Yes, their purpose is purely commercial — and it's sad to think that most people can name more cereal spokes-characters than Supreme Court justices — but advertising mascots can be retro-fun reflections of consumer culture, as collectors Warren Dotz and Masud Husain have shown. They are the authors of Meet Mr. Product: The Graphic Art of the Advertising Character and Mr. Product: The Graphic Art of Advertising's Magnificent Mascots 1960-1985 — books that contain hundreds of anthropomorphic advertising icons, from Tony the Tiger to Mr. Clean, and illustrate the history of this effective sales tool. The pair will be speaking about their books and their collections at the August edition of Oddball Films' Cinema Soiree program. The evening will also include a screening of Jan Sturmann's short documentary about Dotz's recent SFO exhibit featuring advertising icons, plus lots of vintage commercials.
Cinema Soiree: "Meet Mr. Product" is set for 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, at Oddball Films, 275 Capp St., S.F. $10; RSVP to 415-558-8117 or RSVP@oddballfilm.com;
415-558-8112
