Though many of the components had been placed in the chambers, they were removed, prepared, and re-installed in a manner to allow for more convenient tuning and maintenance of the instrument. The console resides below the Egyptian’s stage when not in use, and can be raised to orchestra or stage level for performances or silent film accompaniment.Īll wiring, winding and tonal finishing remained to be done. It now sports a hand-rubbed black-satin finish, with minimal gold trim, more suitable to its Egyptian surroundings. Its pistons, stops, and miscellaneous controls did not suit the organ’s renewed role as a theatre organ, thus requiring replacement of all inner workings and external controls. The console originally operated an organ in a Southern California pizza parlor. However, it was determined that the organ was less than 20% installed, and a July 2004 completion deadline-when the Egyptian would be 80 years old-was optimistic at best.įirst, the three-manual white and gold French-style console was shipped to the Zollman Pipe Organ Services shop in Wichita, Kansas for refurbishing. Most of its components were found to be in good condition. In late 2003, Zollman Pipe Organ Services was hired to complete a partially-installed replacement pipe organ purchased by the Egyptian Theatre Foundation. In 1960, the instrument was removed and the pipes installed at the Organ Loft in Salt Lake City, where they are still heard today as components of a large “Mighty Wurlitzer” there. Clair Anderson is prominently remembered playing in the 1940s and 1950s. Over the years, dozens of musicians performed at the Egyptian’s console. Then, Gene Halliday headlined at the Egyptian through conversion to sound motion pictures in 1929. of Denver was contracted as head organist for the first ten weeks of operation. The Egyptian’s 1924 two-manual (keyboard), 11-rank (groups of pipes) “Mighty Wurlitzer” rendered music and sound effects for the silent movies and stage events there for some 35 years.įranz Rath, Jr.