Walter Lantz and the Coca-Cola Company...

[MF TOON]

What of the commercial films produced by Lantz between 1948 and 1953?

Can anyone explain how this relationship with Coca-Cola advertising came to be? Did they act solely as distributor for the theatrical shorts produced at Lantz studio?

What of the films themselves; Were they the usual one-reelers and similar in length and running time to the non-commercial Lantz productions? Were all of the shorts of generic storybook theme and typical fables and fairytale adaptations? How did the Coke tie-in work it's way into the stories.. were they obvious promotional vehicles or did they serve as entertainment value in their own right? How did quality compare to the other theatrical series by the likes of Dick Lundy and company at the time?

And finally, what is the status of these films today? Are they particularly rare and does anyone know if they are all under Universal's ownership?

[Ray Pointer]

All animation studios took on industrial and commercial film production work. They were not tied exclusively to their theatrical contracts. Since the sponsoring companies hired the services of a studio such as Lantz, the company, in this case Coca-Cola owned the films they contracted. So they were the property of the company, not Lantz or Universal. There was no ownership of the commercial films on the part of Universal. And if any Lantz characters were used in the commercial films, as was the case of the many television commercials using WOODY WOODPECKER for Kellogg's Rice Crispies,
the films are the property of the Leo Burnett Agency and the Kellogg's Company.:woody:

[MF TOON]

While it's true that most animation studios from Columbia to Disney contracted production of commercial films for profit, this specific instance I believe is slightly different in that unless I'm mistaken, these were a series of one-reel animated storybook fables and not the typical two minute animations you'd often catch at the drive-in but full length theatrical shorts produced by Lantz that previewed films at the cinema; so not unlike say the Fleischer-Oldsmobile pairing for instance. Though again I could be mistaken. I'm just interested in finding out more about these productions.

[speedy fast]

While Universal doesn't own the rights to these films, I wonder if Universal would consider spending the money needed to include it as a special feature on one of it's Woody Woodpecker DVDs (and also if Coca-Cola would even license it).

[Ray Pointer]

While it's true that most animation studios from Columbia to Disney contracted production of commercial films for profit, this specific instance I believe is slightly different in that unless I'm mistaken, these were a series of one-reel animated storybook fables and not the typical two minute animations you'd often catch at the drive-in but full length theatrical shorts produced by Lantz that previewed films at the cinema; so not unlike say the Fleischer-Oldsmobile pairing for instance. Though again I could be mistaken. I'm just interested in finding out more about these productions.

Some animated industrials used a "storybook" or fairytale model. The Nicky Nome series done by Jam Handy for Chevrolet from 1936 to 1939 were theatrical quality shorts in full Technicolor running 7 minutes. If you could narrow down the decade you are referring to, perhaps an answer could be found.

[MF TOON]

Ray, I believe the era we're talking about would be circa 1950.

[jonmayo15]

"You would think that a house full of crazy people would be fun, but it's really depressing." OT- You've been watching "The Simpsons" I see.:D

[speedy fast]

OT- You've been watching "The Simpsons" I see.:D

That's odd. I didn't know that you could quote signatures (especially since they can be changed, and I change my signature every once in awhile).

[nickramer]

Speedy, is that quote from "Stark Raving Dad" where Homor meets "Michael Jackson"?

[Matthew Hunter]

It certainly explains why Woody was so hyper...too much sugar and caffeine! :woody:

[speedy fast]

Speedy, is that quote from "Stark Raving Dad" where Homor meets "Michael Jackson"?

No, it's from the most recent episode, I don't know the title. Lurleen Lumpkin returns, and is depressed because she'd been abandoned by her father.

[speedy fast]

No, it's from the most recent episode, I don't know the title. Lurleen Lumpkin returns, and is depressed because she'd been abandoned by her father.

I just checked Wikipedia, and the episode title is Papa Don't Leech.

Now let's try to get back on-topic.

[Steve Stanch]

Woody is super hopped up in the Rice Crispies ad. At the beginning of one of them, he runs across a busy street against the light, barely avoiding death to get to the grocery store! An excellent role model for children!

[Ray Pointer]

What does that have to do with Coca-Cola? Last time I knew, Kellogg's and The Coca-Cola Company were two separate corporations. As for "role models for children," this only perpetuates the concept that has straight-jacketed animation into being a "children's medium." There were daring and rude things that WOODY did in the 1940s cartoons that would not be considered "role models" either. Aside from the fact that the RICE CRISPIES commericial was placed in programing aimed at children is a secondary issue. We are not supposed to look to cartoons for "role models." That's why are have parents, teachers, and most of all, reality to turn to for that.:woody:

[Steve Stanch]

Of course I was kidding Ray (!)- though, it's obvious why such direction in a commercial for children sends a funny (but odd) message at best. Regardless, it's easily one of my favorite commercials made by the Lantz studio.

