Ohio Theatre Mighty Morton Organ

[@Nacho-Mamma]

You've probably not received this type of response to your video, but here you go. This made me cry, a happy cry if you will. Why? Because, I had a horrible childhood filled with physical, mental and sexual abuse from the age of 4 till 13. Something most adult men would never want to talk about. But, I bring this hell to you because one of our local theaters had a complete theatre organ that entertained Friday thru Sunday evening. And sitting in the front right row, beside the pit was one of my safe zones, and where my love for the awesomely magnificent sound of the most magical musical instrument ever created began. There were three organists, two of which were Mr. Roberts, who after retirement for the organ began a fulltime career as a local television weatherman until his death at 96 years. The other was Miss Maggie DuBois, who continued until the theatre officially closed in 1983. Miss DuBois was always my favorite though. To watch this less than 5', 200+ rose scented lady practically dance the Cancan while playing was the greatest theatrical experience of my life. At the end of every number, she always took a bow and wiped the sweat from her cherry red face, as she nearly always received a standing ovation. Nothing could ever compare to that. In fact, the very first time I ever performed in public & onstage was a Friday night, when she began her usual intro to "Pennies From Heaven", and I asked if I could sing it. I had not yet turned 5, but I knew that song by heart. She stopped her intro, helped me onto the stage, introduced me & proceeded to play. A sidenote: That one song ensured free pizza for the family every Friday night for nearly a year at a local pizza parlor, if I would sing a few songs during the evening. In a poor Walton sized family, that was a huge blessing & relief for my parents. So, the wonderful sounds of the theatre organ makes me cry in remembrance of the rare happy moments of an otherwise childhood from hell. Although I'm pushing 60 now, in 2012, I retired from a 35+ year life in musical theatre, both onstage & playing piano in the orchestra. Just wanted to throw that in as a bonus. So, thank you for sharing this wonderful video. It's such fun to be able to see behind the scenes of such a beautiful instrument.

[@WOFFY-qc9te]

Music from these instruments is magical and cannot be reproduced outside the theatre as the space, people and atmosphere is very much part of the experience. In the UK we have some fine organs but sadly many theatre organs were lost to developers with no thought of our heritage. We have many Cathedrals and Church organs but the are not the same. Thank you for sharing a frightening but life affirming story I think you have within you great strength and wish you well, I am of similar age and fortunate not to have walked your early road of pain. Sadly we cannot undo time or erase dark memories however by sharing your story someone has reflected and either considered or learnt that actions have consequences which reach far into the future and they may now become a kinder soul for thinking about their conduct . Thank you once again for your lovely story your early introduction to theatre and encounters with MIss DuBois . Kind Regards from Liverpool

[@RobinPratt]

Super. One of the best reviews of an installation I have seen. Great group of professionals. Thanks!

[@amiganutt]

Thanks for the memory. Was able to tour most of the theatre and the organ when visiting Dennis James. Never was able to meet Rodger Garrett. Also have performed on stage. Singing Barbershop.

[@voraciousreader3341]

What an organist!! Seriously, that gorgeous organ is _NOTHING_ without a genius to bring it to life! I studied the organ (minor emphasis) as a university student, and so I know how to value an excellent one when I hear it!!

[@garysmith8455]

Here I sit, totatly glued to my laptop screen (with external audio) while having dinner watching this presentation! WONDERFULLY DONE!! I am in my 33rd year working for a well known pipe organ builder. We were very close to getting involved with an un-altered WurliTzer 3/11 at our local theater, all slated for restoration...............then, covid hit and all went silent. Hopefully, the powers that be will once again restart interest in both the one beautiful 1928 venue AND it's theatre organ! (O:

[@meryle.hawkins880]

Amazing. Can’t believe how complicated it is. Many thanks for this video. I loved the organ

[@RWBHere]

Thanks. Long may that Mighty Morton continue to be loved and played. 🙂👍

[@patrickrwhite8354]

That was amazing thank you so much. I enjoyed every moment.

