Description |
Built by the great Luis Bacigului, in the West Coast Organ Company, El Monte, CA. Luis Bacigulupi was considered one of the greatest organ builders in the world. He came to American in 1904. He built this organ with his son in the late 1930's and early 1940's. He built this organ for himself but rented it to people in Hollywood and others in his area. You would call him and he would deliver and pick up the organ. Luis was the inventor of the cardboard and roll operated organs. This organ has had stories written about it by the NBSI magazine on at least 2 different occasions as well as by smaller publications. The organ has been in 30-40 and B movies in Hollywood. The most famous movie was Hatari! in 1962, with John Wayne. Henri Mancini was credited as the greatest composer of his time and played this organ in the majority of these movies. He played the tune "Elephant Walk", which was written for Hatari, during the scene where the animals gather at the watering hole. After Luis's death in 1958, the organ was left to his son, Luis Jr. Only a few years later, Luis's health failed. Then he sold it to J. Ward. Mr. Ward created Bullwinkle and was also considered the greatest cartoonist of his time. Mr. Ward played this organ on TV many times on the Howdy Doody and Kukla, Fran and Ollie shows. You cannot find an organ today built with so much craftsmanship with so much history as this great organ. Truly a museum piece that should be shared with everyone. Having the greatest organ builder, the greatest music composer and the greatest cartoonist all a part of one organ. This organ has been in a private collection on the east coast, owned by Dennis Windsor, who's show was mostly history but included his famous monkey, Joey, for the kids. Entertainment for children young and old. Dennis purchased this organ from Mrs. Ward after Mr. Wards death. It was then sent to The Great Canadian Nickelodeon Company where it underwent a total restoration.
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