![]() In 1987, the firm launched four local TV spots on a budget of $500,000. The campaign took nearly a year to create and execute. that conceived of the Mac Tonight commercials. ![]() Jones may have breathed life into the McDonald's "Moon Man," as he would become known, but it was the Los Angeles ad agency Davis, Johnson, Mogul & Colombatto Inc. 1 in 1959.ĭespite the song's unsettling origins, McDonald's bet the popularity of Darin's tune and the catchy Mac Tonight lyrics would override any associations with a "Murder Ballad." The fast-food giant had its jingle - now all it needed was the right character to deliver it. ![]() Darin's version proved to be even more popular when it catapulted to No. 20 on the charts in 1956, it became a jazz staple. It became an unlikely pop hit when Louis Armstrong heard Marc Blitzstein’s English adaptation, resonating with its "stabby" character thanks to his sketchy New Orleans upbringing. The original version of it was called "Moritat," which is German for "Murder Ballad," from an opera about a beggar-thief. Many adults of the '80s grew up on big-band crooners like Bobby Darin, whose rendition of "Mack the Knife" presented an incredibly catchy jingle opportunity for a company with "Mac" in its name.ĭespite the obvious phonological similarities between "Mack the Knife" and "Mac Tonight," the choice in song was a rather strange one. In an effort to cultivate nostalgia as well as a cool, more adult theme, McDonald's took inspiration from both real and fictional people for its Mac Tonight concept. On March 9, 2017, the actor celebrated the 30th anniversary of his acting career with a throwback Twitter post honoring his role as the unforgettable character. Years later, the actor has fond memories of his McDonald's role. His many fantastical portrayals include Billy Butcherson in the cult classic Hocus Pocus a creepy, thin clown in Batman Returns a contortionist on The Weird Al Show Abe Sapien in the Hellboy series Amphibian Man in The Shape of Water and a pair of iconic modern creatures in Pan's Labyrinth. Since starring as Mac Tonight, he's earned more than 150 acting credits spanning more than three decades. Jones is one of the most successful modern actors - with one of the least familiar faces. Although Jones had initially set his sights on becoming a sitcom star, his 6-foot-3, wire-thin frame and contortionist-like abilities would earn him a prolific career as a costume actor. He landed his screen debut when he got the part playing Mac Tonight in 1987, and ended up starring in 27 of the popular noir-cool ads. Read on to learn how the seemingly innocuous Mac Tonight went from iconic fast-food mascot in the late '80s, to alt right-manipulated imagery in the 2000s, to a retired animatronic in one of the world's largest McDonald’s locations.Īll successful actors initially earn their chops in minor roles or filming TV commercials. He appears innocent enough, but behind the catchy tune and smiling visage lies a history entangled in homicide-themed pop songs, lawsuits, the so-called "Burger Wars," and racially offensive internet memes. ![]() Depicted playing a piano and singing jazz-themed jingles, the McDonald’s Moon Man became an instant hit the world over. Portrayed by a young Doug Jones wearing a Mac Tonight mask, Mac was the epitome of cool, as far as crescent moon-headed coolness goes. At least 27 spots starring the Mac Tonight "Moon Man" aired during the peak of its four- to five-year campaign. Of all their advertising undertakings, the Mac Tonight commercials represent one of the most successful McDonald's ad campaigns to date. From eye-catching and fun mascots like Speedee and Ronald McDonald, to purposely created product scarcity, to catchy phrases like "I'm Lovin' It," the pioneers behind the Golden Arches have proven to be masterminds of the marketing craft over and over again. McDonald’s has a long and fascinating history in PR, marketing, and advertising.
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