Saenger Theater

Hattiesburg, MS Saenger Theatre

Hattiesburg's Saenger was actually one in a chain of theaters begun by two Louisiana brothers, Abe and Julian Saenger. Both pharmacists, the Saengers owned and operated a drugstore in Shreveport that featured a "kinetograph." This machine allowed customers a peep at moving pictures for a penny. Through this "movieola," the brothers became interested in the picture business.

The Saengers envisioned their first grand opera house and movie theater after researching the idea with other theater owners. The luxurious Strand Theatre opened on July 3, 1925, in Shreveport, the first of a 320-theater chain.

In 1927, the Saenger Theatre Corp. owned more than 150 theaters in 50 cities in 11 Southern states, Panama, Cuba and Central America. By 1929, the brothers sold out to the future Paramount Pictures for $10 million.

[from http://www.execpc.com/~hiawatha/mp/ms.html/ and http://members.xoom.com/MiRyan25/html/thejewel_of_joachim_street.htm]

Pipe Organ

One of the features of the Saenger Center (formerly the Saenger Theater of Hattiesburg, MS.)

Pipe Organ

was its Mighty Robert Morton Pipe Organ. The six rank Morton was said to have been originally built for the Hattiesburg Strand in 1927 but it was moved to the Saenger around 1932. Two additional ranks of pipes were added by Frank Evans of Meredian MS. so the organ presently boasts a Kimball Clarinet, Wurlitzer Diaphone, and Morton Tuba in addition to the original pipework. The original 2 manual console was beyond repair so it was replaced, by Frank Evans, with a three manual console which came from a Masonic Lodge in Oklahoma. During the 1970's the theater was closed and the organ was removed and sold. In 1981, it was reinstalled in the Saenger building. Additional information and photos are available on the Theatreorgans Home Page.

The City of Hattiesburg now owns the building and operates it to house stage plays, concerts and civic functions. The Mighty Morton still stands, and members of the Magnolia Chapter of the American Theater Organ Society have worked to keep it operational. The theater and organ are under renovation now.

For more information on this and other organs in the Louisiana and Mississippi area, visit the Magnolia chapter's home page at http://atos.stirlingprop.com , or contact Phil Lyons at organut@aol.com.

Console of the Saenger's 3/8 Robert Morton

View of the HOUSE with organ grills visible on far wall.

[from http://atos.stirlingprop.com/saenger/]

"Mack" and "Hank" on the "Hub Breakfast Limited"

Bob McRaney [L], first announcer-organist for WPFB-Hattiesburg, Miss., and Hank Smith, Program Director, broadcast remote from the Saenger Theatre, 1932. Note early Western Electric carbon microphone, and Robert Morton Theatre pipe organ.

Photo from "The History of RADIO in Mississippi", written by and copywritten by Bob McRaney, Sr., who is seated at the organ in this photo.

[from http://www.theatreorgans.com/mississippi/hattiesburg/]