JACKIE BROWN
NOT JUST A THEATRE ORGANIST
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AN ORGANIST’S LIFE FOR ME
Jackie, aged 17, seated at the Console of what is believed to be
The Theatre Organ of The Granada Theatre Wandsworth
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In 1940, at the age of 17, Jackie auditioned to become a Theatre Organist with The Granada Theatre Circuit. During his time with the Circuit, he received additional tuition from a number of fellow organists including Dudley Beaven (1911-1946) and Robinson Cleaver (1906-1987). However, the Theatre Organist that he most admired was Harold Ramsey (1901-1976), as he admired and enjoyed his style of playing.
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Harold Ramsey at The Theatre Organ of The Granada Theatre Tooting
playing St. Louis Blues
Left: Dudley Beaven; Right: Robinson Cleaver
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As with other Theatre Organists, Jackie’s contract with The Granada Theatre Circuit required him to tour the Theatres of the Circuit where he must have gained a great deal of experience as an entertainer. Although this kind of life must have been hard, as oftentimes, he was playing at a different venue each week.
However, there were opportunities where he remained at a cinema for longer periods of time. For example, Jackie served as the Organist at the Granada Theatre Woolwich for a six-month period and then at the Granada Theatre Slough for a three-month period.
Left: The Granada Theatre Woolwich, from the Souvenir Brochure (1937);
Right: The Granada Theatre Slough in 1949
The Tywyn Wurlitzer Organ (3-Manuals; 8-Ranks)
was installed at the Granada Theatre Woolwich from 1937 until 1971
and then moved to Tywyn, Gwynedd, Wales
Jackie seated at the Console of the Theatre Organ of the The Granada Theatre Woolwich
(date unknown)
The Wurlitzer Theatre Organ (3-Manuals; 8-Ranks) installed at the Granada Slough Theatre remained in place from 1938 until 1988 and went to a private home in Lincolnshire for a while. Today, it is installed at The Grange Collection (owned by Mr. Jonny Ling at the town of Diss, Norfolk
Jackie seated at the Console of the Theatre Organ of the The Granada Theatre Slough,
October 1940
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Jackie at the Console of the Wurlitzer Theatre Organ (3-Manuals; 8-Ranks) of the
Granada Theatre Clapham Junction.
When the Theatre closed in July 1980, the Theate Organ was sold
and installed at the College Claparede, Geneva in Switzerland
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Jackie Brown at the Wurlitzer Theatre Organ of the
Granada Theatre Kingston in 1970 and playing Cherokee.
The Wurlitzer Theatre Organ was originally installed at the
Picture House Edinburgh (a Gaumont Cinema).
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The following notice of a change of address appeared in the magazine, SOUND Wave Illustrated when The Granada Theatre Circuit decided to end Theatre Organ Interludes.
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With the advent of The Second World War, Jackie was conscripted into the British Army. He was medically invalided out in 1944 and was able to resume his career as a Theatre Organist after joining the Gaumont-British Circuit of Cinemas. As before, when he was employed by The Granada Theatre Circuit, he was required to rotate through cinemas of the Circuit. His first real base came when he was sent to the Gaumont Cinema Watford where he remained for five weeks.
Gaumont Cinema Watford installed with a Wurlitzer Theatre Organ (3-Manuals; 8-Ranks)
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Following his time at the Gaumont Watford, Jackie went to the Dominion Theatre Tottenham Court Road in London.
The Dominion Theatre London
When the Theatre opened in 1929, it was not a success as a live theatre. In 1933, it was sold to Gaumont-British who installed a Compton Theatre Organ (3-Manuals; 12-Ranks) to entertain patrons between the screening of films. During the Pre-War Years , the Resident Organist at the Theatre was the composer, Mr. Frederic (Fred) Bayco (1913-1970).
Frederic Bayco
Frederic Bayco playing Antonín Dvořák’s (1841-1904) Humoresque (Opus 101 No. 7)
on the Theatre Organ of the Odeon Theatre Marble Arch in 1964
Unfortunately the Theatre was damaged during The Blitz (1940-1941) and remained closed until 1941 although the Organ remained quiet until October 1945.
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On the 1st October, 1945, the Theatre Organ was to be featured at a Special Presentation to mark its reopening at the Theatre. The evening’s entertainment was organised by Mr. Harry Fryer (1896-1946), the Musical Director of Gaumont-British. Although Jackie was still in his early twenties, he had been made the new Resident Organist at the Theatre and given the honour of being the featured Organist at this event.
