Bionic Disco

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

Posted on February 16, 2026 by David Moore

“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)

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

Posted on February 8, 2026 by David Moore

“Cleans to the shine…and that’s a nice reflection on you.”

Rewinding back to the top of the decade, we have four commercials circa 1970 to ’73. In the starter position, it’s Lemon Fresh Joy dishwashing liquid (with child actor Lisa Lucas).

Following that slice of life, we’ve got Betty Crocker cakes and frosting, Uncle Ben’s Quick Rice (with Ed McMahon), and Charmin bath tissue (with Dick Wilson, Bill Quinn, and what appears to be a young Jo Anne Worley). Enjoy heartily!

LEMON FRESH JOY COMMERCIAL (1973)

_{Lemon Fresh Joy Dishwashing Liquid commercial featuring a daughter returning home from London. The youngest daughter appears to be Lisa Lucas. Narration by Casey Kasem. Spot aired Fall 1973.}

BETTY CROCKER CAKES & FROSTING COMMERCIAL (1972)

_{Betty Crocker cake mix and frosting commercial featuring ‘Southern’ and ‘City’ neighbors. Spot aired March 1972.}

UNCLE BEN’S QUICK RICE COMMERCIAL (ED MCMAHON, 1971)

_{Uncle Ben’s Converted & Quick Rice commercial starring Ed McMahon. Spot aired September 1971.}

CHARMIN ‘SQUEEZE POLICE’ COMMERCIAL (1970)

_{Charmin Bathroom Tissue commercial featuring Mr. Whipple (Dick Wilson), police officer ‘Digby’ (Bill Quinn) and what appears to be a young Jo Anne Worley. Spot aired in 1970.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Gravy Train, Miracle Whip, Mr. Muscle, ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ (1979)

More Joy: 70s Commercials: ‘Lemon Fresh’ Joy, Shell Bugkillers, Alpo, Viva (1974-75)

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

More Uncle Ben’s: 70s Commercials: Uncle Ben’s Rice & Gravy, Yardley Soap, Taster’s Choice, Listerol (1974)

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

70s Commercials: Gravy Train, Miracle Whip, Mr. Muscle, ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ (1979)

Posted on February 1, 2026 by David Moore

“We’ve got meaty taste in the bag.”

A very good February to you! Here’s a batch of commercials that ran in 1979. Starting off, we have a spot for Gravy Train featuring Dinah’s Dog Diner. After that, a classic spot for Miracle Whip, Mr. Muscle, and NBC’s evening line-up spotlighting Diff’rent Strokes.

Sharp eyes will notice the same actor starring in the Gravy Train and Mr. Muscle spots. She worked a ton in the Seventies, but I haven’t yet been able to identify her. Do leave a comment if you know. That said, dive into these new time capsules and enjoy!

GRAVY TRAIN ‘DOG DINER’ COMMERCIAL (1979)

_{General Foods Gravy Train dog food commercial featuring Dinah’s Dog Diner. Spot aired circa 1978-79.}

CLASSIC MIRACLE WHIP ‘EMPTY JAR’ COMMERCIAL (1979)

_{Kraft Miracle Whip Salad Dressing commercial featuring a late-night eater and an empty jar. Narrator sounds like John Bartholomew Tucker. Spot aired early 1979.}

MR. MUSCLE COMMERCIAL (1979)

_{Mr. Muscle Oven Cleaner commercial featuring a singing chorus. Spot aired March 1979.}

‘DIFF’RENT STROKES’ EVENING LINE-UP PROMO (NBC, 1979)

_{NBC TV promo featuring ‘Diff’rent Strokes,’ ‘Bob Hope Special,’ ‘Hello, Larry,’ and ‘Sweepstakes.’ Spot aired March 1979. Narration by Casey Kasem.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Stove Top Stuffing, Parkay Margarine, Gillette Foamy, UR Board Game (1977-78)

More Gravy Train: 70s Spots: Pepsodent & Gravy Train (1975), The Osmonds & ‘Beatlemania’ (1978)

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

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

70s Commercials: Stove Top Stuffing, Parkay Margarine, Gillette Foamy, UR Board Game (1977-78)

Posted on January 18, 2026 by David Moore

“Instead of potatoes.”

Hey there! It’s been too long since we’ve had fresh, old commercials here – what can I say? It was the holidays and I got sick last week with that nasty cold that’s going around – so let’s get down to it.

