Retro Frankenstein Ads
March 20th, 2010 by John WolfeI did a little Frankenstein-themed digging today and came up with the following retro ads using Frankenstein’s monster–all three appear to be from the ’70s. Although, the last one could be early ’80s–I’m not really certain since it didn’t say in the description.
This first one has Dr. Frankenstein utilizing his creation as a gopher, but I’m still scratching my head over why the monster is being referred to as “Igor” throughout the spot. 
Source: YT user, oscartripe
Up next, in an attempt to escape a torch bearing mob, a mad scientist/doctor quickly loads a bevy of Frankenstein-like creations into his VW bus. This one reminds me of what it’s like when I haul my props around for Halloween!
Source: YT user, beetlejuice150
This third installment is apparently what happens when Frankenstein forgets to wear his galoshes.
Source: YT user, bestoldcommercials
March 20th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
1 video – Hey that’s the voice of Tom Bosley!!! LoL, and wow look at the interior design of that store. In the 70′s orange, green and yellow were really big! You just brought back a slew of memories for me, yet again
Moreover, what’s up with the name Igor? Igor and Frankenstein were two completely different characters weren’t they?
2 video – John, LoL, I would LOVE to see you load up your props in a real 1970 VW wagon!!! Now that would be priceless. Funny you pick that one because I was just thinking yesterday, on the way home from work, how it’s very rare to see the VW wagons anymore. In addition, those were great cars! There was so much room inside you could easily transport a large group of people. Of course now with seat belt laws that couldn’t happen but I can even remember in the 70′s growing up riding in the back of an open truck bed….me and my little brother!! I don’t believe that’s allowed anymore these days……..just like skateboarding with NO helmet on, riding my banana seat bike with NO helmet on and so forth. Wow, times sure have changed my friend.
3 video – NICE!!! A deep heating rub advertisement with a Halloween theme! Now……..why don’t they make commercials like that anymore, why, WHYyyyyyyyy
Awesome finds my friend, as always of course. Stay warm and I’ll try and stay cool
March 20th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Goldie,
Yeah, good ole Mr. C is doing the voice-over-a-mundo, heyyyyyyyyyy! (In case you couldn’t tell, that was my best impression of the Fonz.)
Glad you shared what colors were inside the grocery store, ’cause I couldn’t tell with the whole colorblind thing. I don’t get why they called Frankenstein Igor in that spot, either. If for some reason they weren’t allowed to use the name Frankenstein, then they should have called him “Frankie” or something like that. To the best of my knowledge, Igor and Frankenstein are two totally different characters.
Those old VW buses/vans/wagons definitely look like they could get a whole team of people somewhere. Could you remove the seats in those things? If so, then that would come in handy for hauling props and I’d proudly drive it around.
I, too, miss the old style of commercials, whether Halloween-related or not. YT is a great source for the oldies. In fact, just the other day I had the old “Libby’s” jingle in my head–typed it into YT and sure enough, someone had uploaded a 1970s Libby’s commercial: “Libby’s, Libby’s, Libby’s on the label, label, label. You will like it, like it, like it, on your table, table, table!”
Thanks, Goldie!
March 20th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
I have to admit, the last one is kind of weird and disturbing–seemed more like Gipetto than Dr. Frankenstein. Yeah, that character actor in the first commercial—he was in everything back then. Loved the mob one–I can see what you mean with scrambling to get your stuff loaded. I’m not quite sure how the angel of death would make such a journey–heck, that would have to be mounted atop the van for the best effect. With that wing span–it could technically turn the van into a plane…
March 21st, 2010 at 12:20 am
LoL….oh great John, thanks alot, you just HAD to do it didn’t you? Now, thanks to you, I have a tune that is stuck in my head BIG TIME right before I hit the hay. Great! I sooooooo remember that one. I also get a kick out of the new Verizon commercials using the tune/music from the old Big Red gum commercial. Sadly, while hearing Verizon’s lyrics, I can still take in the original Big Red gum commercials. Ahhhhh, the memories, your a hoot!
March 21st, 2010 at 8:49 am
Clip 1. I want the electrical equipment. What a great setup.
Clip 2. I now want a van like that. (It could be I still miss my hearse.)
Clip 3. I did not know that Einstein made a monster. You learn something new every day.
March 21st, 2010 at 1:07 pm
autumnforest,
I got a kick out of how he was calling the monster pet names and babying him for being sick–definitely a strange take on the relationship we’re used to between Dr. Frankenstein and his creation. Now that you mention it, I do remember seeing the store clerk in a lot of things over the years. It was stated on You Tube that he also played one of Bob Newhart’s patients in the original ’70s Newhart show, which I had forgotten about.
The Angel of Death (including wings and stand) comes apart into about 5 pieces, but even so it’s still a job for a truck when it comes to hauling him around. You’re right about how he wouldn’t fit in that VW. However, I like the visual of placing him on top of the van with his wings hanging off the sides, so it looks like a plane.
Goldie,
Did you dream about Libby’s last night? I don’t think I’ve seen the Verizon commercial you’re talking about. I’ll have to keep an eye out for it. And I can’t remember the old Big Red commercials, though I probably would immediately recognize them if I saw them again.
All I kept thinking of when you mentioned Big Red was the old Juicy Fruit gum commercials: “Juicy Fruit is gonna move ya. It’s got a taste that gets right to you. Juicy Fruit, the taste, the taste, the taste is gonna move ya!” It seemed popular for product slogans to have a lot of repetition featured in their jingles back then–that’s how they got stuck in our heads!
Ethan,
One of these days I’d like to hear more about that hearse you had. When it comes to clip 3–Mentholatum definitely had a unique interpretation on that one.