The Allee Willis Museum of Kitsch

70’s Owl Eyeglass Holders

These quintessentially 70’s ceramic owls are designed to hold eye-glasses. The eyes are plastic and the black irises are the kind that...

July 20, 2010 by Douglas Wood

10 comments

“When-a da monkey-a die, ev-erybody gonna cry”

This is a Jim Beam (James B. Beam) heavy glass bottle of liquor commemorating the Paramount Pictures release of the Dino De Laurentiis remak...

July 19, 2010 by Douglas Wood

1 comment

Bombo the Chimp – Tin Litho Toy c. 1930’s

Meet Bombo the Chimp, a wind-up toy from the 1930’s made by Unique Art Mfg. in Newark. If you use the key to wind-up the tin litho chi...

July 18, 2010 by Douglas Wood

6 comments

1952 Plastic Gorilla Bank

My grandfather gave me this plastic bank years ago. On the back is, “Universal Statuary Corp. 1952 Chicago.” It could be King Ko...

July 17, 2010 by Douglas Wood

1 comment

1971 Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Lunchbox

This is a lunchbox for the animated TV series spin-off (of THE FLINTSTONES), PEBBLES AND BAMM-BAMM, dated 1971. Note how the hippy culture p...

July 16, 2010 by Douglas Wood

1 comment

Wunnerful, wunnerful…

It’s a mystery to me how this song actually made it on the Lawrence Welk Show. Easy to accept that Lawrence was clueless, but surely o...

July 13, 2010 by Douglas Wood

7 comments

Woody Allen’s SLEEPER House – Annex for Willis Wonderland?

The “Sculptured House” that appeared in Woody Allen’s 1973 futuristic comedy, SLEEPER may be facing foreclosure. Check out...

July 12, 2010 by Douglas Wood

2 comments

Moderne HIS Cologne Bottle

This men’s cologne bottle from 1947 was made by The House of Men, Inc. and is one of my most cherished tchotchkes. The dapper looking ...

July 9, 2010 by Douglas Wood

4 comments

Shalom, mis amigos!

I love the clash of cultures in this vintage Israeli advertising poster for Shavit Coffee that I found at a flea market in Tel Aviv. The lit...

July 8, 2010 by Douglas Wood

1 comment

Crocheted Recycled Jeans Double Ring

OK, first of all, I do not own this– I found it online at Etsy. Its creator enthusiastically states the obvious with, “This awes...

July 6, 2010 by Douglas Wood

2 comments

Half Man, Half Pillow– the “Manilow!”

Ideal for a cozy “Weekend in New England,” this is a Barry Manilow pillow being sold on Etsy. If you’re not quite “R...

July 5, 2010 by Douglas Wood

8 comments

Crystal Chandelier Feather Rosebud Jeans

Another Etsy item. I’ll let the creator explain in his/her own words with the original grammar, punctuation, and spelling intact: R...

July 4, 2010 by Douglas Wood

4 comments

Hidden Treasures in Topanga Canyon

Hidden Treasures is a vintage clothing store in Topanga Canyon, California where I live. I love it because it typifies the spirit of this ca...

July 3, 2010 by Douglas Wood

7 comments

“The Covered Man” – David Soul on Merv

Nothing beats mediocre TV actors attempting profound social commentary. Witness David Soul (“Starsky and Hutch,” alleged wife-be...

July 2, 2010 by Douglas Wood

6 comments

Solo Cup Queen Dora Hall Gets Down!

I first discovered the phenomenon of Dora Hall when I purchased a package of Solo Cups in the 80’s and sent in the attached card for a...

July 1, 2010 by Douglas Wood

1 comment

Spelling Divorce M.A.R.T.I.N.I.

Divorce and alcohol often go hand-in-hand but seldom as stylishly as with this Martini glass. Called “Divorce-tini,” this is, ac...

June 30, 2010 by Douglas Wood

5 comments

Elegant Bullfighting Purse

Slaughtering animals and haute couture go hand-in-hand with this vintage, beaded purse made by Magid. The sequined and hand-beaded purse is ...

June 29, 2010 by Douglas Wood

3 comments

Allee’Z FriendZ LyricZ on TmZ

Check out the following link to see how TMZ mentions lyrics by our beloved Kitsch Goddess, Allee Willis:...

June 28, 2010 by Douglas Wood

1 comment

The Plane that Refreshes

I found this handmade Coca-Cola plane at an estate sale. It’s surprisingly sturdy and well-constructed– the wheels and propeller...

June 27, 2010 by Douglas Wood

4 comments

60’s Kokeshi Doll Bottle – Menthe-flavored Saki

Apparently, airlines used to give these figural bottles of flavored Saki to First Class customers in the 1960’s. This one is Menthe (M...

June 23, 2010 by Douglas Wood

4 comments

If Seurat had a cable show on Comedy Central…

The artist of this oil-on-canvas portrait was told by her art teacher to create a painting in the style of the French Impressionists. ‘...

June 22, 2010 by Douglas Wood

3 comments

Concrete Cactus

Came across this giant black concrete cactus that someone felt compelled to build and place on their front lawn in Venice. Maybe it was to d...

June 20, 2010 by Douglas Wood

3 comments

Eskimo and Igloo Salt & Pepper Shakers

I was told this Eskimo and Igloo pair of salt & pepper shakers is from the 40’s and made by a California Pottery company. I haven&...

June 18, 2010 by Douglas Wood

2 comments

Hobo Joe Mugs

Found these vintage coffee mugs at a garage sale, and not having any idea of who Hobo Joe was, did some quick Internet research. Found out t...

June 17, 2010 by Douglas Wood

1 comment

Vintage Ridin’ Fishin’ Huntin’ Wall Hangings

I bought this set of 3 wall hangings years ago at a garage sale and thought if I ever get a summer cabin these would be the first things to ...

June 14, 2010 by Douglas Wood

5 comments