Organists at the Skandia Theater
Below is a selection
1920's
Stanley C. Wallace (1895- ?) was an organist who, during the 1920's, toured around the world. He was closely related to the Wurlitzer company. He was invited by the SF company and contracted for the period August 1926 to January 1927. The contract stated that he should play at the daily shows and also provide education for local organists.
Stanley C. Wallace (1895- ?) was an organist who, during the 1920's, toured around the world. He was closely related to the Wurlitzer company. He was invited by the SF company and contracted for the period August 1926 to January 1927. The contract stated that he should play at the daily shows and also provide education for local organists.
Stanley C. Wallace, here at the console in the California Theater, San Francisco. Unknown photographer
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Gösta Hådell (1903-1975) had a solid musical education and was widely known as organist, conductor and arranger. He didn't stay very long at Skandia.
John Malm (1901-1965) became the principal organist from 1927 and onward. He made the organ known to the general audience and made several radio broadcasts and records.
John Malm. Photo from the magazine Radiolyssnaren 1927
Sándor László (1895-1970) was a concert pianist and composer. He played the Wurlitzer during some weeks in the spring of 1928.
Ad from 1928
1930's
In the autumn of 1929 the first Swedish talkie, ”Konstgjorda Svensson”, was released and more followed quickly. This made the organ redundant.
But the Wurlitzer wasn't completely silenced. In October 1937 organist Gösta Berlin (1898-1952) played several popular tunes when a new Swedish film was shown. Also in February 1938 Frithof Staerke played daily before and after the show when the American version of the operetta ”Rose-Marie” was shown.
In 1942 the organ was deemed unplayable after years of neglect. But it was decided to restore the function and organ builder Hans C. Schuster (1888-1970) was selected for the task. He came from and organ building family and had emigrated to the USA and was quite acquainted with Wurlitzer technology. He had returned to Sweden in 1938.
No functional changes were made, only necessary repairs. Striking changes were made to the console, it was painted white and gold. The console was moved to the center of the orchestra pit and put on an elevator.
The film company decided that the Wurlitzer was too good to sit unused.
In the autumn of 1929 the first Swedish talkie, ”Konstgjorda Svensson”, was released and more followed quickly. This made the organ redundant.
But the Wurlitzer wasn't completely silenced. In October 1937 organist Gösta Berlin (1898-1952) played several popular tunes when a new Swedish film was shown. Also in February 1938 Frithof Staerke played daily before and after the show when the American version of the operetta ”Rose-Marie” was shown.
In 1942 the organ was deemed unplayable after years of neglect. But it was decided to restore the function and organ builder Hans C. Schuster (1888-1970) was selected for the task. He came from and organ building family and had emigrated to the USA and was quite acquainted with Wurlitzer technology. He had returned to Sweden in 1938.
No functional changes were made, only necessary repairs. Striking changes were made to the console, it was painted white and gold. The console was moved to the center of the orchestra pit and put on an elevator.
The film company decided that the Wurlitzer was too good to sit unused.
Hans C. Schuster. Unknown Photographer.
1940's
Willard Ringstrand (1908-1973) Boxing day 1943 SF Film company starts a new idea with about 5 minutes of playing before the main film starts.
On the bench is Mr. Willard Ringstrand in white tails and a spotlight directed to the console.
In the 1940's there was a new generation moviegoers who didn't know about a Wurlitzer. Mr. Ringstrand's program was a success. More people learned about the organ through many radio broadcasts. 1944-1949 the organ was heard more than 50 times in various radio programs.
Mr. Ringstrand also made several records.
Willard Ringstrand (1908-1973) Boxing day 1943 SF Film company starts a new idea with about 5 minutes of playing before the main film starts.
On the bench is Mr. Willard Ringstrand in white tails and a spotlight directed to the console.
In the 1940's there was a new generation moviegoers who didn't know about a Wurlitzer. Mr. Ringstrand's program was a success. More people learned about the organ through many radio broadcasts. 1944-1949 the organ was heard more than 50 times in various radio programs.
Mr. Ringstrand also made several records.
Ad in a paper August 31 1946
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Willard Ringstrand at the Console of the Wurlitzer. He played a short piece in radio every weekday at 12.05
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William Lind (1911-1995) was at the time a well known conductor and arranger of light orchestra music. He made a few concerts at the Wurlitzer.
Ad April 14 1944
So far the SF Film company had only hired established and well educated musicians to play the Wurlitzer. In the autumn of 1945 they decided to try something new.
Ulf Wesslén (1927-2009) was only 18 years old when he was hired as organist. He played during 1946/47. His engagement came to an abrupt end when his organ teacher heard about his engagement. Combining jazz and popular music with studies in classical organ was unthinkable.
Ulf Wesslén (1927-2009) was only 18 years old when he was hired as organist. He played during 1946/47. His engagement came to an abrupt end when his organ teacher heard about his engagement. Combining jazz and popular music with studies in classical organ was unthinkable.
Ulf Wesslén at the not yet restored Wurlitzer console, 2007. Photo by Hans Martin Riben.
Ralph Åke Levén (1930-2015) was called in 1947 to succeed Wesslén. He was also very young, only 17. This was a start of a long and successful career as a concert organist.
But his engagement was cut short. In autumn of 1948 the SF Company decided to end playing before the beginning of the film. They claimed it was too expensive and showing commercials was a better deal.
But his engagement was cut short. In autumn of 1948 the SF Company decided to end playing before the beginning of the film. They claimed it was too expensive and showing commercials was a better deal.
1950's
Benna Moe (1897-1983)
Benna Moe was born in Copenhagen and had studied organ, song and composition at "Det Kungl. Danska musikkonservatoriet". She often visited Sweden and was living here a few years during the 1940's. After WW2 she returned to Copenhagen and played 1948-50 at the Palladium Wurlitzer (Opus 2220). In June of 1951 she played several concerts on the Skandia Wurlitzer. It was a big success and the engagement was extended by two weeks.
Parts of the concerts were recorded for example Tea for Two, Donkey Serenade, Salut d'amour, and The Parade of the Tin Soldiers.
This was probably the last time the Wurlitzer was played publicly from its original place.
Benna Moe (1897-1983)
Benna Moe was born in Copenhagen and had studied organ, song and composition at "Det Kungl. Danska musikkonservatoriet". She often visited Sweden and was living here a few years during the 1940's. After WW2 she returned to Copenhagen and played 1948-50 at the Palladium Wurlitzer (Opus 2220). In June of 1951 she played several concerts on the Skandia Wurlitzer. It was a big success and the engagement was extended by two weeks.
Parts of the concerts were recorded for example Tea for Two, Donkey Serenade, Salut d'amour, and The Parade of the Tin Soldiers.
This was probably the last time the Wurlitzer was played publicly from its original place.
Idon photo. Benna Moe 1942. Unknown photographer.
Here's an example how the organ sounds now. In the autumn of 2017 there was an organ festival in Stockholm. Simon Gledhill was invited to play a program on our Wurlitzer. Here is a short clip of the opening number: A well known fanfare followed by a couple of bars from "Hooray for Hollywood".