Gaytime Goldmine Ice Cream
"We're all having a Gaytime, a hip hip hip hooray time..." This catchy jingle is sung by New Zealand's "Queen of the Mods," 1960s popstar Dinah Lee.
The jingle was recorded in 1964, the same year that she had her break-through hit "Don't You Know, Yockomo," which went to number one in Australia. She is best known in New Zealand for a follow-up hit, "Do the Blue Beat."
According to the very comprehensive New Zealand Ice-Cream Manufacturer's Association website, the Gaytime ice cream brand began in Christchurch and the "Goldmine" ice cream on a stick was launched in 1964. The brand was eventually purchased by Tip-Top ice cream and its parent General Foods. It is still sold under the "Gaytime Goldmine" name in Australia, but is now sold as the "Cookie Crumble" in New Zealand.
Collection reference 22577
Year 1964
Credits Advertiser: General Foods Ltd.; Studio: Mascot Recording Studios, Auckland; Singer: Dinah Lee
Walls King Kong Ice Cream
An animated commercial showing King Kong relaxing in the jungle, eating a King Kong ice-cream. Two people in a cooking pot are handed ice creams by King Kong: "Wall's Tastes Better."
Collection reference C10005
Year 1968
Credits Production Company: Morrow Productions
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Tip Top Icecream
Tip Top icecream, which is now part of the Fonterra group, began in 1936 in an icecream parlour on Manners Street, Wellington.
50 million litres of Tip Top is now produced each year and is exported to markets such as Japan, Malaysia and Australia.
This radio commercial from the 1960s uses a jaunty jingle to promote icecream from your local "Tip Top shop."
Collection reference 26880
Year 1960s
Tip Top Icecream – Making Of
This still documents an exterior shoot for a Tip Top icecream television advertisement. It reflects the creativity and resourcefulness of the Peach Wemyss Astor production studio's art department.
A group of actors pose on a beach, wearing assorted summer-themed costumes (fish, clam shells, old-fashioned bathing suits, hula skirts, roman sandals, and Arab-inspired costume). Against the residential bungalows in the background, they present a surreal picture.
Collection reference S15776
Year 1960s
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor; Source: Documentation Collection, Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision; Courtesy of: Kelvin Peach
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Frosty Jack Ice Cream
This jingle for Frosty Jack ice cream was recorded by Christchurch studio Robbins Recordings.
The young female vocalist imitates the style of child movie star Shirley Temple, and sings to the tune of her famous 1934 hit "The Good Ship Lollipop."
Frosty Jack ice cream was started in 1924 by a Wellington manufacturer, who also had the New Zealand licence for Eskimo Pie chocolate-covered ice cream bars. The company was sold to a Christchurch manufacturer in 1964 – which is probably when this commercial was produced, to introduce the brand to the South Island market.
Collection reference 139178
Year 1964
Credits Advertiser: Fropax (N.Z.) Ltd.; Studio: Robbins Recordings, Christchurch
Chesdale Cheese – Lunches, Teas and Snacks that Please
Dating from 1963, this short jingle was a predecessor to the very well-known "Ches n' Dale" jingle, which also began in the early 1960s and has become an icon of Kiwi advertising.
Collection reference 24787
Year 1963
Credits Advertiser: Butland Industries Ltd; Studio: Astor Studios, Auckland
Chesdale – Finest Cheddar, Made Better
"We are the blokes from down on the farm, we really know our cheese.
There’s much better value in Chesdale, it never fails to please…"
Two animated cartoon farmers, Ches 'n Dale (though not named in this commercial), jig across the screen, passing an empty packet of "Chesdale Finest Cheddar," to sing and dance by a block of cheese.
Chesdale used the Ches 'n Dale characters in their advertising over several decades. In later ads the superimposition of the animated characters over live action shots of the dairy products became a characteristic of the series.
In Promoting Prosperity: The Art of Early New Zealand Advertising (Craig Potton Publishing, 2013), artist Dick Frizzell recalls having a hand in developing the iconic characters while working for an advertising agency at the start of his career.
Collection reference F221165
Year 1965
Credits Production Company: Pacific Films
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NZ Apples – Apple and Pear Board
Made for The New Zealand Apple & Pear Marketing Board, these were the first television commercials produced in New Zealand (for use on UK television). The commercials were so successful they had their run in the UK extended, then were amongst the first television commercials shown in NZ once commercial TV arrived in this country on 1 April 1961.
Collection reference C10011
Year 1961
Credits Production Company: Morrow Productions; In association with: Goldberg Advertising
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Bananas
"Mums do it, Dads do it, performers do it, reformers do it, drivers with big hooters do it." This advertisement shows a variety of people eating bananas.
