UPA Commercials - late 1950's

Format: 16mm

Archive ID: 0743

Notes: These are a grouping of the UPA commercials that we uploaded in late 2011-early 2012. UPA (United Productions of America) is an animation studio most known for Gerald-McBoing Boing (1956-7), Mr Magoo and for distributing Japanese monster movies in the 70's and later. Contents: American Express Traveller Cheques Aqua Velva Blue Mist Windex Caloric Gas Appliances Domino Pure Cane Sugar Find it fast in the Yellow Pages Jonny Mop Nabisco Snack Crackers Grape-Nuts Flakes State-Line Potato Chips Order an extention line for your kitchen Rates are lower Nights and Sunday Red Cap Ale

Tags: #16mm #archival

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Shotlist & Visual Analysis

The still from the late 1950s UPA Commercials features a pair of animated characters in a whimsical, cartoonish style typical of UPA's work. They appear to be riding in a small, playful vehicle, characterized by exaggerated shapes and expressions. The character design exhibits a light-hearted, humorous aesthetic, reflecting UPA's innovative approach to animation during that period. The overall tone suggests a fun and engaging commercial, likely aimed at promoting American Express.

00:00:00.000 — The still from the late 1950s UPA Commercials features a pair of animated characters in a whimsical, cartoonish style typical of UPA's work. They appear to be riding in a small, playful vehicle, characterized by exaggerated shapes and expressions. The character design exhibits a light-hearted, humorous aesthetic, reflecting UPA's innovative approach to animation during that period. The overall tone suggests a fun and engaging commercial, likely aimed at promoting American Express.

The still from the UPA commercial features a stylized character, likely a salesman or representative, holding a fan of American Express cards. The animation style is characteristic of UPA’s mid-century approach, emphasizing bold shapes and limited color palettes. The overall design conveys a sense of professionalism and modernity, aligning with the brand's identity during the late 1950s. The character's expression and posture suggest affability and confidence in promoting the service.

00:00:36.036 — The still from the UPA commercial features a stylized character, likely a salesman or representative, holding a fan of American Express cards. The animation style is characteristic of UPA’s mid-century approach, emphasizing bold shapes and limited color palettes. The overall design conveys a sense of professionalism and modernity, aligning with the brand's identity during the late 1950s. The character's expression and posture suggest affability and confidence in promoting the service.

The still from the UPA commercials features a playful, illustrated newspaper front page with the title 'LE JOUR' prominently displayed at the top. Below it, the headline reads 'NAPPY ROMANCES JOSIE!' accompanied by whimsical drawings of two cherub-like figures surrounded by decorative elements like hearts and stars. The layout suggests a light-hearted, romantic theme, typical of UPA's distinctive animation style during the late 1950s, blending humor with charm. The empty sections at the bottom indicate space for additional content, enhancing the newspaper motif.

00:00:46.046 — The still from the UPA commercials features a playful, illustrated newspaper front page with the title 'LE JOUR' prominently displayed at the top. Below it, the headline reads 'NAPPY ROMANCES JOSIE!' accompanied by whimsical drawings of two cherub-like figures surrounded by decorative elements like hearts and stars. The layout suggests a light-hearted, romantic theme, typical of UPA's distinctive animation style during the late 1950s, blending humor with charm. The empty sections at the bottom indicate space for additional content, enhancing the newspaper motif.

The still from the UPA commercials features a stylized animation style typical of the late 1950s. The image depicts an abstract house shape, with a design involving swirling patterns, possibly representing a tree or plant, contained within a grid. Below, there’s a simple depiction of a pot. In the background, a stylized sun adds to the whimsical atmosphere. This concise and graphic approach reflects UPA's innovative animation style, which often emphasized design and color over realistic representation. The context suggests it may be part of a commercial for American Express.

00:01:35.963 — The still from the UPA commercials features a stylized animation style typical of the late 1950s. The image depicts an abstract house shape, with a design involving swirling patterns, possibly representing a tree or plant, contained within a grid. Below, there’s a simple depiction of a pot. In the background, a stylized sun adds to the whimsical atmosphere. This concise and graphic approach reflects UPA's innovative animation style, which often emphasized design and color over realistic representation. The context suggests it may be part of a commercial for American Express.