[@paulsotheron710]

Very enjoyable. Excellent. 👍

[@angelsone-five7912]

Very nice to see a theatre and its organ being so well looked after. Long may you continue.

[@RKingis]

Me & Mom were watching this guy play a movie theater organ, and it dawned on us that the saying "all the bells & whistles" must be from a theater organ.😊

[@BingWrosby]

“Pulling out all of the stops” is indeed an original reference to full organ.

[@russ254]

“He has a gigantic male organ” has its origins in the dark recesses of many theaters.

[@quickfoxxes]

This is the MOST impressively detailed description of the working of a theatre organ. It is also one which does not allow Wurlitzer to eclipse the Morton prominence in competitive sounds, and theatre installations around the world.

[@gilloselton824]

What a wonderful presentation :)

[@davef.2811]

Great presentation of a magnificent instrument and venue A lot of credit is due for the talent and dedication of the staff and Mr. Clark Wilson for his wonderful knowledge and talent seen here. My late dad grew up in OH and spoke of traveling from Bellefontaine to Columbus and hearing this organ a few times in the 1930s. That spawned a lifelong fascination with these great instruments and became his hobby as an amateur organist. Growing up, we had organs as large as a Conn 652 in the house, which he played and entertained with almost every day.

[@johnferguson4089]

A great presentation, there's just nothing like listening to, or better still, actually playing, a theatre pipe organ. Many thanks.

[@rexnewcombe8337]

That is so fabulous I had a friend who had a Morton console in his home, it was fun to work with him on it. Fortunately he is gone now and so is the organ . Thanks for giving me memories of the Organ.

[@bcshelby4926]

...wonderful tour . Seen many of church and concert hall instruments but this was very enjoyable.

[@rodericksmith8218]

I have had tours of theatre organs in many places at home (Australia) and NZ. This wonderful program made me feel right at home: the excellent commentary in particular. In San Francisco, I was invited as a guest to listen to just the organ opening when I didn't have the time to attend the film screening. I am now building my list of USA theatres to incorporate in a post-covid itinerary. Meanwhile, your program has taken my mind away from the restrictions: pure enjoyment.

[@dawnrichardson6920]

Hopefully the theater tours will be available whenever you visit. In the past, those have been offered on select days in the summer. I assume they will return in 2022. If possible, you’ll want to see the silent film offered during the CAPA Summer Movie Series. Mr. Wilson provides the organ music throughout the showing. Few silent movie scores survived, so he has written many.

[@WINCHANDLE]

Sadly, we Philistine Americans demolished most of our wonderful 1920's theatres and pipe organs.

[@geovanniinusa5973]

What a mesmerizing video including behind the scenes.Such talent to keep this complex Mighty Morton performing for the future generations to hear! The theater is an absolute treasure!

[@leemarks813]

Great presentation and explanation of so many aspects of this organ and supporting structures to make this work. I'm so amazed that much of this equipment is original and still functioning today. THANK YOU.

[@jonathankleefield5520]

This is a splendid video, giving both the uninitiated and more experienced theatre organ enthusiast a comprehensive tour of this fabulous organ and its venue. Clark, as usual, is very modest in acknowledging Glen as his expert organ technician, while he himself is very accomplished in this area, serving as a highly respected tonal finisher for the finest organs throughout the country. It’s always fun and educational at the same time to listen to Clark recount the glories of the theatre organ, but for those who have not yet experienced one of his performances accompanying a “silent” movie, don’t hesitate to go when you can attend a show. Kudos to the excellent quality of the video production, including the fearless camera person who had to climb those insane ladders to access the chambers with Glen. Bravo to all, and thanks for sharing this very special place with all of us.

