When it was made known that the Gaumont Cinema (Ex Granada
Manchester) was to close, the Trust purchased the Wurlitzer and have now
re-installed it as part of the Granada Studios Tour complex. Granada Studios
Tour is a 'Back Stage Tour' of the Television company that produces the
'Coronation Street' soap and is a subsidiary of Granada Theatres who ordered
the Wurlitzer in 1935. This Wurlitzer was designated a Special Design with 4
manuals and 14 ranks of pipes, the same size as the Wurlitzer in Blackpool
Tower. It was thought at one time that this Wurlitzer would never play again.
When it was in storage awaiting a new home, the console and all the main chests
were destroyed in a fire, the Technical Team of the Trust found identical
replacement chests in the States, the original Wurlitzer drawings of the
console were located and a brand new console was built from these drawings.
Photo to the left is the new Console built from the original Wurlitzer
drawings.
This Wurlitzer was made famous by the Great Stanley Tudor in the period from 1935 until 1953, it was probably broadcast on Radio more than any other Theatre Organ during its time.
Following great effort over many years to find a home for this organ and no possibilities or offers coming forward we can now inform you that the Gaumont Wurlitzer has now been sold and is now installed by the new owner at the Folly Farm Theme Park in South Wales. The Theatre Organ was recently opened by John Mann.
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