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Subject: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 02/02/07 at 10:27 pm
I've decided to dedicate a thread to all of the retro icons that have celebrated memories throughout all of our lives. Each week I will feature a new icon, some pictures, facts about the icon. Feel free to discuss it. After the week is over, I will post a new icon to feature.
This week's icon will be: The Planter's Peanut AKA Mr. Peanut
http://img470.imageshack.us/img470/9595/mrpeanutgj9.gif
Amedeo Obici (Ah-may-day-o O-bee-chee), founder of Planters, was born in 1876 in the small town of Oderzo near Venice, Italy. When Obici was old enough to read, his widowed mother would show him his uncle's glowing letters from America. Thus began Obici's dream. At age eleven, reality had him pulling up at Bush Terminal in Brooklyn, New York. An Italian immigrant, 11 years old, not knowing any English, but going on to become prosperous business innovator. His willingness to work showed even at this early age. He started his career as a bellhop and fruitstand vendor in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Later, Obici moved to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and opened his own fruit stand and invested in a peanut roaster. Here he linked his life's fortune with the peanut. In a few years, Obici turned peddler, using a horse and wagon, and called himself "The Peanut Specialist". In 1906, Obici went into partnership with Mario Peruzzi. He had developed his own method of blanching whole roasted peanuts, doing away with the troublesome hulls and skins; and so with six employees two large roasters, and crude machinery, Planters was founded. Amedeo Obici realized that prices and first profits were not nearly so important as repeat business. He proved his operation based on quality and brand name were important for continued success. Two years later, the firm was incorporated as Planters Nut and Chocolate Company.
Mr. Peanut, Planters mascot is such a nut, everybody's just crazy about him! Since his introduction in 1916, to help advertise the sales of the country's first roasted peanut company, Mr. Peanut has become one of the nation's best-known advertising characters. Based on the original drawing of a 13-year-old boy, Antonio Gentile, who won a $5 prize in a 1916 contest for his "little peanut person." The mascot made its debut in 1918 in The Saturday Evening Post. According to the company, Mr. Peanut's hat, shoes, cane, and monocle symbolize fresh taste. The gloves do not symbolize anything; Mr. Peanut simply likes them.
Since his conception, Mr. Peanut has appeared in many TV commercials as an animated cartoon character. More recent commercials have shown him computer animated in a real-world setting. His appearances are often accompanied by an elegant accented narrator, and throughout his extensive television life, Mr. Peanut has rarely, if ever, spoken.
Throughout the decades, Mr. Peanut has gained celebrity. During World War II, Mr. Peanut helped promote saving stamps and was a star attraction at the New York World's Fair in the 1960s. His notoriety in the United States stretched from coast to coast, all of which he traveled in the Planters "Nut Mobile." In Hollywood, Mr. Peanut has a star on Hollywood's Melrose Avenue Character Walk and his own fan club, the "Peanut Pals."
Mr. Peanut also has long been associated with Broadway. His first appearance was in 1942, when his billboard appeared in Times Square. In 1997, he made his inaugural appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and still travels the country in the Planters Nut Mobile.
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http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/6535/plantersvr3.jpg
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Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 02/12/07 at 10:25 am
This week's retro icon is Tony the Tiger...famous for the comment, "They're GRRRREAT!!"
TONY THE TIGER
PRODUCT: Kellogg's Sugar Frosted Flakes (later Frosted Flakes)
DATE INTRODUCED: 1951
CREATOR: Leo Burnett Co.
Only one famous feline (sorry, Morris) can rightfully claim he's the cat's meow of commercials: Tony the Tiger. Adland's premier promotional pussycat was born in 1951, when Burnett was hired to create a campaign for Kellogg's new cereal, Sugar Frosted Flakes. Tony was originally one of four animated critters created to sell the cereal, but he quickly edged out Katy the Kangaroo, Newt the Gnu and Elmo the Elephant to become the sole star of the cereal maker's ad efforts.
Tony's original designer, children's book illustrator Martin Provinsen, first created an orange cat with black stripes and a blue nose who walked on all fours. But like most celebrities, Tony has undergone extensive cosmetic changes over the decades.
The most dramatic alteration occurred early in his career, when Tony's football-shaped head was replaced with a rounder, softer form. That was followed by a series of other minor face-lifts such as an eye color change from green to gold and the addition of "whisker bones" and contours.
When America started heading for the health clubs, Tony also got a slimmer, more muscular physique. He's also risen in stature from a scrawny, cereal-box size pussycat who ambled on all fours to a 6-foot figure with a towering, upright stance.
One thing that remained constant for much of Tony's life was his voice. Thurl Ravenscroft provided the sole voiceover for Tony and his trademark growl: "They're Grrrreat!" In 1952, Tony's son, Tony Jr., was introduced into the campaign. And in the early 1970's, Mama Tony, Tony's wife; and Antoinette, Tony's daughter (born in 1974, the Chinese year of the tiger), also came on board. The expansion of the Tony family broadened his audience appeal.
http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/779/icontonyln9.jpg
http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/1988/tonytigerda6.jpg
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Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: Tam on 02/12/07 at 3:39 pm
Mr. Peanut scared me when I was little. I don't even know why or can't remember.
Now, Tony the Tiger on the other hand..... gggrrroooowwwwllllllll! ;D
What an awesome thread idea Erin!
