This is a fun coincidence that happened recently. It’s not specifically Organ Grinder related, but it ties in nicely with the theme, and it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t embarked on this documentary project.
Back in September, when I interviewed Mark Reed, he made several comments regarding a book called “The Best Remaining Seats – The Golden Age of the Movie Palace“.
I decided to find a used copy (the book is long out of print), in case I needed to illustrate what Mark was speaking about. There were multiple copies available from different sellers, and I picked one based on the condition of its dust jacket. (Yes, I was judging a book by its cover.)
On the day the book was delivered, the rain was unusually intense (even for Oregon!) and the cardboard box had been soaked completely through – it was almost mush. I was worried that the book had been ruined. When I opened the box, I found that the seller had carefully wrapped the book in multiple layers of cling film, and that it was completely dry and unharmed. I wrote a quick thank-you message to the seller, and they replied that they forgot to mention there was an autographed note included with the book, inside the dust jacket.
When I looked, I found, taped to the book’s back cover, a slip of paper, with text reading:
“To the incredible Nancy, you’re one in a million! With much love, Bill and Rocky”
It was signed by Bill Paxton and Rocky Schenck. Now, being someone who came of age in the 80’s, I immediately recognized Bill Paxton’s name because I was first introduced to him in Aliens (1986), and later in life appreciated his many performances in film and TV.
I looked up Rocky’s filmography, and found that Rocky and Bill worked closely together on a short film called The Egyptian Princess (1977). And a review of the cast and crew revealed that a Nancy Hernandez was both a member of the cast and credited for costume work.
Could this copy of the book have been used by Bill and Rocky as research material for their film, and then given to Nancy as a thank-you gift? If so, what a coincidence that I’m now using the same book for research for my film, and that this is the copy I chose to order out of many choices.
On a whim, I decided to write to Rocky and describe what I had found. And Rocky wrote back – almost immediately!
Thanks so much for reaching out and indeed, this discovery brings back so many fond memories of that era! And yes, Nancy was the costumer on two of my ancient films, “Egyptian Princess” and “Four Ladies Dancing”, although she changed her name to “Arianna De Leon” on the second film. The trailers to these ancient films are on YouTube at this link, and feel free to share ‘em and my website info, too!
I shot “EP” in several old movie theaters around Los Angeles – The Pantages, The Los Angeles Theater, The United Artist Theater, and on a balcony on the side of the Million Dollar Theater – I’m a big fan of eccentric architecture and belonged to the Theater Historical Society at the time I was filming “Princess”. So many stories regarding the making of that film, and so many wonderful memories. Bill and I remained friends the rest of his life, and I recently worked with his wonderful son James Paxton on a project.
The Egyptian Princess trailer is shown below. You can hear Rocky in an upcoming interview to be broadcast on KXFM Radio 104.7 (Laguna Beach, California, but it can be streamed online) on March 17, 2025, at 12-2pm Pacific time.
There is another coincidence, somewhat sad… You may be familiar with Organ Grinder performer Paul Quarino, who unfortunately just passed away in December. In his final years, Paul was maintaining the Wurlitzer pipe organ at a small theatre in Coos Bay, Oregon, called “The Egyptian”. It’s the only theatre left in Oregon where the Wurlitzer organ is original to the building. (There are other Oregon theatres with Wurlitzers, but which are restorations made from organs that came from other locations.)
I hope the news of this “Message in a Bottle” (“Message in a Book”? Sounds too bland!) brightens people’s day. It certainly did for Rocky and for me.
– Bob Richardson
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