Leopard and Monkeys, Somewhere, USA, 1959

Warm wooden guts of unfinished walls and windows with turquoise bamboo shades provide a rustic backdrop for a redhead and a monkey exchanging smiles. A second monkey sits on her shoulder. Why is she dressed in leopard? Is she trying to scare them?
Speaking of monkeys, I was recently at Knott’s Berry Farm for the release of Knott’s Preserved, an AMAZING new coffee table book by Chris Merritt and Eric Lynxwiler, celebrating the history of the boysenberry farm that morphed into America’s first theme park by way of a Chicken Dinner Restaurant.
While I was standing in line for the book signing, this guy comes up and says he’s a fan of my books and has been to a couple of my slide shows. Before I can even say “Thank you,” another guy walks up and tells me the same thing. Then both guys look at each other and say “Hey! What are you doing here?” The first guy says, “Well, I like Knott’s.” The second guy says, “Well, so do I!”
As soon as the second guy walked away, the first guy says to me “Do you know who that guy is? That’s Hugh Hefner’s son.” To which I reply, “How do you know?” He says, “I’m Hugh Hefner’s butler!” The next thing you know, Mr. Hefner’s butler is inviting me to tour the Playboy Mansion.
The very next Sunday at 8 a.m., I am driving through the gates of one of the most iconic residences on Earth—home sweet home to a man whose contribution to the modern human condition is immeasurable. I was in awe. Touring the formal grounds of the old-world style mansion (which I saw from the outside because only Hugh’s guests are invited inside!), and being inside the famous swimming pool grotto is an experience I shall never forget.
And of course, around every corner I expected to encounter a playmate or two, or three, but no. Instead of playmates I saw primates. I had no idea the fearless leader of the sexual revolution keeps a menagerie of monkeys at his mansion. Did you?
Here’s to the lady in leopard, monkeys, Hugh, his butler, his son and KNOTT’S PRESERVED!
Charles Phoenix
May 27, 2010




























