WOR Radio Studio

1440 Broadway (in 1935)
New York, N.Y. 10018


WOR began broadcasting from the 6th floor of Bamberger's Department Store at 131 Market Street in Newark, N.J. WOR was the only station to broadcast on Christmas Day 1922, and thus was the first sound heard by those who found a crystal set under the tree that year. In December 1924, WOR added a studio in Manhattan, on the 9th floor of Chickering Hall at 27 West 57th Street. Later that year, the station moved its New York studio to 1440 Broadway, two blocks from Times Square. In the autumn of 1934, WOR formed the Mutual Broadcasting System. Additional studios were built at the New Amsterdam Theatre and the converted Guild and Longacre Theatres in the Times Square district. Alot of best-known dramatic programs originated from WOR's studios, including "The Shadow", "Nick Carter, Private Detective" and "True Detective Mysteries."
           
Wurlitzer Organ Company
North Tonawanda, N.Y. – Opus 1818 (1927)
Electro-pneumatic action
Style E
2 manuals, 7 ranks


This organ was originally installed in the Terrace Theatre at 361 West 23rd Street in 1927, and was moved to the WOR Radio Studio in 1935.
           
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 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.
     New Jersey Radio Museum website: http://www.angelfire.com/nj2/piratejim/nycamhistory.html