Collection reference C1581
Year 1965
Credits Production Company: Pacific Films; Client: Fruit Distributors Ltd, Wellington; Director: Tony Williams
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Cadbury Crunchie
Crunchie Bars wiggle on screen, unwrap themselves and get eaten. Young people picnicking, surfing and swimming all enjoy Crunchie bars.
"Whatever you do – take Crunchie, wherever you go – take Crunchie."
Only sixpence (approximately $1.10 in 2016 currency, according to the Reserve Bank Inflation Calculator).
Collection reference C4208
Year 1967
Credits Production Company: Steeletelefilm; Song: Mike Parkinson
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Rinso – English Version
Rinso soap powder was another Lever Brothers brand which was a household name in New Zealand from the 1950s up until it was discontinued in the early 1980s.
For many years Rinso was the main sponsor of the popular radio quiz show "It's in the Bag," hosted by Selwyn Toogood. The programme was on radio for 11 years, from 1954, and from 1973 enjoyed further success on television as well. "It's in the Bag" was broadcast live on radio from small towns around New Zealand. When the show came to locations like Dargaville or Oamaru it was a big event, with communities packing full the local hall. You can listen to a broadcast from Dannevirke in 1955 here.
Selwyn Toogood became the "face of Rinso" and appeared in print and television advertisements for the product too.
This jingle exemplifies the increasingly sophisticated use of original music in radio advertising at this time. It was played during "It's in the Bag" radio broadcasts and became so well-known that when the programme visited the Northland town of Opononi in the early 1960s, a version was recorded in te reo Māori.
Collection reference 25199
Year 1950s-60s
Credits Advertiser: Lever Brothers Ltd
Rinso – Te Reo Version
This te reo Māori version of the well-known Rinso jingle of the 1950s and early 1960s, was recorded for an episode of the popular radio quiz show "It's in the Bag,"which was broadcast from Opononi in Hokianga.
Presumably it was recorded because there was a large te reo speaking audience in Northland. However, the novelty of hearing the familiar jingle sung in Māori made it a hit with Pākeha radio listeners as well.
Host Selwyn Toogood replayed the Māori jingle again in one of his final shows, saying they had had many requests for it from the public.
"It's in the Bag" was sponsored by soap manufacturers Lever Brothers and radio broadcasts of the show would open with the audience shouting out the letters of the product's name: "R-I-N-S-O, RINSO!"
Collection reference 21020
Year 1964
Credits Advertiser: Lever Brothers Ltd; Announcer: Selwyn Toogood
Self-Help Groceries – Cheaper, Cheaper, Cheaper...
"Self Help are cheaper, cheaper, cheaper...." The echo sound effect used in this 1960 radio commercial for Self-Help grocery stores was a big hit and soon became identified with the brand. Versions of the effect continued to be used in Self-Help radio commercials throughout the decade.
Collection reference 24787
Year 1960
Credits Advertiser: National Distributors Ltd.; Studio: Sonic Studios, Wellington
Four Square – Super Service
In this animated advertisement, a delivery bird with Four Square bag in its beak hits a power pole. The plummeting bag is caught by Mr 4, the iconic cartoon grocer used on the supermarket chain's print and television advertising from the 1950s through until today.
The jingle, "just another Four Square service," echoes Four Square's radio advertising.
See an animation cel featuring Mr 4 used to create television advertisements such as this one.
Collection reference C25542
Year 1960
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor
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Four Square – Making Of
This is an animation cel made by the Peach Wemyss Astor production company, featuring the iconic Four Square Mr 4 character – who has been used to promote the supermarket from the 1950s until today.
It is one of hundreds of acetate cels featuring the character in various poses that would have been used to animate Mr 4 in television advertisements such as this one.
Collection reference S15767
Year 1960s
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor; Source: Documentation Collection, Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision; Courtesy of: Kelvin Peach
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Four Square – You'll Like the Change
This jingle is exemplary of advertising trends during the 1960s, with prices and details of a competition given, along with a catchy jingle: "whenever you shop at Four Square you'll like the change." In each case, the jingle is followed by the melodic ring of a cash register.
Collection reference 22577
Year 1964
Credits Broadcaster: 2ZC Napier; Advertiser: Foodstuffs Ltd.; Studio: Sonic Recording Studios, Wellington
Four Square – It Pays to Shop
This advertisement is striking in its juxtaposition of live action and cartoon styles.
A woman holding a wicker basket walks alongside a cartoon backdrop of buildings. She affects surprise when a bubble (a sign placed using stop motion) appears with the writing, "Where’s the place to do your shopping?" She turns 180 degrees to be confronted with another sign reading, "Where is everybody stopping?" A catchy jingle reinforces this dialogue, "Four Square grocers naturally."
