My favorite old ad was one for Strohs beer. They had a symphony orchestra warming up, while an expert poured beer into a series of beer glasses that were going to be played like a zylophone (ie, each glass had a different amount of beer and so gave off a different tone when struck by a mallet, etc.) After the careful preparations were made, the symphony and the zylophonist played the Strohs beer jingle, but the performance came to an abrupt end when the last glass was struck and instead of making the proper tone made a horrendous cracking sound, because the beer in it had been happily consumed by one of the orchestra members.
“Timex – takes a licking and keeps on ticking!” Many years later, I still prefer Timex watches, so I guess the ads had a formative effect on me. Of course the resiliance and reliability of the watches didn’t hurt!
There was a radio ad that ran here back in the 80’s. I still sing it to myself whenever I go past the business:
It’s Auto-Man Transmissions!
At 4801–
at 4801
Bu-ford Hiiiiii-Way!!!
“This is John Cameron Swayze, and I’m here in the Alps…” I still have my very first watch – a Timex automatic with date – that I got when I was ten years old. The strap or bracelet is long gone, but I’ve put a nice black leather strap on it. I never wear it; I switch between a Rolex GMT-II and a 1974 Seiko Bell-Matic. But the Timex still works!
One commercial that pops into my head was shown in San Diego when I was a kid:
King Snedley
Is a real beer
And a reel beer
Is a Snedley Beer
He’s in our hearts, you know
We really love him so
The king, you know, is Snedley!
The previously mentioned Frito Bandito. I still sing his little song, and everyone looks at me like I’m crazy. That’s what I get for working with a bunch of people who are younger than me.
I also miss the Budweiser Taste Buds. A bunch of guys in this giant fake tongue, rubbing pretzels and stuff on themselves and complaining about being thirsty, until a huge wave of Budweiser washes over them. I don’t even drink, but always liked the commercial when I was a kid.
Here comes the king here comes the big number one
Here comes the king of beers that’s second to none…
The king is coming! Let’s hear the call!
When you say “Bud” you’ve said it all!
…when you say “Bud” you’ve said it all…
…nah nah nah nah nah nah…
*Here’s to good friends
Tonight is kind of special…
I liked the one for snickers where the football player gets conked on the head, and when he comes to, believes he’s batman.
I kind of miss last year’s Kohl’s commercial with the crazy ice cream man that won’t stop for any of the potential customers. I also sort of miss the ads for a local lawyer called Jim “The Hammer” Shapiro. It was this ridiculous ad where he’d make a speech about getting you the money you deserve, then his closing was along the lines of: “I’m Jim The Hammer Shapiro! People say I’m an S.O.B, but I’m your S.O.B.”, all screamed at the top of his lungs. His mock anger was so over the top that it was funny.
Oh, oh, remember the one with the guy suffering from video game withdrawal (or something) sitting in front of the goldfish bowl making “Pacman” noises? I always laughed my butt off at that one.
I miss people getting this reference; makes me feel old…
Mr Robinson! Mr Robinson!
I broke your window with my ball!
…
I told the truth! He told the truuuuuuuuuth!
Religions just don’t advertise like they used to.
At Nigh Lumber, we’re all here
Three hundred and sixty-two days a year
We’ve got sudden service
You’ll never wait in line
We have a good selection
Of redwood, fir, and pine
We’re all Nigh’s guys, we’re OK
With us, you’ll never go astray
We’ll treat you right, you’ll save some dough
Call 479-2880
Late '70s animated commercial for Levi’s jeans with a Star Wars theme: Young man with blond hair, large furry monster companion, two robots (I think). Somebody talks to the young hero in a gibberish alien language, all of which is unintelligible except for the word “Levi’s.”
Another Levi’s commercial, stop-motion animation, having something to do with a white duck and a young man slowly moving into a house.
Anti-smoking PSA of a little kid copying everything his father does, including picking up his pack of cigarettes. “Like father…like son.”
“Thanks, Easter Bunny!” “Bawk bawk!” M&M’s. We knew Easter was coming when we heard that.
Kodak film commercial: A tow-headed little kid being loved to death by a dozen black and golden lab puppies. They’re all jumping on him, trying to lick his face, and he topples over, screaming with laughter. Delightful.
Malt-O-Meal hot cereal: A little boy is startled to realize his tummy is talking to him. “My tummy?” “It’s boring down here, Edgar.” “Well, w-whaddaya want?” “Malt-O-Meal!” Then Dad says, “Good stuff, Maynard!” which became a catchphrase in our house for the rest of my growing-up years.
I haven’t had a TV for many years, but I do remember the ‘Happiness is a cigar called Hamlet’ ads. And then there was Qualcast vs Flymo - ‘Lawnmower manufacturers sharpen blades’ as the newspapers put it. And for the romantic, there were the Nescafe ads.