The still from the UPA commercials features a simple yet striking visual composition of concentric circles against a textured background. The design emphasizes the contrast between the various sizes of the rings, creating a sense of depth and movement. This minimalist approach reflects UPA's distinctive animation style, characterized by bold graphics and clean lines. The commercial likely involves an abstract representation related to American Express, utilizing animation to convey a message in a visually engaging way typical of the late 1950s.

00:01:56.650 — The still from the UPA commercials features a simple yet striking visual composition of concentric circles against a textured background. The design emphasizes the contrast between the various sizes of the rings, creating a sense of depth and movement. This minimalist approach reflects UPA's distinctive animation style, characterized by bold graphics and clean lines. The commercial likely involves an abstract representation related to American Express, utilizing animation to convey a message in a visually engaging way typical of the late 1950s.

The still from the UPA commercials features the word 'BOY!' prominently displayed. The typography is bold and playful, reflecting the style of mid-century animation. The design is likely accompanied by a colorful or textured background, characteristic of UPA's distinctive visual approach. Given the context, this commercial for American Express likely aims to evoke a sense of excitement or enthusiasm, aligning with the fun and whimsical nature of UPA's animation style.

00:01:57.284 — The still from the UPA commercials features the word 'BOY!' prominently displayed. The typography is bold and playful, reflecting the style of mid-century animation. The design is likely accompanied by a colorful or textured background, characteristic of UPA's distinctive visual approach. Given the context, this commercial for American Express likely aims to evoke a sense of excitement or enthusiasm, aligning with the fun and whimsical nature of UPA's animation style.

The still appears to be a stylized graphic featuring a circular design, possibly representing the American Express logo or theme. The background may have a textured or abstract pattern, typical of the animation style from UPA during the late 1950s. The overall feel is minimalist and colorful, emphasizing the modern aesthetic that UPA was known for in its advertising work.

00:02:18.638 — The still appears to be a stylized graphic featuring a circular design, possibly representing the American Express logo or theme. The background may have a textured or abstract pattern, typical of the animation style from UPA during the late 1950s. The overall feel is minimalist and colorful, emphasizing the modern aesthetic that UPA was known for in its advertising work.

The 16mm still from 'UPA Commercials - late 1950's' features a close-up view of a stainless steel gas stove with four burners. The stove is shown against a minimalistic kitchen background, typical of mid-century design. The commercial likely emphasizes modern appliances, showcasing the sleek design and functionality of the stove. UPA's animation style often blended humor and visual appeal, suggesting the ad may also have a creative or engaging narrative.

00:02:37.624 — The 16mm still from 'UPA Commercials - late 1950's' features a close-up view of a stainless steel gas stove with four burners. The stove is shown against a minimalistic kitchen background, typical of mid-century design. The commercial likely emphasizes modern appliances, showcasing the sleek design and functionality of the stove. UPA's animation style often blended humor and visual appeal, suggesting the ad may also have a creative or engaging narrative.

The still from the UPA commercials features a character in a simple kitchen setting, wearing an apron and standing beside a stove and counters. The visual style reflects the animation aesthetics of the late 1950s, showcasing a minimalistic design typical of UPA's work. This particular scene likely promotes American Express, emphasizing a straightforward, clean approach to advertising typical of the period.

00:02:50.904 — The still from the UPA commercials features a character in a simple kitchen setting, wearing an apron and standing beside a stove and counters. The visual style reflects the animation aesthetics of the late 1950s, showcasing a minimalistic design typical of UPA's work. This particular scene likely promotes American Express, emphasizing a straightforward, clean approach to advertising typical of the period.

The still features a character in a minimalist, stylized animation typical of the late 1950s UPA style. She has a simple, cheerful expression and is holding an object that resembles a bowling ball, standing next to a stylized representation of a bowling lane. The background consists of large, colorful polka dots that add a vibrant contrast to the character's monochrome appearance. This scene likely promotes American Express, reflecting the playful, modern design aesthetic of the period.