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 02/12/07 at 4:51 pm
Mr. Peanut scared me when I was little. I don't even know why or can't remember.
Now, Tony the Tiger on the other hand..... gggrrroooowwwwllllllll! ;D
What an awesome thread idea Erin!
hey, thanks Tam. BTW....if you ever go to amiwrong to take quizzes....I just posted 6 different retro advertising icons matching quizzes today...they should be up tomorrow. :)
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: Ashkicksass on 02/15/07 at 3:57 pm
This is a great thread Erin! :)
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 02/15/07 at 4:02 pm
This is a great thread Erin! :)
Thanks Ash! :)
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: karen on 02/16/07 at 5:18 am
In the UK Tony the Tiger is the icon for Frosties. Same cereal, different name but same catchphrase.
I seem to recall Tony jr was used to promote Ricicles which were sugar frosted rice krispies if I recall correctly
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: lorac61469 on 02/16/07 at 12:20 pm
Tony The Tiger!! LOVE HIM!!! He's GRRRREAT!!!!
I also love Thurl Ravenscroft's voice. I wonder what they're going to do now since he passed away. :(
Did you know he also was the vocalist of the song "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch"?
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: gemini on 02/16/07 at 5:37 pm
Great thread idea, Erin. :) My husbands name is Tony so whenever we see something with Tony the Tiger on it, we try to pick it up for him, and his favorite cereal is Frosted Flakes. I remember when it was called Sugar Frosted Flakes, but I guess they changed it to try to take the focus off of the fact that it's full of sugar, even though I don't think they took any of the sugar out of it. :-\\
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 02/19/07 at 11:37 pm
Tony The Tiger!! LOVE HIM!!! He's GRRRREAT!!!!
I also love Thurl Ravenscroft's voice. I wonder what they're going to do now since he passed away. :(
Did you know he also was the vocalist of the song "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch"?
wow...I didn't know that! Thanks for the little tidbit of info! :)
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 02/20/07 at 8:04 am
This week's icon is:
Orville Redenbacher.....the famous popcorn guru.
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/2414/orvilleredenbacherjv8.jpg
http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/9639/orvillepc5.jpg
Orville Redenbacher (July 16, 1907 – September 19, 1995) was an American businessman most often associated with the brand of popcorn that bears his name.
Born in Brazil, Indiana, he attended Purdue University, joining Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and graduating with a degree in agronomy. He spent most of his life in the agriculture industry, serving as a Vigo County Farm Bureau Extension agent in Terre Haute, Indiana, and at Princeton Farms in Princeton, Indiana.
He earned a small fortune in fertilizer, but in his spare time, he indulged in an obsession he had had since he was a child with developing the perfect popcorn. He bought the George F. Chester and Son dent seed corn plant with partner Charlie Bowman, later named Chester Hybrids, in 1951 near Valparaiso, Indiana, and tried tens of thousands of hybrid strands of popcorn before achieving success. He and Mr. Bowman initially named the breakthrough hybrid RedBow but were advised by an advertising agency to use the name Orville Redenbacher to market the corn. It was good advice which they took to heart, and Orville was suddenly everywhere. For example, Redenbacher can be first seen on national T.V. around 1971 or 1972, long before his signature commercial appearances as himself promoting his gourmet kernels. In an episode of the popular game show, To Tell The Truth, he stumped the panelists including Kitty Carlisle, Bill Cullen, Joe Garagiola, and Peggy Cass, all of whom were shown munching on and enjoying samples of Redenbacher's then-"new" novelty popcorn flavors including "chili," and "bar-b-que."
In 1976 he sold the company to Hunt-Wesson Foods, which was a division of Norton Simon, Inc. In 1983, Esmark purchased Norton Simon; the following year Beatrice Foods acquired Esmark; and in 1990 Beatrice Foods was taken over by agribusiness giant ConAgra. Redenbacher then moved to Coronado, California. He continued to promote his popcorn, appearing in numerous television commercials (including later ones with his grandson Gary Redenbacher), always wearing his trademark bowtie. His wholesome image and folksy name confused many consumers, some even writing the company to ask if Redenbacher was a real person, and not an actor. He responded to this by appearing on various talk shows, professing his identity. After the initial sale to Hunt-Wesson, the City of Valparaiso started their first Popcorn Festival in 1979. Celebrating Redenbacher's development of his popcorn in Valparaiso, the Festival featured Orville and Gary appearing several times as Grand Marshall of the signature event, the Popcorn Parade.
On September 19, 1995, while in the whirlpool tub of his condominium in Coronado, Redenbacher suffered a heart attack and drowned. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea. His brand of popcorn continues to be among the most popular in the United States.
2005 marked the 40th anniversary of Orville Redenbacher's popcorn, still the #1 selling brand in America. To celebrate the man behind the popcorn, ConAgra developed a special website that highlights some of the classic Orville Redenbacher television commercials. One of his most famous and recognizable commercials states, "My gourmet popping corn pops up lighter and fluffier than ordinary popping corn. Eats better, too."
On January 15, 2007 during the Golden Globe Awards, an advertisement featuring a digital re-creation of Redenbacher appeared on TV for the first time. It was the first time a digital representation of a deceased individual appeared that could be made to say and do anything. Gary Redenbacher, responding to questions about how he felt about the advertisement stated that "Grandpa would go for it. He was a cutting-edge guy. This is a way to honor his legacy."
