And She Shall Dance and Sing Aloud

Two more old ad oddities sites I've stumbled upon.

One is called Modern Mechanix. It's like some guy has inherited his grandfather's old magazine collection and sits for many hours a day scanning articles and ads, then writing out all the copy in each ad under the image. One man's obsession is your entertainment.

Another is Devil Duck which appears to grab from other sites more often than not but sprinkles in some unique weirdness.

What a Lovely Cigarette Hat

"You're so Smart to Smoke."

Nothing much I can add here.





Click image for bigness



Via

Orgy Cologne

Click for better view.

And the gift from the gods was carried into the city walls on a large cart, pulled by three score men. Before it had reached its designated place, the men of the city had tapped its contents and were seen pouring it upon themselves liberally, splashing it upon their faces.

Perhaps it was the green glint of the bottle, many wondered afterward, that had caused the women of the city to discard their clothing, somehow spellbound by a strange trick of light.

But those who had witnessed and partaken of the orgies that ensued knew differently. It was the perfume of Bacchus which had worked upon the women so strangely, many of them joining together to ravage a single man.

And Bacchus smiled from on high, saying, "I shall send the men of earth more of the heavenly aromas, for I see that it makes them pleased. And I will call it by the names Axe, Tag, Lynx and Old Spice. And its effect shall be thus; that the women of earth shall ravage them."

And so it was.

Image via.

Chicks Dig Stuffed Animals

Click for bigness and a better look at the cartoonish head. Copy reads: "Lee can change your image."

Rejected copy: "Tired of being seen as a pussy? Lee's new TestosteronePants^® will let the ladies know you're a virile beast. King of her jungle."


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Getting Down to Business

The Munsingwear Creative Brief (zing!) is handed to the art director and copywriter:

AD: They want us to highlight the "stretchy seat" of these underwear.
CW: So I guess it gives you lots of comfort and room?
AD: Yeah, not constricting. Let's you move without binding or hindering daily activity.
CW: How about a man riding a horse in his underwear?
AD: What? Are you gay? Please!
CW: Just trying to think here, man. OK, how about a man doing some acrobatics, like tumbling or trapeze?
AD: OK, you're on to something there, but still, too faggy.
CW: Hurdles? Pole vault? Discus?
AD: No, no, no.
CW: OK. Thinking...
AD: I've got it! Wrestling! With another man!
CW: I don't know. That seems sort of...
AD: What?
CW: Oh, I don't know. Queer?
AD: You're such a homophobe. Write the copy. I'm going to scout for models at the Y.


















Previously in questionable underwear ads of yesteryear.

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Mad Frenchmen

Everyone seems to be in agreement that Mad Men, the show about 1960s-era advertising, pretty much sucks.

Didn't watch it. Couldn't tell you. But in the spirit of suck, and because I enjoy making you cringe with me in perplexed wonder at what people were possibly thinking back in that era, I give you an extra helping of embarrassing nostalgia for your weekend pleasure. This is for Pepsi, 1965. From France. Swingin' times.



UPDATE: My mom called last night. Mom: "Did you watch Mad Men?" Me: "No. I heard it's terrible." Mom: "No. They're saying it's the best show on television."

Silly Pierre Went Dirt Bike Riding in White

I've found a treasure trove of old ads, mostly international, along with some of those classic educational films from a YouTube user who lives in El Centro, California. (If you've never driven through El Centro, it's a desert town in the...CENTER...of Southern California. Hotter than Hell most of the year. Forecast for this Sunday: Sunny and 109.)

This spot is great in its own time-capsule, cultural disparity way. Not sure what French-speaking African country this cleaning detergent ad was made for, but the Lady of the House washes her laundry in a big bowl off the front porch in 1969. She also uses a hand-crank sewing machine.

Squirrels ARE Useful

Click for bigness.














See also Thinking in Vain's squirrel catapult find.