00:02:57.477 — The still features a character in a minimalist, stylized animation typical of the late 1950s UPA style. She has a simple, cheerful expression and is holding an object that resembles a bowling ball, standing next to a stylized representation of a bowling lane. The background consists of large, colorful polka dots that add a vibrant contrast to the character's monochrome appearance. This scene likely promotes American Express, reflecting the playful, modern design aesthetic of the period.

The still features a stylized image of an open book, likely representing a phone directory, with the text 'Find It Fast In The Yellow Pages' prominently displayed. A vintage telephone is illustrated next to the book, emphasizing the connection between the phone directory and reaching out for services. This animation style aligns with UPA's distinctive approach to design, showcasing simplicity and clarity, common in their commercials from the late 1950s, promoting American Express.

00:03:14.528 — The still features a stylized image of an open book, likely representing a phone directory, with the text 'Find It Fast In The Yellow Pages' prominently displayed. A vintage telephone is illustrated next to the book, emphasizing the connection between the phone directory and reaching out for services. This animation style aligns with UPA's distinctive approach to design, showcasing simplicity and clarity, common in their commercials from the late 1950s, promoting American Express.

The 16mm still from the 'UPA Commercials - late 1950s' features a simplistic, hand-drawn animation style characteristic of UPA's work. The scene depicts a storefront labeled 'STORE' with a blank window and a nearby house. The design emphasizes clean lines and minimalistic forms, reflecting UPA's modernist aesthetic. This commercial likely promotes American Express, aligning with UPA's trend of incorporating humor and creativity in advertising during that era.

00:04:37.944 — The 16mm still from the 'UPA Commercials - late 1950s' features a simplistic, hand-drawn animation style characteristic of UPA's work. The scene depicts a storefront labeled 'STORE' with a blank window and a nearby house. The design emphasizes clean lines and minimalistic forms, reflecting UPA's modernist aesthetic. This commercial likely promotes American Express, aligning with UPA's trend of incorporating humor and creativity in advertising during that era.

The still from the 'UPA Commercials - late 1950s' features a collection of product advertisements for Nabisco snacks. It presents eight different snack items, each shown in a stylized, graphic design typical of mid-century animation. The products highlighted include 'Veri-Thin,' 'Wheat Thins,' 'Triscuit,' and others, emphasizing a sleek, modern aesthetic. The bottom text reads 'BAKED NABISCO,' indicating the manufacturer. The overall visual style reflects the innovative animation techniques and artistic flair characteristic of UPA during that era.

00:05:39.172 — The still from the 'UPA Commercials - late 1950s' features a collection of product advertisements for Nabisco snacks. It presents eight different snack items, each shown in a stylized, graphic design typical of mid-century animation. The products highlighted include 'Veri-Thin,' 'Wheat Thins,' 'Triscuit,' and others, emphasizing a sleek, modern aesthetic. The bottom text reads 'BAKED NABISCO,' indicating the manufacturer. The overall visual style reflects the innovative animation techniques and artistic flair characteristic of UPA during that era.

The still features a logo for 'Post,' presented in a bold, stylized font within an oval shape. The design is simple and eye-catching, reflective of the advertising aesthetics of the late 1950s. This logo likely pertains to a product or brand associated with the UPA commercials, drawing viewers' attention through its distinctive typography. The overall feel is nostalgic, reminiscent of mid-20th century American advertising.

00:06:14.875 — The still features a logo for 'Post,' presented in a bold, stylized font within an oval shape. The design is simple and eye-catching, reflective of the advertising aesthetics of the late 1950s. This logo likely pertains to a product or brand associated with the UPA commercials, drawing viewers' attention through its distinctive typography. The overall feel is nostalgic, reminiscent of mid-20th century American advertising.

The 16mm still from 'UPA Commercials - late 1950's' features a stylized, minimalist design typical of UPA's animation style. The image shows an oval shape against a light background, containing several tapered, white shapes that create a rhythmic visual pattern. This design likely conveys a playful and modern aesthetic, aligning with UPA's innovative approach to animation. The inclusion of 'American Express' suggests the advertisement aimed to modernize the brand's image, appealing to contemporary consumers of that era.