Prior to his death, Redenbacher also hosted the SFM Holiday Network syndicated movie broadcast package along with his grandson.
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: Ashkicksass on 02/20/07 at 11:40 am
On January 15, 2007 during the Golden Globe Awards, an advertisement featuring a digital re-creation of Redenbacher appeared on TV for the first time. It was the first time a digital representation of a deceased individual appeared that could be made to say and do anything. Gary Redenbacher, responding to questions about how he felt about the advertisement stated that "Grandpa would go for it. He was a cutting-edge guy. This is a way to honor his legacy."
As much as I love Orville and his popcorn, that commercial was just CREEPY!
Great job here, Erin! :)
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 02/20/07 at 11:59 am
As much as I love Orville and his popcorn, that commercial was just CREEPY!
Great job here, Erin! :)
I didn't see that commercial...I can imagine it would be though! :o
BTW, thanks Ash! :)
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: gemini on 02/23/07 at 8:37 pm
As much as I love Orville and his popcorn, that commercial was just CREEPY!
Great job here, Erin! :)
You're right about the commercial, it totally freaked me out when I saw it! But the popcorn is awesome! :)
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: lorac61469 on 02/26/07 at 7:28 pm
As much as I love Orville and his popcorn, that commercial was just CREEPY!
Great job here, Erin! :)
I agree, AWFUL commercial. It gives me the creeps. Somethings just shouldn't be done with computers.
Popcorn is great, though.
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 03/08/07 at 12:39 pm
This Week's Retro Icon is....
Mr. Clean
http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/3913/adtour06tq6.jpg
http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/1851/mrcleancirclesd2.jpg
Mr. Clean is a brand name of household cleaner from Procter & Gamble, first introduced in 1958. Mr. Clean is known as Mr. Proper in mainland Europe, and probably to avoid confusion with Mr. Sheen and Mr. Muscle in the United Kingdom it is known as Flash. Mr. Clean also makes the Melamine foam cleaner under the name-brand of Magic Eraser. In Spain, the name changed from Mr. Proper to Don Limpio (limpiar is the Spanish verb for "to clean"), while in Mexico he is named Maestro Limpio (Master Clean). In Italy he is named Mastro Lindo (Master Clean, as in Mexico).
Its mascot is the character Mr. Clean, a muscular, American, bald man who cleans things very well. According to the company, his image is supposed to be that of a sailor, although most people think he is a genie based on his earring, folded arms, and tendency to magically appear at the appropriate time. Mr. Clean has always smiled on the packaging, except for a brief time in the mid 1960's when he was frowning on the package.
Mr. Clean's theme song has been around since the product's introduction, initially sung as a pop-music style duet between a man and a woman. The Mr. Clean advertising jingle was written by Thomas Scott Cadden. It has been played as recently as 2005, usually in a contemporary musical setting or instrumental version.
Mr. Clean gets rid of dirt and grime
And grease in just a minute
Mr. Clean will clean your whole house
And everything that's in it
Mr. Clean, Mr. Clean, Mr. Clean
Mr. Clean in popular culture
Mr. Clean's bald head and muscular appearance has evoked comparisons to skinheads, although the character doesn't dress in typical skinhead styles, nor does he display other aspects of the skinhead subculture.
Mr. Clean's appearance with his tight muscle shirt, ear piercing, stylishly handsome looks, fastidious habits, and helpful but deferential persona in television commercials, has made Mr. Clean into something of a Chelsea boy-style gay icon.
Mr. Clean has been used as a derisive term in the same manner as goody two shoes or Boy Scout, describing someone who displays conspicuous morally upstanding behavior. The term has been used by Dick Vitale to describe a basketball play that at first glance appeared to be a foul but, in fact, was not.
In the ABC series Lost, Sawyer addresses Locke as Mr. Clean, in a reference to Locke's bald head and strong build.
In Space Quest VI, by clicking on a Mr. Soylent machine, you will hear a jingle similar to that of Mr. Clean.
In Linux kernel the command make mrproper cleans the kernel source directory and returns it to the distribution state. This command is more thorough than make clean.
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: whistledog on 03/08/07 at 3:11 pm
"Mr. Clean will clean your whole house, Mr. Clean Mr. Clean Mr. Clean!"
The one thing Mr. Clean always makes me think of is an old episode of "Who's the Boss" when Tony dressed up like him :D
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: Ashkicksass on 03/08/07 at 4:18 pm
I'm a big fan of all things clean, especially when there's a big strong man attached! ;)
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 03/09/07 at 12:33 am
I'm a big fan of all things clean, especially when there's a big strong man attached! ;)
ya, I'm not usually into bald men....but there's just something about that guy! ;D ;)
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: gemini on 03/09/07 at 8:17 pm
Another fun icon Erin! I keep looking forward to seeing what you'll post next! :)
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 03/10/07 at 4:52 am
Another fun icon Erin! I keep looking forward to seeing what you'll post next! :)
awww...thanks Rhonda! :-*
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: gemini on 03/10/07 at 6:33 am
awww...thanks Rhonda! :-*
Well, you know how I love retro stuff! Your new avatar is awesome! :)
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 03/10/07 at 3:25 pm
Well, you know how I love retro stuff! Your new avatar is awesome! :)
thanks! I found this website with oodles of them. I'll have to find it and post the link. ;)
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: CatwomanofV on 03/16/07 at 12:19 pm
Mr. Clean made it fashionable for guys to wear earrings and still be "macho". :D ;D ;D
Cat
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 03/21/07 at 10:19 am
This week's retro icon is....
