Bionic Disco

70s Commercials: 9-Lives’ Morris, Amex, Radio Shack Stereo, Spray’n Wash (1979)

Posted on August 2, 2026 by David Moore

“9-Lives, you’ve got my motor running.”

Hello there and happy August! We’re overdue for a post so, let’s get right into 1979. First up, another commercial for 9-Lives cat food starring Morris the Cat (John Erwin & Corinne Orr voice overs).

Following that tasty morsel, soak up spots for American Express (with Fran Tarkenton), Radio Shack stereos, and Spray’n Wash. I hope they bring you merry mellow memories.

9-LIVES PRESENTS: ‘MORRIS & THE MOUSE’ COMMERCIAL (1979)

_{9-Lives cat food commercial featuring famed mascot Morris the Cat and a wind-up mouse. Morris VO by John Erwin. Owner VO by Corinne Orr. Spot aired December 1979.}

AMERICAN EXPRESS ‘RUGBY’ COMMERCIAL (FRAN TARKENTON, 1979)

_{American Express (Amex) commercial featuring football player-TV host, Fran Tarkenton playing English Rugby. Spot aired October 1979.}

RADIO SHACK STEREO SYSTEM COMMERCIAL (1979)

_{Radio Shack commercial featuring a Realistic brand stereo system. Spot aired September 1979.}

SPRAY’N WASH ‘NEW DRESS’ COMMERCIAL (1979)

_{Spray’n Wash commercial featuring a messy anniversary dinner. Spot aired September 1979.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Ball Park Franks, Polavision Movies, Life Savers, Reader’s Digest Sweepstakes (1977-78)

More 9-Lives & Morris: 70s Spots: 9-Lives & Bran Chex (1977)

More American Express: 70s Spots: Canon Camera (Peggy Fleming) & American Express (Steve Cauthen, 1979)

More Radio Shack: 70s Spots: Radio Shack Tape Recorder & TRS-80 Computer (1978)

More Spray’n Wash: Daily 70s Spot: Betty White for Spray ‘n Wash (1976)

70s Commercials: Ball Park Franks, Polavision Movies, Life Savers, Reader’s Digest Sweepstakes (1977-78)

Posted on July 11, 2026 by David Moore

“They plump when you cook ’em!”

It’s high time we had a fresh post here! Step right up for a quartet of late Seventies commercials. Our star is Ball Park Franks and their famed “Plump” campaign.

Following that not-naughty-at-all commercial enjoy spots for Polaroid Polavision Instant Movies, Life Savers candy, and Reader’s Digest 450k Sweepstakes. You gotta be in it to win it!

BALL PARK FRANKS ‘PLUMP WHEN YOU COOK ‘EM!’ COMMERCIAL (1978)

_{Ball Park Franks hot dogs commercial featuring expanding frankfurters and a jaunty jingle. Spot aired June 1978.}

POLAROID POLAVISION INSTANT MOVIES COMMERCIAL (1978)

_{Polaroid Polavision instant movies commercial featuring a movie camera and player. Spot aired October 1978.}

CLASSIC LIFE SAVERS CANDY COMMERCIAL (1977)

_{Classic Life Savers Wild Cherry roll candy commercial featuring little sister, Karen and her brother. Spot aired May 1977.}

READER’S DIGEST ‘$450K SWEEPSTAKES’ COMMERCIAL (1977)

_{‘Reader’s Digest’ magazine $450,000 Sweepstakes commercial. Spot aired early January 1977 (likely produced in ’76).}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Suave Shampoo, ‘Datsun Saves,’ BASF Cassettes, Friskies Dog Food (1976)

More Polaroid: Daily 70s Spot: Polaroid ‘Polavision Instant Movies’ (1978)

More Life Savers: 70s Spots: Life Savers Gum & Kool-Aid (1974)

70s Commercials: Suave Shampoo, ‘Datsun Saves,’ BASF Cassettes, Friskies Dog Food (1976)

Posted on June 28, 2026 by David Moore

“Suave does what theirs does for less than half the price.”

Hey, hey, hey! What do you say? It’s time for some vintage commercials today. First up, Suave shampoo in multiple, sweet-smelling varieties.

After that, spots for the Datsun 710 “Economy Car,” BASF cassette tapes, and Friskies Dinners dog food. That’s right, “dog food,” not “cat food.” I hope you find them all to your liking, Bionic Faithful.

SUAVE STRAWBERRY SHAMPOO COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{Helene Curtis Suave Shampoo commercial featuring Strawberry, Honeysuckle, Hyacinth, and Jasmine varieties. Narration by Jackson Beck. Spot aired June 1976.}

‘DATSUN SAVES’ 710 CAR COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{Datsun 710 car commercial featuring a family in a showroom. Narration by Casey Kasem. Spot aired April 1976.}

BASF CASSETTE TAPE COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{BASF Studio & Performance Series cassette recording tape commercial featuring a couple hallucinating. Spot aired May 1976.}

FRISKIES DINNERS DOG FOOD COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{Carnation Friskies Dinners Dog Food commercial featuring a hungry German Shepherd. Spot aired in 1976.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Gulden’s Mustard, Premium Saltines, Mr. Mushroom, Kawasaki Motorcycles (1975)

More Datsun: 70s Spots: Datsun ‘Saves’ & ‘We Are Driven’ (1979)

More Friskies: Daily 70s Ad: Friskies ‘Kissing Pets’ (1971)

70s Commercials: Gulden’s Mustard, Premium Saltines, Mr. Mushroom, Kawasaki Motorcycles (1975)

Posted on June 21, 2026 by David Moore

“Heartier than yellow but not hotter.”

