Here we have Part 5 of my homage to the classic commercials on my December 1989 VHS! Moving on from a macho day in the woods, we now turn to the distinctly feminine world of perfume ads. For this topic we’re going to look at three different classic ads that enticed the senses. So, feel free to break free as we analyze Vanderbilt, Poison and Primo (the last clip beginning at 6:44).
Vanderbilt Perfume – “Feel how splendid you are”
Poison Perfume – Um…insert attractive ’80s lady here!
Primo Perfume (6:44) – “If she likes Giorgio, she’ll love Primo”
At first glance (or is that scent?), you’d think perfume would be a difficult sell on Television. Its main quality, pretty much its only quality, is the fragrance it gives off. And until Smell-o-Vision becomes popular again (don’t hold your breath), how do TV advertisers go about pitching an aroma? Well naturally it’s not the product that they’re selling, but rather a feeling. The Vanderbilt and Poison ads utilize the classic “Use this and look pretty” pitch, as gorgeous models saunter across the screen in diaphanous fabric while artificial wind blows through their perfect ’80s hair. The announcer’s urgings to “feel how splendid you are” tells us this product will not only affect how we look, but how we feel about ourselves.
Now that’s fine for most of the year. But during the holiday season, women rely on others to give the very best in a gift wrapped bow. But where do we begin and for how much? Well look! It’s TV advertising come to save the day with an amusing yet informative ad for Primo. You have a memorable image (“Did you see that commercial with the talking perfume bottle?”) and a reassuring message about frugality. You might even say it’s a scent that makes…cents.
Fun fact: According to a 1989 New York Magazine advertisement, Poison perfume by Dior proved a triumph despite the fact that it was not test marketed. Maurice Roger, then CEO of Dior perfumes, was quoted as saying: “Creations do not seek acceptance, they command it. This is the proof that they are meant to exist.”
“Special Advertising Section: Treasures – Fashion, Fragrance, Furnishings.” New York Magazine. 5 June 1989: 14A-23A.
Once again, celebrating the classic commercials on my December 1989 VHS! You know it’s ironic, but whether it’s the Budweiser’s Christmas Clydesdales or Bartles & Jaymes thanking us for our support, some of the more tasteful and (dare I say) wholesome classic commercials in our memories often came to us from, of all places, alcohol companies. And today we will head out into the wilderness armed with that silver bullet of nostalgia, Coors Light.
Coors Light – “When a night on the town might last all night…”
Now while this is technically a “beer commercial,” we all know it’s not really alcohol they’re selling here. Rather, they’re selling that perfect moment we long to experience. Just as Diet Pepsi was “the right one” for those moments in the zone, Coors Light is the “right beer now” for a challenging yet folksy camp out in the woods. Here we have our dream outing away from it all, complete with cozy campsites, a roaring fire and invigorating hikes up a mountain, with a light beer that won’t let you “slow down on your way to the top.” Then of course there’s that “refreshing” mountain stream which conveniently mirrors the delectable foam of your commercial-ready Coors Light beer (all dolled up here for its close up!). By the end of 30 seconds, we’re planning that next vacation up a mountain…or maybe just our next trip to the supermarket.
Fun fact: According to Citizen Coors by Dan Baum, Coors Marketing Director Gary Naifeh was warned that the company “might get sued by the studio that owned the rights to the old Lone Ranger TV show” for its use of the phrase “silver bullet.” However, it turned out the phrase was not in fact registered. Naifeh soon after did the honors and the slogan became a permanent part of Coors Light advertising.
OK Part III in my retrospective of classic commercials from my December 1989 VHS tape. Our third commercial for analysis is a rather um, handy ad about the “rich, buttery taste” of Shedd’s Spread Country Crock (at 5:56 in the clip below):
Shedd’s Spread Country Crock(5:56) – “Country Crock…in the country!”
Now this was one in a series of commercials which involved a couple whose playful banter always seemed to center around the husband’s strange obsession with Country Crock butter (everybody needs a hobby, right?). I admire this commercial for its endearing collaboration of voice actors, hand models and expert editing to tie it all together. By the way, I believe that’s Jack Riley performing the voice of the husband. Young people might recognize his distinctive voice as Stu Pickles, Tommy’s inventor Dad on Rugrats. These commercials remain a fan favorite and were even recently satirized on YouTube (see below). For its sense of fun, great use of talent and yummy close-ups of butter, this classic commercial deserves a big ::groans:: hand.