McGruff The Crime Dog
http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/7131/mcgruff2di8.jpg
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McGruff the Crime Dog is an anthropomorphic cartoon bloodhound created for the National Crime Prevention Council for use by American police in building crime awareness among children. He debuted in July 1980. The character was created by Sherry Nemmers. The motto "Take a Bite out of Crime" was invented by Jack Keil, who also did McGruff's voice for many years. After two years on the air, a nationwide contest was opened to name the character. The most common entry was "Shure-lock Bones". Other entries included "J. Edgar Dog", "Sarg-dog", and "Keystone Kop Dog". The winner, McGruff the Crime Dog, was submitted by a New Orleans police officer. In some of McGruff's advertisements, he appears with his nephew "Scruff McGruff".
McGruff reaches kids through commercials, songs and booklets from the National Crime Prevention Council, talking about drugs, bullying, safety and the importance of staying in school. Recently, McGruff has appeared in commercials addressing identity theft. The character is often used with his motto "Take a bite out of crime!" He also reaches kids through personal appearances as both puppets (often used in classrooms) and costumes worn by police officers nationwide.
It was announced that when Jack Keil retires, he will be succeeded by Sgt. Steve Parker, a sheriff's deputy from Burlington, Iowa. As of mid-2006, this changeover has not been announced officially; Parker does fill in for Keil on occasion presently.
A McGruff House is a designated house bearing a McGruff logo indicating that it is a safe refuge for children who feel they are in danger. The first McGruff House was opened in Utah in 1982, and there are presently about 700 McGruff House programs throughout the United States. The program is similar to one in the 1970s in which a picture of a red hand was placed in the window of neighborhood houses that provided refuge.
Similarly, there is a program whereby public utility and government work trucks can display a decal identifying the occupant as someone who can be approached if a child feels that they are in danger, or lost, or otherwise distraught.
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: whistledog on 03/21/07 at 11:43 am
I loved those commercials for McGruff. "Take A Bite Out of Crime"
I had one of McGruff's Crime Activity Books back in the 80s, but I don't remember what it looked like
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: gemini on 03/21/07 at 4:55 pm
Geez, I was 19 when McGruff had his debut? I thought I was younger when I started seeing that commercial!
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: Ashkicksass on 03/22/07 at 2:16 pm
I loved Mr. McGruff! I remember seeing the McGruff signs in neighborhood windows as a kid and always felt like someone was looking out for me. Great job Erin!
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: Dominic L. on 03/24/07 at 10:23 am
Any Smokey the Bear coming soon?
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 03/24/07 at 11:08 pm
Any Smokey the Bear coming soon?
Oooo..Oooo....hmm, maybe I will take requests! :D ;D ;)
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 04/05/07 at 7:03 pm
This week's reto icon:
RONALD MCDONALD
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9489/originalronaldmcdonaldpf2.jpg
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/7660/ronald20mcdonaldjq7.jpg
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A9gnMicKjRVGQSUB7AujzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTA4NDgyNWN0BHNlYwNwcm9m/SIG=11qncalvm/EXP=1175903882/**http%3A//theimaginaryworld.com/rnn11.jpg
Ronald McDonald is a clown spokesman for McDonald's fast-food restaurant chain. According to the book Fast Food Nation (2001), 96% of school children in the United States can identify Ronald McDonald, making him the United States' most recognized fast food advertising icon. Only Santa Claus was more commonly recognized. Many of the restaurants are decorated with a life-size statue of the clown holding out his hand to greet customers at the entrance for children to shake hands with him. Sometimes the figure is sitting on a bench, allowing children to sit next to him or on his lap. In television commercials, the clown inhabits a fantasy world called McDonaldland, and has adventures with his friends Grimace, Hamburglar, Birdie the Early Bird, and The Fry Kids. The McDonald's Corporation has also characterized Ronald McDonald as being able to speak 31 different languages including Mandarin, Dutch, Tagalog, and Hindi. In recent years, the "childish" McDonaldland has been largely phased out, and Ronald is instead shown interacting with normal kids in their everyday lives.
Putting on the Ronald McDonald clown face is a painstaking process of applied foundation, spirit gum, white base and detail makeup that would sometimes take two hours to apply. Actors are strictly selected by the McDonald's Corporation and Leo Burnett Advertising for their ability to project energy, warmth and compassion that reflected the desired brand image. Ronald's wig is usually kept in a freezer before shoots to keep a uniform red look when applied to the actor's head. Ronald's nose prosthetic is made from a wax paraffin mold, modelled from the actor's own nose. Ronald's oversized clown shoes were at times very painful for the actors to wear as they were injected with a silicone gel to give them weight and a rubberlike appearance. The modern version of Ronald's costume has inflatable balloons in the pants to make them look oversized. The balloons are adjustable to conform to the actor's buttocks.
