ClassicTVAds DVDs
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Lemon Pledge, 1969 (March 11)Lemon Pledge very pretty, put the shine down, lemon good...
 Using the tune, Lemon Tree (made famous by Peter, Paul, and Mary), Johnson & Johnson gained instant, lasting product recognition when this ad first aired.
Many people still forget that the opening lyric to the song is "Lemon tree...", not "Lemon Pledge..."
time 1:02 size 973 kb aired 1969
Schlitz Beer, 1965 (Dec 29)Real gusto in a great light beer.
 Beer, suds, and more beer, everywhere...all over the place
And as usual, not a single person is allowed to be shown drinking it. In the US, it was felt (after the Prohibition) that showing somebody actually drinking beer was in bad taste. We know of no specific FCC laws banning consumption on-air, but it appears there are voluntary codes of conduct that dictate: thou shalt not drink in TV ads.
Gump was right: Stupid is as stupid does.
time 1:02 size 1.9 mb aired 1965
Sanka In a Can (Dec 29)Still remarkably 97 percent caffeine-free.
 In all honesty, don't we think of Sanka as that instant, caffeine-free powder in a glass jar?
Apparently, there was also a ground version in a can, that brewed like regular coffee. And look at the can-opener key thingie...remember how the razor-sharp strip of metal would unwind and practically cut off your finger? Or it would snap apart when the can was half-opened. What a great invention.
time 0:23 size 709 kb aired 1963
101 Chesterfield (Dec 29)Is that a baloney sandwich?
 One of the most insipid cigarette ads ever broadcast, with a cast of team corporate types muttering nonsense.
And they threw in the 1960s angry white woman who, as if in an alternate-universe movie, sneers, "Why don't you step on the other foot, while you're at it."
The point of this commercial is so clever and trendy, it's a mystery.
time 1:03 size 1.9 mb aired 196?
Adorn Hair Spray, 196? (Nov 1)The no-nonsense hair spray that keeps a hold on the latest styles.
 Sometimes, looking back on the hair/wardrobe styles of the 1960s, you wonder, was the object to look like a clown? These women just seem a little pissed to us. Could it be their ceramic hair?
It may be that when people look back on today, they'll think the same thing...although it's hard to beat those '60s hairstyles.
time 0:32 size 977 kb ad aired in 196?
Sunsweet Prunes, 1967 (Nov 1)I'll warn you in advance: I'm not going to like your prune.
 One of the most successful ads of all time, this one proved that the soft-sell can be effective.
Prunes had a solid, time-honored reputation of being old-people food, to relieve their constipation. Sunsweet almost didn't air this ad, because it feared that the angle, "Try it you might not like it...if not, that's okay", would flop.
Not only did it NOT flop, the ad (and the campaign to reduce prune wrinkles) was a well-deserved smash hit.
time 1:02 size 1.9 mb ad aired in 1967
Crisco, 196? (Nov 1)Who's the best cook in Greeley Country Kansas...
 We're not sure which product saw increased sales after this ad aired nation-wide: Crisco, or fashionable eye-glasses.
The acting in this ad doesn't get any better. They were aiming for everyday folk...mission accomplished.
We like the daughter's glasses the best, because they have that pretty feminine uplift from the center outward.
time 1:01 size 1.9 mb ad aired in 196?
Pall Mall Cigarettes, 1967 (Nov 1)Outstanding...and they are mild.
 We have to say it again: The cigarette corporations always associated "luxury" with smoking. In this ad, it's yachts/boating...again.
Imagine being bombarded with this drivel relentlessly, day after day. It reminds us of today's drivel from the health-insurance corporations, constantly telling us how much they love and care about us. Fool us once, shame on them. Fool us twice...the point is, you can't get fooled again. Heh, heh.
time 0:32 size 1.0 mb ad aired in 1967
Gail Storm for NescafeGail Storm...Died June 27, 2009
 In a span of less than a week, Gail Storm is the fifth celebrity to pass away, the day before Billy Mays died. But unlike Mays, Storm died of natural causes related to old age (she was 87).
Best known for her starring role in the 1952-1955 sitcom, My Little Margie, she was also an accomplished singer, dancer, and ice skater.
