Men! He Defined Us In The 1960. So Says Esquire Magazine In This Film

Defining and describing what makes a man is difficult. Describing masculinity is even more difficult. Back in the late 60s Esquire Magazine made this film to sell advertisers on the kind of men who read the magazine. I never fit me. Although the film presented the magazine as a men's magazine and they hired some terrific authors and photographers to present what men wanted, it seemed fakey to me. And when I look at this film today it still does. They intentionally published the magazine in a larger format which they thought would make you feel special although it made it harder for you to hold the magazine when reading it. But reading it in public they felt gave you a status and showed you as an "Esquire man”.
I am sorry about the timecode and the word Macdonald on the screen but Mr. MacDonald gave me a copy of this film in early 1980s.
I know that the definitions of what it is to be a man have changed. I can remember when Ralph Lauren launched his Polo clothing line presenting men as “western." I liked that look although I could not afford a Polo jean jacket at the time. When you look at this film today, even if you are a man uncomfortable with the current definitions for manhood, do you identify with the man they present as the Esquire man? The way he walks. The things that interest him. The way he presents himself. When this film was made, Esquire Magazine was financially successful and definitely attracted an audience. But over time, its popularity and its ability to draw in classy advertisers diminished and the magazine changed from the style presented here.
Towards the end of the film, apparently the editor-in-chief or owner makes some comments reading from a paper in front of him. That is quite amazing. He is not speaking to the audience, to the camera, but is reading a prepared speech, rather badly in my view. Considering the high budget put toward making this film in 16mm, it is surprising that they had him read a script which even back then, as a documentary filmmaker, this looks as fake as the rest of the film looks to me.
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[@tamarrajames3590]

Ahhh the early days of confirmation bias. Magazines were the “influencers” before the internet. We all make our own version now by what channels we subscribe to on KZbin. People want to read or watch things that agree with the way they think, and make them feel justified in those thoughts and beliefs. The next step is to guide that person in what to wear, how to act in company, what he should buy in order to be seen as a successful person with good taste and refinement. I think it was more honest back then. Thanks David, for reminding us that everything has always been with us in some form.🖤🇨🇦

[@hermitgirlwanders9162]

I know this is weird but I had a subscription to Esquire from 1973-1990. The articles were so thought provoking! I saved all of the issues, and reread many. Finally dumped them during a move out of state. The fact that I'm female meant nothing. I truly believe that Esquire had a great deal of influence on who I am. (Not as a consumer, but intellectually.)

[@Randompotatoes-qs7bm]

I loved looking at some of the articles in older magazines (for instance, parents magazine from back when) and seeing how different the wording and advice was. And I really got a kick out of the advertisements. Even vogue magazine from the 80s was so interesting and different.

[@cherylalt101]

@@Randompotatoes-qs7bm I’m 65 and it’s really interesting to review articles, advertisements and even headlines from the past decades with a more critical eye lol. I spend a lot of time watching interviews, speeches, and even games shows from the 50-70s. In so many ways, the issues are still basically the same, but in many ways, discussions about racism and sexism were often more honest and open. I love to watch Muhammad Ali interviews especially. Our world today could have been completely different if so many leaders seeking change hadn’t been assassinated. What a long, strange trip it’s been!

[@TroubleToby3040]

"He combs his hair like a piano player."😂🤣😂🤣 That is the single greatest description I think I've ever heard, and I have, no exaggeration, not a single idea what it could possibly mean. I'm now trying to imagine living in a time when everyone would have just nodded their heads, thinking, "Yep, I know just what he means! Danged piano players, with their signature haircuts!"😂🤣😂🤣 I'm starting to love this channel.👍👍👍

[@dontaylor7315]

I was nearing the end of my teens at the time and I don't know what it means either. Which piano player? Liberace? Van Cliburn? Jerry Lee Lewis?

[@perrybarton]

I _am_ a piano player, and I grew up in the ‘60s/‘70s. I have no idea what this means either. 🤔

[@mareksicinski3726]

@@perrybarton maybe they mean long hair like chopin?

[@niamhryan9677]

I immediately thought of Liberace for some reason 🤣🤣🤣

[@caseywebb410]

I comb my hair like a glockenspiel player.

