Reddy Kilowatt Says. . .

It's Reddy Kilowatt flying a kite!!!

Sometimes one comes across a couple random sights that synch up perfectly for a blog post. It's a rare situation, but, when it happens, sharing is so much fun.

So when I came across this reproduction of a vintage "Reddy Kilowatt" ad, I was filled with enthusiasm. Just a few days previously, I had spotted a warning sign at some electric powerlines. Although I took a photo, it seemed to be the type of image that would go unused. The image didn't have enough narrative or aesthetic voltage to justify even an "Image of the Day" type of post.

And then Reddy and his kite saved the day!!! ;-)

Danger! Danger! High Voltage!!!

ZZZAAAPPP!!!!!

Hey Kids!!! What Time Is It?!!

Howdy Doody marionette in an antique store

I'm back from my "vacation" and ready for fun and games. ;-)

So, boys and girls, what time is it?

Enjoy!!!

The World Looks Mighty Good to Me

"Whatever it is I think I see becomes a Tootsie Roll to me!"

Inventions in foodstuffs are notoriously hard to properly date, but today is as good as any to celebrate the creation of the Tootsie Roll in 1896. These chewy chocolate-like rolls have sweetened the palates of children for many generations. Sticky and dark, they've kept many a dentist in secure occupation as well. ;-)

I was never a Tootsie enthusiast. Although chocolaty, they were not actually chocolate bars, and, in my youth, I wouldn't settle for anything less than the real deal. Moreover, the gooeyness never appealed to me, as it clung to my teeth in a viscous tar-like manner. Yuck!!!

Nevertheless, Tootsie Roll commercials filled the airwaves between cartoons throughout my childhood. The famous jingle from 1977 will probably be floating around in my brain long after important memories fade with age.

"Tootsie Roll, I think I'm in love with you!"

Glorious Spam!!!

Sir Can-A-Lot, cartoon promoter of Glorious SPAM!!!

We'll there are a whole lot of silly cartoon characters used to shill various foodstuffs. Perhaps one of the silliest is the  "spokescharacter" that SPAM introduced to celebrate their 75th anniversary, Sir Can-A-Lot. This diminutive knight goes about surprising people in their kitchens and exhorting them to spice up their meals with "Glorious SPAM!"

Yeah, that's not a word pairing that one hears very often. ;-)

Anyways, I figured we could do with a whimsical post tonight.And every one's favorite "mystery meat" is on the menu!!!

Late Night at the Hell Station

(S)hell gasoline station around 1am

Yeah, it's late tonight. Perhaps it's a function of being sleep deprived, but this photo makes me laugh. ;-)

Since we're on the topic of gasoline, let's take a look at some old commercials.

After all, we can't pass up on Bing Crosby, Charlie Brown, and the Answer Man.

Tasteless Fizzy Yellow

Image from a Stone Brewing truck delivering Arrogant Bastard Ale

Down here in the South Bay, it's common to see delivery trucks transporting all sorts of beverages, especially beers.

As I was walking about today, I decided that I would photograph a few for fun. ;-)

In total, I came across seven different trucks on my thirty minute stroll. And I passed by eight different bars. That's not an outrageous quantity. . .

La Cerveza del Pacifico: The Tide Is In!!!


I'm not much of a beer drinker, but I have a warm spot for the Arrogant Bastard Ale. I have to admire a bottle that reads:

"This is an aggressive beer. You probably won't like it. It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth."

They don't call it Arrogant Bastard for nothing. ;-)

On the other hand, here's "one that implies that their tasteless fizzy yellow beer will give you more sex appeal."

Bud Light delivery truck: The favorite beer of NFL fans


Enjoy!!!

Give 'Em The Bird

Detail of Cousin Reginald Catches the Thanksgiving Turkey (1917) by Norman Rockwell

According to folk tradition, on June 14 in 1789, Rev. Elijah Craig of Bourbon County, Kentucky, distilled whiskey from maize. This is noted as the first creation of American Bourbon whiskey, named after the location. Now, this story is certainly untrue, but it has a nice folksy feel to it.

In the early days of this blog, I used to share some of my favorite or most hated advertisements or marketing campaigns with you all. Once a week, I'd feature some commercials or photos. It was a lot of fun. Well, I last looked at some ads about three months ago, which means that we're really overdue for another.

So, in honor of the legendary cleverness of Rev. Craig, let's give him the bird!!!

