ODEON, LEICESTER SQUARE COMPTON

ODEON CINEMA, LEICESTER SQUARE COMPTON

The Odeon, Leicester Square, London opened on the 2nd November 1937 with the Royal Premiere of the film, "Prisoner of Zenda". It was equipped with the mighty 5 manual, 17 rank British built Compton Organ. This incorporated the latest Compton patent, the Melotone unit and provision was made for a piano attachment but this was never installed. The Melotone gives that modulating effect which has an almost haunting, ethereal quality. An unusual feature of the organ is the great rounded glass surround which was designed to blend in with decor and scrolls on the side walls of the art-deco auditorium. The ranks of pipes and percussion instruments are situated in two chambers beneath the 47 foot wide screen.

Jimmy Bell opened the organ but prior to the opening, the late Jimmy Taylor of Compton's invited several famous organists to a preview including the great Quentin Maclean and Reginald Foort. John Hewlett followed on from Jimmy Bell and then, for many years, the resident organist was the popular Gerald Shaw who played for many Royal Film Premieres and did many radio broadcasts. Gerald Shaw gave the organ its name of "The Duchess". The organ is still played for special film showings with Donald Mackenzie (shown in the photo above) at the console and for concerts. The Odeon, which is Rank's flagship cinema, has just undergone extensive restoration and this included major work on the Compton which now should see life through another sixty years.

The 17 ranks of pipes include; Salicional, Bourdon, Vox humana, Tuba, Posaune, Trumpet, French Horn, Diapason, Tibia, Clarinet, Krumet, Gergen, Gamba, Strings, Flute, Nazard and Ocarina.