One of the great artists for some of these posters was McClelland Barclay. From the US Naval Art Collection:
"Barclay's sailors are notable for their square jaws, well-defined muscles and exceptional physique. Theron MacKay, gunners mate, recalls meeting Barclay in 1943: "Me and another crew member were cleaning a gun, so we were bare from the waist up. Barclay had his sketchpad and was drawing us. Being an amateur artist myself, I took an interest in what he was doing and asked could I look over his shoulder? Well, he made us look like the finest human specimens that ever were! Really, we were skinny kids with our ribs hanging out. I said to him, 'I don't look like that!' and he answered, 'Well, if I sketched you like you are, it wouldn't make much of recruiting poster, now would it?'"
Behold, Uncle Sam wants you!
In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navyYes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on now, people, make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a handIn the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on people, and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy (in the navy)
They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit
And when you're not working, you can chill out and have a good time.
Young man, there's no need to feel down.I said, young man, pick yourself off the ground.
I said, young man, 'cause you're in a new town
There's no need to be unhappy.
Young man, there's a place you can go.
I said, young man, when you're short on your dough.
You can stay there, and I'm sure you will find
Many ways to have a good time.
It's fun to stay at the y-m-c-a.
It's fun to stay at the y-m-c-a.
They have everything for you men to enjoy,
You can hang out with all the boys...
It's fun to stay at the y-m-c-a.
It's fun to stay at the y-m-c-a.
You can get yourself cleaned, you can have a good meal,
You can do whatever you feel...
And who doesn't find these posters inspiring? Don't they make you feel, oh what's that three letter word for happy? Ah, joy! Yes, don't they make you feel joy and patriotic?
Advertising is still the same today, isn't it? Everyone is airbrushed and Photoshopped - smaller waists, bigger boobs, faces shaped differently. Nothing real....
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the Dove commericals where they use real women unaltered. There are a lot of gorgeous people out there who don't 'fit' the advertisers 'model' image.
Have to say I like that last poster though! Hmmmm.... lots of nekkid, hardbodies. ;-)
I'm enlisting.
ReplyDeleteI must say, I never thought I'd want to join any kind of military but where do I sign up?
ReplyDelete"ALL HANDS ON DICK!"
ReplyDeleteYou can bet that there will be plenty of able bodied submariners Manning The Guns on a 4 month patrol!
One thing is certain, by the time your vessel docks for repairs to the stern and drive shaft, every mate will have had their fill of seamen.
Is that last one FO REAL REAL?
Ponygirl, Makes me wonder if even caveman pictures are actual depictions of real cave people!
ReplyDeleteSnooze, You're bringing the service in serviceman. Your patriotism is duly noted.
CP, The military is always looking for a few good men.
Donn, When you're in the company of servicemen, it's a gay old time!
Those last two posters are ads from a company that supplies towels to the military!
Ha, thank you for sharing these. They're quite interesting. Hehe.
ReplyDeleteAnd "$17 0 $77 per month"? Lol. That's quite a gap!
Tara, I know! Right? Who can survive on that? And they only offer the first uniform free? Do I have to wash it everyday until I get paid at the end of the month to buy more uniforms? And I haven't quite figured out what's that thing laying by his feet.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI was going to leave a comment but I suddenly have the urge to shop for wholesale furniture.
ReplyDelete*wonders how IVD will feel when he sees his life played out in posters*
ReplyDelete*laffs at Donn's "all hands on dick" comment*
Spam!
ReplyDelete*Clicks little trash can to delete comment*
MJ, I deleted that spammer's comment as to not offend your shopping and fashion sensibilities...how dare that spammer try to peddle off fugly uggs!
You know, I was thinking about IDV when I saw that first poster, given his support of servicemen and his serving the public. Perhaps he can solve the mystery of what's that thing lying by the sailor's feet...some sort of ring?
You've been tagged for a reward over at my blog, btw!
ReplyDeleteAhem.... attention all you land lubbers! That ring is what you tie to bloody boat to.... a mooring ring.... and as a Flatlander from the centre of the freakin' Prairies, how come I know that and no one else did???
ReplyDeleteThese are the sort of real men that would have a Beastastic MANBAG
ReplyDeleteOh for heaven's sake, it's a COCK RING.
ReplyDeleteBeast, would you stop going on about your faux MANBAG?
ReplyDeleteI'd be into going on an escapade
ReplyDeleteOr maybe more. Lovely ads although maybe a little misleading.
Tara, Oh, thanks! So sweet of you! I'll work on this and let you know when it's ready!
ReplyDeletePonygirl, A mooring ring is a distinct possibility...but these are sailors so we have to consider other options. Like maybe it's a watch or some sort of piercing ring.
Beast, I believe they have duffel bags, but these fellas look like they're experts at bagging men.
MJx2, You know, if it is a cock ring, I hope he washes it first before using it. Who knows what kind of filth is there from all that docking activity! He might end up with a social disease!
CP, So you want to be a Cabin Boy or a Coxswain.
What's misleading? The fact that you get to mount some big guns or you're surrounded by lots of seamen and large, hard tools in tight, enclosed spaces?
Posters 3, 4 & especially 5 are certainly looking very familiar...
ReplyDelete* gasp *
ReplyDeleteI can see that seaman's helmet in the last poster!
IDV x2, Oh, did you lend a helping hand and made sure they got off safely? How patriotic of you!
ReplyDeleteThat seaman in the last poster had to wash his helmet clean after some serious pounding, and get it ready for more heavy action.
Both sound very appealing.
ReplyDeleteAre they looking for a towelboy?
CP, As a cabin boy, you serve sailors by doing many things all over the ship. You'll be down on your knees or on your back doing jobs for sailors, washing various decks, pulling on anchors, and polishing knobs.
ReplyDeletepolishing knobs?
ReplyDeleteInteresting...
polishing knobs?
ReplyDeleteInteresting...
Yes, they may need some spit shining and vigorous rubbing!
ReplyDeleteYou know, as patriotic as I am, I feel I must leave these boys for others. I am still devoting myself to the four shower boys from a few posts back. I'm loyal that way.
ReplyDeleteThere is a marvellous nautical term , if your ships hull has a build up of barnacles , it is refered to as your bottom being foul.....I hope Mr IVD has had his scraped recently
ReplyDeleteHA! at Beast's comment about IVD!
ReplyDeleteSnooze, your loyalty is what keeps our fighting troops in fine form, hard at it.
ReplyDeleteBeast, I'm sure IDV has no problem maintaining his stern.
MJ, Those naughty-cal terms are funny...I had to restrain myself from using poop deck jokes in any of my replies.