The Hand Models from Country Crock tell their “E” True Hollywood Story.
Continuing with my tribute to the classic commercials from my 1989 VHS tape! Just to give a little more background, the two programs I originally recorded were a Fox Five airing ofBabes in Toyland on Sunday, December 17, 1989 at 3pm, and an NBC Monday Night at the Movies broadcast of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court on Monday, December 18, 1989 at 8pm. No I was not just some incredibly insightful kid who thought to write these dates down at the time! Rather, I was able to procure this info from a visit to the Research department at The Paley Center for Media (formerly The Museum of TV & Radio). They have an impressive collection of TV Guides going back to the 1950s. I highly recommend contacting or visiting The Center for all your TV or radio history questions.
Anyway, our second commercial for analysis is an ad for Diet Pepsi (Starting at 1:30 in the clip below):
Diet Pepsi (1:30) – “You know when you’ve got the right one!”
As you can see, our soft drink ad is done in a sort of MTV edit, “blink and you miss it” style, with as many dynamic, eye-catching images as they can cram into 30 seconds. But thankfully nowadays we have technology to freeze and observe some of these moments that might have otherwise gone unnoticed all these years.
Colored lights hanging overhead
A guy dancing in the dark
Another guy practicing his martial arts
A cowgirl spying a potential date
A rock band performing onstage
Obligatory shot of our product
A woman dancing in the dark with others in evidence
A guy hitting a punching bag in the early morning near some palm trees
Three surfers running away from the current
A couple in a playful embrace
Another obligatory shot of our product, only this time it’s a tight close up!
An under water cam catching a diver’s exquisite landing
Cowboy and cowgirl couple in silhouette
A guy with a unique artistic expression
A snorkel following a triumphant journey
A guy engaged in intense weight lifting
More under water cam action
Another silhouetted couple
Now a group dancing in the dark (with the colored lights from earlier)
A bartender skillfully sliding our product to an eager customer
Said eager customer (another cowboy) enjoying our product
A couple participating in a dirty dancing competition
A football team celebrating a victory
An exhausted (and shirtless) football player enjoying our product
3rd obligatory shot of our product, even more in your face and even more refreshing!
An acrobat admiring the view
An audition for the “dancing in the rain” segment of Ricky Martin’s “La Vida Loca” video
An older man and a younger man bonding with our product, possibly at a wedding
Yet another silhouetted couple
And finally, our product once again, engulfed in some thirst-quenching ice, serving as a support for our slogan, “The Right One.”
So…what does all of this have to do with Diet Pepsi?….I have no idea! Welllll, maybe some idea. I think the concept is catching people when they’re in the zone and at their prime. Performing the activities they excel at, or being with that special someone who makes them feel on top of the world. When that happens, you know it (apparently), whether through sight, smell, “broad day light” or “the middle of the night.” And for celebrating these moments, there’s nothing better than a cold, refreshing Diet Pepsi. Not a bad concept for a classic commercial. In fact I would even go so far as to say, it’s the right one.
Fun fact: According to a December 1989 New York Times article, Diet Pepsi’s then new “The Right One” campaign supposedly “use[d] music and lyrics strikingly similar to those Lintas asked a New York music house to develop a year ago for Diet Coke.”*
OK, as I try to find a moment to write my “Part II” of Disney Channel memories, I thought I’d rely on an old friend in the meantime--classic commercials. In this case, I’ll be focusing on retro ads from a VHS recording I’ve kept since December 1989. My intent as a child was to record a broadcast of 1961′s Babes in Toyland and the now obscure kid’s version of the movie A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court(starring The Cosby Show’s Keshia Knight Pulliam). As I grew older my interest in the original programs naturally waned. But my fondness for the commercials in between has only grown stronger over the years. I guess because they represent an innocent time that one can never truly get back. I’d like to pay tribute to them here, starting with a popular favorite…
The Milford Plaza - “Discover why we are the lullabuy of Broadway!”