Collection reference C25548
Year 1960
Credits Production company: Peach Wemyss Astor
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Janola
This advertisement makes creative use of animated paper figures and sets. A happy housewife is watched by a bird sitting on the fence as she uses Janola to wash her clothes in a ringer, hangs out her washing and cleans her house.
She can rely on Janola to whiten her wash and brighten her home. Just "reach for Janola" in the new non-slip plastic containers.
Learn more about the history of domestic labour in New Zealand.
Collection reference C1269
Year c1963
Credits Agency: Haines; Production Company: Likely Morrow Productions
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XLO Cloth
A camera using a fisheye lens looks over a dirty kitchen. "There’s a lot to clean, so speed your way clean with XLO."
A dish cloth swishes back forth across the benchtop, a woman speaks to the camera as she stretches the cloth, which: "will not fall apart in your hands… made of polyester fibre."
Learn more about the history of domestic labour in New Zealand.
Collection reference C25516
Year 1965
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor; Director, Producer: Bob Herridge; Agency: Goldberg Advertising Ltd, Auckland
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XLO Cloth – Making Of
This still image reveals a candid moment during the filming of a 1965 XLO cloth advertisement.
Director / Producer Bob Herridge, of the Peach Wemyss Astor production studio, is shown helping an unidentified actress set up for a shot. They appear to be about to make a high angle shot – with the camera positioned looking directly down towards the bench top, where cloths and apples are arranged.
Collection reference S15709
Year 1965
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor; Director, Producer: Bob Herridge; Agency: Goldberg Advertising Ltd, Auckland; Source: Documentation Collection, Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision; Courtesy of: Kelvin Peach
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Deb Potato Flakes
Two children watch their mother preparing Deb Potato Flakes. Just add Deb Potato Flakes to boiling water and milk for real mashed potatoes.
With a chauvinism not uncommon during this decade, Dad suggests that with the time Mum's saved she should now have time to mow the lawns.
Collection reference C1645
Year 1965
Credits Production Company: Pacific Films
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New Nescafé Coffee
Nescafé instant coffee was developed by the Nestlé company of Switzerland in 1938. By the time these two 1960s radio commercials were made the brand name was synonymous with instant coffee in many countries, including New Zealand.
These commercials highlight "new Nescafé." Possibly this refers to the new, granulated style of coffee and new style of jar, introduced in the 1960s.
Year 1960s
Credits Advertiser: Nestlé Ltd
Griffins Chocolate Thins
As a whole rugby team of little boys runs up the drive, Mum reaches for their favourite biscuits. Thank goodness for Griffins Chocolate Thins – "enough for two football teams."
Collection reference C3719
Year 1960s
Credits Production Company: Orly Productions; Cast: Glenis Levestam
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Betty Crocker Fruit Roll
The Betty Crocker brand was indelibly associated with the domestic ideal. Betty made domestic hostessing easy with ready-made food. In this advertisement, a can steaming in a pot is opened and the fruit roll is poured out onto a plate. A cup of tea in a dainty cup is positioned beside the dessert to add a personal touch, perhaps with homemakers uncertain about serving ready-made dessert in mind.
The dessert is available in two flavours, fruit roll or date roll, and can be served hot or cold – straight from the can.
"Betty Crocker has done it again. Made it just this easy to serve a hot and tasty dessert."
Collection reference C25514
Year 1960s
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor
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Country Air – Air Freshener
A young man (Dudley Moore) and woman sit at a piano. The man starts to sing – surprise, he has a high-pitched operatic voice! (Caused by a clever overlaying of audio tracks)
Jingle: "People who care use Country Air."
The woman sitting beside him playfully sprays him with a can of Country Air.
See behind the scenes photographs from this advertising shoot.
Collection reference C25525
Year 1960s
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor; Cast: Dudley Moore
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Country Air Air Freshener – Making Of
These candid shots of the actor (Dudley Moore) and actress who star in the "People who care use Country Air" television commercial offer a glimpse into the playful side of television production at the Peach Wemyss Astor studio. These images also showcase the casual sophistication of their 1960s wardrobes.
Collection reference S15822, S15824
Year 1960s
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor; Source: Documentation Collection, Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision; Courtesy of: Kelvin Peach
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Labour Party
This party political broadcast uses graphic bands and split screen effects in an eye-catching way.
Graphics repeat the phrases "Make Things Happen" and "Vote Labour" against an orange and pink screen, while the theme song plays "...old enough to have a past to turn to, yet young enough to have a future we ourselves can make."
