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 (4)
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