00:06:20.547 — The 16mm still from 'UPA Commercials - late 1950's' features a stylized, minimalist design typical of UPA's animation style. The image shows an oval shape against a light background, containing several tapered, white shapes that create a rhythmic visual pattern. This design likely conveys a playful and modern aesthetic, aligning with UPA's innovative approach to animation. The inclusion of 'American Express' suggests the advertisement aimed to modernize the brand's image, appealing to contemporary consumers of that era.

The still features a simple, stylized logo that reads 'Post' in a playful font. The logo is presented within an oval shape, prominently displayed against a muted background, conveying a vintage aesthetic typical of late 1950s advertising. This still is part of a collection of UPA commercials, known for their distinctive animation style, showcasing brands like American Express.

00:06:34.094 — The still features a simple, stylized logo that reads 'Post' in a playful font. The logo is presented within an oval shape, prominently displayed against a muted background, conveying a vintage aesthetic typical of late 1950s advertising. This still is part of a collection of UPA commercials, known for their distinctive animation style, showcasing brands like American Express.

The still from the late 1950s UPA commercials features a simple animated design associated with the American Express brand. The background is light-colored with a subtle texture, while a prominent gray square outline suggests a focus on a central visual element, typical of UPA’s modernist style. This aesthetic aligns with UPA's innovative approach to animation during that era.

00:06:35.462 — The still from the late 1950s UPA commercials features a simple animated design associated with the American Express brand. The background is light-colored with a subtle texture, while a prominent gray square outline suggests a focus on a central visual element, typical of UPA’s modernist style. This aesthetic aligns with UPA's innovative approach to animation during that era.

The still from the late 1950s UPA commercial features a vibrant and stylized cartoon character presenting a bag of 'State Line Potato Chips.' The character has a friendly demeanor, showcasing a minimalist design typical of UPA's animation style. The commercial highlights the product with bold graphics, embodying the playful and eye-catching advertising techniques of the era.

00:06:47.140 — The still from the late 1950s UPA commercial features a vibrant and stylized cartoon character presenting a bag of 'State Line Potato Chips.' The character has a friendly demeanor, showcasing a minimalist design typical of UPA's animation style. The commercial highlights the product with bold graphics, embodying the playful and eye-catching advertising techniques of the era.

The still from the UPA commercial features a stylized, animated character, likely a woman, characterized by exaggerated features such as wavy hair and a simplistic expression. The character's design is consistent with UPA's signature flat, graphic style, emphasizing clean lines and minimalistic details. The background appears to be a plain checkered pattern, which enhances the focus on the character. This commercial is part of UPA's distinctive approach to animation during the late 1950s, showcasing their innovative and artistic style.

00:06:52.078 — The still from the UPA commercial features a stylized, animated character, likely a woman, characterized by exaggerated features such as wavy hair and a simplistic expression. The character's design is consistent with UPA's signature flat, graphic style, emphasizing clean lines and minimalistic details. The background appears to be a plain checkered pattern, which enhances the focus on the character. This commercial is part of UPA's distinctive approach to animation during the late 1950s, showcasing their innovative and artistic style.

The still features a cartoon-style character, likely representing an everyday person, speaking on a vintage telephone. The character has a cheerful demeanor and is shown against a simple, checkered background. The style is characteristic of UPA's distinctive animation aesthetic, emphasizing simplicity and expressiveness, typical of their commercials from the late 1950s, particularly promoting American Express.

00:06:56.583 — The still features a cartoon-style character, likely representing an everyday person, speaking on a vintage telephone. The character has a cheerful demeanor and is shown against a simple, checkered background. The style is characteristic of UPA's distinctive animation aesthetic, emphasizing simplicity and expressiveness, typical of their commercials from the late 1950s, particularly promoting American Express.

The 16mm still from the late 1950s UPA commercials features a blank or textured background, with a few faint markings or imperfections typical of film degradation. This specific still is from a series of commercials, likely showcasing a creative approach to advertising, which UPA was known for during that era. The style aligns with their innovative animation techniques, previously highlighted in works like 'Gerald McBoing Boing' and 'Mr. Magoo'. The focus on American Express suggests a combination of playful animation and branding typical of UPA's commercial work.

