Major Theatre
277 Canal Street at Broadway
New York, N.Y. 10013
The Major Theatre was designed by and named for David Oltarsh, who held the rank of Major in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during World War I. The 600-seat theatre, located in Chinatown, opened in 1927. It was hoped that the opening of the Holland Tunnel nearby would bring business to the only cinema in the area, but the Major proved unsuccessful. Oltarsh sold his interest, though the cinema operated under many managements after that into the 1980s.
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Wurlitzer Organ Company
North Tonawanda, N.Y. – Opus 1786 (1927)
Electro-pneumatic action
Style B
2 manuals, 4 ranks, piano console
This organ is dated November 17, 1927. |
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Pedal – 32 notes
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16 |
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Bourdon |
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Pedal 2nd Touch |
8 |
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Trumpet |
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Bass Drum |
8 |
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Flute |
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Kettle Drum |
8 |
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Cello |
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Cymbal |
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Accompaniment (Manual I) –- 61 notes
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16 |
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Contra Viole [TC] |
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Snare Drum |
16 |
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Bourdon |
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Tambourine |
8 |
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Trumpet |
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Castanets |
8 |
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Salicional |
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Chinese Block |
8 |
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Flute |
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8 |
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Vox Humana |
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Accompaniment 2nd Touch |
4 |
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Salicet |
8 |
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Trumpet |
4 |
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Flute |
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Three Adjustable Combination Pistons |
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Solo (Manual II) – 61 notes
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16 |
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Contra Viole [TC] |
2 2/3 |
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Twelfth |
16 |
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Bourdon |
2 |
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Piccolo |
16 |
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Vox Humana |
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Cathedral Chimes |
8 |
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Trumpet |
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Xylophone |
8 |
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Salicional |
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Glockenspiel |
8 |
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Flute |
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8 |
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Vox Humana |
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Solo 2nd Touch |
4 |
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Salicet |
8 |
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Trumpet |
4 |
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Flute |
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Xylophone |
4 |
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Vox Humana |
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Three Adjustable Combination Pistons |
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General
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| One Balanced Expression Pedal |
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| One General Tremulant |
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| One Vox Humana Tremulant |
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Effects
(operated by pistons)
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| Sleigh Bells |
Bird |
Fire Gong (reiterating) |
| Triangle |
Train |
Steamboat Whistle |
| Horse Hoofs |
Auto Horn |
Siren |
| Surf Effect |
Fire Gong |
Tom-Tom |
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| operated by push button: |
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| Door Bell |
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Sources:
Cinema Treasures website: 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. |
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