Despite Jackie’s young age, his musicality and versatility had evidently been recognised by Mr. Fryer and the Manager of the Dominion Theatre. It is also evident that Jackie had set his sites of being more that just another Theatre Organist in the Circuit. It is possible that he hoped to emulate the pianist and Theatre Organist, Sidney Torch (1908-1990), who was also a conductor, orchestral arranger and composer and whom he admired.
As Jackie said in an interview given on the following day, he wanted to present contrasting and unusual items which had not been presented previously to the cinema-going public. He wanted to rely upon the musical composition itself to have entertainment value when played orchestrally in his adaptation.
His interviewer (Mr. A.W.O.) certainly agreed that Jackie had been successful in his attempt to carry out his aims and said that each piece played contrasted in style, was modern in form, presented orchestrally, memorised and technically perfect together with good showmanship.
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Some time later while still the Resident Organist at the Dominion Theatre, Jackie presented what many would have considered a daring experiment. He had made it clear that he intended to play music of an unusual character, that was to say, Theatre Organ adaptation of orchestral compositions written by Classical Music Composers, thereby fulfilling the original concept of organ builders, which was that the Theatre Organ was the only medium for orchestral imitation by a solo performer.
That evening, Jackie performed a collection of pieces from The Nutcracker by Tchaikowsky (1840-1893). Jackie believed that there was an audience for such a recital since most patrons of the Dominion Theatre would be familiar with the pieces to be played from hearing them on BBC Radio.
At the start of the recital, Jackie announced the pieces that he would play and left only a slight pause between each leaving no time for applause which was saved for the end.
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The evening’s entertainment was reviewed and the journalist (Mr. A.W. Owen) heaped much praise on Jackie and believed that the Compton Theatre Organ was demonstrated to its full abilities. The reviewer felt that the recital was a triumph and felt certain that its success would encourage Jackie to further pursue his novelty policy!
Despite the praise showered on Jackie by this reviewer (Mr. A.W. Owen) and attention given by another, Mr. S.J.B, and which appeared in SOUND Wave Illustrated …….
…… a third reviewer was less than impressed and remains unknown. Although this reviewer complemented Jackie on his playing abilities, he felt that the unique arrangements of the pieces failed since they lacked variety.
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Jackie Brown advertising his appearance at the Gaumont Cinema Rosehill
Jackie played the Theatre Organ at a number of other Gaumont Cinemas during his association with the Circuit. One such venue was the Gaumont Cinema Rosehill that had opened in 1937 and built for Carshalton Regional Theatres Ltd., but was soon taken over by Gaumont-British. The cinema had been installed with a Compton Theatre Organ (3-Manuals; 10-Ranks).and opened by Terrence Casey ( ).
Gaumont Cinema Rosehill
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Jackie Brown & Cyril King at the Compton Theatre Organ
Jackie was assisted during his musical interlude by Mr. Cyril King at the piano for a twenty-minute presentation called Moods & Music. The interlude was well received and was given a good review.
Jackie Brown at the Piano & Cyril King at the Theatre Organ of the Gaumont Theatre Rosehill
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While working at this venue, one evening on his way to the Cinema, Jackie noticed a fire in two cars outside the Cinema. Thanks to his quick thinking, and the use of a fire extinguisher, he put out the blaze! The incident was reported in the local newspaper.
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A one-time musical extravaganza was presented by Mr. Harry Fryer at the Gaumont Cinema Chelsea and featured Jackie and three other organists playing four instruments and was reviewed favourably in SOUND Wave Illustrated.
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During his professional life, Jackie got to play a number of the excellent Theatre Organs installed at the Super Cinemas originally built for the Hyams Brothers, which were later sold to Gaumont-British. These included the Wurlitzer Theatre Organs of the Trocadero Elephant & Castle, the Gaumont State Kilburn and the Troxy Stepney.
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The Trocadero Elephant & Castle opened in December 1930. A Wurlitzer Theatre Organ (4-Manuals; 21-Ranks) had been installed and was opened by Quentin Maclean (1896-1962) and was the largest Theatre Organ exported to Europe by The Wurlitzer Company.
Quentin Maclean at the Wurlitzer Theatre Organ of the Trocodero Elephant & Castle
The Theatre closed in 1963 and was soon demolished. The Theatre Organ was purchased by the Cinema Organ Society and is now installed at the Troxy Stepney and was opened there in 2015 with a concert given by Richard Hills (1980) and Robert Wolfe (1961).
The Trocadero Wurlitzer Theatre Organ Console
This Theatre Organ is now installed at the Troxy Stepney.
