Allee Willis Blog

28Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Pepsodent Tooth Powder

28Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Pepsodent Tooth Powder

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This “giant”(all 4 1/2” of it!) can of tooth powder was all the rage in the 1940’s and 50’s when the jingle, “You’ll wonder where the yellow went when you brush your teeth with Pepsodent!” flooded tv and radio waves. Pepsodent was famous for its powerful whitening ingredients, “I.M.P.” and Irium, but in 1994, then-FCC chairman Reed Hundt claimed that there was actually no Irium in the product at all. Despite this, the popular jingle and mere promise of whiter teeth made Pepsodent a huge success and the first product that used “radio as a medium for gathering listeners for the purpose of advertising to them”.

Arrogance on the part of Lever Bros., the company that manufactured Pepsodent, actually stopped the tooth policing agent in its tracks. Confident that the non existent Irium insured its proliferation, the company was very slow to add fluoride to the formula. Other brands like Crest, Gleem and Colgate took over the market until Pepsodent was relegated to discount stores, bargain bins and buyers with terminal yellow teeth.

But in its heyday decades earlier Pepsodent ruled, even included in popular song lyrics. From South Pacific: “Bloody Mary’s chewing betel nuts/ And she don’t use Pepsodent” (where’s the rhyme??). And in Cole Porter’s “You’re The Top”: “You’re the basic grand of a lady and a gent, You’re an old Dutch master, you’re Mrs. Astor, you’re Pepsodent.” (excellent rhyme).

1950’s commercial – See where the yellow went:

This “giant”(all 4 1/2” of it!) can of tooth powder was all the rage in the 1940’s and 50’s when the jingle, “You’ll wonder where the yellow went when you brush your teeth with Pepsodent!” flooded tv and radio waves. Pepsodent was famous for its powerful whitening ingredients, “I.M.P.” and Irium, but in1994, then-FCC chairman Reed Hundt claimed that there was actually no Irium in the product at all. Despite this, the popular jingle and mere promise of whiter teeth made Pepsodent the first product that used “radio as a medium for gathering listeners for the purpose of advertising to them”.

Arrogance on the part of Lever Bros., the company that manufactured Pepsodent, actually stopped the tooth policing agent in its tracks. Confident that the non existent Irium insured its proliferation, they were very slow to add fluoride to the formula. Other brands like Crest, Gleem and Colgate took over the market until Pepsodent was relegated to discount stores, bargain bins and buyers with terminal yellow teeth.

But in its heyday decades earlier Pepsodent ruled, even included in popular song lyrics. From South Pacific: “Bloody Mary’s chewing betel nuts/ And she don’t use Pepsodent” (where’s the rhyme??). And in Cole Porter’s “You’re The Top”: “You’re the basic grand of a lady and a gent, You’re an old Dutch master, you’re Mrs. Astor, you’re Pepsodent.” (excellent rhyme).

1950’s commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPsoxmXjtfc&feature=related

27Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Missing Male Model Afro Comb

27Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Missing Male Model Afro Comb

afro-comb-cornell-freedom-FULL_2940

Anyone see the male model who was supposed to show up for that Afro Comb photo shoot? The Freedom Comb by Cornell was anything but for this poor guy who thought he was getting his big break here. Wouldn’t want to have been around when that free case of combs they promised him in his contract arrived. The packaging boasts “Guaranteed Forever” but forever will have to wait for this brokenhearted mystery man.

Previous Kitsch O’ The Day models missing in action:

Anyone see the male model who was supposed to show up for that Afro Comb photo shoot? The Freedom Comb by Cornell was anything but for this poor guy who thought he as getting his big break here. Wouldn’t want to have been around when that free case of combs they promised him in his contract arrived. The packaging boasts “Guaranteed Forever” but forever will have to wait for this mystery man.

Other Kitsch O’ The Day models missing in action:

26Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Mr. Bali Hai Tiki Mug For Two

26Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Mr. Bali Hai Tiki Mug For Two

tiki-mug-bali-Hai_2932

Nothing better on a Sunday than to lay back sucking on Mai Tais, Fog Cutters, Shirley Temples or whatever else you want to fill this vintage Mr. Bali Hai Tiki mug with. Custom made for the Bali-Hi Restaurant in San Diego, CA. and patterned after the 6′ tall Mr. Bali Hai sculpture that greeted diners at the front door, these 6.5″ x 4.25″ mugs are the Big Kahuna of Tiki mugs, larger than most with a top of the head lid and holes for two straws for maximum Romantic imbibing.

Manufactured by Otagiri Mercantile Company, there are matching salt & pepper shakers as well as newer repro shot glasses. All eight of my Mr. Bali Hais are full size and original.

24Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Black Pride Beer

24Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Black Pride Beer

black-pride-beer3

Debuting in 1969, Black Pride Beer was was concept first – “A Beer As Proud As Its People” – and beer second. Black Pride was the brain child of Edward J. McClellan, then Urban Program director of the NAACP in Chicago where the hope was that brewing the beer would pump the pride and stimulate the economy of black communities nationwide starting with Chicago’s south side where a large segment of the Black population lived.

Black Pride may have stopped brewing in 1972 but Black pride has thankfully lived on.

From the December 1969 edition of Brewers Digest:

For A Brighter Future… Black Pride, Inc., in the best tradition of the free enterprise system, seeks to provide a means of … achievement for its stockholders as well as for its employees and for those with whom it does business. At the same time, as an economic institution within the black community, Black Pride, Inc., hopes by the example of its success to reveal to blacks the ability of the free enterprise system to measure to their needs if they are willing to measure to its demands. Further, as an economic institution within the black community, and with its stockholders and employees being members of that community, more revenue in the form of profits, dividends, salaries and wages will be available for the assumption of greater local responsibility for community services and improvement. Finally, and here the marketing implications are obvious as well, the promotion of a Black Pride product intrinsically involves the promotion of the idea of blacks having pride in themselves and the necessity of personal effort and involvement if that pride is to be justified.”

Debuting in 1969, Black Pride Beer was was concept first – “A Beer As Proud As Its People” – and beer second. With the hope of pumping pride and stimulating the economies of black communities nationwide, Black Pride was the brainchild of Edward J. McClellan, then Urban Program director of the NAACP in Chicago, whose south side where a large segment of the Black population lived was the first community served.

From the December 1969 edition of Brewers Digest: For A Brighter Future… Black Pride, Inc., in the best tradition of the free enterprise system, seeks to provide a means of … achievement for its stockholders as well as for its employees and for those with whom it does business. At the same time, as an economic institution within the black community, Black Pride, Inc., hopes by the example of its success to reveal to blacks the ability of the free enterprise system to measure to their needs if they are willing to measure to its demands. Further, as an economic institution within the black community, and with its stockholders and employees being members of that community, more revenue in the form of profits, dividends, salaries and wages will be available for the assumption of greater local responsibility for community services and improvement. Finally, and here the marketing implications are obvious as well, the promotion of a Black Pride product intrinsically involves the promotion of the idea of blacks having pride in themselves and the necessity of personal effort and involvement if that pride is to be justified.”

Black Pride may have stopped brewing in 1972 but Black pride has thankfully lived on.

23Jul 2009

Allee Willis Kitsch’ O The Day- CB’er Coffee Cup

23Jul 2009

Allee Willis Kitsch’ O The Day- CB’er Coffee Cup

CB-cup

‘Mama Bear” (Female Police person), “Green Stamps” (money), “Plain White Wrapper” (Unmarked Police Car) and the ubiquitous “10-4″ (Ok, message received) became the second language of Pop Culture in 1975 when “Convoy”, a song that glorified truckers and their C.B. radios, shot up airplay charts as fast as the big rigs and semis it glorified shot down highways. C.B. radio paraphernalia took over store shelves across the country with these Anchor Hocking ‘Fire-King’ milk glass Proof 6 cups at the top of the heap. Twenty six of the most frequently mumbled C.B. codes as well as an array of popular trucks grace the cup, of I own twelve (and counting). Ten regular, 3 3/8″ tall, and two tank size, an inch taller and five phrases richer.

22Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Tickles Tapeworm Bad Translation Pencil Case/Wallet

22Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Tickles Tapeworm Bad Translation Pencil Case/Wallet

tickles-tapeworm

“Good day. Tapeworm of the Tickles. The stomach living within is for fun. Likes much the good food, Great friends are we to the extremity. Love me Tapeworm.” I LOVE bad translations and this 8″x3″ of plastic wonderfulness is among the best!

Tickles served as my billfold for the past four years until the plastic rebelled and one day little tapeworm-like rips appeared all over it. I reluctantly retired it to Kitsch Museum heaven but miss pulling it out to get my money and smiling as I dig intoTickles.

“Good day. Tapeworm of the Tickles. The stomach living within is for fun. Likes much the good food, Great friends are we to the extremity. Love me Tapeworm.” I LOVE bad translations and this 8″x3″ of plastic wonderfulness is among the best!

Made by Parasite Pals, Tickles served as my billfold for the past four years until the plastic rebelled and one day little tapeworm-like rips appeared all over it. I reluctantly retired it to Kitsch Museum heaven but miss pulling it out to get my money and smiling as I say hello to Tickles.

21Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – ‘Sock It To Me’ Beer Bottle Ashtray

21Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – ‘Sock It To Me’ Beer Bottle Ashtray

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These squished beer and soda bottles were all the rage in the late 60’s when the phrase ‘Sock It To Me’ crossed the color line to become the reigning colloquialism of the era. I have tons of ‘Sock It To Me’ memorabilia as well as squashed and stretched bottle art but none so perfect as this smokeables receptacle made by Houze Art, USA.

20Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Best Neutron Dancer Ever!

20Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Best Neutron Dancer Ever!

PLAY THIS VIDEO!:

I’ve seen many improvised dances to my Pointer Sisters song “Neutron Dance” but this girl has a better time kutting loose inside the klutches of Kitch than anyone I’ve ever seen. Describing her style as “Improvisational freestyle spontaneous informal interpretive dancing” Aremisbell, real name Diana Campanella, dances to more high energy songs on YouTube than Madonna. With mouth and finger action for days and pixie-like prancing in overdrive she is, in fact, SO HAPPY doin’ the Neutron Dance. And that makes me SO HAPPY for having written it.

19Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Vintage Coppertone Suntan Oil Spray

19Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Vintage Coppertone Suntan Oil Spray

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I used to spray this stuff on me like it was water, lay out in the sun until my skin was crisper than fried chicken and walk around all summer looking like a red patent leather purse. it was the desired toasted-by-the-sun-look for a Midwest girl in the Prehistoric 60’s when we thought sun was good and supertan and sunburnt were the most popular summer colors. Coppertone was the ONLY name in sun care products and spraying was the speed junkie route to stylish toasty flesh. No messy creme between your fingers, no sandy caps to screw back on so the next time you squirt some out it’s not like rubbing sandpaper on your burnt skin.

Coppertone hit the market in 1944. The original logo was an American Indian chief in feather headresss with matching “Don’t be a paleface” slogan. That was deemed politically incorrect in 1953 and the little trademark pin-up girl with snapping dog logo was born to replace it. When that illustration was lost in a fire the more familiar one you see on the can here was drawn in 1959 by Joyce Ballantyne Brand who won a contest to get the gig using her daughter Cheryl as the model.

Jodie Foster made her acting debut at 3 in a tv commercial as the Coppertone girl.

I used to spray this stuff on me like it was water, lay out in the sun until my skin was crisper than fried chicken and walk around all summer looking like a red patent leather purse. It was the desired toasted-by-the-sun-look for a Midwest girl in the Prehistoric 60’s when we thought sun was good and supertan and sunburnt were the most popular summer colors. Coppertone was the ONLY name in sun care products and spraying was the speed junkie route to stylish toasty flesh. No messy creme between your fingers, no sandy caps to screw back on so the next time you squirt some out it’s not like rubbing sandpaper on your burnt skin.

Coppertone hit the market in 1944. The original logo was an American Indian chief in feather headdresss with matching “Don’t be a paleface” slogan. That was deemed politically incorrect in 1953 and the little trademark pin-up girl with snapping dog logo was born to replace it. When that illustration was lost in a fire the more familiar one you see on the can here was drawn in 1959 by Joyce Ballantyne Brand who won a contest to get the gig using her daughter Cheryl as the model.

Jodie Foster made her acting debut at 3 in a tv commercial as the Coppertone girl.
coppertone_7457

This commercial is for a later Coppertone product, QT Quick Tanning Lotion, but is too much of a Kitschified gem not to be unearthed here:

17Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Corn Salt & Pepper Shakers

17Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Corn Salt & Pepper Shakers

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Items in the shape of corn on the cob have a special place on the mantle of Americana Pop Culture. Whether plastic, ceramic, bowl, plate, S&P or cob holder, the texture of husks and kernels has fascinated mold makers since the beginning of time, elevating corn to the status of oranges and tomatoes as the foodstuffs most imitated in kitchen accessories design.

These S&P’s are devoid of any manufacturer’s mark but look to be late 70’s/ early 80’s. They have rubber stoppers, both slightly melted from being too close to corn boiling in the pot. I covet these more for their form than their function.

Items in the shape of corn on the cob have a special place on the mantle of Americana Pop Culture. Whether plastic, ceramic, bowl, plate, S&P or cob holder, the texture of husks and kernels has fascinated mold makers since the beginning of time, elevating corn to the status of oranges and tomatoes as the foodstuffs most imitated in Kitsch kitchen accessories design.

These 4″ plastic S&P’s are devoid of any manufacturer’s mark but look to be late 70’s/ early 80’s. They have rubber stoppers, both slightly melted from being too close to corn boiling on the stove. I covet these more for their form than their function as they always leave a nasty little trail of salt and pepper from what’s slipped through the meltage.