Many people work full-time making appearances in the Ronald McDonald costume, visiting children in hospitals. There are also Ronald McDonald Houses, where parents can stay overnight when visiting sick children in nearby chronic care facilities. Due to the controversy over fast food, critics have likened McDonald to Joe Camel, the former mascot of Camel cigarettes. Since August 2003, McDonald has been officially recognized as the "Chief Happiness Officer" of the McDonald's Corporation.
Two conflicting versions of Ronald McDonald's origins exist. One claims that the original character and design of Ronald McDonald, including facial design and costume (featuring "french-fry bag pockets" and "food-tray hat"), were created by Terry Teene and George Voorhees. Voorhees, a professional clown, supposedly first portrayed the character for a hired performance at a Los Angeles, California drive-in restaurant McDonald's. When his homosexuality became public, the performer was subsequently legally enjoined from performing as, or exhibiting the likeness of, the character in any form. The other version of Ronald McDonald's origins involves Willard Scott (a local radio personality who also played Bozo the Clown on WRC-TV in Washington, D.C. from 1959 until 1962), who performed using the moniker "Ronald McDonald, the Hamburger-Happy Clown" in 1963 on three separate television spots. These were the first three television ads featuring the character, whose appearance was substantially similar to George Voorhees' Ronald Mcdonald (spelled with a lower-case "d") as shown in the Valley News and Green Sheet, a San Fernando Valley newspaper of the time.
Scott, who went on to become NBC-TV's "Today" show weatherman, claims to have "created Ronald McDonald" according to the following excerpt from his book Joy of Living:
"At the time, Bozo was the hottest children's show on the air. You could probably have sent Pluto the Dog or Dumbo the Elephant over and it would have been equally as successful. But I was there, and I was Bozo... There was something about the combination of hamburgers and Bozo that was irresistible to kids... That's why when Bozo went off the air a few years later, the local McDonald's people asked me to come up with a new character to take Bozo's place. So, I sat down and created Ronald McDonald."
McDonald's does not mention Voorhees or claim that Willard Scott "created Ronald" in their statement:
"The smile known around the world," Ronald McDonald is second only to Santa Claus in terms of recognition. In his first TV appearance in 1963, the happy clown was portrayed by none other than Willard Scott."
But on March 28, 2000 Henry Gonzalez, McDonald's Northeast Division President, thanked Scott for creating Ronald McDonald, during a taped tribute to Scott on the "Today" show.
Various forms of the name "Ronald McDonald" as well as costume clown face persona, etc. are registered trademarks of McDonald's. McDonald's trains performers to portray Ronald using identical mannerisms and costume, to contribute to the illusion that they are one character.
Willard Scott's costume was in several minor ways different from the Voorhees' Ronald Mcdonald version (but notably, retaining the "fast food tray" hat design) and, as Ronald, Mr. Scott's clown face was substantially the same as that of his personification of Bozo the Clown, a well-known character whose widespread syndication in early television made him the best-known clown character in the United States. Thus, his use of the character may not violate the clown code.
McDonald's marketing designers and stylists changed elements of the Ronald McDonald's character, persona, style, costume and clown face when they adopted the clown as a trademark, possibly in deference to "The Code", the tradition of clowns to scrupulously avoid copying other clowns' appearance or performance style.
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: whistledog on 04/05/07 at 11:26 pm
I like Ronald McDonald. I wish they still showed commercials with him, and the whole McDonalds gang. When I was a kid, I used to go to McDonalds and get what was called a "Treat of the Week", a weekly toy that was given out free to kids
I still have one .. it's a little cardboard wheel thingy with a blank Ronald face and a bunch of other blank faces. On top are two plastic wheels with eyes and mouths. You spin the wheels to mix and match the faces ;D
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: Tam on 04/06/07 at 12:05 am
Ronald McDonald and Grimace used to scare the crap out of me when I was little!! ;D ;D ;D
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: whistledog on 04/06/07 at 12:44 am
Ronald McDonald and Grimace used to scare the crap out of me when I was little!! ;D ;D ;D
http://www.palomar.edu/kksm/onairs/grimace.jpg
;D
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: Tam on 04/06/07 at 12:53 am
Thanks Jason!
I am sure to have nightmares for the next week!!! ;D
Seriously, I have no idea why they scared me - look at him. He ispurple and rolly pollie! All innocent and stuff ;D
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 04/06/07 at 9:32 am
I like Ronald McDonald. I wish they still showed commercials with him, and the whole McDonalds gang. When I was a kid, I used to go to McDonalds and get what was called a "Treat of the Week", a weekly toy that was given out free to kids
I still have one .. it's a little cardboard wheel thingy with a blank Ronald face and a bunch of other blank faces. On top are two plastic wheels with eyes and mouths. You spin the wheels to mix and match the faces ;D
I used to LOVE those commercials with the whole McDonald's Gang. We've had many b-day parties at McDonalds....they used to have this caboose out back of the restaurant, that they would host parties in...it was so cool 8)
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: gemini on 04/06/07 at 10:52 am
I remember getting these cheapy little plastic puppets when I was little and we thought that was a big deal. Now, the toys are way cooler! :) Do they still have the Mcdonaldland characters in any of the commercials? Mayor McCheese, Grimace, The Hamburgler? I really never paid much attention, but if not, they need to bring them back.
