
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Viol Celeste (TC) |
73 |
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Solo Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
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8 |
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Gross Flute |
85 |
4 |
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Gemshorn (TG) |
— |
8 |
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Concert Flute |
73 |
16 |
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Bass Tuba (TC) |
— |
8 |
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Gemshorn |
85 |
8 |
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Tuba |
73 |
8 |
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Violoncello |
73 |
8 |
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Vox Humana |
73 |
4 |
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Flute Overte (TG) [Gross Fl.] |
— |
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Pedal Organ – 32 notes
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16 |
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Sub Bass (ext. Gross Fl.) |
12 |
8 |
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Violoncello |
SO |
16 |
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Gemshorn (ext.) |
12 |
8 |
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Flute |
SO |
16 |
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Lieblich Gedeckt [lo-press.] |
— |
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Couplers
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Great to Pedal 8', 4' |
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Orch. to Solo |
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Orch. to Pedal 8' |
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Solo to Orch. 8' 8' |
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Solo to Pedal 8' |
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Great 4' |
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Orch. to Great 16', 8', 4' |
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Orch. 16', 4' |
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Solo. to Great 16', 8', 4' |
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Solo 16', 4' |
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Mechanicals
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Orchestral Tremulant |
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Crescendo Indicator |
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Solo Tremulant |
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Adjustable Combinations
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| Orchestral Organ |
Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb) |
| Great Organ |
Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb) |
| Solo Organ |
Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb) |
| Pedal Organ |
Pistons 1-2-3 (thumb) |
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Piston Couplers
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Corresponding Orchestral and Solo Pistons to Great Pistons |
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Corresponding Pedal Pistons to Manual Pistons |
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Pedal Movements
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Balanced Solo Pedal |
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Great to Pedal Reversible |
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Balanced Orchestral Pedal |
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Orchestral to Pedal Reversible |
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Grand Crescendo Pedal |
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Thunder Pedal |
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Sources:
Cinema Treasures web site: http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/4021
Junchen, David L. Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ, Vol. 1. Pasadena: Showcase Publications, 1985.
M.P. Möller, Inc. Agreement (Apr. 1, 1918) of M.P. Möller organ, Op. 2492 (1918). Courtesy Larry Trupiano.
"Ridgewood Theatre Building," NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission Report (Jan. 12, 2010).
Illustrations:
Brazee, Christopher D. Exterior (2009). Landmarks Preservation Commission Report (Jan. 12, 2010). |
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