When Smoking Was Great

There was a time when smoking wasn't the social taboo it is today. Smoking was something people did on planes, in doctor's waiting rooms, in theatres, in their cars and pretty much everywhere else until we came to the shocking realization that smoking is actually bad for you ! Who knew !?!? You'd think that sucking carcinogenic smoke directly into your lungs would actually be beneficial and something to be encouraged. Well at least that's what they thought in the '60s and '70s as witnessed in the following classic cigarette ads.

Marlboro

This ad is wrong on so many levels. Using an innocent baby to sell cigarettes is one thing but to try and make you feel guilty that you don't have the best of everything like this kid's dad since you don't smoke Marlboros is really a shot below the smoke filled lungs. At least it's never too late to experience the "Miracle of Marlboro" and never feel over-smoked (as opposed to under smoked I guess).

Chesterfield

This ad featuring former President Ronald Reagan, really only proves one of two things. Either Ronnie only associated with people who smoked or he was the worst Christmas shopper in history. Although, it's nice to finally see a cigarette that doesn't leave an unpleasant after-taste. Now instead of popping a Tic Tac or Menthos before an interview, have a quick smoke to freshen your breath. Chesterfield Cigarettes - the New Fresh Maker !

Camel

You really can't go wrong with Camel cigarettes when you realize that more doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette brand. What an awesome endorsement. Obviously it's the cigarette brand a doctor would recommend if he finds you're not getting enough tar.

Winston

This commercial aired back in 1960 when Winston cigarettes sponsored the first season of The Flintstones on ABC. Back then the show was geared towards an adult audience much in the same way that Family Guy is geared towards an adult audience. Trying to air an ad like this today would certainly prompt a few lawsuits and a few thousand complaints. Although I gotta say Wilma looked pretty sexy with that cigarette.

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R.I.P. Sir Roger Moore (1927-2017)

It's a sad day for Bond fans with the news of the passing of Sir Roger Moore at age 89 after a short battle with cancer. The charismatic actor wore the 007 mantle for seven films playing the super suave British secret agent, James Bond from 1973 to 1985, replacing Sean Connery and went on to be the longest serving Bond to date. Roger had early success on television portraying Simon Templar in the "The Saint" and that role groomed him well for taking over the 007 franchise. He did have quite the television resume before taking on films including roles in "Ivanhoe", "The Alaskans" and "Maverick" and with Tony Curtis in "The Persuaders". His big break came in 1973's "Live and Left Die" that launched Moore's Bond. Roger brought a smoother more gentlemanly vibe to the role compared to Sean's rough and tumble Bond. The mix worked well and it brought a new standard to how Bond would be played in future films.

Evolution of the Coke Bottle

There is no logo in the world that is more recognizable than the Coca Cola company's flagship product. Coke and its classic bottle design are a symbol known all over the world. It's gotten to the point you don't even need to have the word Coke in an advertisement as long as the distinctive bottle shape is there somewhere in the image. The classic shape has evolved over the last hundred years and has gone from a rather boring square shaped bottle to the curvy silhouette it now maintains. Below is a timeline picture showing the changes over the years . The shape is also responsible for designers of other products to be inspired by the sexy elements of the bottle, most notably car designers. there are many examples but one of the best is the 1968 Corvette. The evolution of the bottle continues with many commemorative issues produced for various promotions but one of the latest trends was the availability of metal bottles as well. There is no doubt the bottle will contin

Retro Video of the Day - No Promises

If you've been following my retro videos of the day, you'll notice I tend to steer towards some of the more obscure and not overplayed tracks. Today is no exception. Australian synth-pop group Icehouse's first single from their 1986 Measure to Measure album was a sleeper hit called "No Promises". It reached #9 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts. This album featured the help of Brian Eno which was very evident on many of the songs on this album.

When Weiners Were Hot Dogs

It kind of sucks when things you grew up with and liked or possibly loved get twisted into something different and are forever tied to some stupid act or worse a really really really really dumb guy. When I was a kid, Oscar Mayer was synonymous with delicious hot dogs or bologna. A wiener was something you looked forward to at a ballgame or a cookout. Now, when someone says wiener, you immediately think of: Oh sorry, that's a picture of a twit not a wiener........ or is it both....... hmmmm, so confused now. Honestly though, who could have seen it coming. Anthony Weiner always looked so confident, so professional and well adjusted. A man of power and resolve. Why would there be any reason after enjoying moderate political success that he'd crave and need the admiration of young women to feel powerful and accomplished? I'm sure as a young lad he got his ya ya's out so that as an adult he could keep his libido in check. After all the action he must have got in hig

Retro Video of the Day - Twilight Zone

Today we got a double shot for you with two songs with the same title but vastly different styles yet both are extremely cool tracks and ooze retro with every note. First up is Twilight Zone by Golden Earring which was a hit in 1982 and had pretty heavy rotation on all the video music channels back when they actually played videos.......those were good days. It reached number 1 in the US Billboards Top Tracks and number 10 on the Hot 100. The second Twilight Zone comes from Two Unlimited and was released ten years later and also got heavy rotation on the video channels. The song is pretty much the opposite side of the spectrum to the Golden Earring version yet was a big hit in many countries and became a workout staple due to the very catchy high energy hook. It made it to number 5 on the U.S. Billboards Hot Club Play charts and only 49 on the Top 100. So what's the connection? They are both Dutch groups. Enjoy.

Retroguy's Wonderland

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