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 04/06/07 at 11:27 am
I remember getting these cheapy little plastic puppets when I was little and we thought that was a big deal. Now, the toys are way cooler! :) Do they still have the Mcdonaldland characters in any of the commercials? Mayor McCheese, Grimace, The Hamburgler? I really never paid much attention, but if not, they need to bring them back.
I haven't seen those characters in their commercials in a long time. I LOVED those characters!! Just look at them...I miss seeing all of them!
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/616/mcdonaldsrn2.jpg
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: whistledog on 04/06/07 at 1:25 pm
I remember getting these cheapy little plastic puppets when I was little and we thought that was a big deal. Now, the toys are way cooler! :) Do they still have the Mcdonaldland characters in any of the commercials? Mayor McCheese, Grimace, The Hamburgler? I really never paid much attention, but if not, they need to bring them back.
In the 90s, they were down to just Ronald, Grimmace, Birdy and the Hamburglar. Slowly, they faded each one out, and nowadays, Ronald is the only one to appear in McDonalds commercials, and it's somewhat of a rare sight to even see him in a commercial
McDonalds sure isn't as great as it used to be. Those commercials were always fun :)
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: whistledog on 04/06/07 at 1:26 pm
I used to LOVE those commercials with the whole McDonald's Gang. We've had many b-day parties at McDonalds....they used to have this caboose out back of the restaurant, that they would host parties in...it was so cool 8)
I used to love having my B-Day parties at McDonalds. When I was like 5 or 6, I remember one of my parties, I invited this kid from my class who was somewhat large, and ended up eating 3 Big Mac's ;D
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: Tam on 04/06/07 at 1:29 pm
In the 90s, they were down to just Ronald, Grimmace, Birdy and the Hamburglar. Slowly, they faded each one out, and nowadays, Ronald is the only one to appear in McDonalds commercials, and it's somewhat of a rare sight to even see him in a commercial
McDonalds sure isn't as great as it used to be. Those commercials were always fun :)
Jason - remember the Sports Memories McDonald's on Bath Rd?
Well, we have one down here that is similar, but not.
It has all of the characters in mylar on the windows, and inside it has all kinds of the old Happy Meal toys, and cardboard happy meal boxes. Has a painting on one wall of car delivery with a female on roller skates, and another painting of a big Cookie I think... I rarely go in there but the place is amazing!
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 04/06/07 at 1:31 pm
I used to love having my B-Day parties at McDonalds. When I was like 5 or 6, I remember one of my parties, I invited this kid from my class who was somewhat large, and ended up eating 3 Big Mac's ;D
I remember one year, my sister and I had a combined b-day party in the caboose at McDonalds..it was in the middle of January and we had this huge snow blizzard....yet, most of our friends still made it out to the party. There we were...sitting cozily in the little caboose, while outside it was a winter wonderland!! :D
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: CatwomanofV on 04/06/07 at 2:44 pm
Ok, ok. I know I have told this story a few times before but I HAVE to repeat it. When I was student teaching, Ronald McDonald came to the school to do a presentation. I was "volunteered" to join in. I did a "Vanna White" type thing (revealing letters) and I was having fun and hamming it up. Ronald made a comment about the way I was doing it and then said, "We should go for coffee sometime". Now, I have been asked out by a bunch of clowns before but this one definately took the cake.
Cat
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: whistledog on 04/06/07 at 9:06 pm
Jason - remember the Sports Memories McDonald's on Bath Rd?
Well, we have one down here that is similar, but not.
It has all of the characters in mylar on the windows, and inside it has all kinds of the old Happy Meal toys, and cardboard happy meal boxes. Has a painting on one wall of car delivery with a female on roller skates, and another painting of a big Cookie I think... I rarely go in there but the place is amazing!
I remember the Sports McDonalds. I miss that one big time. It was neat to go in there and see all the sports memorabilia. It's a "Pizza Pizza" now
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 04/06/07 at 11:28 pm
Ok, ok. I know I have told this story a few times before but I HAVE to repeat it. When I was student teaching, Ronald McDonald came to the school to do a presentation. I was "volunteered" to join in. I did a "Vanna White" type thing (revealing letters) and I was having fun and hamming it up. Ronald made a comment about the way I was doing it and then said, "We should go for coffee sometime". Now, I have been asked out by a bunch of clowns before but this one definately took the cake.
Cat
karma for making me laugh!! :D ;D
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: whistledog on 04/06/07 at 11:30 pm
Ok, ok. I know I have told this story a few times before but I HAVE to repeat it. When I was student teaching, Ronald McDonald came to the school to do a presentation. I was "volunteered" to join in. I did a "Vanna White" type thing (revealing letters) and I was having fun and hamming it up. Ronald made a comment about the way I was doing it and then said, "We should go for coffee sometime". Now, I have been asked out by a bunch of clowns before but this one definately took the cake.
Cat
Was Carlos jealous?
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: CatwomanofV on 04/07/07 at 11:43 am
Was Carlos jealous?
We were only dating at the time. When I told him, he did laugh and said, "Who knows, he could be really handsome under all that make-up." Trust me, Carlos had nothing to fear that I would have left him for Ronald McDonald. :D :D
Cat
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: whistledog on 04/24/07 at 5:17 am
I wanna do the next Retro Icon ...
