Jeff Brawer

Jeff Brawer
Location
Brookline, Massachusetts,
Bio
I have been a television editor in the Boston area for over 25 years, working in broadcast, medical, and industrial TV. I've been dealing with weight issues for over 50 years and ranting about them for an eternity.

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JUNE 18, 2010 4:44PM

Merchandise from Classic Foreign Films

Rate: 26 Flag

With the nationwide release of Toy Story 3 this weekend, a whole new generation of kids will be emptying their parent's wallets for Woody and Buzz Lightyear action figures, lunch boxes, underwear, can openers, and whatever other junk Disney-Pixar can plaster their pictures on.  And the producers will be only too happy to add this windfall to a strong opening box office for a synergistic marketing-palooza.

What few people realize is that this is not a new phenomenon, nor is it restricted to mainstream films.  Our company, Jules et Jim et Ronco Novelties, Inc., is proud to offer you these selected items from our extensive catalog of classic foreign film merchandise.

 

THE SEVENTH SEAL CHESS SET

Seventh Seal

Whether you're playing chess with Death, or worse, with your mother-in-law, you'll love this finely crafted set with hand-carved pieces based on characters from Dante's Inferno and a board made from the shards of a discarded tombstone.  Carrying shroud is optional.

 

GRAND ILLUSION NECK BRACE AND MONOCLE

Grand Illusion

So you think you're an anti-war protester just because you've waved a sign at a few rallies?  Show your true feelings by sporting these snazzy accessories worn by Captain von Rauffenstein (Erich von Stroheim) in Jean Renoir's powerful WW I fable.  They're sure to catch the eye and win the heart of like-minded pacifists of the opposite sex.

 

Un Chien Andalou eyeball razor trick

Chien Andalou

C'mon, nobody really believes that Luis Buñuel slashed an eyeball in the opening sequence, but the illusion is highly disturbing.  This gag is the perfect icebreaker for your next party and is guaranteed to make your friends spill their drinks and toss their lunches.  It comes with three prosthetic contact lenses and a 6 oz. bottle of vitreous humor.  Razor not included.

 

LA DOLCE VITA MODEL HELICOPTER WITH STATUE OF CHRIST

Dolce Vita

Taking your kids to a Fellini movie is like taking them to the dentist - it's wise to bring along a distraction.  This beautiful scale model will provide hours of fun for your children while you ponder the cinematic mix of religious cynicism and cultivated decadence.  The statue is removable and has a magnetic base for dashboard mounting.

 

THE BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN BABY CARRAIGE

Potemkin

The Odessa steps are no match for this sturdy conveyance designed for our company by Inglesina™ and based on its popular Classica Pram Carriage w/ Diaper Bag Marina ($1,100).  Add armor plating for an extra $500 to put your mind at ease about those Tsarist troops.

 

THRONE OF BLOOD ARCHERY SET

Mifune

If you've ever spent any time on an archery range, you know how boring it is to shoot at circular bulls-eye targets.  Our set includes a 30 pound fiberglass bow, 2 dozen arrows, and a life-size straw figure of Toshiro Mifune as Lord Washizu in full samurai armor.  Macbeth was never this much fun!

 

METROPOLIS TOY ARMY OF DRONES

Metropolis

While the rich live in luxury and ease, your set of 200 identical drones perform slave labor deep underground.  You lead the rebellion that brings them to the surface to destroy the existing order.  Hopefully, this will work out better for you than it did for Germany.

 

LAST YEAR AT MARIENBAD SLEEP AID

Marienbad

Just pop the DVD in your deck and hit play for hours of restful sleep.

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Comments

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Oh, I think you could do a series of these posts! What a great idea - hope there will be more!

Rated for the laughs.
Oh this was funny!! I especally like the scene from Metropolis, wasn't that picture taken during a shift change at a local Walmart?
I, uh, would actually buy a lot of this stuff...

Funny!
They used to get way cooler stuff in Happy Meals back then.
The Deliverance toys were no fun.
LOVE this. Very funny and very smart. I love smarty pants humor.
Nice! Even better than the "My Dinner with Andre" action figures and the "Remains of the Day" lunchbox in "Waiting for Guffman!"
Very smart, very funny. R.
I want them all, oh my, which piece first! :)
I like the Baby Carriage--I think I'll get it for my son to take my granddaughters out for walks. It could be a real hoot!
Hysterical, Jeff. Personally, I'm holding out for Gregory Peck's briefcase from "To Kill a Mockingbird."
Thanks one and all for your kind comments. Regarding the cheap mother-in-law gag, I couldn't resist it, but let it be noted that my late mother-in-law was one of the finest, most generous and loving people I have ever known.
Now I will need "The Last Year at Marienbad" sleep aid, because that eyeball picture is going to keep me up all night.
Thanks for sharing this article...
Pinetop Rentals
Thank you for these. Perfect.
I was going to reprimand you for the mother-in-law joke but see you've made amends for it. Good for you!
That was great! Definitely agree with Jeanette!
My mother's sleep aid of choice was The Magic Mountain. Strangely, when I met Mrs. P to be, she related that the same was true of her aunt, who, of course, dozed off to it in Spanish. If I ever have insomnia . . .

Great post, Jeff: many good laughs, starting with the name of your company!
You forgot the Rosebud Super-Slider Sled.

r
Way too funny for words!!! {{{R}}} to the 10th power!
You are a seriously twisted man. It's one of the (many) things I love about you. You really probably could market and sell some of these items. The copy is extremely clever!
"Macbeth was never this much fun!"

I am still laughing as I type this comment.
More, please!!!

~R++~
I'll second the others -- we need to read about more chachkim.
Why am I ashamed to admit that I actually liked Last Year at Marienbad?
Clever piece, Jeff. I can't believe you actually stayed awake during that class. Did my snoring bother you?