Nescafe coffee was a major sponsor of her show.
time 1:01 size 1.6 mb aired 1959
Pepsi, Michael Jackson Accident, 1984Michael Jackson...Died June 25, 2009
 This is the short version of the Billie Jean Pepsi commercial, the one in which Jackson's hair caught fire due to the special effects.
Warning: Following this commercial is the actual footage (from behind) of Jackson during the explosion. His entire head is engulfed in flames. Imagine how traumatic, how frightening this must have been for Jackson.
time 1:02 size 1.9 mb ad aired in 1984
General Motors (1966)GM...mark of excellence.
 It would have been difficult to anticipate, back in 1966, that this giant of a manufacturing company would be declaring bankruptcy. But it appears inevitable at this point.
"Free trade" has destroyed the manufacturing base in the United States, and if people are celebrating the demise of GM and other manufacturers, they ought to think twice about that. Without a manufacturing base, there can be no manufacturing of goods, especially the kinds of goods the US needs to keep its profitable and bloody war machine going strong.
time 0:32 size 857 kb aired 1966
Every Litter Bit Hurts (1964)Don't grown-ups know better...
 Very brief public service announcement; part of the Keep America Beautiful campaign, in the 1960s.
This was one of the most successful public service campaigns, helping to significantly reduce litter in communities throughout the United States.
time 0:11 size 297 kb aired 1964
Bellaire Cigarettes (195?)Smoke twice as refreshed, because the filter's recessed...
 We're not sure of the date on this one, too, and on second thought, it is probably from the early 1960s rather than the 1950s.
Exceptionally corny nautical theme, with the usual array of trendy young adults puffing their way into disease.
time 1:02 size 1.52 mb aired 195?
Scotties Tissues (196?)Magic oval box...
 It wasn't just a rectangular piece of cardboard with an oval hole in it, it was a magical one.
This stunning piece of engineering-design allowed you to take one or one dozen tissues at the same time.
time 1:02 size 1.54 mb aired 196?
Plymouth for 1969 (1968)Just look what Plymouth's up to now...
 Fury, Belvedere, Valiant, Barracuda...all Plymouth models that disappeared, but were very popular in their days. Even the train system, Penn Central, is gone.
This ad had a catchy jingle, playing off a mid-60s pop hit by Spanky and Our Gang, Sunday Will Never Be the Same.
time 1:00 size 1.5 mb aired 1968
Avon (with Katie Couric look-alike?) (1972)Sometimes the Avon lady comes at the wrong time...
 ...and maybe sometimes the Avon lady comes in the wrong year.
We couldn't help but notice the strong similarity of this woman to Katie Couric. But...it couldn't be Katie, because according to online sources, she would have been only 14 or 15 in 1972 (born in 1957, according to Wikipedia and just about all other sources). Katie wouldn't allow fibs about her age, would she?
Not only does this young lady look like Katie, but she sure sounds like her, too. Could it be that we have the air date wrong? It was during a Bob Hope Special, which aired January 17, 1972.
You be the judge. Please drop us a line if you've ever seen Katie's birth certificate.
time 0:33 size 858 kb aired 1972
Fab Detergent (1955)Use FAB (use Fab in your washing machine)...
 (The horrible audio quality was improved in this clip May 25.)
Totally '50s ad with early, slow rock-n-roll beat. Starts out on a very strange note, though.
time 1:02 size 1.56 mb aired 1955
Sanka (1960)N - E - W - S...we've got news for you!
 When you think of old Sanka ads, you think of Snooze-R-Rama.
This one sure broke the mold. It's a playful, upbeat, mini-musical that is very, very retro. A favorite here at ClassicTVAds.
time 1:02 size 1.54 mb aired 1960
Aunt Jemima (Harriet Nelson) (1955)Make mine buckwheat, mom...
 This ad, we're sure, was intended to conjour mental images of the Old South and Gone With the Wind, complete with Mammy on the box of pancake mix.
In hindsight, we can certainly see why they changed the image of Aunt Jemima. The insulting "fat, smiling, po' but happy" negro image held up by the rich white woman was unbelievably stereotypical and racist.
time 0:40 size 991 kb aired 1955
Fresca (197?)Don't be left out in the warm...