Logo for Wild Turkey Kentucky Bourbon

Naturally, I'm talking about that symbol of American spirit, the Wild Turkey. ;-)

Why Not?

"Why Not?" billboard by the AIDS Health Foundation on La Cienega


You folks know that I love spotting odd billboards that pop up around town. Now, there's nothing ridiculous about this billboard itself, but, in conjunction with the gleeful little star, the context made me laugh.

After all, why should one need a condom at the Carl's Jr? ;-)

Enjoy!!!

A Wee Bit to Drink

St. Patrick's Day: A celebration of Irish culture or Irish booze?

I'm not one to celebrate any standard holiday, especially one that seems dedicated to drunkenness. Heck, if I want to get smashed on Irish whiskey, I can do so throughout the year.

But for those of you who enjoy wearing the green and knocking back some Guinness, Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Just don't get so caught up in celebrating that you find yourself wearing something like this:

A St. Patrick's Day dummy.

You may ban the Baileys and junk the Jameson, but the humiliation of dressing like a reject Lucky Charms will live forever on Facebook. ;-)

Size Doesn't Always Matter

"Scooters: Size Doesn't Always Matter" is on exhibit at the Petersen until May 28, 2012

It's been a while since I posted about automobiles or similar matters. So, let's take a look at some scooters!

The Petersen Automotive Museum currently has an awesome exhibit going on, showcasing scooters from their earliest days to the modern era. Normally, I'm not the kind of person who would get excited by scooters, but the breadth and depth of the display won me over. The developmental history of both the technology and style made for a fascinating show.

And, of course, it reminded me of undeniable coolness of the Vespa. ;-)

1951 Vespa 125

It's always exciting when you go into an exhibition with low expectations, but come out of it enthusiastic and inspired.

If That's Your Best, Your Best Won't Do

Peter Finch as Howard Beale in Network (1976) delivering the "Mad as Hell" speech


Today is "I'm Not Going to Take It Anymore" Day.

I find it odd how popular culture has such fondness for this scene from Network. In the "Mad as Hell" speech, Howard Beale isn't imparting information or advice to the viewers, but, rather, he is engaged in a pointless rant of enraged demagoguery; he is angry and wishes to vent it in pointless yelling. Whereas he ought to be delivering the News, Beale instead provides fury-laced "info-tainment" of no value.

Yet, many people consider this scene to be inspirational?!! Heck, JG Wentworth financial services even references this scene as a positive model in an especially annoying commercial.

It is as if the cultivation of loud-mouthed discontentment is a civic virtue. It is as if perceived victimization allows one to wear a mantle of self-righteousness. It is the elevation of aggressive self-entitlement over cooperative rationality and the civil resolution of complaints.

Now, I'm not saying that there aren't problems in the world that inspire anger. Rather, I'm saying that rage in and of itself is not an answer to these problems. In fact, blind fury is often an impediment to one's ability to find a lasting resolution to such problems.

Dee Snider of metal band Twisted Sister, noted for the song "We're Not Gonna Take It" (1984)

My point is that happiness is more reliably derived from taking positive actions to make the world into a better place, while anger-fueled self-aggrandizement leads only to failure and further frustration. Moreover, it is best to remember the old saying, "Don't get angry. Get even." ;-)

Time Can't Touch Us

Christy Turlington (1993); photo by Jonathan Exley

I miss the days when "super models" dominated fashion magazine covers, when the queens of the catwalk defined that which was chic, from haute couture to commercial merchandising. It was a time when popular culture looked to the "glamour girls" as the ideal beauties, the leading look of emerging style.

I don't know who is my favorite super model, but Christy Turlington is certainly near the top of my list. It isn't because I find her to be the most gorgeous or sexy, but because there is an accessibility, a sense of invitation, to her posturing, a vulnerability intrinsic to her poise. With a broad chin and pinched nose, Christy is far from being a "perfect" beauty; her irresistible allure comes the intangible persona that her material features so strongly convey.

Today marks Christy Turlington's 43rd Birthday, born in 1969. Yet, I find her every bit as lovely as I did back in the late '80s.

Christy Turlington on the cover of Paris Vogue (August 1987); photo by Bill King

So, let's wish Christy a Happy Birthday!

Be a Pepper!!!

