70s Commercials: Safeguard Soap, Betty Crocker Snackin’ Cake, Gillette Dry Look, Timex (1970-73)

“Twice the lather.”

How’s everything, Bionic buddies? Are you ready for some vintage commercials from the Seventies? Can I get a “Heck, ya!”? Alrighty, we’ll start off with a spot from 1973 for Safeguard soap.

Following on, you’ll find commercials for Betty Crocker Snackin’ Cake (with Hal England, Molly Dodd, and Lynnette Mettey), Gillette’s The Dry Look, and Timex Fashion Watches. This last one may just blow your mind. Groovy!

SAFEGUARD SOAP COMMERCIAL (1973)

Safeguard Soap commercial featuring the Beige variety and deodorant antibacterial lather. Spot aired Fall 1973.

BETTY CROCKER SNACKIN’ CAKE COMMERCIAL (1972)

Betty Crocker Snackin’ Cake Mix commercial featuring a family gathering. Actors appear to include Hal England, Molly Dodd, and Lynnette Mettey. Spot aired September 1972.

GILLETTE ‘WET HEAD IS DEAD!’ COMMERCIAL (1971)

Gillette The Dry Look hairspray commercial featuring styled hair, a gravestone, and a jingle. Narrator sounds like Len Gochman. Spot aired July 1971.

TIMEX FASHION WATCHES ‘GROOVY MANNEQUINS’ COMMERCIAL (1970)

Timex Fashion Watches commercial featuring dancing hippie mannequins. Narration by Bob Landers. Spot aired November 1970.

Previously on 70s Commercials: Folger’s Crystals, Banquet Fried Chicken, Carnation Breakfast Bar, ‘Billy’ (1979)

More Safeguard: Daily 70s Spot #472, 473: Safeguard & Sure (1976)

More Betty Crocker: 70s Commercials: Betty Crocker Potatoes, Clairol Hair-Painting, Scout Truck, ‘Grizzly Adams’ (1975)

More Gillette: Saturday 70s Spots: Gillette’s ‘Dry Look’ (1972 & ’75)

More Timex: 70s Commercials: Burger King, Charms Pop, Chevy Nova, Timex (1970-71)

70s Commercials: Folger’s Crystals, Banquet Fried Chicken, Carnation Breakfast Bar, ‘Billy’ (1979)

“Tastes as rich as it looks.”

After a successful re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, we’ve safely-landed the Wayback Machine in the waters of 1979.

The late-Seventies commercials on display feature Folger’s Crystals instant coffee, Banquet Fried Chicken, Carnation Breakfast Bar, and CBS’ Billy TV series (starring Steve Guttenberg). Billy only graced television screens for seven weeks. Was that long enough for it to reside in your memories? I vaguely remember it being a thing, but I don’t believe I ever saw an episode. Take a gander below.

FOLGER’S CRYSTALS INSTANT COFFEE COMMERCIAL (1979)

Folger’s Crystals Instant Coffee commercial featuring a 3-spoon test with Wyna Brown. Narrator may be Alan Kalter. Spot aired December 1979.

BANQUET FRIED CHICKEN ‘TASTE TEST’ COMMERCIAL (1979)

Banquet Frozen Fried Chicken commercial featuring Mrs. Mary Knoerr and a taste test comparison to Kentucky Fried Chicken. Spot aired February 1979.

CARNATION BREAKFAST BAR COMMERCIAL (1979)

Carnation Breakfast Bar commercial featuring a school basketball coach. Spot aired March 1979.

‘BILLY’ TV SERIES PROMO (STEVE GUTTENBERG, 1979)

CBS television series ‘Billy’ promo starring actor Steve Guttenberg. Spot aired March 1979.

Previously on 70s Commercials: Tumblin Weebles, Diet Pepsi, Mazda GLC, Sunbeam Ranch Bread (1978)

More Folger’s Coffee: 70s Spots: Folger’s Coffee ‘Three Spoon Test’ (1974)

More Banquet: 70s Spots: Pillsbury Bundt Cakes & Banquet Fried Chicken (1973)

More Carnation: 70s Spots: Lipton Tea & Carnation Breakfast (1972)

More Steve Guttenberg: Daily 70s Spot: Honda Moped With Steve Guttenberg (1978)

70s Commercials: Tumblin Weebles, Diet Pepsi, Mazda GLC, Sunbeam Ranch Bread (1978)

“Tumble and wobble all around!”

Good day, time-trippers. We’re back to the usual Seventies era with this post and 1978 is our precise destination.

This quartet of old timey advertisements starts of with the Tumblin Weebles Fun House and flips and rolls its way to Diet Pepsi, the Mazda GLC Hatchback (with James Houghton), and Sunbeam Ranch Bread. Have a late Seventies look-see.

TUMBLIN WEEBLES FUN HOUSE TOY COMMERCIAL (1978)

Hasbro-Romper Room Tumblin Weebles Fun House toy commercial. Spot aired circa 1978.

