Thursday, January 05, 2006

Tower of London

Believe it or not, this is one of my favorite buildings in the world.

The London Post Office Tower -- now the British Telecom Tower -- epitomizes the era of Swinging London. I already knew it from The Goodies ("Kitten Kong" uses it as a scratching post in their best-remembered episode) and Doctor Who (it was the villain's headquarters in "The War Machines") and the 1967 comedy "Smashing Time" (Rita Tushingham, Lynn Redgrave, and Michael York end up in the revolving restaurant that used to be at the top) before I saw it in person on my first visit to London.

What I didn't realize from film and television was how completely the tower dominates the London skyline. For newcomers like my starry-eyed younger self, it functions as a true landmark that helps orient them within the city in a way even the Empire State Building does not. More than any other structure, the sight of that tower means London to me.

This musing inspired by The World of Kane.

2 comments:

  1. Speaking of Dr. Who, I just started watching that. I know, I know, very behind the times. Great show.

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  2. Must know what episodes you've seen, Lady J. If you need any recommendations for more, just give a shout!

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