Thursday, December 20, 2012

Howard Johnson's Children's Menu #11 (1963)

The news keeps saying that it's going to snow here in St. Louis this week, giving me the perfect opportunity to finally post this wintery themed, vintage, digest-sized Howard Johnson comic book / menu from 1963 (produced by Custom Comics) --as if the North Pole and Santa panels weren't reason enough in December! So follow along on a kookball, comedic adventure with Simple Simon and The Pieman, (anyone know the artist?), solve some puzzles while you're at it, and when you're done and built yourself up a big 'ol appetite, why not order something from the centerfold menu-- as usual, per my own childhoods spent at HoJo's-- I'll be having the grilled frankfort on toasted roll with potato chips and chocolate chip ice cream. 









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13 comments:

  1. Mykal BantaDecember 20, 2012

    I don't know the artist, but I hope someone does. It's fantastic stuff!

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  2. Chris SobieniakDecember 20, 2012

    I feel pretty let down I was deprived of HoJo greatness since I grew up in the 80's when those restaurants were on the way out.

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  3. K. R. SewardDecember 20, 2012

    Thanks for the post.

    I'm ready to play the HoJo Ice Cream game. Guess it'll have to by proxy via some extant confectioner.

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  4. Crafty CDecember 20, 2012

    So cute!

    I used to have a Sambo's coloring book that I got from the restaurant when I was a kid. I think I sold it on ebay :(

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  5. Mr. KarswellDecember 20, 2012

    I saw a HoJo on a recent trip down to Branson MO and can't believe how bland the chain has become. I wasn't even aware they were still around! Everything that made them so unique seems to have evaporated :(

    There's still a Sambos in Santa Barbara, Carol, I had an excellent chocolate shake there about 10 years ago. I have a few Sambo collectibles too-- some matchbooks, a postcard set, and a tee shirt!

    Thanks for the comments!

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  6. Mr. CavinDecember 20, 2012

    I guess curds and whey were already a thing of the past by the late sixties, huh? Little Miss Muffet had already moved on to more weight-conscious veggie plates with butter and bacon. Pairs nicely with two scoops of peppermint stick ice cream. Barf.

    I liked the art a bunch, too.

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  7. Jeff AustinDecember 21, 2012

    The art smacks heavily of Kurt Schaffenberger.

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  8. Mr. KarswellDecember 21, 2012

    You could be right Jeff, Lambiek says he did a lot of advertising and promotional comics (toy ads, McDonalds, etc.)

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  9. PappyDecember 23, 2012

    It sure looks like Schaffenberger to me. The oomic was produced by ACG. They had a subsidiary called Custom Comics for this sort of promotional item.

    For Craftypants Carol, here's a Bicentennial Sambo's Coloring Book!

    http://hairygreeneyeball3.blogspot.com/2011/07/sambos-bicentennial-coloring-book.html

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  10. Mr. KarswellDecember 23, 2012

    Your word is as good as gold, Pap, and thanks for the ACG info and Sambo link!

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  11. Crafty CDecember 23, 2012

    That's totally the one I had! Thanks Pappy!!

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  12. KL from NYCDecember 28, 2012

    I'm sure the comic and the games were fun to do, but I'd sure like to see those menu prices nowadays -- a deluxe hamburger with potatoes, vegetables, a roll, ice cream, and a drink: 90 cents!!!!

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  13. Mr. KarswellDecember 28, 2012

    No kiddin, KL!

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