TFTP Will Return After These Messages: Commercial Block from CBS (Jan. 14, 1966)

Posted to YouTube by user 'Pannoni 9'
Length - 6:02

Every Wednesday, TFTP takes a break from regular programming to bring you a selection of classic commercials. We will return after these messages...

The commercials in this block (taken from a 1966 episode of the CBS game show "Password") largely fall under two of the major categories of ads: cleaning products and baking products. In the baking products division, there are three different Pillsbury commercials (for butter pecan coffee cake mix, for chilled refrigerated pies, and for flour) and a commercial for D-Zerta gelatin. In the cleaning products division are commercials for the now-obscure laundry detergent additive La France (which seems like it was so-named just so it could have the slogan "Vive La France"), Aerowax floor wax, and Wizard deodorizer.

A couple of other commercials not fitting into the baking or cleaning categories are great examples of types of products that were just becoming common in the mid-1960s. A commercial for Sanka coffee demonstrates what a novelty decaffeinated coffee was at the time--the commercial is one from the well-known series of commercials where pleased restaurant patrons were unknowingly served the caffeine-free Sanka. In addition, a Right Guard deodorant commercial emphasizes the benefits of deodorant in an aerosol can, then a new phenomenon (no messy cream or stick! the whole family can use the same deodorant!).

TFTP On This Day: "The Hollywood Palace" from ABC (May 27, 1966)

Posted to YouTube by user 'Hollywood Palace'

It Was 50 Years Ago Today: "Hollywood Palace" was one of the great all-purpose variety shows of the 1960s, an ABC stalwart for most of the decade (from 1964-1970), for most of it anchoring ABC's Saturday night schedule. This episode, aired 50 years ago today on May 27, 1966, is from the program's third season, the season's next-to-last episode.

"Hollywood Palace" was much like the "Ed Sullivan Show" in that it was a true variety show--in addition to sundry musical acts and comedians, the program featured acrobats, puppeteers, clowns, sports figures, and all manner of actors and celebrities. Act after act was packed into each episode--the first quarter of this episode features an opening song by guest host Judy Garland, acrobats The Roselle Troupe (performing an aerial act outside the theater in a parking lot), and two songs by Johnny Rivers (including "Secret Agent Man"). The rest of the show features clown Charlie Cairoli, another song by Garland, comedian Jack Carter, actor/singer Van Johnson, a duet between Garland and Johnson (in clown make-up!), and pantomimists The Black Theatre of Prague.

"Hollywood Palace" did not have a regular host, opting for a different guest host for each episode, although some hosts returned again and again. This episode is the second Garland-hosted one just in this season, and Bing Crosby returned repeatedly in the show's six-year run (including in the next episode after this one, as previewed by Garland at episode's end). This particular episode has as its main sponsor "investor-owned electric and power companies", and so filmed commercials related to the electric industry are sprinkled throughout the first half of the episode.