Why Don't We Start the 'Classic Ads You Love' Thread.

[guihong]

Both of these are probably too un-PC for today:

1. "Ancient Chinese Secret" ad for Calgon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJP5f-fsHrs

2. The Soviet fashion show from Wendy's: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CaMUfxVJVQ

[Thipu1]

The Soviet fashion show would probably still be okay.  We remember it well.  Every time we use the big flashlight one of us will still say, 'Eeevening vare'.

[Cutenoob]

The song part of this one has stuck in my head FOR YEARS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feoZZdKyCQM

[siamesecat2965]

I remember these too; Northwest Orient AIR...lines

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPuR92W-III

[wonderfullyanonymous]

It's not that old, but I like this one...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvAfBJNQ_NY

[Thipu1]

In the 1980s there was a series of radio ads for a money management firm that we loved.  They were done by Peter Ustinov.

for those who don't know him, Mr. Ustinov was a character actor with a perfect command of accents.
In these ads he was literally talking to himself and changing accents as he went along.

Our favorite was one that involved Sir Rodney.  Sir Rodney was an upper-class twit with lots of money, no brains and a very plummy manner of speech.  He was at a dog show and was being introduced to a dog with very long, thick coat.       

'Make friends with him, Sir Rodney.  Offer him a biscuit'.

'I'm trying to do that but it seems he doesn't want to take it'.

'Try the other end, Sir Rodney'. 

That has become a catch-phrase in our household. When someone does something like pushing a door when the door needs to be pulled, 'Try the other end, Sir Rodney' is our locution of choice.   

[alegria]

I like the Folgers coffee Christmas commercial -- it's been running since 1985.
Young guy comes home for Christmas, everyone is still asleep when he gets dropped off at the door so he sneaks inside and makes coffee. The mom wakes up and knows instantly that he's home because she smells the coffee.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4kNl7cQdcU

Oh, is that the one with the teenage girl saying "SISTER" in a strained voice?  The commercial would be much better without her, I just want to smack her.   

[Venus193]

Alka Seltzer's (in)famous "Spicy Meatball"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvso-HGJqs4

While you're there don't forget to check "I Can't Believe I Ate the Whole Thing"

[Thipu1]

Alka Seltzer's (in)famous "Spicy Meatball"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvso-HGJqs4

While you're there don't forget to check "I Can't Believe I Ate the Whole Thing"

Oh yes, those were wonderful!  How about the Bride's heart-shaped meat loaf?
It wouldn't be acceptable today, but it was great fun at the time.

[Venus193]

Was that the one with the poached oysters?

[cabbagegirl28]

I don't have a video for it, and I wasn't around then, but my dad told me about a commercial/PSA that had a jingle singing:

"If you don't leave that liquor alone, you'll be talking to Ralph on the big white phone."

I thought it was the funniest thing ever when I was little, because my paternal grandpa's name was Ralph.

[Hollanda]

I adore the new O2 advert (UK). It uses a song called "Little Boxes on a Hillside", and it is a gorgeous tune. I love, love, love it. Here's the link!

http://www.youtube.com/user/o2ukofficial?v=HbbmfB6NZxI