[@jgdmlw]

So entertaining and informative. Beautiful theater and great organ. In Denver we have the Paramount Theater which has two or twin consoles. They use to do concerts but they have not for a while. Any city is lucky to have this type of theater with organ. The Castro Theater in San Francisco is another great one that I got to hear.

[@hoss-lk4bg]

just great, so glad to see the expertise and age of technician. what a gold mine

[@stepheneggert7388]

Glad too see you Glen..on this program..keep up the great work you do..

[@koi0009]

Grazie ! un bel video. Saluti da Venezia, Italia

[@EElgar1857]

Maybe this has already been said, but the largest Morton theater organs were dubbed "Wonder Mortons", as Wurlitzer had already gotten "Mighty Wurlitzer" into the popular lexicon. I got to hear this organ at an ATOS Convention, and it's fantastic, but of course we didn't get "behind the scenes", so this video is a special thrill. Thank you!

[@JOHN-tk6vl]

Excellent presentation. Thank you.

[@TheOrganMelodyProject]

Nice organ ...

[@WINCHANDLE]

It is an absolute miracle that this still exists. Think of Fox theatre in San Fran...demo'd to make a parking lot. What a sin. Keep up the good work.

[@FilipWahlberg]

They pave paradise... 😢

[@Old-USRefugee]

Not a parking lot, but a very ugly apartment building.

[@jimsmith77901]

The Ohio Theater Morton Organ was the first organ that I heard, as a little kid. I instantly fell in love with it, and at age 12 I began taking lessons. I only stuck with my lessons for 4 years, until I got my driver's license at 16. My parents bought me an old Lowrey organ to practice on, but I really wanted something big, to rival the great theater organs. Many years later I found a 30 year old three manual Allen digital organ for sale cheap, but I never managed to move it into my home, it was simply too big. Plus, I found that everything that I'd learned as a youngster had been long forgotten. As I kid I wanted to play Bach, but my teachers wanted to teach me Beatles tunes. My goal was to play Bach's famous Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor. I've only heard it once live on a pipe organ, that was at the Ohio Theater at one of their Halloween film screenings in the late 70s, with my father.

[@voraciousreader3341]

Believe it or not, but starting with Bach on the organ is too difficult for beginners. Kids quit piano lessons when they’re asked to do scales and arpeggios in the basic keys because they’re “boring,” and if you can’t do those fluently, you’ll never be able to play Bach’s “beginner” pieces. So I suspect your teacher had you play Beatles’ tunes to keep you happy enough to stick with it. And believe me, if you’d wanted to play that famous Toccata and Fugue, no car would deter you from achieving that goal! That is the determination needed to play such advanced, monumental music!

[@djmusic130fdy]

Always enjoy hearing the magnificient Mighty Morton so skillfully played, and in an amazing venue!

[@medwayhospitalprotest]

Amazing organ, amazing player and fabulous team. I'm so glad these have been preserved, and even better - in situ.

[@DerMarcus_27.Juni.]

Thank you very much, what an outstanding instrument. Thanks to all who keep this story going.

[@voraciousreader3341]

The instrument is just a bunch of pipes without a great organist, and Clark (sp?) is a genius! No music scores on the console!

[@lucieleimbach]

I’ve always been intrigued with the “White Organ” as I knew it as a kid. I always tried to see it when I was in the Ohio. ❤

[@dannic1289]

That is so cool!!! They’re currently dismantling our 1924 Moeller from Macon Auditorium, the console has been dismantled since prior to 1979 - so I guess they have just decided it’s not worth it. But this was a highly informative and educational video that makes me all the more disappointed to be losing the one in Macon. It has 61 ranks. 4 manuals. 56 stops. 77 registers.

[@leopardwoman38]

Wow! What an instrument!!! 👍👍👍👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😀💕🌸

[@mainaccount131]

Super excellent

[@YokozunaNumber1]

"Kal-e-ope."