It’s a 1977-78 theme this time, so take in spots for Stove Top Stuffing, Parkay Margarine (with Hamilton Camp), Gillette Foamy shave cream (with Paul Sylvan), and the UR board game. I hope you enjoy!

STOVE TOP STUFFING COMMERCIAL (1977)

_{General Foods Stove Top Stuffing Mix commercial featuring the Prekup family of Arizona and a comparison with mashed potatoes. Spot aired May 1977.}

PARKAY MARGARINE ‘BUTTER!’ COMMERCIAL (1977)

_{Kraft Parkay Margarine commercial featuring actor Hamilton Camp as a singing cowboy. Spot aired April 1977.}

GILLETTE FOAMY COMMERCIAL (1978)

_{Gillette Foamy Shave Cream commercial featuring foam-related shenanigans. The actor at the end is Paul Sylvan. Spot aired October 1978.}

UR BOARD GAME COMMERCIAL (1978)

_{Selchow and Righter’s UR: The Royal Game of Sumer board game commercial. Spot aired January 1978 (likely produced in ’77).}

Previously on 70s Commercials: ‘TV Guide,’ Spoon Size Shredded Wheat, Chevy Pickup, Ban Basic (1976)

More Stove Top: 70s Commercials: G.I. Joe ’50 Adventures!,’ Stove Top Stuffing, RCA XL-100, United Airlines (1974-75)

More Parkay: 70s Commercials (Buried Treasures): Ben-Gay, Kraft Cheese Singles, Parkay, Char-B-Que (1970-78)

More Gillette Foamy: 70s spots: Gillette Foamy & Palmolive Rapid Shave Creams (1971)

More board games: 70s Commercials: Smack It! Board Game, Gaines-Burgers, Revlon Flex, Nestle Hot Cocoa (1975-78)

70s Commercials: ‘TV Guide,’ Spoon Size Shredded Wheat, Chevy Pickup, Ban Basic (1976)

Posted on January 4, 2026 by David Moore

“Newton Minnow takes another look at television…”

Happy 2026! In recognition of a new year, we’re dialing back to 1976 and presenting a quartet of commercials set to celebrate 50-year-anniversaries. Good grief, who set the decades on fast-forward?

Have a look and listen to spots for TV Guide magazine, Spoon Size Shredded Wheat cereal, Chevy Fleetwood pickup trucks, and Ban Basic antiperspirant. That theme music for TV Guide really brings back the memories. It’s indelibly etched in my mind. How about yours?

‘TV GUIDE’ MAGAZINE COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{‘TV Guide’ weekly magazine commercial featuring an interview with Newton Minnow, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. Spot aired October 1976.}

SPOON SIZE SHREDDED WHEAT CEREAL COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{Nabisco Spoon Size Shredded Wheat cereal commercial comparing sugar levels in competing cereals. Spot aired October 1976.}

CHEVY FLEETSIDE PICKUP COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{Chevrolet Fleetside Pickup Truck commercial featuring a carbide-tipped saw and narration by singer Tom T. Hall. Spot aired May 1976.}

BAN BASIC SPRAY COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{Ban Basic Antiperspirant Spray commercial featuring testimonials from the public in Sonoma, California. Spot aired April 1976.}

Previously on 70s Spots: (Holidays): NyQuil Santa, Sonac, Dooley’s, Ornamental Ice (1972-79)

More TV Guide: 70s Spots: TV Guide ‘Bicentennial Issue’ & Youthair Dye (Phil Foster, 1975)

More Spoon Size Shredded Wheat: Daily 70s Spot: Spoon Size Shredded Wheat Cereal (1972)

More Chevy Pickups: 70s Commercials: CBS ‘Lookin’ Good,’ Sani-Flush Mascot, Chevy Trucks, Wilkinson (1979)

More Ban: 70s Commercials: Continental Airlines, Dawn Liquid, ’77 GM, Ultra Ban (1976)

70s Commercials (Holidays): NyQuil Santa, Sonac, Dooley’s, Ornamental Ice (1972-79)

Posted on December 24, 2025 by David Moore

Happy Holidays, everyone! I hope you have a safe, warm & wonderful time with family and friends as 2025 comes to a close.

To send us off into a new year, here’s another batch of vintage Christmas-themed Seventies commercials. There’s spots for Vicks NyQuil, Sonac Denture Cleaning System (with Fran Allison), Dooley’s Hardware Store, and Ornamental Ice. Please enjoy them while sipping a holiday beverage of your choice. See you again soon!

VICKS NYQUIL ‘SANTA CLAUS’ COMMERCIAL (EARLY 1970S)