Phrenemies

Printer’s Ink, October 25, 1923. Printer’s Ink was the house organ of the national advertising trade, so this is advertising aimed at advertisers. I wonder why they didn’t just say ‘Middle Brow’ instead of ‘High-Low Brow.’ Anyway, health clearly resides in the middle term. Mr. High Brow is plainly a close cousin to our wimpering friend Merciful Percival. Mr. Low Brow was violent and erratic even before they put the steel plate in his head. But look out for Mr. In-Between, that noble synthesis of virility and intelligence. That’s your desired demographic in outdoor advertising. Once you sell him your pomade, antimacassar or celluloid shirt color, the dweeb and the ape will meekly follow his decisive lead.