It's Johnny Reb!

I'm continuing the festive spirit by posting another commercial. This one I found embedded in an article at Radar Online. The article counts down the top ten worst toys ever.

Leaving aside for the moment the fact that I personally had Number Nine on that list (oh, to be late 70's naive again), Number Eight, the 'Johnny Reb Cannon' was a real hoot of a toy. This commercial from 1961 demonstrates the 30 inch spring loaded civil war cannon replica firing eye-socket sized 'cannon balls' a perfectly gouging 35 feet. It comes with it's own rebel flag (children's secessionist uniforms not included, presumeably), and a theme song including the immortal line "we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home." - says the article,

"For only $11.98, young rebels got a cannon, six cannon balls, a ramrod, and a rebel flag. What better way to permanently maim your little brother while spreading valuable lessons about states' rights?"

The thing that worries me slightly more than the cannon though, is this excessively complex civil war re-enactment (in which the South clearly has the upper hand) being perpetrated by ten year old boys. With all that fire power, could the South Rise Again?

Lest you feel that this commercial is sexist as well as encouraging violence and dangerous anti-unionist sentiments, Remco wants you to know that girls love their toys too.

Thanks to Myya for sending the original article.

Happy Holidays.