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Active Baby Boomers

Remember those Classic TV Commercials of the '50s and '60s? Fun Documentary Brings them Back
by David M. Bresnahan

LOS ANGELES - Watching television commercials from the 50s and 60s brings back wonderful memories for baby boomers, and their kids are amazed by how primitive TV once was.

The DVD documentary "Madison Avenue Fever"(60 minutes) is an entertaining and informative look at the history of television commercials. It covers the period known as the "golden age of television."

 

Hosted by R.J. Thomas, "Madison Avenue Fever" features clips of some of the funniest, corniest, entertaining, memorable, and influential commercials ever made. This fun program is available on DVD and is a lot more than just entertainment. Thomas teaches how television caused panic from radio stations as advertisers fled from radio and turned to television.

Consumers were buying TVs by the millions, and advertisers were anxious to capture their share of the growing audience. Television advertising had a major influence on the baby boomer generation, and the nation was transformed as a result.

 

Tobacco companies were some of the most prominent advertisers on television, and all the top stars and sports celebrities of the time were seen lighting up their favorite brands.

"'The Flintstones' began as an adult show on prime time television. Of course the Flintstones eventually switched to vitamins, but in 1962 Fred and Barney were shown puffing on Winstons," explained Thomas.

Stars like Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Dick Van Dyke, and sports heroes like the Red Sox legend Ted Williams are all seen promoting their favorite brands in "Madison Avenue Fever."

Thomas takes viewers on an entertaining and historic journey through the early years of television advertising. He shows how advertisers tempted viewers with everything from cigarettes, sporty cars for men, miracle appliances for women, and all the latest toys for the kids.

What baby boomer can forget the Ajax knight on horseback, the happy kid who learns he has no cavities after brushing with Crest, and so many other commercials that have become a part of American heritage and imbedded in our memories?

The clips feature many stars of the time, including Howdy Doody, Phil Silvers, Ozzie Nelson, Don Knotts as Barney Fife, Groucho Marx and his brothers Chico and Harpo, the Monkees, Clayton Moore as the Lone Ranger, and even Bugs Bunny and the Flintstones.

The DVD is available at www.BooksAndSuchMart.com.

About R.J. Thomas R.J. Thomas is a California-based filmmaker and author. His films include Man the Guns, The Saturday Afternoon Serial, Western Flickers, and The Good News. His books include The Great Transatlantic Race, The Fate of Generations, The First Target, Not for Evil, Along the Coconut Coast, Gain by Violence, Treasures on Earth, and the Top Secret UFO Project. He has worked for Freedom Productions as an actor, appearing in Paradise and Of a Common Bond. He is also the creator of the books-on-tape I Write a Mystery.

Contact: R.J. Thomas 310-288-6605 rjt1976@yahoo.com

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