Cinema Organ Quiz 2 - by Stephen Dutfield Photograph by John D. Sharp 2. Where is it now, and why is this almost unique? 3. As well as providing entertainment during film programmes, this organ has also been seen and heard by millions of people around the world. Why is this? 4. It was one of the last of a series of instruments built by its manufacturer to an almost standard design for one of the UK's largest cinema circuits - although this one DIDN'T belong to them. These organs had a feature considered very technologically advanced for its time which helped to start the home keyboard hobby. The answers appear below |
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Cinema Organ Quiz 2 - Answers
1. It is the three manual 6 rank Compton organ opened at the State Cinema, Grays, Essex on 5th September 1938 by Norris Bosworth. 2. A catch question really, as the organ remains in it's orginal home. The site was acquired by Morrison's supermarkets in 2001. They are developing the surrounding land, but retaining the cinema which is a Grade 2 listed building and are hoping to find a use for it, or someone willing to lease it, so that it will be available for the general public. 3. Because of the unique character of the building, the State has been used as a location for numerous TV and feature films. It featured heavily in the BBC TV production of Dennis Potter's Lipstick On Your Collar, which included a character who was a cinema organist, portrayed by actor Roy Hudd who 'played' throughout the programme. Roy was seen rising from the orchestra pit at the Compton console but the hands and feet, as well as the playing on the soundtrack, were provided by Nigel Ogden. However, the best exposure of the State and the organ came in 1988 when Steven Spielberg used it as a location during the production of the Oscar-winning Who Framed Roger Rabbit? 4. The John Compton Organ Company Ltd., built 26 of these organs between 1935 and 1939 broadly to the same design - representing about 10% of Compton's theatre organ output. Most were for the A.B.C. cinema circuit and they contained 6 ranks of pipes plus the Compton patent 'Melotone' unit. This was was an early form of electronic organ playable alone or in a combination with pipe from the top keyboard. The Melotone (and the full-sized Melotone organs which were marketed until 1970), was invented by Leslie Bourne. He was experimenting with electronic generation at the same time as Laurens Hammond in the USA. Back to main page. Back to Contents Menu |