[@11sesquialtera]

excellent presentation

[@chrisstaylor8377]

You are a very talented person , it must have taken a long time to master this organ ,well done ,and may keep playing for many years to come

[@friedrichExplorer]

Amasing 😊Thank's for the video.

[@Old-USRefugee]

Great video, thanks!

[@Fg4e]

It works like the Mighty Wurlitzer organ in the Civic Theater in Akron Ohio. What treasures these old instruments of the music world are!

[@mikerosser4349]

The good Lord above obviously led me to this video. I had no idea this organ and theatre was in Columbus, Ohio. Some day, maybe I'll get to see and hear it IN PERSON! Is it still being played?

[@dking70]

Very nice video about the Robert Morton. Only wish hbk enterprises was mentioned for being a key factor in saving the ohio.

[@williamclark6466]

Fabulous!

[@ReaganReese]

AMAZING video!! Wow!

[@bertspeggly4428]

Great documentary! Thanks. The Robert Morton factory was close to where I live in Van Nuys. Now it's a car dealer.😣😣😣

[@Old-USRefugee]

😩

[@johnnyjames7139]

There is a similar Robert Morton at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara although it is not an original installation. I once saved a small Robert Morton. I have a recording of Roger play at Ohio Theatre. Does this organ still have the pneumatic relay? I haven't seen a Spencer blower with a DC motor before. The former San Francisco Fox Wurlitzer has a 50 HP AC motor. .

[@randelanderson6754]

😊oj n bi

[@orionharmon6017]

Wow, interesting this pipe organ has a lot of mechanical machines in there.

[@Tiberius22495]

I was just researching Morton Organs, there is one in Tulsa at the Circle and another in Beaumont,TX at the Jefferson Theatre.

[@lohphat]

Dust and dirt are enemies of motors and bearings. That dirt and grime should be cleaned out annually at the very least.

[@Old-USRefugee]

I was thinking that too.

[@danielmkubacki]

Cool!

[@SeekingTheLoveThatGodMeans7648]

To get the DC power during our more recent AC power era for the motors that use it, is there a motor-generator, or is there a rectifier bank (a spectacular sight in itself if it is still the old mercury vapor units)? There were good engineering reasons for power companies to switch to AC power, but without something to adapt old customer DC equipment, the latter was left high and dry. And obviously you're still using DC motors, not AC motors now, almost 100 years since the theater was constructed.

[@oldstudbuck3583]

Awesome

[@goldenboy5500]

how much longer will the organ last young people don't seem to take much interest in studying organ at least not in the United States

[@8546Ken]

How often do the brushes on the motors need to be serviced?

[@joscallinet6260]

A very well-done presentation - but why wasn't the sound RECORDED IN STEREO?

[@jeffconley819]

I’m kinda surprised there are not safety fencing around the switches and contacts. ??

[@Organdude]

A Wuhan Gong!! 22'40

[@mudgebauer]

Lovely basement. Is that a Confederate flag propped up in the corner of the basement¿ The organ is magnificent . The theater is wonderful Im glad they saved it.

[@8546Ken]

Those DC contactors are impressive. What is the source of the DC power? What is the DC voltage? - I see both 220V and 110V on the nameplates.

[@Muscur2010]