The associations of the chosen images are numerous: young and hip, old and lonely, children, babies, health, industry... The use of a famous image of an execution from the Vietnam War is politically bold, perhaps appealing to New Zealand left-wing voters who opposed the War.
Labour Party leader Norman Kirk is shown walking up the steps of Parliament. The 1969 election was won by the National Party, led by Keith Holyoake – Labour and Kirk would have to wait until 1972 to "make things happen."
Televised politics were still relatively new at this time – the New Zealand election results were broadcast on TV for the first time in 1963, and the introduction of political advertising followed in 1966.
Collection reference C1600
Year 1969
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor; Director: Bob Harvey
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National Bank – Henry Marries Teller
In this cel animation Henry discovers the National Bank and it changes his life. "He begins to save, builds a house, goes into business … and he marries the sweet little teller he met at the National. The National Bank, the friendly one."
Watch out for more from Henry and his sweet little spouse – this was the first in a series of six. The family prospers and grows into the 1970s.
According to a flyer on the series housed in a Morrow Productions clippings file at Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, Henry was intended to be "an appealing symbol of the ordinary small customer, not as the man says 'big people with lots of money.'"
The series stands out amongst TV advertisements of the era for its casual, unlaboured inclusion of Māori characters.
Catalogue Reference C2526
Year 1969
Credits Production Company: Morrow Productions; Director: Mike Walker;
Client: National Bank; Agency: Catts - Patterson
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Kerridge Odeon Cinemas – Now Showing
This radio commercial from 1965 promotes four movies showing at Christchurch cinemas owned by the Kerridge Odeon company.
The latest James Bond film Goldfinger is headlining, together with a new release featuring actress Ann-Margaret and the Western, Shenandoah.
Sadly, the landmark Regent Theatre on Cathedral Square, as well as the Odeon, Majestic and Avon cinemas mentioned here, were all destroyed by the 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquakes.
Look at a photo album of New Zealand's historic cinemas.
Collection reference 32962
Year 1965
Credits Advertiser: Kerridge Odeon cinemas, Christchurch; Broadcaster: 3ZB, Christchurch
National Airways Corporation – Fly to the South Island
"Fly south… fly south for a change" is the refrain, over images of two different couples on a South Island holiday.
The younger couple are "exhilarated" and "swinging" on a ski field, while the older couple enjoy "relaxing" while fishing and over drinks.
"Fly NAC to the fabulous South Island."
Learn more about the history of tourism in New Zealand.
Collection reference C25753
Year 1964
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor
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Air New Zealand – Making Of
This still image, which takes us behind the scenes on the making of an Air New Zealand television advert produced by Peach Wemyss Astor, shows the efforts filmmakers go to to get the right shot. Kelvin Peach lies horizontal on a dolly, filming a low angle shot, while the dolly is pulled by another member of the Peach Wemyss Astor crew.
The advertisement being made seems to be similar in style to this 1964 National Airways Corporation (NAC) ad. Air New Zealand served international routes, while NAC served domestic routes, until 1978 when the government merged the two into a single national airline.
Collection reference S15729
Year 1960s
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor; Source: Documentation Collection, Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision; Courtesy of: Kelvin Peach
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National Airways Corporation – Friendship is Here!
Lines such as "Charming N.A.C hostesses cater for your every need" and a swinging jingle take us straight to the heart of 1960s New Zealand. This commercial was produced in 1963 to mark the launch of the National Airways Corporation's – or N.A.C's – air service to Hawke's Bay in the Fokker F27 Friendship aircraft.
The turbo-prop Friendships served many regional New Zealand destinations until they were retired in the 1980s.
Flying was still something of a novelty for most New Zealanders, and this commercial encourages a wide range of potential passengers to use the new service with voice actors playing a businessman and a mother amongst others, all advocating "...flying's the way to travel... with N.A.C."
Learn more about the history of tourism in New Zealand.
Collection reference 24787
Year 1963
Credits Advertiser: National Airways Corporation; Studio: HMV Wellington
Air Pacific – Making Of
This still provides a behind the scenes view into the process of shooting an Air Pacific (now Fiji Airlines) television advertisement, onboard a plane at Auckland Airport. Filmmaking within the confined space of an airplane provides some challenges in terms of lighting and equipment placement.
Staff from the Peach Wemyss Astor production company are shown: Producer Bob Herridge (left), Kelvin Peach (second from right) operating a camera, and Stan Wemyss (far right).
Collection reference S15733
Year 1960s
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor; Source: Documentation Collection, Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision; Courtesy of: Kelvin Peach
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Caltex
This cinema advertisement makes creative use of special effects in a Science Fiction spoof.
