The last Friday Four was fairly negative. So, in the spirit of karmic balance, this one isn’t. Here are four classic adverts from my childhood:
1. Milk Tray
In my opinion, one of the best adverts of all time. Three factors come together in perfect harmony: the James Bond-style music; the man who laughs in the face of sharks and; the astonishing ability to keep a box of chocolates dry underwater. But this was in the carefree days of the 1980s – nowadays, the only knife-wielding chaps found clambering onto boats are Somali pirates. How depressing. And all because the lady loves Milk Tray.
2. Hamlet
Since 2002 all forms of tobacco advertising are banned in England. This is a shame because Hamlet cigar adverts used to be quite amusing. The ad agency behind this one hit on the universal truth that comb-overs are always funny. Are they funnier than mullets? Tough question, though it is a lifetime ambition of mine to see a comb-over and mullet combined on the same head.
3. Carling Black Label
I remember thinking it was amazing that anyone could train a squirrel to do this. Fun advert, but not sure why the ad agency thought linking beer and athleticism was a smart idea.
4. Wrigleys
Boy meets girl on a bus. Boy gives girl a stick of gum. Girl breaks stick of gum in half and gives half back to boy. Boy gets off the bus, probably thinking the relationship was developing at too fast a pace for his liking. Boy turns and sees girl staring at him from the bus. Boy makes a gesture as if to say ‘I have no more gum – buy your own!’ Boy walks in to café to sit down, probably relieved. Last shot of the advert is the girl appearing behind him. Girl is thinking that the boy gave her a stick of gum, so now he is hers. This tense stalker plot, admirably set to the magnificent song ‘Alright Now’ by Free, makes for a classic advert.
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