[@mikenixon2401]

Oh such fun. Yeah, I remember trying to live up to that image. All the right suits, words, etc. I just didn't have the looks or great build. Now, a chubby old man I'm far more realistic and comfortable. I do not have to prove anything to anyone. I truly thank God for such freedom. However, I do wish people as a culture would dress better.

[@cups4940]

Hahaha here here. We'll put

[@Kevin_Carlson]

I agree with you 100%, especially wishing that the culture would dress a little better.

[@January.]

@@cups4940 *Well

[@heroinmom153]

I'm glad you're happy in your own skin now. However, when it comes to clothes preference, that changes with each generation. We thought people in the 1700's looked silly, and if they saw men in suits in the 50's, they'd think the same about them.

[@heroinmom153]

People now are more focused on individual style and/or comfort than a few generations ago, which I agree with on some level. I hate wearing hot stuffy suits, but I do like the look of a good suit. As a business owner, I never have to apply to a job and I have no dress code to be enforced on me, so I dress casually and comfortably, and encourage my employees to do the same. I haven't worn a suit since my wedding years ago.

[@dankingjr.2088]

Interesting film. I do identify to a great degree with the Rossiter character, and even though I was only born in 1966, this is pretty close to the man I was raised to be, even it has temporarily gone out of fashion.

[@CarterKey6]

I’m a woman and I personally love Rossiter. My dad was a true gentleman, kind but extremely masculine. Sad we don’t make them like that anymore

[@Will_DiGiorgio]

Hopefully as you said temporarily, I'm only 46 and this is the man I was raised to be. However, I feel with the identity politics of the time and the masculinity shaming, the man's man is a dying bread.

[@caseywebb410]

@@Will_DiGiorgio Aaaaahhhh, my bread is dying!

[@Will_DiGiorgio]

@@caseywebb410 damn auto correct! Lol

[@kathleenferguson3296]

In 1966, this is exactly the kind of man boys were raised to be. Congratulations. A Very Old Lady.

[@michaelbradshaw8278]

We were all fishermen back in that day. We had huge boats and kept the "men of distinction" fed. Our classy cars were called trucks. Magazines were usually used in the 'head' and called toilet paper. Mostly out-of-date. Cigarettes were required. Nobody combed hair 200 miles to sea. 8 to 5, never happened. Late in life we all looked run hard and put up wet. But family was always taken care of...even if we never read Esquire. Great film you shared today!

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts Michael.

[@MrCoconutcat]

@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker 🎅👍

[@55nfabulous]

You make history so enjoyable 👍👍😁 Thank you, Mr. Hoffman 😊❤️

[@hoosiercrypto9955]

The good ol days 😜

[@andylindsey]

I'm a millennial who grew up in a rural setting. Can't rightly say I relate with the 60's Esquire male. Especially the guy in the video who looks like Rock Hudson! Men don't really look like that anymore. But I can relate to preferring male images that resemble me or the kind of man I'd like to be like.

[@Usul]

We often hear about the expectations society has of women and girls. I think it is also interesting to hear about the expectations society has of boys and men. My own children (who are very modern) felt that society expected girls to grow up to be mothers, and boys to grow up to be providers.

[@Will_DiGiorgio]

Society did expect that, and unfortunately when you look at when full time mothers started going to work, and putting children in daycare, and men were no longer expected to carry the entire load of the family unit, is when you start to see the rise of behavioral issues carried into adulthood, less morality, ADHD, and higher depression in children. Higher divorce rates, higher rates of fatherless children, the deconstruction of the nuclear family. There is never any more important job in the world in my opinion then being a mother.

[@Randompotatoes-qs7bm]

@@Will_DiGiorgio not every woman wants to be a mother will. And not every man wants to be a provider. Some people are also gay. None of this would be remotely accepted back when. Thankfully the world is more accepting of other lifepaths now.

[@Will_DiGiorgio]

@@Randompotatoes-qs7bm I'm not being sarcastic but I think you missed the tone of my response, it was more about when women decided that being a mother wasn't an important enough occupation and as it turns out, it clearly makes more of a difference in the lives of children then originally thought. It has nothing to do with what you want to be, if you don't want to be a mother, or a provider it's quite easy, don't have a family. And what does being gay have to do with anything? There are plenty of gay men and women raising children, actually in most cases much more well adjusted then straight couples...

