McDonald's began their McDonaldland marketing campaign in 1971 with commercials featuring a magical land inhabited by Ronald McDonald and a cast of characters inspired by their menu. Captain Crook and the Hamburglar would attempt to steal their respective menu items while the local sheriff "Big Mac", "Mayor McCheese" and Ronald McDonald would ultimately thwart their crimes. However, Sid & Marty Krofft of H. R. Pufnstuf (and many other Saturday morning staples) fame thought the real crooks were in the McDonald's marketing department. They felt McDonaldland and Mayor McCheese specifically were a direct ripoff of their Pufnstuf set and characters.
I recently found this McDonald's Thermo-Serv cup from 1978 featuring some of those characters.
Following a lawsuit by Sid & Marty Krofft in which they were awarded a $1 million settlement in 1977, McDonald's altered the appearance of some of their McDonaldland characters and completely phased out others.
Personally, I always felt both Pufnstuf and McDonaldland borrowed heavily from the sets of MGM's "The Wizard of Oz", particularly the trees. I wonder if MGM could file their own lawsuit. How would Sid & Marty like them apples?
Interesting find. Ever find an old Coloring Calendar from McDonalds?
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh I remember those Calendars that came with a coupon for each month.
DeleteI haven't come across one of those yet.
Deletehow much are the cups worth?
ReplyDeleteShockingly, not much. Less than $10. I think they're cool myself.
DeleteWe have two of those cups? For sale.....
ReplyDelete