Queen Anne Theatre - 2/4 Robert Morton
Seattle, Washington
 
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In September, 1922, the Queen Anne Theatre reopened to the public after a complete upgrading, which included installation of a brand new Robert Morton Theatre Pipe Organ. Previously, in 1910, a two-manual Kimball organ had been installed.
 
In the early 1930's the Queen Anne Theatre closed. The Queen Anne name was transferred to the Cheerio Theatre.
 
The following article appeared in a local paper:
 
QUEEN ANNE MOVIE TO REOPEN SUNDAY
 
Thousands Have Been Spent In Remodeling and Equipping Popular Hill Theatre
 
A surprise awaits Hill residents who go to the Queen Anne theatre Sunday evening or any evening thereafter. Consistent with his policy to give his patrons the best the market afforded Mr. Steele has spared no expense in remodeling and re-equiping his playhouse at Queen Anne and Boston.
 
$10,000 Organ
Perhaps the most important addition to the theatre is the new $10,000 Robert Morton Concert Auditorium Organ. The organ was originally designed and built for the municipal auditorium at Fresno, Calif., but when Mr. Steele placed his order for an organ and expressed a desire that the instrument be rushed to Seattle, the manufacturers consented to delay delivery of an instrument to Fresno and shipped the specially constructed Robert Morton to Seattle for the Q.A. Theatre.
 
The organ has more than 600 pipes and also includes a unit comprising everything in the line of traps, drums, bells, xylophones, and cymbals. The voice ranges from very soft to thunder-like loudness. The console comprises three keyboards and a complete series of stops. Miss Cawthorn, talented organist, will preside at the console. The organ was installed under the personal supervision of C.M. Balcom, Superintendent of Construction with Sherman, Clay & Co.
 
Redecorated
The theatre has also been completely redecorated under the personal direction of A. Weissenborn, of the Weissenborn Decorating Co., known all along the coast for their theatre decorating. The pictures will be flashed on a new Gardiner Silver Leaf screen installed by B. F. Shearer, Inc., dealers in theatrical equipment. This type of screen is used in all the better theatres throughout the country.
 
A new heating and ventilating system has been installed by the Washington Sheet Metal Works. This means that Queen Anne residents are going to enjoy the most comfortable and best ventilated picture house in the city. The beautiful drape curtain was purchased from Grunbaum Brothers Furniture Co. The new curtain adds greatly to the appearance of the interior of the theatre.
 
Indirect Lighting
The ornamental plaster work framing the stage opening, the artistic light containers and art vases are products of the Architectural Decorating Co., F. J. Hahn, manager. The indirect lighting system will surely meet with the approval of the Hill movie fans. It gives ample light without the irritating glare accompanying direct lighting.
 
Mr. Steele has spent close to $10,000 in the remodeling of his picture house. He appreciates the patronage of Hill residents and is reciprocating by making every effort to give them the best community theatre in Seattle. As for pictures, Mr. Steele announces that future pictures will be even better than those in the past and it is a well known fact that he has been showing most of the better pictures of today. His opening picture Sunday, "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse", one of the most talked-of pictures of the day, gives one an idea of the class of pictures to be run. Capacity houses during the opening week and the weeks following will convince Mr. Steele that his efforts have been appreciated by those in our community. A man of his progressive ideas is worthy of our support.