As a writer and director, Quentin Tarantino has created a vast universe for his characters and story lines to play around in. He is also quite adept at creating a series of brand name places and things to go along in his stories. Although a lot of what he puts into his world is only available to enjoy if you’re a character in one of his films, we have certainly enjoyed spotting these subtle little product placements in his films.
Here is a list of some of the most interesting and memorable Tarantino brand name products that you won’t find in your local Yellow Pages or at your closest convenience store.
10. K-Billy Radio
The group of thieves in Reservoir Dogs, in particular Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi), Nice Guy Eddie (Chris Penn) and Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen) are just gushing about K-Billy Radio’s Super Sounds Of The 70′s weekend. They lovingly reminisce about their youth, and where they were when they first heard all those classics.
With comedian Steven Wright as the DJ, providing an informative intro to each song in his signature monotone delivery, the listener is brought back to much happier and simpler times. The use of K-Billy radio is put to full effect as Mr. Blonde decides to tune into K-Billy just before “Stuck In The Middle With You” fills the airwaves, the perfect music to torture an unwitting police officer to. Alas, this is one station that isn’t on either of the radio dials, but all of Wright’s terrific intros and the music to go with it are featured on the Reservoir Dogs soundtrack.
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6 Comments
Big Kahuna Burger may be fake, but it’s still a huge brand, somehow. I remember when an independent indie cinema was showing Pulp Fiction for one night only, and the poster was just a simple Big Kahuna Burger and a five dollar shake next to it. That is how you advertise a cult film.
The “Hattori Hanzo” reference, and the fact that he’s played by Sonny Chiba, is a reference to a TV series called Kage no Gundan (Army of Shadows), in which Chiba played ninja Hattori Hanzo. The Hanzo in Kill Bill is, per Tarantino, his descendant.
Big Kahuna should have been number 1 and Red Apple number 2 considering these brands are the most prominently displayed in the QT universe.
It’s spelled “naugahyde”. And what about Fruit Brute, the cereal Lance eats in Pulp Fiction?
Fruit Brute was a General Mills cereal cancelled in 1983. It was part of their monster line, along w/ Count Chocula.
You can also see a reflection of the Jack Rabbit Slim’s sign in the penthouse window during the scene he directed in “Four Rooms.” It is only there for a moment, but if you look closely, it’s there.