Toys R Us Christmas Commercial

Here we have a Christmas commercial from a very important place this time of year. I remember this commercial from the very early 80s, but most sources date this campaign starting in 1976. Quite a different jingle from the one we're more familiar with (and what follows the Christmas commercial).

Gimbel's Christmas Commercials from 1983

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Now the holiday season has officially begun! This is my absolute favorite time of year, and I've amassed some really cool holiday treats for everyone to enjoy throughout the season, so let's get right to it.

First up: two nostalgic commercials for those who fondly remember Gimbel's department store. Although they were a national chain, as a kid I thought they were a Philadelphia institution. They were the original sponsors of Philadelphia's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the oldest in the nation, and as sponsors, they had plenty of commericals for Gimbel's Black Friday sales, two of which are featured here. 'Tis the season!

A hundred bucks for a Walkman? Ouch!

Thanksgiving Countdown 2007 Finale: A Day of Thanksgiving

Here is the last of the Thanksgiving programs I have to present to you this year. To be honest, I'm not sure of the origins of this short film, which I would date as late 40s/early 50s. Quite frankly, I'm too lazy to do the research :)

The film showcases a sterotypical postwar nuclear family learning and appreciating the true meaning of the holiday. Some may see this as heartwarming, others may see it as cloying, but regardless of personal interpretation, it's an engaging slice of postwar Americana. Enjoy!



I hope everyone has enjoyed my Thanksgiving Countdown; please send me feedback via the comments sections or email so I can prepare for next year. This will be my last post before the big day, but I plan on posting again either Saturday or Sunday. So until then, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

But wait--what's this!



Yes indeed, the holidays are coming, and I have plenty of great holiday stuff on the way. Stay tuned--the fun's just beginning!

Thanksgiving Countdown 2007: Perdue Oven Stuffer Roaster Commercial

Well, this isn't officially a holiday clip, but I think the situation demonstrated is very much a part of Thanksgiving: leftovers. The late Frank Perdue brags about the ability of his poultry to provide a steady supply of goodness for several days. The jingle in this commercial was often sung in my household when I was growing up when dining on leftover chicken. My family is weird.



I'll have one more Thanksgiving post before the big day, probably on Tuesday. See you then!

Thanksgiving Countdown 2007: B.C.: The First Thanksgiving

Next on our countdown (I feel like Casey Kasem) is the third and final cartoon of the series. B.C.: The First Thanksgiving originally aired on NBC in the early 70s, but I didn't see it until the late '80s in syndication. The entire cast of the comic strip goes hunting for a turkey for their Thanksgiving soup, even though they don't know what a turkey is. Thank the Internet gods for YouTube, as it's probably the only place you'll see this obscure special; I don't believe it's in print.

Thanksgiving Countdown 2007: Adam Sandler, "The Turkey Song"

An obvious choice, but an entertaining one nonetheless. Check out the song's debut on Saturday Night Live before Sandler made an official recording of it. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Countdown 2007: Tom and Jerry, "The Little Orphan"

My third installment in the Countdown features another cartoon (and it won't be the last). This classic MGM Tom and Jerry short (an Academy Award winner) was the first to feature the character of Nibbles, who often played sidekick to Jerry. See them attempt to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast despite Tom's best efforts to twart them.