07/07/2025
For anyone interested, here is the backstory and inspiration for "A Rainy Night in Hollywood."
Backstory for play:
“A Rainy Night in Hollywood”
Excerpt from memoir “I Am the Walrus” by Tom Erb
On the last evening of our stay, an unforgettable moment unfolded. My family, including my mom, Aunt Gertie, Uncle Larry, Grandma, and the other kids, decided to attend a carnival, leaving my Papa and me behind. Neither of us felt like joining the festivities, so we opted to stay home. I vividly recall lying on the couch, engrossed in a Western on the television, while Papa sat at the kitchen table. The sound of clinking coins emanated from his direction, piquing my curiosity. I couldn't resist investigating.
I approached the table, clambered onto a nearby chair, and observed as Papa meticulously arranged the coins. He sorted them, occasionally sharing intriguing tidbits with me. "This stack is made up of Silver Dollars minted before 1900," he would say, and I hung on to his every word.
As he completed the sorting process, I was astounded by the sheer quantity of coins and their impeccable shine. Then, Papa posed a question that would forever linger in my memory: "Among all these coins on the table, which one do you think holds the most value?" I surveyed the table, eventually selecting the tallest stack of silver dollars. To my surprise, Papa replied, "No, it's not always the tallest stack that holds the greatest value. The two most precious coins on this table are valuable for very different reasons."
He picked up two single coins, one glistening gold and the other shimmering silver, and placed them before me. "These," he declared, "are the two most valuable coins to me, Tommy. Would you like to know why?" I eagerly nodded, urging him to continue.
With a smile, Papa began, "Well, young man, these coins are heirlooms, destined to be passed down to close family members when I'm no longer here. But they also hold value because of their unique stories and the people who once possessed them."
He reached for the gleaming silver coin and shared its tale. "This coin was a gift from a renowned actress named Rita Hayworth back in 1947. At the time, I worked as a driver for Columbia Pictures, a quick way to earn some money. During my tenure, I chauffeured numerous movie stars and directors, such as Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Glenn Ford, Alfred Hitchcock, and Orson Welles."
Papa's narrative continued, recounting the evening when he met Rita Hayworth. "In March 1948, they assigned me to pick her up. It was a rainy night, and I was waiting in my car near a stage door light, just like a scene from a Sam Spade novel. She hopped into the back seat, drenched from the rain. Initially, I didn't recognize her, but when I turned to ask her destination, I realized it was Rita Hayworth."
Curiosity piqued, I inquired about Papa's response. He chuckled and said, "I simply drove, without a specific destination in mind. She needed some time to herself, so I drove her all around Los Angeles. About half an hour later, she asked if I had a cigarette, and I offered her one from my Pall Mall pack. She lit it with my Zippo lighter, which had my Army insignia on it."
As the story unfolded, Papa recalled their conversation. "She introduced herself as Rita and asked if I had served in the Army. I replied affirmatively and shared some of my wartime experiences. She commended me for my service and reminded me that even those who returned home alive were heroes."
Papa's connection with Rita Hayworth didn't end there. "That night, she gave me the silver coin as a tip, and we exchanged no further words. Its face value may be only twenty-five dollars, but its true worth is immeasurable, as it came from her to me. I've documented its origin in my coin journal."
Intrigued, I probed further, asking if he ever crossed paths with Rita again. "Yes," Papa replied, "I see her virtually every day."
He elaborated on the subsequent events that unfolded. "After that night, I received a call from the studio, and they instructed me to drive to the back lot to meet a studio executive. While driving there, I noticed unusual ease of access, as the gate guard allowed me in without the customary approval process. I arrived at soundstage 3A, where I had been before for pickups."
Papa recounted the pivotal moment when he encountered Rita Hayworth again. "As I pulled up, I saw men in suits, and Rita was reviewing some paperwork. She walked over and introduced me as her 'Knight in Shining Armor.' She explained that she needed a driver who respected her need for silence during rides but was ready to protect her if needed."
Recalling his response, Papa said, "I hesitated at first, but eventually agreed. From that day onward, I was loaned to Beckworth Corporations, her production company, and our journey together continued. We worked on various projects, including 'The Loves of Carmen' in 1951, a partnership between her company and Columbia Pictures."
Papa's reminiscences painted a vivid picture of that glamorous era. "My time with Rita Hayworth and the studios was a wild and sometimes bizarre ride. She defied the media's portrayal and proved to be even more complex. This coin serves as a memento of those glamorous days."
But there was one more story left to be told, the tale of the gold coin. Papa seamlessly transitioned to it, explaining its significance. "This gold coin is tied to World War II. During the war, a shortage of gold occurred, and the government issued a mandate requiring all Americans to turn in their gold coins. This coin, however, was a source of hope for me."
He revealed how he won the gold coin in a poker game while aboard a ship bound for Europe. "I kept it close to my heart in my left breast pocket, wrapped in a sock. In moments of despair, I'd retrieve it, finding solace and a reminder of what I was fighting for."
When the government demanded the coin, Papa couldn't part with it. "I included it in my will, intending for it to pass to Grandma, then to the firstborn grandson, who could decide its fate. It's a precious 1908 $2.50 Indian Head solid gold piece in mint condition, a collector's item worth thousands."
These stories, intertwined with coins, carried the weight of history and sentimentality. As Papa shared them with me, I couldn't help but appreciate the rich tapestry of his life and the incredible value of the coins, not just in monetary terms, but in the stories and memories they held.
Tom Erb
