The Barr-Fox Wurlitzer began as “THE” Wurlitzer at Fox Studios, and can be heard on many famous movie and TV soundtracks, including Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Day the Earth Stood Still, and The Sound of Music. John Williams used it in Empire of the Sun, Witches of Eastwick, The Fury, and Home Alone.
The organ was eventually acquired by film composer Nathan Barr, who commissioned a complete restoration, building it in to his recording studio, Bandrika Studios.
(Read our full article about Nathan Barr and Bandrika Studios, which we visited in November as part of our Southwest Road Trip.)
In this video, we can see and hear the organ playing back a performance by organist Mark Herman, which was recorded into the organ’s “relay” (main control computer).
In its new home, the organ continues to be used for soundtracks, including the recent remake of The Grinch, Beetlejuice 2, The House with a Clock in its Walls, Jojo Rabbit, Jeff, and the animated version of the Addams Family. It even turns up on Miley Cyrus’s album, Something Beautiful.
Music:
“That’s a Plenty” by Lew Pollack
Performed by:
Mark Herman
Recorded at:
Bandrika Studios
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