 Fresca received saturation marketing when it was introduced by the Coca-Cola Company. Ads everywhere, commercials on every network. The accent was on freshness and coldness, in a diet drink.
When it was introduced in the early 1960s, it (along with other diet drinks) contained an artificial sweetener called cyclamates, which was later found to cause cancer in rats. Yum.
time 1:02 size 1.584 mb aired 197?
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HelloClassicTVAds: Just commercials...really old ones, and a section devoted to a favorite Wizard of Oz star, Margaret Hamilton.
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Commonly asked questionsQ. I get a bunch of raw code when I try to watch a movie. A. This site was designed for Windows Internet Explorer. Firefox and Netscape users will see raw code when they click on a video. As of March 27, all new videos appearing on the site will have options for Firefox and Netscape users (as you can see elsewhere on this page). Q. Why are all of your images broken? A. You are looking at the site through a proxy and/or firewall server; mechanisms are in place to prevent bandwidth theft from the site, and the broken image problem is a known consequence of this measure. I've experienced it myself, and, yes, it's not pretty. Q. Are your ads for sale? A. No. Q. Do you know where I could find such-and-such an ad? A. In all honesty, no. There are a few commercially available DVDs that contain ads (check Amazon.com); I know of no reliable sources. I don't recommend Web sites that charge admission. Q. Do you have such-and-such an ad? A. Infrequently, I do have an ad somebody is looking for. If that is the case, I'll put it on the site for everybody to see. I do not distribute custom ads on an individual basis. Q. How do I download such-and-such an ad? A. Look in your temporary internet files directory after watching one. Q. The ads don't work; is something wrong with your site? A. I usually know about any problems on the site. If the videos are not working for you, it is usually your configuration, your old browser, your slow connection, or your firewall that is at fault. This site is frequently tested using latest versions of Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Netscape.
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Polaroid Camera, 1968 (March 11)The 60-second excitement...
 Polaroid often produced memorable jingles in its camera ads, first with The Swinger, and later with color-photo cameras. This ad was no exception.
Typical '60s beat, instruments, and flowery wackiness of the times.
time 1:03 size 1.9 mb aired 1968
Pepsi with The Turtles, 196? (March 11)Taste that beats the others cold, Pepsi pours it on.
 This was likely a radio ad that was filmed while the group was in the recording studio. Back in the '60s, all the popular soft drinks had catchy ads/jingles on "pop" music stations.
The Turtles were a very popular group back then whose success was quite a surprise to even them. The group was together for a few years, but after six or seven different (and horrible) managers and an unending string of lawsuits involving those managers, the group split up.
time 1:02 size 1.88 mb aired 196?
Kick the (Cigarette) Habit, 1968 (Jan 3)Join the unhooked generation.
 It's been many years since we've seen this ad, here at CTV. It's got that faded, scratchy-sounding, fresh from the drive-in theater flavor.
But what may seem jarring is the strong sexual innuendo portrayed by the actors. Back in the 1960s, cigarette smoking was considered enticing and seductive. So we are treated to actors fondling their cigarettes, gently caressing and stroking them...even the music--at times--suggests old stag film.
time 1:00 size 1.8 mb aired 1968
Ipana Toothpaste, 1957 (Jan 3)Destroys decay bacteria best of all leading brands!
 Early animation aimed at Ipana's target audience: kids.
It's pretty amazing how Ipana went from blanket coverage on TV in the 1950s and 1960s to no coverage at all. But it is still around and is usually prominently displayed in those 100-cent stores.
time 1:02 size 1.9 mb aired 1957
Dodge Polara, 1967 (Jan 3)Dodge Rebellion, Operation '67.
 In 1967, Dodge came out with a series of ads featuring a young blonde who managed to get herself into all kinds of trouble, but in the end, avoided disaster by some quirk of fate.
The ads played off the popular secret agent theme in movies at the time, along with the real anti-war rebellions building in the country over the Viet Nam war.
time 1:03 size 1.9 mb aired 1967
Ford Granada (Dec 29)The closer you look, the better we look.
