ClassicTVAds thanks
Pepsi
Coca-Cola
Kraft
Intuit (Turbo-Tax)...
McDonalds
Wendys
Mars (Skittles; Snickers; M&Ms)
Yum (KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut)...
...for pulling out of the billionaire psychopath funded ALEC union of corporations, which--among other insidious activities--promoted the gun law in Florida (and 24 other states) that led to the execution of Trayvon Martin.
Become fully aware of what the corporate members of ALEC are doing to the United States. ALEC is also working on disenfranchizing elderly and minority voters, shifting taxpayer money to for-profit and online schools/corporations and religious organizations while reducing teacher salaries, and killing worker unions.
We ask that you refrain from doing business with ALEC members. Find substitutes for the products that ALEC member corporations produce.
This is no joking matter to ALEC corporations; it should be no joking matter to any of us who want to end corporate interference and ownership of our government.
MoveToAmend.org, OccupyWallSt.org
Corporations are not people. They are legal entities that must be regulated by government.
Money is not free speech. Money is an object of commerce.
Find out more at MoveToAmend.
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7UP "Bubbles", 1974 (January 1)7UP...7UP...we see the light...of 7UP.
 This is the coolest ad with the coolest jingle.
When 7UP came up with its Uncola trademark, it must have hired the best talent in the world to spread the word. There was one successful Uncola promotion after another.
This one has a Peter Max psychedelic flair that is reminiscent of the Beatles Yellow Submarine era combined with the Busby Berkeley choreography, and a little Elvis for extra measure...a snapshot history of 7UP in a minute.
time 1:02 size 2.4 mb aired 1974
The Legend of Marlboro, 196? (January 1)Listen while I tell you a story...
 Here's a "Marlboro Man" jingle that was a little different from the one you are used to.
These ads were so incredibly enticing. If you were an ordinary couch potato who didn't often get to ride into the lonesome sunset on a beautiful horse, you could smoke Marlboros and sorta be just like the rugged guys on TV.
time 1:03 size 2.37 mb aired 196?
Chevrolet for 1964 (January 4)In a class of its own, it stands alone...
 Very famous Chevrolet commercial shot atop 400-foot high Castleton Tower in Utah.
The car was just a shell and was helicoptered to the top of the Tower, along with the model, Diedre Johnson. Ms. Johnson was stuck atop the Tower for hours after filming was completed due to high winds. Can you imagine how insane that must have felt?
time 2:01 size 4.56 mb aired 1964
Nucoa Margarine, 195x (January 1)When it looks this good...mmm-mmm-mmm...
 And we always thought it was pronounced new-COE-ah...
There are two highlights in this ad: The retro jingle that sounds like it was written in a single sitting on the toilet (sorry...), and the ladies who are in ecstasy eating their healthful sticks of margarine.
time 1:03 size 2.4 mb aired 1950s
Kentucky Fried Chicken, 1976 (January 12)Real goodness from Kentucky Fried Chicken.
 This ad features the voice of the real Colonel Harland Sanders.
Did you know that the Japanese go nuts over KFC at Christmas? Yes, it's a Christmas Day tradition, reservations required. There is a YouTube video of a Japanese KFC at Christmas, with a line of customers that goes around the block.
time 0:31 size 1.24 mb aired 1976
Camel Cigarettes, 1950s (January 12)More, more, more...
 Early 1950s ad, when Camel cigarettes focused on your "T" zone (throat).
Many of the cigarette ads back then, especially unfiltered Camels, went the extra mile to show that cigarettes had no effect on your throat. They even had doctors promoting this lie.
time 0:33 size 1.28 mb aired 1950s
Winston Cigarettes, 1960s (January 12)When I changed to Winston, I changed for good.
 Not sure of the year on this one, but judging from the woman's clothing style and babushka, it is 1963 or 1964.
In this ad, Winstons attract fun. People like fun. Therefore, people are attracted to Winstons...or something like that.
time 1:01 size 2.38 mb aired 1960s
AMC Ambassador, 1967 (January 12)The red-carpet ride...
 Here's a luxury model AMC car, destined for future failure.
We especially like the 8-track cartridge player, which provides a subtle touch of elegance. And the 1967 gargage interior, with real wood paneling.
So, all mocking aside...how'd they do that unraveling roll of carpet thing on the highways?
time 1:01 size 2.38 mb aired 1967
Mr. Clean, 195? (January 1)Why, he'll even clean the dog himself...
 Another in a long series of Mr. Clean ads that aired in the 1950s.
This one focuses on all the grime that a dog can bring into the house. We thought it was kind of creepy that Mr. Clean was also advertised as a dog shampoo back then.
time 1:01 size 2.36 mb aired 195?
Birds Eye Baby Food, 1960s (January 17)Ask your doctor...
 This may have been a product that was tested in local markets, but failed to go national.
