Dress LaunderetteBlog

Charles Phoenix, the “King of Kodachrome,” knows his kitsch. From tree flocking to Pall Malls, Phoenix’s slideshows will educate you on the foibles and follies of the 1950s and 1960s. His delightful narration of found slides highlight the most precious details of vintage American life. From his holiday show, for example, observe this slide and Phoenix’s precise attention:

The candles are lit, the Christmas-ball Christmas tree centerpiece is in place and a very special dinner is served. At each end of the table, Lazy Susans offer carrot sticks, green olives and a half red cabbage studded with sputnik-style multi-colored toothpicks bearing olives, sweet pickles and pearl onions. On either side of the fatty ham being sliced (topped with Maraschino cherries and pineapple slices), a pyramid of carbs and roast turkey. Cranberry sauce served in paper cups, celery and cream cheese platter, potato salad and macaroni salad, lime Jell-O mold, and creamy pink Jell-O fish mold are also on the menu.

Catch one of his vintage slideshows, go on his tour of retro Southern California, or try his original recipe for Cherpumple (a three-layer cake with a pie stuffed in each layer: CHERry, PUMpkin and apPLE pie). Just make sure to shake his hand and introduce yourself; you won’t regret meeting him.