I Build the Tower (2006)

"I Build the Tower" is the true story of the life and work of Sam Rodia, the Italian immigrant who built the world-famous Watts Towers on a residential lot in South Central Los Angeles. ... See full summary »

Directors:

Brad Byer, Edward Landler

Writers:

Brad Byer (co-writer), Edward Landler (co-writer)

Storyline

"I Build the Tower" is the true story of the life and work of Sam Rodia, the Italian immigrant who built the world-famous Watts Towers on a residential lot in South Central Los Angeles. These mosaic-covered spires of reinforced cement rising to almost one hundred feet were once scheduled for demolition by the City Building Department. The towers survived to become a symbol of the community in which they stand and they are now recognized throughout the world as a unique embodiment of the structural principles found in nature.

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 February 2007 (USA)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Edward Landler, who co-wrote and co-directed this film, was a contestant on the season 6 premiere of Jeopardy! in 1989. Alex Trebek introduces him to the audience as someone who "did a film on the Watts Towers, correct?" Landler corrects Trebek, saying he's still working on the film.

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Crazy Credits

Additional Scanning: The Crew at the Glendale Kinko's

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Soundtracks

Harlem Nocturne
Written by Earle Hagen
Performed by the Johnny Otis Band
At the 1990 Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival
Courtesy of Shapiro, Bernstein and Co., Inc. (BMI)

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