I don't know much about this one, and info on the net seems hard to come by, but here is Mr. Mini-Wheat
In the USA, Mr. Mini-Wheat had a face on two sides, and they would often argue which was better: The frosted side or the wheat side. He now has a face on just the one side ...
http://www2.kelloggs.com/uploadedImages/Kellogg/Featured_Content/Mini-Wheats_button.jpg
In Canada, Mr. Mini-Wheat has a face on one side, and in his early days, he would contemplate his Frosted side, and in several commercials in the 80s and 90s, he was seen sitting in a psychiatrist's office discussing the matter. At the end of the commercials, he would yell "Stupendous!" ...
http://www.kelloggs.ca/french/whoweare/images/char_mw.gif
Here's some of the latest commercials featuring Mr. Mini-Wheat:
Frosted Mini-Wheats - 3 commercials (America)
http://www.mini-wheats.com/advertising.shtml
Vanilla Frosted Mini-Wheats (Canada)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHWpGb3zYnM
Strawberry Frosted Mini-Wheats (Canada)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGqlXBx_bBc
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 04/24/07 at 1:42 pm
hey...thanks Jason!! Karma to you for the good idea for this week's retro icon. :)
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: Tanya1976 on 04/26/07 at 1:28 pm
Is he really a retro icon? I've only seen him fairly recently.
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 04/26/07 at 1:35 pm
Is he really a retro icon? I've only seen him fairly recently.
no, he's not really an older icon, to the best of my knowledge....unless he's more of a Canadian thing and been around longer there! ;)
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: whistledog on 04/26/07 at 4:09 pm
Is he really a retro icon? I've only seen him fairly recently.
no, he's not really an older icon, to the best of my knowledge....unless he's more of a Canadian thing and been around longer there! ;)
It might be more of a Canadian thing, but I can't really find much info on him. I know he's been around since the 80s, cause I used to watch the ads when I was a kid lol
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 05/17/07 at 12:42 pm
I know I've been slacking a bit, but now I'm back. Anyway, Cat gave me a wonderful idea for the new retro icon of the week...and I had forgotten that Doms requested it awhile back, so thanks to both of them...here it is!! :)
This week's icon:
Smokey Bear
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/1734/only20youev4.jpg
Smokey Bear and Fire Prevention
"Remember -- Only You...."...Can Prevent Wild Fires!"
Smokey Bear has warned people about the ravages of wild fire for so long that few people remember how this famous bear first captured our nation's attention.
Dressed in a Ranger’s hat and blue jeans, often sporting a shovel, his famous slogan is one of the most recognized advertising phrases in the world, and is protected by federal law.
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/9102/firstsmokeyposterja5.gif
In 1937 President Roosevelt kicked off a national campaign to reduce the number of fires caused by people. With approximately forty million acres lost to fire each year across the nation, this campaign featured Uncle Sam as a forest ranger. The message spoke to human element of fire, emphasizing people’s responsibility in protecting the forest. The message- “Your Forests – Your Fault – Your Loss” was a powerful message for the public.
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/7581/unclesamposterzh1.jpg
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor during WWII, the Japanese also attacked an oil field near the Los Padros National Forest in California. With so many men in the military and only a skeleton staff of firefighters remaining, the potential for wild fires struck terror across the country. Americans feared that a fire could destroy our forest resources when wood products were greatly needed for the war effort. As the prevention of wild fires came into focus, the Wartime Advertising Council developed fire prevention posters with slogans such as, "Forest Fires Aid the Enemy," and “Careless Matches Aid the Axis.”
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/1356/ww2jappostergh0.jpg
In 1944, Walt Disney released the movie “Bambi,” and allowed the Forest Service to use the deer on their campaign posters for one year. This proved effective and showed that a forest animal helped get the message across. The Forest Service decided to continue using an animal and chose a bear for their fire safety mascot.
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/4701/bambiposterdh6.gif
The Forest Service chose the name to be Smokey Bear, after “Smokey” Joe Martin, who had been the Assistant Chief of the New York City Fire Department. On August 9, 1944, the first poster of Smokey Bear was produced, drawn by Albert Staehle.
The poster depicted a bear pouring a bucket of water on a campfire. The next year Rudy Wedelin became Smokey’s official artist. Smokey Bear soon became popular, so popular that he was given his own zip code because he received such a large amount of fan mail.
His image has been seen in stuffed toys, records, pens, sports items, clothing, and books, and he has become one of the most recognized characters worldwide.
The Story of the Real Bear.
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/7729/smokeyvetpz8.jpg
In 1950, some careless person started the terrible Capitan Gap wild fire on the Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico. When a strong wind suddenly swept the fire toward a group of courageous firefighters, 24 of them had to run to a rock slide, lay face down, and cover their faces with handkerchiefs to escape the deadly flames. They emptied their canteens over their clothes and swatted their burning clothes. After an hour, the fire moved on. All 24 survived. When the smoke cleared and they caught their breath, they saw a scorched hillside where once a great forest stood.
Amongst the smoldering ashes was a tiny black bear cub, burnt and afraid, clinging to a tree. The cub was nicknamed “Hotfoot Teddy.” They searched for the cub’s mother, but could not find her. The cub needed veterinary aid for the burns on his paws and hindquarters, so he was flown to Santa Fe to receive professional treatment. While his wounds were healing, he stayed at the home of Ray Bell, the game warden who flew him to Santa Fe. Ray's daughter Judy befriended the little bear and helped nurse him back to health.