I’m not sure if this commercial actually created or merely enhanced my life long love of hotels, and New York City. Either way it remains a fond TV memory that helped shape my early impressions of the world. Now obviously a tourist commercial of NYC in 1989 was going to paint the rosiest picture possible. So you don’t see the crime, the drugs, the pollution. Instead you experience the fast paced excitement of a romantically lite city at night, with lots to see and do, and of course, a cozy place to stay. The peppy, musically inclined hotel employees never become too grating, partly due to the use of an old Broadway standard. And I think that’s what really makes this commercial work; it’s classic and could be from any era. It doesn’t scream “1980s!” and that’s why you could put this commercial on today and it would still be a hit. Though I suspect that “$43 per person” is something that will stay in the past.
Fun fact: While in the 1980s $43 at The Milford Plaza could get you a Room, Cocktail, Dinner and Breakfast, today that same amount will get you…Valet Parking*.
UPDATE: I think instead of doing a “Part II” in this format I will begin work on an entry on one particular memory. Stay tuned and in the meantime, I hope you enjoy Part I below.
OK, I don’t want to seem like an old fuddy-duddy, but I miss The Old School Disney Channel! The Disney Channel I remember from the ’80s and early ’90s. Now don’t get me wrong, I like flavor of the month teen boppers as much as….well anyway, The Disney Channel of my childhood was a rich and varied collection of classic and original programming designed for both kids and adults. It was a breathtaking triumph of Television we’re not likely to see again. That’s why today I present Part I in my tribute to the original Disney Channel, brought to you by the Magical Kingdom of Cable. : )
1. Disney Channel Bumper
First off, we have one of many Disney Channel bumpers that involved that classic star of paper and film, Mickey Mouse. Or at least, his hands. In every bumper we’d watch Mickey’s disembodied hands and arms finding creative ways to form his famous silhouette, helpfully reminding the young audience what channel they were watching and where their parents could send their money to. While Old School Nickelodeon had characters crooning the familiar “Nick is Kids” riff, Mickey is noticeably silent in his spots and simply lets his iconic image speak for itself (or himself?). Though ironically the main reason I remembered this particular bumper was for its dialogue. Not from Mickey, but rather that woman with the overloaded cart saying, “I have a coupon here for everything!” What do you know, The Disney Channel managed to sneak in a little social satire there!
2. Walt Disney Imagineering
Another thing we’d often see in between shows on The Disney Channel was behind the scenes segments, showing us the ins and outs of Walt Disney World. Now for kids like me stuck in the suburbs, far away from Orlando, this was our only window into The Magic Kingdom. My more fortunate friends were often surprised that I knew so much about the park when I’d never been there. This again echos the quote I referenced in my last entry about kid’s shows: “I’ve been to those lands cause you’ve taken me there.” The Disney Channel was very good at transporting you into its world.
In this segment, our host Eric Boardman (who also hosted several humorous dinosaur documentaries with Gary Owens) discusses the park’s usage of AudioAnimatronics, the robotic technology that helped bring to life such iconic rides as Pirates of the Caribbean, The Carousel of Progress and the Enchanted Tiki Room. Looking back this clip is truly a time capsule. You have analog boards, bulky computers, not to mention a pre-Johnny Depp Pirates of the Caribbean! But while the technology hasn’t aged well, the message I took from this clip remains. As a kid I was fascinated watching these adults living out their dreams, whether as a comedian, computer programmer or even host of The Disney Channel! It gave me hope that someday I too could grow up to do something I loved.
3. Disney Channel Night Time Line up
One thing you can say about The Disney Channel, they never did anything small. Not even when it came to announcing their Night Time Lineup, where we were treated to diaphanous intro music which almost reminds me of the spacey opening to Star Trek: The Next Generation. We also had a trippy, inside out tour of the Disney Channel logo, here in all its purpley glory. And then there’s the Nighttime lineup itself. And here we learn that The Disney Channel wasn’t just for kids, but for their parents to enjoy as well. Once the kids were tucked away in bed, there was no need to turn the proverbial dial, The Disney Channel had you covered with grown up cinematic hits of today and yesterday.