 If anybody can tell us the name of the very famous background music in this ad, we would be grateful. It is embarrassing not knowing. Oops, nevermind...it's Granada.
It seems the Granada was designed to confuse casual observers into thinking you were driving a Cadillac or Mercedes. Cool. Even if you knew better, sitting in one was like sitting in the lap of luxury.
time 1:03 size 1.93 mb aired 1975
Dr Pepper (Dec 29)Charge!...get goin' again.
 We can't place the exact year this aired, but it looks like it was circa 1966.
Dr Pepper was supposed to be the cola alternative. And then came Cherry Coke and 7UP-the-Uncola.
time 1:02 size 1.9 mb aired 196?
Woolite (Dec 29)You'll look better in a sweater washed in Woolite.
 Perhaps we did look better in sweaters washed in Woolite.
But we think it helped if the sweaters were form-fitting and the people wearing them had bustlines that were big, pointy, and sassy. Or maybe it was just the Woolite.
time 0:32 size 964 kb aired 1968
Pontiac (1926 - 2009) (Nov 1)Why don't you break away?
 Another casualty of the Wall-Street/banking-industry planned recession of 2009, Pontiac bit the dust that year.
In its heyday, Pontiac boasted of its wide-track design, which meant that it had exceptional stability on the road...like that of a high-speed tank barreling down the road.
time 0:33 size 1.1 mb aired 1968
L&M Cigarettes (Nov 1)Let go-o-o-o...with an L&M.
 A strange start to a commercial, this one is silent until about eight seconds into the ad. What do you make of a bunch of corporate types sitting around a table, looking clueless?
Once again, a catchy jingle fuses images of young and old people, smoking. And while nicotine is a stimulent, most of the images are of people relaxing.
time 1:00 size 1.86 mb aired 196?
Campbell's Pork and Beans (Nov 1)Beans of all our dreams...
 Does anybody know what "tender-hearted beans" really means? Are we here at CTVAds the only ones who, as kids, called them tender-farted?
Campbell's was always the sponsor of tender-hearted television shows, like Lassie and Donna Reed. Kids, like the ones in this ad, were usually the focus...and they weren't very good at lip-sync'ing.
time 0:32 size 980 kb aired 196?
Aqua Velva (Nov 1)There's something about an Aqua-Velva man.
 Compared to Aqua Velva ads that came years later, this one isn't that bad. It comes complete with that whimsical generic '60s pop music...toward the end, you can even hear the groovy organ being played.
In the mid-1970s, former baseball player Pete Rose was the product sponsor. You can see several of his ads—including one in which he sings—on that big video site.
time 0:32 size 995 kb aired 1968
Bonus Detergent, 1967 (Nov 1)Bonus?!...roses?!...roses...look roses, beautiful roses!!
 The gorgeous desert rose towel came inside boxes of Bonus Detergent.
Judging from the excited reactions of the ladies present, these towels and Bonus Detergent were smash hits...er, for awhile. Alas, Bonus is no more...and neither are the towels.
time 1:02 size 1.9 mb ad aired in 1967
Farrah Fawcett for ultra brite (197?)Farrah Fawcett...Died June 25, 2009
 Most people remember Farrah from this commercial, from her role in Charlie's Angels, and from her famous swimsuit poster (just Google "Farrah Fawcett poster").
But it was her appearances in later movies, such as The Burning Bed and Silk Hope, that proved her amazing acting abilities. In The Burning Bed, her role as an abused wife was convincing and poignant. In Silk Hope, she was irresistible as the flighty small-town woman with a shady past and a heart of hope.
Farrah's battle with cancer was told by her and friends in Farrah's Story, which aired on NBC Friday May 15, 2009.
Farrah lost her battle with cancer June 25, 2009. We lost a very, very special lady on that day.
time 0:34 size 893 kb aired 197?
Schick Styler (197?)Farrah Fawcett...Died June 25, 2009
 Farrah Fawcett, Shelley Duvall, Angela Cartwright, and their hair, all in one ad.
Child star Angela Cartwright had the smilingest eyes in Hollywood; about the time this ad aired, she was also doing Soft 'n Dri deodorant commercials. Today, she's a photo artist. You can purchase her work and her autograph at her web site (which stopped working after we linked to it here).
time 0:33 size 807 kb aired 197?