The little bear had gained nationwide attention and was soon renamed Smokey after the symbol for fire prevention. Smokey was presented by the New Mexico State Game Warden to the the Chief of the Forest Service to be used to aid the fire prevention program.
Now the question was, “Where will Smokey live?” Little cubs grow up very fast, and Ray Bell’s house was no longer an option as the bear’s home. It was decided that Smokey’s permanent home would be the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Smokey became the most popular exhibit at the Zoo. Two other bears, both from New Mexico, eventually joined Smokey in Washington. Goldie, a female black bear, was introduced in 1962 as a possible mate for Smokey. However, no cubs were born of the two so Smokey II was introduced to carry on for Smokey in his old age. The original Smokey retired from the public display in 1975, after 25 years of service. He passed away later that year. His adopted son carried on for him until 1990. The character of Smokey lives on, a reminder to people across the world of the dangers of fire.
Smokey was the first individual animal to ever be honored on a postage stamp. This stamp commemorated Smokey's 40th birthday in 1984.
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/9788/40thannivstampiq6.gif
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/17/07 at 1:06 pm
Thanks Quirk.
I was at the National Zoo sometime in the 70s. I went to see Smokey but he was in his "cave" (he was old at the time) but I did see Smokey Jr. (who was just a cub). Shortly after that, I heard that Smokey died. :\'( :\'( So, I missed seeing him.
Cat
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 05/17/07 at 1:30 pm
Thanks Quirk.
I was at the National Zoo sometime in the 70s. I went to see Smokey but he was in his "cave" (he was old at the time) but I did see Smokey Jr. (who was just a cub). Shortly after that, I heard that Smokey died. :\'( :\'( So, I missed seeing him.
Cat
aww, that's a shame you didn't get to see him. I always liked Smokey the Bear...he was along the lines of McGruff the Dog....those kind of safety icons were always neato. Speaking of safety icons, an idea just popped into my head of another one for next week's icon! ;D
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: whistledog on 05/17/07 at 2:04 pm
I used to love seeing those Smokey the Bear commercials on TV! :)
I always wondered what would ever happen if Smokey the Bear and Yogi the Bear ever came face to face? ;D
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/17/07 at 2:14 pm
I used to love seeing those Smokey the Bear commercials on TV! :)
I always wondered what would ever happen if Smokey the Bear and Yogi the Bear ever came face to face? ;D
Just as long as Yogi doesn't have to start a fire to heat up his picnic basket, I think it will be fine. :D ;D ;D
Cat
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: KKay on 05/30/07 at 9:41 am
I really want some of this riht now.
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: whistledog on 05/30/07 at 1:21 pm
Kool-Aid Man is awesome! I used to love the commercials when I was a kid!
There was a Kool-Aid Man game for the Atari 2600. Never had it, but always wanted to play it lol
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: gemini on 06/04/07 at 6:50 pm
I really want some of this riht now.
Oh Yeah!! Kool aid man! :D Kool aid was the only thing I could drink the morning after a long night of drinking lots and lots of beer! ;D
Subject: Re: Retro icon of the week
Written By: quirky_cat_girl on 06/04/07 at 8:24 pm
Thanks again for another great retro icon idea...Kool Aid Man it is!!! :D ;D
Kool-Aid Man is the mascot for Kool-Aid, a popular drink. The character has appeared in television and print advertising as a fun-loving and avuncular beverage provider, bursting through walls and yelling "Oh yeah!" to share the drink with kids. He is a gigantic anthropomorphic pitcher, filled with Kool-Aid (usually cherry, though other flavors have been used) and marked with a fingerprinted smiley face.
http://img470.imageshack.us/img470/9994/180pxkoolaidmanau0.jpg
HISTORY
The smiling Kool-Aid pitcher first appeared in 1954, a year after Kool-Aid was purchased by General Foods. It was designed by Marvin Potts, an art director at the New York office of the Foote, Cone & Belding advertising agency. He was asked to illustrate the ad slogan "A five-cent package makes 2 quarts". Apparently inspired by his son drawing on a frosty windowpane, he produced three different frosted pitcher designs: one had 5¢ drawn in the frost, one had a heart-and-arrow, and one had the smiling face.
Kool-Aid Man was introduced in 1975 by adding arms and legs to "Pitcher Man." The name Pitcher Man was conceived as a pun on the idea of the corporate "pitch man.'
Already well-known from its company's advertising campaign, Kool-Aid Man starred in a comic book in the 1980s, originally published by Marvel and later Archie Comics. In these comics, he battled long-tongued aliens known as the Thirstees, and later a pyromaniac named Scorch. Also in the 1980s, two video games created by M Networks, and based on the comic books out, were made for the Atari 2600 and Intellivision systems. Both involved Kool-Aid Man having to prevent the Thirstees from stealing all the Kool-Aid from the kids.
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/8938/koolaidig2.jpg
The voice of the Kool-Aid Man in television commercials — known for the catch phrase "Oh yeah!" — is currently Frank Simms, who sings back-up for singers David Bowie, Madonna, Billy Joel, Carly Simon, Al Green, Chaka Khan, Elvis Costello, and many others. The current character has been modernized, sometimes wearing clothing, or talking with kids in their own slang.
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/6071/kool2600ww9.jpg