We wondered about the "Ask your doctor" comment in this one. Why would a doctor know if freeze-dried crystals were sufficient nutrition for a baby?
time 1:02 size 2.4 mb aired 1960s
Listerine, 1952 (January 1)He said that she said that he had halitosis...
 In the early 1950s, our bad breath was politely referred to as halitosis.
This early commercial for Listerine was part of a lengthier ad (they usually ran 1.5 to 2 minutes back then). The jingle may be familiar; it certainly wasn't all the action in this one that is memorable.
time 0:26 size 1.04 mb aired 1952
Sara Lee, 1960s (January 17)Everybody doesn't like something, but nobody doesn't like Sara Lee.
 This is another ad that we're unable to accurately date. It is referenced as the 1960s, but it may actually be from the 1970s.
Although the jingle in this one sounds like a broken record (or CD), in its day, it was a very popular series of ads for Sara Lee.
time 1:00 size 2.34 mb aired 1960s
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HelloClassicTVAds: Just commercials...really old ones, and a section devoted to a favorite Wizard of Oz star, Margaret Hamilton.
 This site is designed for high-speed internet access only; 56k modems will not have a pleasant experience here.
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Commonly asked questionsQ. Are your ads for sale?
A. No; never.
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A. We are asked this more than any other question, and our response is always, "We do not recommend Web sites that charge admission or sell individual ads." We do not monitor similar or competing sites for content.
Q. Do you have such-and-such an ad?
A. Infrequently, we do have a requested ad. If that is the case, we'll put it on the site for everybody to see. We do not provide ads on an individual basis.
Q. The ads don't work; is something wrong with your site?
A. Sometimes, our ISP is performing maintenance on its servers; we have no control over or prior notification of these brief outages. For the most part, if the videos are not working for you, it is your configuration, your old browser, your slow connection, or your firewall that is at fault.
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Now Available (limited time)
time 1:25 size 5 mb produced 2012Our new 2-disc DVD set for 2012 is now available, for a limited time. See the Storefront page for details on how to order.
I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke (April 28)...grow apple trees, and honey bees, and snow-white turtle-doves...
time 1:03 size 4.4 mb aired 1971It began as a radio jingle for 1971, to replace the previous Things Go Better with Coke jingle. Even though it pretty much fell flat on its face with listeners, the authors of the jingle convinced Coke to stick with it, and a TV ad was produced.
The ad first ran in Europe, where it was greeted with ho-hum interest. But when it ran in the US, the response was dramatic: viewers loved it.
The jingle was so popular that it was recorded as a pop single, by two different groups, the Hillside Singers and the New Seekers. Both versions were commercial successes, charting at the same time.
20-Year Reunion: I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke (April 29)...you know, it happened right here 20 years ago...
time 1:04 size 4.4 mb aired 1990-1In 1990, Coca-Cola rounded up some of the people featured in the 1971 commercial and came up with this memorable ad. How many others can you identify from the original ad?
Pillsbury Instant Potatoes, 1950s (February 20)He doesn't dream that these are instant...
 She said that her husband couldn't dream that she was serving him instant instead of the real thing.
Perhaps today this could be true. But back in the earlier days of instant, they all had a distinctively artificial, phony flavor that was not remotely like the real thing.
time 1:02 size 2.79 mb aired 1950s
Bab-O, 1950s (February 18)Too bad she didn't have Bab-O...
 A lot of grandparents, especially in the Midwest, will remember this product and jingle. Bab-O was right up there with Ajax and Comet cleansers.
The product is still around, and is a registered trademark of Continental. You can purchase it in bulk starting at Amazon.
time 1:04 size 2.83 mb aired 1951
Marlboros, Flip-Top Box, 1950s (February 17)By George, I think I'll try it...
 Long before the rugged Marlboro Man captured our hearts, the Marlboro Twerp was establishing his control over the little woman...who seemed to like it.
We're used to seeing cigarettes associated with sex, youth, sports, good taste, good style, and the good life. And now you can add confidence and domination to the list of benefits.
time 0:52 size 2.34 mb aired 1950s
Pepsi New Generation (Michael Jackson), 1984 (February 14)You're a whole new generation...
 Here is the extended commercial featuring Michael Jackson's Billie Jean theme.
Without a doubt, this is one of the best TV commercials ever produced. We found an import CD that had a stereo version of most of this commercial, and it is included here. It could be a digital transfer of the 7-inch vinyl record that was released by Pepsi, which included this jingle.
time 1:34 size 4.81 mb aired 1984
Pepsi People Feelin' Free, 1973 (February 14)There's a feelin' around, it's America's sound...
 This commercial was released as the seemingly endless war in Viet Nam wound down.
In the 1970s, TV ads went the extra mile to be sensitive to all walks of life, and this ad is no exception. You will see a black, an Asian, lots of whites, a baby, and even an American Indian, suggesting a modern-day Thanksgiving.
time 1:01 size 2.75 mb aired 1973
QT By Coppertone, 1966 (February 13)Gives you a wonderful tan in 3 to 5 hours...
