New FronToons: A Blast from the Past
by Steve Smith
As the great garage sale philosopher Mister Jalopy once put it, I love going to estate sales not because I am a collector as much as I am an explorer. Sure, I like buying old records and the odd piece of furniture, but I am far more interested in how people used to live. You want to find out about what Fort Worth is really like? Go to a garage sale or an estate sale. Case in point: this copy of New FronToons that I found at the estate sale in Westover Hills recently.
New FronToons was a small self-mailing brochure that took shots at then-President John F. Kennedy, then-Texas Gov. John Connally and their policies — soft on communism, that kind of thing. Of course, one of the ironies is that the postmark the one that was mailed was Oct. 9, 1962, less than two weeks before the beginning of the Cuban Missile Crisis, probably JFK’s most hard-on-communism moment.
I found one copy mailed from one rather prominent Fort Worth citizen to another, along with a stack of unmailed copies. Looks like someone didn’t do their homework. Still’s surprising that this thing was able to survive. I would have thought that most of these found their way into the circular file on Nov. 23, 1963.
But who were the people who made this?
“Disgusted Democrats, Realistic Republicans, Irate Independents” who want to “show the evils of New Frontier Socialism.” Uh, yeah.
Of course, when you see the Bobby Kennedy references, I looks a little quaint. I’m not sure what this is — making light of Bobby’s private life perhaps?
The Steel Industry? You mean we used to make steel in the United States?
Ah, yes, Billie Sol Estes. Someone get Oliver Stone on the phone, now!
Now, this one is just kind of Animal Farm. I’m all for anthropomorphic creatures, but I want them jolly and harmless like the pig wearing a chef’s hat on the sign outside a barbecue restaurant. Yep, it’s all fun and games until sinister donkeys start enslaving mankind — not cool.
This donkey is a happier little fella. Of course, when I look at these cartoons and see attacks on JFK’s “celebrity” image and the claims of socialism, it’s hard not to draw parallels to the Obama-McCain presidential campaign. I mean, isn’t there anything new in the playbook?
Um, maybe not.
A two-headed baby … much like the sinister donkey, kind of creepy.
I won’t even get started on the genie, um, what’s that guy doing with that lamp? Nevermind.
Why does it look like that guy is walking to Dallas? Ugly city in the middle of the desert? Has to be Midland.
There is absolutely no way John Connally is going to fit in that sheep costume. He should have ordered the XXL. Of course, there are plenty more attacks on Connally.
Like this one.
And this one.
I guess it is a little surprising to see some of these comics because as a contemporary viewer, we have the knowledge of how this story ends and how Dallas would be demonized as “the City of Hate” because of it. You wonder why people couldn’t see where this was leading.
Of course, it’s also kind of funny to see JFK remembered as a lightweight because, in the wake of his tragic death, Kennedy has enjoyed a far greater reputation than he deserves. I mean, Kennedy 22 percent, George Washington 9 percent. Really? Doesn’t fessing up about the cherry tree count for something?
If anyone want their own copy, drop me a line. I’ve got plenty. And I don’t plan to mail them.
5 Comments, Comments or Pings
Midland
Ouch on the Midland comment.
It is generally accepted that the Cherry Tree story is untrue.
Unfortunate that relative historical proximity boosts JFK and downgrades Washington.. As opposed to the Cherry Tree I would note that Washington turned down offers for Royal status in the new nation.
Feb 24th, 2009
Steve Smith
OK, agreed on the Midland comment. Cease fire. And even if the cherry tree fable is untrue, Parson Weems’ Fable is one of my favorite paintings at the Amon Carter Museum, so I’m reluctant to let it go.
Feb 24th, 2009
Pete Wann
I always wondered what estate sales were all about, and when I found out that Steve went to them regularly, I had to check one out.
The first one I went to was freakin’ awesome, with an amazing collection of really cool mid-century stuff. I bought a nearly complete set of dishes for $85 that are the perfect vintage for my house, both having been made in the late 40’s.
Nearly every one I’ve been to since then has been pure crap. I suppose that’s the fun of going — you never know what’s going to be in a given sale, and though it’s a little weird to think that you’re pawing through the earthly possessions of someone’s recently deceased loved one — the thrill of the hunt is what gets you over that and keeps you coming back.
Feb 24th, 2009
Felicia
Pete, where did you get the idea that estate sales are strictly for selling the items
of people who’ve died? Often, the reason for the estate liquidation is to get money to pay for a retirement home or to downsize. And the people who run them usually throw their own items into the mix. Have you never noticed that often, you’ll keep seeing the same items again and again?
Feb 26th, 2009
Pete Wann
Funny that you should mention this, Felicia — I went to a sale last Friday at which I overheard two “customers(?)” discussing the current status of the owners of the house. They mentioned that they weren’t happy with downsizing, and that they missed the house we were in, etc.
I suppose I KNEW that there could be other reasons for estate sales, but I suppose it’s human nature to assume the most maudlin reason is the most common.
Mar 2nd, 2009
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