DIET PEPSI COMMERCIAL (1978)

Diet Pepsi Sugar Free soft drink commercial featuring a sing-along jingle. Narrator sounds like Hal Linden. Spot aired March 1978.

MAZDA GLC HATCHBACK CAR COMMERCIAL (1978)

Mazda GLC Hatchback car commercial featuring a comparison to competitor hatchbacks. The actor appears to be James Houghton (‘Knot’s Landing’). Spot aired September 1978.

SUNBEAM RANCH BREAD COMMERCIAL (1978)

Sunbeam Stroehmann Ranch Bread commercial. Spot aired September 1978 in the New York area.

Previously on 70s Commercials: Jell-O, Polaroid With Morgan Freeman, Arrid, VW Bus (1974-77)

More Weebles: 70s Commercials: Alpha-Bits, YWCA, Virgin Islands, Tumblin’ Weebles (1978-79)

More Diet Pepsi: 70s Commercials: Diet Pepsi, Charmin, G.I. Joe, Glade (1970-71)

More Mazda: 70s Spots: ’80 Thunderbird & Mazda GLC, Kinney Shoes, & Natural Light Beer (1979)

More Sunbeam: 70s Spots: Wonder Bread & Sunbeam Bread (1970)

80s Commercials: Chef Boyardee, Today’s Girl, Western Airlines, Pabst, A1, Hidden Valley Ranch, Nature Valley, Hardee’s (1980-83)

“It’s everything you like all rolled up into one!”

All right, Bionic time travelers – Now that we’ve had our fill of the Sixties, lets dive into 80s Week!

From the top of the decade in 1980, we’ve got commercials for Chef Boyardee Cannelloni, Today’s Girl Pantyhose, Western Airlines, and Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.

From 1981, you can spy spots for A1 Steak Sauce (with James Murtaugh), Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing (with Helen Kleeb), and Nature Valley Light & Crunchy Granola Snack.

And, last but not least, from 1983, a spot for Hardee’s featuring Marvel Comics superheroes. Have a look-see!

CHEF BOYARDEE CANNELLONI COMMERCIAL (1980)

Chef Boyardee Cannelloni In Meat Sauce commercial featuring a mom cooking for her family. Spot aired September 1980.

TODAY’S GIRL PANTYHOSE COMMERCIAL (1980)

Hanes Hosiery Today’s Girl Pantyhose commercial featuring a $1.19 price point. Spot aired September 1980.

WESTERN AIRLINES COMMERCIAL (1980)

Western Airlines commercial featuring new flights to London. Spot aired October 1980.

PABST BLUE RIBBON BEER COMMERCIAL (1980)

Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer commercial featuring a ‘spirit’ theme. Spot aired October 1980.

A1 STEAK SAUCE COMMERCIAL (1981)

A1 Steak Sauce commercial featuring actor James Murtaugh. Spot aired October 1981.

HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH DRESSING COMMERCIAL (1981)

Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing commercial featuring Original and Vintage Herb flavors and a secretive grandmother (Helen Kleeb). Spot aired October 1981.

NATURE VALLEY LIGHT & CRUNCHY GRANOLA SNACK COMMERCIAL (1981)

General Mills Nature Valley Light & Crunchy Granola Snack commercial featuring blond Californians at the beach. Spot aired October 1981.

HARDEE’S ‘3-D THEATRE MEAL’ COMMERCIAL (1983)

Hardee’s fast food restaurant commercial featuring 3-D Theatre Meals and animated Marvel characters; Spider-Man, The Hulk, Captain America, Spider-Woman, and more. Spot aired in 1983.

Previously on 80s Commercials: Pabst Beer (Daniels & Washington), L’eggs, Jell-O, ‘Fame,’ Lysol, Meow Mix, IBM, Crispix (1980-83)

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

More Western Airlines: Daily 70s Spot: Western Airlines ‘Lion Tamer’ commercial (1975)

More Pabst: Daily70s Spot: Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer ‘Gay ’90s’ (1973)

More A1 Steak Sauce: 70s Commercials: Andy Griffith For A1, Max-Pax Coffee, Recipe Dog Food, Valvoline (1973)

More Hidden Valley Dressing: Daily 70s Spot: Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing (late 1970s)

More Nature Valley: 70s Spots: Nature Valley Granola Bars (Moosie Drier, 1976)

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

60s Commercials: Post Cereals, Rambler, Camay, Ultra Brite, Wish-Bone, Mr. Potato Head, Micrin (1966-69)

“Everything’s Archie!”

Hello, Bionic faithful! Thanks for hangin’ on while life and the day job have been keeping me overly-busy. Let me lay a double-post on you and welcome you to Sixties Week! A real grab bag of wonderment awaits.

From the ’65-’66 era we have commercials for Post Toasties Corn Flakes (with Gomer Pyle‘s Jim Nabors, Ronnie Schell, and Andy Griffith) and American Motors’ Rambler Rogue.

From 1968, you’ll find spots for Camay soap, Ultra Brite toothpaste (with “supermodel” Cheryl Tiegs), Wish-Bone dressing, and more Post Cereals, this time with an “Everything’s Archie” focus.

