About the Historic Fargo Theatre

History (1920, 1930, 1940, 1950-60, 1970, 1980, 1990)

1970's

During the 1950s and 1960s, the Fargo Theatre's Wurlitzer organ was dormant, but did not go unnoticed by two musicians - Lance Johnson and David Knudtson.

Johnson - an organist, organ builder, and member of the Red River Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society - tried unsuccessfully to gain access to the organ for several years. The Theatre's management would not allow it. Finally, this policy changed when Plitt Theatres of Chicago purchased the Fargo Theatre in 1973. By this time, Johnson had become acquainted with David Knudtson, a fellow theatre and organ enthusiast. Together, they pitched their idea to the new management. The local chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society wanted permission to restore and play the organ, at no cost to the Theatre. The management agreed. Late that night, after the movie crowd was gone, Knudtson and Johnson began work on the organ, cleaning decades of dust and soot.

After months of restoration work on the Wurlitzer organ, the American Theatre Organ Society presented its first Silent Movie Night on November 14, 1974. The sold-out crowd couldn't wait to hear the organ that hadn't been touched for nearly 30 year.s The program that evening featured organ solos, an old-fashioned sing-a-long, and "The Harold LLoyd Comedy Revue" on screen, accompanied by a score on the Wurlitzer.

The American Theatre Organ Society continued to present Silent Movie Night programs twice each year. In January 1976, Hildegarde Kraus received a standing ovation as she returned to the console of the Fargo Theatre's Wurlitzer organ for the first time in decades. In 1978, silent screen actress Lillian Gish appeared in person at the Fargo Theatre for a special Silent Movie Night presentation. In addition to Silent Movie Night, the American Theatre Organ Society presented the Wurlitzer to the public during free noon-hour Christmas concerts, beginning in the late 1970s.

The original 1926 Wurlitzer organ had two manuals and seven sets of pipes, and was referred to as the style "E." In 1979, the American Theatre Organ Society members installed a three-manual console and relay, and wired it into the original organ. The organ then had two playable consoles, one with three manuals, and 12 playable sets of pipes. The only other theatre organ in the nation with two consoles and relays was in Radio City Music Hall in New York.

Plitt Theatres continued to operate the Fargo Theatre as a first-run commercial move house throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. Although the Fargo Theatre was primarily a movie house, Plitt Theatres was cooperative with local performers, including the American Theatre Organ Society, and booking agents who wanted to present shows on the stage.

Continue with History (1920, 1930, 1940, 1950-60, 1970, 1980, 1990)