And that’s another fascinating thing about this lineup. You have a then relatively recent blockbuster (1984′s Splash, starring Daryl Hannah) willing to share the spotlight with a more distant cinematic memory, 1952′s Million Dollar Mermaid, starring Esther Williams. It was a clear message that movies need not be thrown away simply because they’re old. Whether it’s 1950, 1980 or even 2000, movies will never be truly out of date, as long as there’s someone out there who enjoys them. This is something I fear we have forgotten in recent years, instead sending the message to our kids that if it’s old, they need not concern themselves. We say to ourselves, “It’s too old; they won’t like it. They won’t understand.” Well, if we give our kids a chance instead of underestimating them, they will understand. If we don’t at least try, we have no one to blame but ourselves when our kids say, “Never heard of it…
But hopefully we can help break that cycle by taking a moment every now and then to revel in our childhood nostalgia and become inspired to pass these precious memories on to our children. I hope you enjoyed Part I!
While Sesame Street undoubtedly owes most of its success to the valuable contributions of Jim Henson’s Muppets, the show as I remember it wouldn’t have been the same without those familiar live action segments whose mellow, laid back tone helped us appreciate the beauty of a quiet moment and to ponder on things outside our front door. Today I will analyze two of my personal favorites.
Sesame Street – I Believe in Little Things
Perhaps one of Sesame Street’s smartest decisions was to utilize the brilliant talents of composer Joe Raposo, who was responsible for many of the show’s most memorable numbers. Raposo gave us, his young audience, songs that were gentle and soothing yet at the same time intriguingly melancholy. And that is nowhere more apparent than in our first clip, “I Believe in Little Things.” I can imagine lesser kid’s shows giving us some bouncy yet shallow little ditty cheering, “Hooray for little things! ::clap clap::” But not Sesame Street. Here Raposo chose the more earnest “I believe in little things” with an almost worrying edge to it, as though he’s speaking for something he fears would otherwise go tragically unnoticed or undermined.
This song is also brave enough to tell children the truth; in life “flowers die.” Not everything is happy. But it doesn’t leave us with no hope. We are comforted to know that those same flowers “will come back again whenever it’s July.” Life goes in cycles and without the bad, there can be no good.
Sesame Street – Who Am I?
This next Sesame Street clip frequently aired during my childhood, featuring the lovely voice of the late Alaina Reed Hall (who also played Olivia on the show). Another thing I’ve always admired about Old School Sesame Street was its willingness to get out into the real world with real people (as opposed to the sterile, Stepford inspired sets of other kid’s shows). As a born and bred suburbanite, one of the few places I could be exposed to scenes of fields of grain, tractors, cows and open skies for kite flying…was Sesame Street. It reminds me of a lyric from another retro kids show, Today’s Special: “Without ever leaving, I’ve been everywhere. I’ve been to those lands cause you’ve taken me there….the things I remember, you’ve given me these. Yes you, you make my memories.” That really demonstrates the awesome power, and heavy responsibility, all kid’s shows possess.
Taking a break from commercials for a second, I’d like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to an under appreciated Christmas special – The Stingiest Man in Town. Released in 1978, it was Rankin & Bass’ animated musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol (though a live action version of the show had previously been produced in 1956). Here I will analyze 2 scenes that helped make this special truly unique.
Now needless to say the story of A Christmas Carol has been done to death. We know the plot, we know the characters and we all know what’s going to happen at the end. Many adaptations over the years have tried to get around this by incorporating some other franchise’s beloved character, such as Mr. Magoo or Mickey Mouse. Or putting a modern spin on the story such as 1988′s Scrooged or…pretty much any Christmas Lifetime movie! And such gimmicks have been very successful at introducing Dickens’ story to new generations.
The Stingiest Man in Town doesn’t have any flashy franchise mascots (though it did stick in a charming “Humbug” character voiced by Tom Bosley for narration and comic relief). Nor does it try to change the story’s setting or time period to appeal to a hip, jaded crowd. What it does have is a rather ambitious soundtrack which dares to explore the characters’ psyches in ways most adaptations have rarely dared. Dickens’ original dialogue is put to effective use in one hard-hitting number where Scrooge’s cruel words are thrown back at him. Jacob Marley’s eternal punishment is sung in spooky but effective detail.
But it’s not all spooks and scoldings. There’s plenty for the kiddies too, but even then the songs are quite thought-provoking. At one point Tiny Tim is going through his “I’m not sure Santa is real” phase and his family’s answer isn’t your typical parental platitude of “Yes of course Santa’s a real guy” response. Instead, he’s described as “a spirit in the world of generosity” who exists “as long as hearts can realize how good it feels to give.” In other words, Santa is real as long as we, the parents and children, follow his example of generosity in our lives.
