Charlie White's 177 Feet

A student art film made by Robert Merchasin in 1966 that includes the installation of Charlie's notorious big headed self promotion billboard, intercut with scenes of Charlie and Dave Willardson at work creating the construction used for the groovy 1967 album by The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band: Volume 2 (Reprise Records), art directed by the legendary Ed Thrasher. Yes, Charlie and Dave thought it would be a fine idea to coat Charlie's bathroom with silver and cast resin objects in it as well, such as a female mannequin sitting in the bathtub. The photograph was taken at the door of the bathroom. At the time Charlie and Dave lived and worked in the so-called White House, Charlie's white-covered abode in L.A. Shown in the film is Dave's room (with Dave deep in it) and the bathroom under construction. Needless to say, Charlie's landlord was less than pleased, but it was the '60s and somehow Chasbone got away. Robert Merchasin, if you're out there, drop us a line!