Imagine trying to put some of these cut-out masks on the backs of cereal boxes now. Or even wearing one for Halloween. There'd be hell to pay, that's for sure. I can see the bitter tweets and Facebook posts now. And still, we haven't come that far socially, have we, that we pretend to?
Flying out of eBay comes this beautiful vintage Halloween witch for Brach's candy. Sparkles, broomstick, and airy flight dress are perfectly sweet.
Here's a bewitching Halloween advertisement (okay, for underwear, so what) to get you into the October mood.
First off, who dresses like a clown for Halloween anymore? Unless, of course, it's a zombie or homicidal clown. Second, note the attentive gas station attendant with the smile and bow tie. You won't see a person dressed up like that anymore, even on Halloween. Unless he's a real ghost.
You may find this hard to believe, but there was a time when gas stations had attendants, dressed in snappy uniforms, eager to wash your windows, check your oil, and pump your gas. I know, I know. Sounds like a fantasy, right?
10/19/62 — Detroit: When station attendent Walt Sifford painted a Halloween scene, complete with cornstalk, on his gas station window, he never thought his work was realistic enough to become a pheasant trap. But it wasn't long before a pheasant came crashing into the window. Sifford is shown with the pheasant, who was only stunned. Sifford plans to free the bird in a real cornfield when the bird fully recovers.
Here's a shot from 1956 showing store window painting for Halloween in Chicago. I remember seeing store windows painted up on Avenue U in Bensonhurst Brooklyn every October, when I was growing up. Funny the things you remember as a kid, but I noticed how the artistic talents on display grew worse over the years as students from the local high schools participated in the yearly contest. For the truly inspiring artwork, I always felt sad to see it washed away after the holiday.
From 1980, the Oregonian, the Wintergreen Witch to promote Halloween Safety. Boy, how many of you remember those assemblies at school of dos and don'ts?
I posted the advertisement for Squire's Arlington Skinless Hot Dogs. In the ad you could send away for this party book. I saved you the trouble.
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Here's a Tribune press photo showing the Anoka, Minnesota, Halloween parade marching along Main Street, October 31st, 1949. I love the sign that reads "the house that Jack built." Definitely a monsterkid in the skeleton costume.
I don't often equate skinless hotdogs with Halloween witch masks, but when I do, I want weeny witch masks. Just not the ones shown here, since THEY AREN'T WITCH MASKS!
What's really frightening about this ad are the children's costumes. At least one kid has the right idea. Must be a monsterkid.
Skip the wafers: that Necco OK Double Bar looks darn tasty.