How Big Bertha saved the Alabama Theatre + other fun facts about the Mighty Wurlitzer [Video]

Did you know that Big Bertha—the Mighty Wurlitzer organ inside the Alabama Theatre—is the only organ of its kind to remain in its original location?

To learn more about Big Bertha, Bham Now interviewed Gary W. Jones, who has served as House Organist since 2009.

Meet Big Bertha, the Alabama Theatre’s Mighty Wurlitzer

When the beautiful Alabama Theatre opened in 1927, it featured a one-of-a-kind, red and gold pipe organ affectionately known as “Big Bertha.”

“When the theater was designed by the Paramount Corporation, they commissioned the Randolph Wurlitzer Company of North Tonwanda, New York to create this one-of-a-kind Spanish Moorish, red gold and black console to help accentuate the architectural elements of the building.”

Gary Jones, House Organist, The Alabama Theatre

Dubbed “Wurlitzer Opus 1783”, the Alabama Theatre’s organ was designed to the specifications of Jesse Crawford, a “Poet of the Organ” who worked as the organist of the Paramount Theater in New York City.

The original organ included four manuals, 20 ranks of pipes, eight sets of tuned percussion instruments and a wide variety of sound effects to complement the silent movies.

“In 1927, when the Alabama was built, all films were silent. You needed some kind of musical accompaniment to emotionally tie the patron in the audience with the action on-screen.

Big Bertha has dozens of sound effects that you might use with a silent film, including birds chirping, train whistles, someone slipping on a banana peel and more. Those sound effects generaly brought a smile to the faces of people in the audience.”

Gary Jones, House Organist, The Alabama Theatre

Big Bertha saved the Alabama Theatre from destruction

In 1986, developer Costa and Head—then-owners of the Alabama Theatre—filed for bankruptcy. When it seemed as though the Alabama Theatre would be torn down, the Alabama Theatre Organ Society (ATOS) asked to remove Big Bertha and save it from destruction.

Fortunately, the bankruptcy attorney said no. If the ATOS wanted to save Big Bertha, they’d have to save the Alabama Theatre with it.

“That crazy little group of organ nuts raised enough money to pay the back taxes and assume the mortage of the Alabama Theatre. This instrument saved the building. I would not be sittiting where I am today without this organ and the Alabama Theatre Organ Society.”

Gary Jones, House Organist, The Alabama Theatre

Of the 17 Wurlitzer organs that Paramount commissioned for its theaters, only three remain—and the Alabama Theatre’s is the only one to survive in its original location.

How does Big Bertha work?

According to Gary Jones, the Wurlitzer Company marketed the Crawford Special-Publix One as a “Unit Orchestra.” It was designed so that a single, skilled operator—a “unit”—could mimic the sounds and capabilities of an actual orchestra.

“When the late, great Cecil Whitmire decided that he was going to retire, he took me to lunch and asked me if I would take over the reins. It was one of the most emotional days of my life, and I’ll never forget it as long as I live.

I’m very fortunate in that Big Bertha and I get one another. I understand that she is absolutely, positively without a doubt the star of the show—and I am only here to make her look good.”

Gary Jones, House Organist, The Alabama Theatre

To store the organ when not in use, Big Bertha is mounted on a lift that can be raised and lowered at a whim. Crowds love it when she raises from the floor at the start of a show!

Big Bertha has received several changes over the years, including modernization upgrades to increase reliability and portability. Twelve new ranks of pipes were added to the original 20-rank pipe organ to expand its tonal capabilities. Currently, Big Bertha contains 32 ranks of pipes split into three main sections:

See Big Bertha in action at the Alabama Theatre

Want to hear Big Bertha for yourself? Visit the Alabama Theatre’s website to check out their list of upcoming events. You can honor Big Bertha by contributing to the Alabama Theatre’s Organ Console Renovation Project.

Bonus: Each year, the Alabama Theatre plays the silent movie version of The Phantom of the Opera starring Lon Chaney. The film is accompanied by Big Bertha in all her glory!

• Alabama Theatre: Website | Facebook | Instagram
• Location: 1817 3rd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203

Have you heard Big Bertha at the Alabama Theatre? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!