Oriental Theatre Organ

Oriental Theatre -- Milwaukee East Side

3/40 Kimball

The Oriental Theatre opened in July of 1927. It was a Saxe house designed by Dick & Bauer that incorporated elements of East Indian, Moorish, Islamic, and Byzantine architecture. It was billed as “the most beautiful and artistic temple of Oriental art to be found anywhere in America.” Elaborate detail throughout was evidenced by teakwood timbers, a trio of eight-foot chandeliers, 2,000 yards of silk, and a tiled staircase to the balcony and promenade. Ornate plaster work included over 100 elephants as well as numerous mythological creatures. The theatre had 2,310 seats and a well-equipped stage with the then latest lighting control board. Opening night had eight acts, including the dedication of the theatre and an organist taking his turn. The feature photoplay was Naughty But Nice.

The Oriental was “triplexed” by converting the area under the balcony into two more screens. Fortunately, this modification has had little effect on the sound of the organ, as half of the main floor and the entire balcony still form a large open area.
The original organ installed in the theatre for its opening was a 3/14 Barton that was removed in 1959. The large chambers were ideal for the Kimball now in residence.

The 3/27 Kimball, installed for the opening of Milwaukee’s Warner Theatre in 1931 was removed in 1973. The Warner, later know the Centre and finally the Grand Theatre (located between 2nd and 3rd street on Wisconsin Avenue), is now closed. The organ was donated to the Milwaukee Trade and Technical High School for installation in the school’s auditorium, but it was decided that it would be impossible to fit such a large instrument into the available space. The Kimball Theatre Organ Society (KTOS) was formed in 1979 for the purpose of saving the organ from eventual sale. KTOS was successful in acquiring the organ, and determined that the Oriental was to be the new home for the instrument. The organ was presented to the public for the first time at the 1991 ATOS Regional Convention in Milwaukee after many years of rebuilding and restoration. Much of the organ had suffered severe water damage, including the relay, which has now been replaced by a new Z-Tronics relay. The original pneumatic combination action and setter boards remain.

The organ has now grown to 40 ranks, but fits nicely in the theatre’s large chambers. For a more comprehensive history of the Oriental Kimball, please refer to the January/February 2000 issue of Theatre Organ.

Main Chamber
Tuba Mirabilis
Euphone
Diapason Phonon / Diaphone
Tibia Minor
Solo Flute
Clarinet
Orchestral Oboe / Contra Fagotto
English Horn
Musette TC
Saxophone
Quintadena
Wald Horn
Wald Horn Celeste TC
Concert Flute / Bourdon
Flute Celeste TC
Muted Viols II
Vox Humanas II
Marimba Harp
Celesta
Toy Counter

Solo Chamber
Post Horn
Trumpet
Tuba
Open Diapason/Diaphonic Horn
Solo Tibia Clausa
French Horn
Echo Horn
Kinura
Cello/Violone
Cello Celestes II
Violin I
Violin Celestes II
Viola
Viola Celestes II
Spitz Flutes II
Vox Humanas II
Piano
Xylophone
Glockenspiel
Sleigh Bells
Chimes

Stage
Diaphone
Wood Bombarde (from Tuba Mirabilis)
Wood Open Diapason
Deagan Tower Chimes
Piano
Vibraphone