[@j0JP]

@@Will_DiGiorgio if society doesnt allow everyone to have choices in what to do with their lives society is flawled

[@Will_DiGiorgio]

@@j0JP interesting logic... So if society let's me come in your home and take your things, rob banks, commit atrocities... It's not flawed?

[@agingerbeard]

Social engineering, pretty interesting!

[@backyardsounds]

15k a year in 1960 is ~150k in today's money.

[@PrincessPowerUp]

WTF standard my ass

[@unidorsalicosahedron7416]

This film feels distinctly uncomfortable. Eerie and hollow.

[@cyndik9921]

This makes me laugh. It's so corny. Fakey is the perfect summation, David! Thank you!

[@JWF99]

Hi there Cyndi🖑 hope you're having a fine Saturday! Btw I just love my new walking stick! TY✌

[@cyndik9921]

@@JWF99 That's great! A pleasure for reals.. enjoy your day ☺✌

[@JWF99]

@@cyndik9921 🎵🎶"I'm walking, yes indeed I'm walking" 🎶🎵lol😂😉✌✌

[@cyndik9921]

@@JWF99 LOLOL 👍👍 Out of curiosity I looked it up... from Rescue, Ca to your town that stick traveled 2, 390 miles!! What a "trip" 🤣 Happy trails, dear ☺👍✌✌

[@JWF99]

@@cyndik9921 Wow! Now that stick has really covered some serious ground! 😆😂🌎 thanks dear✌

[@TJS483]

I think I would have loved being a man in the 60s. I like to dress up and often feel out of place today with all the weak men these days. I shamelessly listen to 60s music on IHeart radio too.

[@c.c.1070]

I can totally relate to what you’re saying. I listen to 50’s, 60’s and 70’s music at work pretty loudly to hear over my machine running and some come by and will say “that’s weird you listen to that”. I always say back, “are you sure I’m the weird one?” 😂

[@RavenNl403]

Oh David, I love this. Thank you for sharing. ♥️

[@gustavo5989]

Materialism and ideology. Great images!

[@CJ-bu8mh]

I had a very unpleasant experience with Esquire Magazine. in about 1972 my husband and I were interviewed and photographed with our dog about our philosophy. It was that a man and a woman together should have the right consciously choose whether or not to have children. We were the poster couple for the National Organization of Non-Parents started by Ellen Peck, author of the book "The Baby Trap." Those who chose a child-free life did so for a plethora of reasons, not all were negative or selfish. We both got sterilized after meeting with a Johns Hopkins geneticist about our prospects of bringing a Type 1 Diabetes child into the world. His sister and my brother were both T1D. Only 10% or less of all diabetics in the world have this incurable autoimmune form, the rest are T2D which is to me, a disease of eating poor food high in carbs and can often be reversed with lifestyle change. Sadly the interviewer who came to our home was Catholic (found that out later) and titled his article "Do Americans Suddenly Hate Kids?" I sobbed for days after seeing it. He stated things we did NOT say and that really hurt. Hating kids was NOT our reasoning at all. I am grateful that my husband and I sought out scientific resources to help us with our difficult life decision. Now that I also contracted T1D as an older adult, and have many resulting medical complications already, I am still forever glad I made sure I didn't bring a T1D child into the world. My brother lived to be 47 and that was considered miraculous at the time. I was holding his hand when he died. He suffered greatly, and my 40+ years working as an Ophthalmology tech, has given me the window to what I know will happen to my own body. Blindness, kidney failure and amputation of feet/legs. Abortion was illegal when we married in 1971 so accidentally getting pregnant really frightened me. Finally after much work, found a doctor (a man of course) who agreed to sterilize a young woman without children. It was hard but I did it. Men who wanted to be sterilized were not subjected to the mind games a woman was.

[@thejourney1369]

My sister has had Type 1 since she was 16. My parents and I were very upset because we feared her life would be short. She is 56 now, is a mom to two, grandma to three, works full time as a school nurse, and lives a full life. I’m glad I have her, diabetes and all.

[@Randompotatoes-qs7bm]

What an interesting comment. I’m glad that being child free by choice is accepted now (although some may question it and the pope obviously may never quite understand it). There are so many reasons people choose not to have children. Some people simply don’t find the right partner! It doesn’t mean that you don’t love children. I’m glad you shared this comment and I feel sorry that you ever had to feel shame for your life choices.