I mentioned this because of the Lantz commercial connection....

On Coca Cola (sort of of) related note, Gordon Sheehan directed a few Pepsi ads (with Pepsi and Pete). Questel and Mercer lent their voice talents to them, free. I wish I had the print that Gordon had, it's vanished at the moment- hopefully it will show up again.


Cartoons as role models:

I did learn (and tended to like) the cartoons that did have a point of view about the world that I agreed with or contibuted to a point of view. Popeye was probably the most influential in this regard. I've learned a lot from the character in both the strip and the cartoons that I've applied to reality, though I've rarely run across the street to get rice Crispies or lifted and spun a plane into the air to start it.

I think it's as valid to learn things about the world from cartoon stories as the poetry of Robert Frost, reading a great book or looking at a great piece of art. Film and filmmakers are the modern day Shamans, interpreting and telling their stories.... though in the case of this Rice Crispies ad, the point is to make it funny (as well as to show the energy packing goodness of processed rice)

I think this is yet another reason why the Fleischer Popeye cartoons are so endearing; The later Boops and the Color Classics seemed insincere often in their preachy messages, while this was never the case in the 30's Popeye films- the stories frequently involved Popeye making a choice, choosing the right thing to do. Cartoon story telling at it's best. It's more than I ever learned from Mother Goose (and of course so many of those story were meant to teach a lesson).

[Ray Pointer]

I think someone is lost here. Coca-Cola, anyone?

[Steve Stanch]

(only 4 posts (5 now) in this 17 post thread mention Coca Cola, so I guess this thread isn't just about Coke!)- it's about Lantz ads in general, with a little Simpsons tossed in somehow....... To please the Cola patrol though, I'll 'ad' what I do know about animated Coke ads:

Coke was represented by 3 ad agencies in the production of advertising in the 30's. The first animated ad for the product was to be produced in the late teens, though there is no indication that any films were ever produced for the product back then. Iwerk's company, Cartoon films Inc, made at least two 1 minute ads for Coke in Technicolor in 1940 (one appears on the first volume of Cultoons). There are several ads produced for Drive-in theatres featuring Coke, though most likely not funded by the fizzy drink. I've heard there's a few animated for times square by Otto Mesmer, though the reels I have don't include this footage.

Has anyone seen any other animated Coke ads? I'd love to know what else was made.

Lantz made a handful of other educational and commercial films, though they are hard to find. My favorite is easily 'The Enemy Bacteria', but a close second is a film called "Reddy Made Magic" (1948) produced for GE. Even at almost 10 minutes long, it gives a very trucated and somewhat innaccurate version of the invention and innovations surrounding electricity, though it's hard to complain while watching this beautifully animated Technicolor film, featuring Reddy Kilowatt and even Ben Franklin! It is NOT in the Public Domain, so it won't be released anytime soon, at least by me.....

[larriva9/11]

Yeah, I was wondering (given the timeframe cited in the original post) when Reddy Kilowatt was going to be mentioned...

[Ray Pointer]

(only 4 posts (5 now) in this 17 post thread mention Coca Cola, so I guess this thread isn't just about Coke!)- it's about Lantz ads in general, with a little Simpsons tossed in somehow....... To please the Cola patrol though, I'll 'ad' what I do know about animated Coke ads:

Coke was represented by 3 ad agencies in the production of advertising in the 30's. The first animated ad for the product was to be produced in the late teens, though there is no indication that any films were ever produced for the product back then. Iwerk's company, Cartoon films Inc, made at least two 1 minute ads for Coke in Technicolor in 1940 (one appears on the first volume of Cultoons). There are several ads produced for Drive-in theatres featuring Coke, though most likely not funded by the fizzy drink. I've heard there's a few animated for times square by Otto Mesmer, though the reels I have don't include this footage.

Has anyone seen any other animated Coke ads? I'd love to know what else was made.

Lantz made a handful of other educational and commercial films, though they are hard to find. My favorite is easily 'The Enemy Bacteria', but a close second is a film called "Reddy Made Magic" (1948) produced for GE. Even at almost 10 minutes long, it gives a very trucated and somewhat innaccurate version of the invention and innovations surrounding electricity, though it's hard to complain while watching this beautifully animated Technicolor film, featuring Reddy Kilowatt and even Ben Franklin! It is NOT in the Public Domain, so it won't be released anytime soon, at least by me.....

