# Obscure lines from commercials **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** commercials-ads\ **Created:** [December 9, 2024, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420 "2024-12-09T22:33:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2024, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420/61 "2024-12-11T22:52:01Z")
You all want annoying local commercials? I give you [Little John](https://youtu.be/x4eJNtFG10U?si=A0z96haKp51IcdZq) from [Little John’s Pawn Shop](https://youtu.be/1zovTupG0kw?si=yjkDIShPpBmX37Be). ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2024, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420/62 "2024-12-11T23:41:54Z")
Clown-nosed bring-down Mr. Malden’s melodramatic exhortation “What will you do? What _will_ you do?” ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2024, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420/63 "2024-12-12T02:15:32Z")
For the old Bostonians… “I’ll finance the Olds for nothing!” –Ernie Boch. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2024, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420/64 "2024-12-12T02:29:27Z")
“You’re killing me, Larry!” – oft heard commercial for Sit 'n Sleep stores in Southern California. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2024, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420/65 "2024-12-12T12:52:22Z")
I suspect this is just a minor variation on “You’re Killing me, Smalls” from the 1993 movie _The Sandlot_. I haven’t seen the movie and have no idea what the context of the line is, but I’ve sen it on posters, and I’ve seen it used in at least one commercial. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2024, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420/66 "2024-12-12T16:11:33Z")
“Travis! You’re a year too late!” “Anna Maria Alberghetti!” ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2024, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420/67 "2024-12-12T18:14:41Z")
I think the first is from a Levi’s ad(?) I’m picturing a pretty blonde in a western desert setting. The second is from a salad dressing commercial(?) When I see AMA’s name it makes me think of an old joke: “knock knock” “Who’s there?” “Anna” “Anna who” “Anna Maria Alberghetti in a taxi honey” ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2024, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420/68 "2024-12-12T18:24:21Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > “knock knock” > “Who’s there?” > “Anna” > “Anna who” > “Anna Maria Alberghetti in a taxi honey” I remember this from an episode of **The Mary Tyler Moore** show. It had bothered me for a long time because, although it’s clear that this was supposed to be a well-known song, I’d never heard of it and had no idea what it was. And without that the joke doesn’t completely work. It’s from a 1917 jazz song called **The Darktown Strutter’s Ball** > [@](#): > > … I’ll be round to get you in a taxi, honey > Pick you up ‘bout half past eight > Oh honey don’t be late > I want to be there when the band starts playin’ Although it’s considered a Jazz Standard, and has been performed up to the present (just not while I was around), that title seems very non-PC. > **[Darktown Strutters' Ball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darktown_Strutters%27_Ball)** > > "Darktown Strutters' Ball" is a popular song by Shelton Brooks, published in 1917. The song has been recorded many times and is considered a popular and jazz standard. There are many variations of the title, including "At the Darktown Strutters' Ball", "The Darktown Strutters' Ball", and just "Strutters' Ball". > Soon after its 1917 publication, "Darktown Strutters' Ball" was included by Sophie Tucker in her Vaudeville routine. The song was recorded on May 9 that year by the Six Brown Brothers. Th... ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2024, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420/69 "2024-12-12T18:26:58Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > It’s from a 1917 jazz song called **The Darktown Strutter’s Ball** Right on. Now picture it being sung Michigan J. Frog style. ---
**Author:** ![MarkF2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5ac83/32.png) [@MarkF2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarkF2004)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2024, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420/70 "2024-12-12T18:32:40Z")
“That’s ‘andy ‘Arry, stick it in the oven…” Line used regularly when bacon gets saved… ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2024, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420/71 "2024-12-12T21:13:06Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > “Travis! You’re a year too late!” > [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > I think the first is from a Levi’s ad(?) I’m picturing a pretty blonde in a western desert setting. You are correct. It was to announce Levi’s introduction of button-fly 501s for women. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2024, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420/72 "2024-12-13T01:21:52Z")
🎶The cavalry is coming, 🎶 🎶It’s Vigilante Plumbing! 🎶 ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2024, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420/73 "2024-12-14T00:33:34Z")
“…con _Gleem_.” ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2024, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420/74 "2024-12-14T01:55:17Z")
The Lucky Strike logo is red, not white. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2024, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420/75 "2024-12-14T02:07:02Z")
“Mr Bubble” kids’ bubble bath. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2024, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420/76 "2024-12-14T02:08:15Z")
American Express. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2024, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420/77 "2024-12-14T03:50:37Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > “Mr Bubble” kids’ bubble bath. You got it! Well done! [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/uDRtNuj-jNQ/maxresdefault.jpg "Mr Bubble Little Hubert Takes A Bubble Bath TV Commercial HD") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDRtNuj-jNQ) Line at 0:40. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2024, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420/78 "2024-12-14T03:54:08Z")
Correct. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2024, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420/79 "2024-12-14T05:45:41Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > The Lucky Strike logo is red, not white. More precisely, the pack is and (so far as I know) always has been white; it was the logo that changed from green to red. When I was growing up, my brother had a stack of _ **Life** _ magazines from the 1940s, and I remember seeing that ad in almost every one of them. (“Lucky Strike green has gone to WAR!” with a painting of an M3 Stuart.) Here’s one for Twin Citians: “Tell them Oscar sent you!” ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2024, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420/80 "2024-12-14T06:18:56Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > More precisely, the pack is and (so far as I know) always has been white; it was the logo that changed from green to red. No. The Lucky Strike logo has always been black letters on a red circle. The pack itself was predominantly green prior to WWII; it changed to predominantly white during the war. The reason (and I’m going on memory here, from a book I read years ago) was that the green ink/dye required something—copper, maybe—that could be better used for war materiel. Here’s a side-by-side look at them both: [![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58b451af03596efb0e7d5f95/1551460556717-0R7W6DP5FX0548S4UIF6/Vintage-Cigarette-Packaging16-Edit.jpg?format=1500w) ](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58b451af03596efb0e7d5f95/1551460556717-0R7W6DP5FX0548S4UIF6/Vintage-Cigarette-Packaging16-Edit.jpg?format=1500w) Lucky Strike went from green to a white pack, and never went back. Now, getting back to slogans and such, does anybody know what “It’s toasted,” and “L.S.M.F.T.” means? (I do; I’m just curious if anybody else does.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420.md?page=5)