Support the Project: Our Crowdfunding Shop is Now Open!
As of August 30th, we’ve raised $32,684 — 29.0% of our crowdfunding goal.
Perks: CDs, Posters, Postcards & More in the Crowdfunding Shop.
Make a Direct Contribution – Proceeds fund the production.
All Topcs • Project Updates • Neat Stuff • Videos • In the News • Road Trips • Crowdfunding • Events • Sponsors
(*Or, “Nerding Out about Credits” Part II) It takes a lot of people to make a movie – including a documentary. This film may be very lean on the crew side (often it’s just me doing the shoots), but it’s especially heavy on the participant side, whether its the long list of interviewees, or people…
(Post updated 2025-07-13 with technical info.) In this newly-acquired footage from the 1970s, organist Jonas Nordwall performs a full set at the Organ Grinder restaurant in Portland, Oregon. This compilation is from vintage video tapes which were recently provided to the documentary project. Sometime around 1977, representatives from Sony visited the Organ Grinder to test…
Happy Fourth of July! In this newly-acquired footage from the 1970s, organist Jonas Nordwall performs John Philip Sousa’s “Washington Post” March at the Organ Grinder restaurant in Portland, Oregon. The Organ Grinder’s performers would work various bits into each 45-50min set, including interacting with the mechanical monkey. The organist would play along as the monkey…
In April, as part of our Midwest Tour, we visited Organ Piper Pizza in Greenfield, Wisconsin. Organ Piper is one of three remaining establishments where you can enjoy live theatre pipe organ music with your pizza. Organist Zach Frame kindly allowed us to film a complete 45-minute set, in order to portray what it’s like…
During each performer’s 45-50 minute set at the Organ Grinder, there were a few routine bits that were usually included, such as a silent movie, or a round of Happy Birthday. One well-known bit was to play “Tiny Bubbles” while running the bubble machines located high above the audience. Children (and some adults!) would run…
On April 8, Toby Washburn stopped by Carma Labs in Franklin, Wisconsin to demonstrate the unusual pipe organ constructed in the warehouse. As part of our Midwest Tour, The Organ Grinder Documentary project visited Carma Labs (which you may recognize as the manufacturers of Carmex lip balm) to explore the wild and over-the-top things people…
A lot has been happening with the production… not only are there multiple news items yet-to-post from last month’s five-state tour of the Midwest (some really amazing stuff), but a lot has already happened during the still-ongoing Denver road trip. On Monday, I visited the Denver Public Library’s research floor. There’s a special room for…
On Sundays at lunchtime, organist Paul Quarino would perform gospel tunes to appeal to the “after church” crowd, before the regular secular/pop program began later in the afternoon. This recording is from January 30, 1996, five days before the Portland Organ Grinder closed. Tuning Note:A sudden cold snap (part of a series of unusual weather…
It sure looks like the Organ Grinder, doesn’t it? But it’s not! While visiting Shawn Kenney as part of our Midwest Tour, Shawn provided a notebook filled with photos and documents of “Pipe Organ and Pizza”-themed establishments. There were over 100 restaurants with pipe organs created throughout the 1960’s-1980’s, most of them independently owned and…
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…
On January 30, 1996, five days before the Portland Organ Grinder closed, three performers entertained the audience: Paul Quarino, Donna Parker, and Jonas Nordwall. Although not a scheduled event, it represents a “Farewell Concert”, as it was the last time these three performers would play together at the Organ Grinder. Three different fans independently recorded…
Happy Valentine’s Day! High school sweethearts Brad and Debbie Avakian describe going out to the Organ Grinder in their teenage years, and then later recount a humorous interaction between their parents during one family outing to the restaurant. Brad and Debbie have been together 40 years, after dating over six years before getting married. In…
Let’s go celebrity spotting… The Organ Grinder was a unique and popular place that drew visitors from all over, including Hollywood celebrities. (And local celebrities, too!) Pictured above is comedian Rip Taylor (center) at Organ Grinder Denver, along with Organ Grinder co-founder Jerry Forchuk (left) and Al Fike, “The modern minstrel man”. After talking with…
When the Paramount Theatre in Portland, Oregon closed, before eventually becoming the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, many items were auctioned off, including furnishings, lighting fixtures, props, and the mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ that had originally been installed in the theatre for its grand opening on March 8, 1928. A representative of the company that owned…
Introduction This post is a different sort of “behind the scenes” write-up. It relates to the bureaucratic methods that indie filmmakers have to cultivate, as we work without the aid of a studio system or support staff. When crowdfunding, much like when fundraising for a charity, you want to be sure to thank and publicly-acknowledge…
A collection of Christmas carols performed by organist Jonas Nordwall on the mighty Wurlitzer at Organ Grinder Portland. UPDATED December 23, 2024 – A new Version 2, with improved audio remixed by Nathan Avakian. Presented without ads, for a seamless musical experience. Previous Version 1 – Presented with limited commercial interruption with nostalgic ads and…
In light of the recent passing of Paul Quarino, we are releasing these excerpts from his most recent interview, conducted in March, 2022, at the Egyptian Theatre in Coos Bay, Oregon. Paul James Quarino April 21, 1942 – December 15, 2024 Music: “The Hands of Time” by Michel Legrand, performed by Paul Quarino at Organ…
In 1970, a group of filmmakers captured the final days of the Oriental Theatre, a movie palace in Portland, Oregon. With dramatizations of the glory days of cinema, this documentary captures the wonder that this grand building inspired in patrons, as well as portraying its tragic demolition. The Oriental Theatre’s Wurlitzer pipe organ was preserved…
Employees and friends describe the generosity of Organ Grinder co-founder Paul Forchuk, while laughing about the difficulties receiving that generosity would sometimes entail. Featuring: Vicki Buck, Stan Cadwallader, and Jonas Nordwall, with photos of Russ Cornelison and Jim Nabors. Music: “The Entertainer” by Scott Joplin, performed by David Lee at Organ Grinder Portland.
Don Feely performs The Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa at the Organ Grinder restaurant in Portland, Oregon. Includes a special appearance by the mechanical chimp! Originally recorded early February, 1996 by Ted Welty.