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Jackie Brown playing Knocked ‘Em in the Old Kent Road at The Trocadero Wurlitzer Theatre Organ
Jackie Brown seated at the Console of the Trocadero Wurlitzer Theatre Organ
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Concert Given By Jackie Brown at the Trocadero Wurlitzer Theatre Organ in April 1959
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The Wurlitzer Theatre Organ installed at the Gaumont State Kilburn was played at the Theatre opening in 1937 by Sidney Torch whom Jackie admired very much and hoped to emulate his many achievements.
The Gaumont State Kilburn Wurlitzer Theatre Organ Console
This Theatre Organ (4-Manuals;16-Ranks) was installed at the Theatre in 1937.
The Console was originally placed to the right of the stage, but once the Theatre
closed as a cinema, it was moved into the Auditorium.
Jackie Brown at the Console of The Theatre Organ of The Gaumont State Kilburn
View of Jackie Brown at the Console from the Circle of The Gaumont State Kilburn
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Jackie Brown at the Wurlitzer Theatre Organ of The Gaumont State Kilburn in September 1963
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The Road to Mecca – A short video about the Gaumont State Theatre Kilburn directed, written and researched by Amanda Brown, daughter of Theatre Organist Jackie Brown, whose playing of the Theatre’s Wurlitzer Organ has been used to provide the music.
I would like to thank Ms Brown for allowing this video to appear here.
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Mr. Brown performed at the Theatre’s Wurlitzer of the State Theatre Kilburn a number of times
and here is his rendition of Moonglow recorded there.
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Click here to view A tour of the Gaumont State Kilburn with David Neale and a comment on the Theatre Organ by Michael Wooldridge
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The Troxy Cinema in Stepney opened on 11th September, 1933. A Wurlitzer Theatre Organ (3-Manuals;10-Ranks) was installed and played at the opening by Robert (Bobby) Osborne Pagan (1905-1990).
Left: Bobby Pagan at the Wurlitzer Theatre Organ of The Troxy Stepney; Right: At a Console
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Jackie Brown with Vic Hammett (1918-1974) at the Troxy Stepney
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Jackie Brown at the Wurlitzer Theatre Organ of The Troxy Stepney
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The following photograph and article appeared in SOUND Wave Illustrated and features a Special Feature held at the Troxy Stepney where Jackie and three other Organists performed. The review also comments on Whether audiences enjoy Theatre Organ Interludes or not.
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The Cinema remained open until 1960 when it was closed due to poor patronage. Unfortunately the Theatre Organ, except for the Console, did not survive once the building closed as a cinema.
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The Console was purchased by the Theatre Organ Preservation Society and installed in the 1960’s at Buckingham Town Hall where it was paired with pipe works from the Wurlitzer Theatre Organ from the Metropole Cinema in London, and also from several other Theatre Organs. It remained at this venue until 1981 when it was moved to the Assembly Hall, in Worthing (West Sussex).
Click here to read more of the Buckingham Town Hall Wurlitzer Theatre Organ
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Mr. Bobby Pagan had the rare treat of opening the same organ Console twice: first at the Troxy Stepney in 1933 and at the Assembly Hall, Worthing in 1981.
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During Jackie’s life as an Theatre Organist, he evidently played a number of other Theatre Organs. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find out their names except for a few, which he played later in his career during Cinema Organ Society (COS) and Theatre Organ Club (TOC) meetings.
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Being a Circuit Organist was often hard since during the years of the Second World War, air raids often occurred. This would often result in the organist to remain at the Theatre since getting home was either not possible, or else possible, but very dangerous. it was during this time that Jackie began to mix more with other organists who were often much older than he. Most organists of the time enjoyed trips to the local Public Houses where they would swap tales about their work and discuss the little peculiarities of the Organs that they played. Although Jackie was young, he often accompanied them and, as a result, began to drink, which was to become an important part of his life.
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Although Jackie most certainly enjoyed playing the Theatre Organ, at some time in either 1946 or 1947, he decided to give up this life in favour of other pursuits, which leads us to the next stage of his career.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Mr. Michael Wooldridge, Mr. Andrew Gilbert and Mr. Keith Beckingham for their help in the writing of this page.
Finally, thanks to Ms Amanda Brown for allowing the video, The Road to Mecca, to appear here.
Hi. My parents took me to a concert of the Dominion organ, possibly 1949. The organist was my uncle, William Davies. This started my love of organs. Bill used to take me to various broadcasts around London, the last one was when he was recording at the Royal Festival Hall for Polydor.
He was an excellent musician with a great sense of humour. He was also a great writer of music for films and programs here and America including the music for Alistair Cooke’s “Letter from America”
Regards, Reg Cooper.
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Reg: How lucky you were to have heard the Theatre Organ of the Dominion Theatre and also to hear you uncle, the very talented William Davies, play. I appreciate your leaving a comment. Regards. Charles