The Video

[HBlaine]

So I'm working up to possibly grabbing a Rouge et Noir, and have been doing my normal OCD browsing of MB stuff for "research", and of course I trip over the Hugh Jackman-as-brand-ambassador video.

 

I assume most everyone has seen it by now. (Not going to post a link, as I'm not sure if I'm allowed.) it's cute, it's well made. And it's chock full of pure corporate propaganda. As amusing as I found it, I had to shake my head at so much of it. (My favorite bit being the [ahem] "Ernest Hemingway" photo... Really??)

 

So, _has_ everyone seen it? What are your opinions?

 

(Oh, and did everyone catch the scene of Jackman writing with the R et N? Cap Posted! Hmmmm...)

Edited May 6, 2016 by HBlaine

[Studio97]

So the cap is posted in the video. Is it not to be posted?

[DrDebG]

O.K. . . . I admit it. I haven't seen "it". Can someone help an old lady out (and a mother and grandmother) and send me a link?

[Studio97]

Just go to the Montblanc website. Its there. I want one of those retro vintage style pens but can't afford that luxery

[jar]

Who is Hugh Jackman and why is he making videos? Is he a pen maker? A nib tech? Some connection with fountain pens? I do know who Danny DeVito is but he drinks coffee and throw Momma from the train.

[meiers]

Hugh Jackman is a wolverine.

[Dickkooty2]

Hugh Jackman can both act and sing. However it appears that two roles would make him an unlikely candidate for Montblanc spokesperson:

 

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj157/dick168/Screen%20Shot%202016-05-07%20at%209.25.36%20PM_zpshndywcxc.png

 

Wolverine presents some great difficulties for getting a grip, while in his role of Curley in Oklahoma, he didn't have a shirt pocket.

[Mastiff]

I'm sure jar knows of him.. We just have to play along.

[jar]

I'm sure jar knows of him.. We just have to play along.

Actually, no, I never heard of him or the character Wolverine. I did look that up; still got not real idea what that is all about. I fear I never read comic books even when I was a kid.

[meiers]

My sixteen year old boy told me the news of Hugh's involvement with MB a couple of days ago and thought that it was really cool.

[macball]

I agree. It would be hard to think of anyone who is as cool and appeal to as wide a demographic. Pre-teens would know who wolverine is from the comics (and hence Hugh Jackman), teens would know who he is from the X-Men movies, young adults would know him from his romance movies, older adults would know him from serious theatre and broadway. He has hosted the academy awards (winning an Emmy Award) and the Tony Awards. Nearly everyone, including those who are not that interested in Broadway, would have seen his famous duet with Neil Patrick Harris posted on YouTube a few years ago. The Montblanc video capitalizes on his amazing talent and versatility. The association of Montblanc with Hugh Jackman is a brilliant marketing strategy. A large number of people who would otherwise be unfamiliar with Montblanc will likely see that video.

[bobje]

The non-appearance by Wolverine and actor Hugh Jackman in "Captain America: Civil War" raises an important question in the Fountain Pen Universe, which is, "Who is the Fountain Pen Superhero?" It warrants a different thread, in an oblique FPN sub-forum orbit.

[HBlaine]

Who is Hugh Jackman and why is he making videos? Is he a pen maker? A nib tech? Some connection with fountain pens? I do know who Danny DeVito is but he drinks coffee and throw Momma from the train.

Actually, Speaking of coffee, Mr. Jackman seems to be involved in that as well.

 

http://laughingmanfoundation.org/

 

I'm rather impressed with the man. (He didn't go the "Hey-I'm-a-big-star-pay-attention-to-me" route with this. Saw some stuff about him going and pitching his product the same way any small business owner would.)

 

I do have to say, Montblanc's choices of "Brand Ambassadors" do fascinate me. I guess the other "Ambassador" at the 110 Anniversary shindig was Charlotte Casiraghi. (And, yeah, I didn't know who she was, either. Princess Caroline's daughter.)

 

If you find one of the other videos the NY shindig, it's amusing to watch the MB CEO hang onto her like a little puppy...

Edited May 9, 2016 by HBlaine

[DrDebG]

Oh my friends . . . You missed Hugh Jackman's finest role! He played a nobleman opposite Meg Ryan in the comedy "Kate and Leopold"! I am so surprised that you didn't recognize him! He was a wonderful salesman for margarine. (All very tongue in cheek!)

 

Honestly, the man is a good actor, despite his notoriety among the teenage and millennial crowds for his roles as Wolverine.

 

He did a fairly good job as Jean Valjean in the 2012 musical Les Miserables. He does have a nice, but certainly not professional quality, voice.

 

But, honestly, he's just nice to look at - preferably with his shirt on.

[HBlaine]

So the cap is posted in the video. Is it not to be posted?

 

Apparently, according to owners, it's not supposed to be post-able.

 

Went back and looked the video over, and they definitely show writing with the pen posted. But the cap certainly doesn't look like it's posted deep or secure.

 

I'm hoping to get hold of one soon, then I can do some test driving with it...

 

Oh, and I'm not sure if it's our hero writing with it or not. He's shown pulling one the pens out of a jacket pocket (?) and uncapping it, and later holds the pen up, but it doesn't appear to be posted.

 

Again, the video's fun to watch. Seeing Jackmen in a tuxedo, all I can think of is _The Prestige_... All that's missing is David Bowie as Nikola Tesla... Maybe a CGI cameo..?

Edited May 9, 2016 by HBlaine

[Toll]

Whimsy! Fun! I liked it!

[Raif79]

It cannot be posted. You run the risk of cracking the cap if you try. Who knows what he was writing with. It could be a one-off, prototype, or they just said "who cares" and jammed it on to show off the cap while he was writing.

[CS388]

It cannot be posted. You run the risk of cracking the cap if you try.

 

Seriously? It looks like it would. Personally, I'd class that as a design flaw.

I know many people don't post their caps, but that's a choice, rather than compulsory.

 

Maybe it's the new Montblanc trend? The new 'M' range also can't be posted.

 

I post my caps, most of the time. Sometimes not, but I'd like it to be my choice.

It can't be pure coincidence that ever since the fountain pen was invented*, the cap fits onto both ends of the pen?

Even the Bic Crystal posts!

 

But, I don't want to detract from the joy.

So, I will add that they're very nice looking pens. The colour schemes are wonderful.

And congratulations to the new owners.

 

Enjoy.

 

*I know that there are exceptions to this rule, but broadly speaking ... etc etc.

[Raif79]

I think it is a new trend. I'm not sure I can say I approve. The 1912 couldn't be posted either. The trade off is that both pens are long enough without the caps. I just find a posted pen to be quite handsome. I do it about half the time with my 149. That half usually involves people being in the room while I'm writing.

 

I can promise you...that attempting to post the 1906 is not for the faint of heart. I'm no stranger to breaking things on accident (feed on a Pelikan 100, cap on a Wahl-Eversharp Doric, barrel on a W-E Skyline). I lined up the cap and saw how far it would go without friction. I believe my words were oh hell no! It's a good looking cap and always draws yes when it is in my shirt pocket. My medium is a great writer. No skips, late starts etc... I can't say the same about my 25 year old 149 (still love it).

[HBlaine]

Proving my OCD credentials, I watched the "Making of..." Video they have up. And lo & behold there is a shot of the pen being used to sign the "hotel register" up posted. The cap is clearly seen sitting upright on the book. Guess that shot wasn't good enough. Oh well...

 

Still hoping to get my hands on one. We shall see...