There was once a golden age for advertising. It fell somewhere between the stumbling simplicity of 50's 'Ad Men' and the pretension of 80's Agency self aggrandizement. A simple time before digital, subliminal, interstitial and social, this was a time of telling it straight; of grabbing your customer by the scruff of the neck and saying, "Just look at these nylon slacks! If you want to pull girls and have have a big fast car, you've got to wear these slacks! Get it?!!!"
Ahh, simple times.
Enjoy this choice selection of glorious ads from 1973 copies of Playboy magazine selected by Charlie Fox and Ted Badger esq.(All credit to Guy and Russell for sourcing the magazines)
Slacks - YEAH!
At "A time like this" ? What "time like this" could possibly validate this look, one wonders.
Hey, Hey, HEY Kids!
I think I've seen Crusty The Clown wearing these.
The 'Rappers Man' is my new hero
Quite the 'man about town' don't you think? This ad has f**king everything. Both pairs of slacks are obviously awesome. Then there's those killer tank-tops and shirts and what I suspect is a 'fun' bow-tie. Then a backdrop that consists of a big chopper and some poor wanna-be cat walk model who appears to be desperate for the toilet.
As if that isn't enough, check out the 'classic' male model pose that was a cliche even in 1973. (Probably even in 1873). I particularly admire the 'elbow on colleague's shoulder' move. I strongly recommend actually trying this in real life. When next in a standing conversation, move closer to the person your talking to and then, without explanation, rest your elbow on their shoulder. See how far that gets you.
After a few seconds, if they haven't already punched you in the face, add a little twist to the moment by popping your other hand onto your hip.
I can only assume that the helicopter is for a fast escape.
More from The Rappers Man later
Germanic attention to detail
I can only assume this was a 'last thing on Friday' ad.
Purrr Purrrrrrrr
Really quite nice ad actually. Good for Jaguar - keeping it classic.
Check out the 'iCut'
Apparently this is some kind of 'Before and After'. Apart from that it gets a bit confusing. I assume it's '73 corporate right-wing America telling the stinking hippies to shape up. Also, Isn't that Steve Jobs?
Stepford Couples
For some reason this 'creeps' me out. It seems to be that weird couple down the road who do everything together in coordinating anoraks.
Make a statement this Friday night
I assume it is best to move fast if going into town wearing this. Possibly breaking into a run. Funnily enough, the hat is the least of his problems.
Lost for words
So just who was the target customer the ad agency had in mind when they were working on this? Or perhaps they were all high/drunk/on a different planet. Setting aside the layout, the fonts and general style etc, what the hell is going on with those trous? Yeah, yeah, I know that it's a Golf thing, but c'mon on! - Look at them!
Jerry and Tarquin's Day Out
Quite mild in comparison to some of the other ads. It's almost as if the art director thought just one pure white suit wouldn't be camp enough. And then the photographer told them to stand closer together. And then they quietly started holding hands.
Chicks in nets
Fairly straight forward pitch going on here. Get your lovely handmade hammock from B&H. Not sure why the model has to have a 'bent' cigarette though. Oh, Ha! Just got it; "Take a Break"
Jeezuz fking christ. Did someone really get paid for that?
Brokeback Mountain
Hank is a'hankering for his buddy. Silver is a feeling a bit lonesome.
Bearing Off (as they say in Backgammon)
A man with a psycho stalker apparently, who will later that night burst into his room and stab him, for letting that blonde finger his shoulder.
Animal magic
Two old friends taking a weekend break of walking, talking and drunken angry sex. And their owners might do the same.
The 'Rappers Man' part 2. (A-Hoy matey)
Oh yeah, now we're cooking.
"He's sure of himself. He Knows what he wants and can afford to pay for it." The Rappers Man is back and this time is in nautical mood. Carefully choosing his slacks to compliment his pal's shirt, he strikes a casual figure on deck. He send the womenfolk off to slice the mainbrace while he stands proudly aft and fingers his ring, wondering what that uncomfortable itching is.
"Rash?, What sort of rash?"
Squatting in the woods; always a good scenario for a classy ad. And the depressing expressions indicate that 'difficult' conversation.
Well I'm convinced to choose Puerto Rican rum based on that.
Deliverence
Errrr...WTF?
The Man on Dawn Patrol
Fashion from previous decades is always an easy target but it's not so much the styles as the Ad Agency BS that I find so funny in all these ads.
I've really no idea whether this jacket looked 'cool' or not to most guys in '73 but regardless of all that I feel that 'an exclusive blend of Dacron and Polyester' in that pattern, with that tie, that haircut, in a field with a vintage plane is worth commenting on.
Good job it's for 'The Suave and the Sophisticated", otherwise I might not have appreciated it.
YAYYY 1973 !
