it is not well known but this mighty wurlitzer was once the organ in the fox theatre in san fransisco that was demolished in 1963. i am soo glad that they saved this work of art for future generations to enjoy.
it's great to rekindle the magic era of the theater organ. whether it be a wurlitzer, robert morton or any other theater style instrument, the mastery of wright, crawford ,ledwon.fox and a host of others bring this era to life once again. bravo to them all...
This is an amazing experience... I've seen 3 movies there and the music transports you to a different time and place. If you're ever i Hollywood, ou must take in a movie there!
This is probably many kids' (and adults') first experience with a theatre organ. A good thing, I think, that's it with one of the grand 4/36 Fox Specials and talented performers...playing without any sheet music. The electric lift and the magnificent surroundings really would drive home the power. When I'm in LA in October, I'll hope to catch a film here.
Wow that sent chills up my spine. I've never seen a build up to a movie performance like this before. I kinda wish the camera had kept rolling so I could see what movie was playing. Granted we have organs in theaters here too but it has never been used as a prelude to a movie. It's either been just the organ in concert, just the movie, or a silent film accompanied by organ. Obviously I know John and know that he is an organist but I never knew this was what he did for a living apparently as the announcer indicates, John Ledwon staff organist of the El Capitan. I bet that's a fun job.
James, when the El Cap opened after the DIsney restoration, the first film shown was "The Rocketeer"! Can you imagine that build-up intro and then the first frame of that film, which was a slide of the hangar door opening with the title "Los Angeles, 19..." whatever? You were THERE! It was amazing!
Unfortunately, El Capitan is a small venue (1000 seats) with a small acoustic. The organ's original voicing has been lost, its character excised, to tame it for the El Cap. The original Fox sound is no more. Thankfully, its brothers in Detroit and St Louis remain in their vast original homes and the first 4/36 Crawford Special, the NYC Paramount, exists in a suitably vast room in Wichita, where the huge Fox Special sound can be enjoyed to the full. This is now just another big Wurlitzer.
How sad it is that the original character of the great SF FOX organ is gone.........:( Why would anyone tamper with it?? We will never get to hear that glorious sound that was so magnificently captured on those George Wright recordings at the FOX. Luckily the Detroit and St Louis Fox organs are kept in their original condition. They are amazing!
Andrew Larson I don't know why you think the character of the instrument has been changed. The. tibia which had what I felt was the overly oppressive 12th character was gone from the instrument after Frank Lanterman owned it. Rob Richards requested that a tibia similar to the one George Wright had in the instrument in the Fox be put in the solo chest and it was done. Others have claimed that the organ was somehow voiced down. That is not true. In fact some ranks were regulated louder because the swell openings in the foundation and orchestral divisions are much smaller than in the Fox. The real difference is the buildings. The El Capitan will never be the SF Fox. The installation was planned and done by the late George Buck who had been an executive with Wurlitzer. He had to find a way to fit 37 ranks into a building whose chamber space was for a 16 rank organ. I think he did a good job. I was chief of maintenance for a couple of years. The Fox sounds are there but lacking the big reverb. Johnny Hoffman
It was my privilege to assist in completing the installation of this instrument and maintain it for 2 1/2 years.
it is not well known but this mighty wurlitzer was once the organ in the fox theatre in san fransisco that was demolished in 1963. i am soo glad that they saved this work of art for future generations to enjoy.
it's great to rekindle the magic era of the theater organ. whether it be a wurlitzer, robert morton or any other theater style instrument, the mastery of wright, crawford ,ledwon.fox and a host of others bring this era to life once again. bravo to them all...
I love this song! I never thought I would hear it on a Wurlitzer! Thank you for this video!
great arrangement of Fantasmic and We Go On
This is an amazing experience... I've seen 3 movies there and the music transports you to a different time and place. If you're ever i Hollywood, ou must take in a movie there!
A distinctive sound from a magnificent musical instrument.
This is probably many kids' (and adults') first experience with a theatre organ. A good thing, I think, that's it with one of the grand 4/36 Fox Specials and talented performers...playing without any sheet music. The electric lift and the magnificent surroundings really would drive home the power. When I'm in LA in October, I'll hope to catch a film here.
Wow that sent chills up my spine. I've never seen a build up to a movie performance like this before. I kinda wish the camera had kept rolling so I could see what movie was playing. Granted we have organs in theaters here too but it has never been used as a prelude to a movie. It's either been just the organ in concert, just the movie, or a silent film accompanied by organ. Obviously I know John and know that he is an organist but I never knew this was what he did for a living apparently as the announcer indicates, John Ledwon staff organist of the El Capitan. I bet that's a fun job.
James, when the El Cap opened after the DIsney restoration, the first film shown was "The Rocketeer"! Can you imagine that build-up intro and then the first frame of that film, which was a slide of the hangar door opening with the title "Los Angeles, 19..." whatever? You were THERE! It was amazing!
Happy 65th Anniversary, Disneyland!
Super excellent
Unfortunately, El Capitan is a small venue (1000 seats) with a small acoustic. The organ's original voicing has been lost, its character excised, to tame it for the El Cap. The original Fox sound is no more. Thankfully, its brothers in Detroit and St Louis remain in their vast original homes and the first 4/36 Crawford Special, the NYC Paramount, exists in a suitably vast room in Wichita, where the huge Fox Special sound can be enjoyed to the full. This is now just another big Wurlitzer.
This is rather brilliant, it's gotta be said....
Illuminations is in there too!!!
How sad it is that the original character of the great SF FOX organ is gone.........:( Why would anyone tamper with it?? We will never get to hear that glorious sound that was so magnificently captured on those George Wright recordings at the FOX. Luckily the Detroit and St Louis Fox organs are kept in their original condition. They are amazing!
Andrew Larson I don't know why you think the character of the instrument has been changed. The. tibia which had what I felt was the overly oppressive 12th character was gone from the instrument after Frank Lanterman owned it. Rob Richards requested that a tibia similar to the one George Wright had in the instrument in the Fox be put in the solo chest and it was done. Others have claimed that the organ was somehow voiced down. That is not true. In fact some ranks were regulated louder because the swell openings in the foundation and orchestral divisions are much smaller than in the Fox. The real difference is the buildings. The El Capitan will never be the SF Fox. The installation was planned and done by the late George Buck who had been an executive with Wurlitzer. He had to find a way to fit 37 ranks into a building whose chamber space was for a 16 rank organ. I think he did a good job. I was chief of maintenance for a couple of years. The Fox sounds are there but lacking the big reverb. Johnny Hoffman
20th Comment
@RL789 35 minutes before every show.