 People who used this product indoors in the '60s became orange the next day. Those who used it in combination with the sun became deep orange.
Friends and relatives of users pretended that QTers had a natural tan. If they wanted to kiss up to the user, they'd ask, "Did you go to Florida?"
time 1:02 size 2.40 mb aired 1966
Chrysler Cordoba, 1977 (February 12)It has captured the hearts of many...
 We think that the Chrysler ads featuring Ricardo Montalbán were among the best that the auto manufacturer ever produced.
It wasn't just the actor that made these so memorable, but also the music. In case you're wondering, the music is the Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez. We like Julien Bream's version on CD.
time 0:32 size 1.28 mb aired 1977
Lucky Filters, 1968 (February 12)You don't have to light it...
 The marketing people really outdid themselves on this one. Subliminal sex anyone?
We wondered what it was about this ad that made it so special. And then it hit us. Yuck. Compare the smokers.
The first woman in the turtleneck visibly slips the tongue to her cigarette, as she takes it into her mouth (it is especially apparent in the second scene that she's in, halfway through). The second woman sensuously opens up to receive her cigarette. The guys? Well, you do the comparisons.
time 1:02 size 2.38 mb aired 1968
Camel Filters, 1968 (February 8)Camel's real taste satisfies longer...
 Is that Roy Scheider, who starred in Jaws? Probably. He was in other commercials (Folgers and Alpine Cigarettes) in the 1960s.
Camel cigarette ads were never known for their jingles, like Marlboro and Winston.
In the late 1960s, however, just before cigarette ads were banned from US television, Camels came out with this memorable jingle.
We couldn't help but notice the National Airlines plane in the background; National went bankrupt and closed down in 2002.
time 1:02 size 2.39 mb aired 1968
Campbell's Soups, 1963 (February 8)They always eat better when you remember the soup...
 Campbell's always had a way of taking an old familiar song and turning it into a jingle.
In this ad, the jingle is Red Red Robin. As with most Campbell's ads of this era, there was an accent on wholesome (caucasion) family life.
time 1:02 size 2.38 mb aired 1963
Rice Krispies Wakin' Up, 1960s (February 7)Hear the roar, hear the roar...
 Here's a brief little gem, presumably from the 1960s, with a memorable jingle for Rice Krispies.
Although the animations back then were rather simple, so many of them had the attractive Peter Max flair.
time 0:32 size 1.26 mb aired 1960s
Falstaff Beer, 1960s (February 6)There's light-hearted living in light-hearted Falstaff beer.
 At one time, one of America's premiere beers, Falstaff fell on hard times in the latter part of the 1980s, and by 1990, it was all but dead. Pabst marketed it for awhile, but sales continued to decline, and in 2005, Falstaff Beer died.
We're not sure of the date on this ad, but it was back in the days when a can opener was required to get to the beer.
time 0:21 size 847 kb aired 1960s
Miller High Life Beer, 1960s(?) (February 6)Hi George. Judy! Barbie...beer dear?
 Beer commercials back in the 1950s and 1960s were typically subdued and smoooooth...like this one.
We couldn't help but notice the odd art-work over the fireplace in this ad (notice the screen capture, left). Women modeling clothes? Pink flamingos, yes, happy/sad clowns, yes, women modeling clothing, no. (NOTE: On second thought, this ad probably dates from the early to mid-1960s, judging from the guys' skinny ties.)
time 1:01 size 2.34 mb aired 1960s
Wildroot Cream Oil (Charley), 1950s (February 4)It's made with smoothin' lanolin...
 One of the earliest Wildroot jingles from the 1950s, which was quite popular at the time.
In case you don't get it, Charley's long hair is so unmanageable that he can't find the dragon under his own feet. Wildroot to the rescue.
time 1:03 size 2.4 mb on-screen 1950s
Drive-In Ads, 1950s (February 3)Get with it, man, start strollin' down...
 These ads have nothing to do with television, but who can resist vintage, scratchy, drive-in ads from the 1950s?
This clip is a medley of four intermission ads, featuring Dr. Pepper, Eskimo Pie, and Orange Crush.
time 3:13 size 7.4 mb on-screen 1950s
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Remember these?
 Vam Hair Cream
Actual tube from 1957. Smells horrible. Vam? Vegetable, Animal, Mineral. Comes with pamphlet: The whole Vam story (a Wildroot product).
 Dimension Shampoo & Conditioner
From the early 1980s. Still smells wonderful. Discontinued by Lever Bros. in mid 1980s.
time 0:19 size 457 kb aired 1980s
Ipana Toothpaste
Sometime in the '60s, before ZIP codes. Still smells minty fresh.
Vaseline Cream Hair Tonic
Actual product from the 1950s. It's been a long time since it came in a bottle like this. And this hair tonic smells about as good as Vam, above. We're talking wretched.
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