Bionic Disco

Eighties Week: Pizza Magic, Wheat Thins, Windex, ‘People’ Magazine Commercials (1980-81)

Posted on December 31, 2023 by David Moore

“Spread on any bread – makes pizza fast.”

Here’s wishing you all a very Happy New Year! We’ll cap off 2023 with our first ever Eighties Week.

Presenting four commercials from early in the decade. From 1980, it’s People magazine’s Year-End Special Issue and Windex (with spokespersons Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara). From 1981, you’ll find spots for Wheat Thins (with spokes Sandy Duncan), and Pizza Magic. For maximum enjoyment, dance in a new wave style while watching.

PIZZA MAGIC COMMERCIAL (1981)

_{Pizza Magic Pizzeria Style Sauce commercial. Narration by Peter Thomas. Spot aired January 1981 (likely produced in 1980).}

WHEAT THINS COMMERCIAL (SANDY DUNCAN, 1981)

_{Nabisco Wheat Thins commercial featuring actor-spokesperson Sandy Duncan. Spot aired January 1981 (likely produced in 1980).}

WINDEX COMMERCIAL (STILLER & MEARA, 1980)

_{Windex commercial featuring the husband-and-wife comedy duo of Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. Spot aired September 1980.}

‘PEOPLE’ MAGAZINE’S ‘YEAR END SPECIAL’ COMMERCIAL (1980)

_{‘People’ magazine commercial featuring the Year-End Double Issue. Features include; ‘The 25 Most Intriguing People Of 1980,’ with Ronald Reagan, Goldie Hawn, Robert Redford, and many more. Spot aired in late 1980.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: 70s Holiday Commercials: Hickory Farms, Butterball, Super Shooter, Kraft Christmas (1973-79)

More Wheat Thins with Sandy Duncan: 70s Spots: Triscuits (Betty Buckley) & Wheat Thins (Sandy Duncan) (1977)

More Stiller & Meara: 70s Commercials: Avon, Gravy Train, Whirlpool, ‘Time Express’ (Vincent Price, 1979)

More People: People Magazine Jan 30, 1978: Lenny & Squiggy

70s Holiday Commercials: Hickory Farms, Butterball, Super Shooter, Kraft Christmas (1973-79)

Posted on December 25, 2023 by David Moore

“This Christmas, make ’em smile!”

Merry Seventies Christmas! I hope your celebrations have been warm and enjoyable. Let’s finish off the vintage holiday commercials for this year with spots for Kraft, Hickory Farms, Butterball (with James Harder, Mary Jo Catlett, and Nancy Dussault), and the Wear-Ever Super Shooter.

I’ve got something slightly different planned for the next installment – so, do stay tuned.

KRAFT CHEEZ WHIZ & CRACKER BARREL CHRISTMAS COMMERCIAL (1973)

_{Classic Kraft Christmas holidays commercial featuring party hors d’oeuvres made with Cheez Whiz, Philadelphia Whipped Cream Cheese, and Cracker Barrel Sharp Cheddar. Narration by Ed Herlihy. Spot aired December 1973.}

HICKORY FARMS CHRISTMAS COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{Hickory Farms of Ohio holiday season commercial featuring ‘food gift paks.’ Spot aired December 1976.}

BUTTERBALL TURKEY CHRISTMAS COMMERCIAL (1979)

_{Butterball Turkey Christmas commercial starring James Harder, Mary Jo Catlett, and Nancy Dussault. Narration by Ken Nordine. Spot aired December 1979 (likely produced in ’78).}

WEAR-EVER SUPER SHOOTER CHRISTMAS COMMERCIAL (1979)

_{The Wear-Ever Super Shooter electric cookie, candy, and canapé maker commercial featuring a Christmas theme. Spot aired December 1979.}

Previously on 70s Holiday Commercials: Pillsbury Sugar Cookies, Alpha Beta & Angels Xmas Trees, ‘Jack Frost’ Special (1976-79)

More Kraft Christmas: 70s Commercials: Old Spice, McDonald’s Gift Certificates, Kraft Holiday Meals, Dutch Masters (Xmas, 1972-79)

More Mary Jo Catlett: 70s Spots (Holidays): United Airlines ‘Hawaiian Xmas’ (1970)

More James Harder: Daily 70s Spot: Wang Computers ‘Giant Killers’ (1978)

More Nancy Dussault: 70s Spots: Coast Soap, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Miller Beer, Polaroid (1979)

70s Holiday Commercials: Pillsbury Sugar Cookies, Alpha Beta & Angels Xmas Trees, ‘Jack Frost’ Special (1976-79)

Posted on December 24, 2023 by David Moore

“Just slice, shape, and bake.”

