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-
- It's a Ad, Ad, Ad, Ad World
-
- The average American consumer is bombarded with hundreds of commercial
- messages a day, and some experts claim that the average child sees and hears
- 100, 000 pitches before being old enough to attend school. Sometimes it seems
- that, in these messages, both the sponsors and the advertising agencies have
- abandoned the struggfle to communicate clearly, washing their hands of sense
- and meaning.
-
- On a paper placemat in a Massachusetts restaurang appeared this
- advertising atrocity:
-
- NEWBURY STREET COIFFURE
- AFFORDABLE
- An Alternative to Looking Good.
-
- After tittering and scratching our heads for a while, we can reconstruct
- what happened lin the framing of this cacphonous come-on. Apparently, the
- good folks at Newbury Street Coiffure meant to proclaim that their affordable
- prices afforded an alternative for looking good. But what came out was the
- message, "Come to us and we'll throw gunk on your hair and pull some of it
- out. And we'll charge you very little to do it!"
-
- As the following classified classics will demonstrate, there are often
- more laughs on the advertising and classified pages than you can find in the
- cartoon and comic strips:
-
- * Lost: small apricot poodle. reward. Neutered. Like one of the
- family.
-
- * A superb and inexpensive restaurant. Fine foods expertly served by
- waitresses in apetizing forms.
-
- * Dinner Special - Turkey $2.35; Chicken or Beef $2.25; Children $2.00
-
- * For sale: antique desk suitable for lady with thick legs and large
- drawers.
-
- * For sale: a quilted high chair that can be made into a table, pottie
- chair, rocking horse, refrigerator, spring coat, size 8 and fur collar.
-
- * Four-poster bed, 101 years old. Perfect for antique lover.
-
- * Now is the perfect time to get your ears pierced and get an extra pair
- to take home, too!
-
- * Wanted: 50 girls for stripping machine operators in factory
-
- * Wanted: Unmarried girls to pick fresh fruit and produce at night.
-
- * We do not tear your clothing with machinery. We do it carefully by
- hand.
-
- * No matter what your topcoat is made of, this miracle spray will make
- it really repellent
-
- * For Sale. Three canaries of undetermined sex.
-
- * For Sale - Eight puppies from a German Shepherd and an Alaskan Huskey.
-
- * Creative daily specials, including select offerings of beef, foul,
- fresh vegetables, salads, quiche.
-
- * 7 ounces of choice sirloin, steak, boiled to your likeness and smothered
- with golden fried onion rings.
-
- * Great Dames for sale.
-
- * Have several very old dresses from grandmother in beautiful condition.
-
- * Tired of cleaning yourself? Let me do it.
-
- * 20 dozen bottles of excellent Old Tawney Port, sold to pay for charges,
- the opwner having been lost sight of, and bottled by us last year.
-
- * Dog for sale: eats anything and is fond of children.
-
- * Vacation Special: Have your house exterminated.
-
- * If you think you've seen everything in Paris, visit the Pere Lachasis
- Cemetery. It boasts such immortals as Moliere, Jean de la Fountain
- and Chopin.
-
- * Mt. Kilimanjaro, the breathtaking backdrop for the Serena Lodge.
- Swim in the lovely pool while you drink it all in.
-
- * The hotel has bowling alleys, tennis courts, comfortable beds and
- other athletic facilities.
-
- * Get rid of aunts: Zap does the job in 24 hours.
-
- * Toaster: A fift that every member of the family appreciates.
- Automatically burns toast.
-
- * Sheer stockings. Designed for fancy dress, but so servicable that lots
- of women wear nothing else.
-
- * Save regularly in our bank. You'll never reget it.
-
- * We build bodies that last a lifetime.
-
- * Offer expires December 31 or while supplies last.
-
- * This is the model home for your future. It was panned by Better Homes
- & Gardens.
-
- * For Sale - Diamonds $20,00; microsopes $15.00.
-
- * For Rent: 6 room hated apartment.
-
- * Man, honest. Will take anything.
-
- * Wanted: chambermaid in rectory. Love in, $200.00 a month.
- References required.
-
- * Wanted: Part-time married girls for soda fountain in sandwich shop.
-
- * Man wanted to work in dynamite factory. Must be willing to travel.
-
- * Used Cars: Why go elsewhere to be cheated? Come here first!
-
- * Christmas tag-sale. Handmade gifts for the hard-to-find person.
-
- * Modular Sofas. Only $299.00. For rest or fore play.
-
- * Wanted: Hair-cutter. Excellent growth potential.
-
- * Wanted. Man to take care of cow that does not smoke or drink.
-
- * 3-year old teacher needed for pre-school. Experience preferred.
-
- * Our experienced Mom will care for your child. Fenced yard, meals and
- snacks included.
-
- * Our bikinis are exciting. They are simply the tops.
-
- * Auto Repair Service. Free pick-up and delivery. Try us once, you'll
- never go anywhere again.
-
- * See ladies blouses. 50% off!
-
- * Holcross pulletts. Starting to lay Betty Clayton, Granite 5-6204
-
- * Wanted. Preparer of food. Must be dependable like the food business,
- and be willing to get hands dirty.
-
- * Illiterate? Write today for free help.
-
- * Girl wanted to assist magician in cutting-off-head illusion.
- Blue Cross and salary.
-
- * Wanted. Widower with school-age children requires person to assume
- general housekeeping duties. Must be capable of contributing to
- growth of family.
-
- * Mixing bowl set designed to please a cook with round bottom for
- efficient beating
-
- * Mother's helper - peasant working conditions.
-
- * Semi-Annual after Christmas Sale.
-
- * And now, the Superstore - unequaled in size, unmatched in variety,
- unrivaled inconvenience.
-
- * We will oil your sewing machine and adjust tension in your home
- for $1.00
-
- And these beauties from the radio:
-
- * Ladies and gentlemen, now you can have a bikini for a rediculous
- figure.
-
- * Be with us again next Saturday at 10:00 P. M. for "High Fidelity,"
- designed to help music lovers increase their reproduction.
-
- * When you are thirsty, try 7-Up, the refreshing drink in the green
- bottle with the big 7 on it and u-p after.
-
- * Tune in next week for another series of classical music programs with
- the Canadian Broadcorping Castration.
-
-