[@CJ-bu8mh]

@@thejourney1369Thanks, I am very happy for you. My brother was diagnosed at age 2 in 1951. It is a miracle that my mom learned how to keep him alive back then. No glucometers and only one shot of insulin per day. Mom sharpened the needle every morning on a stone then boiled the syringe and needle.

[@CJ-bu8mh]

@@Randompotatoes-qs7bm Thank you so much for the supportive comment. Others called us selfish. But I have had many other accomplishments in my life about which I am proud. I have made a positive contribution to society even if not a mom.

[@thejourney1369]

@@CJ-bu8mh medical advancements have really changed over the years. Diabetes is no longer a death sentence as it once was. I on the other hand have glaucoma. The disease that caused my paternal grandmother to go blind in the late 50’s and that has caused me to become legally blind. I urge my son and my nieces to keep a check on their eyes. But life is still good! And those who think they shouldn’t have kids, are wise to stick to that decision.

[@98Zai]

Esquire readers will look only at very successful men! Clearly, our readers are the most masculine and adventurous. They buy all the clothing and items they see in Esquire because they are so distinguished! You must read Esquire too, if you want to be a successful masculine man of leisure! (Blazer not included)

[@CFarnwide]

Thank you sir! I don’t watch every episode you upload but when I do catch one I always walk away having learned something and questioning what others are trying to tell me how I should act and think. Sincerely, thank you!

[@niamhryan9677]

This is a great little film. Here's a weird sad and creepy fact Mr Hoffman. Jim Jones read Esquire in 1962. He read an article about the best places in the world to hide from a nuclear disaster. He chose Redwood Valley. Fearing a nuclear war, that was in the public awareness at that time and a premonition that he apparently had, he then moved his Peoples Temple Church there in 1965. The rest is a terrible and tragic outcome for the men women and children who lost their lives in 1978.

[@mareksicinski3726]

2:10 that is rather trivial, this is just about what people value or respect intersected with society

[@HunterReport]

This is straight up Don Draper through and through

[@JWF99]

Does look pretty "fakey" to me too! I've had subscriptions of Esquire magazine over the yrs, just acquired them by default really, my wife had to choose whatever mag. she thought I might look at, I sure never fit their description, but I might've liked an article now & then! Interesting video😉✌

[@michaelbradshaw8278]

Jim... remember Andy Taylor & Barney Fife and The Esquire Club? Haw! Haw! Haw!

[@JWF99]

@@michaelbradshaw8278 for sure Mike! And of course they wouldn't pick Barney to be in "their lil Esquire club" when Andy told Barney he turned them down for only picking one of us, then Barney went on the warpath calling them a bunch of snobs for turning down such a nice guy like you Andy!!!! Hahaha LOLOLOL :)))))😆😅😂

[@michaelbradshaw8278]

@@JWF99 Nailed it, Jim!!

[@JWF99]

@@michaelbradshaw8278"make sure ya got your one bullet in your pocket Barn" Omg! 😂 there will damn sure never be another "Don Knots" his characters were so funny!!! Certainly "one of a kind" I really miss him, he was one of the greats, had both hilarious & lovable type of personality👍😆✌

[@michaelbradshaw8278]

@@JWF99 You're so, very right! One of my daughters lives in Morgantown... Barney's hometown. They have a statue on his behalf. I doubt many, if any, comedy TV can outdo Barney! I never tire of those great comedies!! Barney was that show's diamond!

[@toddclark332]

Thank David for the one image of millions in our world goes about life or when I make it to New York I sure hope I can maybe meet you have a good weekend sir

[@kurtdesoto2335]

Thanks for sharing. This seemed more directed at marketing the magazine to advertisers than to readers: cigarette companies, auto and boat manufacturers, clothing companies, alcohol distributors, record companies, etc. Very thought provoking, though, as is a lot on your channel!

[@smokeystover5682]

Are you sure this was made in the late 1960s? The cars and clothing styles of the men and women look more like the late 1950s. Entertaining, nonetheless.