Here’s a fun ‘n’ dandy batch of commercials from 1975 – right smack-dab in the middle of the Seventies.

Our star is Gulden’s Spicy Brown Mustard…and Linda Blair. Co-stars include Nabisco Premium Saltine Crackers, Pat Boone, Mr. Mushroom, and Kawasaki. Switch ’em on and enjoy the view.

GULDEN’S MUSTARD COMMERCIAL (1975)

_{Gulden’s Spicy Brown Mustard commercial featuring a family eating ham sandwiches. The daughter appears to be a young Linda Blair. Spot aired February 1975 (likely produced in ’74 or earlier).}

NABISCO PREMIUM SALTINE CRACKERS COMMERCIAL (PAT BOONE, 1975)

_{Nabisco Premium Saltine Crackers commercial featuring singer Pat Boone and daughters. Spot aired September 1975.}

MR. MUSHROOM COMMERCIAL (1975)

_{Mr. Mushroom bottled sliced mushrooms commercial featuring a country store. Spot aired March 1975.}

KAWASAKI ‘GUESS THE PRICE’ MOTORCYCLE COMMERCIAL (1975)

_{Kawasaki KZ-400 Special motorcycle commercial featuring people on the street guessing the retail price. Spot aired May 1975.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Prell Shampoo, McDonald’s, Alpha-Bits, Rod Serling For Mazda (1974)

More Nabisco: 70s Spots: Nabisco Lil’ Loaf & Lay’s Potato Chips (1974)

More Pat Boone: A Johnny Carson Moment: Surprise Dance With Ginger Rogers (1976)

More Kawasaki: Daily 70s Spot #387: Kawasaki Motorcycle (1975)

70s Commercials: Prell Shampoo, McDonald’s, Alpha-Bits, Rod Serling For Mazda (1974)

Posted on June 14, 2026 by David Moore

“Richer, Creamier Lather.”

Hello there. For today’s batch of vintage commercials we’ve executed a soft-landing in 1974. First up, Prell Concentrate Shampoo with a hidden-camera interview. Well, they call it “Hidden Camera,” but our shiny-haired subject sure seems to know she’s on display.

Following that, spots for McDonald’s, Post Alpha-Bits cereal, and Rod Serling of Twilight Zone fame for Mazda. Consider them, if you will…in the Bionic Zone!

PRELL CONCENTRATE SHAMPOO ‘HIDDEN CAMERA’ COMMERCIAL (1974)

_{Prell Concentrate Shampoo commercial featuring Mrs. Julie Forman and a hidden camera comparison test. Spot aired October 1974.}

MCDONALD’S ‘YOU DESERVE A BREAK’ COMMERCIAL (1974)

_{McDonald’s restaurant commercial featuring the Quarter Pounder and a country-themed ‘You Deserve A Break Today’ jingle. Spot aired April 1974.}

ALPHA-BITS CEREAL ANIMATED COMMERCIAL (EARLY 1970S)

_{Animated Post Alpha-Bits cereal commercial featuring a bat, an alligator, and a Martian. Spot aired in the early-to-mid 1970s (best guess 1973-75).}

MAZDA COMMERCIAL (ROD SERLING, 1974)

_{Mazda car commercial featuring screenwriter-TV presenter Rod Serling (‘The Twilight Zone’) and a rotary engine warranty. Spot aired April 1974.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Cascade, Product 19, Miller High Life, G.I. Joe (1973)

More Prell: 70s Spots: Prell, Charmin, Hormel & Sony

More McDonald’s: 70s Commercials: Wink Soda, McDonald’s (‘Shaft’), G.I. Joe HQ, Schick (Mark Spitz) (1970-73)

More Alpha-Bits: 70s Spots: Post Alpha-Bits Cereal (1975 & ’78)

More Mazda: 70s Commercials: Eureka Vacuum, Mazda Wagon, ‘Three Musketeers’ & More (1974-75)

More Rod Serling: 70s Spots: ’71 Ford LTD (Rod Serling, 1970)

70s Commercials: Cascade, Product 19, Miller High Life, G.I. Joe (1973)

Posted on June 7, 2026 by David Moore

“Leaves dishes virtually spotless.”

How’s everything with you on this fine Sunday afternoon? Are you ready for a new batch of nostalgic advertisements? I certainly hope so because four commercials from 1973 are incoming.

Firstly, it’s a spotless spot for Cascade dishwasher detergent. Following that, spots for Kellogg’s Product 19 cereal (with football player Tom Harmon), Miller High Life beer, and the G.I Joe Training Center Adventure set. Enjoy profusely!

CASCADE DISHWASHER DETERGENT COMMERCIAL (1973)

_{Cascade automatic dishwasher detergent commercial featuring Mrs. Lovelle Huxley of Sunnyvale, California and a surprise baby shower. Spot aired Fall 1973.}

KELLOGG’S PRODUCT 19 CEREAL COMMERCIAL (1973)