Comments on: Christmas Tree With A View, Los Angeles, 1970

By: DavidinBerkeley

DavidinBerkeley — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 23:38:00 +0000

Anybody know if Mr. Phoenix uses the actual slides in his shows, or does he scan them and show jpegs or something?

(I also have wondered if he has some sort of temperature-controlled, special environment where he keeps them, but I doubt it.)

By: Trish P.S.

Trish P.S. — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 21:47:48 +0000

On the other hand, 1970 was a little early for disco so… maybe he INVENTED it! Haz-ah!

By: Trish

Trish — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 21:45:47 +0000

Mr. Bell Bottoms actually looks like his left hand might be on the neck of a guitar as he strums out the disco version of Holly Jolly Christmas.

RIP Jerry

By: Tim Severs

Tim Severs — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 20:50:06 +0000

Whoever heard of wearing bellbottoms at a construction site? Maybe the guy wearing them was going to go to a discotechque afterwards. The guy with the candy cane colored shirt looks like he’s in the Christmas spirit. I wonder if the Kaiser Tower is still there.

By: DavidinBerkeley

DavidinBerkeley — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 22:17:34 +0000

I would have missed the bell-bottoms. Mr. Phoenix has such an eye! (That’s why he’s a celebrity.)

By: Lynn Graves

Lynn Graves — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 18:39:30 +0000

Life seems much to serious ! Trees on girders, white bell bottoms, red helmets to match.A boring workmen’s day turns into a delightful occasion! Thank heavens we have Charles Phoenix looking at our world through a comedian’s eyes. Charles, the retro weinee tree video is awesome.(just viewed it) Your great sense of humor takes me to such a happy place! I love spending time in La La La land!

By: Melanie

Melanie — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 17:33:42 +0000

C-
What an awesome shot..my fear of heights just kicked in just by looking at that photo….boy are they ever high up there. Yikes… and you are correct. Who in there right mind would wear white to a construction site… guess that was the 70′s for you. lol.
Thanks for the amusement of your slides every week. Your email is always the highlight of my week…and I always look forward to seeing the photos and stories you’ll be sharing.

Melanie xo

By: Jayne

Jayne — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 17:01:33 +0000

Where I’m from, it was common practice to place an evergreen tree with roots at the top of any building as it was being built, for luck. After it was done, you planted the tree near the building. I think this might go back to Celtic folklore. If I ever build anything, I am certainly going to do this. And wear white bell bottoms to the construction site, now that I know that is the height of taboo-shattering cool.

By: GailMarie

GailMarie — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 16:36:36 +0000

Charles, this slide depicts a “topping off” ceremony. When the highest point of construction of a building has been reached, all the workers sign a piece of steel which is then hoisted into place. A catered lunch is served, and an evergreen is put into position atop the building for good luck (either to the workers or the future occupants–I’ve heard both explanations). The tree decorations are a nice touch, and show that the “topping off” occurred around Christmastime.

By: Roxy

Roxy — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 16:05:46 +0000

Awesome photo Charles. We have a guy here in Portland that has been serving a slide every day for more than a year. You might also like his site. MangoFalls