Who was Magilla Gorilla’s 1964 running mate?
In a brilliant marketing move, Hanna-Barbera studios plunged Yogi Bear and Magilla Gorilla into the presidential race against LBJ and Barry Goldwater. Yogi was already an established cartoon star, but Magilla had just been created as a vehicle to sell a new line of toys. Now, my self-esteem is in jeopardy, as I cannot identify the slouchy Droopy character that H-B put up as Magilla’s running mate. I know there is a sad-sack Droopy the Dog character, but he is not the same animal pictured on the button. Anyone deemed particularly helpful in solving this mystery will be entitled to a vintage 1960 “Peanuts for President” cocktail napkin, from the same box that I comment on in this Slate magazine analysis of fictitious presidential advertising campaigns. Offer good while supplies last. (I always wanted to say that). Looking forward to hearing from some cartoon scholars! If you like offbeat political and pop culture memorabilia like this, then please check out my new Slate magazine slidesho