Personally I think this is a much better lesson to teach doubting kids than just breaking it to them that Dad’s the one whose been eating the cookies. After all, why do we tell kids about Santa in the first place? Just to mess with them? Well yes, but it’s also to introduce them to someone who cares enough about them to give. And that message of generosity shouldn’t have to end just because they found out he’s “not real.”
1. “Yes, There is a Santa Claus”
Later on, Scrooge is regretting his cruel rejection of his nephew Fred’s present: “He gave me a gift…and I tossed it away…I never understood such things.” At that point, our comic relief character demonstrates (in song of course) that gifts have been an important part of Christmas from the start, when three kings offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to a newborn baby born in humble surroundings. Now of course as a kid I was taught the Nativity story and how we give gifts is to commemorate the kings’ kind gestures. But frankly I think something’s been lost in translation over the years. Gold is certainly valuable but it’s not what kids ask for at Christmas time (unless the latest Barbie doll or video game is gold encrusted or something!). And we didn’t even know what myrrh or frankincense were (though I figured the latter had something to do with that monster guy)! Bottom line, it’s a hard part of the story to identify with.
And our comic relief friend agrees; these gifts were nice but it’s not what Jesus was about. This was an all-powerful deity who chose to express his love for human beings by becoming one himself. And though he could have come as a King with material wealth, he instead chose the form of a child born into poverty who only desires one thing… “a heart that really loves him.” And that is what is truly important at Christmastime or any time, no matter what our beliefs: the least and most vulnerable among us who just need to know they are not forgotten in this world. : )
2. “The Birthday Party of the King”
As a child I didn’t fully appreciate or recognize these complex messages in a quasi anime children’s cartoon. But I was drawn in by the endearing characters and gorgeous music and that’s what motivated me to seek it out again years later, only to learn something new from something old. And that’s what nostalgia’s all about.
And here we are at Round 3 of Classic Christmas commercials! Now this ad may win the award for briefest and most random explanation of Christmas ever: “All children behave…Reindeer fly…” I mean I can just picture some writer going, “OK, describe Christmas in under 10 seconds! Uh…uh…well children have to behave! And uh….uh…oh yeah reindeer fly! That’s it!” I mean if you had no idea what Christmas was, the whole idea would seem insane! But then again what holiday tradition doesn’t sound a bit odd? This is also the holiday where it’s considered charming for an old bearded guy to break into your home!
But that aside, this commercial does manage to be quite atmospheric (even if the music at the end sounds like a tropical jungle for some reason!). And it’s just a nice, fanciful way of getting a simple message across: “It’s Christmas and we’re bringing out the holiday packaging!” End of story, no big deal. True this may be one of the weirdest holiday commercials I’ve ever seen, but one that definitely deserves a cherished place in nostalgia lore.
OK here we go, Round 2 of Classic Christmas Commercials! Now in truth I’ve never been to an Eat ‘n Park (a Restaurant chain located in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia). Actually, the first time I’d even heard of one was through this commercial on YouTube! In fact I’m not even sure I get it, shouldn’t it be Park and THEN Eat?? Nevertheless, I have to compliment them on a truly sweet and inspirational commercial. It really represents what the holidays mean to me, a chance to have my spirits “lifted” during difficult times. I admit I am occasionally prone to depression. Doubting myself, worrying about things, walking past the same old store windows everyday.
But during the holidays, suddenly those windows are lit up with bright lights, idyllic winter vignettes and the reflection of the consumers’ delighted expressions. Nearby a Salvation Army worker rings a bell, offering you the opportunity to make a difference for the less fortunate. And suddenly my problems don’t seem so insurmountable. I think that’s why holidays are so important, they serve as a welcome “lift” from reality and a reminder to think beyond ourselves.
P.S. OK I just found out why it’s called Eat ‘n Park, as opposed to Park ‘n Eat. According to their official website:
“Logically, a customer parked first then ate — either in or out of the restaurant. However, in the late 1940′s, “Park & Eat” was as common a sight as “Drive Thru” is today and could not be copyrighted.”
Well, now I’ve learned something new! Aren’t the holidays great? ;D