A very fine Christmas Eve, and hearty holiday greetings to all Bionic Friends! Let’s take in a batch of freshly-baked December commercials from 1976 and ’79. You’ll find vintage spots for Pillsbury Sugar Cookies, Alpha Beta Christmas trees (with Alan Hamel), Angels Christmas trees, and a promo for Christmas specials starring Jack Frost, Bob Hope, and Dean Martin. Enjoy the night!

PILLSBURY SUGAR COOKIES CHRISTMAS COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{Pillsbury Sugar Cookies commercial featuring the Doughboy mascot (Paul Frees) and a ‘free Holiday Crafts Booklet.’ The ‘mother’ may be actor Nada Rowand. Spot aired December 1976.}

ALPHA BETA CHRISTMAS TREES COMMERCIAL (ALAN HAMEL, 1976)

_{Southern California Alpha Beta markets Christmas trees commercial featuring actor-spokesperson Alan Hamel. Spot aired December 1976.}

ANGELS ‘MR. CHRISTMAS’ QUICK-SHAPE TREES COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{Southern California Angels stores commercial featuring Mr. Christmas ‘Quick-Shape’ artificial Christmas trees. The actor in the helmet is Charles C. Welch (the Pepperidge Farm delivery man.) Spot aired December 1976.}

‘JACK FROST’/’BOB HOPE’/’DEAN MARTIN’ CHRISTMAS SPECIALS PROMO (1979)

_{NBC promo featuring; ‘Jack Frost,’ ‘Bob Hope Christmas Special,’ and ‘Dean Martin’s Christmas In California.’ Narration by Casey Kasem. Spot aired December 1979.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Noxzema (Cheryl Tiegs), Betty Crocker Frosting, Cool Whip, Zest (1975-76)

More Pillsbury: 70s Commercials (Holidays): ‘Christmas Fun’ With Kraft, Coca-Cola, Pillsbury, Oil Of Olay (1971-79)

More NBC promos: Daily 70s Spot: ‘Chuck Barris Rah Rah Show’ NBC Promo (1978)

70s Commercials: Noxzema (Cheryl Tiegs), Betty Crocker Frosting, Cool Whip, Zest (1975-76)

Posted on December 17, 2023 by David Moore

Hello, Bionic Friends. Apologies for the lack of updates these past three weeks. After successfully avoiding the dreaded Covid for nearly four years – I caught the dang thing and have been out of service for the past couple of weeks. I’m slowly normalizing (and thankfully had all my shots & boosters, etc. beforehand) and hope to get the site back on track within the next few days. Thanks for sticking in there and checking in.

With that out of the way, here’s a new batch of vintage commercials. These feature supermodel Cheryl Tiegs for Noxzema, as well as freshly unearthed spots for Betty Crocker Frosting, Cool Whip, and Zest. I hope you enjoy.

NOXZEMA COMMERCIAL (CHERYL TIEGS, 1975)

_{Noxzema skin cream commercial featuring supermodel Cheryl Tiegs. Spot aired July 1975.}

BETTY CROCKER FROSTING JINGLE COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{Betty Crocker ready-to-spread Frosting commercial featuring a birthday gathering for Grandma. Spot aired December 1976.}

COOL WHIP ‘NEW IMPROVED’ COMMERCIAL (MID-1970S)

_{Birds Eye Cool Whip commercial featuring a new improved topping. Narration by Ralph Bell. Spot aired in the mid-1970s.}

ZEST ‘ROUGHING IT’ COMMERCIAL (MID-1970S)

_{Deodorant Zest commercial featuring a couple ‘roughing it’ in a forest cabin. The male actor is John Beck. Spot aired in the mid-1970s.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: (Thanksgiving): Kraft Cream Cheese Treats, Armour Turkey, Hormel Ham, Reynolds Wrap (1971-78)

More Noxzema: 70s Spots: Noxzema ‘Cream Your Face’ (1972)

More Cheryl Tiegs: 70s Spots: Clairol (Cheryl Tiegs) & Eveready (Robert Conrad) (1978)