Finally, circa 1969, we have spots for Micrin mouthwash and the Mr. Potato Head toy. Have at ’em!

POST TOASTIES CORN FLAKES CEREAL COMMERCIAL (‘GOMER PYLE,’ MID-1960S)

Post Toasties Corn Flakes cereal commercial featuring Jim Nabors, Ronnie Schell, and Andy Griffith of ‘Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.’ and ‘The Andy Griffith Show.’ Spot aired in the mid-1960s (best guess 1965-67).

’67 RAMBLER ROGUE COMMERCIAL (AMERICAN MOTORS, 1966)

American Motors Rambler Rogue car commercial featuring a circus theme. Spot aired Fall1966 – early 1967.

CAMAY SOAP COMMERCIAL (1968)

Pink Camay Soap commercial featuring a woman washing her face. Spot aired circa 1968.

ULTRA BRITE TOOTHPASTE COMMERCIAL (CHERYL TIEGS, 1968)

Ultra Brite Toothpaste commercial featuring a young Cheryl Tiegs. Spot aired October 1968.

WISH-BONE SALAD DRESSINGS COMMERCIAL (1968)

Wish-Bone Salad Dressings commercial featuring Italian and Creamy Onion varieties. Spot aired August 1968.

POST CEREALS ‘EVERYTHING’S ARCHIE!’ COMMERCIAL (1968)

Post Cereals commercial featuring comic book and animated series characters The Archies and Alpha-Bits, Honeycomb, Super Sugar Crisp, Rice Krinkles, and Crispy Critters cereals. Spot aired circa 1968.

MICRIN MOUTHWASH COMMERCIAL (ANIMATED, 1969)

Animated Micrin Oral Antiseptic Mouthwash commercial. Spot aired January 1969 (likely produced in ’68). Audio is single-channel.

MR. POTATO HEAD TOY COMMERCIAL (1969)

Hasbro Mr. Potato Head toy commercial featuring Donald Duck and Bozo the Clown packs (and a peek at Oscar the Orange and Pete the Pepper). Spot aired circa 1969.

Previously on 60s Commercials: Sandy’s Burgers, Quisp, Thermo King, Pepto-Bismol, Adolph’s, Playtex, Head & Shoulders, Dial (1966-69)

More Post Cereals: 70s Spots: Post Honeycomb Cereal (The Hulk, 1977)

More American Motors: Rad Ads: American Motors’ Hornet Sportabout Wagon (1972)

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

More Wish-Bone: Daily 70s Spot: Wish-Bone Italian Dressing (1978)

More Hasbro toys: 70s Commercials: Kraft Butter Mints, Screwball Toy, Drano, Vanquish (1972)


70s Commercials: Jell-O, Polaroid With Morgan Freeman, Arrid, VW Bus (1974-77)

“When you’ve got it made – you’ve got it made.”

Another batch of tasty Seventies commercials incoming. This quartet originally aired from 1974 to 1977. First up, a spot for Jell-O featuring a “luncheon salad” and narration by Peter Thomas.

After that beauty, enjoy commercials for the Polaroid SX-70 camera (with Morgan Freeman), Arrid Double-X antiperspirant (with Paul Dooley), and the Volkswagen Bus.

JELL-O COMMERCIAL (1977)

General Foods Jell-O Gelatin commercial featuring a luncheon salad and ‘refreshing dessert.’ Narration by Peter Thomas. Spot aired May 1977.

POLAROID CAMERA COMMERCIAL (MORGAN FREEMAN, 1976)

Polaroid Deluxe SX-70 Land Camera commercial featuring actor Morgan Freeman. Narrator may be Cliff Robertson. Spot aired May 1976.

ARRID DOUBLE-X ANTIPERSPIRANT COMMERCIAL (PAUL DOOLEY, 1975)

Arrid XX Antiperspirant commercial featuring actor Paul Dooley. Spot aired August 1975.

VOLKSWAGEN BUS COMMERCIAL (1974)

Volkswagen Bus commercial featuring a film crew in the desert. Spot aired April 1974.

Previously on 70s Commercials: Joy, Betty Crocker Cakes, Uncle Ben’s, Charmin (1970-73)

More Jell-O: 70s Commercials: Diet Rite Cola, Jell-O, Shower Massage, ‘Bingo Long All-Stars’ (1976)

More Polaroid: 70s Commercials (Buried Treasures): Fab, Schlitz, Polaroid, United Airlines (1971-76)

More Morgan Freeman: 70s Commercials: Morgan Freeman For Sure, Pelé For Pepsi, Fleischmann’s, Tony’s Pizza (1975-76)

More Arrid: 70s Spots: Arrid Extra Dry & Vitalis (Pete Maravich, 1970)

More Paul Dooley: 70s Commercials: Sara Lee Cake, Wamsutta’s Calvin Klein, Sinutab, Goodyear ‘Bigfoot’ (1974-76)

More Volkswagen: Daily 70s Ad: Volkswagen Bus (1971)