The Towers - 1957

[rentatrip1]

I choose to observe the fine lasting "work" of Simon Rodia -

he was not Black and he did not cause

political or social "change" , that his effort is overlooked by all -

who live in Watts Los Angeles California-

But His art is named Watts Towers -

it is not praised with a separate day of memorial But His Art is lasting after many quakes & riots-

Simon Rodia , worked hard on this Art for over 33 years -

silently working BUILDING something, not protesting anything

[pacific1derland]

If I'm not mistaken, when the city threatened to tear down the towers due to "safety concerns", they did a bunch of stress tests on the structures and, to their dismay, found them to actually be stronger than necessary.

[xytsdx2]

by the 1970's, the city was getting ruined by gang violence.

[ultrakool]

ima gonna doa somethinga. ima gonna builda me some a towers that wont a leana over likea thata peice a ca ca over therea in a pisa

[gajcatsb]

It is men and women like Rodia that create the beauty and value in this world. They are driven by inspiration most people can't understand,

[LxHxCx661]

its always cool to look back at 1920-1970 Los Angeles history.

[indiadissher]

ｲｲ(･∀･)

[dganir1]

Yeah right. Someone funded this. No one could get away with building such tall ugly structures that look like radio towers without catching the attention of the city for violating all kinds of building codes and height limits.

[neverwasapunk16]

Idk things were different in the 50's. Alot of building codes came about as technology got better.

I live in Inglewood , but i go to watts all the times. Growing up i always thought the watts towers had something to do with the street wires . I thought they were like giant breakers or something lol

[bapyou]

@dganir1

"Someone funded this."

Rodia funded the Towers himself. He bought the land in the 1920s and worked on it in his spare time. He was a tile setter by trade. Many of the broken and discarded pieces of tile he brought home from his daytime job sites. He also used discarded bottles and old tools; things he'd scavenge from waste piles. The costs were minimal: reinforcement rods and cement.

As far as building codes go, because it was a community of color, few city inspectors cared.

[dadswizz]

kind of gives you idea's don't it . . . .

[MrDibly]

i went to see this incredible place once.

it was truly a work of art.

he made magic with his own two hands.

[MrDibly]

i was there once.

it was closed to the public for many many years but they let us in after begging and pleading.

it was a magical vibrant and briiliant place of art.

he dedicated the towers to the love of his life.

everywhere i looked there were hearts!

cant wait to go back again.

[FutureLaugh]

the theme in the begining what a little pre twilight zone

[MortalRon08]

Thats a great thing to say willoughby605. And so very true!

[willoughby605]

deep history, watts ,harlem, bed stuy,chicgo southside, we all brothers

[LowerMissionXIV]

the fillmore, hunterspoint, east oakland,

[sexymiguelito15]

Damn Hard Shit Like THis Pays off.

[fatdonkeyskunkmaster]

"Ima Gonna Do SOMETHIN"

[Chuco903]

I get 2 see them towers every fuccn day big deal but stayin alive ain't . dats that WATTS

109ST LIFE

[lilboots17]

at the moment the towers are being restored,the scafolding will not be removed till march 2009. however its still a magical place of inspiration, all aspiring artist should spend time there and feel power of creativity.

[EyeTube3]

My father always told me about Sam Rodia and when I came for the 1st time to the US in 2000 visiting a friend in LA my goal was to visit the towers. In the plane I read in my guide that it was an ok destination, but only during the day. Being there I was moved by the friendliness of the people in the community centre next door. Never ever before in a western country I was so embarassed by my own 'wealth' in contrast to the poverty over there. Really nice people over there. Marcus,The Netherlands

[fistukit]

This was actually shot in '52 or '53 - someone should call William Hale! The music sounds like the theme from the Twilight Zone because they ripped it off from here, only transposed to the minor key, while the composer, Thomas Cutkomp, went uncredited (he is here, though). The reason the announcer pronounces the name "Rodilla" is because when the director interviewed the hispanic neighbors, they said "Rodia" but he thought they were saying "Rodilla". Call for tour times! And make a donation!

[dyonker]

I plan on go o see the towers next year

[brightscience]

see now days if you do this kind of stuff you get a ticket from the police. laws can suck.

[bapyou]

Unfortunately, the house depicted near The Towers in this film burned down decades ago. Restoration of The Towers was completed about four or five years ago. You can take a guided tour inside the walls of The Towers for a few dollars.

The Watts Towers were one of the few things I wanted to see when I moved to L.A. 13 years ago. I've visited them about four or five times since. They are something to behold and they are always enchanting. Always.

[JeeprzCreepers56]

That is amazing.

[NoStories]

Simply amazing...

[PETETHEMEAT42]

what a cool film thanks for posting this

[hooweelewis]

music score sounds a lot like the twilight zone theme.

[artemiseC]

i agree... but thats cool anyway

[fistukit]

That's because it is - it was written by Thomas Cutkomp who was a fellow student at USC, I believe, when William Hale shot it as a graduate project, and the Twilight Zone people simply ripped it off, by changing it to a minor key. Poor uncredited Thomas. Shame on you, Rod Serling.

[MrWade1966]

that was great and so inspiring.

[BankersAreAssassins]

sabato rodia was not sicilian, he was born in 1879 in rivottoli di serino in the avellino province of the campania region.

as for the documentary, it's jaw dropping, with great direction and great music; many thanks for posting it. create a torrent of the source video on piratebay dot org and let me know, I would cherish a copy of it.

[acali24]

Simon Rodia is my great uncle, glad to hear people still enjoy the towers he built.

[PETETHEMEAT42]

thats cool man

[JYJRRI]

If Samuel was your great uncle, I need information about when he baptism my mom, Her name is Isabel Rico. What church? I have the bible he gave her in 1932. I would appreciate all the information, I can get. Thank you.

[jas282]

@JYJRRI hey i just got back from visiting the Watts Towers... and it turns Simout he was an ordained minister, and actually build a chapel and a baptismal INSIDE the towers! so there is a good chance that your mom was baptized at the chapel in the towers...

[alohatherapy]

This moved me to tears. What beauty, dedication, vision. Schoolchildren should go there and others who doubt they could ever do anything of value. He is showing mankind how the discarded can be transformed into artistic beauty. How man can grow to do the greatest. There is a similar story in Austria where a farmer built a machine. It's on Youtube: "Gsell's Weltmaschine". He built 23 years on it and then died. You are lucky he is your uncle. Did you ever visit him while he was building?

[JaJr07]

He was my mothers godfather. I have a bible to prove it. It is sign, Samuel Rodia

[GORDONX9]

great . Wonderfull. This is about art,love, passion.The best. Thank you veri much.

Geraldo Porto Campinas SP Brazil

[mumicimo]

Thank you for sharing this great vintage video about one man's compelling vision. I didn't even know about it, but happy to learn it still stands.