Rice Krispies (196?)I say it's crackle, the crispy sound...
 UPDATED: What was with that pixelization? Sorry about that; we remade this one to fix the problem. Also, we think this is likely a 1960s ad, although we're not sure.
What a catchy jingle in this one, with the trio of Kelloggs' elves at their musical best.
time 1:02 size 1.54 mb aired 196?
Desoto (1958)It's got push-button drive and torsion-air ride.
 Not sure what push-button drive was, but some sources on the Web describe it as push-button transmission that was on some Chrysler cars back then.
Note: A visitor to the site says that Chrysler began using push-button automatic transmissions in 1956, and abandoned the design around 1965, in favor of the column-mounted lever. Thanks, Mike!
I have never understood why car dealers and manufacturers use kids--often their own--to sell cars, like in this ad. It probably has something to do with the American tradition called bragging rights.
time 0:33 size 858 kb aired 1958
Lucky Strike (1956)Light up a Lucky, it's light-up time...
 L.S./M.F.T...Lucky Strike Means Fine Tobacco. This was such an important selling point; it was used in practically every Lucky ad.
And when you think of it, it meant absolutely nothing.
time 1:05 size 1.56 mb aired 1956
Wildroot (1964)Dissolves in your hands; won't show in your hair.
 Surprising to hear a variation of "Melts in your mouth, not in your hand"...for a hair cream.
Wildroot and Brylcreem were the two big men's hair creams in the '50s and '60s. Both brands utilized sexual attraction and catchy jingles to sell their products.
time 0:33 size 806 kb aired 1964
Trend Liquid (1957)It's your money-saving friend...Trend!
 This one is a laugh-riot, as the smart shopper gleefully dances her way to the liquid detergent aisle.
Yes, boys and girls, back in the 1950s, all of our mothers joyfully danced in the supermarkets...so much money to save, and so many thrilling products from which to choose!
time 1:03 size 1.5 mb aired 1957
Top Job (1963)I'll have to wash the whole wall...and I bet it'll streak.
 And in the 1960s, the way to a housekeeper's heart was a product that didn't streak walls.
I don't know about you, but if my brothers and I left that kind of mess on a wall, my mom would've beat the crap out of us and then made us clean it up until it sparkled.
time 1:03 size 1.55 mb aired 1963
Muriel Cigars, Edie Adams & The Hi-Los (1965)Why don't you pick one up and smoke it sometime.
 This one gets top honors for being one of the classiest ads ever to appear on this site.
Edie Adams (d. October 2008) was the long-time pitchwoman for Muriel Cigars, as well as sidekick for genius comedian, Ernie Kovacs. Here she performs a song and dance with The Hi-Los, another phenomenal singing group of the '50s and '60s (remember the Hertz jingle?).
NOTE: ClassicTVAds is strongly opposed to smoking all tobacco products. Don't smoke: It may kill you.
time 1:04 size 1.6 mb aired 1965
Bold Detergent (1966)Now Millie, don't be silly...
 In the 1960s, when musicals were all the rage, Bold Detergent launched a series of ads that were...mini-musicals.
Looking back, these ads seem like such nonsense. Mostly women singing to other women, stereotypical gender roles...ugh, such schlock, in hindsight. Oh, and BTW: The terrible lip-sync'ing is not CTV's fault...it aired that way.
time 1:02 size 1.53 mb aired 1966
Lustre-Creme Shampoo (1964)Wherever you go...whatever you do...
 As the calendar above suggested, you can "up" your fun in life with good grooming...and a memorable jingle.
Lustre-Creme and Halo were the big shampoos of the day...and it looks like Lustre-Creme won out (for awhile anyway).
time 0:32 size 783 kb aired 1964
Softique Beauty Bath Oil (1966)Put that rack up all by yourself?
 Lordy, just think how much we've progressed since this sexist piece of Softique aired. Boy, those "women have a soft life." <wince>
Notice what she does with the claw end of the hammer. Ouch!
time 0:32 size 799 kb aired 1966
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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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