I saw the READY KILOWATT film in Elementary School. I wasn't aware that it was produced in 1948, but it was not made for G.E. READY KILOWATT was a cartoon trademark of Edison. Incidentally, Walter Tetley was the voice of READY KILOWATT. Anyone for a Coke?

[cpdavison]

I saw the READY KILOWATT film in Elementary School. I wasn't aware that it was produced in 1948, but it was not made for G.E. READY KILOWATT was a cartoon trademark of Edison. Incidentally, Walter Tetley was the voice of READY KILOWATT. Anyone for a Coke?

Tetley makes tea, I believe... :o

Lots of info in this thread, reagrdless. Thanks, everyone, for sharing.

Craig D.

[Steve Stanch]

I have to go back and look at this film again- I'm sure you're right, but I could swear it has the GE logo at the front of it.... at the end of it, Reddy is dancing all over the place for no reason at all.... It's neat that you saw it in high school-It must have been shown for many years, probably as part of a local film library. Disney and other companies gave away some films to libraries, oftne disguised as 'educational' when they were actually an ad or were propaganda of one sort or another. Disney gave away one called 'The Peter Pan Story' that was really a commercial for their feature....

The print I've seen is a silver track IB tech print, so the print itself would have been made after 1949 (Technicolor's earlier 'blue track' 16mm prints (made between 1940 and 49) are very nice color-wise but often soft in focus compared to the later prints). It's sad that Lantz disbanded at this point; the animation and design was quite nice on Reddy, if memory serves...

Many years back, at a film show, some collectors were helping to liquidate the collection of late cartoonsist Al Kilgore (who was a big cartoon and Laurel and Hardy fan). Many of his prints in the collection had been in a flood and had water damage. I ended up buying his print of Knock Knock, in beautiful blue track IB, with water damage throughout- You can get a fairly good idea of the color impact talked about when Woody first stepped onto the screen. It blaringly bright at that point in the film, matched only by the rich deep purple that Andy's pop turns . There's a mellowness to the subtle colors on a Tech print that is often lost on video (when we've transferred things in Tech we've tried to keep that original Tech look without blowing everything out and brightening it too much...)

In many stored now, you can buy real Coke imported from Mexico. The advantage is that is tastes very different from the Coke in the US, because they're still using real sugar instead of Corn Syrup (I dare anyone to try and buy groceries without ANY corn syrup-pick up the back on ANY processed product and there it is, unless you are VERY careful- I won't go into that right now though...).Coke with real sugar is horrible for your teeth, but yummy... and in a small glass bottle to boot!

[Ray Pointer]

You can save your hair and the trouble by checking Edison's history. "Ready Kilowatt" WAS a symbol of The Edison Company. He was a "trademark" character used in ads for Edison. Edison is a utility manufacturing company. General Electric is an electfical device manufacturer in areas from appliances to motors and jet turbines. The entire concept of "Ready Kilowatt" was the idea of the easy access and availability of electricity as the name implies. "Ready" was on the cartons of electic bulbs sold by The Detroit Edison Company. Also, the old Lincoln-Mercury plant at Livernois and Warren was converted to an Edison Electical plant in 1958, and there was a neon sign with "Ready Kilowat" incorporated into it.

But the subject is Coca-Cola and Walter Lantz. As we also know, The Lantz Studio did 7UP films as well. But getting back to Coca-Cola, it's odd that "The Real Thing" has to come from Mexico. Are you sure it's the sugar and not the water that affects the taste? Have you experienced any physical after affects from drinking it? :D

I don't know when Corn Syrup was added to the formula, but I do know that caramel was part of the formula, too. It had a more potent taste when I was a kid, and I have excellent teeth. I've never had a cavity-with or without Crest Toothpaste. But the old Coca-Cola was very acidic. My uncle was told that it would remove the rust from an automobile bumper. It did. It removed the rust and the chrome, too! That's one for Woody!:woody:

[larriva9/11]

Sorry to niggle, Ray, but...would that be *Reddy*, as opposed to Ready?

[Ray Pointer]

Reddy, Ready, WHATEVER. Actually it IS "Ready" Kilowatt: Check out the following: http://www.pbase.com/image/80577824

Considering that anything referencing "Red" then was considered subversive, it's a wonder he or Edison escaped being called before HUAC.

[Studio Toledo]

You can save your hair and the trouble by checking Edison's history. "Ready Kilowatt" WAS a symbol of The Edison Company. He was a "trademark" character used in ads for Edison. Edison is a utility manufacturing company. General Electric is an electfical device manufacturer in areas from appliances to motors and jet turbines. The entire concept of "Ready Kilowatt" was the idea of the easy access and availability of electricity as the name implies. "Ready" was on the cartons of electic bulbs sold by The Detroit Edison Company. Also, the old Lincoln-Mercury plant at Livernois and Warren was converted to an Edison Electical plant in 1958, and there was a neon sign with "Ready Kilowat" incorporated into it.
Hmmm, wonder if Toledo Edison used him too? (probably did anyway)

The only other time I had ever heard of Ready Kilowatt was in the obscure cameo appearance on a monitor in the Star Wars spoof short, "Hardware Wars" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardware_Wars).

