Paramount Theatre - Wurlitzer Publix 1 (initially 4/20, currently 4/21)
Seattle, Washington
907 Pine St.
Organ installation timeframe: 1928 - present
 
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Seattle Paramount street view, 1947 (MOHAI 1983.10.16682.1)
 

Wurlitzer factory photo, c.1927
 
 
Theatre Beginnings
The Paramount Theatre originally opened as the Seattle Theatre on March 1, 1928. It was designed by famous Chicago architects George & Cornelius Rapp, together with prolific Northwest theatre architect B. Marcus Priteca, who worked primarily on the office-tower portion of the theatre building. On March 14, 1930 the Publix Theatre chain renamed it the Seattle Paramount. The Paramount Theatres in Seattle and Portland were the only Rapp & Rapp theatres on the west coast.

More Information:
The famous 'Ron & Don' duo
Wurlitzer model Publix 1 information and stoplist
Current stoplist and chamber layout (1998)
Excerpts from the Paramount Theatre web site
1997/98 updates from PSTOS member, Red Carlson
Seattle Paramount history on STG website, by Phil Hargiss
Paramount Historic Picture Gallery
Three Loves Has Schrum (1964 article)

Paramount console, c. 1970
 
Original Wurlitzer Installation
The Paramount Wurlitzer is an original Publix 1 (opus #1819), configured for installation in three chambers. The organ was shipped from the factory on December 23, 1927. The cost was $46,500. The 4-manual "French" style console with rococo brackets and flower basket design appliqués was installed on a hydraulic lift at the left end of the orchestra pit. As installed, the organ comprised 20 ranks and 8 tuned percussions; it has subsequently been expanded to 21 ranks and 9 tuned percussions.
 
PSTOS has been involved since the early 1960's with keeping this historic instrument in good working order.
 

PSTOS work crew, c. 1968

Silent years, Renewal, and Concerts Throughout the 1940's and 50's, the Paramount Wurlitzer sat silent, unused publicly for almost twenty years until April 6, 1963 when PSTOS member Dick Schrum gave a benefit concert for the Granada Organ Loft Club. Prior to the concert, Dick and others including Bob Jones, Roger Johnson, Don French and Clark Rush spent months cleaning parts, replacing dead magnets, tuning and generally bringing the instrument back to life. Starting in late 1965, several guest organists were brought in for concerts. Larry Vannucci gave a concert in October, 1965 and the famous New York Paramount organist Don Baker played a midnight show on January 15, 1966.

 
Popular Northwest organist Jonas Nordwall gave his Seattle debut performance at a midnight concert on September 3, 1966.
 
Eddie Dunstedter visited in early 1968 and Korla Pandit performed in April 1968. It was at this concert where a Gottfried Post Horn (substituted for the Tuba Mirabilis in the Solo) was first tried in the instrument.
 
Over the next 15 years, members of PSTOS maintained the organ and used it as frequently as possible given the various changes in ownership during the 1960's and 70's.
 
In the months leading up to the 1981 Seattle ATOS National Convention, PSTOS members spent many hundreds of hours readying the Paramount Wurlitzer. The inclusion of the instrument turned out to be a major plus for the convention. Many world-class organists were featured during the convention and in the years following.

Concerts:

Don Isham	February 1969
Tony Fenelon	September 1969
Johnny Seng	November 1969
Bill Nalle	July 1981 (ATOS National)
Ashley Miller	July 1981 (ATOS National)
Jonas Nordwall	July 1981 (ATOS National)
Walt Strony	November 1981
Jonas Nordwall	February 1982
Ron Rhode	November 1982
Jim Roseveare	June 1984
Lyn Larson	September 1984
Dennis James	Jan/Feb 1985 (organ and orchestra, silent movies)
Pauline Dixon	April 1985
Dan Bellomy	June 1985
Lew Williams	October 1985
Walt Strony	October 1986
Gaylord Carter	May 1987
Bob Ralston	March 16, 2003
Jonas Nordwall	April 4, 2005

Theatre Restoration
In 1996, the theatre went through an extensive restoration. The re-opening was in 1999. Here are some photos of the restored theatre (courtesy Seattle Theatre Group):

Auditorium

Lobby

Restored Auditorium

Proscenium

 
During the theatre restoration, the console was refurbished by Balcom & Vaughan, and received some technical upgrades, including a new solid-state relay, and quick disconnect winding for the combination action.
 
Silent Movie Mondays
The Silent Movie Mondays program was initiated in 1998, with Dennis James as organist. Dennis was replaced in 2009 by Jim Riggs, who retired in 2014. Silent movies are now accompanied on a rotating basis by Tedde Gibson, Donna Parker, Chris Elliot, and Tyler Pattison.
 

Console c. 1971
 
2010 ATOS Convention
In July 2010, PSTOS hosted the annual ATOS convention, which opened and closed at the Paramount. June 28, Overture Day: Dave Wickerham performed at First Church of the Nazarene, Spokane, followed by Mark Andersen at the Wenatchee Valley Museum. June 29, Opening Day: After a reception in the Paramount Theatre lobby, Australian artists Tony Fenelon and John Atwell played a duo concert at the piano and organ. June 30, Tulalip Day: Nathan Avakian at the Everett Theatre, followed by Lew Williams at the Mt. Baker Theatre in Bellingham. July 1, Multnomah Day: skating demonstration at the Oaks Park Skating Rink in Portland, followed by Donna Parker at Cleveland High School, and Jonas Nordwall at the First United Methodist Church. July 2, Nisqually Day: Clark Wilson accompanied a silent movie at Tacoma's Temple Theatre, followed by Simon Gledhill at the Washington Center in Olympia, and Chris Gorsuch at St. Columban in Yelm. July 3, Closing Day: Scott Foppiano at Calvary Christian in Seattle, then Jelani Eddington at Bastyr University, and the gala banquet with Jim Riggs at the Paramount. July 4, Encore Day: Walt Strony at the Tahoma Studio in Maple Valley, and Richard Hills at Wurlitzer Manor in Gig Harbor.


Paramount console, 2003

2018 Console Rebuild
Between May, 2017 and March, 2018, the console was rebuilt off site by the Crome Organ Company. The rebuild included structural repairs, cosmetic restoration, expansion of the horseshoe to Style 285 dimensions, replacement of all remaining pneumatic components, installation of a Uniflex control system, and revisions to the specification to improve unification and to support the eventual addition of new tonal resources.
 
Rebuilt console, 2018