"Give the Boots the Stars Wear" Revisited!

 Hello Everyone,

Christmas will be here in just a few days! So, what better time to revisit the "Give the Boots the Stars Wear" Acme Boots ad campaign. This colorful holiday-themed magazine page from the Kellection dates back to December 1959:

As Santa says, "Here's authentic western style, fiery color, imaginative design--all in comfortable, sturdy-wearing boots that live up to the legend of the west, every day of the year! No gift ever speaks with such understandable language to youngsters...'the boots the stars wear...Acme Boots.'"

Here's a closer look at those Warner Bros. western stars, headed by Jack Kelly and James Garner of Maverick:

And, a close-up of those magnificent Maverick boots:

Lucky was the little cowboy or cowgirl who found this footwear under the tree on Christmas morning! 

What will you find in the next TDS? Stay tuned and "Yule" find out! :)

A Maverick Merry-Go-Round! :)

Hello Everyone!

Here's a blast from the pages of Christmas past featuring Jack Kelly and James Garner. It's not the clearest image, but I wanted to share it here since it promotes the 1958 Southern California "Toys For Tots" campaign, which began on December 1 and ended on December 19--exactly 61 years ago today!

 "Campaign to Open - Jack Kelly, left, and James Garner, stars of Maverick television series, open 11th annual Marine Corps Reserve 'Toys for Tots' drive with donation of miniature merry-go-round to Marine Sgt. Lillian Hagener. Drive is Monday to Dec. 19."

 

Please stay tuned for more merry memories coming up in TDS! :)

"Give The Boots The Stars Wear" Pt III :)

So, did the Acme cowboy boot craze continue into 1959?

You betcha! :)

In fact, Acme created a special style of "Maverick" boots and our boys got the ads all to themselves ("Adios", other Warner Bros. cowboys).  

Maverick boots weren't advertised only as Christmas gifts; they were also touted as back-to-school footwear (and look, you got a free autographed picture of Bart and Bret with your purchase!):

The ad copy proclaims, "Give your little Maverick star billing...in boots named for the exciting Maverick show on ABC television!"

"The Official Warner Brothers Television Maverick Acme Boot" was for "Boys and Girls" and it featured..."Acme's all new Maverick outside leather pull-strap. Beautiful underlay top pattern on a stovepipe top with striking contrasting stitching..."

As Christmas 1959 approached, even Pappy Maverick got into the Acme advertising act when he was quoted by Bret:

This ad, from Corpus Christi, Texas, urged: "Bring in your young Texan and get him fitted now. We promise to get the word to Santa. Christmas morning his eyes will outshine the stars on the tree! Cowgirls like Acme Boots, too!"

Never fear, Bart also appeared in the 1959 Christmas ads:

"Sure...they want BOOTS", this ad begins. "Santa's cobblers have been busy all year fashioning these ACME BOOTS for your little 'Maverick'. See their eyes sparkle with real delight when they put on these boots the Stars wear. A traditional favorite with children."

Stay tuned as we continue the boot-scootin' boogie towards Christmas in TDS! :)

"Give The Boots The Stars Wear" Pt. II :)

Howdy Again!

As promised, here's a look at another Acme Boot ad featuring Jack Kelly. This one, also from 1958, is similar to the Christmas ad shown yesterday:

The ad entices, "From the magic world of the spirited Old West...in the glamorous setting of Hollywood...here is the one gift with the authentic touch...Acme Boots, in all their wonderful color and handsome styling! Magnificent selections to help make your youngster's dream come true! See your Acme dealer today! Acme Boots are worn by stars and featured players of Warner Bros. western television and motion picture productions."

These eye-catching boots even came in infant sizes, for baby buckaroos and buckarettes. :)   

Also: While further researching the Acme ads, I discovered that a colorful cardboard standee with the same "Christmas tree with Warner Bros. TV western stars as ornaments" motif was used to promote the boots in stores. Below is a photo of one such standee (courtesy Hake's Americana):

  And, a close-up of JK (also courtesy Hake's Americana):

(BTW, the rest of JK in this pose can be seen here.)

Stay tuned for more fun as we countdown to Christmas with JK! :)

"Give The Boots The Stars Wear" :)

Howdy!

It's hard to believe, but Christmas is just one week away. If you need a last-minute gift suggestion, this newspaper ad may help (but only if you have a time machine--it's from 1958):

Kids sure were lucky back then! :)

I was lucky to find this merry Maverick Christmas ad (and a few similar Acme Boot ads) in the pages of the past. I'm going to showcase them in TDS this week, so please stay tuned!