[@dontaylor7315]

That's what the 60s looked like till the middle of the decade; even Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters had pretty much that same look (minus the suit and tie) when they drove their psychedelic bus in that historic tour across America. We might love the Beatles but very few of us would grow our hair like that. When we visualize "The Sixties" the image in our minds is really around 1967-75. That's when I grew my hair all the way to my waistband.

[@stephendacey8761]

@@dontaylor7315 That was the style back then. I checked out my older sisters 1976 yearbook, and just about every guy had long hair.

[@dontaylor7315]

@@stephendacey8761 Definitely. Nearly every guy I knew had long hair then, myself included. But the o.c. and I were referring to the earlier period when this film was made.

[@c.c.1070]

I was born in 1970 and my dad and grandfather were some what like this. My gf wouldn’t go out unless he had a 3 piece suit on, which were tailored with a concealed pocket to hold my gf Colt. Growing up I was taught what is was to be a man. Not a tough guy, but knowing how to defend and protect myself and my family. Was taught that a good hard days work was more satisfying then to have things given to you. Was taught manners and etiquette and how important one’s appearance is. I was taught that a man should learn something new everyday. I remember my dad telling me that you can learn alot about a man by the way he walks and talks. When you left the house to always be presentable. Don’t pay attention to what others think about you, as long as you’re happy of the person you are. I still live this way today and have brought up two beautiful daughters and have always lead by example. A man should be able to provide and be able to know how to survive for the family if something should ever happen. I’ve always been an avid hunter and outdoorsman. The biggest compliment that I’ve ever gotten was the other day from my 20 year old daughter. She came to me and said that growing up, she always wanted to find someone who went about life like her dad. She said that now she realizes how rare that is today, bcuz she can’t find someone who is even half the man that I am. I told her thank you but times are different now than when I was growing up. Then she said that being a man is something in general and times don’t change that no matter how things are! Then she said that she’s mad that she wasn’t born in a different time, bcuz now when it comes time to have a baby, she’s gonna have to compete with a man to get prenatal vitamins 😂😅😮

[@cherylcallahan5402]

*David Hoffman ? appreciate your commentary Listening 🌟 from Mass USA TYVM 💙*

[@pamelaaverrett5848]

He is giving Don Draper vibes 🤣

[@dontaylor7315]

That's pretty much who I wanted to be when I started college in the mid-60s. Then things happened; some of my college friends turned out to be social/political activists, I discovered marijuana and then psychedelics, and I started reading Carl Jung. I forgot the likes of Rossetter and his ilk and I've never looked back.

[@NickMachado]

Who would've thought in 2022 we would need a video from the 70s telling us what a man/woman is

[@miguelmacias8177]

What's a magazine?

[@michaelv3340]

You get a real Mad Men vibe from this.

[@somedude626]

Awww homes were $9000 and pensions paid you like 80% of your salary

[@shea086]

There is somethings so underhanded and menaceing about the subtext running though this 60s clip.

[@latehateisme1632]

We should make one of these for each generation

[@peternicholson2504]

Interesting watching the profiling of an Esquire reader. If I saw Esquire around I would just flick through it and look at the photos and the article headings.Not as many magazines around any more I miss the days of surprisingly finding a good one. Thanks for this good film to watch. I liked watching the cars and the streets at the time.

[@stephendacey8761]

I think John F. Kennedy, Jr. wanted his new magazine "George" to resemble Esquire, but of men in the 90's.

[@cyndik9921]

Thanks!

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

That is generous and kind and sweet of you Cyndi. Thank you.

[@AE-nm8kx]

This is a good samples how programming the masses is like in the early days of tv

[@musicjeffyoung]

Enjoying your content. Thank you

[@daustin8888]

Out of curiosity, have you seen the arthouse film Koyaanisqatsi? It is an entire film about archival footage.

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

Yes I have. It was quite experimental when it's time. but I could never pronounce the title correctly David Hoffman filmmaker

[@daustin8888]

@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker Your archive footage reminds me of that movie. You are a great filmmaker

[@leonisilva5571]

Poor me! Wish I were that rich!

[@wordzfailmebro]

MR HOFFMAN HAS INCREDIBLE POWERS OF OBSERVATION. THANK YOU SIR. 👽👍

[@kylemwiley]

Besides the dress, the suit must have one of the greatest longevity on all clothing pieces. None of the men would look out of place today

[@TheLivirus]

It is ironic that men who took pride in their daring individualism sought themselves in magazines which molded them into a uniform group.