I don't know when Corn Syrup was added to the formula, but I do know that caramel was part of the formula, too. It had a more potent taste when I was a kid, and I have excellent teeth. I've never had a cavity-with or without Crest Toothpaste. But the old Coca-Cola was very acidic. My uncle was told that it would remove the rust from an automobile bumper. It did. It removed the rust and the chrome, too! That's one for Woody!:woody:
Hmmm, wonder if I felt safer growing up in the 80's when that change happened and brushed my teeth daily? Wouldn't mind tasting cane sugar Coca-Cola if I ever get another bottle from Mexico again (I have one but never opened it up, fearing I'll never see another again).

[nickramer]

Hmmm, wonder if I felt safer growing up in the 80's when that change happened and brushed my teeth daily? Wouldn't mind tasting cane sugar Coca-Cola if I ever get another bottle from Mexico again (I have one but never opened it up, fearing I'll never see another again).

The Mexican bottled Coca-Cola can be found in the International food section at the Kroger stores.

[Steve Stanch]

I do know that Reddy was a trademark of Edison, of course- but I'm pretty sure GE had something to do with the production of this little film in one way or another......again, I'll have to see the print again...

If you check the ingredients of the Mexican coke you'll see no corn syrup, instead, sugar, like the stuff used to be here. It isn't as fizzy as I've heard the old stuff was, but it seems a little fizzier than regualr coke is here...

I remember the old Reddy Killowatt sign, and always wondered what it was....

[Studio Toledo]

The Mexican bottled Coca-Cola can be found in the International food section at the Kroger stores.
I'll have to see if the Kroger's near me has an International section. They've already expanded to offer such mindless things as a pizza carry-out and a kitchen appliance department by now. Who knows, they might sell Pocky and Pretz too. I just hardly shop there at all and miss the more local supermarkets Toledo once had prior to the start of the century.

[Studio Toledo]

I do know that Reddy was a trademark of Edison, of course- but I'm pretty sure GE had something to do with the production of this little film in one way or another......again, I'll have to see the print again...
Everything back then felt like a monopoly in those days didn't it? I kinda missed that time when it felt like any power/phone/heat company was the ONLY company you ever had and/or needed than today where you have choices. It startles me how it is now.

If you check the ingredients of the Mexican coke you'll see no corn syrup, instead, sugar, like the stuff used to be here. It isn't as fizzy as I've heard the old stuff was, but it seems a little fizzier than regualr coke is here...
It's just hard for me to remember when it had been like since it was so long ago and I was too young to really grasp the taste, so it would be of interest to see what I missed from the years of being on HFCS-laden drinks. Course I also miss seeing pop sold in big glass bottles too than the dinky novelty bottles Coca-Cola bothers to do here (kids nowadays can never grasp the fun it was to use a bottle opening like I did, or be a man and dare to open it with your bare hands).

[nickramer]

I'll have to see if the Kroger's near me has an International section. They've already expanded to offer such mindless things as a pizza carry-out and a kitchen appliance department by now. Who knows, they might sell Pocky and Pretz too. I just hardly shop there at all and miss the more local supermarkets Toledo once had prior to the start of the century.

Although I can understand the problems, I can't really bash that store much though, since it my current job right now and it's hard to find jobs for a person like me with austism. Espcially for ones who can't drive. Besides, it beats working at Walmart.

[Ray Pointer]

[QUOTE=Studio Toledo]Everything back then felt like a monopoly in those days didn't it? I kinda missed that time when it felt like any power/phone/heat company was the ONLY company you ever had and/or needed than today where you have choices. It startles me how it is now.

Pardon the diversion off topic, but the monoplies are actually worse now. With four or five companies owning the film companies, the networks and distribution outlets everything is homogonized. There is no real "studio brand" to the product to speak of. When the phone company was a monopoly, the service was better and less expensive.

Bringing it all back to the subject of Coca-Cola, what shall it be, the "Coke Challenge"? Coke, Pepsi, RC, or Shasta? Are these to become homogonized too? How can we return to the subject of Walter Lantz and Coca-Cola?

[Thad]

Jim Henson says RC Cola is better for you...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtId1k-sYfo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFOu4-MAa3Q

[Leviathan]

Nutty Bird sound like Kermit with just a touch of Guy Smiley.