Interesting documentary about the famous Ohio Theatre pipe organ, however details need a bit of clarification: - The added word appellation “Mighty” to theatre organ identification is reserved for the “Mighty WurliTzer” out of respect for the WurliTzer company’s trade use of the term. For the Robert-Morton, in general use the similar word “Magnificent”, and for the next size larger Morton instruments larger than the Ohio’s, the word “Wonder” is used. - Missing on display in the organ technician’s dressing room is the third commemorative plaque in the set of commemorating the three actually employed professional staff organists in the history of the Ohio Theatre: Dennis James 1974-1990. These three plaques were commissioned in 1978 for the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Ohio Theatre. - Mention was made that 60 orchestral musicians can be fitted to the Ohio Theatre’s moving orchestra pit elevator. This is incorrect- for when utilizing the total 48 musicians specified in one of the Columbus Symphony silent film anniversary program, musicians could not be fit to the moving pit and were required to be seated out of the pit and into the seating area corridors located to the sides of the stage. - Claim was made within the documentary that the Ohio’s “large” Robert-Morton is the only one still installed in its original theatre. This statement overlooks the Loew’s 175th instrument in New York City- now fully restored and playing in its original home. That instrument has fortunately not afflicted with the dreaded “giganticitis” organ enthusiast imposed additions that have brought the Ohio’s Morton organ from its original company-built 20 ranks of pipes now to what is lauded as 34 ranks. - Tremolo is a steady increase and decrease in volume. Vibrato is a steady increase and decrease in pitch. The tour technician refers to the instrument as having an “Vibrato Effect” however the organ control devices are properly labeled “Tremulants”- devices that both affect volume AND pitch of pipe sounds.

[@OrganMusicYT]

Here in the UK, Wurlitzers were often billed as "The Wonder Wurlitzer"

[@cc213t]

The use of "Mighty" with the Ohio Theater's Morton organ goes way back and is so entrenched by now that I doubt you'll convince CAPA to change it, especially when offending certain purists is the only risk.

[@TheBaritoneCrooner]

Honestly, John Q Public doesn’t need to know all of that detailed information crammed into a small little informative documentary. You just want to present the shock and awe points that the public enjoys hearing. The man on the street doesn’t really care in the slightest that the organ only had 20 ranks originally as opposed to the 34 has now and I know they don’t care that the word “mighty” was only attributed to Wurlitzer. Any pipe organ in a theater in the minds eye of the average ticket holder is a Mighty pipe organ. These are just nitpicky points that are eschewed by organ purists with nothing better to do with their time!

[@OrganMusicYT]

@@TheBaritoneCrooner it'll still be a mighty wurlitzer regardless of what it is too lol

[@The2010SnowDay]

The Lowe's 175th street/United Palace instrument is not fully restored and playing, it's still undergoing restoration. Organ builders labelled the devices used to vary the pressure Tremolo, Tremulant, Vibrato, amongst other things--so it's really a moot point to nitpick about the technicalities of what "Tremolo" implies.

[@DrChaad]

* 13:30 17:24 *

[@joshi_angelo]

ONLY IN OHIO

[@praestant8]

Calleeeeop? I think that's Col-eye-a-pee. It's amusing how theater organists give themselves license, not only to be so divisive as to falsely suggest there is immense difference between church and theater organs, but also to imply that their DIY mentality of not really learning the trade of organ building makes them foremost experts. Also, the OSI windchime is not original to the Morton.

[@bw4t]

Additional ranks and traps have been added over the years, esp. in the late 1990s. There were originally two tiers of stoptabs, now there are three. Also, the back of the console is new; originally it was plain unadorned wood. The back with gloss white paint and gilded ornaments is quite new. The IVrk Mixture in the right chamber is one of the newer stops, installed around 1996 or so. Anent "calliope" pronunciation: historically the name of the Greek muse was pronounced kə-LY-ə-pee, while the musical instrument was pronounced KAL-ee-ohp by people who played it. Consider the 19th century pronunciation rhyme: "Proud folk stare after me, Call me Calliope; Tooting joy, tooting hope, I am the calliope."

[@clarkwilson5289]

Yes, indeed - calleeeeope. Well known historic pronunciation to anyone who has played one on or around the river. And as any professional readily admits, there's a vast difference between the church organ and its theatre counterpart. The similarities pretty well stop after the keyboards and the pipes.

[@philc8575]

Never would dream I could teach the organ player anything... BUT it's- KUH LIE O PEE!!

[@jasonsnkr]

Kahleeeeohp around the river! Two distinct accepted in-use pronunciations.

[@philc8575]

@@jasonsnkr By the IGNORANT