[@garypedigogaeu5787]

I’ve never seen anyone carry his hat around all day before this guy. I suppose he put it on when he entered a building. Strange!

[@DouggieDinosaur]

I've never seen any program take a serious look at what men are interested in.

[@MORE1500]

He's Don Draper, a Madman at Sterling-Cooper.

[@CalledApart]

loved it 💯

[@rickdaystar477]

The magazine for men of taste and distinction! Lol. It's a pretty hard sell with a theme of products "men of distinction" should buy. That's my take on this video. The magazine executive at the end seems to need to reemphasize the theme of the video and badly done, like he's insecure the film might just fall short making it's point. This film does not compel me to read the magazine at all.

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

But Rick. Would it have compelled you as an advertiser to buy advertising in the magazine? David Hoffman filmmaker

[@rickdaystar477]

@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker Well David, if the magazine was truly popular and it had a wide readership I suspect as an advertiser I would expect a decent return on my advertising dollar and would put my product in it.

[@Ryan713]

Well, Mr. Hoffman, as a middle-aged man with schizophrenia who works as a drug counselor, the idea of having masculine role models seems oddly foreign, though I can only speak for myself

[@Kevin_Carlson]

An annual salary of $15,000 would be about $148,000 today. Not too bad

[@sleepingwithcats5121]

I will take this man! Haha!!

[@LindaCasey]

🤣 I don't know why, but I aIways thought that Esquire Magazine was the 'rawer' version of PIayboy ..

[@hoosiercrypto9955]

Thumbnail looks like Billy Bob 😆

[@matthewfarmer6830]

Real men reads Esquire magazine lol thanks for sharing David Hoffman film maker.👍👍🙂

[@christophermorgan3261]

Hugh Hefner worked for Esquire before he founded Playboy. Men's magazines cultivated an image back in the fifties, kind of in competition with women's magazines like Vogue and Madmoiselle for the jet setters and Redbook for the bored housewife. TRUE I recall was a racy but no nudity men's mag that came to our house. The National Geographic was the one Mag white suburban families subscribed to. Note the baggy suit with cuffs and skinny tie, usually the fedoras were worn, don't know why he carries his. Fitted suits came with the sixties.

[@dontaylor7315]

The magazines I recall my parents subscribing to were Readers Digest, Life, Saturday Evening Post, National Geographic and Better Homes & Gardens. Fedoras were a thing but a lot of men weren't wearing hats anymore after JFK was elected; he didn't like to wear a hat. The only hat I ever wore in my youth was as close as I could get to the one Bob Dylan wore on the cover of his eponymous first album.

[@187onaPigeon]

Men are beautiful.

[@HikerBiker]

Have never owned a suit and never will

[@h68819]

I must say that I too am a five figure man😎

[@jamesmartinez9140]

“Makes about 15,000” 60 years later “amazon factory worker, makes about 15,000”

[@maryjanebeaton8454]

I'd have to say,stereo typical as to what a man should be? Hummm?

[@TheAgentmigs]

You could make 15k a year and support 2 kids and a wife. Times have changed.

[@FaisalGH002]

day in the life of a sigma male

[@leighburville2717]

We listened to Elvis, Everly Brothers, Ricky Nelson, Fats Domino, Willie Nelson, Johny Cash, Doris Day, .... never listened to that old flapper period stuff! We had vinals on natural sounding speakers, not old wonky gramophone stuff.

[@mrkwrbl]

nah. Esquire ? lol who Esquire defining something? nah thanks

[@Lousasshol]

Very interesting, geez they were really emphasizing the cream of the crop rich guys back then huh.. agree very fake indeed

[@bartvanos1466]

When you ask me the man is gay!

[@annehoskins5795]

Nowadays a man who dresses like "Rossiter" is known as metro sexual which has nothing to do with sexual orientation.

[@Attribytes]

But they don't mention trans-men. 🤔

[@2dub2steady]

The effeminacy today is concerning.

[@dimthecat9418]

Under this definition trans women are women, so pretty progressive

[@boogieondown5824]

Too bad Esquire turned into a far left political echo chamber. Used to be fun.