Stumble It!
Filed under: 1950's, Cigarettes, Southern California, Travels | Tags: Charles Phoenix, Covina Bowl, slides
Covina Bowl, Covina, California, 1955
This is the moment of ignition. A small, controlled flame is sucked in a post lunch cigarette pursed between the red lips of a space age suburban matron. Her black and white tweed suit is as sensible as it is smart. And that double rose head ornament is as unexpected as it is outstanding.
Those spectacular two-tone gold Lurex diamond drapes could easily be fashioned into a ball gown. They are a stark and glamorous contrast to the wood-grain Formica table top, paper placemat and pink and gray dishes lunch is served on.
Speaking of lunch…isn’t she going to finish her peas and baked potato? She hasn’t even touched that boxy basket of crackers and double wide pat of butter served on a side dish. Should she want to salt, pepper and or sugar anything; no problem, the shakers are full. And she’s got plenty to drink –water, wine and coffee. Oh well, I guess she’d rather smoke her lunch!
Here’s to the Covina Bowl, (its still standing!) double roses, gold lurex and YOU!
www.charlesphoenix.com
Filed under: 1960's, Matchbooks, Southern California | Tags: coffee shop, dutch, Holladease, One Wilshire, Wilshire
So I have this matchbook from this restaurant. It’s cute. It has little Dutch kids. It has no friggin history anywhere! I cannot find ONE thing about this restaurant. I’ve checked the web, I’ve check my vast library. With One Wilshire being a popular address, you would think there would something.
But there’s not.
Now I’m going to get emo and pout 
Filed under: 1950's, Cigarettes, Southern California, Travels | Tags: Charles Phoenix, Compton, slides, tiki party
Tiki Party Toast – Compton, 1959
I have a special affection for the fabled city of Compton. Long before it became famous as a hot bed of hip-hop culture my mother grew up there in the 40s and 50s when it was just a typical working class suburban city. My grandmother was a housewife and my grandfather worked at the nearby shipyards. I remember going there as a toddler before they joined the so-called “white-flight” and moved to Ontario, CA in 1968. I doubt my grandparents ever drank sake but these people did. There’s a pack of cigarettes on the table too. My grandpa smoked. I propose a toast to tiki partiers –they’re drinkin’ sake in Compton – that is SO exotic -and in air conditioned comfort no less. These people really know how to have a good time.
How long has it been since you’ve proposed a toast with sake? For that matter, how long has it been since you threw a tiki party? Well… spring is here and summer is just around the corner. That means it’s time to get out those ‘ol grass skirts, stock up on plenty of tiki torches and some sake and get that party goin’! Let this slide be an inspiration. Look how much fun they’re havin’!!!
God bless Americana and Tikiana!
www.charlesphoenix.com
Filed under: 1970's, Astrays, Southern California, Uncategorized | Tags: Crazy 8 Motel, Lakewood
I also love crack!
Filed under: 1960's, Ad's (Commercials), Cigarettes, Video Clips | Tags: commercial, feminist, pies, Virginia Slims
Here’s the mock “anti-women” commercial that Virginia Slims made as part of their long running “You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby” campaign. Actually, I think this commercial is pretty genius and ahead of it’s time. And this clip even throws in slow-mo’s of the women getting pies in the face. Bravo!
Interesting fact: Virginia Slims was the last cigarette brand to advertise on US television, airing an ad just before midnight on the night of New Year’s Day 1971. The ad aired during an episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and featured a pre-Hill Street Blues Veronica Hamel.
Filed under: 1960's, Ad's (Commercials), Cigarettes, Video Clips | Tags: commercial, Femi-Nazi, feminist, Virginia Slims
I really like these old Virginia Slims commercials. I like the retro late 60’s/early 70’s vibe, and I like how they use feminism to pimp cigarettes. But come on! Even if you’re a feminist smoker and you’re broke or out of smokes, you’re gonna smoke what you can find.
Clerk: “I’m sorry ma’am, we’re out of Virginia Slims.”
Femi-Nazi: “What are you talking about? I’m a modern woman and I demand my very own cigarettes!”
Clerk: “We have Marlboro’s and Camels.”
Femi-Nazi: “Fuck it – give me the Camels.”
Filed under: 1950's, Cigarettes, Southern California | Tags: Charles Phoenix, L & M's, Pall Mall's, slides
My good friend Charles Phoenix (remember? He was in the Snooty Fox entry) has graciously decided to contribute his wisdom and skillz (with a ‘Z’) to the phenomenon and lifeforce that is Smoker’s Hack. We’ve decided to raid his “Slide of the Week” archives and post whatever vintage smoking slides we could find , along with his insightful, yet snappy commentary. So like a cool, smooth menthol – inhale, exhale, and enjoy!
“Southern California Family Portrait, 1957″
This is one of the best family couch portraits I’ve ever run across. Hello! They’re talking on the phone and reading the deluxe souvenir guide to Knott’s Berry Farm. On the hassock: two packs of cigarettes, L&M and Pall Mall, an ashtray full of butts and deluxe souvenir guide to Disneyland, no less. As if that already isn’t enough, their clothes match the decor. If by chance you’re looking for a smart new color scheme for that living room of yours, well look no further, here it is. The battleship gray wall goes so well with those lipstick red curtains and yellow-piped turquoise slip cover. Just don’t forget to dress your family to match it
To family portraits and to you,
www.charlesphoenix.com
Filed under: 1970's, Ad's (Paper), Astrays, Southern California | Tags: All-You-Can-Eat, Cheese Toast, Sizzler, steak
Ah Sizzler. The ol’ stand by when McDonalds isn’t good enough, but the welfare check hasn’t come in so you can’t go to Outback. I don’t know why people rag on Sizzler. I’ve never had a bad meal there. Never had a great one either, but still…. And everyone has a Sizzler story – just ask around:
Filed under: 1950's, Ad's (Paper), Locations, Matchbooks, Southern California | Tags: bakery, Claremont, dutch, Griswold's Smorgasboard, Redlands
I was at work and I asked my co-workers if they had any info on Griswold’s Smorgasboard and bakery. Most of them are WAY older than me, and they’re old-school Inland Empire, so I thought they would have the scoop:
Myrtle: “Hey Tammy, did you ever go to Griswold’s Smorgasboard in Redlands? Where the LA Fitness is now…”
Tammy: “Yeah, Alan and I would go there back in the day. They had a really good bakery.”
Myrtle: “What kind of food did they have on the smorgasboard?”
Tammy: “Well, I don’t remember. But they had a really good bakery…”
Filed under: 1950's, Ad's (Commercials), Cigarettes, Video Clips | Tags: commercial, L.A.M.F, Lucky Strike
It’s toasted!
