Demonic Tots in Advertising

(Above) Official caption: Bread's better ’cause it’s fresher in cellophane (1954)

My caption: “…and after we eat this Darlene, we’ll go kill your father!”

(Above) Pillsbury Cake Mixes, 1954

My caption: “…we eat this, in remembrance of the father, the son, and the Pillsbury dough boy.”

(Above) Baked Ham; National Restaurant Association Magazine, 1957

My caption: “Remember Pippi, we only look at the food. We NE-VER touch it.”

(Above) Post-Toasties, 1958

My caption: “Watch his little expression change when he finds out there’s NO prize at the bottom of the box.”

(Above) Stokely Van Kamp, 1953

My caption: [announcer VO ] “Hey Kids! When Chucky’s not killing grown-ups, he eats Van Kamp’s TENDERONI!”

I came across some very ODD 1950s ads on a website called Plan 59. Plan 59 is a group with a web site out of Fairfax, VA that sells hi-res images from the 1940s and 50s for varied, re-purposed advertising, editorial or personal uses today. So, here are a few key selections for you to enjoy.

Reposted from December 28, 2008.

A Look Behind the Scenes

ARTHUR SARNOFF (1912 – 2000) WAS AN AMERICAN PAINTER AND ILLUSTRATOR famous for his tasteful pinup girls and humorously humanized hounds that played cards, pool and golf. Yep, he was the guy! He was also known for cover art for numerous magazines, including the “Saturday Evening Post,” “Cosmopolitan,” “Good Housekeeping” and “Esquire.”

These sketches, found listed on eBay and purported to be by Sarnoff, would be studies for larger works. Quick and gestural, they do show insight into the beginnings of an illustrators hand. I especially think the baseball sketches are quite nice. Sarnoff created numerous fine art prints, including portraits of President John F. Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy, Bob Hope, Arnold Palmer, and other luminaries. His anthropomorphized dogs were among the best-selling prints of the 1950s and his iconic work was frequently exhibited at museums.