Word: leblanc
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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Hadacol, in the words of its concocter, Dudley J. LeBlanc, is a dark brown patent medicine that tastes bad. Until the Federal Trade Commission told him to tone down, Medicine Man LeBlanc spent millions of dollars in advertising to imply that his mixture of B vitamins, minerals and honey, all bathed in alcohol, would cure almost everything. He also has a corps of gagsters turning out jingles and jokes insinuating that Hadacol is an aphrodisiac. In dry southern states, Hadacol has another virtue; its 24-proof alcoholic content makes it just the thing for binges. Medicine Man LeBlanc, who prefers...
...newspapers and on billboards and blared from radios and from a 17-car railroad caravan of patent medicine men and entertainers (e.g., Chico Marx, Mickey Rooney, Carmen Miranda) have made Hadacol the world's biggest selling "tonic." In four years-and on an investment of only $2,500-LeBlanc's sales have jumped from $75,000 to an estimated $25 million this year...
...spectacular, three-dimensional display in New York's Grand Central Station and sensational advertising gimmicks in other big cities proclaim the "merits" of the mixture, which consists of B vitamins, honey, iron, phosphorous and calcium, all shaken up in a 24-proof cocktail of ethyl alcohol.* Last November, LeBlanc began urging the nation's doctors to help him sell more Hadacol. "Dear Doctor," ran a learned-sounding circular letter from the makers of Hadacol, "In order that you may give consideration to Hadacol for its therapeutic effect . . . we suggest that you check and return the accompanying card...
Last week the American Medical Association's tough Bureau of Investigation cocked a stern eye at Senator LeBlanc and urged the profession to sign no Hadacol cards. "It is hoped," said the A.M.A., "that no doctor will be uncritical enough to join in the promotion of Hadacol. It is difficult to imagine how one could do himself or his profession greater harm from the standpoint of the abuse of the trust of a patient suffering from any condition. Hadacol is not a specific medication. It is not even a specific preventive measure...
...Last week LeBlanc and his whirlwind medicine show blew into Hollywood to launch Hadacol there. Opening a 30-day ballyhoo campaign (which included a star-studded $75,000 radio show, featuring Groucho Marx and Judy Garland), the senator announced that he had already taken $1.5 million worth of orders for Hadacol in the movie capital...