A flying saucer lands in New Zealand. "Scientists watching from long range speculate… they carry a mysterious cargo. Is it a terrible weapon, or do they bring us the secret of their fantastic speed?" The spaceship’s door opens to reveal Caltex IC Plus, "the most powerful petrol ever available in this country."
Collection reference C2309
Year 1965
Credits Production Company: Pacific Films
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Mobil – Bottoms to The Road
This advertisement uses stop motion animation to animate people as if in invisible cars – they sit with their bottoms to the road and advance along the tarseal as if driving.
One man drives bumpily and leaves a trail of bolts and other loose car parts behind him, while another overtakes him, driving smoothly.
"Don’t risk undue wear and tear by using the wrong oil," advises the voiceover.
See a behind the scenes still showing the making of this advertisement.
Collection reference C4548
Year 1960s
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor; Agency: J Illot Ltd, Auckland
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Mobil – Making Of
This still takes us behind the scenes on a location shoot for a stop motion Mobil Oil television commercial made during the 1960s.
It depicts staff from the Peach Wemyss Astor production company – including Kelvin Peach kneeling by a camera – filming an actress seated (as if driving a car) on a road.
Collection reference S15739
Year 1960s
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor; Agency: J Illot Ltd, Auckland; Source: Documentation Collection, Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision; Courtesy of: Kelvin Peach
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Ford Cortina
A jazzy soundtrack plays, a chic cinematographic motif appears of a young couple running along a beach reflected in a spinning hubcap. The couple drive the car along the coast road between Pukerua Bay and Paekakariki, and along the sandy beach.
According to the jingle, "new Cortina is more Cortina."
Collection reference C25750
Year c1967
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor
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Austin Cars
The "great shapes" of the Austin Mini, 1100 and 1800 are compared to the "great shapes" of three models in various suggestive poses, beside each car. While the social mores of particular eras alter, sexual symbolism has been a consistent tool for the advertising industry.
The filmic technique of equating the female body with car bodies would continue to be employed for decades to come – compare this advertisement to the 1983 Toyota Starlet advertisement.
Collection reference C1013
Year 1968
Credits Produced for: Charles Haines
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Vauxhall Victor 101
Radio and television personality Selwyn Toogood enthuses over the new Vauxhall Victor 101 – "By hokey its some car!" Toogood multiplies into six, and all six of him can fit in the Vauxhall Victor 101 – that's including a Selwyn in the boot! A real six-seater.
Strict government controls on foreign exchange and imported goods meant Kiwis could wait for years until they were able to purchase luxuries such as a UK-produced Vauxhall – unless they had access to overseas currency. This advertisement promises an earlier delivery for car buyers with overseas funds.
Collection reference C25757
Year 1962
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor; Client: General Motors (NZ); Cast: Selwyn Toogood
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Ford Consul 315
A family epitomises style in their new Ford Consul. They drive with complete satisfaction – they like the styling, the wonderful boot, the twin headlights and the four speed gears!
Collection reference C4962
Year 1965
Credits Production Company: Pacific Films
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New Zealand Hotels
With its swinging "let's go hoteling" soundtrack, this jingle promotes New Zealand hotels for dining, entertainment and holidays. It successfully gets its message across through music alone, without any spoken voiceover.
The advertiser is not known, but the generic nature of the commercial means it was probably an industry body such as the Hotel Association of New Zealand.
Collection reference 25199
Year 1960s
Decimal Currency – Mr. Dollar the Musician
This advertisement was produced to promote the adoption of the new decimal currency coins from 10 July 1967.
Mr. Dollar takes a break from practising his notes and introduces the new decimal currency.
The catchy jingle proclaims: "You'll be using these, from the 10th of July next yeaaar." In an integrated approach, the same jingle was used in the radio advertisements promoting the new decimal currency – which also referenced Mr. Dollar.
Collection reference C1098
Year 1966
Credits Production Company: Morrow Productions
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Decimal Currency – Mr. Dollar the Teacher
Another advertisement promoting the adoption of the new decimal currency coins from 10 July 1967.
Here, Mr. Dollar appears as a cheerful teacher, pointing out the new decimal currency on a blackboard.
Collection reference C9904
Year 1966
Credits Production Company: Morrow Productions
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Decimal Currency – It's Getting Very Near
The switch to decimal currency in New Zealand in 1967 was first proposed in 1963 and in the intervening years a number of measures were brought in to get Kiwis used to the idea of dollars and cents.
"Mr. Dollar" was the face of the new decimal currency and he featured heavily in all advertising around the change. You can watch a television advertisement featuring Mr. Dollar here. The catchy "10th of July, next year!" jingle also bridged the radio and television advertising.
Collection reference 38400
Year 1966
Credits Agency recorded
Decimal Currency – Cabbage
A grandmother and her grandson buying a cabbage, which costs 16 cents in the new decimal currency.
