Alka-Seltzer has revived Speedy, its icon back in the 1950′s. Take a look. Then keep it in mind the next time you see one of the current commercials. Enjoy Buster Keaton from the times as well.
Vintage Alka-Seltzer Commercial – Funny Buster Keaton
April 2, 2008
Old Black and White Vintage Alka-Seltzer commercial featuring Buster Keaton.
Bob Watkins and Chuck Tenant became army pals during World War II. Watkins the artist was enlisted by Tenant the agency for Alka-Seltzer, to come up with a character to help sell the product. Three hours of sketching and many advertising runs later, Speedy remains a top advertising icon.
Approximately 30 different facial expressions were used with a filmmaking technique at the time so secret, the tape was kept in a Hollywood studio vault.
Speedy appeared in 212 commercials.
Campaigns such as “Speedy is its Middle Name” and Plop, Plop Fizz Fizz, Oh, What a Relief it is” has made Speedy one the most award-winning advertising icons ever.
- Alka-Seltzer sold over 300 million tablets in 2005, enough of the one-inch tablets to stretch all the way from New York City to Moscow, Russia.
- The original Speedy puppet was lost en route to the Philippines in 1971, but was found in an Australian warehouse five years later.
- Speedy is so famous that the puppet was insured for $100,000 and is currently kept in the vault of a Beverly Hills bank.
- Speedy appeared in 212 commercials from 1954 to 1964.
- Searching for Speedy’s voice took over 400 auditions to find.
- Twenty-four year old radio actor Dick Beals landed the role, and Speedy’s voice was created.
- Father of actress Julianna Margulies (of TV show ER fame), Paul Margulies, wrote the “Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz” theme song in 1953.
- Kim Basinger, Morgan Freeman, and Sammy Davis Jr. are a few celebrities that have appeared in Alka-Seltzer commercials.
- Alka-Seltzer used to be sold in glass tubes, which were discontinued to reduce costs and eliminate breakage problems in 1984.
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