The "Urbane Sophisticated Man"... and Woman?

[Dan Stiffler]

On 2/7/03 3:40 PM, "Steve Sloca" <gokings@comcast.net> wrote:

> 
> While Hefner may have stated that he was targeting men from "18 to
> 80," this was hyperbole.  In the 1950's, most of the men of the 50-80
> generation were supporters of Joe McCarthy or at best laissez faire
> Eisenhower Republicans.  Racism was rampant in the South, led by
> George Wallace and his supporters; and race riots took place in LA and
> many other US cities in the '60's.  Even literary "liberals" like the
> editors of Esquire were afraid to publish nudity, so prevalent was the
> attitude of the "establishment" (read the 50-80 age group) that it
> would be evil to do so.  Indeed, I doubt you can find a single male
> over 50 who is quoted as having "endorsed" the Playboy Philosophy in
> the '50's when the magazine began.  So while Hef may have claimed a
> broader audience as a marketing gesture, there is little doubt that
> the content of the magazine was aimed at the 18-45 year olds.

As I said in my previous post ("Sophisticated and Urbane"), I disagree with
some of Steve's positions.  At this point, I am inclined to argue only one
of them.

The above is a prime example of making a wide generalization without careful
research.  I do it myself sometimes, so I know it can happen.  One of the
best places to "find a single male over 50 who is quoted as having
'endorsed' the Playboy Philosophy in the '50s" is in Dear Playboy.  I dare
Steve to read the letters from the first six years and make his statement
again.

In fact one of the amazing things about those letters is the wide range of
readers--both male and female--that PLAYBOY attracted.  In its early years
PLAYBOY was rather proud of that range, based far more on common interests
than common age, and thusly published many letters of praise for the
magazine as evidence.

I have no doubt that Hefner was serious when he said "18-80."  That the
magazine became so successful on a national level was the *big* surprise to
its founder and editors.  See the 12/54 Playbill for an expression of this
surprise.  That men from "18-80" would be attracted to his magazine did not
surprise them--only the quick rise in circulation.

An important point to remember: sophistication and urbanity, no matter the
definitions, are more likely to transcend age than not.  For every five
bigots or John Birchers in the 1950s, you could find a man or woman who was
thirsty for the Playboy philosophy.  And they happily drank from the
pitcher.

regards,

Dan Stiffler