There was no doubt about it. We Boomer kids had as much fun reading comic book ads as the tales themselves that were contained in the twelve-cent journals.
Besides giant submarines, Charles Atlas spiels, and monkeys in teacups, we also were intrigued by a little blurb hat we must have seen a million times that claimed to teach us how to throw our voices for a quarter.
The only thing that I ever actually sent off for from comic book ads was a training course for karate. I was twelve years old. It never came.
But I remember one day visiting a novelty shop somewhere and actually spotting the throw-your-voice kit!
The exchange of 39 cents plus tax took place, and I was the proud owner of a ventriloquist's kit.
Turns out it wasn't exactly the bargain of the century.
The kit consisted of a set of instructions and a little plastic whistle.
I guess the idea was that you would hide the whistle in your mouth and make whistling sounds without pursing your lips.
I don't recall that much about the instructions. Presumably, they gave you advice on speaking without moving your lips.
All I know is that I was bewildered and disillusioned by the actual throw-your-voice kit.
But I guess it was beneficial, in a way. When I sent off for that karate training course a couple of years later, I wasn't terribly shocked when it never showed up.
Comments (5)
Yep, I fell for that one. I never figured out how to use it. I loved ordering stuff from comic books and such as a kid. I especially liked getting magic tricks and gags like the bug in the ice cube and the spicy chewing gum.
Posted by Rhea | January 21, 2009 8:52 AM
Posted on January 21, 2009 08:52
This one past me by I guess, I sort of remember the ads in the back of Boys Life magazine, but it never gave me any interest! I could watch the real thing on one of the variety shows! Now let me put on my Xray glasses!
Posted by Rivers End | January 21, 2009 9:52 PM
Posted on January 21, 2009 21:52
What I want to know is why, with all our great technology, why we haven't been able to make those nifty x-ray glasses work? Now there would be the hottest selling item of all time! I'm waiting :-)
Posted by Scott Irving | March 1, 2009 1:09 AM
Posted on March 1, 2009 01:09
ok,ive been all over google looking for instructions.NONE OF IT WORKS!!!!!!!
Posted by casie | February 2, 2010 5:41 PM
Posted on February 2, 2010 17:41
As I remember, it wasn't a whistle, it was a little tube that stuck out the side of your mouth. You talked without moving your lips, and the sound would come out the tube and be projected to whatever was next to you.
It didn't work.
Posted by Faye Kane Homeless Brain | March 30, 2011 7:28 PM
Posted on March 30, 2011 19:28