The grocer explains the cost to her, comparing the old shillings to the new cents: "just offer a little more and you’ll get the right change everytime."
Collection reference C2382
Year 1967
Credits Production Company: Morrow Productions
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Self-Help Groceries – Going Decimal
This radio advertisement, for Self-Help grocery stores from 1967, is unusual in that it gives prices for food items in both the new decimal currency, as well as the old shillings and pence.
New Zealand changed to the decimal currency on 10 July 1967. The 10-shilling note pictured became the new $1.00 note.
Radio and television commercials explaining the new decimal system ran for several years in the lead-up to the changeover.
Note this advertisement still uses the "Self-Help are cheaper, cheaper, cheaper..." echo sound effect introduced in 1960.
Collection reference 39895
Year 1967
Credits Advertiser: National Distributors Ltd
Coppertone Sun Tan Lotion
Coppertone brand sun products date back to 1944, when pharmacist Benjamin Green invented a lotion to darken tans.
The company became famous in 1959 when it introduced "the Coppertone girl," a print and billboard advertisement showing a young blond girl in pigtails, staring in surprise as a dog sneaks up behind her and pulls down her blue swimsuit bottom.
Although this radio commercial encourages listeners to "Tan – don't burn!" it comes from an era before the connection between skin cancer and sun-tanning was well-established, and acquiring a fast tan was still seen as desirable. Learn more about the history of suntanning.
Collection reference 39902
Year 1960s
Credits Advertiser: Sonata Laboratories Ltd, Auckland
Brylcreem – Makes the Most of a Man's Hair
Brylcreem "makes the most of a man's hair." Shows a successful man at the office with a young, adoring woman and out on the town in an E Type Jaguar.
Collection reference C1070
Year 1964
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Knight's Castile Soap
This mother/daughter scene plays on the honesty of children to draw attention to the mother's youthfulness. It includes the following dialogue:
As the young daughter peers into a baby's bassinet, she says: "Mummy, I think it looks like you… She has soft skin just like you... Will I have soft skin when I’m as old as you?"
The mother replies: "If you keep using Knight’s Castile – it has lanolin!"
This theme is reinforced on a visual level, with costumes and makeup styled to invite comparison of the similarities between the daughter and her youthful-looking mother.
Collection reference C25747
Year 1966
Credits Production company: Peach Wemyss Astor
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Knight's Castile Soap – Making Of
This still depicts a location shoot for a 1960s Knight’s Castile Soap television commercial. It shows Kelvin Peach, of the Peach Wemyss Astor production studio, taking a light meter reading beside a woman and a young girl seated on tree roots.
Knight’s Castile Soap were known for their tender mother / daughter scenes in their advertising at the time.
Collection reference S15821
Year 1960s
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor; Source: Documentation Collection, Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision; Courtesy of: Kelvin Peach
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Cutex – Bare Essentials Nail Polish
Cutex Bare Essentials nail polish was an advertiser on pirate station Radio Hauraki's first-ever breakfast show, broadcast from the ship "MV Tiri," in Hauraki Gulf on 5 December 1966. (This recording was made off-air and contains some static interference.)
As a cosmetic brand aimed at young women, the new, rebel "station for young New Zealanders" was a perfect fit for the advertiser.
Announcer Paddy O'Donnell, who went on to have a long career in radio, voices the ad over a swinging 60s music bed: "For girls who like to look fresh and feminine... daring new colours... baring and daring, yet warm and womanly."
Collection reference 23893
Year 1966
Credits Advertiser: Industrial Chemicals Ltd; Broadcaster: Radio Hauraki; Announcer: Paddy O'Donnell
Sunsilk – Egg Crème Shampoo
Sunsilk is a widely recognised hair-care brand sold in many countries worldwide. Produced by the Unilever company, the brand was introduced to New Zealand market in the late 1950s and in 1962 began marketing a diversified range of shampoos to meet different hair types: lemon shampoo for greasy hair, tonic shampoo for dull hair, and egg crème – advertised here – for dry hair.
Rinse-off conditioner, which is now part of the haircare regime of millions of consumers, was not introduced until the 1970s.
Collection reference 32962
Year 1960s
Credits Advertiser: Lever Brothers Ltd
Mum Deodorant
A young woman with a beehive hairdo sits in a yoga position with her arms extended above her head as Mum deodorant slogans appear between her arms and across her chest.
"Now Mum rollette gives a girl two fragrances to choose from… Rolls out doubt and rolls on charm, nice to be near all day… Never forget Mum rollette"
Collection reference C25738
Year 1961
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor; Client: Bristol-Myers
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Max Factor – Ultra Lucent
"So you feel you look your best by candlelight? Max Factor has made Ultra Lucent just for you."
