Last night I finally watched the 2010 version of True Grit, and in case you're wondering, I thought it was pretty good.
But what does that have to do with comic books, you may be wondering.
Well... Nuthin'.
Today's post is instead about a newspaper which was called Grit, one which I never got to see, except in countless advertisements (like the one above) that appeared in the comic books published during my youth, my teenage years, and even my young adulthood. I was always intrigued by this mysterious newspaper, which advertised heavily in comic books published from the 1940s to the 1970s. Those ads were originally designed to attract only boy newsdealers, but by the 1970s, the ads were worded to include girls, too!
Once known as "America's Greatest Family Newspaper," Grit's story began in 1882 and has continued up until the present day. If you have any interest in the publication's history, they provide more info on their website.
The very first issue of Grit.
Grit is now a bi-monthly magazine distributed in the United States and Canada which "celebrates country lifestyles of all kinds" with articles "that appeal to those already living in the country and those who aspire to get there."
Grit as it exists today.
And now, for a special treat: Here's a look at two different editions of "You've Got to Have Grit," a promotional comic book devoted to selling Grit. The first was published in 1959, and the second in 1977! It's fun to look at the various art and text updates. (Well, it was for me, anyway!) And if your appetite is only whetted by the GIF I've reproduced below, click on this link to visit a website which reprints both versions of the entire comic! (By the way, the artwork is uncredited, but it's obviously by prolific comic artist Kurt Schaffenberger, an artist best-known for his work with the original Captain Marvel and the Marvel Family in the Golden Age, and for drawing numerous stories in Superman's Girlfriend, Lois Lane in the Silver Age!)
That's it for today, fellow babies!
Thanks for your time.
I cannot bring myself to watch True Grit without John Wayne. It was the first Wayne movie I saw in a theater. I had heard of Grit but never seen the publication. Very cool it is still going! Have you missed me?
ReplyDeleteYes, I have! Welcome back.
DeleteA lot of my readers were MIA for a while, for various reasons. That's why I put a link on my sidebar to a recent post of mine where I tell everybody about all the stuff they've missed. Ha.
Well, I needed to hibernate for a spell. My absence was nothing personal. 😉
DeleteDon't worry, I never took it that way.
DeleteI watched it last year, it wasn't bad indeed. First I've heard of the newspaper/magazine now. Funny the subtle little changes. They would be hanged by the PTA if they showed pipes now haha
ReplyDeleteYou're right, and I'm impressed that the people at Grit deleted the pipe (in some of the redrawn panels, anyway) as early as their 1977 printing of "You've Got to Have Grit." I also liked the fact that the man behind the desk at the employment office was drawn as an African-American in the updated version.
DeleteYou know what I love most about your blog? I never know what I'm going to find until I get here. I like the GIF, and I thought the changes you mentioned in your comment to Pat were interesting as well. I also noticed they changed the door style with the delivery boy so as not to show the housewife wearing a dress.
ReplyDeleteThere's another panel from the story where the artist updated a picture of Billy's mom vacuuming. The artist completely changed the vacuum cleaner itself to a newer model, and gave Billy's mom a contemporary hairstyle and changed her dress (and apron) to slacks. It was a fun read!
DeleteI remember those ads about selling Grit. I wonder if anyone really sold it. I love the updated True Grit. I think it's much better than the original.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Yep, there were millions of boys (and later, girls too) who sold Grit.
DeleteI really liked the new True Grit film. Like the book, which I read when the first movie version was still new, the 2010 movie was much -- the pun is unavoidable -- grittier.
It is grittier! That's exactly why it works.
DeleteI agree, pun or not.
DeleteNot familiar with Grits the newspaper or the magazine (although I'm glad to hear it's still in publication), but I read the novel and watched the 2010 movie on the recommendation of our UU minister. Haven't seen the John Wayne version.
ReplyDeleteIt's an enjoyable film, a lot lighter in tone than the new version.
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