TV COMIC MASKS

Ed Wynn

"HERE ARE YOUR 4 NORGE TV COMIC MASKS!"

 in 1951, Norge appliances ("America's finest home Appliances"), the sponsor of the new NBC variety show 4 STAR REVUE, offered 4 "Free, Full Size, lifelike, colorful masks" of the four rotating cast of famous comedian hosts, Danny Thomas, Jack Carson, Jimmy Durante and Ed Wynn. On the back of each cut-out mask were the comics "jokes & scripts" so you could "Put on your own TV SHOW!" featuring their very own monologues.

http://classicshowbiz.blogspot.com/2011/05/all-star-revue-with-danny-thomas-1950.html

I own the cardboard masks and while they are certainly not "lifelike", they do have a weird, nightmarish charm about them. And yes, I put on my own TV show nightly!

Too bad Norge felt Olson & Johnson weren't worthy of masks.

Original ad: "Just bring Mom & Dad & coupon!"

ad for the show

 Front of Comic masks package (click to enlarge)

Back of package containing directions (click to enlarge)

                                                       The 4 Norge masks:

Thanks to Mark Heimback-Nielsen & Stephen Kroninger