More Betty Crocker: Daily 70s Spot: Betty Crocker Snackin’ Cake (1974)

More Cool Whip: 70s Spots: Hawaiian Punch, Cool Whip (1975) & Chevy Citation, Malibu (1979)

More Zest: 70s Commercials: Quaker Oatmeal, Talkabout Toy, Cracker Barrel, Zest (1970-71)

70s Commercials (Thanksgiving): Kraft Cream Cheese Treats, Armour Turkey, Hormel Ham, Reynolds Wrap (1971-78)

Posted on November 22, 2023 by David Moore

“A few ideas for the holiday season ahead.”

A very good Thanksgiving holiday to you all. I hope your day will be relaxing and filled with good cheer. Let’s celebrate the season with some fall-based vintage commercials spanning a wide range of the Seventies.

First up, a classic Kraft spot featuring treats made with Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Cracker Barrel Cheddar, and Parkay. Following that, spots for Armour Golden Star Turkey (with Mark Slade), Hormel Cure 81 Ham, and Reynolds Wrap. Enjoy!

KRAFT HOLIDAYS: CREAM CHEESE TREATS COMMERCIAL (THANKSGIVING, 1971)

_{Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese & Cracker Barrel ‘Holiday Season’ commercial featuring a party cheeseball, praline cheesecake, and chocolate Philly fudge. Narration by Ed Herlihy. Spot aired November 1971.}

ARMOUR GOLDEN STAR TURKEY COMMERCIAL (THANKSGIVING, 1973)

_{Armour Golden Star Turkey commercial featuring the ol’ dandelion butter test. Actor Mark Slade plays the father. Spot aired November 1973.}

HORMEL CURE 81 HAM COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{Hormel Cure 81 Boneless Ham commercial featuring a dependability theme. Spot aired March 1976.}

REYNOLDS WRAP ‘THANKSGIVING AT GRANDMA’S’ COMMERCIAL (1978)

_{Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil commercial featuring a visit to grandma’s house for Thanksgiving. Spot aired November 1978.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: ‘Funshine Saturday,’ Green Giant, Philco TVs, Vanquish (1970-74)

More Kraft Holidays: 70s Commercials: Kraft Holiday Meals, Lipton Cup-A-Soup, Armour Ham (1971-72)

More Armour: 70s Commercials: Armour Bacon, Neo-Synephrine, Nytol, Vanish (1974-75)

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

More Reynolds Wrap: 70s Commercials (Thanksgiving): Reynolds Wrap, Armour Turkey, Carvel Ice Cream Cakes, Kenmore Microwave (1972, 1978)

70s Commercials: ‘Funshine Saturday,’ Green Giant, Philco TVs, Vanquish (1970-74)

Posted on November 14, 2023 by David Moore

“We take our kids seriously.”

Alrighty, it’s time to get all the way back to the Seventies. Here’s a selection of vintage commercials from approximately 1970 to 1974. We start off with a nifty ABC promo for their “Funshine Saturday” TV line-up. This one brings back fond memories of age seven or so. You may find some warm fuzzies therein yourself.

Following that, soak up spots for Green Giant Corn Niblets, Philco Ford TV sets (with James Harder), and Vanquish pain formula.

‘FUNSHINE SATURDAY’ MORNING PROMO (ABC, 1974)

_{ABC ‘Funshine Saturday’ promo featuring the cartoons; ‘Hong Kong Phooey,’ ‘The New Adventures Of Gilligan,’ ‘Devlin,’ and ‘These Are The Days.’ Also shown; ‘Korg, 70,000 B.C.,’ the ‘After School Special’ ‘Rookie Of The Year’ starring Jodie Foster, Marlo Thomas’ ‘Free To Be…You And Me,’ and David Hartman’s ‘Birth And Babies.’ Narrator sounds like Harold Gould. Spot aired in 1974.}

GREEN GIANT ANIMATED CORN COMMERCIAL (EARLY 1970S)

_{Animated Green Giant Niblet Corn with Butter Sauce commercial featuring Fred’s Fix-It Shop. Narration by William Schallert. Fred possibly voiced by Paul Frees. Spot aired in the early 1970s (best guess 1970-71).}

PHILCO TV SETS COMMERCIAL (JAMES HARDER, EARLY 1970S)