00:07:14.634 — The 16mm still from the late 1950s UPA commercials features a blank or textured background, with a few faint markings or imperfections typical of film degradation. This specific still is from a series of commercials, likely showcasing a creative approach to advertising, which UPA was known for during that era. The style aligns with their innovative animation techniques, previously highlighted in works like 'Gerald McBoing Boing' and 'Mr. Magoo'. The focus on American Express suggests a combination of playful animation and branding typical of UPA's commercial work.

The still features a classic rotary telephone set against a stark black background, enclosed within a circular white graphic. It represents an early American Express commercial from the late 1950s, showcasing UPA's distinctive animation style. The simplicity and bold design reflect the era's advertising aesthetics, focusing on clear imagery to convey the message effectively.

00:07:31.685 — The still features a classic rotary telephone set against a stark black background, enclosed within a circular white graphic. It represents an early American Express commercial from the late 1950s, showcasing UPA's distinctive animation style. The simplicity and bold design reflect the era's advertising aesthetics, focusing on clear imagery to convey the message effectively.

The still from the UPA commercial features a stylized, animated character with a tall, slender figure and a friendly expression, sitting on the ground. He holds a bottle in one hand, while several other bottles are positioned around him. Another character, characterized by a distinct hairdo, peeks from behind the ground. The minimalist design and monochrome palette emphasize the playful and whimsical nature of UPA's animation style, characteristic of their work during the late 1950s. The context suggests a light-hearted look at leisure and enjoyment associated with the product being advertised, possibly an American beverage.

00:07:37.524 — The still from the UPA commercial features a stylized, animated character with a tall, slender figure and a friendly expression, sitting on the ground. He holds a bottle in one hand, while several other bottles are positioned around him. Another character, characterized by a distinct hairdo, peeks from behind the ground. The minimalist design and monochrome palette emphasize the playful and whimsical nature of UPA's animation style, characteristic of their work during the late 1950s. The context suggests a light-hearted look at leisure and enjoyment associated with the product being advertised, possibly an American beverage.

The still features a stylized, cartoonish character with a large grin, holding a bottle of soda. He is wearing a cap and a collared shirt, embodying a cheerful, optimistic demeanor. The background is minimalistic, allowing the character and the drink to stand out. This image likely reflects the playful animation style typical of UPA's commercials from the late 1950s, aiming to convey a lighthearted and fun aspect of consumer products, such as American Express.

00:07:40.493 — The still features a stylized, cartoonish character with a large grin, holding a bottle of soda. He is wearing a cap and a collared shirt, embodying a cheerful, optimistic demeanor. The background is minimalistic, allowing the character and the drink to stand out. This image likely reflects the playful animation style typical of UPA's commercials from the late 1950s, aiming to convey a lighthearted and fun aspect of consumer products, such as American Express.