Vintage Dr Pepper ad

We can't let the 126th anniversary of Dr Pepper go by without celebration. ;-)

My tastes in soft drinks tend towards lemon-lime flavors or root beer types, with colas trailing at the bottom of the list. The peculiar qualities of Dr Pepper make it an erratic candidate for my beverage of choice. Sometimes, that subtle tartness is refreshing, but, other times, the heavy aftertaste brings up the old prune juice comparison.

Nevertheless, when I'm in the mood for a soft drink, I generally consider picking up a Dr Pepper. It really is an interesting flavor, albeit not always to my liking. I'll almost always select it over Pepsi or Coke.

Drink a Bite to Eat (1946)

Regardless of my preference in flavor, I've always been entertained by Dr Pepper commercials and marketing campaigns. The vintage ads are especially fun.

Gigantopithicus Sasquansis

Image of Bigfoot from the Patterson-Gimlin film

Cryptozoology is a field of many strange creatures, but one of the most pervasive in popular culture is the Sasquatch, Bigfoot, a large hairy hominid that resides deep in the wilds.

Cryptid researchers have put vasts amounts of time and resources into finding the elusive creature, but have come up with little more than blurry photographs, suspicious footprints, and diverse animal droppings. As a person who loves a good story, I enjoy hearing the reports of "sightings" and the subsequent investigations. Even when it turns out to be an overt hoax, as in the Dyer-Whitton case of 2008, it still makes for an enjoyable tale.

The belief in "giants" has been a part of human mythology since ancient times, across numerous cultures. There seems to be a psychological yearning for such creatures, which some might ascribe to a racial memory of the times when our brethren hominids still existed, such as the neanderthal.

Sasquatch from the Jack Links Messin' with Sasquatch ads

Today marks 44 years since the Patterson-Gimlin film took our folkloric furry friend into the collective unconscious of popular culture.

From Deepest Darkest Peru

A Bear Called Paddington (published October 13, 1958) was illustrated by Peggy Fortnum

An Anglophile even as a child, my sister badgered my parents into buying her a Paddington Bear doll for her birthday sometime in the mid-seventies.

Although I have great affection for toys, I'm not a teddy bear person. But Paddington Bear has a special quality that set him apart from the run-of-the-mill bears. His big hat, the suitcase, his love for marmalade, these traits appealed to my youthful sense of the distinctive. Paddington was something more than a cute, fluffy doll. He had a story. Heck, he journeyed all the way from the deepest, darkest Peru!!!

Well, there obviously couldn't be two Paddington Bears in the family. So, I contented myself with drawing him and his adventures in Peru. And eating marmalade. ;-)

The BBC broadcast Paddington in 1975


After all these years, I still have nostalgia for the one teddy bear that I actually liked. And marmalade? It's the best!!!

To Those Who Wait

Vintage ad for Heinz Ketchup


The cooling fries mocked me, lying bare upon the plate, as I shook the Heinz ketchup bottle to no effect. Like a ignorant ape, I had been waving and jerking this bottle about for a length of time that seemed to stretch on to eternity. The crimson sludge moved at a glacial pace. But this gave my youthful mind a moment to consider.

I hate ketchup!!!

Well, that's not quite true. I hate working and waiting for a mere condiment. They are extravagances, unnecessary additions to a meal. With no positive nutritional value, they offer only empty calories. It would be best if condiments were not eaten at all. So why engage in a foolish struggle for it?!!

But even more loathsome than the Heinz ketchup bottle were the detestable packets! Oh, how I despised tearing their corners and kneading the plastic to force out a pittance of flavor. Such a mess. Such a waste!

And so I stopped using ketchup as a regular addition to my meals. Mustard, mayo, salsa, Tabasco, plentiful choices were available to bring my meals added flavor. It wasn't until Heinz came out with a squeeze bottle that I started using ketchup again. ;-)

The Heinz company was founded in 1869 by H. J. Heinz

That's enough ranting. Let's look at some ads.

Nothing Says "Classy" Like. . .

Jagermeister promotional candle bowl


So I strolled over to a local bar to have a drink. Seeing promotional materials in use at a South Bay bar is commonplace. But I've never took notice of a promotional candle bowl until now. Seriously, who's going to be swayed into buying a drink by a candle bowl?!!

I can understand cheap and disposable promotional objects like coasters or holiday treats. I can't see the marketing idea behind the Jagermeister candle bowl. It doesn't even jibe with the product traits, such as being "ice cold" or "herbal" flavored. In fact, it literally highlights the creepy "occult" symbolism associated with the product logo.

