March 17, 2009

Louis Armstrong and the Suzy Cute doll

Almost as bizarre as the Jimi Hendrix Experience opening for The Monkees on their 1967 U.S. tour, here is Louis Armstrong in a 1964 Suzy Cute toy commercial. Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong is widely considered to be the most important jazz musician to have ever lived. It is reasonable to believe popular music would be completely different had he never picked up a trumpet. 1964 was the year his version of "Hello Dolly" went to #1. So why would he have agreed to do this commercial? It seems demeaning, but what do I know? For better or worse, it would appear (based on the recording of this ad lib/rehearsal of the "Suzy Cute" jingle from this site) that Armstrong was directly involved in its creation.The money must have been good!


Here Louis, lend your talent and fame to this little tiny doll:

"You press her tummy, her arms go up!"



It just seems wrong somehow...



Why Louis, why?


There's nothing little white girls love more than sweaty black men and New Orleans-style jazz!

8 comments:

Blognor Regis said...

Frank Sinatra advertises shampoo.

Really?

Blognor Regis said...

And Jack Kennedy "He's got hiiigh hopes, he's got hiigh hopes, 19 *breath" 60's the year for his hiigh hopes, vote for Kennedy, vote for Kennedy, he's America's son, Kennedy he just keeps rollin' a, Kennedy he just keeps rollin' a, Kennedy he just keeps rollin' along."

Chris said...

Oh man, those links aren't working for me. But I have heard that rewrite Sammy Cahn did of his "High Hopes" lyrics for the JFK campaign a few times.

Amy said...

No doubt, that commercial was a strange brew.

Chris said...

It's surreal, right, Amy?

Anonymous said...

This is a delightful commercial. And Louis seems to be having fun doing it!

Kris said...

This is a nice commercial--very sweet and innocent.

Chris said...

Oh, I agree, Kris/Anonymous -- it's delightful, nice, sweet and innocent (as you say), but still an odd pairing.