Came across this series of film clips recently, and felt like sharing.
No matter what time my little pre-teen self watched television – whether it was a Saturday morning cartoon or some TV game show or a syndicated afternoon program – there would always be some sort of anti-drug public service announcement. And this was the early 1970’s, so most of these commercials laid it on THICK.
Periscope Films has gathered a batch of these classic public service announcements, and I’m sharing them with you today. Of special remembrance is the one with the magician / drug pusher who tries to convince a bunch of clean-cut kids to try everything from airplane glue to LSD, with the effectiveness of a carnival barker whose assistant reveals all the secrets.
I mean, these commercials may have been effective in their day, but they are so campy now …
Watch this. You’ll see.
I haven’t seen acting this hammy since the 7th grade school production of Glengarry Glen Ross. Ha.
Chuck The Writer 
They apparently didn’t work, so now the “legit” drug companies freely and aggressively prey upon the old folks, during what I like to call “senior hour” in the early evening. Pick a network.
They go so far as “Ask your doctor if (insert unpronounceable name here) is right for you.” And it’s easy to miss the mumbled ending of some of the fast-talking commercials, where “death” is quickly included as a possible side effect.
All for the sake of convincing the feeble, gullible audience that they’ll finally be able to fit in with their families again, and will one day be able to join their peers on cruises and excursions of a lifetime.
Sickening.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a problem we don’t have in Canada, and you can keep it.
LikeLike