Yeah, I know it's meant to symbolize the patron saints of hunters, St. Hubertus and St. Eustace. To the modern American audience, Catholic hagiography is nearly unknown. Is it fair that Americans are so culturally ignorant that they don't understand the symbolism of an established German logo? No, but marketing is about effective promotion, not about fairness.

Jagermeister's stag head logo is a reference to the patron saints of hunters.

Well, it didn't inspire me to knock back a jagerbomb.

Killer Robots of the Arena

Verizon's ad "Arena" features a cool action sequence with KILLER ROBOT!!!!!


Normally, I hate ads that pass themselves off as some type of action movie. They usually are cheap flash and pointless mayhem that fail as a "teaser" and fail to get the product message to the consumer. Moreover, there is a sense of overcompensation that I get from such ads. It is as if the design team would rather be working in "real" movies and are using the commercial to show that they've got the talent to deliver on "Hollywood" material.

But the biggest complaint I have is just the pure stupidity of the concept. Most "action" ads have no narrative connection to the product that they are promoting. At best, the product makes a cameo somewhere along the way, like a car that is driven away at the end. And, unless you're constantly reminding the viewer like Erin Esurance's "Quote, Buy, Print," they'll just remember the commercial as a series of high adrenalin hijinks.

But Verizon's "Arena" ad that promotes the Droid Bionic does the job right. The protagonist is in a gladiatorial conflict with a series of killer robots from which she creates the product. Moreover, the robot theme goes perfectly with the product name. It's easy to remember this commercial because of the dramatic action and it's easy to remember the product that it is promoting.

Mini Radiocon is ready for its turn in the Arena

If there's a flaw in this commercial, it is that it doesn't really make a sell as to why the consumer would want the Droid Bionic. It's working purely off of the cool factor. Who wouldn't want a smartphone built from the remains of killer robots? ;-)

Tastes Like Chicken?

Colonel Harland Sanders on the album cover of Tijuana Picnic (1968)


Today marks the birth date of Colonel Harland Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, in 1890. As a youngster, I really enjoyed having an occasional chicken dinner at KFC. It was "finger lickin' good" back in the day. Now, I just can't stomach the stuff. Certainly, my tastes have changed over the years. I'm generally not a fast food eater anymore.

But I'm thinking that something probably changed in regards to food quality at KFC. I can go back and grab a bite at Wendy's or Carl's Jr and, while I don't actually enjoy the meal, they don't disgust me with their bland flavor. But KFC is the YUCK!!! I'm certain it wasn't that bad back in 1984.

Alas, poor Colonel Sanders would probably be uncomfortable associating his likeness with such nasty chicken. Well, at least it's still more palatable than McDonalds or Burger King. ;-)

Colonel Harland Sanders (1976)


We can't let our celebration of a fast food icon pass without looking at some vintage ads.

Dancing with Mr. Pickle

Mr. Pickle holds a sign advertising the location of his sandwich shop.


Of all the types of advertising, having some poor fellow stand on the sidewalk, holding a sign, seems to be the least effective. I always just drive right past them, scarcely noticing them or their message. And that's the problem! A message unread is a failure of communication. The business is paying good money to hire some chump to stand on the sidewalk and the employee is wasting precious time under the relentless sun breathing car exhaust for chump pay. It seems to be a lose lose situation.

However, if the employee is wearing a costume absurd enough to capture the drivers attention, then the situation changes. This is further intensified if the employee does something engaging, like dancing or hopping about. Suddenly, it isn't some poor slob languishing on the sidewalk. It's a costumed mascot providing the bored driver with streetside entertainment. Moreover, the held sign becomes a focus of the street performance! Now, we're making progress on building brand awareness. ;-)

Best of all, kids love dancing mascots. An appealing costume and talented performance can drive kids to nag their parents to visit the shop where they can see the mascot. That's the appeal of one of the most famous fast-food mascot, Ronald McDonald, although his antics originated in televised ads.


"I'm Lovin' It", Ronald McDonald leads the youngsters into his restaurant.


So, next time you're driving down the street and see some poor chump hopping around in a gorilla suit, considered whether this is effective marketing. Does this drive customers to the advertised business?

And be cool to the humiliated employee underneath the silly costume. They're people too.