The Fox Theater is set to bring its 1926 Wurlitzer Pipe Organ back to life on Saturday, March 15, with a special event titled Silent Comedies with Dave Moreno on the Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ. The iconic pipe organ has not been played in the theater for nearly a decade, but thanks to the dedication of the theater staff and the expertise of organist Dave Moreno, the antique instrument will be featured during a screening of silent films starring Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd.
“I prefer them to Charlie Chaplin…” said Dan Humason, the theater’s owner. “For those who are just discovering this, [the event] is a great introduction. These films are classics, they’re hilarious, and the audience loves them.”
While Keaton and Lloyd will be on the screen, the true star of the show will be Moreno, who will provide a live soundtrack for the films using the pipe organ. Having spent his life studying, repairing, and playing pipe organs, Moreno is known for his skillful ability to bring the organ to life in ways that captivate audiences.
“Every organist has their own unique style, and they must be exceptionally talented,” Humason remarked.
The Wurlitzer pipe organ, which produces sound by using wind-driven mechanisms controlled by tab keys, foot pedals, and piano keys, does not rely on speakers. It can mimic an orchestra, individual instruments, car horns, and even animal sounds, adding a distinct depth to the movie experience.
Last Friday, Moreno tested the organ to ensure all sounds were functioning as they should. He shared that he had been working on the Wurlitzer for several years, getting it ready for this highly anticipated return.
“The organ is like a 1920s synthesizer,” Moreno explained. “It’s all acoustic… I always tell people that silent movies are something you listen to with your eyes. I’ve had people tell me after my performance that they felt like the movie had sound. That’s the greatest compliment I can receive as a theater organist.”
Moreno, alongside the theater’s technician Tim Grubb, has been working on installing a computer system inside the organ to make it even more versatile and to allow for the recording of the sounds produced during performances.
Moreno recommends sitting anywhere in the theater for Saturday night’s event, noting that the organ is one of the loudest instruments in the world. “The organ is designed to sound good from any seat in the room. The sound comes from above and mixes as it descends,” he said. “As my friend likes to say, ‘every seat’s a musical lodge to itself.’”
The silent films with Moreno on the Wurlitzer organ will be held at the Hanford Fox Theater on Saturday, March 15, at 7:30 p.m. Advanced tickets are available for $15 to $20, with general admission tickets priced at $20 on the day of the event. Balcony seating is exclusive to individuals aged 21 and over.
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