Monday, May 4, 2009

February 17, 1951: Radio used to be cool

Peanuts
Notice: the only signal that the radio program is exciting, essential to understanding Violet's question and the point of the joke, is Charlie Brown's body language in the first three panels.  In later strips Charles Schulz would probably provide some additional visual signal, like some words hanging in the air.

Ah, for the days when turning on the radio would more likely present some exciting adventure show or comedy, instead of lame pop music or a blustery cadre of demagogues. The world changed greatly during Peanuts' run, the peace and love generation were yet to be seen at the strip's start, and both the creator and strip had to adapt to the times.

5 comments:

  1. "In later strips Charles Schulz would probably provide some additional visual signal, like some words hanging in the air."

    We don't see much of "words hanging in the air," generally, though, do we? More likely might be reactions from the listener -- "well, I never!"

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  2. We see a lot of POW! later on. And quite frequently AAUGH!

    I can think of one other example off the top of my head, but that's for later.

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  3. "Ah, for the days when turning on the radio would more likely present some exciting adventure show or comedy, instead of lame pop music or a blustery cadre of demagogues."

    radioarchive.cc

    You'll thank me later.

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  4. I find it interesting that it is "The" commercial.

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  5. "I find it interesting that it is "The" commercial..."

    Likely a reference to the time when a radio or TV show would have a single sponsor, such as "Kraft Theater." The practice lasted from the early days of radio to the early '60s.

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