Film Transcript / Subtitles

Once upon a time, two lovebirds took a trip. But alas, a pickpocket pinched their bankroll. Money gone, vacation ruined. That boy lovebird was so chagrined he could have kicked himself. And the girl lovebird was only too happy to oblige. Moral, never carry more cash than you can afford to lose. When Josephine met Bonaparte, he quickly ran off with her heart. No gal could ever resist him. Their romance made the presses burn. Each moment Josephine would yearn to kiss and kiss and kiss him. Then Josie felt a new emotion, one whiff of aqua velvet lotion. And a great new romance began. Because there's something about an aqua velvet man. Use new ice blue aqua velvet, the aftershave lotion that's better for your skin. Aqua velvet cools away razor burn, soothes irritated skin, contains humectant, a skin conditioner that puts back skin moisture. Get new ice blue aqua velvet in this handsome decanter bottle. You'll like its clean, manly scent. You'll hear him say... There's something about an aqua velvet man. New Blue Mist Windex gets glass so clean, it seems to disappear. Blue Mist Windex, the push-button cleaner that leaves no dirt-catching film. Get new Blue Mist Windex today. Oh boy! Oh joy! Oh jubilation! Modern gas brings home automation. Gas cooked! It heats! Automatically! You now control! By exact degree! Top burners and rotisserie! Gas is fast, it's smokeless, clean as can be. So we repeat, emphatically. Oh boy! Oh joy! Oh jubilation! Use modern gas. Get home automation with caloric. C-A-L-O-R-I-C. Caloric! Caloric! Yes, get home automation with caloric built-in ranges. Thermoset, top burner, meat thermometer, roto-roaster give you work-free cooking. Place oven broiler and top burner units wherever you want them. Let caloric built-ins bring you home automation. Only 18 calories per teaspoon of Domino Pure Cane Sugar. Lift up your energy, feel great, while you're holding down your weight. Only 18 calories per teaspoon of Domino Pure Cane Sugar. In the bright yellow package. Hello there. I'm Wally Seagap. Yellow Pages, that is. I make it easy for you to shop for pets, fences, landscaping. Yellow Pages, Yellow Pages, find it fast. In the yellow pages. Brush, cleanser, detergent, sterilizer, deodorant. Finished. Madam, don't you know the simple modern way to do that job is the Johnny Mop way? Just slip a cleanser-filled pad on the permanent Johnny Mop handle and swish it quickly around the bowl. It suds-es, deodorizes. When you're finished, spread the handle. Pad drops off and flushes away. Behold, sparkling clean. Pad guaranteed not to clog drain or harm septic tank. The sleek plastic handle stores clean and dry anywhere. Remember, always use Johnny Mop. Johnny Mop. Enter the big Johnny Mop contest now. Win a Golden Hawk Studebaker, Westinghouse Freezer with $1,000 worth of Seabrook Farms frozen foods, mink stole from Denise Ferriers, or Westinghouse Coffee Maker. And now get Johnny Mop combination pack. $1.29 value, only 98 cents. She said I'd forget what she wanted. Not me, I said. Stop for the party, stop for the party, stop for the... Slow down, corn fins. Corn fins. Corn fins, the new Nabisco snack sensation flavored with toasted corn and a dash of cheddar cheese. Me forget corn fins? Of course not. Me forget. Hey, wait. Triscuit, Triscuit, Triscuit. Triscuit, the party biscuit, crisp whole wheat wafers folks love. Forget the Triscuit. Forget the Triscuit, not me. Stop. Blue, blue cheese crackers. Nabisco blue cheese crackers, tangy bites with a party shape and a party flavor of Ropeford type cheese. Blue cheese crackers, of course. Remembered everything, everything. Except very thin pretzels. That's all right, Eggbert. But I always keep an extra package of very thin pretzels handy. The best party snacks you can buy are party snacks baked by Nabisco. Two good friends, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Green. Both work hard and enjoy life. Now, all morning, Mrs. Brown feels wonderful. But poor Mrs. Green gets that mid-morning letdown. You see, Mrs. Brown knows she needs a good breakfast, so she eats post-grape nuts flakes to give her a whole morning's worth of energy. And she loves their exclusive grape nuts flavor, so nut-like and delicious. When Mrs. Brown told Mrs. Green about grape nuts flakes, she started having them, and now she never gets mid-morning letdown. That's why grape nuts flakes are just a little bit better. Most any cereal is fine with me, as long as you spell it P-O-S-T, cause all post-cereals happen to be just a little better. A little bit better. A little bit better than any other cereal happens to be. No mid-morning letdown when you eat grape nuts flakes. Watch them go for state-line potato chips. Best catch of the season. Always fresh. Look what you can do with a kitchen phone and color, an extension phone and color for your kitchen. Call the grocer, call the cleaner, call your friends, and you never even have to step a foot from your kitchen. A kitchen phone's a time-saver, step-saver, yes it is. So see about a kitchen phone and color right away. An extension phone and color for your kitchen right away at your Bell Telephone Business Office. Professor Grundy is up to date, but away from home in a distant state. Though he's hundreds of miles away and alone, his wife is near by long-distance phone. No cheaper, faster way to go. No warmer way to say hello. Take a tip from Professor Grundy. Rates are lower nights and Sunday. Hi there, friend. What do you say we snap a cap of Red Cap and enjoy the true Canadian ale with the full-bodied flavor? Man alive, look at that smooth, tempting head. Taste that mm-mm, full-bodied flavor. Well, let's go, friend. Pass me another Red Cap. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night.