Bionic Disco

70s Commercials: Burger Chef ‘Star Wars’ Meals, Kitty Litter, Fritos, Weber BBQ (1977-78)

Posted on April 21, 2024 by David Moore

“Collect all seven!”

Here’s a nifty collection of mid-to-late Seventies commercials. From 1978, we have a Burger Chef Star Wars Fun Meals spot and one featuring an animated Kitty Litter mascot (possibly voiced by Pat Harrington). From ’77, there’s spots for Fritos Corn Chips and the Weber BBQ.

I didn’t have access to the Burger Chef chain growing up on the West Coast. Looks like I missed out on some quality Star Wars merch there. I know someone out there still has their Fun Meal toys after all these years. Nice one, kid!

BURGER CHEF ‘STAR WARS FUN MEALS’ COMMERCIAL (1978)

_{Burger Chef commercial featuring ‘Star Wars’ Fun Meals. Spot aired September 1978.}

KITTY LITTER ANIMATED COMMERCIAL (1978)

_{Animated Kitty Litter cat box filler commercial featuring a cat mascot. The voice actor may be Pat Harrington. Spot aired September 1978.}

FRITOS CORN CHIPS COMMERCIAL (1977)

_{Frito-Lay Fritos Corn Chips commercial featuring a family at the beach. Spot aired in 1977 (produced in ’76).}

WEBER BBQ KETTLE COMMERCIAL (1977)

_{Weber BBQ Kettle commercial featuring a reading of a will. Spot aired April 1977.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Chevy ‘Better Way’ Song, RCA TVs, 4-Way Nasal Spray, Bell Potato Chips (1973-76)

More Burger Chef: 70s Spots: Burger Chef (James Cromwell, 1977)

More Fritos: 70s Spots: Fritos Corn Chips & C&H Sugar (1976)

70s Commercials: Chevy ‘Better Way’ Song, RCA TVs, 4-Way Nasal Spray, Bell Potato Chips (1973-76)

Posted on April 14, 2024 by David Moore

“Building a better way to see the USA.”

More Seventies memories today with a quartet of commercials featuring Chevrolet’s ’74 models, RCA televisions (with Ian Wolfe and William Christopher), an animated 4-Way Nasal Spray spot, and Bell Potato Chips (with Bob Minor).

Bell was a California-based product. I remember those distinct gold bags from growing up in the decade, but your mileage may vary. Roll ’em!

’74 CHEVROLET ‘BETTER WAY’ SONG COMMERCIAL (1973)

_{Chevrolet car commercial featuring an uplifting song and various models for 1974. Narration by Alexander Scourby. Spot aired October 1973.}

RCA TVS ’50TH ANNIVERSARY’ COMMERCIAL (1974)

_{RCA XL-100 televisions commercial featuring a couple’s 50th anniversary gathering. Actors include Ian Wolfe (as the husband) and William Christopher (‘M*A*S*H’) as a party guest. Narrator sounds like Len Gochman. Spot aired January 1974 (likely produced in ’73).}

4-WAY NASAL SPRAY ANIMATED COMMERCIAL (1975)

_{Animated 4-Way Nasal Spray commercial featuring ‘An interview with a nose.’ Spot aired November 1975.}

BELL POTATO CHIPS COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{Bell Natural Style Potato Chips & Dip Chips commercial featuring ringing bells and an old fashioned fair grounds. Bob Minor plays the strong man. Spot aired December 1976.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Vicks Nyquil, Miss Clairol, Mrs. Paul’s, Dubonnet (1970-72)

More Chevrolet: Rad Ads: Chevrolet ‘Camper’s Pickup’ (1970)

More RCA: Daily 70s Spot #405: RCA Solid State TV (1972)

More 4-Way: 70s Commercials: Weebles Haunted House, Kool-Aid, Buick Electra, 4-Way Nasal Spray (1976-77)

70s Commercials: Vicks Nyquil, Miss Clairol, Mrs. Paul’s, Dubonnet (1970-72)

Posted on April 7, 2024 by David Moore

“You got a cold tonight? Put Nyquil to work.”

Back to the Seventies now with a pair of commercials from 1970 and two from ’72. Hit the clickers to view spots for Vicks Nyquil (with Louise Lasser and Bill Fiore), Miss Clairol, Mrs. Paul’s Fish Sticks, and Dubonnet (with Janice Pennington).

VICKS NYQUIL COMMERCIAL (LOUISE LASSER, 1970)

_{Vicks Nyquil Nighttime Colds Medicine commercial featuring actors Louise Lasser and Bill Fiore. Narrator is likely Lloyd Nolan. Spot aired in 1970.}

MISS CLAIROL ‘DOES SHE…OR DOESN’T SHE?’ COMMERCIAL (1970)

_{Miss Clairol hair color commercial featuring a famous tagline and groovy song. Spot aired May 1970.}

MRS. PAUL’S FISH STICKS & FILLETS COMMERCIAL (1972)

_{Mrs. Paul’s commercial for Fish Sticks and Fish Fillets. Narrator may be Len Gochman. Spot aired October 1972.}

DUBONNET ‘SOMETHING UNEXPECTED’ COMMERCIAL (1972)

_{Dubonnet red wine aperitif commercial featuring a ‘little old lady’ theme. The actor in white appears to be Janice Pennington. Spot aired May 1972.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: ‘Battlestar Galactica’ Premiere, Glad Bags, Mercury Zephyr Wagons, Efferdent (1977-78)

More Vicks Nyquil: 70s Commercials: Dream Whip, NyQuil, Ken-L-Ration, Coffee Rich (1973-74)

More Clairol: 70s Spots: Clairol ‘Hair So New’ (Animated, 1972)

More Mrs. Paul’s: 70s Spots: Mrs. Paul’s Fish Sticks (1976) & Benihana Restaurant (1979)

More Dunbonnet: 70s Spots: Farrah Fawcett & Tom Selleck For Dubonnet & More (1972)

Eighties Week: Freedent Gum, Tropicana OJ, Kibbles ‘N Bits, CBS Evening TV Commercials (1981)

Posted on March 31, 2024 by David Moore

“The pleasure sticks, the gum won’t.”