This advertisement promotes a new makeup range that "covers softly, flatters your complexion – like candlelight."
Shots of a glamorous woman, skilfully key lit with diffused light so that her skin shines luminously against a dark background, are intercut with shots of candles burning.
Collection reference C9991
Year 1969
Credits Production Company: Morrow Productions
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Dawn Beauty Soap
"It's pink, it's precious... Dawn brings out the beauty in you... cream-laden, dreamy with perfume that whispers of Paris..."
The promise of romance is captured in this radio commercial for Dawn Beauty Soap, enhanced by the use of by soaring strings and a romantic soundtrack, all designed to encourage female listeners to buy an affordable little luxury.
Collection reference 25199
Year 1960s
Credits Advertiser: Knight's New Zealand Ltd, Petone
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Lux Toilet Soap
Lux Toilet Soap has had a long association with Hollywood glamour and using well-known actresses and film stars to promote itself. This print ad from 1937 uses the same selling proposition as the radio advertisement which accompanies it – from nearly 30 years later.
The print ad features actress Joan Bennett while the radio commercial uses the voice of 1960s television and film star Elizabeth Allen – and warns women to keep themselves as lovely as her by using Lux, "the beauty soap of 9 out of 10 film stars."
Collection reference 39895
Year 1960s
Credits Advertiser: Lever Brothers (N.Z.) Ltd
Blue Clinic Shampoo
"Wash your hair too clean for dandruff..." Another catchy "ear-worm" 1960s radio jingle that is still remembered by those who heard it.
The science of achieving clean hair is played up in this commercial. It boldly uses the phrase "new anti-dandruff ingredient 344-tricholorocarbanilide" – which must have been a challenge for voice actors!
Collection reference 25199
Year 1961
Credits Advertiser: Knight's New Zealand Ltd, Petone
Jergens Lotion
"Would you want to hold hands with... a lobster?" Neither would he. In this advertisement loaded with sexual innuendo, women are encouraged to use Jergen's Lotion to make their hands, "soft, soft, kissing soft."
A variant of this advertisement, in circulation at the same time, was "would you like to hold hands with ... a pinecone?"
Collection reference C1250
Year 1960s
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Disprin
A woman with a headache is aggravated by the sound of a tap dripping. She tries to thread her needle, as the tweet of her budgie is exaggerated to a piercing squawk. Fortunately there is a solution – Disprin brings relief and sombre music becomes bright.
Collection reference C1110
Year 1964
Credits Production Company: Pacific Films
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Dettol
Dettol's versatility is emphasized in a variety of situations: when a mechanic cuts his hand, in a baby's bath, in the laundry, cleaning cupboards, and for disinfecting the rubbish bin.
Harp chords accompany the "floating fumes" of Dettol.
"Wherever infection threatens, you need Dettol – the gentle antispetic, powerful disinfectant."
Collection reference C1123
Year 1964
Credits Production Company: Pacific Films; Agency: Charles Haines; Client: Reckitt & Colman
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Nyal Chocolax
"Little Joe felt mighty low only yesterday. Today our Joe is on the go."
What happened in between? Turns out Joe had a temporary irregularity. His mother turns to Nyal Chocolax – which "corrects irregularities in children of all ages."
"Nyal Chocolax is real chocolate with a medically proven, gentle acting laxative added."
Collection reference C5534
Year 1962
Credits Production Company: Colour & TV Films
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New Zealand Post Office
A robber holds up a very polite post office teller (Peter Harcourt). He is caught and says: "I didn't get away with it, but it just goes to show that you always get excellent service from the Post Office Savings Bank."
Collection reference C4253
Year 1961
Credits Production Company: Pacific Films; Client: NZ Post Office;
Cast: Peter Harcourt
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Jockey Underwear – Well-dressed Man
This was the first television advertisement made by production studio Pacific Films (made in 1960 for the arrival of commercial TV in New Zealand in 1961) and it was banned!
As a business man (Peter Harcourt) enters a building, a voiceover asks "ever wondered what the well-dressed man wears next to his skin?" In the original version, lights dim and the silhouette shows a man well dressed in his Jockey underwear. The advertisement was deemed inappropriate because of the scenes showing Peter Harcourt in his underwear. It was re-edited before broadcast – the replacement ad simply showed the jockeys.
"You'll always feel completely at ease in white jockeys – the world's biggest selling underwear."
Collection reference C1869
Year 1960
Credits Production Company: Pacific Films; Client: Lane Walker Rudkin;
Cast: Peter Harcourt
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Jockey Underwear – 2 to 62
An animated group of men and a young boy model Jockey underwear on a stage. "From 2 to 62… a man needs Jockey comfort."
