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One of several
books Dennis asked VP to sign for him. |
A typically
polite and genuine letter from VP. How he found the time to
respond to all of his fans while on the road I'll never
know! |
The BEST
pictures Dennis scanned for the Exhibit are two snapshots he
took of VP while performing in Diversions and Delights.
Here's one of the great man in his dressing room. |
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"My walk with Vincent Price and the picture I took of him on the streets of San Francisco:
"After
doing his one-man play on a Saturday afternoon in 1978. We met Mr.
Price outside the theatre. He began autographing, talking and having
his picture taken with and by fans. After about a hour, Price said
good-bye and began his walk to his hotel. As he walks away I asked
could I ask him why he have not made a movie for some time now. He said
he must go, but I may walk with him alone. Price took out and lights up
a cigarette with a sad face. He said he was not happy with Hollywood
these days. He was let down with some bombs, but needed the money. He
missed the old days of Hollywood. For now he is happy not making movies
at this time in his life. Price wanted to return to the stage for a
long time now, and now he is doing just that and doing well. The stage
is for him. I then ask could I take one more picture before I leave
him. Price said sure that I could. We stopped walking and I took his
picture. And so that is the story behind my walk with Vincent Price."
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From Dennis:
"Signed first page of the free hand-out theatre program of
Vincent Price's new one-man play as Oscar Wilde, DIVERSIONS
AND DELIGHTS. Mr. Price signed this for me on the first
night of his new play, July 16, 1977 in San Francisco,
California!"
"Memories: He also signed the cookbook, also shown here. He
had a cookie cut-out of a star on his dressing room door,
above his name! Mr. Price made sure that fans was always
welcome to visit him after the play. Any one waiting outside
at the theatre stage door requesting a autograph or just to
meet Mr. Price was welcome back inside and taken to the
dressing room! I had gone to the play about 7 times during
its San Francisco run, and Mr. Price still welcomed us to
visit him every time! He was so nice and took time to talk
to each of his fans. A wonderful man was Vincent Price, the
man who cared about his fans and friends."
"Price came back
to San Francisco in 1978 to do 2 weeks (hold over 3 more
weeks!) of D&D. Like in 1977, he always welcomed his fans.
However it was not the same theatre, and the stage door guy
at the door did not believe me that VP would welcome us to
his dressing room. We were not able to get in during the
1978 run of the play. However VP later came out to meet us.
First thing he said (to me? not sure) to us that he was so
sorry we were not let in to see him! Seem this theatre don't
let people in backstage. Must be true, because we had to
wait for VP to come out after the play when I went again to
see the play. In 1979 I saw and met VP for the last time. He
did a reading of Poe's works at the San Francisco Opera
House with the SF Symphony playing mood background music.
After the program, we were able to come on stage to meet VP!
By this time I was able to find a old copy of VP's book on
his dog Joe. (In his hand-written letter the year before to
me that you have put on the web site, Price said the book
was out of print). However I was lucky to find a copy. When
it was my time to meet him (the line was long! It
was over a hour before my time came!), first time he said
"You again this year! (with a smile) What another book? I
did not know I wrote that many and you have them all!" (Not
really. Wish it was so). Believe it or not, without saying
another word, he signed the book and he remembered my name!
He came back to the Bay Area in 1980 to do a reading at a
college in Hayward, CA, just a few miles away from my home.
However I found out too late and missed seeing the program
and him. I wonder if he was thinking of me and where was I?
I don't think so. But it did hurt missing him."
Scans and quoted
narrative copyright Dennis Hollenbeck |