Alrighty, let’s finish up this edition of Eighties Week with a quartet of commercials from 1981. You’ll enjoy spots for Freedent Gum, Tropicana Orange Juice, Kibbles ‘n Bits dog food, and lastly, a CBS promo for The Incredible Hulk, The Dukes of Hazzard, and Dallas.

WRIGLEY’S FREEDENT GUM COMMERCIAL (1981)

_{Wrigley’s Freedent chewing gum commercial featuring a woman at an art gallery. Spot aired January 1981 (likely produced in 1980).}

TROPICANA ORANGE JUICE COMMERCIAL (1981)

_{Tropicana Orange Juice commercial featuring actor Stephen Furst (‘Animal House’). Spot aired January 1981 (likely produced in 1980). Narration by John Bartholomew Tucker.}

KIBBLES ‘N BITS DOG FOOD COMMERCIAL (1981)

_{Ken-L-Ration Kibbles ‘n Bits dog food commercial featuring a well-known slogan. Spot aired October 1981.}

‘HULK’/’DUKES’/’DALLAS’ PROMO (1981)

_{CBS evening line-up promo featuring ‘The Incredible Hulk,’ ‘The Dukes of Hazzard,’ and ‘Dallas’ TV series. Spot aired October 1981.}

Previously on Eighties Week: Betty Crocker, Orbit Gum, Orville Redenbacher, Parkay Commercials (1980-81)

More Freedent: 70s Commercials: Triumph Spitfire, Freedent Gum, Nice ‘N Easy, Hardee’s (1977-78)

More Tropicana: 70s Commercials: Tropicana, RCA TVs, Campbell’s Soup, Vicks Cough Drops (1972-73)

More CBS TV: Daily 70s Spot #510: ‘Challenge Of The Sexes’ CBS Promo (1977)

Eighties Week: Betty Crocker, Orbit Gum, Orville Redenbacher, Parkay Commercials (1980-81)

Posted on March 24, 2024 by David Moore

“Bake someone happy!”

Happy what’s left of the weekend! Eighties Week has rolled around again and we’re dipping into 1980 and ’81. The commercials found below feature Betty Crocker and the “Bake Someone Happy” theme, Orbit Sugar Free Gum, good ol’ Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popping Corn, and Parkay Margarine (with Parley Baer). Everything is edible. You can even eat the dishes.*

_{*Don’t eat the dishes.}

BETTY CROCKER ‘BAKE SOMEONE HAPPY’ COMMERCIAL (1980)

_{Betty Crocker SuperMoist Cake Mix and Creamy Deluxe Frosting commercial featuring the ‘Bake Someone Happy’ song. Spot aired September 1980.}

ORBIT SUGAR FREE GUM COMMERCIAL (1980)

_{Orbit Sugar Free Chewing Gum commercial featuring a ‘sweet things’ theme. Spot aired September 1980.}

ORVILLE REDENBACHER’S GOURMET POPPING CORN COMMERCIAL (1981)

_{Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popping Corn commercial featuring Mr. Redenbacher and a ‘budget-minded’ family. Spot aired January 1981 (likely produced in ’80).}

PARKAY MARGARINE ‘BUTTER!’ COMMERCIAL (1981)

_{Parkay Margarine commercial featuring the famous talking tub (VO by Michael Bell). The onscreen actor is Parley Baer. Spot aired January 1981 (produced in 1979).}

Previously on Eighties Week: Chef Boyardee, Kal Kan, Kraft Mac & Cheese, CBS Promos (1980-81)

More Betty Crocker: 70s Commercials: Doritos With Avery Schreiber, Betty Crocker, Pepsi Light, Kraft (1978-79)

More Orville Redenbacher: 70s Commercials: Frosting Supreme, Campbell’s Chunky Soup, ‘Miss USA,’ Orville Redenbacher (1979)

More Parkay: Sunday 70s Spots: Kraft Parkay Margarine & Spaghetti Meals (1974)

70s Commercials: ‘Battlestar Galactica’ Premiere, Glad Bags, Mercury Zephyr Wagons, Efferdent (1977-78)

Posted on March 17, 2024 by David Moore

“The greatest space adventure ever filmed!”

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! We’re plopping down on the living room sofa and tuning into 1977 and ’78 for this installment of classic commercials. First up, an ABC promo for the premiere of Battlestar Galactica. Following that, you’ll find spots for Glad 2-Ply Trash Bags, the Mercury Zephyr Wagon, and Efferdent.

I was 12-years-old when Battlestar Galactica premiered and I eagerly watched and enjoyed. It was the closest thing we had to Star Wars on TV and I got hooked in. Anyone remember talking into spinning fan-blades to imitate the sound of a Cylon warrior? “By your command!”

‘BATTLESTAR GALACTICA’ SERIES PREMIERE PROMO (1978)

_{ABC promo for the TV movie ‘Lassie – The New Beginning’ and the three-hour debut of the original ‘Battlestar Galactica’ series. Narration by Ernie Anderson. Spot aired September 1978.}

GLAD 2-PLY TRASH BAGS COMMERCIAL (1978)

_{Glad 2-Ply Trash Bags commercial featuring a jingle based on the song ‘Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit-Bag.’ The actor with the glasses is David Landsberg. Narration by Michael Bell. Spot aired September 1978.}

’78 MERCURY ZEPHYR WAGONS COMMERCIAL (1977)