Collection reference C9989
Year 1964
Credits Production Company: Morrow Productions
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Hanes Underwear
"Nothing goes right when your underwear's tight."
In this comic take-off Captain Bligh and Superman lose their cool because they're not wearing Hanes. If only they had chosen soft top Hanes underwear!
Collection reference C1245
Year 1965
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Canterbury Sportswear
"Watch this… it's the new Bob Charles t-shirt in action… the first one with a gusset."
This advertisement is characterised by repeated zoom shots. From a close-up of a man's chest, the camera zooms out to show his tennis serve, then zooms in again to show the gusset moving as he plays sports.
Slow motion shots show the man casting a fishing line and swinging a golf club.
Collection reference C25773
Year 1964
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor
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Bonds Illusion
A set of models turn the heads of men wherever they go – driving a car, on a photoshoot on a marina, at the office, climbing a ladder in a bookshop, at a cocktail party – by the sheer magnetism of their Bonds Illusion pantyhose.
"She's wearing Bonds, Bonds Illusions… Women wearing Bonds know they look lovely."
Collection reference C25748
Year 1962
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor; Client: Bonds Sy-Metra
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Dulux Paint
A man and woman sing slogans in a robotic way ("hey mate!" / "let's decorate!") as the camera quickly intercuts between the two of them and modern graphics titles.
"It's Dulux month – new colours, gay colours, fresh colours. With new colours in the range, Dulux is top of the ladder for colour selection. There's a Dulux paint for every purpose. Let's decorate."
Collection reference C25552
Year 1965
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor
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Don Furniture
"Don brings you the cool, clean line of international design."
Furniture items are shot like works of sculpture, coming in and out of focus against a minimalist white background. Mahogany arm rests blend with patterned fabric. Shots of chairs are overlaid with a cool jazz soundtrack.
These New Zealand made chairs and recliners were very desirable during the 1960s-70s. When New Zealand clamped down on imports with a host of regulations, it presented an opportunity for local production. Don Furniture was a manufacturer that succeeded in the wake of this development.
Collection reference C25526
Year 1960s
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor; Client: Supertex
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Craven A Cigarettes
During the early 1960s cigarette smoking was still a social norm in New Zealand and common in advertising. However, in 1963 cigarette advertising would be banned on radio and television, as a result of growing scientific evidence of the harmfulness of smoking – this is one of the last advertisements produced before the ban came into effect.
Here a packet of Craven A cigarettes is showcased against a background of fireworks and fountains: "Light it, you'll like it! Craven A – a right clean cigarette."
Collection reference C1885
Year 1963
Credits Production company: Pacific Films
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Matinée Cigarettes
A couple in a rowboat drift, under pussywillow branches, to the riverbank. He takes her hand and helps her onto the bank. They lie on the grass, his arm cradling her head.
Leaning over her, he proffers and lights for her a Matinée cigarette. This is accompanied by a jingle, in lounge music style: "It’s modern to say, 'oh Yes, mine’s a Matinée.'"
This is a typical advertising set-up of the era, with the use of conventionally attractive people to associate the product with type.
Tobacco advertising, of course, is illegal in this medium today – cigarette advertising was banned on New Zealand television and radio by broadcasting authorities in 1963 in response to medical research on its adverse effects.
Collection reference C1329
Year 1960s
Credits Production Company: Pacific Films
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Top Dog Jellymeat
This advertisement features shots of many different types of dogs, big and small, with their owners.
"No matter what type of dog he is, he’s a top dog to someone – and if you want to let him know, give him Top Dog."
Collection reference C25522
Year 1965
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor; Producer: Clyde Scott
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Top Dog Jellymeat – Making Of
These stills show a location shoot for a 1965 Top Dog pet food television advertisement.
They depict crew from the Peach Wemyss Astor production company (including Producer Clyde Scott and Kelvin Peach on camera) filming actors portraying pet-owners and their dogs.
In one image, multiple people are attempting to get a Dalmatian to look in the direction of the camera.
Collection reference S15757, S15758, S15839
Year 1965
Credits Production Company: Peach Wemyss Astor; Producer: Clyde Scott; Source: Documentation Collection, Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision; Courtesy of: Kelvin Peach
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Lincoln Toys
New Zealand's Lincoln Toys were formed in Auckland in 1946. They went on to produce a wide variety of toys, including licensed products from overseas, in the 1960s and 1970s under the name Lincoln International.
The well-known slogan "Boy oh boy, a Lincoln Toy!" appears in this radio commercial from 1960 for a "Silver Streak Whirlybird" toy helicopter.
Collection reference 25812
Year 1960